To You Whom I Don’t Love That Much (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 008
8.
At the entrance of the Duchess, the maids who had been dressing Rosetta immediately pulled their hands away and stepped back several paces.
The Duchess gazed at Rosetta, splendidly dressed, with deeply moved eyes. Having suffered enough from recent scandals surrounding her daughter, she now seemed overwhelmed with fresh joy at seeing her fully grown.
“My daughter, Lea. You look absolutely splendid.”
Smiling contentedly, the Duchess gently stroked the silk fabric of Rosetta’s gown. Then, suddenly, her expression turned uneasy.
“I wonder if the reception room is properly prepared. Your father gave such short notice, didn’t he?”
“…….”
“There are barely a few newly tailored dresses for you, and the rest are from three months ago—still far from sufficient……. Still, we might barely manage for a few days.”
Rosetta barely suppressed the urge to giggle at that. Barely managing for a few days? That was a concern only someone who had to frugally reuse one or two gowns would have. In a situation where dress trunks already piled up beyond a dozen, such a worry was absurd.
Rosetta assumed it was half-joking, but to her surprise, the Duchess clicked her tongue regretfully, genuinely disappointed.
“There are many fashionable boutiques in the capital. Once you go up to Madcel, we must have several more made.”
“Will you…… um, that is, will you also go up to the capital when the social season begins?”
It would’ve been easier if someone had just told her to grease her face and kowtow. The soft, polite tone of nobles was still difficult to get used to—she felt hives breaking out before even opening her mouth.
“Of course. Who else would act as your chaperone if not me?”
Mistaking even that awkward distance for a form of etiquette, the Duchess smiled happily, apparently taking it as a sign that her daughter was returning to normal.
“What about Madame Valmont then?”
“She’ll be accompanying the Duchess continuously from now on.”
Madame Valmont, who had been standing behind the Duchess, stepped forward and answered. Rosetta narrowed her eyes suspiciously, as if hearing a dubious proposal.
“You mean the Duchess won’t be going up to the capital with me?”
“Having a governess around until the social season might harm your reputation. But she’ll come up around the second week.”
While the Duchess was completely absorbed in the newly delivered dresses, Rosetta leaned toward Madame Valmont and swiftly extended her hand. Her intention was clear.
Hand over the money.
“…….”
“…….”
For a fleeting moment, two shameless, calculating gazes clashed. In the end, it was Madame Valmont who yielded. She pulled out a pre-divided money pouch, struggling to hide the bitter expression on her face as she handed it over. Rosetta didn’t even open it—she weighed it in one hand.
“This seems short of 12 sol.”
“…….”
Instantly, a cold silence fell. Madame Valmont didn’t know it, but Rosetta had a history of being obsessed with money—she could even identify gold content just by the sound of coins dropping behind her back.
Madame Valmont flinched under Rosetta’s gaze, then whispered with a brazen face.
“Ah, strictly speaking, your refinement is still quite lacking, isn’t it?”
……So that’s how you want to play it? Since the soul within was who she was, Rosetta usually mimicked physical actions well. For her, who had ‘copied’ Kyrgos’ swordsmanship merely by ‘watching’ it for half a day, social graces and walking styles were barely ticklish. Of course, Lea’s body had no muscle at all, so she nearly died and came back to life halfway through.
But refinement?
The countless political, economic, social, and cultural issues a daughter of Valdemore must master……. Not to mention piano, violin, arts, religion, history, and the domain of wit that blended all these appropriately—this was neither the volume nor the level one could hastily assemble overnight.
As Rosetta silently stared with narrowed eyes, Madame Valmont uneasily added,
“I told you I wouldn’t pay if you don’t meet my standards. That should be deducted from the count.”
Fine, do as you please…… Rosetta nodded vaguely. Whatever it was, she had achieved her initial goal of 60 sol, so it wasn’t a losing deal for her. She also had the hidden blue diamond tucked away.
Just as Rosetta smirked darkly, recalling its shimmering brilliance, a servant entered carrying a tray stacked high with visiting cards.
“Oh, heavens!”
The Duchess lunged at the tray with an exaggerated cry. Flipping through the cards one by one, she burst into a bright laugh.
“Marquis Ilenov, the eldest of Lord Langford, Benzley, Abram, Conchester……! Goodness, even the haughty…… Rosa. All are heirs of noble houses.”
