The Devil's Duchess - Chapter 1: Author’s Note

Xu Xiang is a doomsday survivor who survived for forty years. Before she could fulfill her dream of becoming the overlord, she died.Opening her eyes, she returned to the fifteen years before the doomsday began. With the help of her family heirloom the dragon and phoenix ring, she hoards supplies and prepares to welcome the doomsday.Unfortunately, she was betrayed by her own family and died the night before the doomsday begins. With hatred in her heart, she swallowed the dragon and phoenix ring and jumped off the cliff.When she opened her eyes again, she was still alive, but arrived in a world that was plagued by endless wars and constant natural disasters. Although she's lucky enough to get another chance, she's unknowingly drawn into political turmoil where someone may be killed without knowing who the killer is.Can she survive in this ancient world that is more dangerous and full of hidden dangers than her own? Can she find the courage to trust someone else again? After two lifetimes, can she find her own happiness?

One day, I – a high schooler – found a paperback in the hospital. The “Disease Coexistence Journal” was its title. It was a diary that my classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, had written in secret. Inside, it was written that due to her pancreatic disease, her days were numbered. And thus, I coincidentally went from Just-a-Classmate to a Secret-Knowing-Classmate. It was as if I were being drawn to her, who was my polar opposite. However, the world presented the girl that was already suffering from an illness with an equally cruel reality…

The best-selling, award-winning debut work by Yoru Sumino:

“Bestsellers 2016 (Overall) by NIPPAN” – 4th Place

“Bestsellers 2016 (Paperback Fiction) by NIPPAN” – 1st Place

“Bestsellers 2016 (Overall) by TOHAN” – 5th Place

“Bestsellers 2016 (Literary Books) by TOHAN” – 1st Place

“Bookstore Grand Prix 2016” – 2nd Place

“DA VINCI BOOK OF THE YEAR 2015” – 2nd Place

“Bestsellers 2015 (Literary Books) by TOHAN” – 6th Place

As of May 2017, this book has sold over 1.2 million copies.

Yuka, reborn as the daughter of the universe's richest man, tries to live a simple life. She gets a big shock when she has to join Union University of the Alliance because of government rules.In university, Yuka picks an easy major, hoping to keep a low profile. But her plan doesn't work. She keeps facing tough situations that show off her smart mind and strong skills. Yuka tries hard to live normally but keeps getting pulled into extraordinary accidents.This is the story about how Yuka grows. It's about her trying to hide her real identity while dealing with a world that always challenges her.

The night before we obtained our marriage certificate, I asked him, “When did you start to develop feelings for me?”

He answered, “I don’t remember.”

“But, why me?”

“Why not you?”

“I’m very petty, and I get jealous very easily.”

“So am I.”

“I’m afraid I’m not worthy of you.”

“So am I.”

“I haven’t really dated, so I don’t know what love is.”

“I don’t know either.”

He held my hand gently, “But I know this. When I think about spending the rest of my life with you, I feel that my future is filled with hope.”

At 16, we used the same class desk, with less than 10cm between our arms. My peripheral vision was full of him.

At 26, I woke up in the morning, and saw the sunlight softly shining on his face. I thought, this is how I want to grow old – gradually, together, with him.

I guess this must be love.