He winked at Cares and blew a ‘wink and hand kiss’ combination.
Even if the effect had ended, it was quickly revealed that he could tempt again.
“The medicine is on Your Majesty’s office desk. Since Your Majesty is entertaining the ministers, now is the opportunity.”
Cares, who had returned as an ardent follower, answered with dazed eyes.
How many days will it last this time?
It seemed that a few more experiments were needed.
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]The Emperor’s office on the third floor of the main palace was heavily guarded.
But there was no need to worry.
With one wink, the knights became docile sheep.
“You must be tired, take a rest. Have this as a nourishing meal too.”
“Thank you, Lady Elizabeth.”
Holding the money bag I handed over, the knights disappeared.
Having accepted a bribe, they couldn’t complain even if the spell broke.
At first, I was a little surprised, but having the effect vanish was much more convenient.
‘I can use it more often! I hesitated in case it changed someone’s life. Let’s not make unreasonable demands thinking of the future!’
Lord, please allow me to become a righteous thief!
Though an atheist, a prayer spontaneously came out.
I had to steal something of the Emperor’s, after all.
I wiped my sweaty, slippery palms on the hem of my dress.
I grasped the door handle, carved with a golden lion.
As Cares said, the Eye of Morashinia was carelessly placed on the desk.
Nikolai’s indifference was welcome for once.
“I found it! It was worth coming all this way!”
Thinking that I could help Franz with this, I felt both happy and impatient.
Then a chilly voice was heard from behind.
“You feel fulfilled by stealing?”
Startled, I turned around.
Nikolai, who should have been in the reception, was leaning against the door.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down my forehead.
“Why are you out here, Your Majesty?”
“Did I come where I shouldn’t?”
“How did you know I was here?”
“I can’t not know. Your scent resonates.”
Nikolai took a deep breath, as if he could smell my scent just by doing so.
Am I smelling? I bathe morning and evening?
My cheeks burned.
His emerald eyes looked at me, colder and more distant.
Not anger, but something more precarious flashed in them.
Nikolai came closer.
I staggered back, but there was nowhere to escape.
I shut my eyes tight, leaning on the desk with both hands.
‘I told him to keep his skinship elsewhere…!’
The trembling didn’t stop.
It wasn’t fear.
Now, I too could sense the clean yet warm body scent flowing from Nikolai’s sturdy body.
When did he say he would reconsider the temptation game before becoming an education official?
Nikolai had once again rattled my heart.
Just by taking a few steps closer.
“Remember, Elizabeth. You can never avoid my eyes. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”
His breath barely grazed me.
Though his eyes were fully conveyed, he wasn’t unbearably close.
Of course, if I reached out, I would touch him.
But he didn’t touch me without permission, as he did before.
‘Did he choose indifference over pestering? Or is this some new strategy?’
I bit my lip.
The opponent was a tyrant who enjoyed kidnapping and confinement.
Also a cruel man who ignored the report of his son’s illness.
He would never understand consideration.
“Your sense of smell is keen. It would have been better if your hearing was more developed.”
“Why is that?”
“Don’t play dumb. You received the report about your son’s health issue.”
“……Is Franz ill?”
Shock was plastered on Nikolai’s face.
It was a look of surprise so genuine that it couldn’t be doubted.
“You seem surprised to hear this for the first time?”
“Tell me in detail. What happened to Pinch?”
Nikolai grabbed my arm.
He held it so tightly that tears almost welled in my eyes.
I shook off his arm and retorted.
“I will tell you without threats.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Nikolai didn’t even realize how desperately he had grabbed me.
He didn’t seem to be putting on another mask or pretending to be affectionate.
The eyes of someone frightened of losing a loved one could never be feigned.
“I’ll call the Crown Prince’s personal physician right away. Listen to the rest on the way.”
“You should have done that earlier. The Crown Prince has been refusing treatment.”
“Why did he do that?”
“How should I know, not being the education commissioner? Even my father doesn’t know.”
Nikolai bit his lip.
His expression was one of unbearable guilt.
It was confusing.
Nikolai had totally refused to hear anything about Franz.
I had heard that the two hadn’t met in quite some time.
I thought he was a typical neglectful parent, but Nikolai’s reaction was different.
What could possibly be the problem between Nikolai and Franz?
‘The servants wouldn’t have said anything. They must have been silenced by Franz. But what about Simon? Saying that Franz is the future of the empire?’
I wanted to step on Simon’s trembling face, the one who had begged me to trust him.
Nikolai reached out to me as if there was no time to waste.
“We must hurry, Elizabeth.”
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.]
