In The First Night With the Duke Chapter 55-63, the webtoon takes a thrilling turn. Now shifting from romance to high-stakes danger and mysterious revelations. Having managed to get out of the twisted plans of Prince Sharman, Ripley is rescued in a miraculous leap of faith by Duke Zeronis. Thus establishing that he is alive. Their emotional reunion is accompanied by laughter, love, and a well-deserved feeling of justice. However, as Ripley is dreaming about the quiet moments of peace, the ghosts of her former world start to emerge in the form of paranormal symbols.
The chapters explore political scheming, the consequences of gossip, and deep loyalty. And obviously, the a hint of a darker magical connection between the world of Ripley and her former life. Look forward to dramatic confessions, royal clashes, and a terrifying question. Is this happy ending real… or cursed?
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 55: A Hero’s Return
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 55 begins with Ripley trapped and terrified as Prince Sharman finally drops his mask, revealing his twisted ambitions. He warns that he will strangle her should she dare to resist. He asks whether she has legitimately acquired the right to be called Duchess Inglid. Sharman explains that he can attain the title of Duke by marrying her and thus be the one and only Duke in the empire. He even brags about how he engineered all this to include sending Zeronis to the battlefield, how he employed her business to infiltrate her life, and also how he has been spreading rumours to alienate her. In horror, Ripley claims that Zeronis will come to get her. Sharman laughs and says that he had the Duke killed.
He intends to spend the night with her in her room, hoping that it will become an even bigger scandal. However, Ripley, who is crying but still strong, rushes to the balcony, kicking Sharman away. She remembers how she had once jumped from the same place to evade Zeronis, but this time she is ready to jump back to him. Sharman pleads with her to come down, fearing what she may do. She does not hesitate, though.
A miracle occurs just as she jumps. Zeronis comes in the shape of a storm and rescues her midair in a breathtaking rescue. The very man Sharman declared dead holds her tightly, alive and unbroken. Ripley clings to him, the nightmare finally shattering with his return. She never doubted him–and it brought her back into his arms. The First Night With the Duke Chapter 55 ends with Ripley leaping from the balcony—and Zeronis catching her, proving once and for all that her hero is truly alive.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 56:Crown Crumbles, Hearts Triumph
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 56 begins with Ripley flying through the air, only to be caught safely in Zeronis’s arms. They kiss, and he murmurs, “I caught you this time,” and kisses her. Just as Prince Sharman attempts to sneak out, Zeronis stops him cold. Sharman is shocked to see the Duke alive and well.
Zeronis narrates with ease how he managed to survive: the assassin Sharman hired was in a robber guild he dealt with frequently. It was the same assassin who tipped off Zeronis secretly and proved all his suspicions true. Thus, the Duke faked his death, and the assassin was the so-called messenger of his death. The ruse succeeded admirably–the enemy drove into their camp, and were ambushed, Zeronis himself being in command.
Sharman is cornered and attempts to reverse the situation by accusing Ripley of infidelity and seduction by conspiracy. Ripley complains, but he keeps throwing crazy accusations. Then, to the surprise of everybody, Sylvia comes out strongly to defend the character of Ripley. Even the employees get involved in it- the cook, the maids, one by one, they all support Ripley. She becomes emotional by realizing how much they believe in her.
Zeronis smiles, being proud of the woman who made everybody respect her. And facing Sharman, he drives the last nail in the coffin by saying that not a single soul supports him. Then, in a loud voice, he says, “I, Zeronis de Inglid, withdraw all the pledges to the Imperial Family.” The First Night With the Duke Chapter 56 ends with the Duke severing all ties with the empire, choosing Ripley, justice, and freedom over corrupt loyalty.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 57: Dead Men Don’t Kiss Like That
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 57 begins with Sharman’s mask cracking completely as Duke Zeronis gives him a final ultimatum. Run to the Emperor and weep, or offer his head on a silver platter. Completely deprived of nobility, Sharman runs away like a coward. In her emotional state, Ripley declares that this must be a dream. To prove the otherwise, Zeronis kisses her and they seal their reality with love.
Waking up the following morning, the two are in each other’s arms. Ripley sleepily questions him on why he faked his death. Zeronis smirks and teases her on how she once played dead. She scowls, “Naw, I played hurt, not dead!” He laughs and says that there was no other way to trap the two enemies simultaneously. It had to be all done in secrecy, and the fact that she believed in him made him strong.
