Seducing the Tyrant Instead of My Favorite (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8
Douglas knelt down neatly.
It was rather strange—he assumed a posture of submission yet didn’t look servile in the slightest.
“Elizabeth is the benefactor of both myself and my house.”
“So what?”
“Lady Elizabeth does not wish to marry Your Majesty. Please accept the sacred relic and honor her wishes.”
Nikolai let out a short, sharp laugh.
The corners of his mouth curled upward.
It was the most chilling smile I’d ever seen.
‘This man was the charming flirt who used to smile so brightly? He’s not a tyrant—he’s a murderer! Douglas, run!’
My palms were slick with cold sweat, yet Douglas’s expression remained unchanged.
That seemed to twist Nikolai’s mood further.
“The imperial decree was issued not to you, but to that woman.”
“Your Majesty!”
“Only House Nettleton, as the possessor of the sacred relic, holds the right of defiance. That woman, who broke off her engagement with you, holds no such right.”
“But—!”
“Guards! Escort the Empress to her chambers!”
The royal knights seized me.
Their overwhelming strength made me instinctively furrow my brows.
“Let go!”
“Please do not resist. You’ll get hurt.”
A deep, icy anger darkened Nikolai’s beautiful face.
“What are you waiting for?”
He seemed furious at the knights for failing to swiftly remove my unpleasant presence.
“Elizabeth!”
Douglas reached out his hand toward me.
I wanted to grasp it too.
“Lord Douglas!”
But the knights would not allow it.
Nor would the Emperor.
“If you wish to keep your body intact, do not act rashly.”
Nikolai spat the words out as if chewing them.
A murderous aura, sharp enough to pierce the lungs, radiated from his body.
Unflinching, Douglas raised the sacred relic box high with both hands.
“Please accept the honor and loyalty of House Nettleton.”
“So you intend to defy me to the very end?”
“If I were to marry Elizabeth, wouldn’t she then gain the right of defiance?”
“!”
“I, Douglas Nettleton, hereby take Elizabeth Emster as my wife, right here and now!”
A silence as if doused with ice water fell over the hall.
The nobles, stunned into shock, stared at the young head of the fallen marquis house.
In Douglas’s brown eyes—once as soft and moist as freshly baked bread—a resolute, unwavering dignity now burned.
He hadn’t brought the sacred relic; he had brought himself, ready to die.
All to save me from the tyrant Nikolai.
“I have brought our marriage contract. Please grant your approval.”
Perhaps thinking resolve alone wasn’t enough, Douglas pulled a neatly folded paper from his chest.
My eyes widened.
It was the marriage contract the original Elizabeth had written five years ago just to torment Douglas.
‘Kneel and beg me, Dougie. I might accidentally get this document notarized, you know?’
He’d kept the contract all this time, despite that humiliation.
With what heart had Douglas waited for Elizabeth?
What did Elizabeth mean to him?
To someone like me, who’d never known romance or love, it was a question too difficult—and too frightening—to answer.
“Hahaha!”
At the very edge of suffocating silence, Nikolai burst into loud laughter.
Yet his sea-green eyes were colder than ever, glinting like a blade honed to a deadly blue edge.
I sensed danger instinctively.
Nikolai had completely cast aside his Casanova mask.
“There’s no law forbidding remarriage to a woman you’ve broken off with. But I never let go of the woman I desire.”
“Your Majesty!”
“Did you really think you could stop me with this scrap of paper?”
Nikolai tore the marriage contract to shreds.
Douglas’s tender feelings scattered in every direction.
Despair flickered briefly across his composed face, but Douglas did not give up.
“Please remember the promise made by the First Emperor!”
Nikolai picked up the sacred relic box with an expressionless face.
“Fine. I shall accept the relic.”
“I am deeply honored.”
“I cannot recognize a marriage with House Nettleton, but I shall withdraw the order to name you Empress.”
“I shall repay this kindness with my life! I swear it as head of House Nettleton!”
“See that you never forget that oath.”
The tension seemed to ease; strength drained from Douglas’s shoulders.
Even the nobles, who had been frozen stiff, now looked relieved.
