Manga UP! Global Announces New Romance Series: "The Cruel King I'm Marrying as a Substitute Bride is My First Love?!"

Square Enix’s beloved digital platform Manga UP! Global continues to expand its library without slowing down. With an announcement made on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the platform revealed that it has brought the English version of its new romance and drama-filled series The Cruel King I'm Marrying as a Substitute Bride is My First Love?! to readers worldwide. This move aims to meet the demand for works in the historical and fantasy romance genres, which have seen a surge in popularity recently.

The story revolves around Flora, who is forced to marry the king of an enemy country in place of a princess. While fearing for her life after marrying King Adel, who is known as the "Cruel King" and rumored to be a murderer, Flora encounters an unexpected truth: this cold and frightening ruler is actually her first love from childhood. Brought to life by Aoi's story and Akira's impressive illustrations, the series succeeds in drawing readers in with both its emotional depth and the mysterious bond between the characters.

This new addition is great news for fans who love the "substitute bride" and "contract marriage" themes that have garnered significant interest in the manga world. Through Manga UP! Global, Square Enix continues its strategy of delivering current series from Japan to international fans more quickly and through official channels. Thanks to the ticket system within the app, fans can access the first chapters of the series for free and follow the progression of the story with weekly updates. Such digital platforms help prevent piracy while allowing niche genres to reach a global audience.

The Cruel King I'm Marrying as a Substitute Bride is My First Love?! is not just a classic