Marriage of Convenience

[MangaDex]

 

[CadmarLegend]

Ahem, a little bit of strong language!!!!



This webtoon is the typical almost-cuckhold-fantasizing misunderstanding-riddled shitshow you can expect it to be, additionally accompanied by the 10-year-old girl getting married off to a 16-plus-year-old count. Fucking hell, I expected it to get better after 40 chapters, but nope. What did I expect?

Firstly, the main character boasts about how she isn’t going to repeat her life’s mistakes again. After all, she’s from the future. Of course, that’s great! A poor 10-year-old getting married off for political purposes, trying to sort her life back starting from when she’s 19. Amazing!

However, remember, she’s from the future. So, why in the flying goddamned fuck does she think her husband has a mistress, and he’s just pouncing to oust her from their house? She’s literally from the future. The only reason she got ousted from the family was because her husband died, not because her husband ever introduced a mistress or any desire to rid her of her position.

Additionally, she is quite a bitch. “I know my husband will die in 7 years, so I better produce an heir so I can survive after his death."

How does that make sense? She’s literally saying she’ll change the future, but instead of giving a single shit to protect her husband, she gives two shits more about just birthing an heir.

I know, she’s a traumatized character.

However, the author fucked up. It’s the author’s fault she seems so whiny; it’s the author’s fault that the massive problems in the story were created simply because that fucktard of an author wanted to create “drama” and the only way that fucker thought they could do it was by creating misunderstandings.

The story had great potential. The story had great messages at the start. But you know what? The author threw it all out the window. I feel sorry for the artist who was forced to draw this. No amount of pay would let me draw up such a shitty story.

‘Course, people “like” it, with its stunning 8.55/10 rating on MD. Those degenerates. I should have stopped reading the minute I realized a 10-year-old was married to someone not even her age. I regret my mistakes. If I could go back in time, I would never read this webtoon.

 

[ARRR]

gorgeous art, but sadly rather bad writing. Not recommended although for different reasons than this obnoxious and full of vitriol comment above mine.
There is nothing wrong with the setting of 10to bride, since it is not for fanservice or pedo vibes. If anything it is a bit of a reason why the main character is so unadapted and unsocial later in her life. However, she is way too selfish and self-obsessed for me to enjoy this story. And the writing is too focused on accepting her bad behavior, like when she was needlessly brutal with a maid, or on reasons why did she cheat on her husband. Don't get me wrong, if she was in a really bad marriage it could be an interesting plot since arranged (forced) marriages are far from ethical. But it was all misunderstandings and she is just really quite pathetic and not fun to watch.
We are supposed to pity her, but it's difficult to do when she is abusing her position of power and the story doesn't really explore her husband's character, he is just a loving nodding machine, nothing about his personality, other than what is useful for heroine.

 

[WeeabooReview]

Absolutely disagree with the prior reviewers, to be honest. This has been one the most rewarding stories I've read in my time on MD. And the art is gorgeous.

I can acknowledge that the MC can be a bit much to get used to, but what's the point in having a perfect protagonist? People are allowed to have flaws and it's part of what makes her a bit more believable as a person. She is not a "good person." She starts as a relatively spoiled girl who is trying to not die like she did last life, without friends, tossed out of her home, unloved, despised to an extent, heartbroken and disposed of. She starts like this because the story follows her growth.

You go on a journey with Bianca as she navigates her own feelings about the previous past and these miscommunications are clarified, and relationships and connections are remade and reformed. Her husband, Zachary, is a fully fleshed out character but we don't get to see a lot of his backstory until later on. Because that's how stories work, unless you like exposition dumps.

One thing I really enjoyed was how every piece of information that is given to the audience ends up being purposeful to the story. In fact, I would say the way the story unfolds reminds me a little bit of A Stepmother's Marchen. It doesn't have the same depth and insight, but it's like a younger, simpler, more romance-focused and less harsh tale along the same vein.

And lastly, to address the issue of a child bride. The idea isn't a new thing and this story dealt with it in a very respectful and tactful manner. It was very much a "marriage of convenience" at the time. It was honestly simply a contract of service, saying, "If you show your support for my cause by doing this, I will give you a lot of money."

Anyway, I fully recommend this. I gave it 10 stars. Please give it a chance.

 

[Aztecreader]

I'm am number 3 on saying this is bad. Good art but bad writing all around.

