There's a Snake in the Empress' Bedroom (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8
Canaria looked around.
Everyone was smiling.
Though they didn’t show it outwardly, it was clear they were looking down on Canaria.
Canaria forced a smile, her face flushed red.
Cute and lovable Canaria. Canaria, who deserved the Emperor’s affection!
That was the image Canaria had carefully built.
“What… I had no idea such a thing existed.”
Canaria swallowed hard.
“I’m glad I found out now, at least. Thank you for telling me, Sir Cassius.”
She succeeded in replying as calmly as possible.
Yet despite Canaria’s effort, Cassius seemed utterly uninterested.
Cassius didn’t even spare her a glance.
Canaria grumbled under her breath.
“Why is that brute so arrogant? Of all things, he’s just a former slave…!”
Of course, she acknowledged he had striking looks.
In a world where appearance was a weapon, she understood why people kept glancing his way.
Besides, she’d only tried to befriend him because she’d heard he was about to receive the Rotera dukedom.
“It’s not like I approached him because I liked him!”
His wheat-colored skin—unbecoming of nobility—blood-red hair, and beast-like golden eyes, likely from rolling around battlefields.
And on top of that, his intimidating frame wrapped tightly in a black suit.
“How vulgar.”
Canaria sharply turned her head away, as if she’d never once stolen a look at him.
Next to enter the banquet hall was Renisha.
Renisha lifted her chin and swept her gaze across the room.
She spotted Cassius, dressed handsomely.
Madam Turiel had tailored Cassius’s outfit to Renisha’s taste.
A clean, simple black formal suit.
The design featured luxurious fabric for emphasis and was adorned with deep crimson gems.
Renisha’s golden gown swayed gently with each step.
Every time she moved, the eyes of everyone in the banquet hall sparkled in awe.
This gown, woven solely from golden thread, could only be worn by Renisha, the Empress herself.
It was a masterpiece crafted by the Empress’s attendants through sleepless nights.
“I suppose I’m late.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. We arrived early.”
The nobles, who had been sitting silently with aloof expressions, each offered a remark to the Empress.
They appeared to be showing her the proper respect.
“No need for anyone to rise. Please remain seated.”
Renisha sat gracefully beside Cassius,
as if she already knew it was her assigned seat.
Cassius inhaled deeply.
It was the scent of roses.
Not merely a sweet floral fragrance,
but one that carried the crisp green stems and the faint prickle of thorns.
A rich, three-dimensional aroma that perfectly embodied Renisha of Rotera.
Unconsciously, Cassius turned his head toward Renisha.
For a moment, he felt as if the Duke of Rotera had returned to life.
The Duke had been right.
Renisha truly was the spitting image of the Duke of Rotera.
Renisha, who had been conversing with another noble, turned toward Cassius.
Their eyes met.
“Sir Cassius. We meet again so soon after our last encounter.”
“Your Majesty.”
Cassius felt strangely tongue-tied.
Every time he tried to speak, the lingering image of the Duke of Rotera mingled with Renisha before him, leaving him confused.
And suddenly, he thought he understood why the knights at the manor had made such a fuss over Madam Turiel.
“A lady! That very lady who doesn’t exist on the battlefield!”
Cassius’s chest tightened.
With every breath, Renisha’s fragrance washed over him—
a scent that inexplicably stirred the heart.
“Why are you staring like that?”
Renisha asked gently.
“Well…”
He had so many questions.
What was her intention behind the gift? What was she thinking?
And there were things he needed to say.
But no words came out.
Renisha softly placed her hand on Cassius’s shoulder.
“You’ve dressed nicely.”
Then, with a light caress along his shoulder, she withdrew her hand.
She whispered,
“It suits you well.”
Cassius’s cheeks flushed as red as his hair.
Without realizing it, he clenched his fists and turned his head forward.
He didn’t understand why he was acting this way.
Nor did he realize how threatening his demeanor appeared to others.
The nobles, startled, quickly averted their eyes from Cassius.
Only Canaria found his behavior intriguing.
Her eyes sparkled.
“He’s surely violent. Raised as a slave, he’s learned nothing. Having lived on battlefields, he probably doesn’t even know how to behave like a proper human. Good for you, Renisha.”
Just imagining Renisha’s impending misery lifted Canaria’s spirits.
Renisha was finally getting punished for ignoring her all this time.
Those violent tendencies of Cassius would surely drag Renisha straight to hell.
The last to arrive was Rexus.
As always, Rexus showed up long after his appointed time, entirely at his own whim.
The moment Rexus entered, Canaria’s lips curled into a coquettish smile.
While waiting for Rexus, no one had treated Canaria with genuine warmth.
“Your Majesty, why are you so late? Canaria was waiting only for you.”
Rexus pulled Canaria close by the shoulders and kissed her forehead.
“I suppose I’m late because I enjoy knowing you’re waiting. Now then, everyone, please be seated.”
Canaria shot Renisha a challenging look.
To Renisha, this was nothing to envy.
How could she possibly envy a life dependent on a man’s affection?
Renisha gave a faint, amused smile.
