Strategic Marriage with the Mad Villain (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8
“Tell you? No. Just say that you rescued him…”
“Please tell him that Uncle Haven found him in the forest and treated him.”
“Yes, I rescued him… Huh?”
“In case… I mean… yeah, also say I was like an assistant! Just say I was some kind of assistant.”
Uncle Haven twisted his face as if he’d just heard the strangest thing imaginable.
“Why on earth would you ask for such a thing, hmm? Even the Duke, known for his cold composure, would obviously want to repay a life-saving debt! Why not just ask him to repay you with money right now…!”
‘Uncle doesn’t understand…’
That it could very well be worth my life.
“Is it because you fear the Count’s household might find out you went out today?”
“Yes, well…”
“If that’s the reason, I’ll explain everything properly to His Grace. So go ahead and reveal that it was you who saved him—”
“No! Absolutely not! Please, please don’t say a word about it.”
I couldn’t possibly explain how it would mess up the original plot, ruin my escape plan entirely, so I just mumbled some vague excuse.
“Anyway, I didn’t save him expecting anything in return… it’s just… I really don’t want to get tangled up with someone like him. I know it doesn’t make much sense, but I’m begging you. Okay, Uncle…?”
“Hah… really… Or maybe I could take the money and pass it on to you…?”
“No—don’t! Please, don’t accept anything from His Grace at all. Please.”
That tiny incident might drag me into another unlucky entanglement. If there was even a sliver of chance, I had to nip it in the bud.
Starting today, Reus wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near Anas.
“Then… I’ll stop by again once I’ve saved up more money. Got it, Uncle…?”
“Sigh… Fine, I understand. Honestly…”
If only the person I’d rescued hadn’t been Reus, I might’ve revealed my identity. As Uncle said, given my desperate need for money right now, this was the perfect opportunity to receive a reward, repay my debts, and secure enough to settle down in Belliata.
But it was Reus.
The mad villain from the original story! The very reason for my death!
Thus, preventing any chance of involvement before it even began was clearly the best choice.
‘I can’t possibly get meaninglessly tangled up with a villain like this.’
After all the suffering I’ve endured just to avoid altering the original story! I wasn’t about to let a lifetime of effort go to waste over today’s incident.
‘Though… admittedly, things have been drifting just a little… just a tiny bit off track recently… But it’s really only a little.’
After all this effort, what could possibly go wrong?
But as always, nothing in this world ever went exactly as I wished.
It took only a week to rediscover that age-old truth.
[This is the timeline separator]Thankfully, I returned home without any incident. However, moving Reus near Anas must’ve strained muscles I hadn’t used in ages—I spent the next four days almost entirely in bed.
Still, since there’d been no word from Reus’s side, it seemed Uncle Haven had handled everything as I’d asked.
Yet there remained an unresolved problem.
‘Money… What am I going to do?’
The reason I’d gone to Anas that day was to pay the final installment for my new identity.
But I’d ended up spending every last coin on Reus’s medicine!
In the heat of the moment, thinking he might die, I’d made a rash decision. Not that I regretted saving a life—but…
The problem was that the person I saved was Reus, the one who’d caused my death.
Not only had I failed to keep my distance, I’d practically created a connection! And since there’d been no news yet, I couldn’t relax completely—my mind remained tangled in worry.
All because I’d recklessly declared the engagement broken, the plot had spiraled so badly that this had happened! Who knew when they’d uncover what I’d done yesterday!
‘So I need to gather escape funds even faster…’
Since my rescue was a secret, Reus wouldn’t return the money.
‘If only I could ask Uncle Haven for help…’
But Uncle was just an employee managing one of Anas’s many branches—not in a position to hand out money or goods out of pity.
I racked my brain, but no good ideas came to me.
“What am I going to do now?”
It had taken me months to save that money—there was no way I could gather it again within days…
Then, suddenly, an idea struck me.
“Oh…! My birthday!”
Right—my birthday!
My birthday at the end of next month was one of the rare occasions when my usually busy father actually paid attention to me.
Would he give me jewelry again like last time? Even if it was a cheap piece compared to the necklaces Verodika usually wore, it would still be a fortune to me.
‘If I sell it, that should cover at least part of the loss.’
That way, I could gather the money much faster than expected.
So for now, the most urgent issue was…
The letter of broken engagement, angrily scrawled straight to Marquis Ershian in a fit of rage.
‘The letter must’ve reached the Marquis’s estate by now.’
It was only a matter of time before Peria found out.
My biggest fear was that, once she learned the truth and flew into a rage, she’d lock me away somewhere.
Now that my body had recovered, the sense of crisis finally caught up to me.
‘Maybe there’s still a chance the letter hasn’t arrived at the Marquis’s estate yet… I should ask Eni and figure out some way…’
Just then, the old attic room’s door burst open with such force it nearly shattered.
