Her heart beat irregularly and rapidly.
The distinct sound of a heartbeat in her ear wasn’t Rose’s; it was Duke Arteum’s heartbeat.
‘…It seems like I’m not the only one trembling?’
When the Duke thought that he wasn’t much different from her, he suddenly became curious about what expression he was making.
Rose moved hesitantly. However, the more she moved, the stronger he hugged her, as if he didn’t want to let her go.
Rose, who tried several more times, spoke with a sulky voice.
“I want to see the Duke’s face….”
A twitch.
At Rose’s words, the Duke’s body twitched.
His already pounding heart accelerated with a thump.
Even though it was an ordinary phrase, hearing it on the bed felt strange.
Rose’s words somehow sounded provocatively stimulating.
The faint scent of shampoo wafted in the air, and every time Rose twitched, the touch of her skin against his body kept stimulating his desires.
The sound of slightly rough breathing and tension mixed together with the sound of swallowing saliva.
The Duke and Rose exchanged only their breath without saying a word.
The Duke’s lips kept getting dry. His mind was filled with desire for Rose.
‘Now might be the time…’
Would it be okay to kiss you now…?
The Duke gently released the tightly held Rose. Then, he faced Rose.
The Duke’s image was reflected in Rose’s eyes.
The Duke, with a reddened face, stared at Rose. His touch, stroking her chin, somehow tickled her heart.
Somehow, did the Duke’s gaze feel like it lingered on her lips? It might be an illusion.
With Rose caught in the Duke’s gaze, she secretly moistened her lips.
And the peculiar atmosphere between them was shattered as a maid entered the room.
“Your Grace, about your condition…”
As soon as the voice was heard, Duke and Rose quickly moved apart.
The Duke, faster than anyone else, got up and sat on the small chair beside the bed.
“Are you… alright?”
The maid was puzzled by the scene in the room.
The patient was sitting, and the caregiver was lying down?
Without even bothering to tidy his disheveled hair, the Duke replied.
“I’m fine.”
“Ah… yes.”
It’s fine, so he must be sitting there like that.
‘Serbiate Yeonga took care of His Grace all the time, so she must be tired.’
The maid left the room with a last word, saying to call if anything was needed.
The Duke and the princess collapsed, and the birth celebration was naturally interrupted.
Although she had briefly tried to bid farewell to the princess, it wasn’t possible.
Because she hadn’t woken up yet.
‘This is not good… I hope she’s okay.’
Waking up and hearing this news, the Duke hurriedly went to Diana. Along with a message to go to the carriage first.
Rose made a worried expression and sighed. As she was trudging along, she raised her head at the warm gaze she felt from somewhere.
…!
No luck.
Why did she run into that burn again?
At the end of the corridor, Eric was seen. He leaned slightly, looking at Rose.
There was no way to turn back… It was quite embarrassing for Rose to face Eric again.
‘He must have understood, especially after saying so much at the party.’
Rose deliberately ignored Eric’s gaze as he looked at her. Then, she tried to pass by him.
“Wait.”
Eric grabbed Rose’s wrist and spoke.
“I have something to ask.”
It seemed that their meeting here was not just a coincidence.
The atmosphere was quite different from what Rose had seen at the party. Back then, he had tried to force Rose, but now there was no such vibe.
However, Rose flatly rejected Eric’s words.
“As I said before, I have nothing to say to you.”
“Did you approach me from the beginning with the intention of using me? Stealing information from Viscount Wence… and giving it to Duke Artem?”
Recalling Cedric’s words to me, Eric asked.
“That woman secretly took all the information about our family and handed it over to Duke Artem. It seems like that was your intention from the beginning. Disguising yourself as a foolish woman in love, deceiving innocent you!”
Although she didn’t want to believe it, confirming it in some way would put her mind at ease.
The look in Eric’s eyes, offering words to her, somehow felt very desperate.
Eric’s eyelashes trembled. It was evident how tense he was, to the point that Rose could feel it.
‘Why is he so serious today…?’
Such a sight of Eric felt unfamiliar.
“…No, it’s not you.”
Eric bit his lips anxiously.
It seems that the incident where he provoked the emperor must have reached Cedric’s ears. Well, I expected it.
‘Cedric probably thought from the beginning that Rose intended to use Viscount Wence.’
It wasn’t the truth, but it was a plausible assumption.
I shouldn’t leave any room for Eric to think otherwise.
Thinking about saying ‘Yes,’ Rose stopped herself.
‘Wait… If I admit it, the sincerity of the real Rose will all become lies…’
The more she thought about it, the more hesitant she became.
It was true that Eric, who caused countless pains to the original female protagonist, was loved by her in the original work. However…
‘Every moment Rose loved will turn into lies if I say that I’m the “real Rose”…’
That wasn’t right. Just to separate Eric, she couldn’t say such things.
For Rose, this world was no longer just a book. It was reality.
“…I don’t know what you heard, but it’s not what you think.”
Upon Rose’s answer, Eric finally sighed in relief.
“Yeah, there’s no way you would do that.”
“But remember. The one who loved you is no longer here. Don’t have the misconception that because the past feelings were sincere, my feelings are the same until now.”
Rose took a slow breath and continued calmly.
“I don’t love you.”
Rose’s cold voice became a dagger that pierced Eric’s heart.
“So, stop bothering me.”
With those words, Rose turned her back on Eric.
Was Rose’s words shocking?
Eric gripped his left chest with one hand and shivered, and as if time had frozen, his mind became distant. His chest tightened, and an itching sensation added to the discomfort.
Where did things go wrong? How did it all start?
In front of Eric, the image of Rose lingered.
He slowly waved his hand toward the empty space where Rose had been just a moment ago.
As soon as he reached out, Rose’s figure disappeared like an illusion. Eric stared blankly at his empty hand, unable to grasp anything.
No words came out of his gaping mouth.
“Ah…”
Only a painful groan escaped desperately.
Eric, who had been staring at the empty space, lowered his head and covered his face with both hands.
Why didn’t he realize it sooner…
A sense of despair rushed over him like waves.
Eric realized too late how much space Rose had occupied in his life.
However, even if he regretted it, it was already too late.
The Rose who had loved him was nowhere to be found 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.]
