The Devilish Duke Can’t Sleep

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Duke Kahel Luave, the unlucky duke, who cannot keep one servant by his side because of the devilish nature that charms men and women of all ages.

Meet Lena, a maid with a rare constitution where devilish charms don’t work.

***

If the devilish energy emanating from him was a scent, now this room would be filled with a dizzyingly strong scent.

However, there were no other positive emotions in Lena’s eyes except worry and fear.

Kahel decided to take another approach.

His appearance was also so seductive that it was rumored to be the best in the kingdom, so no matter how much he suppressed his devilish nature, he could not stop people from falling for him.

Recalling that troublesome past, Kahel gave Lena a strange smile.

This kind of service was not given to anyone.

But…….

“Sa, save me, please… … .”

Lena, who was barely holding back her tears, began to cry and beg for her life. 

It was the moment when the law of ‘even the gods will fall in love’ on his smile faded away.

‘It’s not normal. As expected, it’s suspicious.’

Associated Names
One entry per line
마성의 공작님은 잠 못 이루고
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
The Most Powerful Characters In The World Are Obsessed With Me (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Supernatural Goldmine
  2. Woopread Translated Novels
  3. Status: Complete pt.2
  4. My 2022 Ropan's Pick
  5. TBR BG Novels

Latest Release

Date Group Release
08/02/22 woopread translations c146 (end)
08/02/22 woopread translations c145
08/02/22 woopread translations c144
08/02/22 woopread translations c143
08/02/22 woopread translations c142
08/02/22 woopread translations c141
08/02/22 woopread translations c140
08/02/22 woopread translations c139
08/02/22 woopread translations c138
08/02/22 woopread translations c137
07/10/22 woopread translations c136
07/07/22 woopread translations c135
07/05/22 woopread translations c134
07/03/22 woopread translations c133
07/03/22 woopread translations c132
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17 Reviews sorted by


crystalwings
crystalwings rated it
November 7, 2021
Status: c39
This story takes some time to build up. The first 20 or so chapters are very much introductory, but so long as you can get past that, it's a very sweet and well-written story.

There's a sensible and warm female lead who, despite her tough childhood, maintains her cheery optimism and good attitude. I normally really dislike super happy saint-like shoujo protagonists, but I quite liked Lena's sweet way of dealing with life and people. She doesn't give off a clueless Mary Sue vibe, she feels more like a kind person... more>> who is just doing her best to survive.

The male lead is a heavily traumatized character, which I don't blame him for. It must be terrifying to live his life, imagine almost every single person rushing and obsessing over you just because they saw you. I mean, there are people like that in real life like sasaeng fans, even only one or two can be traumatic to the idols. Now imagine practically everyone you meet like that. It's a nightmare, a real nightmare.

The ML is actually not the typical "CEO-like mysophobic" duke. He does see people in a darker light than most, but he's not unwilling to understand, nor is he ever really mean to the FL. He is a classic example of a nice person, skewed by his terrible circumstances, having to build up wall after wall to stop himself and other people from getting hurt.

Spoiler

His kindness actually hurt me so much, when I read about how much he hated himself for his ability "ruining" innocent people. Because they became obsessed with him.

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Watching these 2 people get together feels a little less like a passionate love story, but more like learning about overcoming past wounds and hurts. Learning to understand the other person and look past their stereotypes.

Honestly, while I'm sure they'd make for a wonderful couple, I kinda hope they'd be friends for a little longer because it feels so nice just to see the ML slowly learn to trust her and get the better life he deserves.

Aside from the 2 main characters, I'd say the other characters and looming plot are also done very well. We have a very interesting potential female antagonist, who is given a fair bit of screen time. We also have a nice servant of the ML who gives advice and basically watches over ML like a father.

The plot is also well written, the way ML uses his curse and deals with other people is neat.

Overall, this has been an enjoyable read for someone looking for a slow and steadily paced novel with light romance.

5 stars because it's a bit criminally underrated... I've seen worse novels get a 4.2, to be honest. <<less
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kawaii12345
kawaii12345 rated it
July 16, 2021
Status: c1
Well so far so good.

