“Hey, Your Majesty. Didn’t you just smile?”
Back when I was about to make my debut in high society, my sister Kasallin once said something like that.
Showing your emotions in front of others is like casting off your armor on the battlefield.
Rose covered her face with both hands.
Overwhelmed by shock, she dropped her head between her knees, sobbing as if she had momentarily lost her senses.
“No way. My one and only sister!”
As Rose collapsed to the floor, Shallen, clearing away his suspicious gaze, supported her.
The guards hurriedly moved, urging to escort Her Majesty the Queen to her chambers.
“Your Highness. I need my sister. She’s my most precious family. Please tell me she’s alive!”
“Don’t worry. She’s surely alive somewhere, waiting to be rescued. I’ll order a search to find her.”
Shallen escorted Rose to her chambers and instructed the soldiers to continue the search.
The search party leader, with a troubled expression, spoke.
“Your Highness. The place where Miss Kasallin disappeared is near the border. To safely continue the search, shouldn’t we contact the Renel Empire for permission?”
“Permission?”
As if some pride still remained despite the circumstances, Shallen raised his voice.
“Our Khan Kingdom and the Renel Empire are equal brother nations. Have you forgotten? Requesting permission would be admitting we’re a vassal state!”
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
The Renel Empire and the Khan Kingdom, sharing the same lineage and origin, had long ago agreed to abolish border inspections.
People called that area the Free Border Zone, regarding it as a symbol of friendship between the two nations.
However, no one was unaware that, in reality, the Renel Empire unilaterally protected the Khan Kingdom.
From the start, the two nations differed vastly in power, so if Emperor Parnes had any ill intentions, it wouldn’t be surprising for the Khan Kingdom to be absorbed into the Renel Empire at any moment.
“Hurry and find Kasallin and bring her to me. She can’t have died so vainly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Shallen, nervously rubbing his face with trembling hands, desperately clung to hope.
She must be alive.
Nothing could have gone wrong.
[This is the timeline separator]“You don’t even have the courage to die, yet your mouth is so lively!”
The words Shallen spat just before being thrown from the carriage left an indelible scar on Kasallin’s heart, unshaken by most things.
No matter what, he shouldn’t have said that.
It’s not like I don’t get hurt.
.
.
.
Kasallin, feeling a splitting headache, slowly lifted her heavy eyelids.
With a still-cloudy mind not fully returned, she looked around.
She was alone in a room where bright sunlight filtered through curtains, with a faint smell of medicine lingering.
Slowly realizing this was the Renel Imperial Palace and that Parnes had saved her, Kasallin felt a strange sense of relief spread through her chest.
‘How long have I been lying here?’
Kasallin pushed aside the blanket and stretched her stiff legs out of bed.
Without much thought, she tried to stand on the floor, but pain shot through her, twisting from her pelvis to her knees and ankles.
Startled by the chilling sensation that her body was completely paralyzed, Kasallin stumbled to one side.
“Oh no!”
Parnes, entering the room just then, spotted her and immediately threw himself forward to catch her in an embrace.
Feeling as if she were being held by a large, solid rock, Kasallin looked up, bewildered.
“Your Majesty.”
“Why do you always choose dangerous things to do!”
At his sudden scolding, Kasallin’s eyes widened.
He irritably furrowed his brows, but oddly, there was no trace of blame toward her in his expression.
“You’re such a troublesome child.”
Did the person calling her troublesome search for her in the dead of night, treat her, care for her, and watch over her?
With pure curiosity shining in her light green eyes, Kasallin gazed at him.
“Were you worried about me?”
“…….”
The two were now so close they could smell each other’s scent.
In Parnes’ eyes, looking down at Kasallin in his arms, anxiety and relief flickered together like a small flame.
He slowly tightened his arms around her waist, as if to hold her closer, but then stepped back coldly, like a monk casting off impure desires.
“Who’s worried about whom?”
He returned to his usual unreadable, indifferent expression and spoke.
Yet his voice still trembled with excitement.
“If you’re going to leave without a word, you should just disappear. To show up before me with that frail body of yours beaten to a pulp, what am I supposed to do?”
“I wasn’t trying to leave. I had my own complicated circumstances…”
“Whatever it is, don’t stir my heart any further.”
Parnes spoke in a low but serious voice.
“Don’t step into dangerous places without my permission, and don’t even think about wandering off beyond my sight.”