-Boom!
“Roel!”
Peria—who never came near the annex, especially not my room—had come herself. That could only mean the Marquis had already sent a reply.
‘Damn it.’
As I clumsily tried to stand, Peria strode over and slapped my cheek with tremendous force. Crack! My head whipped around so hard my neck ached.
“Explain yourself! Did you really send such a letter to Lord Marquis Ershian?”
“……”
“Why won’t you speak! I’m asking if you truly sent it!”
When I avoided her gaze and stayed silent, Peria slapped my cheek again. I covered my face and staggered, but Peria, refusing to tolerate even that, seized my wrist roughly.
“You… You dare! Who gave you the right to even speak of breaking an engagement!”
“Mother, it’s just—”
“Shut your mouth! Spoiling you has truly driven you mad. Lock this girl in the cellar at once…!”
“Madam—!”
Just as Peria grabbed my hair, a maid rushed into the room in great distress.
“What is it!”
“T-That is… Lord Ershian has arrived…”
The maid’s eyes flicked nervously toward me.
“He says he wishes to see Miss immediately…”
Seeing my disheveled hair and swollen, red cheek, the maid quickly bowed her head as if she’d witnessed something she shouldn’t have.
At that, Peria snapped back to her senses, turned to me, and grabbed my chin with a rough hand. Her gaze, colder than a blade’s edge, lingered on my face for a long moment.
Then, in a strangely suppressed voice thick with fury, she commanded:
“Fix her up as best you can and send her down immediately.”
[This is the timeline separator]When I entered the parlor, Cassien was lounging comfortably in his usual chair.
I had no desire to become entangled with him again, nor did I want him to involve me—but should I thank him for temporarily pulling me out of danger…?
Yet thinking of how he’d surely turn my insides upside down again, exhaustion overwhelmed any sense of gratitude.
“Cassien. Why are you here?”
“Ro…”
Cassien’s eyes widened slightly before he abruptly stood and came toward me.
“What happened to your face?”
The maids had tried to conceal it with cosmetics, but they couldn’t completely hide the swelling. I turned my head so the bruised side wouldn’t show.
“Roel.”
“Let go of that.”
I swatted away Cassien’s hand as he gently reached for my face, then walked to a chair as if nothing had happened. Cassien stood still for a moment before finally sitting beside me.
“Let me see your face, Roel.”
“Why? Come to gawk?”
At my icy tone, Cassien’s outstretched hand froze awkwardly midair.
“This is what you wanted, right? Or not?”
“…Sigh, Roel, why would I…”
“If you’re done gawking, can you leave now? We’re officially broken up—there’s no reason for us to face each other.”
Before I’d even finished speaking, displeasure flickered across Cassien’s face.
“Our conversation isn’t over yet—where would I go?”
“…I’m not in the mood for games. So please, just go.”
Though I spoke firmly, Cassien seemed determined to provoke me—leaning back lazily against the chair.
Frustrated, I grabbed his hand and yanked with all my strength to pull him up.
“Leave, Cassien! Just—ugh!”
Instead of pulling him up, I lost my balance and ended up seated on his lap.
Catching me off guard, Cassien wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me firmly in place.
Then he said something utterly absurd.
“Marry me.”
“…Are you insane? Is that really what you’re saying right now?”
“You feel it too—that you can’t truly leave me.”
“……”
“Just admit it. Stop fighting it, alright?”
“…No.”
“Why do you keep making this so difficult…”
“I will never, ever marry you, Cassien.”
An eerie silence fell over the parlor. Cassien stared at me without blinking.
He stayed like that so long I wondered if he was genuinely shocked—but soon, the corners of his eyes softened into a gentle curve.
“Alright, Roel. If that’s truly what you want, so be it.”
His unexpected response left me dumbfounded, and I blurted out like a fool.
“…What?”
“If you want to throw a tantrum, go ahead. If you want to push me away, push as much as you like. I’ll take it all.”
“……”
“You just need to remember one thing.”
He tightened his arm around my waist, pulling me closer as he murmured in a low voice.
“There’s only one place you’ll ever return to—and that’s by my side.”
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.]
Most Commented This Week
The Villain Has Gone Mad For Me (Completed Main Story)
I’m The Lowest-Ranking Daughter Of A Martial Arts Villain (2 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Became the Assassin Family’s Foster Daughter (Completed Main Story)
The Duke Only Needs My Child (Completed Main Story)
Men of the Harem (137 Chapters Left to Complete)
At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete)
She’s a Villainess but her Husband is Handsome (Completed Main Story)
People Aren’t Meant to Be Fixed! (4 Chapters Left to Complete)
My Discarded Fiancé Returned (Completed Main Story)
Summer Must Die (16 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Received The First Time Of My Extraordinary Superior (9 Chapters Left to Complete)
Regret With All Your Might (Completed Main Story)