The text reads well. It's clear, coherent and very understandable prose. There's no scratch your head let me reread this to try and figure out what they are trying say.

The author also manages to do a very good job of showing, not telling. The first chapter us pure exposition without any actual exposition. We are given the circumstances of the FL and the ML without being told or monologued at. Thumbs up a very good job.

It doesn't get the 5th star for a few reasons. There's... more>> no grabber. I just didn't come away interested. The characters weren't particularly interesting. I expected the FL to break out into song while birds and small animals helped her with her work. I expected the ML to have his carriage driven back to the domineering CEO novel he's clearly a refugee from. 5 gets you 10 he's mysophobic.

So it's well crafted but generic and ordinary. Maybe it will pick up further in <<less
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ArtKnight_99
ArtKnight_99 rated it
October 22, 2021
Status: c29
Somehow refreshing, charming, and incredibly sweet despite the tired genre and initial cliches.

The Duke's appreciation for Lena, slowly blooming into obsession, makes perfect sense--it flips the "mad tryant who is only sweet to his lover" trope on its head. For the Duke, Lena is the only person he's able to have a healthy, sane relationship with, and it's somehow heartbreaking and yet sweet to see how happy just having Lena in his life makes him. Speaking of, Lena is a bright and sensible protagonist who is easy to root for.... more>> While she doesn't have a lot of agency for her own wellbeing, it's kind of heartwarmin to see her take initiative for her boss (The duke) and her loves ones!

While not revolutionary, it's sugary-sweet and fresh, and the romance is completely guilt free! I do caution that the poor Duke has some PG15 level trauma, but the romance and the healing relationship between these two will make you feel warm and fuzzy! <<less
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Dreamyryme
Dreamyryme rated it
September 16, 2021
Status: c20
edit: around ch 20, the story is picking up. So first 20 chapters are about main characters warming up to each other's, and now after ch 20, the politic and action are introduced. The politic setting is refreshing though.
Spoiler

it is a country rule by queen, but the problem is the queen has yet bear a girl. On the opposite fraction of the queen, there is very level head and calculating (not annoying) girl from major duchy aiming for that queen position, and her duchy is a rival of the ML duchy.

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Surprisingly refreshing, but the pace could feel a bit slow. It is more of a quiet read where there is no bloodbath or major event happen every minutes, and mains characters are not overbearing. So far before chapter 20, it is the story of two people developing their trust and grow together which is quiet nice.
Spoiler

ML is fairly nice, quiet and rational. He is just ummm pitiful?

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the reason why there is no similar story recommended here could imply that there is no story quiet like this one yet. So if you bore with overbearing, cold blood, playing deaf to FL need kind of duke out there, then this duke is refreshing. thank you translators for picking this up.
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tedy2004
tedy2004 rated it
August 5, 2022
Status: c112
Don't get me wrong, it's an decent read, but it's filled with a lot of filler, which doesn't stop. I've given up on reading this, it becomes more and more of a frustrating read after c70+, it made me in the long run not care to see the ending of it.

The title of this novel, doesn't connect with the story as well, it should be more like "The Devilish Duke Can't Be Served" or something else.

It started well, but just went downhill afterwards. It took so many chapters for the... more>> plot to advance, that it felt like I was watching a long movie series, which it shouldn't have been that long, considering it's a simple plot. Overall, average read for wasting time, other than that not recommendable.

Good day. <<less
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lenaneesan
lenaneesan rated it
November 21, 2021
Status: c45
I'm addicted to this novel.. haha... The s*xual tension between the Duke and Lena while denying it is soooo good. He desires her and she is oblivious to his feelings, because she isn't looking for romance, she just wants to live. And I never saw a male lead being so cute and respectful, oh my! This Duke is even sweeter because he still didn't realize yet how much Lena melts his heart. I just love this novel! Thank you very much, translation team, I love your work!
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No_idea_-
No_idea_- rated it
August 3, 2022
Status: c115
I stop reading this book. Its quite good until chapter 80 or 90 something.

