The Duke Only Needs My Child (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8
“Honestly, Your Grace, you’ve really gone too far. How could you leave your bride alone on her wedding night?”
Rina, who was brushing Blair’s hair after her bath, was indignant. Her voice sounded as if she herself had suffered the injustice.
Yet the person in question simply smiled, seemingly unfazed, even as she listened to the criticism.
“I’m fine. I actually prefer sleeping separately—it’s more comfortable.”
After all, aside from the wedding night, nobles typically slept in separate rooms. This wasn’t much different.
But Rina’s anger didn’t subside.
“Even so! Last night wasn’t just any night—it was your wedding night!”
“…Rina, you’re pressing too hard with the brush—it hurts.”
“Oh! Sorry! I got carried away.”
Rina loosened her grip on the brush, which had nearly snapped in her hand, though her anger still hadn’t cooled.
“In any case! Leaving a beautiful young bride, who came all the way here trusting only her husband, alone in this unfamiliar mansion full of strangers—that’s just unacceptable. It’s practically disqualifying you as a husband!”
“You’re an unmarried girl—how do you even know so much about this?”
“All this knowledge comes from books, the very fount of wisdom and nourishment for the soul.”
Blair chuckled, recalling the red-stickered book Rina had stayed up all night reading, her face flushed with excitement.
“Well, to be honest, His Grace looks exactly like a male lead from a story…but I suppose we’ll need more time to judge his character.”
Listening to Rina’s chatter lifted Blair’s spirits, which had been somewhat weighed down.
As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, gradually coming into order, something glinting between her neck and collarbone caught her eye.
‘…A magic circle?’
Blair quickly opened her collar to check the spot. But all she saw were the red marks he’d left the previous night.
At the sight, memories of last night flooded back, and heat rushed to her cheeks.
Blair hastily covered her collar again. She must have imagined it.
Rina tilted her head, puzzled.
“My lady? Is your clothing uncomfortable?”
“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”
As Blair shook her head in embarrassment, she suddenly noticed the thin bandage wrapped around Rina’s finger.
She hadn’t seen it the night before when Rina had assisted her with her bath.
Blair asked, “Did you hurt your hand?”
“Ah…”
Rina’s face instantly flushed with panic as she continued brushing.
“I’ll call a physician. Let’s get it treated.”
At the mention of calling a physician, Rina jumped up to stop her.
“No, no! It’s fine! It’s just a small cut.”
“How did you get hurt?”
“Oh, just… I cut myself while working this morning. You know how clumsy I can be.”
Though Rina insisted she was fine, Blair’s worried gaze didn’t waver.
Earlier, Rina had said the bride came to this unfamiliar place trusting only her husband—but the same was true for Rina herself.
This girl had left behind everything familiar—her home, her friends—trusting only Blair, and now she was hurt. It pained Blair deeply.
Especially since memories of her past life came rushing back.
‘In my past life, I was so consumed by my own situation that I barely paid any attention to Rina.’
Sensing Blair’s concern, Rina deliberately lightened her tone.
“It’s really nothing to worry about. I just wrapped a bandage so I wouldn’t get blood on Your Highness—ah, I mean, my lady’s hair.”
“…Really?”
“See? There’s no blood on the outside of the bandage.”
Indeed, it didn’t seem like a serious wound.
“You should just focus on how to survive well in this mansion and how to make that handsome-but-shallow duke cry.”
Rina’s playful remark eased Blair’s worry, but it also sparked a question.
‘If it’s a cut, that means she used a knife. But Rina doesn’t work in the kitchen—she rarely handles knives. Could she be… being mistreated?’
But Blair’s suspicion didn’t last long.
“Ta-da! All done! I’ll escort you to the dining room now.”
Having finished styling Blair’s hair, Rina helped her to her feet.
Guided by Rina, Blair descended to the dining room, where a waiting servant opened the door for her.
By custom, newlyweds shared lunch with the groom’s family on their first day of marriage.
In most noble households, this meal would be bustling with immediate relatives, but in the vast dining hall, only Herdin sat alone.
He had no family.
Having lost both parents at a young age and with no siblings, Herdin had grown up alone. The only person who had ever been like a parent to him was Empress Esmeralda.
Seeing the empty dining hall, Blair felt she could finally understand why he harbored such deep hatred toward her—though that was separate from any resentment he might feel.
The butler, having pulled out Blair’s chair, skillfully filled her glass with an aperitif before leaving the room.
Once they were alone, Herdin raised his glass and asked,
“Did you sleep peacefully?”
It was a rather ironic question coming from the very man who had tormented Blair all night until dawn, but she answered obediently.
“Yes.”
With that brief exchange, the meal began.
For a couple who had just married and spent their wedding night together, the silence that followed was strikingly cold.
Herdin broke the silence first.
“After the meal, the butler will introduce you to the household staff.”
He continued, deftly slicing his steak with a knife.