Roxana does a way better job...sadly that manhuwa is forever axed since the artist begged for a maternity leave while pregnant and her boss said no..she lost the baby and then her boss got pregnant and took maternity leave so she wouldn't lose her baby...so yea.. Korea makes good manhuwas but have horrible working conditions..just like this ones story...

 

[Ekusupuroshion]

I'll just say a story about going back in time that actually explores the idea (however little) instead of just pulling a "somehow Palpatine returned" on the first chapter, then never properly explaining it is a breath of fresh air. Over a very low bar.
The way it is explored and explained? Felt so rushed it got me on the edge of my seat thinking there was a sudden ending at every chapter. Not the kind of tension any author would strive towards and leaves me with so many questions.

The husband does come off at times as a humanoid nodding machine that exists solely to be supportive without wanting, expecting or needing anything in return. Over someone filled with faults but meant to be accepted, appreciated and cheered for by the reader at that.

 

[ARRR]

I can acknowledge that the MC can be a bit much to get used to, but what's the point in having a perfect protagonist? People are allowed to have flaws and it's part of what makes her a bit more believable as a person. She is not a "good person." She starts as a relatively spoiled girl who is trying to not die like she did last life, without friends, tossed out of her home, unloved, despised to an extent, heartbroken and disposed of. She starts like this because the story follows her growth.

While it is easier to cheer on a good-natured character, there is plenty of well-written titles with flawed MCs in this genre.
The evil schemers (The Villainess Turns the Hourglass or The One Within the Villainess, I am the queen in this life)
The misguided who were blind to the evil they've caused (Sigrid, From a Knight to a Lady)
Egoistical MCs focused on surviving in difficult circumstances (I'll Save This Damned Family, Isn't Being a Wicked Woman Much Better?, Who made me a Princess)
But MC here is cruel, egoistical, unemphatic, rather dumb, and, worst of all, boring. There is no payoff from watching her scheming, there is no payoff from watching her learn from her mistakes, there is even no magic or interesting world-building ideas, and the humor is rather dry. Characterisation doesn't have to be an exposition dump, there is way more ways to make a character interesting, even hinting at certain things or showing their interest, but the writer needs to be competent at their craft to make a nuanced story.

It's not impossible to enjoy this story, everybody has different needs different vibes, and different experiences. But for most readers, it will not be a satisfying read.

 

[WeeabooReview]

While it is easier to cheer on a good-natured character, there is plenty of well-written titles with flawed MCs in this genre.
The evil schemers (The Villainess Turns the Hourglass or The One Within the Villainess, I am the queen in this life)
The misguided who were blind to the evil they've caused (Sigrid, From a Knight to a Lady)
Egoistical MCs focused on surviving in difficult circumstances (I'll Save This Damned Family, Isn't Being a Wicked Woman Much Better?, Who made me a Princess)

I think perhaps you came into this with the expectation that the MC would be seeking revenge, based on the stories you've mentioned. Especially since you refer to her plans as "scheming." Now, I'm a fan of such stories myself and have read/am reading all but one you've mentioned, but I feel to compare the MC in this to the others you've mentioned is a little unfair.

The backgrounds of the time-reversal stories you mentioned usually have the MC living a life they enjoyed/felt content in, perhaps doing dumb things during it, and then getting betrayed because they were gullible. (i.e. The Villainess Turns the Hourglass, I am the Queen in this Life, Sigrid). The MC of Marriage of Convenience has no desire for revenge because she never had "the good life" (insomuch as the character believed). There is nothing to get vengeance on, since nothing was actually stolen from her, because she never had it in the first place.

The backgrounds of the reincarnation stories you mentioned usally have the MC becoming a character of a narrative which they haven't yet lived, but know the entire storyline of. This gives them a clear objective and goal to either avoid or achieve. (i.e. I'll Save this Damned Family, Isn't Being a Wicked Woman Much Better?, Who Made Me a Princess?, The One within the Villainess [though that one is a little more complicated]). The MC of Marriage of Convenience has lived her full life, but doesn't know the entire storyline. This means she has no idea how to achieve or avoid anything. It's why her first solution is to do the one thing she knows will make a difference in her new life (i.e. have an heir).

But MC here is cruel, egoistical, unemphatic, rather dumb, and, worst of all, boring.

All these traits either improve with her growth or have in-story justification.

You say she is cruel. I assume you're referring to when she slaps the maid who insulted her and then punishes her. In this society, the maid was completely overstepping her position and insulting the wife of the head of the household. Her actions, whilst fuelled by anger, were completely justified for her role in the house. Had she let this continue, she would've eventually ended up being undermined and not taken seriously again.

