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It Was Just a Contractual Marriage cover
8.5OUR SCORE
ManhwaCompleted · 112 chR15 · our rating

It Was Just a Contractual Marriage

It Was Just a Contract Marriage · Just a Contract Marriage · 그저 계약혼이었을 뿐이다

by Dalseul · Manta · 2023

best for Readers who enjoy angst-heavy historical romance, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, dragonborn royalty tropes, high-stakes political schemes, and intense mutual yearning.

Story8.0Art9.0Romance8.5
Read on Manta

Also on: KakaoPage

Heads-up: grief / loss and dubious consent. All content notes

Ch. 01 · The story

What it's about

Spoiler level: Minor — for the synopsis & review below

As the last remaining member of the fallen imperial family, Princess Elise must do whatever it takes to survive and escape execution—even if it means proposing a fake marriage to Archduke Lezett, the terrifying dragonborn leader of an enemy nation. To secure her life, Elise claims she is carrying his child, leading to a perilous contract marriage where intense instinct, mutual deception, and unexpected devotion collide.

Ch. 02 · Our verdict

My take

The series shines primarily through its exquisite art style and high emotional tension. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between a desperate, clever princess trying to survive and a terrifyingly intense dragonborn archduke makes it deeply addicting to read.

— coff33latt33

✓ Read it if…

You'll love the gorgeous visuals, top-tier character designs, high-stakes survival tension, and the satisfying shift as the formidable ML slowly reveals his protective, devoted side.

! Skip it if…

The pacing is a slow burn with heavy angst and misunderstandings, and the dragonborn plot elements introduce heavy instinctual and possessive themes that might feel intense for some readers.

Ch. 03 · The vibe

Story profile

Story profile
Pacing: Slow-burn
How it feels
Romance focusIntense
Romantic tensionIntense
AngstA lot
ComedyBarely
ActionSome
Plot complexityA lot
💞 Romance dynamic
Who falls firstMale lead
Couple dynamicPush & pull
Power balanceHe holds more power
Romance speedSlow-burn
✓ Story strengths
Proactive leadGorgeous artStrong visual storytelling
⚠ Story frustrations
Long misunderstandings
Serious Content Warnings
Grief / LossDubious Consent
Content Notes
Emotional AbuseTraumaViolence
Ch. 04 · Next up

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