Duke Trevia reluctantly headed for the meeting place.
The inside of the carriage was hot like a steam room.
The Duke was sweating like rain.
He hated heat the most in the world.
Both the damply flowing sweat and the pungent smell of it were all repugnant to him.
“We have arrived, Your Grace.”
“Hoo, yes.”
The Duke stepped down from the carriage and opened the door to the club.
He briefly hoped that it would be cool inside, but it was a vain hope.
The inside of the club was no different from a steam room.
“Duke Trevia, have you arrived?”
“It has been a long time, Count Valter.”
Count Valter, now middleaged, was also sweating.
The subtle smell of sweat from him made the Duke pause his breath for a moment.
“Everyone is waiting inside.”
“I see.”
The indoor temperature was not unbearable, but it was not cool either.
However, for the nobles who usually maintained an almost freezing temperature using magical stones, it was a lethal temperature.
Upon opening the door, six men were seated.
They greeted each other and took their seats. The Duke sighed at the stifling heat inside.
“I think you all know why we are gathered here today.”
Everyone nodded at the Duke’s words.
It was to discuss Nathaniel’s future wife.
“First, we need to look at the narroweddown list. We can’t just pass on the bloodline of the ancient dragon to anyone.”
Duke Trevia scowled at the list.
He cursed at the list filled only with their own relatives.
“What is this vulgar list? It feels very greedy.”
Though he spoke so, Duke Trevia picked out a few pretty girls from his distant relatives.
He considered even Nathaniel’s taste, finding someone similar to Jaina.
As they glanced at each other and checked each other, someone muttered in an annoyed voice.
“By the way, I think the magical stone supply is a bigger problem than this.”
Count Valter muttered gruffly.
“The magical stone issue is serious. We are somehow holding out now, but this could become a big problem.”
The Count spread out the newspaper he had bought this morning in front of everyone.
[Shock! Duke Winters collapses at the news of the Crown Prince’s future wife.] [Duke Winters’ daughter, can’t disclose father’s health status now.] [Disruption in magical stone production due to Duke Winters’ absence, skyrocketing magical stone prices.] [Winters’ daughter, will do her best to meet current production.]Everyone in the room sighed at the various headlines.
They were all feeling this suffocating heat entirely because of this matter.
“Could Duke Winters be conspiring with the Crown Princess?”
“It’s not entirely impossible.”
Surprisingly, the Winters family did not have much interest in politics.
The remoteness of the base in the far north was a factor, but its unique position as the largest supplier of magic stones that permeated the lives of the imperial citizens was also a reason.
The family had maintained political neutrality considering its influence.
They had been like this for decades, so they naturally assumed that the duke’s family would insist on neutrality this time too. They never dreamed that Duke Winters would come out like this.
“Duke Winters is in a bad light. There are rumors that this is all because of Her Majesty the Empress and the Count’s greed for power.”
“How vulgar…….”
The Count muttered, grinding his teeth.
He thought about going to find the Duke right away, but he didn’t think it would be easy to meet.
“First, let’s plant someone in the duke’s house to find out what’s going on inside. If this really is all a play, they will have to face the backlash.”
Everyone nodded at the Count’s words.
But they knew it wouldn’t be easy.
The Duke of Winters is a family confronting the enemy nation at the border.
If you plant a confidant in such a family, you may be accused of treason.
The Count, who glanced at the gloomy faces, thought he should handle things quickly.
“We must ask Her Majesty to convene a meeting of the great nobles next week. The longer this is dragged on, the more exhausting it will be.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Earl Valter’s words.
“It’s really hot, anyway.”
He mumbled as he wiped off his sticky sweat with a towel.
The Count reached out and grabbed a cup of water.
Contrary to his wishes, the water was lukewarm.
(This is a time separator.)
“It’s a great success.”
Teresa smiled and handed me the newspaper.
The newspaper was full of harsh criticism of the nobles who passed the related bill, which caused concern about my father and his second marriage.
“Just recently, a carriage of a family rumored to have pushed a woman to His Highness the Crown Prince was attacked, you know.”
Casius laughed as if he found all of this amusing.
Father had supplied enough magic stones only to a few families who opposed this matter.
I also bought magic stones in my name and distributed them to the common people.
As time went by, the atmosphere began to change and become more hostile.
“And this. This is a list of nobles who are going to attend that secret meeting.”
Casius handed me the list and spoke.
I glanced at it and muttered.
“Such prominent families are dipping their feet into this filthy business.”
At my grumbling, Casius spoke.
“Filthy, you say? Half of the families there are fanatics who believe that the more blood of the great ancient dragon, the better, and the other half are ambitious people aiming for the next power, right?”
“What’s that…”
I had believed all along that they were trying to attach a new woman to Nathaniel to gain power.
That’s how the current emperor’s power structure had flowed.
The emperor had seized power with the help of the strong former empress’s family.
And when that empress died, power naturally shifted to the current Count Trevia’s family.
“Well, there’s not no reason, but to those who have seen His Highness’s power, it would be even more attractive. The one who inherits part of that power will become their bloodline.”
Certainly, Nathaniel’s power was transcendent.
Even I, who was close, was surprised at times.
But when Nathaniel was in the form of a dragon, he looked nothing more than a cute pet to me.
“Your Highness, don’t worry too much. These days His Highness and you are shattering porcelain; a baby will be born soon. Then everything will be solved.”
At Casius’s words, I almost spat out the tea I was drinking.
That shattering is literally breaking because we’re laughing so hard.
Disturbed, I sent the two of them away and lay down on the bed.
It’s been about ten days since we started acting.
Nathaniel and I have been sleeping together every day since then.
Of course, we originally slept together.
But the sleep was different from before, with more intimate physical contact.
But lately, it feels like it has started to cross the line, merely for show.
I recalled last night, which had almost been dangerous.
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.]
