Picked Up a Beast, Turns Out He's an Emperor (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8
“When… when will we be able to return to our estate again?”
Baron Cander, his face pale green from seasickness, stammered as he asked the man ahead of him.
The man, revealing sharp gray eyes he had kept closed, gave a curt reply. A red tattoo briefly flashed above the collar of his deep navy cloak.
“As I’ve already said, that place will now become your new home. So it would be best not to harbor even the slightest hope of ever returning.”
At his words, the Arabella family burst into sobs from all sides.
“Sob… this is too cruel! To command us to abandon everything overnight and move across the sea to the Lupan Kingdom!”
“To exile us from our homeland with no promise of return… Your Imperial Majesty, this is too much!”
“How are we supposed to live now… Oh dear…”
A massive cargo ship sailed across the deep blue, undulating sea. Its destination was Lupan, a maritime vassal state of the empire.
Captain Peter, annoyed by the whining Cander family, snapped sharply at them.
“Instead of being grateful that His Imperial Majesty spared you punishment and allowed you to settle in Lupan, you dare complain? Perhaps you’d fare better if you were sent back to the empire for stricter discipline!”
Chastened by his warning, Arabella’s family instantly fell silent.
After the imperial procession carrying Arabella had departed, her relatives had joyfully chattered among themselves, having received generous compensation from the emperor.
“Let’s follow Arabella immediately and establish ourselves in the capital.”
“You know that after the final selection among the last empress candidates ends, they’ll receive lands and compensation far beyond what this measly estate offers, right?”
“Exactly! How could that foolish girl possibly manage such wealth? As her father, it’s my duty to take charge of it.”
“What nonsense! After all I’ve done to feed and house you, I deserve to manage it! You’ll just gamble it all away anyway!”
“For now, let’s decide later who’ll manage Arabella’s fortune. Right now, we must all unite and stick close to Arabella.”
Eric, Baron Cander’s eldest son—who had rushed over after spending the night drinking with his disreputable friends—spoke, and everyone agreed, already giddy over the sudden fortune they imagined soon falling into their hands.
“I’ll absolutely enter the imperial palace with Arabella, so don’t even think about it. Just because you’re common doesn’t mean I can’t catch the emperor’s eye!”
“You’re ridiculous. We’re Arabella’s own sisters. We’ll live in the palace with her, so don’t even dream of it.”
Camille and Roxy, who until now had never dared defy Margot, now glared boldly at her, emboldened by Arabella’s newfound status. Baroness Cander clicked her tongue and interjected.
“Stop your pointless bickering. Arabella’s heart is foolishly soft—if the three of you ask nicely, she’ll surely let you stay with her in the palace. Focus on mingling with the highborn nobles there instead.”
As they hurried toward the city to pack their belongings, imperial knights bearing the empire’s banner appeared on horseback—escorting the emperor’s special enforcer.
Dismounting, the enforcer immediately began reciting the charges against Baron Cander and Arabella’s father, Jonathan—who had once held the title of marquis.
Years of embezzling imperial taxes, exploiting serfs under the now-abolished serfdom system, illegally raising taxes during natural disasters—Baron Cander’s household had violated so many laws that two full pages were densely filled with their offenses.
Jonathan was no exception.
Not only had he used unapproved animal remedies on human patients, but he had also defrauded commoners by falsely claiming to possess healing powers—and further participated in the empire’s strictly prohibited illegal gambling syndicate. Countless charges were read aloud, accompanied by irrefutable evidence.
Stripped of their titles and lands, they now faced a lifetime in prison. As they stood dazed and devastated, the enforcer presented the emperor’s merciful offer:
They must choose—either remain in the empire and serve their sentence in prison, or relocate to the vassal state of Lupan and begin a new life.
“You’ll live far more comfortably there than you ever did on your estate. Be grateful to His Imperial Majesty and keep quiet. Never forget that eyes are always watching you.”
At Captain Peter’s words, the Cander family glanced at the hefty stack of gold ingots and land deeds before them and fell silent.
[This is the timeline separator]He’d only meant to lay her gently down—her small head bobbing limply had looked pitiful.
But now the situation… had unintentionally turned into him pinning Arabella beneath him like some vulgar groper.
Though significantly taller than the average man, the emperor’s frame was sleek and smooth, covered not in bulky muscle but in lean, refined sinew. He’d never considered himself large.
Yet with the delicate woman beneath him, he suddenly felt like a giant.
Seeing Arabella, startled into forgetting even to breathe, he hurried to sit up—but a faint breath escaped her closed lips, brushing against his throat.
