The Runaway Female Lead Doesn't Run Away (13 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 8
A cold voice echoed through the forest, where only leaves had been rustling.
“The Baroness has quite poor manners, it seems.”
From beneath the shadow of a tree, a pair of still, crimson eyes glinted eerily.
“Oh, that’s a misunderstanding! I was merely trying to pluck a leaf from my daughter’s hair…!”
Even as Clayton held her outstretched right hand—raised to slap his cheek—Orly kept lying, her lips trembling.
After silently staring at her flimsy excuse for a moment, Clayton abruptly released Orly’s wrist.
Then, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the hand that had touched her wrist.
“It seems Baron Molden isn’t coming today.”
Watching Clayton wipe his hand with the handkerchief, Orly swallowed hard in anxiety before belatedly replying.
“Y-yes? Ah… my husband is currently on Caliman Island.”
“I see. Caliman Island. Now that you mention it, I recall he borrowed a large sum from me, claiming he was venturing into the silk trade.”
“I… I suppose so.”
“Yet from what I’ve heard, he was scammed there as well and already suffered massive losses.”
“Really…?”
Orly bit her lip, clearly unaware of this fact.
It was also a reminder that the Seyear Dukedom was the Molden baronial family’s financial lifeline.
Ever since Dahlia became Duchess Seyear, Baron Molden had launched numerous business ventures, determined to restore his family’s prestige.
The silk trade Clayton had just mentioned was also referenced in the original story.
That was because even before properly starting the business, he was defrauded and ruined.
Consequently, having lost all the money borrowed from Clayton, Baron Molden had no choice but to return to the Empire and immediately send Dahlia repeatedly to beg Duke Seyear for yet more loans.
Yet despite this, they continued living extravagantly—because they still had someone to cling to.
That someone being the Seyear Dukedom, Dahlia’s husband’s family.
Clayton, who understood this better than anyone, glanced between the two women before continuing.
“My goodwill toward the Molden baronial family thus far has been solely because it is my wife’s natal home. However…”
He dropped the handkerchief to the ground and murmured,
“If you wish to at least maintain a superficial appearance as nobles, it would be wise not to cross this line any further.”
At Clayton’s quiet warning, both Orly and Sophie drew in sharp breaths.
After freezing in place for a moment, they hastily excused themselves, claiming urgent matters, and rushed away.
Dahlia didn’t even watch as Sophie and Orly fled like frightened animals; instead, she simply stared at the back of the man standing before her.
‘Was that just now a warning not to provoke me anymore?’
Though she’d seen his broad back several times before, for some reason today it looked especially solid—and her heart began beating faster.
‘Is this… arrhythmia?’
[This is the timeline separator]That night.
After returning to the mansion following the outing, Dahlia collapsed onto her bed the moment she stepped out of the bathroom.
“In the end, I gained nothing today.”
All she’d gotten was a good long look at the male lead’s broad back and the assurance that, for now, the original female lead’s family wouldn’t bother her.
What truly frustrated her was the lack of any meaningful progress in her relationship with the male lead.
“Why isn’t this having any effect at all?”
No matter how much she thought about it, the only answer she could reach was that the female lead’s special aura had vanished the moment she, Dahlia, took over her body.
“Wait a minute.”
Suddenly realizing something crucial, Dahlia sat bolt upright.
“If the female lead’s advantage is gone, that means I could actually die for real when giving birth…?”
Good heavens.
“No. It’s not confirmed yet. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”
Dahlia forcibly pushed aside the negative thought and steeled her resolve.
“First, I’ll test it once more to see if it actually works. And also…”
As she mentally listed her upcoming tasks, Dahlia let out a heavy sigh.
Then, to plan her next move, she reviewed the original plot in her mind.
“What episode came right after the outing again…?”
Although physical contact was the decisive factor that made the male lead fall for the female lead, there were several other key events that drew him deeper into her.
Therefore, Dahlia pressed a hand to her forehead, straining to recall even the smallest details.
And at that moment, another critical episode suddenly flashed into her mind.
“That’s right! His Imperial Majesty the Emperor’s birthday celebration!”
After the outing incident, Clayton began paying more attention to Dahlia than before.
Whenever there was another major outdoor event—one he couldn’t skip like the outing—he made sure to bring Dahlia along.
But their improving rapport was upended once again after the Emperor’s birthday celebration.
This was because Clayton attended that event accompanied by his mistress instead of Dahlia.
Though it was common knowledge among nobles that everyone kept a mistress or two, no one ever brought them to formal occasions.
