She couldn’t explain why the Duke didn’t transform into a snake last evening, but perhaps they had made a step toward lifting the curse.
Just the thought made her mood instantly better.
Although the Duke might use the curse as an excuse to stick closer to her, right now she was more than happy. Seems like they had grown quite close if they were both happy about such things.
But the Duke wasn’t reacting; he was just staring at her intently.
“Duke?”
Nelia loosened her grip, but the Duke tightened his.
Then he pulled her hand closer and kissed the back of it. A warm sensation touched her skin and then left.
His lips were the only part of him that felt warm.
“All thanks to Nelia.”
The Duke slowly lifted his eyes, looking magnificent, and Nelia’s heart raced.
“Nelia has influenced the curse.”
‘Is he doing this on purpose?’
Or was he naturally charming?
Nelia had to calm herself to not fall for this charming snake.
She subtly pulled her hand free, and the Duke let go willingly.
Clearing her throat, Nelia spoke.
“Well, it would be nice if that were the case, but it’s not certain yet.”
“No. It’s the first time I haven’t turned into a snake without taking medicine. It’s definitely because of Nelia.”
The Duke responded with a casual smile, causing the corner of her mouth, which she had managed to control, to lift again.
Nelia and the Duke shared a mutual gaze and smile for a while.
It was Nelia who first managed to shake off the excited mood.
“Still, try to go without the medicine while I’m not around today. Maybe the curse has been lifted completely.”
“I don’t think the curse has been lifted completely, but I’ll give it a try.”
The Duke readily agreed. Nelia thought it might be a good time to visit home.
“Duke, may I go home and sleep there this evening?”
As much as she didn’t want to think about Leyton, she had to go back for her parents. They must be worried, having their only daughter out, even if she was with the Duke.
The lunar eclipse was a month away, so she had time.
When the Duke didn’t respond, Nelia tilted her head. Then he slowly opened his mouth.
“Alright… That sounds like a good idea.”
Nelia saw the Duke’s face tinged with regret but nodded her head before her heart could soften.
“Thank you, Duke.”
(This is a time separator.)
During the day, she fulfilled her duties as his maid as usual. Though it was all simple work.
Nelia aligned stacks of documents on the desk with a thud—matching their height.
“Duke, it’s here.”
“Thank you, Nelia.”
After finishing her work, Nelia rested her chin on her hand and looked at the Duke. He seemed busy.
It was understandable, as the Duchess had suddenly stormed in yesterday and they got no work done.
She wanted to help him more, but she knew she couldn’t, since the tasks he was directly involved in were all too important.
So, Nelia planned to simply greet him briefly at the door and go, especially because she intended to sleep at home today, just as she told the Duke.
She got up quietly on purpose, but the chair gave away a screeching noise as it scraped the floor.
The Duke looked up.
“Oh? Is it time to go already?”
“……Yes, it’s six o’clock.”
Her plan to simply greet him at the door and leave was foiled.
As Nelia answered with an awkward expression, the Duke put down his pen and met her gaze slowly.
“Surely, you weren’t planning to leave without saying goodbye to me?”
“That’s not it; you seemed so busy that I was going to greet you briefly.”
Duke Hart finally stood up from his seat and approached.
“Greet me briefly… when we won’t see each other for a whole day.”
“It’s not a whole day, precisely about twelve hours…… ah.”
Nelia couldn’t finish her sentence as the Duke hugged her.
“Even twelve hours is too long…”
His whining voice touched the top of her head. Briefly lifting her head, she saw his mournful silver eyes.
She didn’t feel repelled when he made eye contact like that. For a brief moment, Duke Hart seemed like a vulnerable animal and also appeared lonely, like someone caught in the rain.
‘The Duke, a vulnerable animal… that doesn’t suit him at all.’
A part of her became curious again about what he thought of her.
What kind of feelings did he have hugging her, holding her hand, kissing her?
However, such concerns didn’t last long. There’s no resolution to be found in worrying. It would only weigh her down.
Knowing his feelings was akin to opening Pandora’s box.
Nelia suppressed her desire to know more.
It felt awkward to be hugged like this, so the Duke stepped back. He did not seem upset that she didn’t respond to his affection.
Instead, Nelia reached out to stroke his hair. She wanted to reciprocate in this small way, even if it looked a bit strange because of the height difference between her and Duke Hart.
Duke Hart looked up and stared at Nelia’s hand for a moment.
Feeling embarrassed, Nelia hurriedly spoke.
“Make sure to eat well, and try to sleep even if you can’t.”
Duke Hart smiled gently at her clumsy words.
“I will. I’ll do that.”
Nelia pulled back her hand. The Duke wore a pleased smile.
“And if you don’t take your medicine today, you’ll have to see if you turn into a snake.”
“I won’t forget.”
At the Duke’s composed acknowledgment, Nelia also smiled. She bid a lingering farewell and left the Duke’s office.
Hoping that Duke Hart would not turn into a snake again tonight.
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
