It had already been half a day since she last switched carriages.
The silence she maintained throughout the ride must have seemed odd when broken. Helena, masking her bitter expression, shook her head.
“It’s nothing.”
Thankfully, the coachman didn’t press further. He was a satisfactory companion, not eager for chit-chat.
The rumbling carriage was nearing its destination. The coachman initiated a light conversation, slowing the horses down.
“What brings you this way? Looks like you’ve traveled quite a distance.”
“…My family lives here.”
“Been a while since you’ve seen them? How many years?”
“…Yes. I haven’t been back since my brother’s funeral.”
“Well, seeing your family after so long must be nice.”
Helena pressed her lips together, not responding this time. It was a conversation she couldn’t continue.
She closed her eyes and leaned against the hard wooden seat. She spent the time in silence until they arrived and she paid the fare.
Stepping out of the carriage, slowly entering the village, the coachman waved to her.
“Have a wonderful time with your family, lovely lady!”
He was exceedingly kind. However, Helena couldn’t joyfully accept even his encouragement. A bitter smile lingered on her lips.
‘A wonderful time with family.’
Was there a more alienating sentence? It felt like thorns had lodged in her ears after swallowing those words.
Helena stood motionless until the sound of horse hooves crunching on the gravel road faded away. Everything around her felt strangely unfamiliar.
The wind rustling through her hair,
Bushes brushing her ankles,
The glaring sun,
The weight of the luggage in her grasp.
Every object and sensation in the world seemed to press down on her. The very ground she stood on felt like it could flip over and swallow her at any moment.
The ducal physician had always advised her to take deep breaths and clear her mind when she felt this way, but it was easier said than done.
For a long while, Helena stood rooted to the spot, like a tree. Taking the first step was difficult.
‘It’s okay, there’s no need to be nervous.’
If only she could cut off her emotions as easily as useless hair.
Despite her resolve not to expect anything, deep down, there was a part of her longing for affection. She felt a bit sorrowful.
In the heart of the capital city Tebe, of the Western Continent Rihalt Empire, there was one room in the Imperial Palace where the lights never went out, even at late hours.
A voice, heavier than usual, filled the vast room.
“Dion. I believe I’ve finished everything I need to do.”
The person addressed, Dion, instinctively tensed up. The owner of the voice had one eyebrow slightly raised, an ominous sign of trouble. Whenever he looked at Dion like that, it usually meant Dion would need to look for his blood pressure medication.
‘What is he planning now? He’s been working relentlessly without rest these days…’
Dion tried to bring the eyebrow back down in his mind and responded.
“While you have completed all the essential tasks, we can’t neglect the preparations for next month’s trade and exchange meeting with the Kingdom of Uston. Especially since the Crown Prince will also be attending, you need to invest more effort—”
“I’ve invested enough effort and completed it.”
“The recommendations for the Royal Court officers—”
“Reviewed them. I’ve passed them on to the administrative department, so check them later.”
“The recently revised tax laws—”
“Look here.”
The man cut him off before he could finish, signaling with his chin.
Dion’s gaze followed the direction. A daunting pile of documents, like an impregnable tower, captured his view.
Usually, Dion would have meticulously reviewed the documents to ensure nothing was missing or improperly approved. But he didn’t bother sifting through the pile this time.
His sovereign might occasionally display incomprehensible eccentricities, but he was never careless with his duties. In fact, his determination to see things through often made Dion more exhausted.
The fact that his sovereign was an efficient ruler, yet a headache at times, was precisely the reason Dion felt this way.
Remembering something, Dion decided to bring up a new topic.
“Then perhaps it’s time to consider narrowing down the Empress candidates. It’s been two years since you’ve been saying you’ll handle it yourself without any progress. We need to initiate the competition among the candidates soon, so you can proceed with the royal marriage.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Even if you delay, now is the time— What? What did you just say?”
“That’s a good idea.”
Dion’s eyes snapped open in surprise. Why was he agreeing so easily this time?
Despite the ministers’ persistent nagging, he had remained unresponsive. When they barely managed to present a list of candidates, he would vehemently refuse, as if he was being offered a poisoned chalice.
Dion, invigorated, hurriedly spoke.
“I’ll immediately prepare the list…!”
“I think I need to go on a trip.”
Dion’s face, which had brightened up, turned dark in just a few seconds. His premonitions never seemed to miss.
‘Better to die than suffer like this.’
Though he felt exasperated inside, the only reaction he could muster was to bite his lip hard. The man before him was not someone to whom he could openly show disloyalty.
The ruler of the Rihalt Empire. The moon that had risen to overthrow tyranny.
Ian Kamel Aksen Febenhaim.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
