The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 104

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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 104

Count Elysium’s voice rang out sharply.
“Your Honor, do not be deceived by false pleas. I beseech you to protect the authority of a family head who stands in such a shameful position through your wise judgment.”
Calvin regarded the couple with an unreadable expression before speaking.
“Prior to the trial, I conducted an investigation to ascertain the truth of the matter.”
Calvin had personally visited the House of Elisium and spoken with every servant employed there. When asked if they had ever witnessed Count Elysium committing violence, they all shook their heads in unison, claiming ignorance.
Yet their demeanor betrayed them—it was not genuine lack of knowledge, but a deliberate evasion of the subject.
There was something here.
Suspicion aroused, Calvin pressed several servants with relentless questioning, and at last he achieved results.
“I obtained testimony from five servants who worked at the House of Elisium. They stated they heard Count Elysium committing violence from outside the chamber door.”
“Who dares speak such lies!”
At Count Elysium’s furious outburst, Calvin replied in an even tone.
“I cannot reveal their identities. I obtained their testimony under an absolute pledge of confidentiality.”
Having placed his trust in the most impartial judge in this Convent, Calvin was determined to protect their identities thoroughly.
‘I will find them out and silence them one way or another.’
Count Elysium spoke with a piercing gaze.
“They did not reveal their names openly, nor did they witness anything directly. Furthermore, only Your Honor has heard their testimony. Such testimony lacks the credibility necessary to be considered valid evidence.”
Though his words undermined the judge’s authority, Calvin nodded readily.
“I agree. That is why I conducted further investigation to ascertain the truth more precisely. And finally, I found them—someone who witnessed Count Elysium’s assault directly and is willing to testify.”
A startling revelation followed.
“It is none other than Elizabeth von Elysium, the daughter of Count Elysium and his wife.”

Calvin sought out Frigia to inquire about the incident. As she explained the situation she had endured, she also spoke of Elizabeth.
“My husband struck me in front of the child. That’s what made me decide to report it.”
Rather than lamenting that a young child had witnessed such a horrific scene, Calvin said instead:
“So Elizabeth von Elysium is the only eyewitness who directly saw the assault.”
“…!”
“We could call your daughter as a witness. Though her testimony may lack credibility given her age.”
“That’s absolutely impossible!”
Frigia cried out, her expression hardening.
The child had already suffered tremendous trauma—she could never allow her to endure such an ordeal before strangers. It was utterly unacceptable.
Watching the wounded indignation in young Frigia’s eyes, Calvin spoke:
“If you prefer not to, I won’t insist. However, would you permit me to ask Elizabeth a few questions?”
After deliberating, Frigia nodded her consent.
Calvin entered the room where Elizabeth was confined and carefully surveyed his surroundings.
Elizabeth was playing innocently with a princess doll. However, the prince doll had been placed in a box in the corner, sealed shut with meticulous care.
Observing this detail, Calvin approached Elizabeth.
“Hello, Lize.”
From that moment, Calvin spent hours playing with Elizabeth.
Though Elizabeth had been wary of him at first, she soon broke into delighted laughter. Meeting her eyes, Calvin asked:
“Lize, did your father hit your mother?”
The brutally direct question startled Frigia, who stood just beyond the open doorway. Yet Elizabeth herself answered with remarkable composure:
“Yes. Daddy hit mommy.”
“Do you remember where he hit her?”
“…Mommy’s back.”
“What did he hit her with?”
“With the thing you use on horses.”
She comprehended the questions perfectly and provided precise answers—details that matched Frigia’s testimony exactly.
Calvin was certain.
This child’s words were neither imagination nor falsehood.

“The Countess of Elisium refused to bring Elizabeth von Elysium to the courtroom. However, Elizabeth von Elysium testified that the Count of Elisium struck the Countess of Elisium with a riding crop.”
Calvin continued.
“Based on the circumstances presented, I find that the Count of Elisium did indeed assault his wife.”
Remarkably, no one in the courtroom—not even those defending the Count of Elisium—expressed great surprise at Calvin’s words. Everyone believed it was entirely possible.
After all, the true issue at stake in this trial was not whether the assault had occurred.
It was whether he would face punishment for it.
The Count of Elisium, who had utterly destroyed the image of a tender and affectionate husband he’d cultivated over the years, understood this fact well.
Rather than continue denying his actions, he spoke differently.
“I find this deeply unjust, but I respect your honor’s decision. However, even if it is true that I struck my wife, it is a matter that occurred within the family. It is not something the Court should interfere with.”
His words dripped with the arrogance of the powerful. Calvin did not shrink back; instead, he nodded calmly.
“Yes, I have given considerable thought to that very point. In the history of the Empire, there has been no precedent of a husband being disciplined by the Court for striking his wife. However….”
Calvin lifted a stack of papers.
“A petition has arrived at the Court.”
The petition, with Artia von Edenberg’s name at the forefront, was written by thirty-four women who had been assaulted by their husbands.
It was the fruit of a fortnight’s worth of persuasion, coaxing, and pleading on Artia’s part.
Calvin spoke.
“Those who drafted the petition unanimously stated that domestic violence is not a private matter but a social evil that must be corrected. I find myself in complete agreement with their position.”
“…!”
Power entered Calvin’s voice, which had remained measured throughout.
“I render judgment. Austin von Elysium has habitually assaulted his wife, and this constitutes a clear crime.”
Every eye in the courtroom widened.
“Ordinarily, one who commits assault against another should receive proportionate punishment. However, considering that the victim, Frigia von Elysium, does not wish for her husband to be punished, I issue the following disposition.”
A voice devoid of personal emotion filled the courtroom with its clarity.
“Austin von Elysium shall offer a sincere apology to his wife and prepare a written oath that such conduct shall never occur again. Should he break this oath, I will impose direct punishment commensurate with his transgression.”
In truth, it was far too lenient to be called a true penalty.
Yet Calvin’s judgment was a pronouncement that completely shattered existing perceptions.
The people were struck with a shock so profound they could scarcely breathe.
The Count of Elisium, too, forgot all dignity and stood with his mouth agape before regaining his composure and shouting.
“How can a judge allow himself to be swayed by zealous women and render such a biased verdict? I cannot possibly accept this judgment!”
“As a judge, I have remained faithful to the law’s principle of protecting the people, and I have not judged guilt or innocence based on whether one is male or female. What you have just said to me….”
Calvin looked down upon the Count of Elisium.
“constitutes contempt of the judge and a grave crime. Since this is your first offense, I shall overlook it graciously, but any further transgression will be handled according to law.”
A chilling dignity flickered in the young judge’s eyes.
The Count of Elisium, realizing that further protest would only work against him, clenched his teeth.
Calvin struck his gavel.
“This concludes the trial.”
The moment the trial ended, Artia, who had returned to the gallery, rushed forward and embraced Frigia. In Artia’s arms, Frigia wept and smiled radiantly.
The Count of Elisium, standing across from them, glared at the two women with such force that his veins bulged, his fists trembling with barely contained rage.
It was an image of the starkest contrast between a couple.

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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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