Certainly, the proposal from Baroness Donovan was tempting. It was what Riena had originally wanted when she forced herself to run away in the night.
Moreover, as the Baroness said, it would be better to rely on her than to marry Cassel as things stood.
Although Cassel and the people of the Winkler family were kind, Riena knew she would have to leave them someday.
If that was the case, it would be right to rely on blood ties that wouldn’t be severed and find someone to spend her life with.
‘But why do I feel so strange?’
The face of Cassel, who said he only wanted Riena’s happiness, came to mind.
He acted as if making her happy was his mission.
It seemed unlikely that he could feel that way just from living together when they were young, but Riena didn’t dislike his feelings deep down.
If Riena said she would go and stay with the Donovan family, how would Cassel react?
Based on his behavior so far, it seemed he would likely respect her opinion.
Although they had signed a contract a few days ago, he seemed like he wouldn’t care about such things if Riena wanted it.
But then what would happen to Cassel?
“I’m already happy enough.”
He was the man who had whispered that while holding Riena’s hand, seemingly truly happy.
Could she leave Cassel so coldly just to pursue her own happiness?
Riena closed her eyes for a moment in thought, then opened them. Her eyes were sharper than ever before.
“Aunt.”
Perhaps her answer had been decided from the beginning.
“The day the Duke proposed to me, I made up my mind completely. It’s not a marriage I was pushed into, but one I chose.”
And I think I can be happy with that person. The words she couldn’t say to anyone else lingered in her mouth.
Two weeks ago, when she first came to the Winkler mansion and had that dream, Riena couldn’t be confident she would be happy in the future.
She thought she wouldn’t be unhappy, but wasn’t sure if she’d be happy.
But…
“I will make you happy.”
Cassel had definitely said that. At the same time, he said he was already happy meeting Riena.
In fact, over the past two weeks, Cassel’s face had looked good to her eyes.
Though he didn’t speak much, he listened intently to everything Riena shared, and remembered the things she said she liked to give as gifts.
And how about the way he looked at her? He often looked at her with sweet eyes like honey dripping, just like in her dream.
When their eyes met, he composed his expression, but she remembered the smile that had momentarily appeared on his face.
It no longer mattered whether Cassel Winkler was that man from her dream or not.
Riena now felt affection for the Cassel in front of her, not the man from her dream.
She didn’t know if it was romantic affection or simply affection for an old friend.
But at least she didn’t want to leave him like this.
Even if it ended up that way someday, for now at least, she wanted to stay by his side and help him find his happiness.
So she could confidently tell Baroness Donovan:
“I’ll be happy with the Duke. I’d like you to bless us as well, Aunt.”
Baroness Donovan carefully examined Riena’s expression, as if to verify the truth of her words.
After a moment, she nodded with a look of understanding.
“You look good. Your sister had that same smile before she married your father. Maybe it’s because you look just like her, but it’s like I’m seeing your sister.”
I’m smiling? Riena touched her face with her fingertips. She hadn’t been aware she was smiling, but she could feel her lips slightly turned up.
It seemed just thinking of Cassel now made her smile.
“Riena.”
Baroness Donovan carefully took Riena’s hand. Her touch was so warm it almost brought tears to Riena’s eyes.
“You didn’t really need my permission in the first place, but I still want to say this. I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage.”
It was her aunt’s blessing. But somehow, Riena felt as if her deceased parents had also given their blessing for her marriage.
[This is the timeline separator]“I’ll visit often.”
“Yes. Let’s see each other often from now on.”
Riena walked out of the mansion, escorted by Baroness Donovan.
As she was about to board the Winkler family carriage that had just arrived, suddenly the carriage door opened and Cassel stepped out.
The Baroness behind Riena was more surprised than Riena herself.
She swallowed dryly at the sight of Cassel Winkler, whom she had only heard rumors about, then quickly bowed before him with noble courtesy.
“You don’t need to do that for me, Baroness Donovan.”
But Cassel quickly took her hand and raised her up. Not content with just that, he instead bowed politely to the Baroness.
