The Beloved Youngest Daughter of the Lord Family - Chapter 8
“Bella-sama!”
The blurry vision that greeted me as I regained consciousness was Sione’s tear-streaked face.
“W-well… Sione…? Why are you crying?”
With no strength left in my body, I barely managed to open my mouth and ask, causing her to burst into fresh tears.
“Hic… Bella-sama. I’m so glad you’re awake. I truly thought something terrible had happened…”
Ah.
Right—I’d fainted.
‘Why did I suddenly collapse like that…?’
Realizing the situation belatedly, I struggled to sit up from the bed, swaying unsteadily.
A slight dizziness still lingered, likely the aftereffect of that sudden bout of anemia.
“You have no idea how frightened I was. You were sleeping so deeply… just like during that hibernation phase. I was terrified you might never wake up again…”
Sione trembled violently, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as though this were the most terrifying thing in the world.
The fact that someone considered among the strongest in the kingdom could lose her composure so completely over my mere fainting made me feel both guilty for worrying her and strangely happy—though perhaps that happiness was selfish.
‘Someone worries about me this much… It feels strange.’
In my previous life as an imperial princess, I’d been surrounded only by selfish people.
Whenever I was unwell, emotionally exhausted, or lonely, not a single person had ever reached out to me.
Growing up in that environment, I’d locked my heart away tightly behind an impenetrable door.
Though I no longer suffered pain or hurt, my life had held neither joy nor happiness.
In the end, I’d become just like everyone else around me—
a selfish adult who cared only for herself.
‘I can’t possibly live my second life as foolishly as that.’
After pondering deeply about a new purpose beyond revenge, I arrived at one clear conclusion:
I wanted the people by my side to always be able to smile.
They were the first to show me that quiet comfort and small joys in everyday life could lead to true happiness.
I wanted to protect them so they could always wear that smile.
I wanted to reassure them so they’d never fear being alone—
just as my younger self had desperately wished for back then.
“I won’t sleep long again. Don’t worry.”
“Really…?”
“Then, promise me. Will you believe me?”
I’d only just begun speaking properly and learning magic decently.
I couldn’t possibly let something as trivial as hibernation ruin my revenge.
Thinking this to myself, I flashed a bright, energetic grin—prompting her to wipe away her tears with her sleeve and reply with a far more relaxed expression.
“Of course I’ll believe you. If I can’t trust Bella-sama, who else is there to trust?”
“Good. Sione only trust me!”
Though her answer held no real basis, it was enough—Sione gave a faint smile.
“We need to find out why you collapsed, Bella-sama. The physician will arrive shortly, so please lie down and rest for now.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.”
Ten minutes later, the physician who entered the room examined me thoroughly and wore a grave expression.
His diagnosis: magical exhaustion syndrome—
a rare condition affecting only a tiny fraction even among one’s bloodline.
“It’s somewhat akin to malnutrition in ordinary humans. Occasionally, there are cases where someone consumes far more magic than others during their growth phase.”
“Then what should we do, Doctor…?”
“For now, you must ensure proper nourishment—but not through ordinary food. Best would be monster blood, raw meat, or organs rich in magic. You’ll likely need quite a large quantity.”
Hearing the doctor’s answer, my expression darkened.
Though considerable time had passed since my reincarnation—or something close to it—I still hadn’t even considered tasting monster flesh.
“I’ll take my leave now. I’ll return periodically for checkups.”
“Thank you very much.”
After the physician departed, Sione halted my magic lessons and threw herself into researching foods rich in magic—
all for my sake, since I loathed the idea of eating monsters.
Through her research, she once again confirmed that delicately infusing small amounts of magic into sugary desserts—cookies, biscuits, macarons—greatly enhanced magical absorption.
Thanks to her efforts, despite my rather severe magical exhaustion, my daily life remained largely unaffected.
However, there was still no solution for those sudden, inexplicable collapses.
“It’s my fault. I should’ve anticipated this earlier and found a solution…”
“Not Sione’s fault. Don’t worry. Gotta eat monster food anyway.”
Right—after dying and coming back to life, what couldn’t I eat?
If it meant I could enact revenge on those who’d wronged me, I was mentally prepared to eat anything.
But now, Sione wouldn’t let me do that.
“Absolutely not. Bella-sama dislikes monster dishes. Even if you ate only delicious things and lived happily, I’d still wonder if it were enough. As long as I’m watching with both eyes open, such a thing will never happen.”
“But if it means staying alive, what choice do I have?”
Sighing deeply as if resigned, I watched her eyes suddenly gleam with firm resolve.
“I suppose I’ll have to ask that person for help.”
“Huh? Who’s that?”
“My master.”
