Claudius’s eyes were filled with feigned calmness, masking his bewilderment. Illyad suppressed the sarcasm creeping up to her lips as she watched Claudius’s instability.
She had suspected his reason for doting on Selina – either true love or using her to provoke Illyad.
While there might have been some genuine affection for Selina, Claudius’s current reaction clearly pointed to the latter.
Perhaps he had hoped Illyad would fall into despair, writhing in anger and pain.
‘To collapse in exhaustion and when all around me have gone, then play the savior?’
A firm grip tightened on Illyad’s neatly folded hands.
This incident confirmed it. Claudius yearned for Illyad’s despair.
The jealousy tactic, a strategy from the mind of an Emperor, was so childish that it was almost laughable.
Illyad glared into Claudius’s red eyes as he approached closer and whispered in her ear.
“It’s premature.”
“I think it’s appropriate. If Selina becomes the Empress and conceives, the child born of her will be the heir to the throne. What could be better than that?”
“……Isn’t producing an heir the duty of the Queen?”
“I am always considering it. But in the current situation, Miss Selina seems more likely. Unless… is the position of Empress too minor? Should I relinquish my position as Queen?”
“There are certain rules even in the palace.”
“I never expected Your Majesty to speak of propriety. Just yesterday, you were quite the spectacle.”
“……Queen.”
“Ah, regarding the matter of the Queen’s position, let’s consider it after Selina bears an heir. I will gladly step down.”
A grinding sound echoed in Illyad’s ears.
It was a casual remark, but Claudius was gradually losing his composure. Illyad’s lips curved into a serene smile as she witnessed his intriguing reaction.
Claudius’s words came out in a quiet, broken manner.
“Queen. Really…… does it not concern you?”
“For the stability of the Astrid Empire, why would I hesitate?”
True to her role as a monarch, she was unjealous of the Emperor’s woman, filled only with thoughts for the welfare of the Empire and succession.
Claudius bit his lip and looked down at Selina, who was still kneeling and sobbing on the floor.
Even if Selina desired it and Illyad proposed it, without the Emperor’s final approval, she couldn’t become Empress.
Claudius’s red eyes coldly fixated on her.
“Fine. I permit it.”
His tone was more of a ‘do as you please’ than permission.
Claudius left the room without looking back at anyone. Selina’s voice echoed behind him, sounding like a scream of gratitude.
In truth, ignoring Illyad’s suggestion would have been better. Funds for a ‘shadow’ could be discreetly handled.
But as Empress, Selina would officially belong to the Queen’s palace. Budget and all her actions would be easier to restrict by the Queen’s palace.
‘It means she intends to track all the sources and flow of funds.’
Walking down the corridor, Claudius stopped. What truly irked him was Illyad’s casual manner in suggesting it.
What kind of wife would propose her husband officially take a concubine, and that too in such a nonchalant tone?
‘I will gladly step down.’
Those words echoed in his head. The ease in her demeanor, as if she had no attachment to her position as Queen. Confidence that she could leave his side at any moment.
Bang!
Claudius punched the wall. The noise reverberated loudly.
He desired to see a different face of Illyad, not this composed one.
He wanted to see her pouring out resentment and rage, looking at him with eyes filled with jealousy, crumbling in despair.
But Illyad was too strong to be shattered by mere matters of his women.
“Queen, what are you thinking?”
Entering the office of the Queen’s palace, Linette quickly shut the door and asked urgently, a mix of frustration and anger in her voice.
“Selina will be crowned Empress.”
“That’ll only make your position more difficult. The nobles are already lining up for Diove. If a crisis arises, no one will stand for you.”
Instead of banishing or discreetly dealing with her, to officially bring her in… Linette felt like she was choked by her meal from two days ago.
“So, what should I do… leave the palace?”
“Queen, are you telling me to become unemployed?”
“I thought you said I couldn’t feed and keep you.”
“Seems like I should be saying that to you…”
A deep sigh escaped Linette’s lips. She didn’t misunderstand Illyad’s intentions.
Perhaps Illyad was considering bringing Selina, Claudius’s ‘shadow’, under her control rather than enduring the humiliations she inflicted.
Considering the Emperor’s actions, he might try to prevent Illyad from directly overseeing Selina. Linette’s hands clenched with tension.
“But just leaving it like this… feels frustrating.”
“Linette.”
Startled by Illyad’s stern, low voice, Linette looked up, her expression returning to focus.
Looking at Illyad again, she was the same Queen Linette had always admired.
“I did not say I would elevate Selina to Queen.”
Illyad pondered over her carefully prepared plans. Grasping the chair’s backrest tightly, the contours of the decoration pressed into her palm.
“I have no intention of relinquishing my position anytime soon. The suggestion to the Emperor was just a bit of bravado on my part.”
After the coronation, every penny flowing into the Empress’s palace must be meticulously recorded and monitored. The moment Selina becomes Empress, it would undoubtedly become a conduit for laundering and distributing funds for Claudius or the Diove family.
Although Claudius has imposed limitations, there were still duties Illyad could perform exclusively as Queen. It wasn’t time to step down just yet.
Illyad had remained as inconspicuous as possible to survive. She strived to appear as the obedient and wise Queen, mechanically performing her assigned duties, which slightly relaxed Claudius’s vigilance.
Now, Illyad needed to build her own influence. She required people to counter Claudius and the surrounding nobles.
She recalled letters in her drawer. Nobles and emerging wealthy figures from the provinces had positively responded to Illyad’s covert requests for cooperation.
‘…It seems time to repay the kindness I received from Countess Melpiram…’
Illyad’s mother and the Countess of Melpiram, better known as Keira Rowen Melpiram, was renowned for her charity work and mingling with commoners, which enhanced the Melpiram’s reputation among the people but antagonized the nobles.
Even after her death, Keira continued to influence people. Without her actions, Illyad would have been far more isolated.
However, Illyad lacked military support. Although the allies promised their private soldiers, they were too conspicuous. She desperately needed a discreet force.
Illyad steeled herself and sat at her desk. They would soon enter the capital. The rest was left to fate. Forcing strength into her cold hands, she felt a dull pain at her fingertips.
The festival would start in a few days.
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.]