The sweet, intoxicating fragrance instantly seized his senses, drawing his crimson gaze to her plump lips.
A sudden, unbearable thirst parched his mouth. It had started after that rainy day in the cave, when he drank the juice she’d chewed and spat into his mouth. Ever since, the sight of her dainty lips had ignited a burning thirst within him.
He wanted to sink his teeth in and drink deeply of the nectar hidden within. Saliva began pooling in his dry mouth. Horrified by the monstrous thought of desiring a human’s lips, sweat beaded along the emperor’s spine.
Though disgusted by his own bestial urges, his eyes refused to leave Arabella’s lips. His upper body, which had begun to rise, tilted downward again, shifting his weight onto her slender frame.
When Arabella squeezed her eyes shut—unable to meet his burning red gaze—a low growl rumbled deep in the emperor’s abdomen.
“If you keep your eyes closed, you won’t know what I might do. Open them.”
Forcing her heavy lids open, her teary eyes met his. Her hazy, luminous irises reflected his feverish face, and the emperor’s expression hardened into pallid shock.
He looked exactly like a beast losing control of its reason. His large hand covered her eyes, blocking her view. Clenching his molars until they threatened to crack, he lowered his head and stayed motionless for a moment—then abruptly stood and pulled away from her.
He rapped sharply on the carriage wall to halt it, then wordlessly stepped out. Arabella remained on the bench, her slender shoulders trembling uncontrollably as she gripped her hands until her knuckles turned white.
“This is the worst. My actions were no different from those of a back-alley groper. As both emperor and man, I’ve committed an unforgivable rudeness—and fled like a coward, leaving her behind without even an apology.”
Furious at his own cowardice for abandoning a frightened Arabella without a word of apology, the emperor cursed himself and yanked harshly on the reins.
[This is the timeline separator]
“He says he’s not hungry.”
A young cook emerged from the carriage, carrying an untouched lunch tray. “He truly seems unwell—his face is as pale as paper.”
The emperor himself hadn’t touched the food set before him either.
“Shall we have him examined by a physician upon reaching Marquis Laurell’s estate?”
Commander Jacob asked, carefully reading the emperor’s expression. The emperor gave a silent nod.
The imperial guard, who’d begun their procession at dawn, had pitched temporary tents and entered their afternoon rest period. Normally, the emperor never allowed long breaks during marches—but this journey was an exception, granting them an unusually extended rest.
Out of concern that she might be exhausted from riding in the carriage—and perhaps, a faint hope that she might step outside for even a moment.
His crimson eyes darkened as they fixed on the still-unopened carriage door.
“Oh dear, people can be so cruel. With no game to hunt, they had to shoot a newborn fawn…”
Deputy Commander Peter, returning from the riverside, shook his head and muttered to himself. Commander Jacob, standing beside the emperor, asked:
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a fawn struck by an arrow, abandoned by the riverbank. Its mother was hiding on the opposite bank, watching helplessly. They probably attacked the fawn to lure the mother out.”
“This year’s deer hunting is banned. We’ll issue a stern warning once we reach the estate.”
As Peter and Sir Jacob conversed, the carriage window slid open. The emperor’s red eyes instantly caught the soft brown gaze reflected in the glass.
“I’d like to save it… but there’s no one here who can treat wild animals. It’s a shame.”
The emperor spoke deliberately loud enough to be heard. Peter and Sir Jacob exchanged bewildered glances—when had the emperor ever shown interest in injured wildlife?
“Still, I should go down and check. It wouldn’t be right to simply pass by.”
The emperor Maxwell—who loved rough hunts and had once charged forward without hesitation even when his warhorse was injured—now declared he’d help an injured wild animal, as though this were perfectly ordinary.
The guards stood dumbfounded, unable to react, when the carriage door quietly opened.
“May I… come along too?”
A trembling, barely audible voice drifted out.
[This is the timeline separator]By the deserted riverside lay a fawn, no more than two days old, gasping for breath.
Its large, black eyes gazed plaintively at the gentle hands warming its body. Across the river, its mother stood helplessly, unable to approach, watching with endless sorrow.
Maxwell returned with an armful of branches and carefully sat beside Arabella.
Her shoulders flinched slightly, though she seemed calmer than before—likely too absorbed in treating the fawn to spare attention for the emperor.
Walking down the slope to the riverbank alone with the emperor, she hadn’t dared meet his eyes, her whole body rigid with tension. The sight had made the emperor’s throat burn as if pierced by thorns.
Maxwell silently assisted Arabella as she extracted the arrow from the fawn’s abdomen, stemmed the bleeding, and began treatment.