... more>>
Spoiler

When your reach chapter 80 its feel like usual story with nothing special. The FL and the ML suddenly look so s*upid, love can really make them both so s*upid. There will be unnecessary misunderstanding, some s*upid kidnapping, and the most s*upid thing is How! Just how the ML never thought the FL get kidnapp because the enemy know about her real indentity!! And I think there will be another unnecessary second male lead

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Yups thats it, im done with this book <<less
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3694
3694 rated it
July 4, 2022
Status: c85
I dont like the ml. It seems to me he's just waiting. Waiting for something to happen. And when it happened he acted surprise like are you that naive into not thinking that? You have been a duke but somehow you didn't know the dirty water in the politics?

... more>>
Spoiler

his lover was kidnapped and he very well knew who did it but he still came to the house of santella to break up a friendship that has been gone to drain ever since they attacked that village. Or when she uses Maria to embarrass Lena. At time their friendship should have been nonexistent. Like come on, MOVE!

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Tbh, if santella family wasn't the enemy I would like them. They are smart and scheming.

The only reason why I endure finishing this, im very curious how will author make the plot work.
Spoiler

lena have another personality that was so far from the timid and shy maid. Her other personality is waaay smarter and cooler like a real queen very different from the previous chapters or until the end of her personality. And also how will a maid from birth suddenly become the queen over night. I want to know how the author do it so I endured it until the end and when it was there its just expected it was a meh. Satisfactory but expected. Heck the whole nobility was ignored altogether

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patient
patient rated it
November 2, 2021
Status: c33
The romance part of the novel is very sweet. It's adorable reading about FL and ML warming up to each other and learning to trust each other. They both are a bit naive and innocent in their own ways which creates plenty of funny scenes. The downside of this novel I believe is the author's failed attempt at creating an interesting backdrop for the romance. There are long sections where ML will meet a guy to discuss some business ventures or political schemes, however it's all quite shallow and feels... more>> more like a filler text. <<less
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FreyjaVanadis
FreyjaVanadis rated it
January 11, 2023
Status: Completed
First, I want to reiterate everything ArtKnight_99 said because that is all SO TRUE!

This one had a lot of twists and turns, and while I wasn't as big a fan of the ending as I could have been, it ended well. I have a lot of sympathy for the MC's, especially Kahiel - that poor boy went THROUGH some bull, especially as a kid. I appreciated that the villains were actually VILLAINS and not sad, misunderstood, only have the best intentions, really people. The plot is kind of cliched but... more>> it also is well-written and though out so I can give it a pass. I like a LOT how the romance was staged - it builds slowly and while we as readers can tell it's developing, the MC's are kinda clueless. I do so love their relationship though - they're very sweet and respectful of each other. It's a nice change of pace. <<less
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Peridot_Granger
Peridot_Granger rated it
October 28, 2022
Status: Completed
This web novel is a journey I would recommend you guys embark on. The characters went through a lot, from their relationships to their respective responsibilities. Truly, I like this story, though I love the middle part of the story more than the end parts. It may just be my preference, but I like the darker side of Kahel, and that's just gone in the late parts of the novel. Still, I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a web novel to pass the time.
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znukhsoc
znukhsoc rated it
September 1, 2022
Status: Completed
The MCs relationship is 5/5 but the ALL the other stuff is either boring or irritating.
Let me list my complaints:
-The promise is just very VERY silly. The rules and corners for the mentioned curse aren't finely decided.
-The first 10 to 15 chapters it’s only lore on top of lore. Kinda tiring. I had to skim the first 10 bc of her fake family's doings. I can't read pettiness. Also doesn't give any main character interactions. Even in chapter 23 and we still didn't have much from our MCs. It WAS boring. The author continued to write pointless business details and no personal stuff mentioned about the two MCs.
-The title is SO unrelated that it's funny.
-Anti-climactic end to all things.
-I don't like the "he falls for the only girl he knows she can't love him immediately." thing. Well, he doesn't have many options then doesn't he? That doesn't make FL special. That whole part was very forced. Yeah, my dude, of course, you fall for that one girl who can't be affected by your curse. UGH.
-The relationship, dynamic changed all of a sudden and I don't REALLY don't like that.
-The ending was quite tasteless and abrupt.

