No, of course, that’s correct.
The one who mentioned a contractual marriage talks about cheating.
Unlike the shocked Odette, Balter was composed.
“Regrettably, I’m not a man with ordinary greed. If I see my wife having feelings for some other guy…….”
Balter’s eyes slanted and then returned to Odette.
“I’d want to give that guy’s neck as an anniversary gift.”
A calm face with a tone that was not so.
The more they talked, the more shocking it was.
He knew from the start that he was rude and arbitrary, but to this extent?
“……You’re out of your mind.”
“Consider it so. How do you feel about having a madman as a husband?”
“I haven’t accepted the proposal yet.”
“You’ll choose me in the end, I know. There’s not much time now, is there?”
Balter was right.
The public opinion Balter had created was now subsiding.
Especially since the Emperor was busy talking about Regis’ matter, he would gradually push for the engagement with the Duchess again.
Odette was already hearing stories about it here and there.
But it was always good to show off a little bit, even excessively, at the negotiation place.
“There might not be much time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have options. I have the choice to marry Count Clovis.”
“Ah, the one who left you in the ballroom?”
At Balter’s taunt, Odette frowned. It was hitting a sore spot.
“……Don’t say that.”
“I imagine it’s uncomfortable to hear mockery about the one you love. But in the end, the result is clear, isn’t it?”
Louis abandoned Odette, and Balter protected her.
“Count Clovis had his reasons too.”
“I don’t want to know them, those reasons.”
And Balter finally scowled and wrinkled his brow roughly.
As if recalling an unpleasant memory.
“I would have killed all those involved in that incident on the spot if I could have. Regis Xavier or that Louis Clovis. With such an incident, do I have to care about other bastards’ situations too?”
“……Your Grace.”
“So please don’t defend Louis Clovis in front of me.”
Odette held her words for a moment.
After a bit of silence, she nodded as if understanding.
“Well, your plan could have been ruined by that incident, so it’s understandable that you’re angry.”
“……. ”
Balter’s eyes turned to Odette, seemingly a little incredulous.
A look that wanted to ask if she really thought he was acting like this because of something like that, but Odette was looking down and did not see it.
“But I wasn’t entirely without belief, and since there was no major problem with the result, don’t be too angry. I’ll be more careful not to bother you next time.”
“……You really are.”
“What did you say?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve just realized that taste and tact can be separate.”
Walter waved his hand as if he was fed up, and returned to the subject.
“So, my contractual condition is one thing. That Your Highness loves me.”
It was an absurd condition even upon hearing it again.
“……Is there really no other condition? I can’t do as you wish with my heart. If you propose another condition, perhaps,”
“Is loving me that difficult a task for you, Your Highness?”
“Of course. I don’t know anything about the Duke, and”
“Then will you love me when you know me?”
Odette’s mouth closed at the unexpected question.
But before Odette could open her mouth again, Walter continued, almost in jest.
“That won’t happen. You love Louis Clovis. I know.”
Muttering, Walter made a cold joke.
As if to mock himself.
“If loving me is such a difficult thing.”
Walter’s voice continued slowly. As if he were uttering a very heavy and painful promise.
“Then…… at least make an effort to make me believe that way.”
That you terribly love me.
So I can live drunk on a vain dream.
Walter said, staring quietly into Odette’s eyes.
Walter’s eyes, like a dark night, were deeply sunken.
Like a sea wall struck by a storm.
If you feel a strange sensation from that appearance, am I a bit strange?
Odette asked, puzzled.
“……Duke, have we really never met before?”
At Odette’s sudden question, a faint hope rose in Walter’s face.
“Do you remember anything?”
“No. But when I hear you speak, it feels like we’re on very familiar terms.”
The hope was extinguished in an instant.
Walter openly clenched and unclenched his empty hand.
“……I understand how you feel. That my words about wanting you may seem like lies.”
“It does feel like a lie.”
Why on earth would he want my love that no one else wants?
Odette wondered, and pulled out the most frivolous hypothesis.
“Do you love me, Duke Ertman?”
And there was no answer.
No, there was no need to hear one.
Because as soon as he heard the question, Walter’s face crumpled all at once.
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.]