When she reached to tear the hem of her dress for bandages, a heavy hand settled on her shoulder. Arabella flinched, turning pale as she looked up at the emperor.
His jaw clenched tightly against the hammering of his heart, he said nothing—only tore off his tunic and handed it to her.
“Use this.”
Taking the cloth, Arabella bandaged the fawn’s wound. The little creature nuzzled into her lap.
“I’m sorry… could you bring some water? I can’t go myself…”
As she stroked the fawn’s head, the emperor strode to the river, cupped a large leaf, filled it with water, and brought it back.
After repeating this several times, the fawn’s dim eyes slowly regained their light.
“We must take it back to its mother…”
Before Arabella could finish, Maxwell took the fawn from her and crossed the river—its rough currents rising to his waist—reaching the opposite forest.
After laying the fawn down at the forest’s edge, Maxwell returned across the river.
“I should stay across the river to guard the fawn. Otherwise, wolves might attack it at night.”
Avoiding the emperor’s gaze, Arabella began walking toward the river.
“Do you know how to swim?”
“N-no.”
“Then you’ll be swept away by the river’s strong current.”
Flustered, Arabella glanced between the fawn and its mother on the opposite bank. The emperor spoke softly:
“If milady permits… I’ll carry you across.”
Silence stretched between them. Only the river’s flow and rustling leaves filled their ears.
“Then… I’ll trouble you.”
At her quiet reply, the emperor lifted her carefully—his arms gripping only her forearms, avoiding contact with her body—and began crossing the deep river.
At first, Arabella sat stiffly, hands clasped tightly at her chest. But when a sudden surge of water made the emperor stagger as he tried not to touch her, she leaned slightly toward him and gently placed her hands on his shoulders to steady him.
After reaching the opposite bank, Arabella and Emperor Maxwell entered the woods together, built a shelter for the fawn and its mother, then returned to the riverside.
Seeing Arabella’s stiff shoulders—hesitant about being carried again—the emperor spoke.
“I’m sorry. For frightening you. For leaving without apology like a coward. As both emperor and man, that was my most shameful act.”
Arabella’s eyes widened as she lifted her head. The emperor—whom she’d always believed would never bow to anyone—was apologizing to her with bowed head.
“I swear on my name—I will never commit such a discourtesy again.”
Slowly raising his head, his gaze steady and unwavering, he met her eyes and made his promise. Her light brown irises trembled, then clouded with tears.
“Hic… hic…”
She couldn’t even sob aloud—only silent tears escaped between her lips. The emperor felt as if his heart were being torn from his chest.
As she wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her thin shoulders shaking uncontrollably, his eyes softened with regret.
He wanted nothing more than to wipe her tears, draw her small frame into his arms, and soothe her trembling back—but knowing he had no right, he clenched and unclenched his fists.
He could only wait. Her suppressed, fearful sobs showed no sign of ending.
After what felt like forever, her tear-streaked face turned away, unable to meet his eyes. Then, a silver dagger appeared before her downward gaze. When she finally looked up, the emperor held out the blade, its hilt engraved with his name.
“If, by some chance, I ever lose my reason and behave like a beast…”
Gently taking her wrist, he placed the dagger in her hand.
“Stab me. This blade is mine to give—no one will hold you accountable.”
Tears welled again in Arabella’s eyes, reminded of the fawn she’d just reunited with its mother.
As the emperor carried her across the river, a gentle voice whispered in her ear:
“The village we’ll soon reach is famous for chocolate. Have you ever tasted it?”
Arabella, now with both arms looped around the emperor’s neck, flushed and shook her head.
Chocolate was such a rare delicacy—even ordinary nobles ate it only on special occasions. Margot had always kept it for herself, and Arabella had never tasted it.
“I’ll buy you every kind of chocolate in the village—even chocolate gelato.”
Realizing his words sounded like a village lad’s clumsy flirtation, the emperor’s face burned hot—but thankfully, Arabella, resting her head against his neck, didn’t see his flustered expression.
The setting sun painted the river in red as it dipped behind the mountains, casting a warm glow over the two figures crossing its waters.
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.]
I’m not yet convinced this is a curse. There are a lot of questionable events. Why would a black panther kidnap a princess?
I’ve been wondering just how he intends to keep her alive and unharmed enough to even attempt lifting the curse. I don’t believe these classes will be enough if she only had four days.
Is she not concerned because the emperor told her she wasn’t going to become the empress regardless? He explicitly stated she only needed to break his curse & that she wouldn’t become the empress as she wasn’t qualified (I don’t recall his precise wording).