As the Duke responded, Nelia pulled the blanket up to her chin.
The Duke’s room was unfamiliar, but the bed was familiar. This was because the mattress and bedding were the same as hers.
She thought the landlord would use a better bed and blanket, it was surprising they were using the same.
‘But why do I feel so uneasy?’
Even though she was lying on familiar bedding, it felt unfamiliar and tense as if she was lying in the middle of a park.
While pretending to sleep with her eyes closed, her heart was beating too fast. Duke Hart’s breathing and his body scent, everything felt too vivid.
The quiet space, the presence of the Duke next to her was too big.
‘Is Duke Hart asleep?’
He should be sleeping since he said something about warmth and insomnia and suggested sleeping together. Then she could return to her room.
To check if the Duke was asleep, Nelia stealthily opened her eyes.
But right in front of her, silver eyes were softly shining. The Duke was staring at her while lying on his side.
As their eyes met, the Duke slightly widened his eyes.
“Did you wake up, Nelia?”
Startled, Nelia sat up abruptly.
“When did you start staring at me…!”
The Duke answered as he also sat up.
“All along…?”
He had been looking at her like that all along?
Nelia was taken aback.
“Why, why?”
“I saw your eyelashes trembling slightly, I was worried you were having a nightmare.”
“That, that’s because I couldn’t sleep!”
Actually, it was because she was nervous, but she couldn’t tell the Duke that. She couldn’t explain why she was so tense.
Only then did the Duke give a relieved smile.
“Well, if that’s the case, I’m relieved.”
Nelia stared at the bedsheet. Duke Hart had invaded her space, the line she had drawn now meaningless.
It was the same now.
He was too close.
“Nelia… did I wake you up?”
As the Duke spoke, his faint breath touched the edge of her neck.
Nelia lifted her head.
Their eyes met in the dark. A strange heat swept across his deep silver eyes.
Nelia felt a faint chill.
Sometimes the Duke looked at her with such eyes. When he did, she felt like a small animal in front of a beast.
Plus, now there was an ominous energy about him. Was she about to get devoured?
She kept reminding herself that the Duke wouldn’t do that, but the more she looked into his profound eyes, the more she lost faith.
Struggling, Nelia swallowed her dry saliva and spoke.
“…Your Grace.”
“Yes.”
As the Duke responded, his faint breath touched her again.
The warm breath felt as if it was making her head hot.
Avoiding his eyes, Nelia voiced out the situation.
“You are too close.”
Usually, the Duke would have backed off, saying ‘I see.’ with a laugh, but this time, he didn’t.
He just stared at her.
Soon a cool touch covered Nelia’s cheek. It was the Duke’s hand.
“Nelia, your face is hot.”
It felt as if her true feelings had been revealed. Nelia bowed her head, unable to hide her embarrassment.
But today, the Duke showed no mercy.
“I think I know why Nelia is so hot…”
His smooth voice whispered as if to seduce. What should she say so that it wouldn’t be embarrassing to look at the Duke tomorrow?
When Nelia hesitated to respond, the Duke rested his forehead against hers.
Despite his cool temperature, her body heat continued to rise uncontrollably.
It felt as if her head was spinning.
Nelia chose to close her eyes. If she didn’t see his face, she could resist this temptation, she believed.
“Nelia.”
But his voice was threatening enough. The husky tone was sweeter than honey.
Nelia’s eyelashes trembled. She was torn between wanting to open her eyes to see his face and the fear that she couldn’t turn back if she did.
Suddenly, a soft sensation touched and then left her lips.
Nelia eventually opened her eyes. The Duke was smiling lightly.
“Ju…Just now.”
“Because Nelia wouldn’t open her eyes…”
His words didn’t make sense. He kissed her because she didn’t open her eyes. But Nelia no longer had the energy to reason.
Her heart pounded. The surprise attack she hadn’t expected made her heart beat as if it would explode.
But the assault had just begun. The Duke pressed his lips against the seemingly dazed Nelia’s forehead once again.
And then between her brows, the tip of her nose, her lips.
His act was too sacred and intimate that Nelia found it hard to believe that he had any ill intentions.
After the act, Duke Hart moved away a little.
“Nelia, look at me.”
Nelia looked at the Duke as if she were under a spell. She couldn’t refuse his gentle command anymore.
The Duke’s hand also felt slightly warmer than usual. The coldness that his hand always had seemed to be disappearing.
A strange uneasiness arose from the soft touch stroking her cheeks.
“I know how to cool down Nelia’s heat…”
With her foggy eyes, Nelia barely stared at the Duke.
‘What should I do…’
She knew what he meant and that crossing this river meant no return.
Yet, her desires whispered to her to give up on rational thinking.
The thought occurred that surrendering to the raging sea currents, and allowing himself to drift as it pleased, would be the only way to dampen the heat that was eroding his body.
“Nelia, allow me.”
At the plaintive voice, Nelia finally nodded her head slowly.
It was a very slight gesture, but the moment permission was given, Duke Hart climbed onto Nelia in an instant.
And, bending his face, he aligned their lips. His breath became uncontrollably quick following the rough respirations.
Just when he felt like he might suffocate, his lips fell apart.
Duke Hart straightened his upper body and threw off the gown he had been wearing in one breath.
His body, resembling a craftsman’s sculpture, was revealed in the darkness.
He had thought so before, but his body was excessively nice. In the current situation, it felt all the more so.
“Nelia, it’s okay to rest tomorrow.”
The Duke smiled.
“Because you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
It was a lurid smile.
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.]
