As their eyes met, Veronia showed a startled expression and stopped abruptly.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Lord Killian. I thought no one was here… I didn’t mean to disturb you. Well then…”
Veronia was about to turn and leave.
But Killian’s voice stopped her.
“Your Highness, may I ask you something?”
He couldn’t bear not asking.
He wanted to ask what was going on, why she had changed, why she hadn’t been like this before, why she had been so difficult all this time if she could act so casually now.
To the most noble lady in this country, daring to be disloyal.
“Yes. What is it?”
Surprised by the unexpected question, Veronia looked up at Killian with wide eyes.
“Is this… a new tactic?”
“A new tactic?”
Instead of what he really wanted to ask, different words blurted out.
Oh no, he thought, but it was too late. Killian clenched his molars as he waited for an answer.
“You’ve changed a lot from two years ago.”
“Changed?”
Huk! Was it that obvious? Veronia’s voice trembled slightly in shock.
Thump thump, her heart beat fiercely.
She needed to maintain a poker face, but it wasn’t easy.
‘What happens if they find out I’m not the real Veronia, but a fake who’s possessed her? Immediate execution? Or human experimentation?’
Gulp, she swallowed dryly as she waited for Killian’s next words, her insides burning with anxiety in those few seconds.
“You used to hug me as soon as we met, and didn’t hesitate to kiss me.”
“…”
“You always danced the first, second, and third dances with me. Without fail.”
“Ah…”
Veronia’s mouth opened weakly in shock.
‘… So that’s how Veronia acted. Hugging and kissing someone who didn’t like it… That’s what she did…’
It made sense that Killian found it strange when she suddenly became distant after clinging to him so much.
Haah, Veronia sighed softly, blaming herself for not being more meticulous.
But the milk was already spilled.
If she admitted her mistake and acted awkwardly, it would look suspicious.
‘He’s already noticed I’ve changed, so I might as well show a completely different side!’
It might even be a good thing.
After all, this was a relationship that needed to be cut off anyway.
‘Should I just end it decisively now?’
Killian looked steadily at Veronia as he continued speaking.
“Your Highness always used every means to get my attention. This tactic in particular is quite skillful.”
Ah, of course, if it is a tactic. Killian finished speaking, downed the remaining champagne in his glass, and grinned.
Veronia could easily tell.
The mocking meaning behind Killian’s smile.
She could fully understand Killian being confused by her sudden change in behavior.
But a tactic? Skillful?
‘I don’t like the tone. Or that smile right now.’
It seemed he was seriously misunderstanding something.
‘I should clear up this misunderstanding.’
The best defense is offense, they say. Veronia gritted her molars and spoke in a voice devoid of warmth.
“Lord Killian, you’re half right and half wrong.”
“Pardon?”
“Two years is a short time, but also a long time. I’m no longer the Veronia you knew two years ago.”
“…”
Killian wore an expression of not understanding, but Veronia continued.
“It seems I’ve grown. I’ve learned a lot. For example.”
Veronia’s gaze towards Killian was quite sharp.
Killian’s mouth went dry with tension.
“I don’t force myself to like someone who doesn’t like me. I only return as much as I receive. I’ve clearly grasped the meaning of such things and can apply them in real life now.”
“…”
“I know you don’t like me. You’ve been consistent about that for the past 10 years. So I no longer intend to like you either. It’s not some new tactic.”
“…”
“I won’t make any effort to get your attention, so rest assured. And please don’t misunderstand. Well then.”
Having said her piece, Veronia turned and quickly left the terrace.
Rather than feeling relieved after speaking her mind, her heart raced with the thought that she had finally taken a step to twist the original story.
‘Veronia clung to Killian her whole life. Until her death.’
At first, it must have been out of a sense of duty.
Killian was her political marriage partner, and the Emperor and Empress had decided it.
Naturally, she had to like him and try to win his favor.
‘They say she gradually came to truly like Killian… but was that really the case?’
Veronia had lived her whole life as a puppet of the Imperial family.
She smiled when told to smile, cried when told to cry.
She spoke when told to speak, and kept quiet when told to be silent.
She danced when told to dance, and sang when told to sing.
It had been that way from the moment she was born. It was never not the case.
She probably never learned how to recognize her true feelings, or how to express them.
‘So there’s a high chance that the original Veronia’s feelings of liking Killian weren’t real. Because they weren’t real, they easily turned into obsession and jealousy.’
Of course, she wasn’t certain. And she would never know for sure.
Because the real Veronia had disappeared after drinking the poison prepared by the Empress.
‘As of today, there is no Veronia who likes Killian. I made it that way.’
