The Villainess' Joyful Married Life (59 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 11
The Klaus family’s sword training grounds.
The household soldiers were training in unison with their chants.
Kalian watched as they moved with flawless precision.
With every gust of wind, beads of sweat rolled down the soldiers’ necks.
“Your Grace.”
At the knight’s voice, Kalian turned his gaze slightly to the side—and froze.
For a moment, his eyebrows furrowed faintly.
He had spotted a figure approaching from afar.
“I had a feeling…”
Kalian’s lips twitched.
“Just as I thought.”
Only a few days ago, he’d been mildly startled when Eshika stood up, acting as if she had no interest in him at all.
Who was Eshika Klaus, after all?
Wasn’t she the woman who incessantly chased after him?
She’d used the excuse of bringing snacks to his office to show her face four or five times a day.
She’d even come to the training grounds, constantly striking up conversations and pretending to be familiar with him.
Whenever he tried to take a walk, she’d inevitably trail after him, and each time Kalian grew angry, she’d pout with that foolish expression and whimper:
“I just… I just need to talk with you, Kalian. We’re…”
How frustrating her hesitant stammering had been.
“…husband and wife, after all.”
Every time he saw that face, he only felt weariness.
Conversation? That was something shared between people who actually understood each other.
She, from a merchant family obsessed only with money, was ignorant of the topics and etiquette typical among the nobles of the capital, Torres.
Thus, Kalian had no desire to converse with Eshika.
Why should he engage in mundane chatter with a woman who had bought her position as his wife? He had neither the will nor the intention to understand her pleas.
Yet now, recalling the words she’d coldly uttered back then—
“It seems to me we’re both just wasting each other’s time.”
—and how she had risen from her seat with icy eyes.
He should have felt relieved, yet something felt odd. Strangely, his insides twisted.
An irritating and uneasy aftertaste lingered stubbornly in his chest.
But at this moment, Kalian felt that old irritation bubbling up again.
“…….”
Eshika stood before Kalian.
She wore her usual red dress, though today she hadn’t adorned herself with the gaudy jewels that never suited her.
Her face seemed unusually clear, her gaze colder than usual—but her purpose for coming here was surely just one.
Kalian opened his mouth.
“I don’t have time to—”
“I didn’t come to see Your Grace, so rest assured.”
Kalian’s eyebrows twitched momentarily.
Eshika lowered her eyes slightly toward him, as if offering a greeting.
Then, without hesitation, she brushed past him.
Kalian stood still, replaying the scene in his mind.
Eshika had come to the training grounds—obviously, to speak with him, as always.
Yet today’s Eshika had cut off his words and walked away.
“……?”
Kalian hastily turned toward the direction Eshika had gone.
He saw her back.
Eshika was heading toward the armory beside the training grounds.
When she stopped in front of it, an elderly soldier emerged and bowed to her.
They appeared to exchange a few words.
Kalian stared at Eshika’s back.
She hadn’t so much as glanced at him—as if he were utterly insignificant.
As though she truly had business of her own here…
‘This is absurd.’
Kalian shook his head.
What possible reason could the Duchess have for coming to the training grounds?
Eshika was an utterly incompetent woman, incapable even of handling basic household affairs.
It was impossible she’d take interest in anything related to the military or private soldiers.
‘Is she trying a different tactic just to gain my attention?’
He’d encountered women like that before.
Women who pretended interest in fields ordinary ladies ignored, just to appear special in front of men.
He’d thought Eshika lacked even that much cunning—yet here was an unexpected side of her.
‘Am I supposed to praise her now? How ridiculous.’
Kalian twisted his lips and turned his gaze away.
In such cases, the best response was to show no interest at all.
If he ignored her, she’d eventually grow desperate and give up.
Kalian assumed Eshika wouldn’t leave the training grounds until he spoke to her first.
Until he offered her even a single word.
“…….”
But after watching the soldiers train for a few more minutes and glancing toward the armory again, he found no one there.
His brows hardened at yet another failed prediction.
He turned his head hurriedly—and saw Eshika already far in the distance, reduced to a mere speck.
Kalian’s lips parted slightly.
Could she really have had actual business here? It was hard to believe.
He strode quickly toward the armory.
The elderly soldier who’d spoken with Eshika earlier hurried out and bowed deeply.
“I greet Your Grace!”
“What did she ask you?”
The soldier looked slightly startled by Kalian’s question.
But after a moment, he calmed himself and replied.
“Ah… you mean the Duchess? She inquired about swords.”
“…Swords?”
“She asked if she could touch them, and admired their quality—said the forging technique seemed excellent. She also asked where the blades here are sourced from. I mentioned that new swords were arriving today, and she just examined them before leaving. She seemed particularly fond of the rapiers.”
Kalian frowned, raising one eyebrow.
“She’s been here before?”
The soldier nodded.
“Yes. She first came five days ago.”
Kalian’s fist twitched involuntarily.
So it was true—she hadn’t come here to see him at all, but out of genuine interest in swords?
No, surely that couldn’t be.
Eshika was merely a noblewoman who fainted at the sight of blood on a blade.
