The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 114

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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 114

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When the Nobility heard news of Count Elysium’s imprisonment, they erupted in outrage.
“No matter what crimes he committed, isn’t that punishment far too severe for a nobleman?”
“If you feel that way, why don’t you lodge a formal objection?”
At those words, the complaining nobleman fell silent.
The atmosphere suggested that anyone defending Count Elysium would be beaten to dust.
There was no reason to risk such danger for his sake.
Especially now that Count Elysium’s authority had passed to his younger brother, Daniel von Elysium.
It was Frigia who steadied the House of Elisium when it descended into chaos after Count Elysium’s imprisonment.
Convening a family council, Frigia, as the mistress of House of Elisium, designated her brother-in-law Daniel as the one to fill her husband’s absence as head of the household.
‘Daniel is an honest man.’
At least he wasn’t a pervert who derived pleasure from beating his wife in secret.
Yet she could not simply trust him blindly, so Frigia added her words carefully.
“As you know, many desire the position of acting head of House of Elisium. Since I have given you this opportunity over them, I expect you to demonstrate abilities worthy of it, Daniel von Elysium.”
At the implicit threat that his authority could be transferred to another if he failed, Daniel swallowed hard.
He had never imagined his sister-in-law, whom he thought merely beautiful as a flower, could wear such a stern expression.
Daniel nodded with a taut, anxious face.
“Yes, I will lead the House well during my brother’s absence.”

The day Count Elysium was dragged away to the distant Sibelin Prison in the Northern Region.
Only Frigia had come to witness his departure. Count Elysium cast aside all nobility and wailed.
“Release me! Save me!”
Rather than answer her husband’s pleas, Frigia grasped his skeletal hands that protruded between the iron bars.
“I’ll wait for you to serve your sentence and return. Go, my dear.”
“Frigia!”
Frigia remained standing until the carriage carrying Count Elysium disappeared far into the distance.
The world praised the wife who had sent her cruel, whip-wielding husband to a distant prison as the victor.
‘But I….’
In that moment when her eyes, composed throughout, turned a deep red….
“Frigia!”
Frigia turned at the loud voice, her eyes widening.
Artia approached her with a face full of concern.
Frigia brushed back her hair as it fluttered in the fierce wind, smiling sadly.
“I’ve become a noblewoman without a husband as well.”
Artia, wearing a similar expression, soon spoke playfully.
“How wonderful to have a companion. Let’s get along well, shall we?”
Frigia’s eyes widened in surprise, then she nodded with a bright smile.

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The day I learned that Killian was Nabi, I asked him a question.
“Then it will be difficult to see Nabi from now on, won’t it?”
Killian disliked meeting others in animal form. Even more so if it was the form of an adorable cat.
He had appeared before me as a cat because I was intimidated by the imperial prince Killian.
Now that we had become ‘friends,’ there was no need to meet in cat form. Yet… I wore an expression that seemed sad, beyond mere disappointment.
Killian was truly weak to that expression of hers.
“I’ll come as before.”
(No matter how much of a friend) It was more convenient than an unmarried imperial prince visiting the home of a noblewoman without a husband.
Seeing the black cat that appeared at the window, I jumped up from my chair.
“Nabi!”
Witnessing the light in my eyes, Killian felt strangely conflicted.
Even after learning Nabi’s true identity, my reaction remained unchanged from before, which pleased him on one hand….
‘Yet you don’t give me such an expression.’
A displeasure arose within him. Though he could never let it show.
Unaware of Killian’s feelings, I stared intently at the black cat before asking carefully.
“Um… would it be alright if I touched you just a little?”
‘What?’
The black cat’s eyes sharpened, and I continued as if confessing.
“I’ve held back because I was afraid Nabi would dislike it, but truthfully, I’ve wanted to pet you so much.”
“….”
Killian von Orpheus was certain of it.
That day when she, drunk out of her mind, had touched me as she pleased and even kissed me without permission—she remembered none of it.
‘Yet I remain shackled to that memory….’
The moment replayed in his mind constantly.
The tart and sweet fragrance that had emanated from her, the delicate softness of her small tongue, the whispered words that had brushed against his ear.
Each time, his blood ignited and his heart thundered in his chest.
Even swinging a heavy blade hundreds of times or poring over documents dense with text could not quell the sensation—it was torment.
In stark contrast, Artia wore an expression of cruel composure.
He harbored no resentment. After all, her inability to remember that day had allowed him to continue meeting her as a ‘friend’.
Yet his heart ached nonetheless.
Killian von Orpheus did not recognize that ache as sorrow.
For all his reputation as the Empire’s most brilliant mind, he understood his own emotions far worse than a child.
“Your Highness?”
Artia’s voice pulled Killian von Orpheus back to himself.
Artia spoke, her brows furrowed.
“If I’ve made an unreasonable request, I apologize. Please feel free to refuse.”
Moments later, the black cat opened its mouth.
“Touch me.”
Artia’s eyes gleamed as if she had never been discouraged.
With resolute determination, Artia spoke.
“Then I shall begin.”
Artia’s hand reached out carefully, settling upon the cat’s round head. She stroked it gently before her touch naturally drifted to its neck and back.
Artia was enchanted.
‘Oh my, it’s like the finest velvet.’
The texture was exquisitely soft—so much so that she wanted to keep touching it endlessly.
Yet the one being touched experienced something entirely different.
Wherever Artia’s slender fingers made contact, Killian von Orpheus felt a jolt. It was far more intense than the sting of enemy blades on the battlefield.
The ticklish sensation was so stimulating it bordered on painful.
Unaware of his torment, Artia, entranced by the softness, moved her hands diligently, and Killian von Orpheus finally reached his limit.
In an instant, the black cat transformed into Killian von Orpheus.
Artia was so startled that her feet tangled and she stumbled. Killian von Orpheus caught her waist, his voice low.
“You seem to be under a misunderstanding—I’m not actually a cat.”
His golden eyes gleamed with a desolate light.
“I’m a human man.”
“…!”
Only then did Artia realize what she had done, and her face flushed crimson like an apple.
“I’m sorry. I had no intention of offending you.”
Killian von Orpheus’s brows furrowed.
“It’s not about being offended. I….”
If you touch me, I lose control. My entire body does.
Yet Killian could not voice this truth aloud, so he gazed down at Artia with anguished eyes.
‘Is he very angry?’
Killian stared at Artia as she gauged his mood, then raised his hand.
His large hand came to rest at the nape of her neck.
“…?!”
Before Artia could even react to the sudden touch, his long fingers traced downward along her slender, pale neck.
The unfamiliar sensation sent shivers cascading across her skin.
“Your… Your Highness…!”
Artia cried out his name in alarm, but it was to no avail.
Killian’s fingers moved past her pale neck toward her collarbone.
His touch was more deliberate than an archaeologist examining ancient treasures, yet Artia found herself overwhelmed by an intensity that stole her breath away.
“Stop…!”
She barely managed to speak, her voice small and pitiful, yet mercifully, it had effect.
The hand that had been advancing without hesitation came to a halt, grasping the necklace that lay between her collarbones.
Killian tilted his head slightly to meet Artia’s gaze.
“See, that must have been difficult for you.”

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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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