10 Shocking Reasons Why Duke Sylvester Refuses The Divorce In 'Honey, Why Can't We Get A Divorce?'

The question "Honey, why can't we get a divorce?" is the central, agonizing, and often hilarious hook of one of the most popular Isekai romance fantasy stories in recent memory. As of December 2025, this phrase immediately brings to mind the hit novel and ongoing manhwa, Honey, Why Can't We Get a Divorce? (여보, 왜 이혼은 안 돼요?). This story flips the classic 'villainess' trope on its head, presenting a transmigrator, Ophelia McGuffin, who is desperate to sever ties with her powerful, yet surprisingly clingy, husband, Duke Sylvester Ryzen. The sheer impossibility of a simple divorce—despite Ophelia's best efforts—is what has captivated millions of readers worldwide, creating a narrative rich with political intrigue, magical curses, and a slow-burn romance you won't see coming.

The core conflict is simple: Ophelia knows she is destined to kill her husband, the Grand Duke of the North, and wants to leave before fate takes its course. Her husband, however, is mysteriously devoted, tearing up every divorce paper she presents and insisting they are a "match made in heaven." This article dives deep into the complex narrative layers, revealing the true reasons behind the Duke’s shocking refusal and providing a complete profile of the story that has taken the web novel world by storm.

The Complete Profile: 'Honey, Why Can't We Get a Divorce?' Novel & Manhwa

The story, which originated as a web novel and was later adapted into a popular manhwa, is a masterclass in the 'villainess redemption' and 'contract marriage' subgenres. Its success lies in its unique twist on the classic tropes, especially the dynamic between the two main leads.

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Key Story Entities and Biography

• Original Work Title: 여보, 왜 이혼은 안 돼요?
• English Title: Honey, Why Can't We Get a Divorce?
• Author (Novel): Tam (탐)
• Genre: Romance Fantasy, Isekai, Villainess, Contract Marriage, Comedy
• Novel Status: Reportedly complete with approximately 170 chapters (including side stories).
• Manhwa Status: Ongoing (as of late 2024/early 2025).

Main Characters

• Ophelia McGuffin (The Transmigrator/Villainess): The protagonist who possesses the body of the original Ophelia, a notorious black magician and villainess destined to kill her husband. She is desperate for a divorce to save her own life and prevent the catastrophic future she read in the original novel. Her personality is pragmatic, often exasperated, and surprisingly kind beneath the villainess facade.
• Duke Sylvester Ryzen (The Grand Duke of the North): Ophelia's husband, the male lead. He is initially perceived as a stoic, powerful Grand Duke, but quickly reveals a cheeky, obsessive, and surprisingly affectionate side. He repeatedly refuses the divorce, often with the famous line, "I can't help it. I have no choice but to live with a crazy woman."
• The Original Villainess: The soul that Ophelia possesses. She was a powerful black magician who truly loved Sylvester but was driven to madness and murder by a curse or external force.
• Callian: A key secondary character, often involved in the political and magical intrigues surrounding the Duke and Ophelia.

The Ten Critical Reasons Sylvester Ryzen Won't Sign the Papers

The Duke’s refusal is not a simple romantic gesture; it is a complex tapestry woven from political necessity, magical curses, and genuine affection. Understanding these layers is key to appreciating the story's depth.

1. The Prophecy and the Curse

The most crucial reason lies in the dark magic surrounding the couple. The original Ophelia was a black magician, and her marriage to Sylvester was not a coincidence. Their relationship is a "match made in heaven" in a twisted sense—they are two powerful, cursed beings whose fates are intertwined. Sylvester knows that separating from her could unleash a greater, more catastrophic curse or prophecy that affects the entire kingdom or his duchy.

2. He Knows She's Not the Original Villainess

Unlike many other villainess stories, Sylvester figures out very early on that the woman in front of him is not the same person who married him. He recognizes the change in her personality, her desperation, and her lack of 'evil' intent. His refusal to divorce is, in part, a way to protect the new Ophelia from the consequences of the original's actions and the dark forces still targeting her.

