“Your father… Was he called Viscount Leogrant Anesis?”
Believing this question to be a response to her proposal, Yuri sat down in front of Callian with a shy smile.
The night scenery and the gentle breeze were pleasant.
“Yes. Leogrant Anesis is my father.”
He was known in the region as a notorious playboy, with eight children besides Yuri, who was born from his legal wife.
“Although we’re a humble family, thanks to my great-grandfather’s deep respect, there are many people in Prihatz who admire the Anesis.”
“Respect is difficult to build, and even more difficult to maintain.”
“But Your Grace also manages the territory excellently with high respect, and has earned the Emperor’s trust. Ever since I was in Anesis, I’ve always wanted to meet Your Grace at least once.”
Callian smirked at Yuri’s praise.
“Thanks to having Esika as a friend, your wish has been fulfilled.”
When Esika’s name was mentioned, Yuri’s eyebrows twitched uncomfortably, but Callian didn’t notice.
Yuri paused for a moment and picked up the wine bottle to pour into Callian’s glass.
The sound of wine filling the glass was heard.
“Esika seems to have many grievances against me.”
Callian’s eyes rippled darkly.
Esika, a name that felt awkward to even utter.
Callian always called her ‘you’ and referred to her as ‘the Duchess’ to others.
That was the distance he allowed with Esika.
However, Esika always tried to cross that line, and it was only when she no longer cared about that line that Callian began to pay attention to her.
“Thinking about it, I guess I was somewhat indifferent.”
He thought it was his mistake to not have tried to understand Esika, believing only his mother’s words.
Of course, his mother, Riona Klaus, must have had her own valid reasons.
He felt that as a husband, he should have cared for her a little.
Looking back, it wasn’t entirely Esika’s fault.
“…”
Seeing Esika now openly pushing him away, his chest felt tight.
No, it was more than just tight; it was throbbing.
But even though he resented her, he couldn’t confront her because of what he had done.
Hearing Callian’s words, Yuri lowered her cold gaze and spoke carefully.
“As her friend, it’s delicate for me to say this… but Esika has always been immature.”
Those words gave Callian a strange sense of relief.
The comfort provided by the friend she had brought herself, assuring that he hadn’t done anything completely wrong… It wasn’t sweet, but it was pleasant to hear.
Callian brought the glass Yuri had given him to his lips.
The tangy alcohol scent gently tickled the tip of his nose.
“She acted on emotions rather than rationally. When she was eight, I believe, Esika once caused a storm for her family by contacting and helping a first-class wanted criminal of the Empire.”
That day, the Brighit family was turned upside down.
If Esika Brighit hadn’t been a child at the time, she might have been punished for treason against the Empire.
Of course, no one in the Brighit family knew.
That the person who had informed about that incident was Yuri, Esika’s friend.
“She hid a wanted criminal?”
“Yes, among wanted criminals, first-class ones are important figures… For example, those who dare to plot against the imperial family… The Brighit family almost disappeared from history.”
Yuri shrugged her shoulders.
It seemed to have been a boy about the same age as Esika or Yuri, with shaggy hair.
I don’t remember the face, but somehow it had an unpleasant look in its eyes.
“It really made my heart drop. No matter how immature, I never thought she would do such a thing.”
Her message was clear.
The emotionally-driven Esika Brighit could also be a great harm to Klaus.
Callian needed to know this.
“So, the problem between Esika and Your Grace is not because of Your Grace. Although I am her friend…”
Yuri lowered her gaze with a sad expression and said.
“…There have been many times when I couldn’t understand Esika’s way of thinking and actions. Even now.”
“…”
“Your Grace is a good person, and the position of the Duchess is inherently heavy and important. These were things Esika should have accepted when she came to the Klaus Duchy, but she couldn’t adapt.”
Yuri poured more wine into the empty glass.
Callian was listening to Yuri’s words while looking at the dark night sky.
It was a story as sweet as wine.
