“Of course…. it would be disappointing if he didn’t show up on a day like today.”
Despite my displeasure, the atmosphere in the ballroom changed instantly with his arrival.
People who were conversing in groups, those who were just observing from corners, even the palace servants, and my friends Loshan and Emily, all sneakily glanced at Reus.
They all began to talk about him excitedly.
“Oh my, the Duke is really here…! I’m glad I attended today’s ball.”
“Should we go and greet him?”
“Did you hear? Recently, the Duke….”
This showed how powerful Duke Rocheter was in the current society.
Of course, not all the interest was solely about his power.
“How perfect the Duke looks today. Look at his nose, it’s like it was sculpted.”
“I wish I could marry someone like the Duke.”
“Whoever becomes the Duke’s lady is truly lucky.”
Not only the ladies close to my table but almost everyone was commenting on Reus’ appearance.
Honestly, I would have found it ridiculous if they were praising someone else like that.
But even considering Reus was the cause of my death, he was…
‘Incredibly handsome. Extremely so.’
I hated to admit it, but objectively, it was true.
The line from his brow bone to his nose was straight and elegant, and his neatly styled silver hair enhanced his urban aura.
Especially, ladies adored his deep-set eyes. The austere vibe he gave off was considered highly attractive…
‘And they don’t even know he’s plotting a rebellion…’
Reus couldn’t help but draw attention, towering a head or two above everyone else, making him too conspicuous even if you didn’t want to look.
Just then, the ladies at the next table began praising Reus’ physique.
“The Duke looks great in both a suit and a uniform. Oh, what a pleasure for the eyes.”
“Of course. He’s not a war hero for nothing.”
“His face is one thing, but how can his body be so perfect…”
‘But he’s planning a rebellion anyway.’
I wanted to explain this to everyone, but since I couldn’t, I had to satisfy myself by glaring at Reus without others noticing.
‘If you’re going to die, do it alone, why drag me into it…’
Really, there was nothing likable about him.
While I was busily cursing Reus in my mind, Loshan suddenly grabbed my arms.
“Hey, so, what did he say?”
“Who?”
“That jerk. What did he say to you?”
“Oh… uh, well… we just broke up amicably.”
“Oh my, you’re so frustrating…! You should have at least given him a piece of your mind! Ugh, so annoying.”
Loshan shook me and then let go with a heavy sigh.
Emily, looking at me with understanding eyes, patted my back and told me I did well.
In the meantime, the guests seemed to have mostly arrived, and just as the guards were about to close the doors, they suddenly opened again. A man entered the hall, capturing everyone’s attention. It was none other than Cassien, the male lead of this world.
People glanced at me, then at Cassien, undoubtedly curious whether he would ignore me today to flirt with another woman.
Usually, I would have felt a bit intimidated and wandered around the terrace or sat in the lounge, but today, there was no need.
‘There’s no point in worrying now that we’ve broken up.’
Even if I had reacted differently, people would have just thought, “Well, that’s expected.”
However, contrary to my expectations, the atmosphere in the hall took an unexpected turn.
“Oh my, why is the young lord of Ershian here?”
“That’s what I’m saying. He just completely ended things with Lady Verodica recently…”
“Seems like that was true.”
It was because Cassien, as if it were the most natural thing, approached and took hold of me.
“Roel.”
‘Why does he keep doing things he never did before? Wasn’t it completely over that day…?’
With everyone’s eyes on us, I couldn’t be harsh with Cassien. If I did, it would surely reach Lady Peria’s ears.
“Roel, please, just talk to me once…”
Quickly, I grabbed Cassien’s wrist.
“…Follow me.”
I led Cassien to a terrace a bit away from the ballroom.
“Cassien…! Didn’t we already finish our discussion?”
“What are you talking about?”
“What…! Ah… why are you like this, Cassien?”
“Why are you like this, Roel?”
After all that talk about breaking up and annulling our engagement, why was he behaving like this?
“I clearly said we should break up…”
“Lady Peria seems to be…”
“…”
“…unaware of it.”
I clammed up, and Cassien moved closer.
“No, she seems to firmly believe we’re going to get married.”
“Cassien, that’s because…”
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of telling Lady Peria you wanted to break up.”
Cassien softly touched just below my ear, then ran his thumb lightly across my cheek. He kept smiling, then beamed at me.
“You know I’d know what you want, right, Roel?”
Though I hadn’t revealed I wasn’t her biological daughter, Cassien knew I feared Lady Peria.
That made me even angrier.
‘Knowing that, did you pretend we’d get married at the dinner?’
The man who would soon forget about his fiancée and fall for the heroine?
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.]