But I couldn’t shake my unease.
Just as I feared, the corners of Nikolai’s mouth lifted upward.
It was a bone-chilling smile—the kind that showed exactly why he was the villain.
Then came his voice.
“Instead, I shall name Elizabeth Emster Empress.”
“W-what did you say?!”
“Empress and Imperial Consort are clearly different, are they not? If you wish to defy this command as well, bring me another sacred relic.”
Nikolai flicked his fingers as if urging them to hurry up.
‘He’s making me Empress? This man is definitely insane!’
A shock rivaling the upheaval of heaven and earth swept through the audience chamber.
The nobles trembled as if struck by lightning.
Nikolai, however, seemed unsatisfied.
His eyes gleamed with an unnervingly sharp intensity.
“If you desire so much to be with Elizabeth, I’ll grant you the honor of serving the imperial household. Surely, you’ll get the occasional chance to pay your respects to the Empress, won’t you?”
Though spoken with sarcasm, his tyrannical rebuke—cold as winter frost—froze every noble head and influential figure in place.
“Your Majesty, please reconsider your words…”
“Not enough? Then I shall bestow the honor of serving the Emperor upon your younger sister as well.”
“Y-your Majesty!”
Douglas, pale as a corpse, collapsed onto his knees.
As he left the audience chamber, Nikolai added arrogantly,
“The birth of an Empress awaited by all the realm! Prepare a ceremony so splendid it shall be remembered in history!”
[This is the timeline separator]I was moved to some place within the imperial palace.
Unlike other areas, opulent to the point of intimidation, this place was brightly decorated in white and mint.
The landscape paintings on the walls, velvet cushions with tassels, silver candlesticks, and porcelain ornaments—all were harmonious and elegant.
The bedroom, dressing room, bathroom, and sitting room were clearly separated, making daily life perfectly comfortable.
Even a small garden was attached to the terrace.
Though it was enclosed on all sides by dense barberry hedges like a prison.
“The knights will guard you day and night. Please rest easy and relax.”
The knights’ attitude had noticeably grown more courteous.
Though they were still merely jailers guarding a prison.
Click—the lock snapped shut outside the door.
“Damn tyrant. What does he plan to do with me?”
My head throbbed.
So much had happened in such a short time.
It wasn’t just about me—it concerned Douglas and Susan’s future as well.
Every time I recalled Douglas’s hollow, despairing back as he was dragged away, guilt surged within me.
And Nikolai’s expressionless face, coldly gazing down at him.
Had I ever felt such fierce hostility?
He was worse than the original—far worse, never less.
That fleeting moment when I’d thought he might be a decent man now filled me with regret.
Kissing him—and being kissed on the hand by him—felt unbearably shameful.
“First, let me sort out the situation.”
I sat at the desk and picked up a pen.
I had much to do.
I couldn’t just let Nikolai toy with me like a puppet.
Suppressing my anger and frustration, I wrote:
1. He’s completely insane.
(Though, sadly, he seems clever.)
2. He intends to use me.
(Is he trying to root out rebellious nobles?)
3. He has no mercy.
(How can I save Douglas and Susan?)
The more I wrote, the more hopeless it felt.
‘I set a small trick just in case… but there’s no guarantee it’ll help.’
The second special privilege hadn’t helped at all.
If Nikolai discovered Morasinthia’s eyes, he’d probably suck me dry to the marrow.
I didn’t even know how to find a new sacred relic—or when my soul might vanish.
As I gnawed furiously on my pen, a rustling sound came from the garden.
The barberry leaves, acting as a fence, swayed softly.
A cat? Or perhaps a rat?
I approached the window and stuck my head out.
“Who’s there?”
Maybe it was just the wind. There was no reply.
I returned to my desk, but the presence didn’t disappear.
I could feel someone’s gaze on the back of my head.
Someone was definitely watching me.
“Oh. I must have imagined it.”
I deliberately raised my voice.
Pretending indifference, I waited until the other side let their guard down—then leapt out onto the terrace.
I couldn’t possibly let a stalker peeping into a lady’s room go free!
“Eeek!”
The stalker screamed.