“So it’s not Your Grace’s fault. It’s all because Esika is lacking.”
Although the memory of Esika’s name still felt like a needle piercing his insides, a pleasant intoxication was rising from Yuri’s flattering voice.
She was saying what he wanted to hear.
“If that’s the opinion of someone who has always been by her side…”
Callian picked up the glass again.
“…Then your words must be right.”
Yes, this is not solely Callian’s fault.
Esika’s face, which had been floating in his mind stimulating guilt, suddenly seemed to smile arrogantly.
His insides felt hot, and negative emotions like anger and resentment mixed together.
But was this wine always this strong?
“…”
Yuri looked at Callian’s hand holding the glass.
Then she looked at his elegant jawline, his Adam’s apple moving as the wine went down his throat, and the firm chest visible through his slightly open shirt.
Her red eyes flickered as she watched Callian’s gaze growing increasingly heated.
She had been waiting for this day for a long time.
“Your Grace…”
Her red lips parted slightly.
**
The next day, in the Duchy’s garden.
Esika was entertaining her brother Schupert Brighit, who had come to see her early in the morning.
Schupert, who had never set foot inside the Duchy even after his sister Esika married into the Klaus family, looked bewildered to be invited into the Duke’s residence.
As Cella brought tea, Schupert looked around the garden and said,
“The garden of the mansion is more beautiful than I imagined.”
The Brighit Barony, located in the Prihatz region, had a smaller mansion compared to their wealth.
It was partly because they had become particularly wealthy in recent generations, but also because no one in the family was interested in large or fancy things.
The only person who had complained about the smallness of the mansion was Esika, and now Esika was living in such a grand mansion as she had wished.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t invite you until now. I’ve been a bit busy due to circumstances.”
“I thought I’d only be able to see you briefly outside the mansion, but it’s nice that you’ve made time like this.”
Esika smiled faintly at Schupert’s words.
The reason she hadn’t been able to meet Schupert until now was because of the Grand Duchess.
Even though they were siblings, she had prevented Esika from talking to men from other families, saying it was against etiquette for a married woman to do so.
Of course, it was an absurd claim.
She was probably just trying to prevent any information about Esika’s abuse from leaking out through meetings with her family.
After all, the Grand Duchess herself had no qualms about dancing with other men at social gatherings.
“I’ve always wondered if you were doing well. But I didn’t come looking for you on purpose, afraid you might be uncomfortable.”
His silver hair swayed in the cool breeze.
“I always understand my brother’s feelings.”
Esika nodded with a smile.
“I’m really doing well these days. Don’t worry.”
Schupert nodded as he looked at the clear light in her sparkling blue eyes.
Then, with a rather serious expression, he brought up the subject.
“By the way, about the letter you sent last time…”
Seeing Schupert’s darkening expression, Esika guessed why he had come.
She chuckled and replied.
“After that, Yuri must have sent another letter.”
Schupert flinched and continued.
“Yes, you said to report if anyone demanded jewels in your name, but Yuri is your friend, so we couldn’t just report her. Moreover, in the letter Yuri sent to us, it said that you still need the jewels but sent that letter out of concern for Brighit’s circumstances, and asked us to continue sending jewels… So I had no choice but to come and check with you like this.”
“That’s a blatant lie.”
Esika cut him off immediately.
Schupert looked at Esika with surprised eyes.
The Esika in his memory was lively and bright, but somewhat fragile.
Yuri Anesis, the daughter of a nanny, was Esika’s childhood friend, and Esika liked Yuri so much that if she had to choose between her brothers and Yuri, she would choose Yuri.
Even Schupert sometimes felt jealous of Yuri, as she was such a close friend to Esika.
However, at this moment, there was no warmth for Yuri in Esika’s blue eyes.
“Did you fight with Yuri?”
“Rather than fighting… Let’s say I was betrayed.”
Schupert’s eyes turned sharp.
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.]
