Gregory also followed the Duke and headed to the office where the phone was to notify the attendants about Shade’s visit.
As everyone became busy preparing for the guests… The first to encounter an unexpected uninvited guest was an unexpected figure.
[This is the time separator]Idel was creating a centerpiece to decorate the table with a maid who was skilled in flower arranging.
“Lately, the gardeners at the Duke’s residence are thrilled. They have a new hostess. There has been no one to look after the garden, so it’s a great joy for them.”
“The garden seen directly from the Duchess’s room is truly beautiful. With spring coming and being busier, it would be good to give a special salary to the gardeners.”
“I can already picture them humming a tune.”
In the middle of their conversation and flower arranging, the maid seemed troubled and said,
“We are a bit short on eucalyptus for filler. I will quickly go to the garden and bring some.”
“Really? The weather is nice, so let’s go together. On this occasion, I want to express my gratitude to the gardener who has grown these flowers so earnestly.”
At Idel’s thoughtful words, the maid closed her eyes and nodded her head.
There were as many courtyards in the Duke’s residence as its size. They entered the closest garden.
The courtyard surrounded by an oldfashioned corridor was filled with the fresh scent of spring due to the lush trees and blooming flowers scattered around.
Various flowers showcasing their unique traits were blooming beautifully around the central fountain.
In reality, Idel had hardly visited the garden at noon due to being mostly in the office. Feeling a sense of leisure after a long time, Idel smiled softly.
“Would it be alright if I take a walk for a while?”
“Of course. I will follow.”
“No, you go ahead and find the flowers you need. If I encounter a gardener while taking a short walk, I will just greet and return.”
After sending off the maid, Idel moved towards the inner part of the garden with her parasol. A neat path was arranged along the marble pillars.
Looking around, most were plants she didn’t recognize. Idel felt a little guilty about not intentionally showing interest in plants.
It was natural for a person of the Fleur family to naturally love plants. Even she felt a sense of calm looking at flowers and trees, even without scent.
However, whenever her inner anxiety of possibly not being a true Fleur weighed her down, she had deliberately turned her back.
‘I won’t do that anymore.’
Her heart felt much lighter after her father, Earl Fleur’s visit last time. More than anything, she found peace of mind being with the people of the Duke’s family.
But her feelings for the Duke that confused her remained the same. Whenever that happened, she reminded herself of their contractual relationship and focused only on what she had to do for the Duke’s family.
‘Let’s be devoted to the role of the hostess.’
It was her rightful duty to comfort the hard work of a faithful servant as the Duchess. She was looking for a gardener somewhere while taking a walk.
‘……!’
Idel stopped in her tracks when she saw a man’s long legs sprawled on a bench after passing a pillar and turning a corner.
She was momentarily surprised by the sudden sight but cautiously took a step forward. When she fully turned the corner, she saw a man lying lengthwise on a bench.
The man, wearing only a shirt with his jacket, vest, and tie neatly set aside on the backrest, had a bowler hat covering his face, as if he wanted to shield himself from the pouring sunlight.
‘A gardener…?’
The most likely man to encounter in the garden at this time would be a gardener… But his welldressed threepiece suit, even if set aside, and the luxurious shoes he wore did not seem like a worker’s outfit.
‘Who on earth is he?’
While Idel was frowning and pondering the man’s identity, the man, who had been lying down, slowly moved his body. Stretching out like he was stretching, the man reached up and took off the hat on his face.
“I must have dozed off.”
The man murmured in a sleepladen voice, squinting his eyes. His goodquality silver hair, touched by the sunlight, scattered gently above his forehead. His sleepy purple eyes looked like a lazy cat just waking up from sleep.
The man, who had halfrisen, sensed an unfamiliar presence and quickly sharpened his gaze. At his gaze, Idel shivered her shoulders.
“Uh…?”
A moment of mutual awkward silence descended.
The man with his hair disheveled and several top buttons of his shirt undone looked oddly dangerous. Seeing her, the sharpness of his face disappeared, and he rose completely from the ground, his eyes shining as if he was intrigued.
Seeing the man approach her, Idel stepped back, gripping the handle of the parasol she was holding tightly, thinking she might strike the man if needed.
Reading her caution, he halted his steps and scratched the back of his head with a troubled smile.
“I apologize for startling you…I was just excited.”
“Who are you? A gardener…?”
“A gardener…?”
The man tilted his head slightly, then broke into a mysterious smile.
“Well, I do handle flowers quite well…”
“…So you’re a gardener.”
At Idel’s words, the man maintained a vague expression but said nothing more. She breathed a sigh of relief and let down her guard against him.
“I wanted to thank you…for taking care of the garden so diligently. You’ve had a lot of trouble.”
She thought he must have been tired enough to fall asleep. The man laughed aloud, seemingly amused, as he saw the woman looking at him with sympathetic eyes.
“Haha. I do go through quite a lot for the duke’s family.”
With a face full of mirth, the man moved closer to Idel’s side. The tall man’s strides covered the distance in just a few steps.
The man, with eyes like violets, emitted an enchanting scent. It was unclear whether that cold yet somewhat sweet smell was due to perfume or the flowers he was tending to.
The man bent one knee in front of Idel. From below, he raised his head to meet her gaze gently.
“Won’t you bestow a reward upon this frail servant? Your Highness, the prospective duchess.”
He naturally took her hand, pressed a deep kiss on the back of it, and smirked roguishly with his eyes.
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.]