“Once the introductions are complete, he’ll give you a tour of the mansion. After that, you’re free to rest—the rest of your day is unstructured.”
“Thank you.”
“If you have any questions or anything you’d like to discuss, feel free to speak freely.”
“What are your plans regarding the investigation into the fire incident from ten years ago?”
His knife paused mid-cut.
His previously indifferent blue eyes turned sharply toward Blair.
Even though this political marriage had been arranged specifically for that purpose, he hadn’t expected her to bring it up so soon—especially today, right after their wedding and wedding night, when she must be exhausted in both body and mind.
“I was told you have no memory of that time, so I’m currently arranging for a hypnotist.”
At the word “hypnotist,” Blair flinched involuntarily—old memories resurfacing.
“I’ve tried hypnosis several times before, but it never worked.”
“Well, perhaps this time will be different.”
Herdin replied calmly, but his words carried an edge. He suspected Blair wasn’t truly amnesiac—she was merely pretending.
“…So you suspect me.”
“How could I possibly trust you?”
His tone made it sound as if her question were absurdly naive.
Most would hide such thoughts, but he spoke plainly, showing no intention of concealing his true feelings.
“Only you know whether you’ve genuinely lost your memory or are feigning amnesia for some other reason.”
She was the daughter of the Imperial Family—the very house politically opposed to his. That alone was reason enough for him not to trust her.
Blair understood this perfectly well from her past life; she had fully accepted it.
But there was a difference between vaguely acknowledging it in her mind and facing his raw, unfiltered hostility directly.
“Accepting this contract doesn’t mean I trust you.”
He was right.
This was a contract.
Not a marriage built on love and trust, but a calculated agreement based on mutual benefit—one that she herself had originally proposed.
Since they were bound by contract, she owed him an explanation for his suspicions.
Blair calmly agreed to his terms.
“…Alright. Then, as you suggested, let’s try hypnosis first.”
Thus ended their first meal together as a married couple on their wedding day.
[This is the timeline separator]After the introductions to the staff, Mason, the head butler, took charge of the mansion tour.
Having served the Delmarque ducal family for generations, he held deep loyalty and pride toward the house and knew its history better than even Herdin, the current head.
The tour continued even after dinner.
Though Blair had lived in this mansion before her regression and already knew everything, she listened attentively to Mason’s explanations. Having returned from death, she now saw everything with fresh eyes and renewed emotion.
As they walked back toward Blair’s bedroom after the tour, Mason suddenly remembered something and apologized.
“You held your ceremony just yesterday—you must be exhausted. I fear I was too eager and pushed too hard.”
“These are things a mistress of the house ought to know. Thanks to you, I’ve quickly grasped every detail of the mansion.”
Like most in the Delmarque household, Mason wasn’t particularly fond of Blair, but he had never once let his personal feelings show in front of her.
Though her new master might not be warmly received, Blair didn’t want to make uncomfortable someone who still treated her with proper respect—and truthfully, she had genuinely enjoyed the tour.
They soon arrived at Blair’s bedroom door.
“If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me anytime.”
“I’d like to see the staff roster and the household inventory ledger.”
Mason was surprised by Blair’s request.
Managing staff salaries and inventory levels—matters tied directly to the family’s finances—were indeed the mistress’s responsibility.
In practice, however, noblewomen rarely handled such tasks themselves. The tedious work of reviewing numbers was usually delegated to subordinates.
Yet here she was, insisting on doing it personally.
“You mean to handle these matters yourself?”
“Now that I’m part of the Delmarque family, it’s only right I do my share.”
In her previous life, Blair, like any typical noblewoman, had left all household affairs to Mason.
Partly because the duties were difficult, but mainly because the Delmarque household disapproved of her involvement in domestic matters.
But now, she no longer cared what anyone thought. Even if she was only the duchess for a year, she wanted to fulfill her responsibilities.
Not to earn anyone else’s approval—but because she refused to feel small in her own eyes ever again.
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]
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (961)
Yeah! You mad beast. Stay away from her. Run Blair
None of you give her enough reason to smile. Asiel hurry!!
Those bastards!!!!!!!! Respect this angel!!!! Ugh I am pissed!!!!! Can we stop blaming her for her family’s fault!!! Even if she lied about the aunt SHE WAS A CHILD!!!!!!! You would grow up and learn that MISTER!!! MAMM get pregnant and lets go!
Inline Comments (5624)
Then people would naturally direct their outrage not at the men who committed ad
she’s really committed to it, the only thing she needed was to live in peace with the child
Yet even as he reminded himself of it now, the heat in his body from last night
Yes, you’re maybe mad., After treating her like that😌
Only he should be allowed to make her cry, torment her, break her.
Makes me remember the male lead from cry, even better if you beg, I do not remember his name but I guess duke of arvis also thought like this in the context of making her cry but he thought that if he is not able to make layla smile because of him then atleast her tears would belong to him
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VKotaku28
Okay! We need to take Rina with us after Asiel is confirmed