In this world, even if not a royal or noble, leaving a fiancée for 6 years was a cruel thing. If an ordinary person faced such a thing, it would block the path to marriage, to the extent of being a widow who had never even married.
“I think the engagement was wrong from the start. Initially, my father and His Majesty lost a bet on the battlefield and His Majesty ordered me to become the fiancée.”
In his youth, the Emperor, often displaying a strong friendship with the Duke of Astel, frequently went to the battlefield or hunting grounds. He was also famous for having the most freespirited and lively character among the emperors.
“So, I was the penalty. Of course, Your Highness never wanted the engagement either.”
Both had openly groaned at the engagement ceremony, so neither could deny it.
“Now it’s different. What’s important is not the past but the present.”
“The present is shaped by the past.”
Neither of them was willing to give an inch. Though they exchanged conversation with smiles out of courtesy, the atmosphere was still very tense.
“The unwanted engagement, and the fact that, for whatever reason, Your Highness left the fiancée for 6 years. These two things are unchangeable past, and this past will move the present.”
The clear voice, like a ringing bell, firmly said what had to be said.
Serena’s shimmering platinum hair caught the sunlight coming in through the window and sparkled, her blue eyes looking directly at Lucas. It was a straightforward gaze, mixed with neither the awe nor fear that others usually showed him.
“Even the compensation you mentioned isn’t something I’ve promised.”
Serena lightly slapped her palm with the fan she was holding. Upon reflection, she was diligently suppressing her temper, which was about to flare up.
“And I’m quite displeased to be treated as compensation for living my life.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
Lucas answered hurriedly, forgetting himself.
“During my training, I always made you my goal, and furthermore, to be precise, the reward I seek is our marriage.”
His sincere eyes looked at Serena, speaking neither too slowly nor too quickly. He was only twenty, still four years younger than Serena, but now the age difference wasn’t felt at all.
“I told you we don’t have a bond of marriage.”
Hostility towards Lucas began to fade a bit. His face, eyes, lips all in bright light were telling her his sincerity.
Moreover, seeing his robust figure up close, she could gauge how harsh his training must have been.
“I don’t think so. Soon, I’ll prove that.”
She roughly understood his thoughts.
“Where did you send the letter?”
Click, Lucas grinned mischievously.
“It’s good to postpone pleasant things. You’ll find out soon.”
“I’m not sure it’ll be pleasant for me.”
Serena said firmly.
“I didn’t abandon you. Not for a single moment.”
“But, I abandoned Your Highness… No, my fiancé.”
After the terrible engagement ceremony, when not a single letter came for months, she made her decision right away. If she was to be abandoned by her fiancé anyway, she would abandon him first.
“I don’t regret that decision.”
And Serena came to the Astel domain without a moment’s delay and began to arrange her life. So that she could live a happy life even without the existence of her fiancé in name only.
Indeed, it was a perfect life until Lucas barged in.
“Let’s talk about it again when the messenger bird returns.”
According to the report from the chief servant, Lucas had sent three messenger birds. One must have gone to the Imperial Palace, and another to the Papal State, but it was hard to guess where the remaining one went.
“It will take a few days, so I will have to see you ruling Astel in the meantime.”
“What?”
“It’s only natural to learn the secrets while accompanying the lord, since the Crown Prince has come to this rich duchy.”
Serena tightly clenched her fan again, looking at Lucas who was very serious but suddenly became shameless like this. How great it would be if she could slap that hateful mouth with this fan now.
“I regret to inform you that my father, the current duke, is on a journey.”
“It’s okay. You are here as the acting duke.”
With a smile, Lucas made a splendid smile that suited his beautiful face.
“I’m already looking forward to touring Astel with you.”
Unfortunately, there was nothing wrong with his words. Astel’s duchy was under the empire’s control, and there was no way to oppose his words as the Crown Prince.
“Shall we start with the meal first?”
With a more forceful grip on her fan at the arrogant proposal that reversed the roles of guest and host, Serena gave strength to the hand holding it. Hearing Anna’s lament that she had broken the fan blade she had finally pulled out was a story for a little later.
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.]