Well done! Veronia patted her own arm, murmuring words of praise.
‘Let’s keep acting like today. Then we’ll soon be able to deviate from the original story. We’ll be able to escape from the Imperial Palace.’
[This is the timeline separator]Tea time with Empress Sandra.
“Yesterday, you only danced one song with Lord Killian and that was it.”
Sandra recited lines that didn’t deviate one bit from expectations.
Veronia, who had been sitting demurely, slowly opened her mouth.
“That was my own strategy, Your Majesty.”
“Strategy? What kind?”
When Sandra asked as if it were laughable, Veronia answered in a dejected voice, dropping her shoulders.
“The truth is, I’ve only been throwing myself at Lord Killian until now. But I still couldn’t fully win his heart. I know. It’s all my fault. My charm wasn’t enough.”
The response she had prepared the night before in anticipation of the Empress’s reproach flowed smoothly.
“But I can’t fail anymore, can I? So I changed my strategy.”
“So what exactly is this strategy?”
“The strong-weak-medium-strong-weak strategy.”
“Strong-weak… what? What are you saying?”
Sandra frowned at the unfamiliar words.
She seemed quite displeased that Veronia knew something she didn’t.
“It’s a strategy of approaching strongly, then weakly backing off, then approaching moderately again, then weakly backing off. I’m not sure if it will work, but I want to try it.”
“Ah… that strategy!”
Sandra pretended to know. As if she had known it for a long time.
And she didn’t forget to deflate Veronia’s spirit.
Raising her chin, Sandra looked down at Veronia and lectured.
“I doubt you can properly execute such a high-level psychological strategy, but your effort is commendable nonetheless.”
Sandra sipped her tea while twitching her eyebrows.
Veronia also picked up her teacup instead of replying.
“So, according to your strategy, you backed off yesterday. When do you plan to approach strongly?”
“Today.”
“Today?”
Sandra’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected answer.
“Yes. I’ve already sent a letter saying I’ll visit the Duke of Drea’s residence.”
A year ago, Killian was recognized for his merits on the battlefield and was granted a title and territory, becoming a count.
However, when staying in the capital, he didn’t prepare a separate mansion but stayed at his parents’ ducal residence.
“That’s good that it’s soon.”
Sandra’s lips twitched upwards, seemingly pleased with Veronia’s answer.
However, her advice, still pressing down from above, continued.
“Please do it properly this time. You need to clearly prove your worth. Wouldn’t it be great to announce the marriage plans with the Imperial family when Lord Killian’s popularity is skyrocketing?”
Oh come on, that again. Veronia decided to focus on her dessert, not wanting to respond to such nonsense.
She chewed the soft cheesecake slowly, letting Sandra’s words go in one ear and out the other.
“It will be the grandest wedding in the empire! The whole world will pay attention to you, Veronia, and this Imperial family!”
“…”
“So Veronia, from now on you should… Hey, are you listening to me?”
“Of course. A grand wedding! The cake is really delicious, Your Majesty. Please try some.”
And please close that mouth of yours. Veronia smiled brightly, hiding her true thoughts as she held out the dessert plate.
Sandra frowned, seemingly displeased.
“What if you get fat from eating like that?”
“Didn’t you say I need to gain some weight, Your Majesty?”
Veronia said, glancing down at her chest.
It was something Sandra had said just yesterday, so she remembered it vividly.
Left without a retort, she accepted the dessert plate Veronia offered.
[This is the timeline separator]Veronia boarded the carriage.
The official purpose was to visit Killian, but the truth was different.
“Let’s go to McKin Street first.”
“Why McKin Street, Your Highness?”
Linda, the maid, tilted her head and asked at Veronia’s order.
McKin Street was an area full of magic tool shops, a place that didn’t suit Veronia, who had no magical power.
“I want to buy a surprise gift for Lord Killian.”
“Oh my, a surprise gift! How romantic, Your Highness!”
Veronia smiled along with Linda, who was clapping her hands and grinning brightly.
Veronia thought she had done well to bring Linda, the most naive among her maids.
Just as visiting Killian was an excuse, preparing a gift for him was also an excuse.
Veronia intended to visit the information guild.
‘I hope I can find it properly.’
After her possession, this was the first time she was leaving the Imperial Palace on her own without an official event.
She couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Having read the original story multiple times, she knew the content thoroughly.
But there was a big difference between knowing something in your head and actually doing it.
So she always had to be fully prepared and also keep in mind the variables she might encounter unexpectedly.
‘Moreover, because the original story is already being twisted because of me… I need to be even more careful.’
Veronia clenched her fist tightly to hide her trembling fingertips.
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.]
