The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 112

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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 112

“….”
Killian von Orpheus lifted his head to meet Artia’s gaze.
She didn’t appear angry in the slightest. There was no hint of disappointment or displeasure—only a slightly bashful, awkward smile.
“Somehow, whenever I mention something to Nabi, Your Highness always makes my wishes come true.”
After this pattern repeated several times, a suspicion began to form. Once that thought took root, I realized that Nabi and Killian von Orpheus shared the same golden eyes.
But Artia dismissed the notion as absurd.
And yet….
“The moment I locked eyes with the black panther that came to rescue me, I finally became certain. The magnificent black panther, the adorable black cat—they were both Your Highness.”
“…Does it bother you?”
At Killian von Orpheus’s words, Artia’s eyes widened in confusion.
“Why would it?”
“Because I deceived you.”
Of course, I was quite shocked. But….
“Whether as a person or as a cat, the fact that Your Highness comforted me and helped me remains unchanged.”
“….”
“I feel only gratitude.”
Artia smiled shyly.
More mature than the smile she’d shown the black cat, yet more childlike than the one she’d shown Killian von Orpheus.
In that moment, unable to restrain himself any longer, Killian von Orpheus bent forward and pulled Artia into his embrace. Suddenly enfolded in his arms, Artia’s eyes widened.
Thump, thump, thump.
The sound of his heartbeat—which I had heard before losing consciousness—echoed clearly in my ears once more.
Why did my entire body grow warm from merely hearing another’s heartbeat?
Bewildered by this unfamiliar sensation, Artia squeezed her eyes shut. Then a voice, low enough to send shivers down her spine, reached her ears.
“Artia von Edenberg.”
Her long lashes trembled as she opened her eyes, and his voice continued once more.
“May I stay by your side from now on?”
Was it my imagination that the voice of this mad prince, who seemed to fear nothing in the world, now sounded as frightened as a terrified child?
Artia felt her heart flutter as she slowly nodded.
In that moment, the grip of Killian von Orpheus’s arms around Artia tightened, then gently loosened.
Careful, as though afraid of causing her any pain.
Feeling this tenderness, Artia found tears welling up unexpectedly.

* * *

Morning. Bibi entered the room carrying a warm cup of tea.
Artia lay demurely on the bed, while Killian von Orpheus sat arrogantly beside her.
Relieved to see a scene not vastly different from what she had witnessed last night when closing the door, Bibi approached Artia’s side with quick, practiced steps.
“You’ve awakened, my lady.”
“Yes, I’m fine now.”
At Artia’s response, Bibi’s expression flooded with relief.
Artia smiled and glanced sideways at Killian von Orpheus, who sat beside Bibi.
He wore an expression of such composure, as though last night’s events were nothing but a fabrication—he was no longer the distant, unreachable “Your Highness.”
‘He’s… my friend!’
Last night, Artia had spoken to Killian von Orpheus.
“I think it’s becoming impossible to explain our relationship as merely that of a prince and a noblewoman. So I was thinking… would you like to become my friend?”
When Artia saw Killian von Orpheus’s expression—as though he’d been struck in the head by an enormous boulder—she thoroughly misunderstood his reaction.
“…Do you dislike the idea?”
Upon seeing Artia’s dejected expression, Killian von Orpheus answered without hesitation.
“No. I like it. Friends.”
He meant it sincerely. The fact that he had become something definable by any name with her—a woman with whom he had shared no common ground—felt miraculous and filled him with joy.
Though a corner of his heart ached somewhat.
In any case, on the first day of officially becoming friends,
Killian von Orpheus, awakening from a dreamlike reverie and returning to reality, spoke to Artia.
“Would you rather rest a bit longer, or hear about those bastards?”
Bastards. Artia, catching the meaning behind this uncharacteristically crude expression, understood whom he meant and answered.
“The latter.”
Killian von Orpheus laid out the current situation with stark simplicity.
“I’ve apprehended both Count Elysium and Crank von Edenberg.”
Sensing something amiss in his words, Artia asked.
“You haven’t formally arrested them—you’re keeping them yourself, Your Highness?”
“Even so, they’re nobles.”
Arresting nobles took time, and even after capturing them, one had to await the Court’s judgment. Killian von Orpheus had no intention of doing any of that.
“I will not entrust the punishment of anyone who dares touch what is mine to another.”
Upon hearing Killian von Orpheus’s murmur, Artia started in alarm and protested.
“Why am I Your Highness’s possession?”
“You’re my friend.”
“…!”
At his unexpected answer, Artia’s cheeks flushed crimson.
‘Somehow His Highness has become incredibly shameless…’
Whether or not Killian von Orpheus knew what she was thinking, he continued naturally.
“How would you like me to dispose of them?”
“…”
“I can kill them outright, or inflict suffering so severe they’d beg for death. There’s also the method of disfiguring their bodies so they never forget the crime of touching you for the rest of their lives.”
Despite his gentle tone, the content was chilling beyond measure.
Artia suddenly realized that the man before her was the mad prince who had slaughtered thousands of enemy soldiers.
Yet something felt strange.
Despite his imposing frame and fierce gaze, he didn’t frighten her in the slightest.
…Though her heart was certainly pounding.
‘This can’t be helped. His Highness is simply too handsome, so my body is reacting instinctively….’
Artia convinced herself with this reasoning and answered.
“I want to hand them over to the Court of Law so they receive appropriate punishment.”
Killian von Orpheus’s expression darkened with displeasure.
“Nobles aren’t executed unless they commit treason. At worst, they’ll face imprisonment.”
It was far too lenient a sentence for such dogs.
Feeling the eerie aura radiating from Killian von Orpheus, Artia furrowed her brows in distress.
“I understand. But I hope this matter won’t be handled in secret—I want it brought to light so everyone knows what happened.”
Terrible as the incident was, it presented an opportunity if viewed differently.
A chance to silence those who supported Count Elysium.
Killian von Orpheus stared at Artia intently before muttering.
“You look frailer than a rabbit, yet you’re bold when it matters.”

* * *

That day, Count Elysium and Crank von Edenberg were formally arrested. The charges were the kidnapping and attempted murder of Artia von Edenberg.
High Society was thrown into shock at the unbelievable news.
Many women expressed their outrage as if it were their own affair.
“Did the Duchess of Edenberg steal something? Did she speak ill of them? She only helped a friend who suffered at her husband’s hands, yet she endured such a horrific ordeal.”
“We cannot let this pass. We must ensure severe punishment so such things never happen again!”
The men who had previously championed Count Elysium remained silent.
They knew that speaking up would invite accusations of defending a murderer who had kidnapped and attempted to kill a defenseless woman.
Above all, the fact that Killian von Orpheus had personally arrested the two spread widely.
No one understood why the mad prince had intervened, but involving oneself in a matter under the prince’s scrutiny promised nothing but trouble.
Upon hearing this news, Artia crunched on carrot sticks and muttered to herself.
“They came at me and Frigia foaming at the mouth, yet they tuck their tails and stay silent around His Highness.”
Truly, these gentlemen were contemptible.
After the incident, Artia remained confined to her chamber. She refused to see any visitors who called.
Because of this, rumors spread that Artia had suffered such severe trauma she could barely function in daily life, or that she had been beaten so badly she was in great pain.
Moreover, condemnation of Count Elysium grew even fiercer.
Artia had no intention of correcting these claims, but one thing weighed on her mind.
Frigia.
When Frigia learned that Artia had been dragged away by Count Elysium, she was devastated.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry….”
Frigia wept—her face etched with anguish far deeper than when she had arrived here after being beaten by her husband.

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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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