Her master, formerly captain of the Royal Mage Corps, had severed all contact with the outside world due to his eccentric personality and retreated deep into the northern mountains—aged an astonishing 600 years.
Since the Chepesu Kingdom had been founded just over 500 years ago, he was practically a founding hero himself.
“But how’ll you even find him?”
“I only know he’s somewhere in the northern mountain range. I’ll find a way.”
Hmm, that sounded like searching for a needle in a desert.
Honestly thinking it impossible, I held no real hope.
Yet Sione mobilized every possible means and method—and within just a month, located her master’s whereabouts.
Hearing how she’d leveraged old connections and even deployed troops for the search made me newly aware of just how extraordinary my nanny truly was.
“Fortunately, I’ve found where my master resides—but because of his illusionary barrier, they say even approaching is difficult. I’ll have to go myself. Master’s barriers are incredibly powerful; tampering carelessly could cause serious trouble.”
“Okay. How many nights before you come back?”
“With the gate, it should take only a day or two. I’ll return quickly, so please wait just a little.”
As she asked for my permission, I readily nodded.
“Oh, but can you go without telling Father? We’re not supposed to leave the capital right now.”
“This is a special circumstance. I already obtained Lord’s permission through a magical artifact, so there’s no need to worry.”
Having finished her explanation, Sione immediately packed her things and departed for the capital’s outskirts where the gate lay.
Her back, clad not in maid’s attire but in a long traveler’s cloak, looked strangely unfamiliar.
After a brief farewell with the others, I returned to my room.
The Rose Palace, already sparsely populated, now felt even quieter than usual.
‘Without Sione here, it feels really strange.’
Of course, Sione wasn’t the only person in the palace.
There were cheerful, lively maid sisters, palace staff endlessly kind to me, and soldiers who secretly slipped snacks into my pockets.
As time passed, I’d gradually begun opening my heart to these people—but none could fill the void left by Sione’s absence.
‘It feels empty and lonely. And yet, I never wanted to hold anyone as special…’
Gazing out the window until morning dew fell, waiting for someone who wouldn’t come.
All too familiar with that feeling, I slumped my shoulders with a melancholy gaze.
“Sione… I miss you.”
It was only a day or two of her being away—why did it feel so lonely?
Apparently, just like my small, frail body, my mind had grown soft and pliable too.
‘Or perhaps this is my true nature.’
In my past life, I’d never grown accustomed to sharing feelings with others.
Though my body matured into adulthood, mentally, I’d remained immature.
Before my heart could fully open, I’d locked it shut with my own hands—and discarded the key.
All so no one would ever see my pitiful, love-starved true self.
‘But now, I’ll change. I’ve decided on that.’
In the mere half-year I’d spent in the Chepesu Kingdom, I’d undergone immense change.
Being reborn into another race or as a baby no longer mattered much.
What truly mattered was that I now had people who cared for me—and people with whom I could open my heart.
I wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of my past self—hiding and running away.
“Just two nights? Come back after one night, okay?”
How wonderful it would be if Sione were already back when I opened my eyes again.
Sniffling at my suddenly stuffy nose, I tightly hugged the pink rabbit plush beside me.
Stuffed cotton peeked through uneven stitches—the rabbit was Sione’s handiwork, crafted despite countless needle pricks to her fingers.
Just as I tried to drift off, comforted by its familiar, warm scent—
A sharp gust of wind blew violently, and a mysterious black figure swiftly passed beyond the rattling balcony window.
‘What was that?’
Normally, I’d have dismissed it as something carried off by the wind—but something felt distinctly off this time.
It was as if someone nearby was watching me closely.
‘I should check it out.’
Grunting softly, I stepped out of bed, clutching my beloved plush to my chest and dragging my oversized slippers toward the balcony.
“Who’s there?”
As expected, no reply came to my question aimed at empty air.
‘I sense killing intent. An assassin?’
A peculiar tingling sensation prickled my skin—
an aura so faint an ordinary person wouldn’t notice, yet unmistakable to me now.
“I know you’re hiding there. Don’t waste my time. Come out already.”
Taking a few more dragging steps in my too-big slippers—
Whoosh! The curtains violently fluttered.
“How did you know I was here?”
A young-sounding, unfamiliar baritone voice.
Looking up, I saw a masked man peering down at me with intrigued eyes.
“How’d you get in here?”
“Answer my question first.”
“You’re rude, mister. This is my place, so I speak first.”
He let out a dry chuckle at my bold retort, then crouched down as if trying to meet my eyes.
“What a brash little thing you are. Aren’t you curious about that? Even though I might kill you right here with this?”
He slowly drew a dagger—likely meant for assassination—and pressed it gently against my throat.