“You seem pleased, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Canaria grows lovelier by the day. Merely seeing her lifts my spirits.”
“Is that so? Then perhaps you, too, should keep someone by your side who brings you joy, just as I do.”
Rexus rubbed his chin as he spoke.
His eyes, brimming with madness, flickered between Renisha and Cassius.
Cassius frowned, feeling as if those serpentine eyes were licking over him, while Renisha calmly brushed it off with a smile.
“What the hell is that bastard scheming now?”
And to make matters worse, he was shamelessly doting on his mistress right in front of his own wife.
“Madman.”
He couldn’t even stand to associate with him—and yet this man was the Emperor of the realm.
Cassius felt his past struggles to become a noble were utterly worthless.
He hadn’t sacrificed himself, offering his very body to secure victory in war, just to become a shameless, conscienceless creature like this.
Cassius averted his gaze.
He felt like standing up and leaving right then and there.
Renisha suddenly grabbed Cassius’s wrist.
Hidden beneath the table and unseen by anyone else, those slender, cool fingers could only belong to Renisha.
Her palm was soft and slightly damp,
as if she belonged to an entirely different race from the soldiers Cassius had lived alongside on the battlefield…
Cassius gritted his teeth; his Adam’s apple bobbed.
Even when Madam Turiel had prodded his body like pork on a market stall, measuring his shame, he hadn’t flinched…
But now, his heart leapt violently in his chest.
Cassius rolled his eyes and barely managed to look at Renisha.
Renisha was still smiling, her eyes locked with the Emperor’s.
“How could I possibly do that, Your Majesty? I am merely fulfilling my duty as your consort.”
Her smile was dry and brittle.
“…I see. If that’s what the Empress says, then so be it. I thank all of you for attending today. I’ve invited you here to finally carry out what I’ve postponed due to state affairs. Before we dine, first… Sir Cassius?”
Cassius slowly rose from his seat at the sound of his name.
Renisha’s hand slid gently off his.
What did it mean? Cassius clenched his jaw.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Instead of asking what he truly wanted to know, he gave only a stiff reply.
Cassius’s wild golden eyes clashed with the Emperor’s languid gaze.
The Emperor smiled.
“I’ve neglected you terribly, haven’t I? My apologies, truly. Though this position may seem idle, it carries many responsibilities—many visitors, many duties, many obligations.”
Suddenly, Rexus bent down and seized Canaria’s chin as she sat in her seat.
“Kyaa…!”
Before Canaria could even scream, Rexus firmly sucked on her lips.
A vulgar sound echoed through the banquet hall.
Canaria’s face burned crimson.
Rexus turned his head toward Cassius and smiled.
“There are obligations like this, too.”
Rexus’s gleaming eyes then shifted to Renisha.
Renisha sat calmly at Rexus’s right, unmoved.
Rexus grabbed Renisha’s wrist and pulled her to her feet.
Drawing her into his arms, he bit down on the exposed nape of her neck.
Renisha frowned.
Suppressing her disgust, she slowly pulled away from Rexus.
She was only enduring this display to provoke Cassius—nothing more.
Renisha covered her neck with her palm and stepped back.
“There are obligations like this as well. In all that, I must have forgotten about you. Empress, please take your seat again.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Cassius’s eyes burned with fury.
Renisha was a dignified woman. As a child of Rotera, she deserved to be.
One who valued pride and honor above all…
Yet now, she’d been humiliated before everyone.
The hall was silent, but everyone present had witnessed Renisha’s disgrace.
“Why go that far…”
Rexus spoke to Cassius, who remained silent.
“Now then, it’s time I reward you! I’ve given it some thought. After all, wasn’t this war originally led by House Rotera? I shall bestow upon you the Rotera dukedom. From this day forth, you shall be Cassius Rotera!”
Rexus let out a laughter tinged with madness.
His wide eyes glistened with something wet and gleaming.
Cassius silently cursed under his breath.
“Come now, aren’t you delighted? You’ll be washing away the sins of House Rotera, which committed treason!”
The Emperor walked over to Cassius, who stood frozen, and gripped both his shoulders.
“What a mad bastard…!”
At that moment, Cassius wondered whether he truly needed to keep enduring this Emperor who dared defile Rotera—his idol.
His eyes met Renisha’s.
Renisha’s pink eyes stared directly into his.
She moved her lips, just as before.
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
Cassius gritted his teeth.
His current rage was far too great to blindly obey as he once had…
“Behave yourself.”
Renisha gave a bright, innocent smile, her chin held high.
Just what did that woman think Cassius was? A well-trained dog?
Cassius turned a fierce glare toward the Emperor.
As he drew a deep breath, his imposing frame tensed.
Everyone thought Cassius was about to strike the Emperor.
Instead, Cassius bowed his head slightly and moved his lips.
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
He behaved obediently, just as Renisha had wanted. Damn it.
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.]
Such a twisted, insecure and desirable man. Leave renisha alone
People see you as hero. Renisha see you as a puppy in front of her
Both of them has a high faith in duke rotera it a shame that he died