Zeronis feels bad for making her worry about him, and she tells him he is a real hero. However, Zeronis then reverses the atmosphere, pinning her and asking questions, such as the number of times she met Sharman. Ripley describes that Sharman had an unwanted confession, and she rejected it strongly and even slapped him. Clearly amused and proud, Zeronis draws her to him and praises her brave heart. Then he gets all sweet and asks about a gift she desires. Ripley blushes and says that she has always wanted to have breakfast in bed with her husband, namely crispy bagels, bacon, salad, and coffee. Zeronis gapes at the weirdly specific request, but he is smitten.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 57 ends with love, laughter, and the surprisingly intense ambition of breakfast in bed.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 58: The Breakfast That Led to a Knighthood
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 58 begins with Ripley, dreamy-eyed and still stuck on her breakfast fantasy, shocking Duke Zeronis with her oddly specific wish again. He looks at her in shock, holds her face in his hands like a patient teacher, and pleads with her to change her mind. Does she want jewels, land, a castle? Nope—still bacon, bagels, salad, coffee, and her foodie self’s desires. The Duke facepalms so hard that it can be heard throughout the empire. He picks her up in his arms and settles on the idea that it is better to bathe her (literally and perhaps spiritually) than to argue with her stomach.
Instead, they have no breakfast at all, but come directly to lunch–in a carriage to the imperial palace. Ripley does not get excited. Trips to palaces are normally not about pastry, but politics. Duke Zeronis, there, wants justice: Sharman ought to be rotting in a cell, not living the good life after threatening Ripley. The Emperor, as usual, is diplomatic; he proposes to pay: a medal and… a title.
To everyone’s surprise, Ripley is awarded a knighthood. Splendid knight of wisdom! She’s stunned. Zeronis? Beaming. Etoile later learns of the news, and she is genuinely impressed. Ripley, however, cringes at the title—it sounds heroic and uncomfortable. But our newly minted knight has plans. She asks Wright and Etoile to come over, and her face is full of a suspicious smirk. She is cooking up something, again, and it smells like another plot–not breakfast, but something still more juicy.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 58 ends with Ripley knighthooded, plot-crafting, and still probably dreaming of crispy bagels on the side.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 59:Ballroom Blushes and a Black-Dressed Threat
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 59 begins with Ripley planning to attend the grand royal ball celebrating the empire’s victory. She is about to invite Etoile, only for Wright—smooth and quick—to swoop in and formally ask Etoile to be his partner. Cue blushing, embarrassed giggles, and a very embarrassed Etoile, who questions her status. Wright, ever the gentleman, reassures her with sweet words that make even Ripley internally squeal.
Sylvia later assists Ripley with her getting ready for the ball and makes fun of her knightly name like a proud older sister. Dressed like a dream, Ripley stuns in her gown—and when Duke Zeronis arrives, he nearly loses his breath. “Your beauty is blinding,” he tells her, making her cheeks match the imperial banners.
Things become dicey at the ball. During the time that Zeronis is out, Wright requests that Ripley dance with him. She does, in order not to seem rude, however, when Zeronis comes back and sees them? The ballroom floor could be burned up by that glare. Wright panics, spewing a jumble of “it’s a misunderstanding!” before fleeing to find Etoile.
The Duke casually takes Ripley’s hand. He asks in a calm but possessive voice, “Shall we dance?” Mid-dance, he reminds her not to accept any other dance invitations—he’ll escort Wright and Etoile himself. Everything seems to settle until a shadowy figure in a black dress emerges behind Ripley, giving her a cold warning: “Ripley, you will be destroyed soon.”
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 59 ends with elegance, romance, and a dark cloud of mystery crashing the royal celebration.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 60: Ghostly Whispers
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 60 begins with Ripley chasing after the mysterious woman in black who whispered a chilling threat at the royal ball. But before she can catch up, Etoile calls out to her. Just when Ripley turns around, the woman disappears-leaving behind tons of questions and unease. Zeronis sees her in discomfort and asks her whether she is alright, but Ripley dismisses it, not knowing whether what she had seen was real or not.
At the same time, the sulking Prince Sharman is sitting in a dark prison cell, which has been converted into a DIY workshop. In punishment, he has to work on a cart of timber, carving jars of the same magical ointment that had made him have power over Ripley. One of the guards is keeping an eagle eye on him–orders of Duke Zeronis. When Sharman inquires whether he is allowed to go when the work is complete, he receives an ambiguous response: Finish first. Crafts class, meet karma.
At the estate, Ripley and the Duke talk about their proper official marriage. Zeronis, the always romantic (and impatient husband), wants it now. Later, Sylvia comes up with an ideal idea and asks not to make the wedding and birthday date near each other. Ripley agrees, unsure, but then something strange hits her. She realizes both her fictional birthday as the character Ripley and her real birthday outside the novel’s world fall on the same date—24th. In shock, she begins to think whether it is just a weird coincidence or something more. (Perhaps fate is again pulling a trick.)