“…….”
“If you trouble me one more time, I really won’t forgive you.”
Kasallin knew his gruff words were his way of showing concern.
She nodded obediently.
Surprised that she didn’t talk back, Parnes raised one eyebrow crookedly.
“What’s this? No backtalk? Did stepping on death’s threshold kill off that personality of yours?”
“Thank you for saving me. If it weren’t for Your Majesty, I’d be…”
“Enough. Don’t say things that don’t suit you. Just lie down and rest.”
Kasallin tried to stand to get back into bed but collapsed again, her strength failing.
Leaning on the table, crawling was the best she could do.
Her unresponsive body was bewildering.
Parnes, watching her with a complicated expression, rang a bell to summon the court physician.
The physician, arriving in a rush, looked as haggard as Kasallin.
This was a woman brought in by none other than the Emperor himself.
Failure to save her would mean death for the physician.
Ironically, while the physician saved Kasallin’s life, it could be said Kasallin saved the physician’s life in return.
“The accident caused severe fractures and bleeding in her arms, legs, and ribs. By the grace of the gods, there’s fortunately no damage to her head, but she’ll face some difficulties with daily life for a while.”
The physician wiped cold sweat with a handkerchief and spoke.
“When will I be able to walk again?”
“With crutches, one or two months. Without crutches, at least four months. To move freely as before the accident, it’ll take over six months of consistent monitoring.”
In short, she wouldn’t be able to lift even a spoon on her own for a while.
Still, the prospect of full recovery in the long term was a silver lining.
“Your Majesty, how many days was I unconscious?”
“Two weeks.”
“Already that long… What about the Khan court? Haven’t they been looking for me?”
Kasallin asked, half-doubting.
The thought crossed her mind that Shallen might think it’s good she’s gone.
Parnes hesitated, as if debating whether to answer, then firmly shook his head.
“They haven’t looked for you. If they had, they would’ve contacted me.”
Parnes turned Kasallin’s doubt into certainty.
Another scar was etched onto her already battered heart.
Kasallin smiled bitterly.
“As expected.”
“…….”
“I’ll never forget the kindness you’ve shown me today. As soon as I can walk, I’ll leave the palace. My body’s in this state, so I’ll have to impose on you for a while. Is that alright?”
Kasallin spoke politely, suppressing her surging sadness.
Parnes let out a heavy sigh and lightly tapped her forehead.
“Ouch.”
“When have you ever asked for my permission before imposing? Just be your usual shameless self.”
“Shameless, you say?”
“You’re sharp enough to impress, but in times like this, you’re hopelessly foolish. I’m not so narrow-minded as to heartlessly kick out a patient who can’t take a single step.”
“You mean…”
Parnes pulled over a thick winter blanket and wrapped Kasallin up snugly like a snowman.
“Sleep more. Don’t even think about leaving this room until you can run around without staggering like a newborn fawn.”
“If I may be so bold, didn’t the court tutors teach you how to speak kindly?”
“Talking back like that, you must be well enough.”
Parnes retorted gruffly, leaving the room without looking back.
Was it kindness or a threat?
Mulling over his not-at-all-unpleasant nagging, Kasallin spent the whole day rolling aimlessly on the bed.
[This is the timeline separator]“You finally look relieved.”
Duke Ludwig said, following Parnes, who strode down the corridor with long legs.
Parnes ignored him cleanly, taking the backlog of reports and scanning them.
‘His Majesty, really. So dishonest.’
Kasallin probably had no idea that he hadn’t slept or eaten, staying by her side the whole time out of worry.
And His Majesty himself would likely deny it.
Saying it wasn’t worry, just dealing with a bothersome task, making excuses like a teenage boy.
‘Both of them are so clumsy with emotions—when will they ever fall in love or marry?’
Duke Ludwig smiled silently, imagining a pleasant future.
But his leisure was short-lived.
“By the way, Your Majesty, are you really not going to inform the Khan Kingdom?”
Rustle.
Only the sound of flipping papers echoed faintly, with no reply.
“No matter what, Miss Kasallin’s home is the Khan Kingdom. She’ll have to return someday…”
“She almost died.”
Parnes stopped abruptly and spoke.
“Because of that worthless man, that fragile woman crossed the line between life and death several times.”
Could you send her back?
The papers in Parnes’ grip were mercilessly crumpled.
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.]