“Well… the Duchess seemed quite knowledgeable about swords—things like the edge’s orientation and durability. It wasn’t superficial knowledge.”
Yet the soldier continued, sounding genuinely impressed by Eshika.
Kalian’s pupils flickered briefly before settling back into calm.
Perhaps, being from a merchant family, she’d studied various subjects.
Among them might have been weaponry.
But what truly irked Kalian now wasn’t that she’d asked about swords.
“So…”
Kalian turned away, his lips twitching again.
His violet eyes shimmered deeply, unsettled.
“…You really didn’t come here to see me?”
A strange mix of irritation and displeasure crossed Kalian’s face.
**
Yuri changed the cloth on her leg, her face damp with sweat.
Blood stained the fabric—her wound still hadn’t healed.
The saltwater Eshika had poured on it had caused the injury to fester.
Yuri clenched her teeth tightly.
“Eshika… I’ll never let you get away with this.”
Thinking of Eshika, Yuri’s eyes glinted with venom.
That foolish girl was throwing a tantrum as if she’d gone mad—but Yuri would make sure she remembered her place.
Just then, a knock sounded: *tap tap tap*.
After a moment, the door opened, and Lusa—one of the Grand Duchess’s three maids—entered.
Young and shy by nature, she was timid and soft-spoken.
“Are you all right, Head Maid?”
“Does this look all right to you?”
Yuri snapped at the maid for no good reason.
Lately, everything happening to her had been too infuriating to bear without venting her anger.
“Um… it’s not that. It’s the Grand Duchess…”
Yuri, who had been arching an eyebrow, flinched slightly at her words.
Though the Grand Duchess had caused her leg to end up like this, Yuri couldn’t bring herself to hate her.
Because she was Kalian’s birth mother.
No matter how Yuri tried to seduce Kalian, if she failed to win the Grand Duchess’s favor, ousting Eshika would remain an impossible dream.
“…She said she’s sorry?”
Yuri asked, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
After all, she’d repeatedly stolen Eshika’s jewels and gifted them to the Grand Duchess.
She’d even been promoted to Head Maid due to that favor—perhaps the Grand Duchess felt remorse for having struck her so harshly.
But Yuri’s hopes were instantly shattered.
“No. She’s found suitable marriage prospects for you…”
The maid pulled a crumpled paper from her skirt.
Yuri’s eyebrow twisted in horror.
The maid stepped closer and read from the three wrinkled sheets.
“First candidate is the son of a famous butcher from the bustling district. Though you’d have plenty of chores as his wife, you’d never go hungry.”
The maid’s eyes shone with envy.
To her—a commoner—it seemed like an excellent match.
But Yuri, who bore even the faintest trace of noble lineage, felt dizzy.
“And… the second candidate is a farmer who supplies wheat to House Klaus. He’s fifteen years older than you and already has two children. His wife passed away last year from a strange illness. Though he’s older…”
“…Ha…”
Yuri’s face flushed red, then pale.
Her ideal had always been Duke Klaus himself.
Commoners were utterly beneath her notice.
“The third candidate is a government clerk. His salary’s modest, so you’d likely need to take in sewing work to make ends meet, but…”
“Enough!”
Yuri shouted, and the maid flinched, drawing back in fear.
She looked at Yuri with bewildered eyes.
As a servant, she couldn’t understand why Yuri was so furious.
She had no idea how highly Yuri thought of herself.
‘They’re offering me men of such low standing? Eshika… even that foolish Eshika married Duke Klaus, and they’re giving me… this?’
“Get out!”
Yuri screamed at the maid.
Her eyes burned with fury, venom, and jealousy.
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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MANGA DISCUSSION
11 Comments
Chapter Comments (283)
(NOW WE GET THE TEA PARTY)
This is the part I’m most excited about since Eshika’s objective isn’t “I’m going to embarrass everyone”
It’s “I’m going to secure future allies”
THAT is the difference between petty revenge and actual political strategy.
She understands that staying isolated inside Klaus territory was part of what allowed Leona to control her.
So she’s correcting the structural problem.
Isolation to vulnerability.
Therefore connections → protection adds influence and information.
She isn’t even doing it dramatically.
She’s simply showing up. She’s observing.
She’s learning who these women are.
She’s figuring out the social landscape.
Meanwhile everyone probably expects the pathetic, isolated Duchess who barely leaves her estate to appear.
Instead, they’re going to encounter a woman who has completely changed.
I also LOVE that the dress is deliberately shabby since it gives her an unexpected advantage.
Everyone is going to see:
“Oh, that’s the neglected Duchess.”
Meanwhile Eshika is looking at them thinking:
“Which of you is useful?”
She doesn’t need to arrive dripping in jewels to establish power anymore.
Her information is the currency now.(Leona accidentally created this opportunity)
This entire sequence started because Leona wanted Eshika isolated.
By restricting her movements for two years, Leona inadvertently created someone who understands exactly how valuable freedom of movement and outside connections are.
Now the second Eshika gets a legitimate excuse to leave?
She’s mapping roads.
She’s studying the city.
She’s finding weapons shops.
She’s attending social events.
