The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 121

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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 121

“Sister thinks that highly of me?!”
“Yes, Uncle Ian may not be the brightest and is always causing trouble, but….”
At those words, Ian nearly reverted to his usual temperamental self, but….
“Among your three younger siblings, you follow your aunt most sincerely. Even when she grows old and falls ill, and everyone else abandons her, Uncle Ian will be the one to remain by her side.”
Artia was taken aback.
Ian, whom she expected to boast at her words, instead gazed at her with moved eyes glistening with tears.
“My sister always scolds me to get my act together, yet she harbors such thoughts in her heart….”
“Your aunt only disciplines those she cares for, after all.”
“That’s right. Sister ignores those she doesn’t care about, no matter what they do around her. She simply disposes of them.”
Ian nodded with wet eyes and cautiously asked.
“What else did Sister say?”
“Well….”
After that, Artia’s words continued for quite some time.
Ian spoke with a brightened face, unlike when he first arrived.
“Artia, I’ve misunderstood you all this time. I thought you were gloomy and selfish, just like your late father. But you’re such a kind girl….”
She had merely recounted compliments about Evangeline, yet somehow Artia had become a kind girl in his eyes.
‘It’s unpleasant to be treated like a child when I’m a grown woman, but I’ll let it slide for now.’
There were endless ways to handle a foolish and ill-tempered old man.
Improving their relationship as her aunt wished was the priority.
Ian spoke to Artia, who wore a gentle smile.
“Ever since you became an Ethereal, Sister seems to have taken quite a liking to you. Every time I see her, she tells me wonderful things about you. In fact, she even asks me to call you. She wants to spend time together.”
I don’t want to. Why would I play with this sister-complex old man?
Suppressing such thoughts, Artia nodded obediently.
“I’d be happy to.”
Giving him the answer he wanted to hear was simple enough.
She could simply make an excuse later and say she couldn’t call him.
Ian, now in high spirits, left the mansion with a cheerful bounce in his step.
‘He’s more of a fool than I expected….’
Artia murmured, watching Ian’s retreating figure.
“Now I’ve grown close to my third uncle as well… The only one left is my first uncle.”

* * *

Crankk was imprisoned in the Convent’s dungeon, charged with assisting Count Elysium in kidnapping Artia.
The moment a woman emerged from the darkness, he bolted upright from where he’d been sitting listlessly on the floor.
“Artia!”
A man who had shed all traces of refined nobility in mere months now clung to the iron bars, his voice raw. He looked like a vagrant.
“How could you lock me away in this place, you ungrateful wretch!”
Artia, her hood drawn low, gasped and covered her mouth.
“My, Uncle. That’s precisely what I should be saying. How could you help kidnap your own niece?”
“I told you—Count Elysium coerced me. It was never my choice.”
“If you’re going to lie, at least make it convincing. Speaking so carelessly is exactly why the judge didn’t even bother listening to you.”
At the mention of the judge, Crankk’s eyes wavered.
“You know Calvin, don’t you? The one who sent me here?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Count Elysium told me—you seduced Calvin into ruling in Frigia’s favor. I’m no different!”
Artia said nothing.
“Vulgar, corrupt woman.”
I wanted to consolidate power within my family. To do that, I needed to cultivate close ties with its members. But…
‘I can’t dangle carrots forever. Some people require the whip.’
My pink eyes grew clouded, and I smiled with glacial precision.
“That’s right. I do know Calvin.”
Crankk’s breath caught.
Of course, it wasn’t the clandestine affair he imagined. We’d only met once, years ago for a formal introduction, and never privately since.
But why bother clarifying?
He’d believe whatever he wanted to believe anyway.
‘Then I’ll make full use of this filthy misunderstanding.’
I exhaled softly through my nose and continued.
“So I’ll have to visit Calvin immediately and tell him that if he spreads rumors about us, I’ll make absolutely certain you never leave this prison.”
Crankk’s eyes widened in horror.
“A judge can increase a prisoner’s sentence on a whim, can’t he?”
All color drained from Crankk’s face.
He trembled violently before managing to speak.
“D-do you really think such a thing is possible? Do you think your siblings would stand by and watch?”
I laughed softly.
“Uncle, come to your senses. Has anyone from the family visited you recently?”
Crankk fell silent.
Derek had claimed illness and sent only a servant; Ian had visited once or twice, boasting he’d have Crankk released immediately, but that was the extent of it.
Only Evangeline visited regularly. But…
“Apologize sincerely to Artia. Accept the sentence the judge gives you and repent for your crimes.”
“How could you say such a thing to me, Sister!”
Crankk seemed to grasp something, his voice rising.
“You’re using my absence to seize the family’s power and wealth for yourself, aren’t you? You’ve always coveted that!”
“…I never knew you thought of me that way.”
After that, Evangeline stopped visiting.
Perhaps sensing the distance between Evangeline and her two younger siblings, no one from the collateral branches came to see me either.
Crankk spat out curses with a twisted face.
“They’re all in it together. They’re plotting to steal what’s mine….”
Artia observed his state calmly.
As long as Crankk harbored such thoughts, he would grow distant from his siblings.
The longer he remained in prison, the more distant he would become.
‘I’ll return when you truly believe you have no one left in this world.’
If Crankk possessed even minimal intelligence, he would stop antagonizing Artia and instead work to gain her favor.
Only then could this wretched man escape from prison even a day sooner.
That was how I planned to slowly ensnare him.
Like taming a vicious dog.

* * *

After settling matters with the three uncles, it was not difficult to grow close to the members of other collateral branches.
To those famous for their drinking, I sent precious wines; to those who loved finery, I went shopping through the streets together; to those who valued food above all else, I invited them to my home and served them dishes prepared with utmost care.
“I’ve been far too indifferent until now. From now on, I shall look after the people of House of Edenberg with devotion.”
Artia was the legitimate daughter of the House of Edenberg and the woman destined to bear the next Duke of Edenberg.
Such a woman, rather than behaving arrogantly, giving thoughtful gifts and speaking words that pleased them—there was no way they could refuse.
The number of collateral branch members who began to follow Artia increased at a rapid pace.

* * *

As Artia was selecting gifts for the family members, a sudden curiosity arose within her.
‘What does His Highness Killian like?’
A prince who enjoyed the Emperor’s trust and was recognized by both nobility and commoners alike.
It seemed he could possess anything in the world if he so desired, yet she could not fathom what would bring him joy.
Unable to find an answer, Artia finally asked Killian when he visited her chamber.
“Is there anything Your Highness would like to receive?”
Killian gazed down at Artia for a moment before opening his mouth.
“I….”

Just as Artia thought, Killian von Orpheus had possessed everything in the world from birth.
The Emperor and Empress were his parents, the vast Imperial Palace was his home, he wore only clothes crafted by designers from the finest fabrics, and rare treasures and curious toys appeared anew every day.
He was surrounded by dozens of attendants every day, receiving such meticulous care that he never experienced even a moment of inconvenience.
Yet there was one thing he did not possess.
‘A mother’s love.’

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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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