Clearly, he enjoyed instilling fear far more than delivering a swift kill.
Realizing he had no intention of killing me immediately, I simply snorted and pushed the blade away with my finger.
“I can’t stand not knowing things. And I’m not scared at all.”
“Huh. Never seen anything like you. You’re unbelievable.”
Just as I’d guessed, he withdrew the blade and tapped it lightly against his palm, gazing down at me with arrogant amusement—
as if pondering how best to cook prey he’d already caught.
“Mister, you must be awfully bored with life.”
I spoke my mind freely, without holding back.
‘After all, it’s just me and an assassin here.’
Whenever I tried sounding mature, Sione would sigh sadly, saying I was growing up too fast—so I’d held back what I truly wanted to say until now.
But speaking my mind felt wonderfully relieving.
“What did you say?”
“Killing people must be boring. Let’s find something more fun to do.”
When I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly, the man stared blankly as if struck on the head—then burst into loud laughter.
“Hah! You’re right! There’s nothing remotely fun around. That’s exactly why I came here—to see if tearing apart the great Lord’s precious little daughter might stir some excitement in me.”
“Ugh, you’re seriously a pervert, mister.”
I shook my head vigorously, making a disgusted face as if I’d just seen the filthiest thing in the world.
Yet instead of getting upset, his expression grew far more delighted than when he’d held the dagger.
“Since you made me laugh for the first time in ages, I’ll tell you—I had help from a big player. You’re too young to know, but this palace is guarded by a nasty witch’s barrier.”
A nasty witch?
Realizing a beat late that he meant Sione, I couldn’t help but giggle.
Though certainly a dark mage, to me Sione seemed far closer to a saint than a witch.
“‘We’ve’ been waiting a very long time for that witch to leave. Without her, slitting our poor little girl’s throat would be incredibly simple.”
“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the explanation.”
“Good. Little girl, can you entertain me a bit more? Maybe I’ll delay your death a little then.”
“Who’s dying?”
Whoosh!
The moment my words ended, sharp ice projectiles materialized midair and shot toward the man like arrows.
“Kgh!”
His mask tore away from the needle-sharp ice shards before he could dodge, revealing his bare face bathed in moonlight.
Expecting a terrifying assassin, I was surprised to see someone who looked rather refined—almost noble.
‘Hmm, I thought a few shards would stick in his body.’
I’d mimicked the magic I’d seen Father use previously, but my control was apparently imperfect—
after all, I’d only just begun learning ice magic from Sione.
“Lucky you, mister.”
Disappointed, I clicked my tongue—making him roar furiously as if insulted.
“You insolent brat…!!”
“Don’t call me a brat so lightly, or you’ll regret it.”
Crack!
An eerie sound like breaking bones filled the air as translucent ice encased the man’s arms and legs.
“Aaargh!”
Unable to bear the pain, he spat out vulgar curses—I pouted and covered my rabbit plush’s ears.
“Shh. My precious bunny shouldn’t hear such words.”
“Khh… You arrogant little—!! I’ll kill you!”
Ugh, so noisy.
Might as well just silence him.
For the sake of our precious hearing, I cast the magic Sione had taught me—
a spell that could blind an enemy or partially paralyze their senses, capable of taking lives depending on how it was used.
“Ugh—mmph…!!”
“Phew. Now Bunny’s ears won’t hurt anymore. Good, right?”
“Khuh…!!”
Turning away from the man thrashing in his icy prison, I slowly scanned the room.
No one came despite all the noise—meaning he’d tampered with my room beforehand to ensure his attack.
Perhaps by installing some cheap device or the like.
“Ah! So that’s how you got in so easily!”
Spotting an artifact cleverly disguised as a curtain ornament, I grinned.
“Better break this right away.”
Crunch!
I lightly clenched and opened my fist—the mana crystal powering the artifact crumbled to dust and fell to the floor.
Reaching into the air, I retrieved the now completely disabled artifact.
Immediately, the sharp tension in the surrounding air softened noticeably—
the barrier that had severed this space from the outside world had dissolved.
“One problem solved.”
While I felt cheerful, the man’s face turned even paler—but that was none of my concern.
‘To neutralize Sione’s barrier… This definitely isn’t an ordinary item.’
Even searching across the entire continent beyond just the Chepesu Kingdom, few could craft an artifact capable of countering her magic.
He’d probably intended to retrieve it immediately after assassinating me—but now, it would serve a different purpose.
It would help trace the influential figure behind him.
“So, mister… What should I do with you now?”
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.]
Woww, what a great father he is.
Claimed to love the mother, but ignored their own child…. how great.
Oh, what’s happening? My poor baby Bella! I hope someone comes to help her quickly 😭💔