His words made me catch my breath and look at him. Mikael flicked his long hair back and rested his chin on the table.
“I was surprised when I received your letter. I didn’t have the chance to ask since you suddenly decided to get married. Can you tell me now? What happened between you and his lordship?”
“Are you really curious?”
“I wouldn’t have become an aide if I wasn’t.”
Mikael’s languid smile seemed somewhat bitter. He really became an aide to find out what Serdis was up to for my sake.
I felt both grateful and sorry.
Just a pen friend, yet what right did I have to such deeds?
“If it’s hard to say, you can tell me later.”
“Really?”
Mikael blinked once.
“Only make sure you tell me before you leave the capital. The North is too far to easily send letters.”
“Okay. But Cassian, were you not upset when I suddenly decided to get married?”
I blurted it out.
Cassian must have felt like the sky was falling.
But what could I do? I couldn’t use you for a contract marriage.
I chose someone else, thinking of Cassian.
“I was upset. I thought you’d become a different person after reading your recent letter.”
It would make sense for him to feel that way.
Once the memories of the original story came back, my perspective changed.
Not for my life, but I ran away for my family and house. Everything twisted when Serdis started obsessing over me. My life, my happiness, everything.
I had no choice but to opt for a contract marriage to protect my house. And Cassian was the only one who knew this.
He was the only one who would understand me, no matter what I did.
“It must have been confusing. I feel embarrassed thinking about it now.”
“How could you not? I understand.”
Mikael gave a warm smile. My heart felt lighter, knowing he was Cassian.
‘I needed someone to open up to as well.’
Even though I grew up loved by my family, I must have been lonely. Always worrying whether my family would abandon me.
“So, feel free to tell me. That way, I might find a way to help.”
“Hmm. It’s going to be a long story.”
What should I start with?
I should probably start by explaining how I ended up dating Serdis.
I adjusted my posture and looked around at the empty surroundings before speaking.
“It was not long after I graduated from the academy.”
Mikael moved closer to listen attentively to my words.
“Your order has arrived.”
The waitstaff arrived with trays of food.
“I ordered in advance.”
“Good. I’m hungry.”
“Shall we eat first and continue the story later? Is time okay?”
“Yeah.”
The lids of the dishes in front of us were lifted.
The mouthwatering aroma filled the air, making me swallow my saliva. I planned to eat it all since I hadn’t had a proper meal today.
“Enjoy your meal.”
However, I couldn’t bring myself to eat it right away.
“Is this smoked salmon?”
“It’s the most famous dish here. It’ll be delicious, won’t it?”
Mikael devoured the large salmon slices. Following him, I took a small piece of fish into my mouth. The unique smoky aroma mingled with a fishy smell, making me rinse my mouth with wine. What was more unsettling was Mikael’s attitude, as if he knew nothing.
‘Didn’t he know I dislike fish dishes?’
He might not have known. Or he might have forgotten. I couldn’t remember all the conversations I had with Cassian either.
My eyes lingered on the box containing the letter.
How could he not know something I had mentioned multiple times, despite valuing the letter so much?
‘I wouldn’t have forgotten.’
Five years of exchanging letters with him. I was certain about his eating habits and preferences.
“So how did it go at the party?”
“I think we should talk about it later. I’m exhausted from not resting since I arrived in the capital. As you know, I met the Emperor yesterday, and I’ve been with the Empress since this morning.”
Mikael looked a little disappointed as he spoke.
“Alright. It’s just today then.”
Today, of all days, I was craving the cream pasta Hertian made.
(This is a time separator.)
Sunnysideup eggs and freshly baked croissants were served for breakfast.
The chef at the townhouse was quite skilled.
“It’s so delicious. I feel alive now.”
As I stuffed a toast into my mouth, Hertian chuckled.
“Did you skip dinner last night?”
Hertian had been at the palace for work and returned to the townhouse late, missing the chance to talk.
“Yes, they served something I dislike.”
Thinking about yesterday, my shoulders drooped.
“Fish dishes?”
“How did you know?”
“It’s the food you dislike the most, ma’am.”
Even Hertian, who hadn’t lived with me for long, knew this!
Suddenly, I felt upset thinking about yesterday.
“I couldn’t sleep because I was so hungry after eating a skimpy dinner due to the fish.”
“Whoever it was, they weren’t close to you, it seems.”
“That’s the problem… It was my closest friend.”
“Your closest friend… the Earl or the Countess?”
As I shook my head, Hertian curiously moved to sit across from me.
“Isn’t there only one person who is closest and most precious to you, ma’am?”
Hertian elaborated on Cassian with grand adjectives. He seemed to remember the letters from the past.
“That person can’t be it.”
“Yes, it’s him.”
His head snapped up.
“I met Cassian yesterday.”
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.]
