Contrary to Bien’s speculation, however, what troubled Idel was not the content of the book. It was because of a certain man that came to mind when she looked at the book.
‘Duke Elyos…’
She couldn’t forget the moment she ran into him in the library storage room. His royal blood was as perfect and cold as it was famous throughout the empire for not being red, but blue.
However, the way he looked the first time she saw him was completely different from the rumors. His actions were persistent to the point of feeling rude, and his gaze was savage and ferocious to the point of feeling fierce.
Idel rubbed the inside of her wrist where he had grabbed her. Recalling that day’s event, the area where his hand had touched felt as if it was burning.
Why did he say that he could smell her scent…? When she followed the unanswered questions, what was always left in the end was his eyes, which were like blue magma. When the dark blue eyes that seemed to be burning like a man who had lost his reason came to mind, Idel unknowingly bit her lips.
“……Lady! Miss!”
Idel, who was immersed in deep thoughts, regained her senses at the sound of someone calling her. Bien was standing at the door with a maid who had come to deliver the news.
“Ah… what’s the matter?”
“It’s an emergency! He’s… coming now!”
It was the time for the announcement of the passers from the Imperial University. She had been keeping an eye on the mail arriving at the Count’s house, but the news she had been waiting for hadn’t arrived yet.
She had asked to be notified if the postman came, so she wondered if this was that news, but looking at the desperate expression, it didn’t seem so. If it wasn’t the postman then…
“Is my father returning by any chance?”
It was also a time when she was waiting for her father’s return, so Idel asked with expectation. Upon her words, Bien looked somewhat disheartened.
“No… That is… Count Shale is coming to see you…”
“Ah…!”
Idel, whose expression hardened in an instant, sighed low. It was an unexpected person at this time. The Countess had subtly prepared for Count Shale’s visit, but she hadn’t expected it to be today.
“The madam says to quickly dress and attend the afternoon tea…”
“……I see. I should get ready.”
It would have been great if the acceptance letter had arrived and she had persuaded her father… But he was a person she inevitably had to face, even for divorce later.
Idel changed into a new dress in the dressing room. She had hastily picked it out by eye, but since she had given the size in advance, it was well altered.
In front of the mirror, Idel watched as her transformation became brighter than usual under Bien’s touch. Even though the eyes reflected in the mirror lost their vitality and were desolate…
Bien, who was skilled, pulled out her beauty like arranging flowers. Like arranging fillers around the main flower to emphasize, the dress of low chroma maximized Idel’s elegance.
“You’ve worked hard. Bien.”
“Miss…….”
Even though she was undoubtedly beautiful, Bien couldn’t bring herself to say it. Because it was a place where she was going to meet someone she didn’t want to. All she could do was watch the quiet steps of the miss, who had lost her expression.
As she went down the stairs leading to the reception room on the first floor, someone appeared in the entrance. It was Roselin, who had let her wavy brown hair down. Roselin stared intently at Idel coming down.
“You look much prettier than usual, sister!”
Rozelin narrowed her eyes and spoke with an exaggerated tone, as if she was admiring.
“You truly look like a bridetobe. Duke Shale would be overjoyed to see you, sister.”
As Rozelin laughed meaningfully, hiding the implication ‘He’ll be so excited he won’t know what to do,’ it was impressive to see even the scentless flowers placed in a vase. The thought of those flowers selling at a high price filled her with joy.
‘Not knowing what kind of person the Duke is…’
Rozelin, who knew through the Countess why the previous Duchesses met their mysterious ends, smirked even more.
When Rozelin smiled like that, misfortune was sure to follow. Idel, who had experienced this many times, furrowed her eyebrows slightly.
“Duke Shale is already in the reception room. He was waiting to go in with you, sister.”
Rozelin, who seemed unusually excited and in a good mood, led her and opened the door to the reception room. In it sat the Countess and a thin, middleaged man who she presumed to be Duke Shale.
The Countess, who had been conversing with Duke Shale with an odd smile, noticed the two approaching.
“You’ve finally come. You must remember Rozelin from our last meeting… This girl beside her is the eldest, Idel.”
If Rozelin was a brilliantly blooming rose, then the Idel beside her reminded one of a pure lily just beginning to bloom. She was an obedient and graceful woman. The type of woman he desired. As the Duke thought about ruling and trampling over such a woman, he licked his lips with his tongue.
Idel, who sat across from him, received all of Duke Shale’s uncomfortable gaze. A shiver ran down her spine at the ominous gaze that thoroughly scanned from her face, neck, collarbone, to her shoulder’s décolleté line.
“Better than expected.”
He spoke as if he was evaluating an object. Seeing the satisfied face of Duke Shale, the Countess and Rozelin exchanged glances.
She had caught the mysterious atmosphere between them, but at this moment, there was nothing Idel could do. It was not yet time to act. She clenched her hands under the table, as if trying to endure the uncomfortable gaze.
“I’m glad you like her. She’s a ‘pure’ girl who’s been cooped up at home and hasn’t faded…”
Duke Shale nodded and smiled, catching the Countess’s emphasis on ‘pure’.
“I’ve taken the lady’s words to heart. Even in the horse market, a pure mare fetches a much higher price. Not to mention…”
He didn’t need to hear the rest to understand. This marriage was a negotiation about her. It was as if they were buying and selling an animal…
Idel bit down hard on the soft flesh inside her mouth. The bitter taste spread in her mouth, much like the rising feeling of humiliation.
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.]