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3. The 'Monster and Wicked Woman' Narrative

Sylvester openly acknowledges that he himself is a "monster" or a dark figure (the Grand Duke of the North trope often implies this). He genuinely believes that he and the original Ophelia—the "wicked woman"—were perfectly suited for each other. When the new Ophelia appears, his twisted, yet sincere, logic dictates that only a powerful, unique person like her can handle his own dangerous existence.

4. Political Stability and the Northern Duchy

The Grand Duchy of the North is a powerful, autonomous region. A public, messy divorce involving the infamous black magician Ophelia would destabilize the region, inviting political enemies and the central empire to interfere. By keeping her close, even against her will, Sylvester maintains a necessary political shield and a facade of stability.

5. Genuine Affection and Obsession

Beneath the political and magical reasons, Sylvester develops a deep, genuine, and possessive affection for the transmigrated Ophelia. Her constant attempts to leave, her unique reactions, and her unexpected kindness captivate him. His refusal is fueled by a desperate, often comical, fear of losing the one person who truly intrigues and challenges him.

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6. The Unfinished Business of the Black Magician

The original Ophelia's actions as a black magician left behind significant magical residue and powerful enemies. Sylvester needs the new Ophelia—who possesses the original's power and knowledge, even if she can't fully use it—to help him resolve these lingering threats. The marriage is a necessary alliance to clean up the magical mess.

7. The Protection Racket

Ophelia's life is in danger from the very forces that cursed the original villainess. Sylvester, as the most powerful figure in the North, is the only person who can guarantee her safety. He views the marriage as a protective bubble; divorcing her would expose her to imminent death, which he is unwilling to allow.

8. The Contractual Loophole

Their marriage might have been bound by a magical or political contract that makes dissolving it incredibly difficult, requiring more than just signed papers. This contractual complexity serves as a powerful narrative device, legally trapping Ophelia until the magical conditions are met.

9. A Desire for a Normal Life (His Version)

Despite his dark reputation, Sylvester secretly longs for a stable, albeit unconventional, domestic life. Ophelia's presence, though chaotic, brings an unexpected warmth and normalcy to his otherwise cold and dangerous existence. He is fighting to keep the only semblance of a family he has ever known.

10. The Ultimate Slow-Burn Romance Trope

Ultimately, the refusal is the engine of the story. The author, Tam, uses the unresolvable divorce as a high-stakes mechanism to force the two characters into close proximity, allowing their relationship to evolve from a hostile, pragmatic alliance into a deep, mutual love. Without the refusal, there is no story, making it the supreme narrative necessity.

Topical Authority: The 'Villainess Divorce' Phenomenon

Honey, Why Can't We Get a Divorce? is a flagship title in the popular "Villainess Isekai" subgenre, specifically the 'divorce plot' variation. This trope, which has exploded in popularity in recent years, features a modern woman transmigrating into the body of a novel's villainess and immediately attempting to avoid her tragic fate—usually by breaking off an engagement or seeking a divorce.

What sets this novel apart is the Duke's stubborn refusal. In most similar stories, the male lead is either indifferent or quickly agrees to the separation. Here, Sylvester’s active resistance creates a unique tension, moving the plot beyond simple avoidance and into a complex battle of wills. This narrative choice—where the male lead is the one who refuses to let go—is a key reason for the story’s massive topical authority and success in the competitive Romance Fantasy space. It constantly answers the reader's central curiosity: "Why can't they just get divorced?" by revealing deeper layers of magic, love, and destiny in every chapter.

Key Tropes and LSI Entities Explored:

• Transmigrated Villainess
• Contractual Marriage
• Grand Duke of the North
• Black Magician
• The Husband Won't Let Go
• Destined Lovers
• Slow-Burn Romance
• Political Intrigue
• Magical Curses

The ongoing manhwa continues to draw new readers into Ophelia and Sylvester's tangled lives, ensuring that the question "Honey, why can't we get a divorce?" remains a compelling and highly relevant topic in the world of Isekai fiction. The blend of high-stakes drama, political machinations, and unexpected comedy solidifies its status as a must-read for fans of the genre.