In the end, the next day also brought a relentless rain.
Much more than yesterday.
Before leaving the house, Nelia stood in the porch, taking in the sight of the pouring rain.
She didn’t dislike rainy days, but the words of Duke Hart had bothered her.
“Especially on rainy days. It feels like I lack strength.”
He was more highmaintenance than she thought.
Did he not request to hold his hand wherever he went because his foot hurt, and claim he felt weak when it rained?
On top of that, he had said he suffered from insomnia. How could a villain be so frail?
Nelia clicked her tongue inwardly as she boarded the carriage.
The carriage jostled.
As the swaying carriage took her along, Nelia found herself lost in thought.
She had been working as the villain’s maid for over two weeks. The time until a month seemed far away.
‘I hope his foot heals quickly.’
Only then could she end her life as his maid.
While Nelia was lost in thought, the carriage had arrived at Duke Hart’s mansion.
Could it be because of the rain? Today, his vast mansion felt especially grand and desolate.
Nelia followed the familiar path and arrived at the study. As expected, Duke Hart was already there.
But he didn’t seem to notice her arrival. Normally, he would have lifted his head and greeted her first.
“Your Grace…?”
“Nelia, you have arrived.”
When Nelia called him, Duke Hart finally lifted his head.
Just by looking, it was clear that he wasn’t in a good state.
He looked extremely tired yesterday, but today, he seemed sluggish, like a drunkard.
“Are you okay?”
“What is it?”
“You seem… not in your right mind.”
Underneath his eyes, it was slightly red, as if he had caught a cold.
Nelia approached Duke Hart. She slowly reached out and touched his forehead.
“You don’t seem to have a fever…”
Contrarily, his forehead felt cold. As always, his skin felt rather chilly.
As Nelia was about to remove her hand from his forehead, she locked eyes with Duke Hart.
“…I’m sorry, I thought you might have a fever…!”
I must be out of my mind. To lay my hand on Duke Hart first.
Recently, she had been so close to him that the line between them had blurred.
Nelia looked nervously at Duke Hart, but he simply smiled in response.
“It’s alright. Your hand is warm, it feels nice.”
His silver eyes shimmered softly between his halfclosed lids. Then, his face turned apologetic.
“I’m sorry, Nelia. I am not feeling well today, so I couldn’t bring you any dessert.”
…Did she appear to be that obsessed with desserts? As if that was an important matter.
“You don’t have to worry about the dessert. But can you work today?”
“I must. But I plan to end the day earlier than usual and rest.”
Nelia nodded her head, her face filled with worry.
“Yes, that seems best.”
Nelia returned to her seat at the desk. The place now felt not just familiar, but comforting.
They say people adapt, but who knew she would get used to sitting next to Duke Hart.
“Today, there is a lot of work.”
Duke Hart handed her a stack of papers with an apologetic face.
“I like being busy.”
At her spirited response, Duke Hart smiled weakly, not as usual.
Nelia worked with concentration to finish his work as quickly as possible.
It seemed Duke Hart was doing the same.
He seemed lost just moments ago, but now he was engrossed in his work.
One hour, two hours, three hours. Time passed quickly.
Nelia intermittently glanced at Duke Hart, checking on his condition.
His face remained as composed as usual, but looking at his oddly pale skin, she could tell his state was deteriorating.
Eventually, when he slightly furrowed his brows, Nelia finally rose from her seat.
As Nelia abruptly stood, Duke Hart’s gaze followed her.
“What’s the matter, Nelia?”
Without saying a word, Nelia approached the Duke. And then, she grabbed his wrist.
“I think it’s better if you stop working and take a rest.”
“I still have work to…….”
“The empire won’t crumble if you leave it for tomorrow.”
Maybe…….
Even the gears of the empire are human. Couldn’t they rest for a day?
“If you continue working like this, you might even make mistakes.”
Nelia’s attitude was extremely firm. Duke Hart alternately looked at the documents and Nelia, and eventually put down his pen.
“……If Nelia says so, perhaps taking a break won’t be so bad.”
Duke Hart donned a pallid smile.
Seeing Duke Hart still smiling despite his poor health, Nelia thought he was inhuman.
Like a cheerful cartoon heroine who smiles in any situation.
What made Duke Hart live behind a mask like that?
It could be to hide his identity, or to make people his allies, but it would be okay to let it down a little when he’s struggling and in pain.
“Let’s go. I’ll walk you there.”
As Nelia extended her hand, Duke Hart’s chilly hand touched hers.
“Where is your room?”
Nelia had never been to Duke Hart’s room. He always stayed in the library.
“It’s on the 4th floor.”
It was the top floor of the mansion.
As she heard it was on the 4th floor, she noticed the bandages wrapped around his foot.
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.]