Skipped all the villain parts. YEs. I didn't even skim it. Read it until they met around chapter 10 then it didn't even matter. You can guess what they're doing, they're so classically bad that it's boring. MCs relationship was sweet, that was the only reason why I didn't drop this novel.

Btw I quite not liked the ML for a long while. He was just an as*hole before he could warm up to FL.

As the tag mentions FL is very timid. But I liked that aspect in this setting, the book cover makes her look more confident, which is not true, she is a shaky- easily scared cat.
That's it. Was planning to give 3 stars to this story until I read the ending. It was lackluster.
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silversea97
silversea97 rated it
October 18, 2022
Status: c67
I liked it at first, it's cliche but a good cliche. The curse is weird but intriguing, the FL is innocent but quick witted, she's basically just a country bumpkin that unfamiliar with the way of the capital. Although it's a bit weird that these people on the small town that not far from the capital are clueless about the ML's curse that basically a public secret in the capital, but then I think that fact was just unknown for the commoners, but it's okay since she can read the... more>> room and not act s*upid. The ML is smart and cunning.

But then it got annoying around chapter 30. The naration of FL became more innocent, more clueless ini so many things, she's 18 but portrayed as a girl with mental age of 13. Okay, I still try to read it, since I don't hate innocent type of FL. But then it got really annoying when the FL know some unusual thing out of no where, just because she's an FL, and the writer need for her to do that to justify her background. It's unnatural and annoying how the FL doesn't seem to have a consistent character.

The ML also become dumber, don't get me wrong, I love strong-guy-became-helpless-in-the-face-of-love trope. But I just can't accept this. Helplessly in love doesn't mean he became dumb. Again, inconsistency of the character...

and the villain... how come the more I know about the villain the more they look lame and boring. Like I could guess their next move, it's like they do things according to "how to be a villain" guide book.

there are so many other things that makes me finally drop the novel. But I will give this 3 star for the first few chapter that have a goor premise. <<less
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Asphyxia778
Asphyxia778 rated it
October 10, 2022
Status: Completed
I came here from the manhwa which has better pacing so I was kind of interested in the mystery of why MC was immune to the Duke's charm so came here to read.

Like other readers have said some parts are way too dragged out and MC and ML both act naive and s*upid in some situations which totally doesn't suit their initial characterization.

Overall a short decent read to have tea and munch snacks with and I actually liked the villains too so it was kinda fun
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Baaron
Baaron rated it
April 23, 2023
Status: Completed
This is a masterpiece of balancing pacing, genuine characters, tragedy and joy, heaviness and fluff. Truly excellent writing, even if the general plot structure isn't particularly interesting. Very well planned, executed, and translated. Predictable, but the good kind of predictable.
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chande
chande rated it
December 23, 2022
Status: Completed
I think this story was quite good. The plot was engaging although it's a bit cliche. But this story wasn't perfect though. Sometimes, I also had an urge to throw my phone after reading several parts of this novel.

... more>>
Spoiler

It's mainly because of MC. It's understandable that she was a naive and timid girl before because she had a hard life during her childhood but it's unbearable when she was still that naive and foolish even after being with ML for so long. And the misunderstanding between MC and ML was so annoying to read.

Aside from that, I also felt a bit complicated about Liddel. The author decided to make her a good person in the last minute but it's still hard for me to see her as a good person since she was always that bad since the beginning.

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tinkerbel99xmn
tinkerbel99xmn rated it
October 4, 2021
Status: c25
it's nice but not great just fine, that's what this story gave me. I couldn't vibe with it at all for the first 6 chapters tbh so I had to skip and read just few sentences per chapter as the FL is kinda irritating me for her timidity. (but it's ok, maybe she will be strong as story goes but she's bland atm.) the story says she's a smart person but with how she cope up with things... it's not. I do love the plot tbh but I think the... more>> author doesn't know how to execute it properly. Overall, has great potential. Let's just stay tune for now. <<less
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