Doing so would be nothing short of an insult to one’s lawful wife.
Of course, Clayton had his reasons tied to his family’s curse, but the female lead—unaware of this—was deeply wounded, and her standing in both high society and the mansion diminished even further.
‘After that incident, the male lead did pay quite a bit of attention to the female lead.’
In the original story, the male lead, riding in a carriage with his mistress, spotted the female lead—dressed beautifully and waiting for him—and saw her burst into tears upon noticing him sitting beside his mistress. That moment marked the start of his growing concern for her.
‘I should find out tomorrow exactly when the birthday celebration is.’
Relieved to have found a new course of action, Dahlia sat up. With one worry resolved, she suddenly felt hungry.
She considered pulling the bell rope to ask a maid to bring food, but found a light assortment of finger foods and a bottle of wine already laid out on the table.
“Did a maid bring this because I skipped dinner?”
She’d avoided dinner upon arriving home earlier, claiming to have no appetite, so it seemed a maid had thoughtfully left her a snack.
Dahlia, thinking nothing of it, sat on the sofa and picked up a piece of fruit from the table.
As she casually glanced at the wine placed beside it, the door clicked open.
Startled by the unexpected visitor, Dahlia jumped to her feet.
There stood Clayton in a robe, his black hair still damp—as if he’d just finished bathing.
“Your Grace?”
He walked past wide-eyed Dahlia and settled into the empty spot beside her on the sofa.
Though he was her husband, Dahlia was flustered by his unannounced arrival and stammered,
“Why are you here…?”
“Is there something wrong with a husband visiting his wife’s room?”
“N-no, I suppose there’s nothing technically wrong with it, but…”
He’d been out since this morning, and now that he’d finally returned to rest, his sudden appearance felt bothersome.
He calmly poured himself a glass from the wine already set out. Dahlia watched him carefully, trying to gauge his intentions for visiting so late.
Whether Clayton noticed her scrutiny or not, he swirled his wine glass and continued,
“I heard the Marquis Landrofil is hosting a garden party at his estate in two days.”
“A garden party?”
Dahlia tilted her head as Clayton went on.
“I hadn’t planned to attend, but I heard nobles from the Philloje Duchy will be there, so I thought it might be worth going once.”
“…And?”
“I was wondering—would you like to come with me, if you’re free?”
“…”
Dahlia blinked for a moment, as if deciphering his words, then drew in a breath.
“…Me? Why?”
“Well… because we’re married?”
We’ve never acted like a real married couple.
Though they were legally husband and wife, he’d never proactively invited her to anything—except for major unavoidable events.
So for him to suddenly suggest attending together, especially to a daytime gathering he usually disliked…
‘Has he gotten heatstroke or something… Wait.’
And in that instant,
Something suddenly clicked in Dahlia’s mind—something she’d previously dismissed as insignificant.
Could it be?
She stared at the man sipping wine, her eyes still doubtful.
‘Did my touch earlier actually have an effect?!’
With that thought, her earlier annoyance vanished completely.
Though Clayton said nothing further, her intuition screamed at her.
‘It must have! The touch this afternoon definitely worked!’
Otherwise, why would a man who’d always kept his distance suddenly suggest attending a party together?
Realizing this, Dahlia’s mood lifted instantly, and she nodded eagerly.
“Sure! I’d love to go with you! I’ve always wanted to attend a garden party!”
Getting along well with the male lead was, after all, an investment in her future—so this was well worth doing.
“But did you come all the way here just to tell me this? It’s not urgent—you could’ve mentioned it tomorrow. It’s getting late, so I think I’ll head to bed…”
“Not quite.”
“Hm?”
He set down the wine glass he’d been swirling and murmured quietly,
“What reason would a husband have for visiting his wife so late at night?”
As he lightly flicked a stray strand of Dahlia’s hair.“`
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.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (18)
Is the curse about you being vampires without out the need for blood?
It is the carriage bringing the not-mistress Dalia.
On the fence about this, but na yeon is probably avoiding intimacy due to contraception
Inline Comments (67)
Clayton murmured with a cold, sharp smile.
You ignored her first. To me ,you don’t have rights to anything about her
And so, unintentionally, Dahlia ended up ditching Samantha and Daniel yet again.
Noo. They won’t trust you again girl. Anyway I am still mad at Clayton
Unlike the Duke, who didn’t even care whether his own wife was being humiliated
Yes. So I want you to become male lead. Clayton did a lot of mess. But there is bot a chance for you🥲
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VKotaku28
I don’t think it has any effect, but at the same time he didn’t seem to be suffering from sunlight?