Medea will surely be there too.
[Let’s meet again, Bel, la.]After revealing my disfigured face in front of the Emperor and then turning away, Medea’s look with murderous intent still haunts me.
She said we would meet again, so she will come to see me, whatever it takes.
Medea is someone who always fulfills her words.
She would want to see if I am still her Bella.
She had sent me away with the desire to use me as a double agent but saw my changed, unmasked self.
‘She must be restless, wondering if the princess has slipped from her grasp.’
Medea can approach me even if I don’t leave this mansion. Of course, her methods would be wicked. The more I avoid her, the more cunning and vile her methods would become.
So, I have to face her head-on.
After pondering, I sought out Arcadia’s office.
Surprised by my sudden appearance, he was extremely flustered, and even more so when he heard my request.
“You need money?”
“Yes. I want to buy a videostone.”
“A videostone? What for?”
I cautiously explained that Medea would approach me.
“Sending me away was part of a plan to use me as a spy. I agreed and escaped from the South.”
“…”
“I saw myself changed in front of the Emperor. She will be anxious and curious. That’s why she said we would meet again. She will definitely come to see me. So, I want to trap her.”
“A trap?”
“Yes. I want to record everything she says to me, any orders she gives, on a videostone. Then I can…”
“Use it as evidence.”
Startled by the Duke’s voice, I turned around. He was leaning casually at the door of Arcadia’s office.
“Knocking is basic manners, as you once said, Your Grace.”
To Arcadia’s comment, the Duke replied, “This is my mansion, isn’t it?”
Arcadia made a visibly displeased face.
The Duke spoke up.
“So there was such an intention behind letting you go.”
He stood up.
“I apologize for not telling you earlier. It was my suggestion to Medea to escape the South. Medea accepted it, thinking she could plant her own person in the impenetrable North. If I attend this ball, she will undoubtedly approach me. If I can draw out statements revealing the true nature of the South from her and record them on videostone, we can obtain evidence of their corruption.”
“That’s a good idea. But,” the Duke paused, choosing his words.
“You’ll also need to pass on information to Medea.”
He looked at me seriously, and I couldn’t help but smile faintly, having already thought of a story to tell.
“Yes, I have something.”
“What is it?” the Duke asked, while Arcadia’s eyes sharpened.
“Deputy Commander Arcadia called the Duchess a ‘shanglen.’ You, Your Grace, told the knights that you won’t be fooled anymore, along with other… seemingly useless but actually useful pieces of information.”
The Duke and Arcadia looked at me incredulously, then burst into laughter. Arcadia snorted and said, “Hey, Estelle. You must really want to see me assassinated in the South.”
“No. If such a situation arises again, I will risk my life to protect you. I am now a prospective knight of the North, still your servant, and still, albeit, your subordinate.”
Arcadia looked at me with wide eyes. I smiled reassuringly at him, causing him to turn his head away, his cheeks flushed.
‘I must have annoyed him. I should be careful.’
I cleared my throat and looked at the Duke, who did not seem amused.
“Estelle, I’ve told you that risking your life isn’t something to be said lightly.”
His tone had suddenly turned cold.
“……I’m sorry.”
As I bowed my head, the Duke spoke again.
“No need to apologize… Anyway, I fully understand the need for the videostone.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. But… how much does a videostone cost? I hope it’s not too expensive. Don’t we have one in this mansion?”
“We don’t. We’ll have to find a place to get it.”
At that moment, Hans appeared at the door with his elegant posture – like a living embodiment of the book ‘The Etiquette of a Butler’.
“Is there anything I can assist with, Your Grace?”
“Hmm, I was just thinking of needing assistance. But did you overhear our conversation?”
“Ahem, no, I just passed by and saw the door open.”
The Duke chuckled.
“Do you know where we can get a videostone?”
“Of course.”
Hans’ eyes sparkled.
“We can’t use official channels. It would be troublesome if word got out that we were acquiring a videostone.”
“Of course, Your Grace. I know how to obtain a top-quality videostone unofficially.”
“Really, Hans?” Arcadia asked in surprise.
“Of course, Deputy Commander. A butler is someone who hears and sees all the information of noble families but pretends not to. I am the chairman of the Delphast Empire Butlers’ Association. Such information is trivial to me.”
“Ho… But Hans, when did you get such a high position?”
“A butler’s rank is proportional to their master’s status, Your Grace.”
Hans smiled warmly.
“Young nobles wanting to spy on their lovers, noblewomen and heads of households suspecting infidelity, power-hungry individuals who want to eavesdrop on their rivals’ secret meetings – there’s always a covert demand for videostones. Thanks to that, we can get the best videostones without official channels. It’s a bit pricey though.”
“How much is it?” I asked, worried.
Hans chuckled at my question.
“To the Duke of the North, money is like dust floating in the air, Miss.”
“A fitting analogy, Hans,” the Duke smiled.
So, the North is wealthy. I felt a bit embarrassed for worrying over the cost of a videostone. It was also a relief.
“Then I will go with this young lady to acquire the videostone,” Arcadia said, picking up his sword.
The Duke spoke up.
“As we’re going to a secretive place, it’s not suitable for you to reveal your identity, Arcadia. With your nearly platinum blonde hair, elegant green eyes, and a countenance that can’t be hidden even if you try. I think it’s better if I go.”
“What? Your Grace. But it’s not my duty as a deputy to let you go,” Arcadia protested.
“It’s fine, Arcadia.”
“Then I will accompany you.”
“I must refuse. We can’t leave the mansion unattended.”
Arcadia tried to hide his incredulous expression.
“Your Grace, but…”
“I’ll disguise myself, so don’t worry. I need to see such places with my own eyes.”
“…”
“Don’t worry, Arcadia. I’ll bring back some delicious pastries when I return.”
“Your Grace!”
Standing in the middle, listening to their conversation, I didn’t know what to do.
“I can go alone. If the butler just shows me the way.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“Why should we trust you?”
Both men exclaimed at the same time.
“……Yes. As you wish.”
My indifferent reply came naturally.
‘I’m the strongest here, you know…’
The place Hans directed us to was a rundown street of fortune-tellers on the outskirts of the capital.
The Duke and I caught a passing carriage far from the mansion. We were dressed in plain clothes and cloaked to conceal our identities.
The carriage for hire was incredibly cramped compared to the Duke’s usual carriages. The Duke let me board first before entering the carriage himself. As the large man entered, the space inside became even more confined.
I turned sideways to make it easier for the Duke to sit down. But as he was sitting, our knees accidentally touched.
‘!’
I quickly moved my knee away.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
“It’s fine.”
He looked out the window, seemingly indifferent, but I thought I saw a slight redness in his ears.
“Your Grace, are you very uncomfortable? Should we get off and call a larger private carriage?”
“No.”
He looked at me.
For some reason, a tingling sensation ran through my body as I met his blue eyes.
‘Did I bump my knee too hard?’
But that wasn’t it.
The coachman shouted that it would take about an hour to reach the street of fortune-tellers.
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.]