Both the Baroness receiving the greeting and Riena watching from the side were shocked.
They were none other than a Duke and a Baroness. Cassel was not in a position to bow to the Baroness like this.
In this empire, the only people he would bow to were the imperial family.
The Baroness stuttered in confusion.
“Pl-please rise, Your Grace. There’s no need for you to…”
Cassel quickly denied her words.
“Not at all. If you are Lady Dyke’s aunt, then you are my aunt as well. Isn’t it only natural to greet an elder of the family?”
Having shown sufficient courtesy, he straightened up and carefully took Riena’s hand.
“As it happens, the Winkler family also lacks elders to seek life advice from. Would it be alright if I visit occasionally to seek your counsel?”
It was a shocking proposal. To think that ‘the’ Duke Winkler would treat someone from a mere baron’s family as an elder of his family!
Baroness Donovan was at a loss for words at his unexpected offer. Riena answered in her stead.
“Aunt and Uncle would like that too. Baron Donovan is a good person as well.”
“I’ve heard as much through rumors.”
Riena listened to his words, then whispered quietly.
“By the way, didn’t you say you had work to do?”
“I finished quickly and came back. I was worried about leaving you alone…”
Riena felt a tickling sensation somewhere in her left chest. The slight disappointment she had felt until just hours ago melted away like cotton candy in water.
Cassel squeezed her hand once more before letting go, then carefully asked the Baroness.
“I apologize for coming without notice. If it’s alright with you, could we talk for a moment?”
Although quite surprised, Baroness Donovan soon led him to the reception room.
And 10 minutes later.
Riena was drinking tea alone in a small reception room, separately guided there by a maid.
That was because Cassel had wanted to speak with Baroness Donovan alone. By now, the two of them would be talking in the mansion’s largest reception room.
‘What on earth are they talking about?’
In fact, she could roughly guess what kind of conversation was taking place. Wasn’t it obvious?
Probably, like men about to be married do, Cassel was asking the Baroness for permission to marry.
However, she was curious about what expression and voice he would use to say those words.
Would he say he wanted to marry her with an indifferent face, or with an excited face like her own?
Riena couldn’t imagine Cassel with an excited face. But she hoped he felt the same way she did.
The conversation, which she thought would end quickly, went on longer than expected. The longer she was alone, the more anxious Riena became.
‘Surely Aunt isn’t opposing it at this point?’
As she was tapping the table with her fingers in worry, the door opened and the Baroness entered.
Riena, who had thought it would be Cassel, let out an unconsciously disappointed sigh. Baroness Donovan laughed pleasantly.
“You seem disappointed that it’s me and not the Duke.”
“That’s not it.”
“It’s written all over your face.”
Riena smiled awkwardly, pulling at her lips.
“How was the conversation?”
“It went well. I think I judged Duke Winkler too much based on rumors.”
Baroness Donovan seemed to now fully understand why Riena had been so eager to deny the rumors.
“What did you talk about?”
The Baroness, who had become quite close to Riena through today’s conversation, winked one eye.
“He came to ask for permission to marry. Actually, I was a bit worried when I saw you come alone earlier, but it seems I was concerned for nothing.”
The Baroness spoke with a pleased expression, then suddenly tilted her head.
“But didn’t you say you hadn’t seen each other for a long time? I thought you said it hadn’t been long since you met again.”
“Yes, that’s right. Why do you suddenly ask?”
“Well. There’s something a bit strange.”
“Something strange?”
Riena asked again, wanting to hear the answer, but Baroness Donovan’s lips remained tightly closed.
“Aunt?”
“Riena, at my age, it’s very easy to read the thoughts of someone your age.”
“…”
“Although he hid his expressions well, it wasn’t too difficult to read Duke Winkler’s thoughts either. But you know.”
Baroness Donovan paused for a moment to choose her words.
“Both you and the Duke seem to have feelings for each other. You don’t look like people rushing into an arranged marriage.”
I did?
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.]
