In reality, rather than a mansion, this place resembled a fortress or castle, prepared for battle against demons, and it was a quieter space than expected.
Humans say that demons fight all day for their dominion, but that’s a ridiculous misconception.
With humans shunning them, demons had no choice but to gather, and they had to stick together to share their limited power and survive.
Of course, there had been times of chaos.
But that was a long time ago, ever since Archduke Belred took control both inside and outside of Hell’s gate.
Vainka Castle was peaceful as long as the demons didn’t arise.
But today was different. The demons gathered together with grim faces.
The atmosphere was akin to the brink of war.
“The saint is coming.”
A voice echoed from the red fog.
An approaching fog turned into a redheaded demon and landed among those gathered.
It was the demon Ronove, capable of transforming into fog.
“She’s finally coming. We are already prepared.”
The one who accepted the words with a resolute face was the demon Naberus.
He displayed the sharply honed blade at his fingertips with a smile.
“Is it finally war?”
The reactions of the other demons were similar. But Ronove waved them off.
“Put that away. It’s not that.”
“It’s not?”
With a question filled with bewilderment, Ronove nodded his head.
“The Archduke has commanded us to welcome the saint as a guest.”
At those words, the demons looked at each other.
“A guest?”
“What kind of guest?”
Aren’t there different kinds of guests?
Guests to be treated well, guests to be deceived, guests to be threatened and exploited, guests to be beheaded, etc…
Considering the opponent was a saint, she certainly wouldn’t fall into the category of a guest to be treated well. Nor would a human coming from that rigid temple be susceptible to deception.
So, after all!
“It’s about receiving guests with confidence. That’s an expression befitting our graceful Archduke.”
Naberus began to fondle his blade again.
“Not that,”
Ronove smacked Naberus on the back of his head.
“Real guest, nothing else.”
“Eh?”
Only then did the demons flinch.
“The saint? As a guest?”
“It’s the Archduke’s command.”
At those words, no one could object. Such was Belred’s enormous influence.
But it was still strange.
‘Finish preparing for battle and stand by.’
Didn’t the Archduke certainly say that when he left?
Moreover, the saint quickly identified Vainka as a demonic house.
She’s a perceptive saint. Wouldn’t it be less troublesome to dispose of her early?
In the minds of the demons, there were already dozens of ways to ‘naturally dispose’ of the saint.
But those perfect plans were to be thrown in the trash.
“Hide the preparations for war,”
Ronove’s boltfromtheblue proclamation struck them as they thought like that.
“……So we have to be like a typical aristocratic house?”
The demons looked at each other.
“What’s in an aristocratic house?”
“A butler. A maid. A gardener?”
“The butler role is perfect for Aim, isn’t it? Where did that guy go?”
“He dashed off to the battlefield half a day ago.”
One demon answered Navarus’s question promptly. Navarus scowled.
“Then who’s the most handsome one here?”
At that, the demons pointed to their own faces without a moment’s hesitation. So did Navarus.
Watching them, Ronobe put a hand to his forehead. He was one of the few who knew how to deal with humans, having mixed with them on occasion.
……Just occasionally.
“Let me handle the butler role.”
Ronobe’s words made Navarus pause.
“Aren’t I the most handsome?”
Time was of the essence, so Ronobe simply ignored Navarus’s comment.
“But what does a butler do?”
“Isn’t it a shortened form for house guard?”
It was certainly not a conversation of refinement.
“But can you make tea?”
Salreos, who claimed to be the mansion’s chef, asked. Actually, he wasn’t much of a cook but more of a drinker, yet still the closest to food of them all.
Ronobe replied,
“Just boiling water is enough; what’s to worry about?”
At that, Salreos scowled.
“That’s an insult to beverages!”
“What are you talking about, all you do is drink alcohol.”
“Is there no chef? Call the chef!”
Demons, living for such a long time, often had various hobbies.
Though they didn’t need food, only the negative emotions emitted by humans, there were occasionally demons with culinary expertise.
“Are you talking about Beris? He served Lord Belled some strange dish recently and was sent to Hell, wasn’t he?”
A quickwitted demon replied. Ronobe’s face twisted.
“Just get the tea done and clear those weapons first!”
“Yes, yes!”
The Vain castle quickly grew noisy.
“What’s that magic cannon doing there! Why hasn’t it been moved?”
Ronobe raised his voice. In between, Navarus said,
“The monster heads are okay, right? We need to set up a horrifying atmosphere first―”
“They’re guests, you fool!”
Ronobe threw the monster head that he pointed to into the fireplace.
―Whoosh!
“No, that’s the result of my 200year struggle!”
“Are you greeting guests with monster heads?”
Navarus burst out frustratedly at Ronobe’s words.
“What on earth is guest reception!?”
At that, Ronobe’s expression became very serious.
Yes, thinking about it, this place, filled with monsters, never had a proper guest before.
Humans were reluctant to enter the ‘night’ realm, so Vainka’s external affairs were all handled outside the realm of night.
Originally, Vainka didn’t interact with outsiders, being a closedoff structure.
Ronobe just then realized.
In the vast Vain castle, where cleaning was done by magic……the only ones who properly understood human culture were himself and Belled.
Ronobe grabbed his head.
“To think you grouped me with these fools, Your Majesty!”
The carriage of the saint was drawing nearer to the chaosengulfed Vain castle.
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.]
