The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 101

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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 101

At the sudden mention of my name, the black cat’s eyes widened and its tail shot upright. Startled by Nabi’s abrupt change from his usual composure, Artia asked with concern.
“What’s wrong? Are you cold?”
It was early winter, and the wind bit sharply. Even a sturdy cat like him would feel the chill.
The thought occurred to Artia, and I began unwinding the floral scarf I’d been wearing, draping it gently around the black cat’s neck.
The moment Artia’s hands touched him, the black cat flinched, but he didn’t swat at her with his front paws as if to say “don’t touch me there.”
Thanks to his cooperation, Artia successfully tied the ribbon into an adorable bow and laughed softly.
“You look beautiful, our Nabi.”
“….”
Why did her smile have to be so infuriatingly cute?
The black cat stared at Artia with furrowed brows, then let out a sigh and lowered his tail.
As if to say, “What are you doing all by yourself?” in response to her casual remark.
Unaware of the black cat’s true feelings, Artia simply felt relieved that Nabi had returned to his normal state.
After that, Artia chattered away to Nabi as usual, naturally focusing most of her words on Freesia’s trial.
“The trial finally opens in a week.”
To protect the honor of the nobility, trials were typically held in closed session.
However, Freesia, who harbored great fear of Count Elysium, had requested that the trial be changed to a public hearing, claiming she couldn’t bear to stand alone in the courtroom. Yet the Court had sent no word of their decision thus far.
“Unfortunately, that request won’t be granted.”
The Court, which already viewed Freesia’s complaint with displeasure, had no reason to side with her so thoroughly. Besides, they would surely be mindful of Count Elysium’s position on the opposing side.
Artia sighed and murmured softly.
“If only the trial could be held publicly so I could be there with her….”
The black cat, who had been listening quietly to Artia’s words, felt his golden eyes glimmer with sudden interest.

The next day, something remarkable happened.
“They’ve decided to proceed with a public trial?”
Freesia von Elysium held up the letter she had just finished reading, speaking to Artia, whose eyes had widened in surprise.
“Yes, because so many people are interested in the case, they’ve changed it to a public trial.”
Freesia von Elysium let out a small cry and embraced Artia with a childlike expression of relief.
Through the subtle trembling in her arms, I could feel just how much relief she had found.
I gently patted Freesia von Elysium’s back.
“Indeed. What a blessing.”
I added the words as comfort.
“I’ll be with you from the beginning of the trial to the end.”
Freesia von Elysium nodded through her sniffles.
As I patted her back, my thoughts wandered.
‘Everything is unfolding so perfectly. It’s as though the goddess of fortune herself were aiding me….’
Yet I did not believe in gods. If such a being truly watched over me, I would never have endured such miserable times. Rather than that….
The golden eyes of Nabi from last night came to mind.
Those arrogant, mysterious eyes that had listened quietly to my words.
Soon the image transformed from that of a black cat into that of a beautiful man.
Killian von Orpheus, who had extended his hand to me with such trivial reasons—boredom, curiosity, pity.
“No, surely not….”
I shook my head, my expression clouded with confusion.

* * *

On a dark night, Senior Judge Calvin was buried beneath a mountain of documents in the study of his residence.
With a knock, his mother Chloe appeared.
In Chloe’s hands, dressed in a nightgown adorned with vibrant flowers, she carried steaming tea and pastries.
“Are you staying up all night again?”
Calvin adjusted his glasses and answered Chloe’s question.
“Yes, the trial is only six days away.”
At merely twenty-six years old, Calvin was renowned as a judge who rendered the most impartial verdicts. He investigated every case assigned to him with meticulous thoroughness.
He uncovered facts even the parties themselves had forgotten.
My own son, yet there’s no stopping him.
Chloe shook her head and sat beside Calvin.
“Gifts arrived at the mansion again today.”
They were all sent by Count Elysium.
After Calvin was appointed as a judge, Count Elysium came to find him immediately.
“I’m truly wronged, Calvin!”
Count Elysium held a much higher rank than Calvin, who bore no title. He naturally spoke down to Calvin while lamenting his grievance.
“Have you ever struck your wife, Freesia von Elysium?”
When Calvin asked with a cold expression, the Count’s face twisted like a hyena chewing grass.
After Count Elysium left with nothing to show for his visit, he began sending expensive gifts days later. Calvin returned them immediately, but it was futile.
Chloe spoke.
“Count Elysium seems quite anxious.”
“The atmosphere among the women condemning him must be intensifying.”
“You know that? Then you must also know who’s creating that atmosphere?”
It wasn’t a difficult question. Anyone with even slight interest in this case would know.
“The Duchess Artia von Edenberg.”
At Calvin’s answer, Chloe’s lips curved upward.
“That’s right, she’s actively helping Lady Elysium. Exactly as I thought. Beautiful, kind, and brave. Such a woman is rarer than diamonds, Cal.”
“You haven’t abandoned your designs on her?”
“No, it’s a shame. If that lovely girl becomes the partner of a son obsessed only with law, she’d become my daughter-in-law.”
Chloe asked with sparkling eyes.
“You truly have no feelings for Miss Artia? She wasn’t to your liking?”
Calvin recalled meeting Artia a few months ago.
For several hours, he read documents while Artia read a book. They hadn’t exchanged a single proper word.
But when he briefly looked up, the image of Artia’s face remained vivid in his memory.
Her pale silver hair sparkled like dewdrops in the sunlight.
Her white cheeks flushed rosy with whatever amused her so, and she wore a girlish smile….
‘She was beautiful. Yes, a true beauty.’
Reading Calvin’s expression, Chloe gasped with exaggerated surprise.
“So you didn’t dislike her after all? Then favor Lady Elysium’s side in this trial. Then Miss Artia will come to like you too.”
“Mother, I do not inject personal feelings into my judgments.”
“I know. I was just rambling. I simply covet Miss Artia….”
“….”
“And it’s such a tragedy, isn’t it? Women my age cluck their tongues, saying Lady Elysium was too impatient and made the matter far grander than it needed to be. But not I. When I think of how frightened and distressed she must have been, my heart aches for her.”
Clara, having spoken her piece, waved her hand dismissively.
“That’s simply what I believe. Of course, you’ll disregard my words and follow your own convictions. As befits the Empire’s most impartial judge, Calvin.”
Chloe, laughing like a child, patted Calvin on the back before leaving the room.
Alone in the chamber, Calvin stared at the closed door and muttered to himself.
“It’s hardly such a grand conviction….”
But it was not mere words. Days ago, Calvin had abandoned his conviction.
By that mad prince—Killian von Orpheus.
Without warning, Killian had stormed into the Court, seized Calvin’s chair, and sat down with an arrogant expression.
“Change the trial of Count Elysium and his wife to a public proceeding.”

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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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