In a land of magical spirits and northern lights, two wounded souls find rest and healing in each other. Rieta Tristi has known nothing but hardship: her husband died of the plague, her young daughter was stolen away by slave traders, and now the cruel Lord casarius, who had long coveted Rieta as a mistress, has ordered on his deathbed that she be buried alive with him. Her heart already shattered by grief, Rieta has little will to resist her grim fate―until the womanizing tyrant of the north, Archduke Killian Axias, suddenly appears and whisks her away. To Rieta's surprise, the cold and ruthless archduke turns out to be not only sympathetic, but deeply thoughtul and caring. As the leaves change and temperatures drop, Rieta warms up to her unexpected savior, who has been grieving a loss of his own. **Original Novel:** [Naver Novel](https://novel.naver.com/webnovel/list?novelId=676625), [Naver Series](https://series.naver.com/novel/detail.series?productNo=2987280) **Official Translation:** [English](https://www.wattpad.com/story/384855869-like-wind-on-a-dry-branch)

Scorned for being the illegitimate child of the emperor, Arthur was sent to the battlefield the night after his marriage to the daughter of Marquess Julius. No one expected him to come back alive, yet, five years later, he returned a victorious war hero. In front of a cheering crowd he reunited with his wife, and.. "She is not my wife." Rather than the marquess's daughter, Arthur had been tricked into marrying a lowly maid all those years ago. Marquess Julius, confident of Arthur's assured demise, had Reina Astarin the maid take his daughter's place to save her the humiliation of such an ill-fated union. Now, though, the marquess's foolproof plan is falling apart. Will the marquess dare admit to fooling the Imperial Family? Will Arthur seek justice? And will Reina Astarin ever be able to live a quiet life again?" **Original Novel:** [Naver Novel](https://novel.naver.com/webnovel/list.nhn?novelId=1002527), [Naver Series](https://series.naver.com/novel/detail.series?productNo=6530761) **Official Translations:** [English](https://www.wattpad.com/story/385995466-a-contract-marriage-with-the-maid)