Without a word in response to what I said, Kaern stared at me with a strange look in his eyes.
I couldn’t tell what that meant, but I hoped he didn’t think of me as pitiful.
Embarrassed by his intense gaze, I averted my eyes.
The carriage suddenly became quiet.
So the sound of my heart, muffled by conversation, now seemed louder, mixed with embarrassment.
‘Please.’
How much longer?
When will we arrive at the imperial palace?
I hoped and wished that he wouldn’t hear this sound before we got out of the carriage.
Because of that, even though I would normally enjoy talking with him, I now found myself hoping he wouldn’t talk to me anymore.
But since Adelia’s wedding, Kaern had been acting beyond my expectations.
“If you need a hair ornament, I can get it for you anytime.”
His pleasant bass voice echoed again in the carriage.
“From now on, feel free to wear the ornaments I give you.”
“……Yes?”
It wasn’t that I didn’t understand what he was saying.
What puzzled me was that I couldn’t grasp why he’d offer to get hair ornaments for me.
But as always, that was all Kaern said.
He closed his mouth, as if he didn’t want to say anything more, and I ended up not hearing anything else from him.
After a painfully long time, the carriage finally stopped, signaling our arrival at the imperial palace.
“Let’s get out.”
“Yes.”
Kaern got out of the carriage first and then extended his hand to me.
We finally arrived.
I clenched my fist slightly, then relaxed it to take his hand.
“Thank you, Duke.”
To my word of thanks, Kaern just glanced at me without any reply.
I didn’t expect him to say anything, so it didn’t really matter.
Right now, my priority was to minimize contact with him as much as possible.
‘He wouldn’t go into the banquet hall with me, would he?’
With that thought, I tightened my grip for a final farewell.
But my hand didn’t come free easily due to his firm grip.
Confused about what to do, I tried to pull my hand away, managing my expression while speaking.
“Duke, thank you for bringing me here. I’ll find my way back on my own. So, I’ll be off now…….”
“What are you talking about? Just go in.”
“Yes. Yes?”
“Are you planning to rest a bit before going in?”
“Yes? No, I am going in now, but…… that is…….”
Instead of freeing my hand, I was caught off guard by Kaern’s unexpected words, and my gaze just wandered aimlessly.
Then I suddenly felt the nobles who had arrived at the banquet hall staring intently at us.
Everyone was looking at us with curiosity and murmuring.
‘Ah…….’
I had enough of being the center of attention when I was with Adelia.
Of course, this time the interest was likely because of Kaern, who rarely attends such events.
“Duke…….”
I called Kaern again, quickly organizing my thoughts.
Desperate to escape this situation, I blurted out what I wanted to say to him.
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to go into the banquet hall first? I’ll follow a bit later…….”
“Do you dislike being with me?”
“What? No, not at all. It’s just that I thought being with me might inconvenience you.”
I was sure Kaern felt the same as I did.
He always disliked unnecessary attention.
Of course, his mere presence would always be a focus of interest, but I was certain he wouldn’t want to become even more of a spectacle by being with me.
“Inconvenient? I don’t see what’s wrong with entering together with your fiancé. Or is it that you’re bothered being with me after entering with Adelia?”
“Ah… right, fiancé. Since we’re engaged, it would indeed be awkward to be apart.”
Unable to tell the truth, I lied to him again.
However, my discomfort wasn’t due to his presence but because of my feelings towards him.
Even now, my heart was racing so much from nervousness that I was sweating.
But it seemed he was a bit worried about me. Kaern cautiously reached out and touched my forehead with the back of his hand.
“You don’t seem to have a fever. Did I force you to come when you’re not feeling well? If it’s too much, tell me. We can go back right now.”
“No? No, I’m fine. I haven’t been overexerting myself these past few days.”
Despite feeling dizzy from the sudden contact with him, it wasn’t because I was ill.
After looking at me intently once more, he then took a step forward.
Following him, my face flushedprobablybecause I was with him.
Initially, I had to jog to keep up with his pace.
Fortunately, his steps soon slowed down, allowing me to walk beside him rather than behind.
Thanks to Kaern slowing down to match my pace.
Throughout our walk to the building where the banquet was being held, we continued to attract attention.
Kaern, seemingly indifferent to such stares, walked ahead silently.
Trying to hide my embarrassment and awkwardness, I alternated my gaze between the ground, the distant sky, and occasionally stealing glances at Kaern’s stately profile as I quietly followed him.
Soon, we arrived at the grand doors of the banquet hall.
“Wait a moment!”
Just as the doorman was about to open the door, allowing us to enter, my mouth spoke out of urgency before my mind could catch up.
At my shout, the doorman’s hands paused mid-action, unsure of what to do next.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s just… I’m a bit nervous.”
Saying so, I took a deep breath to calm myself.
“Are you sure you’re not feeling unwell?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Responding to his slightly worried tone, I shook my head vigorously.
“Why don’t you go back to the carriage and rest for a bit instead of going home?”
“Just a little rest will be fine.”
Kaern, about to enter the hall, was halted once more by my gaze.
Am I the only one this nervous?
Once inside, the amount of attention we’d receive would make everything so far seem like nothing.
It was truly beyond my capacity to handle, leaving me at a loss.
Honestly, I wanted to flee right then and there.
But…
I turned my head to look at Kaern.
My heart was still racing.
Because of that.
Yet, being with him.
I closed my eyes briefly and took a deep breath.
Right.
I’m with Kaern right now.
There’s no reason to be afraid when I’m with the person I like.
Opportunities like this don’t come easily.
So, let’s not be anxious.
Besides, in the chaotic banquet hall, my feelings for him wouldn’t be so easily noticed.
Finally composing myself, I looked up at Kaern with determined eyes.
“I’m ready now. Let’s go.”
Kaern nodded and gestured to the doorman, who promptly opened the doors of the banquet hall.
“Duke Kaern Laverion and Lady Helena Rosenthia are now entering.”
As we entered the banquet hall with the doorman’s loud announcement, I could feel all eyes inside focusing on us, as expected.
Even though today’s situation was a bit different, I thought, like when I was with Adelia, most people would be looking at Kaern, not me.
But my expectations were completely off the mark.
The gazes of the people moved from Kaern to me and back again to Kaern, then repeated towards me.
Especially, the stares of the young noble ladies felt particularly piercing.
But gradually, the direction of their stares became strange.
Just as I was about to wonder why, I felt a tremendous shock, as if someone had suddenly hit me on the head.
I had forgotten to let go of Kaern’s hand before entering the banquet hall, and the people were looking at our joined hands with just as much surprise as I felt.
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.]