You say she is egotistical. I am not entirely sure where you get this from, other than perhaps when she is acting like the noble she is meant to be? If you stick with the story, this trait of hers eventually dampens down as she grows as a person.

You say she is unempathetic. I will agree with you on this, at least in the beginning. This is another trait of hers that gets considerably better as time moves along, as she begins to understand other people's perspectives on things.

You say she is dumb. I disagree with you. She barely knows anything. It's not that she's dumb, it's that she's ignorant. This changes as she begins to learn things.

You say she is boring. Her initial solution to not being treated the same way this life is to try and have an heir by seducing her husband. That doesn't sound like a boring character to me.

There is no payoff from watching her scheming, there is no payoff from watching her learn from her mistakes,

I think perhaps you and I have an entirely different understanding on what "pay-off" is in regards to a character's growth. To see a character learn from their mistakes and improve as a person IS pay-off to me. To see her life get better, to see people's understandings of each other grow and expand and shift, IS pay-off to me.

there is even no magic or interesting world-building ideas

There is...

and the humor is rather dry.

Not sure what your point here is. Comedy is not a major genre of this story.

Characterisation doesn't have to be an exposition dump, there is way more ways to make a character interesting, even hinting at certain things or showing their interest, but the writer needs to be competent at their craft to make a nuanced story.

It's you who doesn't think the MC is interesting. But your opinion does not a fact make. That's fine. You're allowed to not like something. That said, the writer is competent at their craft. You are just not a fan of how they've constructed the MC.

It's not impossible to enjoy this story, everybody has different needs different vibes, and different experiences. But for most readers, it will not be a satisfying read.

I agree that not everybody will like this story. But to say that the majority will not find it satisfying is low-key insulting. You need just read the comments on the final chapter (not side-stories) to find people who have enjoyed this. And they are not the minority.

Perhaps consider exactly what you've said. Everyone has different needs, different vibes, and different experiences. Do not expect that your opinions will align with the majority.

Anyway, if you want to expand your reading list for other stuff, hit me up. I've read pretty much everything villainess-reincarnation adjacent at this point, lmao. Have a good one!

 

[Jcepthro]

Y’all are batshit coo coo

This shit was the best damn thing I’ve read webtoon wise in a long time, binged the entire thing in 1 sitting

Is it the best writing ever? Eh maybe maybe not but gahhhhhdamn was it enjoyable

10/10 very satisfied customer

 

[RedlineAlchemist]

Coming from someone who normally doesn't like romance manga, I highly recommend reading this. The characters just feel so real. Multiple times I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of stereotypes you usually see in stories like this.

 

[shadowladyr]

Ahem, a little bit of strong language!!!!



This webtoon is the typical almost-cuckhold-fantasizing misunderstanding-riddled shitshow you can expect it to be, additionally accompanied by the 10-year-old girl getting married off to a 16-plus-year-old count. Fucking hell, I expected it to get better after 40 chapters, but nope. What did I expect?

Firstly, the main character boasts about how she isn’t going to repeat her life’s mistakes again. After all, she’s from the future. Of course, that’s great! A poor 10-year-old getting married off for political purposes, trying to sort her life back starting from when she’s 19. Amazing!

However, remember, she’s from the future. So, why in the flying goddamned fuck does she think her husband has a mistress, and he’s just pouncing to oust her from their house? She’s literally from the future. The only reason she got ousted from the family was because her husband died, not because her husband ever introduced a mistress or any desire to rid her of her position.

Additionally, she is quite a bitch. “I know my husband will die in 7 years, so I better produce an heir so I can survive after his death."

How does that make sense? She’s literally saying she’ll change the future, but instead of giving a single shit to protect her husband, she gives two shits more about just birthing an heir.

I know, she’s a traumatized character.

However, the author fucked up. It’s the author’s fault she seems so whiny; it’s the author’s fault that the massive problems in the story were created simply because that fucktard of an author wanted to create “drama” and the only way that fucker thought they could do it was by creating misunderstandings.

The story had great potential. The story had great messages at the start. But you know what? The author threw it all out the window. I feel sorry for the artist who was forced to draw this. No amount of pay would let me draw up such a shitty story.

‘Course, people “like” it, with its stunning 8.55/10 rating on MD. Those degenerates. I should have stopped reading the minute I realized a 10-year-old was married to someone not even her age. I regret my mistakes. If I could go back in time, I would never read this webtoon.

I agree. There was so much potential.
But I do love some of the characters enough to reread it.