The Duchess’s flushed face looked excessively joyful. Rosetta stared blankly for a moment, then abruptly snapped back to reality. Something had just slipped past her mind in that brief lapse……. After a short hesitation, Rosetta shrugged with a pirate’s nonchalance. Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t a big deal.
“It’ll take a month just to meet them all. I’m worried whether we can make it to the capital in time for the social season.”
Yes. That was a serious concern for her too. Since she couldn’t run away yet, she’d have to obediently go up to the capital if the Duke commanded—but in Madcel’s high-society circles, rumors would inevitably spread about a noble lady secretly training her stamina. Moreover, the capital was located slightly west of Valdemore’s territory.
Therefore, the best course of action was to hook one suitor now and proceed with an engagement. That way, she could easily stay in the estate under the pretext of ‘bride training’ or whatever, and people generally tended to be more lenient toward engaged women.
Maybe even if she suddenly started running five laps around the training ground, they’d just consider it a suitable, healthy hobby?
Anyway, the most important thing now was to choose a target—or rather, a fiancé. A man who’d agree to engagement but wasn’t overly eager for marriage, one without a sinister glint in his eyes, preferably from a family in the eastern region or at least with a villa nearby. If none of that, then at least someone decently handsome…….
“Duchess, Lady.”
Cutting through her lengthening thoughts, a new servant spoke at the doorway, somewhat nervously.
“Lord Abram has just arrived. Shall I bring him directly to the reception room?”
Rosetta clenched her fist tightly, as if facing a great naval battle.
Yes. It’s war.
* * *
“Let me say it again—you are truly, utterly beautiful.”
In the reception room of the Duke’s household, the nobleman placed down his teacup, cheeks flushed, unable to hide his blush.
Rosetta, feigning elegance with a practiced smile, gulped down her tea in loud, hurried swallows. Since Madame Valmont had drilled her posture so thoroughly that it now carried genuine grace, the guest couldn’t even tell what was wrong according to etiquette.
“Ah, so what are your ladyship’s hobbies, if I may ask?”
The nobleman, half-dazed by Rosetta’s appearance, asked with an awkward, delayed pause.
“Reading…… books, or taking walks.”
“Ah, I detect a slight eastern accent in your ladyship’s tone. Have you perhaps traveled extensively in that region?”
“Oh, hohohoho…….”
Rosetta covered her lips with a fan and emitted a coquettish laugh, as if she had just heard something immensely amusing.
No matter how convincing the etiquette appeared at first glance, the Duchess and the maids couldn’t possibly be unaware that the Lady’s refinement was below that of a five-year-old. Thus, secret signals had been established.
If unable to find a proper reply: laugh out loud. If disliking the man: cover the mouth with a fan. If forgetting etiquette or facing other difficulties: lightly blink the right eye corner.
And if doing all three at once……. Anna, who had been anxiously gripping her apron as if wringing it dry from behind the nobleman, quickly stepped in.
“Miss.”
“Anna. I’m in the middle of speaking with the young nobleman, aren’t I?”
……Clearly, she couldn’t remember the name of the person sitting across from her. Forgetting the situation entirely, Anna briefly glared at the Lady with impudence, but snapped back to her senses under Rosetta’s icy glare.
“But it’s an urgent matter. The Duke is calling for you most urgently…….”
“My father?”
“Yes. He’s calling very urgently.”
She offered an apologetic smile, well-trained in her role.
“What should I do…….”
“Oh, please don’t trouble yourself on my account. If it’s urgent, of course you must go—especially when summoned by the Duke of Valdemore.”
“Then I’ll send word through a servant at a suitable time later. Will you visit again?”
“Of course. It would be my honor and pleasure.”
The man’s face was now so red it seemed about to burst. If the Duke, whom she had so cheaply sold out, appeared here, he’d nearly qualify as a father-in-law. Rosetta rose from her seat and roughly accepted the young nobleman’s kiss on the back of her hand.
The nobleman reluctantly left, repeatedly glancing back. Rosetta exhaled deeply, stretching her arms and legs wide as she slumped back onto the couch.
After doing this for the third or fourth time, she was starting to feel oddly accustomed to it. Anna, checking the visiting cards, gasped and whispered,
“Goodness! Next is none other than Lord Montrosa, the Viscount!”
“What…… wait, what did you say?”
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.]
A very interesting story. I’m delighted.