I nearly shrieked myself.
Because the person who jumped out was utterly unlike what I’d imagined.
[This is the timeline separator]“Your Majesty. You must rescind the imperial decree, even now.”
Despite his loyal minister’s grave expression, Nikolai remained calm.
“Didn’t you yourself say the Empress’s seat must not remain empty?”
“Didn’t you say you’d use Lady Elizabeth as kindling?”
“Isn’t she excellent kindling? Everyone made such amusing faces—especially those old men from the Four Great Houses.”
Nikolai spoke with evident delight.
Of course, he knew the situation wasn’t so simple.
Forcing her into the palace like a kidnapping, provoking everyone by declaring her Empress—it was all highly impulsive.
Unfamiliar anxiety often breeds impulsiveness.
And he’d failed to control it.
Could it be because of his desperate desire to possess Elizabeth as soon as possible?
“This isn’t just chasing mice—you might blow up the powder magazine. And in the process, Lady Elizabeth will suffer greatly.”
“Since when did you start worrying about her?”
“The more I see her, the more admirable she becomes.”
“…What?”
“I misunderstood her due to malicious rumors, but up close, I’ve never met anyone as beautiful and elegant as Lady Elizabeth.”
“You must’ve eaten something strange. Are you alright?”
Nikolai cut off Kares abruptly.
Kares gave a light bow, as if to say he appreciated the concern but was fine.
“I’m perfectly well. May I speak further about Lady Elizabeth?”
“Enough.”
“Your Majesty must come to understand her true worth—as I did.”
A faint blush rose on Kares’s cheeks.
‘Why is Kares, who cares only for work and never speaks of personal feelings—let alone women—acting like this?’
Staring blankly at his rambling loyal minister, Nikolai rang a golden bell.
“Did you summon me, Your Majesty?”
The valet hurried over.
“Call the court healer. The Minister of Internal Affairs is gravely unwell.”
“Yes?”
“He seems to have injured his head. Hurry.”
“I’ll bring him at once!”
The valet withdrew.
Kares adopted a serious expression.
“Didn’t you say you’d use Lady Elizabeth to split the Four Great Houses?”
“So?”
“If you forcefully proceed with naming her Empress, they won’t split—they’ll unite tightly against you.”
“So you mean the gain is small and the risk great?”
“They might even plot something more dangerous.”
“For example?”
“What if they attempt to assassinate the future Empress?”
Ripples stirred in Nikolai’s green eyes.
Even a cornered mouse will bite a cat.
And if that mouse believes itself a tiger, it might charge with claws bared.
‘Elizabeth assassinated because of me? Someone daring to take the life of what’s mine—within my own palace?’
Rage, hot enough to reverse his blood flow, surged through him.
Nikolai clenched his fist.
“But I said I would not name Elizabeth as Imperial Consort.”
“You accepted the sacred relic—you must keep your word.”
“I can’t send her away either. She’s already mine.”
“What if there were a way to let Lady Elizabeth stay in the palace without being Imperial Consort?”
“It wouldn’t matter even if she became Empress?”
“Of course not.”
Kares’s eyes sparkled.
Though he looked somewhat entranced, Nikolai was intensely curious what his loyal minister would say next.
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.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (89)
Hahaha, Elizabeth is so sweet when she wakes up. The best thing about her is that she’s honest.
Hahaha, what? It’s obvious that the one who will fall in love first is Emperor Casanova.
Oh, what is this underworld flower? The emperor is a vile scoundrel. Why does he neglect the child like this?
Inline Comments (3)
Claudia had disliked Nikolai for a very long time.
Hahaha, how disgusting! She’s been completely manipulated for their own interests. I think there’s a group trying to get rid of Elizabeth and the Emperor.
It was astonishing that such a small, delicate girl had developed a medicine eve
What kind of medicine is it? It’s making me more curious
Nikolai, dressed head to toe in black, glared at her with eyes as cold as ice.
Oh my God, the hero has arrived! Hahaha, thank God! Thank you, writer! 🥺🤭💗
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Miioo
What is this now? Who is this? Why is Caris so in love with her? Has she bewitched him too?