The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 12

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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 12

It wasn’t particularly difficult to deduce.
Lloyd, who treated servants like interchangeable parts that could be replaced at any moment, had suddenly begun to exploit Bibi—and there was only one person who could have advised him to do so.
That person was Elma.
Rather than offer some flimsy excuse, Elma simply nodded.
“Yes, I did mention it. But please don’t misunderstand my intentions. I told you about Bibi not to put you in a difficult position, but to test whether she possessed the loyalty befitting someone who enjoyed your trust.”
“….”
“As I suspected, Bibi abandoned you and fled, forgetting all the kindness you had shown her.”
Elma knelt and grasped both of my hands.
“But I am different. Please, give me the opportunity to become your faithful servant.”
I knew the truth—Elma only acted this way because I held her weakness in my grasp. The moment I could no longer use it, she would abandon that mask in an instant.
A bat of a woman.
I felt neither affection nor trust toward Elma. Yet in this state of complete isolation, I needed her strength.
I arranged my expression into one of profound gratitude.
“To think you would stand by me even in circumstances like these… I believe I’ve misunderstood you all this time, Elma.”
“My lady!”
I spoke to Elma, whose face now shone with brightness.
“Bibi has vanished, and Lloyd’s surveillance grows tighter. You’re the only one who can be my strength now. Will you help me?”
“Of course. Tell me anything!”
Elma nodded eagerly, as though she had been waiting for this very moment.
I leaned close and whispered into Elma’s ear.

* * *

“The Duke enjoys things that are both cute and sexy, so maybe I should try this one~?”
Lirika’s face, which had been humming as she selected her undergarments, turned menacing in an instant.
It was because Elma had entered the room.
“What are you doing in here!”
Lloyd spoke to Lirika, who was shouting at Elma to get out immediately, reminding her of what Elma had done to her.
“Elma is a maid I brought with me from the Viscount’s Estate. I wanted to give a maid who has served me for so long one more chance. My sweet little bird can understand that, can’t she?”
In truth, Lloyd felt no affection whatsoever for Elma.
He simply found it tedious to hire someone new who would cater to his every preference.
He also had no desire for more people to discover the numerous irregularities he committed using the Edenberg Duchy’s finances.
Since Lloyd had spoken so firmly, Lirika could no longer express her anger. Yet a knot of resentment toward Elma remained in her heart.
“Get out this instant, you traitor!”
Lirika threw the undergarments she was holding at Elma.
The lace-trimmed garment struck Elma, who fell to her knees before Lirika.
“Please listen to me, Lirika. That day, I only thought I had to stop you before the Duchess punished you even more severely.”
“Even so, how could you lock me in my room!”
“You’re right. Regardless of my intentions, I hurt you, Lirika.”
Elma bowed her head to the floor.
“I was wrong. I will accept any punishment you give me.”
“…!”
Lirika’s large eyes trembled violently as she looked at Elma prostrated before her.
Lirika was of common birth and poor besides. She was unaccustomed to people apologizing to her in such a manner.
Elma, not missing Lirika’s wavering resolve, continued speaking.
“Just know this—Elma has always been on your side….”
“….”
“That’s why when the Duchess ordered you to be starved, I secretly brought you food.”
Artia had never issued any such command, but Lirika had no way of knowing that.
One way or another, Elma was someone special to Lirika.
From the day she first entered the mansion, Elma had looked after her—with the care and devotion one might show to a noble lady.
At last, Lirika’s expression softened.
“…If you say it like that, I’ll believe you.”
Elma smiled brightly, her eyes glistening with tears.
“As expected, you have such a warm heart, Lirika. You’re nothing like those vulgar noblewomen who are all glittering appearance and rotten inside.”
Lirika’s plump cheeks puffed out slightly.
Being told she was better than a noblewoman always lifted her spirits.
‘How easy to manipulate.’
Elma smirked inwardly and opened her mouth.
“I’ve brought you some confidential information to lift your spirits, Lirika. Would you like to hear it?”
“What is it? Tell me quickly.”
Elma whispered to the eager Lirika.
“A few days ago, a divorce confirmation document sent from the Imperial Court arrived.”
“…!”
Lloyd thoroughly concealed the fact that a divorce confirmation document had arrived from the Imperial Court. There was nothing to gain from anyone knowing the truth.
Elma continued speaking toward Lirika, who had covered her mouth in utter shock.
“My lord intends to separate from her ladyship and take you as his formal wife. He loves you with all his heart, after all.”
Elma’s words were far from the truth.
In fact, it was Lloyd who was stubbornly refusing the divorce.
No—even without knowing that, most would have scoffed at Elma’s story.
What nobleman would divorce to marry a poor commoner woman?
Yet Lirika’s reaction was entirely different.
Lirika’s eyes glistened with tears as she murmured softly.
“How wonderful. To become the Duke’s wife….”
It had been a miracle from the start—a poor commoner meeting and falling in love with a duke of such towering station.
Having already experienced one miracle, Lirika found Elma’s words to feel entirely plausible.
Elma watched as Lirika’s cheeks flushed crimson, imagining herself standing beside Lloyd in a white wedding dress.
“Why not make your lord happy after such a momentous decision?”
“How?”
Lirika’s resentment toward Elma had long since vanished.
‘After all, Elma is the one who cares for me most.’
Lirika’s large eyes sparkled brilliantly.
Like an innocent fledgling knowing nothing of the world.
It was the very charm that had captivated Lloyd so completely, yet it only drew a sneer from Elma.
‘Innocent? She’s simply stupid. Thinking she can step into noble society with such a feeble mind.’
Elma suppressed her laughter and whispered into Lirika’s ear.
In the sweetest voice she could muster.

* * *

A banquet hall filled with nobility.
The nobles questioned Lloyd, who stood alone.
“Why have you come alone, Duke of Edenberg?”
If it were a gathering of men only, perhaps, but for an occasion like this, it was customary for couples to attend together.
Lloyd answered with a sociable smile.
“My wife is unwell and could not attend.”
“How unfortunate. I do hope she recovers soon.”
The nobles offered their insincere condolences with sympathetic expressions.
None of them held any genuine interest in Artia.
They were merely disappointed at missing the spectacle of Artia trailing after Lloyd like a frightened dog.
Soon, Lloyd and the nobles turned their conversation to other matters.
Lloyd’s knowledge and wit were hardly remarkable.
Yet many noble ladies found him appealing, thanks to his title as Duke of Edenberg and his handsome appearance.
Lloyd’s lips twitched as he watched a woman laugh melodiously at his words.
‘This is how women should be.’
Radiant, beautiful, and brimming with charm.
Entirely unlike Artia, who always seemed as gloomy as an overcast day.
‘Though recently, she has changed somewhat.’
The way Artia met his gaze with unwavering confidence, without a trace of fear, was rather…
As Lloyd moistened his lips with his tongue,
a cute voice tinged with a nasal tone rang through the banquet hall.
“Your Grace!”
Lloyd nearly dropped the wine glass he was holding.
With light, rapid footsteps, Lirika appeared in a flowing dress.
Lloyd stepped back in shock.
“You—how did you…?”
“I decided to be brave like you, Your Grace. To become a woman worthy of standing beside you.”
Lirika answered with flushed cheeks and linked her arm through Lloyd’s.
In that moment, a chilling silence fell over the banquet hall.

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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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