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 60 ends with Ripley standing at the edge of another curious mystery.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 61: Bigger Dreams
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 61 begins with Ripley meeting Etoile, visibly troubled. Etoile sees that her friend is worried and enquires about it. Ripley is still in confusion over why her real birthday date coincides with that of her fictional date. But before they can delve too deeply, business talk comes up—Etoile joyfully shares that all her financial problems are over, thanks to the booming success of their ointment.
Ripley has been inspired, so she proposes a 2.0 version, this time in bigger jars, to be used in public institutions, such as hospitals, or even the army. With orders pouring in from the imperial palace again (likely under some noble pressure from the Duke himself), the expansion seems promising. Time to go big!
Ripley Convinces Zeronis
Ripley, later in excitement, shows the Duke the finalized wedding date. He scowls as it is too late for him. Ripley convinces him saying it is done to keep in order to keep her wedding and birthday dates not very close to each other. With a well-timed kiss, she softens him up, and she manages to persuade him to do it a little later. She wonders, What is his birthday? He shrugs and gives an approximate guess, as it has been such a long time since he last celebrated. Ripley embraces him and vows to give him a birthday party every year. And obviously with a giant cake. Moved, he promises to discover his actual birthday date so that she can highlight it with a golden star on the calendar.
At home meanwhile, Sylvia is cleaning and finds something strange, a doll found under Ripley’s bed, that appears to look creepily just like Ripley. The First Night With the Duke Chapter 61 ends with an unsettling discovery and sweet plans for love and cake.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 62:The Doll from Another World
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 62 begins with Sylvia handing Ripley a strange little doll, and Ripley nearly drops it in shock. It is the same doll her mother sewed for her in the real world. The colors were the same, the stitching was the same, and the details. But how is it even remotely possible?
Sylvia nonchalantly tells Ripley that she brought it to Ripley since it seemed to be her favorite. Ripley inquires as to how she acquired it. According to Sylvia, she was tricked by Isla, the witch, into purchasing it during the same year. But Ripley is in a daze. That doll has no place in this world unless… unless someone knew who she was.
Sylvia remembers how Ripley was behaving strangely, very unlike her, when she first got the doll. Depressed, emotional, gloomy. Ripley had said something (something very important), but Sylvia is unable to recall at all. Sylvia heads off to prepare tea, leaving Ripley to spiral deeper into thought.
Just a bit later, Sylvia inquires about the coming wedding invitations. According to Ripley, there are only three of them. Sylvia is shocked—such a small number for a duchess? Ripley wonders if she accidentally sabotaged her own social circle by living too far from the novel’s script. Sylvia says something that shocks Ripley. It turns out that she was once friends with Rose. Rose?! The manipulative woman after her death?
The Witchy Escape
Ripley runs away overwhelmed by the situation, and goes to confront Isla. She must be aware of the truth. Why was it this odd witch’s lair that the old Ripley preferred? When she arrives, Isla greets her calmly, in a creepy way: “I’ve been expecting you, Duchess.” The First Night With the Duke Chapter 62 ends with more questions than ever before.
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 63: Ripley’s Fear of the Ending
The First Night With the Duke Chapter 63 begins with Ripley confronting the mysterious Isla. She demands answers—not about love or the wedding, but about the doll. Isla, with a knowing smirk, pretends to guess Ripley’s reason but is quickly corrected. Isla has no choice but to confess the fact: the doll was given to Ripley by her. But it is originally black-haired, and now it is red. Why? Because the curse worked.
Ripley is completely confused and shocked. Curse? Isla mentions a voodoo doll in a casual wayTurns out, it wasn’t just a trinket. The doll assisted in reversing fate, which, according to Isla, is exactly what Ripley wanted earlier. Trying to remain composed, Ripley asks about how to end the curse. But then corrects herself, asking how to protect the curse. She gives Ripley something else, instead, a black cat doll. A charm to save her happy ending.
Suspicious Ripley declines. But Isla, persistent as ever, gives it at half price.“Take the cat,” she urges. “She knows the happy ending.” Ripley’s brain is spinning, and she is so confused. And she again hears the words of the woman in black: Once the ending comes, it is over.
A Potential Conflict?
Later, back at home, the thoughts haunt Ripley. At this moment, Duke Zeronis comes in, kissing her sweetly, and asks what she is thinking of. Her eyes are sad, and she wonders–perhaps this will be it–the happy ending that every story desires. But then she wonders… does the ceremony matter at all to have a happy ending? And so, she asks him: “Is the marriage ceremony absolutely necessary?” The First Night With the Duke Chapter 63 ends with the Duke’s stunned silence.
What do you think about The First Night With the Duke Chapter 55-63? Subscribe to AnimeMangaToon to know what happens next!
