The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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In Search of the Duke’s Husband – Episode 10

Artia infused her voice with resolve.
“Yes, I have changed. The thick blindfold that obscured my vision has been completely torn away.”
She cut straight to the heart of the matter.
“Therefore, I humbly beseech Your Highness. Please help me obtain a divorce.”
I had finally said it!
Thump, thump, thump.
My heart thundered as though it might burst from my chest.
I could not begin to fathom what Killian’s reaction would be.
After a long pause, Killian asked.
“Why should I?”
Was it a misunderstanding?
His tone remained cold, yet it did not carry the sting of displeasure it might have.
Most importantly, he had not drawn his sword and demanded why I had sought him out for such trivial matters.
Artia felt a glimmer of hope kindle within her as she opened her mouth.
“Your Highness, I do not believe your scathing criticism of Lloyd stemmed merely from him being an incompetent man. Rather, it was your displeasure that such a deficient individual had become the Duke of Edenberg Duchy, one of the Empire’s most storied noble houses.”
Otherwise, he could not have regarded Lloyd with such contempt.
He paid no attention whatsoever to those who did not interest him.
Killian despised the incompetent.
All the more so when they held positions of power.
This was precisely what Artia was counting on.
“The next Duke of Edenberg Duchy shall be a man of Your Highness’s choosing.”
Though the house had declined in power due to successive incompetent patriarchs occupying the ducal seat, Edenberg remained a noble and honored name.
A promise to place whomever one desired in such a position.
Artia prayed fervently that this would prove an enticing proposal to a prince vying for the throne.
“So you mean to say you will marry only with my approval?”
“Yes.”
“And if I find the man you have chosen displeasing?”
“Then I shall not marry.”
It was a request made at a fatal risk. Such was Artia’s desperation for a divorce.
Kuk.
A low chuckle escaped in an instant, and Artia’s pink eyes widened in surprise.
‘Did His Highness just laugh?’
Surely not—she must have misheard.
The mad prince who flew into a rage at the mere sight of women could not possibly do such a thing.
A low voice reached Artia’s ears as confusion engulfed her.
“Lift your head, Artia von Edenberg.”
“….”
Killian spoke to Artia, who remained motionless.
“I won’t deny my misogyny, but I’m not so deranged that I’d gouge out someone’s eyes just from making eye contact.”
Hoping his words were true, Artia carefully lifted her head. The moment she saw Killian’s face, she couldn’t help but gasp softly in surprise.
Though we had met occasionally due to our status as imperial prince and duchess, I had never truly looked at Killian’s face before.
I was far too frightened.
Seeing Killian’s face up close for the first time was truly….
‘Is he even human?’
Hair as black as the night sky and golden eyes of crystalline clarity that permitted not a trace of impurity. The striking contrast of those intense colors harmonized with his delicate features to create a flawless beauty that seemed like a masterpiece painstakingly crafted by the gods themselves.
Yet I could not marvel at his otherworldly beauty. Those golden eyes gleamed with such menace that they seemed ready to tear me to shreds at any moment.
I fought the urge to look down again, keeping my head rigidly raised.
Killian, who had been staring at me intently, finally spoke.
“I’ll help you.”
“…!”
“However, my involvement extends only to the Imperial Palace formally accepting your divorce petition. Whether the divorce is approved depends entirely on the Empress Mother’s will.”
“I understand. That is more than sufficient.”
I answered with a trembling voice while lifting the hem of my skirt.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Despite my sincere gratitude, Killian said nothing.
As the silence stretched on, I grew anxious again.
‘Why isn’t he saying anything?’
Come to think of it, does he regret accepting my proposal? Or has he suddenly found my face so irritating that his madness has been triggered?
Just as I cautiously glanced toward the sword hanging at Killian’s waist.
Killian opened his mouth.
“Nocturne.”
As if he had been listening from outside, Nocturne entered from beyond the door.
“Yes.”
“Bring the Asiatica salve.”
“Yes.”
Nocturne returned so quickly it seemed he had teleported, offering Artia a round medicine jar.
“It is a precious remedy used only by the Imperial Palace. It is highly effective at healing wounds.”
“….”
Why would he give me such a valuable medicine…?
Killian spoke with an arrogant gaze toward me, utterly bewildered.
“I despise women.”
I know.
“And I despise crying women even more.”
I wasn’t aware of that.
“I despise wounded women.”
“….”
“So apply it. I’m well aware that the Duke of Edenberg is a damned bastard who lays hands on his wife—you needn’t parade your scars about to prove it.”
Only then did Artia remember the scars on her face.
She had come without proper treatment, hoping Killian might feel even a shred of pity, and had completely forgotten about them.
‘I thought Your Highness wouldn’t care at all….’
Of course, his emotion wasn’t sympathy of any kind.
An already despised creature—a woman—marred by ugly scars would naturally irritate him.
Yet because he had noticed her wounds and even given her medicine, Artia’s lips curved upward in gratitude.
“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

Watching Artia smile faintly with one cheek swollen red, Killian found himself thinking.
‘Women’s smiles usually irritate me….’
Yet with her, he felt nothing of the sort.
Not now, nor before.
A subtle displeasure lingered across Killian’s beautiful features.
Seeing it, Artia shrank back with an even more frightened expression.
His brow furrowed deeper at the sight, but fortunately, he did not detain Artia any longer.
“Go.”
Even for a prince, the tone was far too rough for addressing a noblewoman. Yet Artia’s expression brightened as though she had been waiting for those very words.
“Yes, I shall take my leave now. May you remain in good health until we meet again.”
After offering a respectful bow, Artia swiftly departed the chamber.
‘When she entered, she shuffled in like a rabbit dragged into a tiger’s den, but leaving, she moves in an instant.’
Nocton carefully posed a question to Killian, whose eyes had narrowed.
“What did you discuss?”
It wasn’t his nature to ask such things, but he simply couldn’t help himself.
A mere duchess calling upon Killian, and Killian accepting her audience request—it was such an incomprehensible and extraordinary occurrence.
Killian, leaning back in his chair, answered.
“Artia von Edenberg wishes to divorce.”
Nocton’s eyes doubled in size, belying the flatness of Killian’s tone.
A duchess seeking divorce!
‘It was more shocking than ‘the stern Emperor’s gossip’ or ‘the graceful Empress’s curses’.’
Yet Killian, who had spoken those words, seemed entirely unsurprised.
Rather….
“Your Highness, are you perhaps amused?”
“Somewhat.”
“….”
“Artia von Edenberg, who always stared at the ground trembling—the fact that she seeks divorce is rather entertaining.”
“….”
Nocton acknowledged it was an intriguing matter. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to nod readily.
It was Killian who had said such a thing.
From childhood, Killian had been ruthlessly indifferent to others.
When he saw Nocton drenched in blood from wounds sustained on the battlefield, instead of asking if he was alright, he simply uttered, “Is the bath prepared?”
At such an incongruous response from the man, Nocton felt a chill creep down his spine.

* * *

‘Things went better than expected.’
Greeting Artia as she entered the Edenberg Mansion with a pleased expression were a pair of insects clinging inseparably to each other.
Upon seeing Artia, Lirika whimpered and burrowed into Lloyd’s embrace.
“I’m scared, Duke. What if sister locks Liri away in her room again?”
“There’s no need to fear, my little bird. Am I not here now?”
Every time Artia witnessed their display, sorrow consumed her, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
But the emotion Artia harbored now was singular.
“Ugh.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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