She’s identifying potential allies.
Her: Thank you for imprisoning me for two years. It taught me exactly what I need to dismantle your little kingdom.”
😭😭😭
The most delicious part is that nobody in the Klaus household seems to realize what they’re dealing with yet.
Kalian thinks she’s trying to get his attention.
Yuri thinks she’s a foolish obstacle.
Leona thinks she’s a useless daughter in law who needs to be controlled.
Hemos is just trying not to lose his hands.
Cella is probably the only person beginning to understand:
“Oh… my lady is terrifying.”
Eshika? She’s already three moves ahead.(The Yuri/Kalian scene is actually hilarious from Eshika’s perspective 😭)
Yuri is standing there like “please punish me 🥺 I feel so guilty” and Kalian is wiping away her tear.
Meanwhile Eshika is probably somewhere mentally filing that entire interaction under “irrelevant”
That’s the beautiful part. The old Eshika would’ve been devastated seeing another woman receive that kind of tenderness from her husband. This Eshika? She literally does not care.
She’s already thinking about weapons, geography, political relationships, allies, and rebuilding herself. Kalian is still operating under the assumption that everything Eshika does somehow revolves around him.
Chapter 11 made that painfully obvious.
“You really didn’t come here to see me?”
SIR LOL. She was looking at swords.
You are not the center of this woman’s universe anymore. I love that his first instinct is basically “Surely this must somehow be about me.”Nope.
She walked right past him 😂
Inline Comments (39)
“You betrayed your friend, stole her jewels, and now you fawn over the Grand Lad
Why did they become friends to begin with? It’s not like yuri knew eshika would marry him
Cella spat out bloody saliva and glared at Yuri.
Does cella know martial arts at this point or no? I remember she asked
“This mother… can’t bear living under such injustice… uuhuhu….”
This guy is hopefully just gonna be an endgame final boss or something
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Onigirimamireads
(the sword revelation)
This is honestly one of my favorite little moments so far.
Kalian basically goes: “she’s pretending to like swords to get my attention.”
Meanwhile Eshika: “hmm. Excellent forging. Interesting edge orientation. Where do you source these?” 😭
The old soldier basically confirms: “actually, Your Grace, she knows what she’s talking about.”
Kalian’s internal reaction must have been
“…Excuse me?”
He’s discovering that the woman he dismissed as intellectually shallow actually possesses knowledge he never knew she had, and that’s going to become a recurring problem for him.
The old Eshika presented herself in a way that allowed him to underestimate her.
The new Eshika isn’t interested in proving anything to him.
So he’s slowly discovering pieces of her without her deliberately showing them to him.
That’s much more compelling.
Onigirimamireads
(Meanwhile Yuri is making her own grave deeper)
Yuri’s situation is honestly hilarious in the most karmic way. She’s been thinking:
“once I become Duchess, everything will be perfect.”
Leona’s response is essentially:
“wwwwonderful. Here are three husbands.”
💀 And the fact that the candidates are progressively more offensive to Yuri specifically makes it even funnier.
I also really like what this reveals about Leona.
Leona doesn’t view Yuri as a future daughter in law.
She views Yuri as an employee who became too ambitious.
Yuri thought: I have the Grand Duchess’s favour.
Though favour was conditional.
The moment Leona decides Yuri has overstepped her boundaries, that same woman who could promote her can also arrange her marriage to someone completely outside the life Yuri wants.
Onigirimamireads
(THAT final question…)
“You really didn’t come here to see me?”
SIR 😂
You spent chapters being annoyed because she wouldn’t leave you alone.
Now she’s not thinking about you, and you’re standing there wondering why she isn’t thinking about you.
This is exactly the kind of delicious irony I wanted.
I don’t even think Kalian realizes what is happening yet.
It’s not necessarily romantic attraction at this point.
It’s disorientation. His wife has stopped behaving according to the role he’s assigned her. His entire perception of her was based on that role, he doesn’t know how to interpret the woman standing in front of him now.
Onigirimamireads
Ooooh 😂 Chapter 11 is excellent because we’re finally getting the consequences of Eshika’s change of behavior from Kalian’s perspective- and this man is experiencing the strangest form of psychological whiplash.
He spent years thinking “Please leave me alone.”Eshika finally does exactly that.
Kalian: “…Wait.”
😂 Kalian is already bothered by losing her attention
The funniest part is that Eshika doesn’t even try to provoke him.
She walks up, says: “I didn’t come to see Your Grace, so rest assured.”and leaves. Somehow that is more effective than anything the old Eshika ever did.
Onigirimamireads
Side note 5:
She’s stronger.
She’s calmer.
She’s knowledgeable.
She’s physically recovering.
She’s interested in swords.
She’s making alliances.
She’s no longer obsessed with Kalian.
Perhaps most importantly:
She’s no longer afraid.
That last one is probably the biggest giveaway of all.
House Klaus knew how to control the old Eshika.
They have absolutely no idea how to control Young Ryung and Yuri getting handed three terrible marriage prospects immediately after Eshika starts turning the household against itself?
😂😂😂
The karma train has officially left the station.