When your greedy relatives strip you of everything, how far would you go to reclaim your birthright? For Countess Clarisse, the answer is simple: she must retrieve her family's lost magic stone from the most terrifying man in the empire. Duke Albert is infamous as a ruthless warmonger who spares no one, but when Clarisse arrives at his estate to negotiate, she is met with a shocking sight. The fearsome beast of the battlefield is desperately waving a baby rattle, trying to soothe his terminally ill infant son, Theodore.

Fate takes an even wilder turn when Clarisse discovers that she is the only person alive with the magical power capable of saving the dying child. Sensing her immense value, the desperate Duke strikes an unexpected bargain. If she agrees to play the role of Theodore's mother and save his life, he will return her stolen family heirloom. Clarisse accepts the deal, determined to keep her emotions locked away after being betrayed so deeply by her own blood. However, she vastly underestimated the power of love. From the adorable baby to the fierce Duke himself, everyone in the castle is about to become completely obsessed with making sure their new stepmother never leaves!

If you are looking for more incredible stories filled with scheming nobility, heartwarming family dynamics, and irresistible romance, we highly recommend reading I Became the Patron of Villains, I'll Be the Matriarch in This Life, and Duchess in Ruins.

fantasy romance, historical romance, stepmother manhwa, healing romance, contract marriage, found family, cold duke of the north, powerful female lead, terminal illness trope, noble family drama