Marriage by Contract? No, It’s a Marriage of Convenience – A Countess Who Had Her Engagement Broken Off Lives Vigorously in the Northern Lands

One day, Liddellina Drimore suddenly had her fiancé taken away by her older sister and the engagement was broken off. Before she had time to heal from her sadness, she was forced to marry Friedrich Weller, a duke, in order to pay off her family’s debts. He is a military man and a highly respected figure in the royal family, but he is also rumored to be a combat-obsessed maniac who is only interested in war. Liddellina, who is afraid of his cold gaze, marries him reluctantly, but to her surprise, she finds a surprisingly comfortable life even though she cannot expect love from her husband. Not long after their marriage, Liddellina’s husband goes to the battlefield and her life as a stand-in ruler begins.

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Marriage by Contract? No, It’s a Marriage of Convenience – A Countess Who Had Her Engagement Broken Off Lives Vigorously in the Northern Lands This title is a mouthful, but the premise – a rejected Countess finding a new life through a marriage of convenience in the Northern Lands – definitely piqued my interest. I dove into this story with moderate expectations, and I came out with mixed feelings. It wasn't a complete disaster, but it also didn't blow me away. ### First Impressions The initial chapters were promising. The European ambience is well-established, and I was immediately drawn to the idea of a strong female protagonist making her own way after a public humiliation. The setup is classic shoujo, with a hint of drama and the promise of a cold, but eventually loving, male lead. ### What Works Well I really enjoyed the interactions between the Countess and her husband. Their relationship, while starting as a business arrangement, has moments of genuine warmth and humor. The story is also relatively short and easy to follow, making it a good choice for a quick and light read. ### Areas of Concern My biggest issue lies with the female lead's passivity. For someone who's supposed to be a powerful matriarch, she often seems to lack agency. I found it frustrating to see her constantly taking abuse from unwanted guests without putting up a proper fight. The story's logic sometimes feels shaky, especially concerning the security of the Northern Lands. How can uninvited, hostile nobles waltz in and threaten the matriarch? It strains credulity and makes the security forces seem completely incompetent. Additionally, the villains feel somewhat one-dimensional and cartoonishly evil, lacking depth and nuance. This diminishes the impact of their actions. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some plot points revealed near the end are presented as an info dump rather than organically woven into the narrative. This can make the "secret" feel less impactful and more like a convenient plot device. ### Final Verdict "Marriage by Contract? No, It’s a Marriage of Convenience – A Countess Who Had Her Engagement Broken Off Lives Vigorously in the Northern Lands" is an okay read. It's not terrible, but it's not particularly outstanding either. If you're looking for a light and fluffy romance with a straightforward plot and don't mind overlooking some illogical elements and a passive protagonist, you might find this enjoyable. However, if you prefer strong female leads and well-developed antagonists, this might not be the story for you. I'd give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It's a decent way to pass the time, but don't expect anything groundbreaking.