The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 125

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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 125

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For the first time since Artia’s divorce, the Conference Room of the Edenberg Estate opened its doors.
Artia’s fingers traced the armrest of the chair at the head of the long table—the seat reserved for the meeting’s host.
‘I never once imagined myself sitting in this place….’
This had always been Father’s seat, and then Lloyd’s.
Artia had never even been permitted to enter this room.
But not today.
Artia settled into the chair with barely concealed tension etched across her face.
Moments later, the guests she had summoned arrived: Derek and Ian, the family Elders, and Evangeline.
Derek’s jaw dropped at the sight of Artia seated at the head of the table, as though witnessing something utterly unforgivable.
“You—where exactly do you think you’re sitting!”
Ian clicked his tongue disapprovingly and waved his hand dismissively.
“There are limits to impudence. This is unseemly—come down from there.”
Artia answered with a gentle smile.
“I am the sole master of this Edenberg Estate. Isn’t it far stranger for the master to sit in a guest’s seat?”
“What did you just say?!”
Both uncles sprang to their feet, their faces flushed crimson. Just as they opened their mouths to respond, Evangeline spoke.
“Enough.”
She fixed her brothers with a stern gaze and continued.
“We gathered here because Artia said she had important matters concerning the family to discuss. I would prefer to hear what she has to say rather than witness this petty squabbling.”
“…Very well, Sister.”
The two men, their indignation far from soothed, huffed irritably but settled obediently into their chairs.
‘She subdued those stubborn old men with a single word…. Aunt truly is magnificent.’
Evangeline turned to Artia, whose eyes sparkled with admiration.
“And where am I to sit?”
Though Evangeline wielded considerable influence within House of Edenberg, she ultimately remained an outsider, a member of another family.
Thus, whenever the Elders convened, she would sit behind a partition in the corner of the room, her presence concealed. Her attendance was unofficial, conducted in utmost secrecy.
Yet in this room, no partition was visible anywhere.
Artia gestured to the seat nearest to her.
“Please sit here, Aunt.”
“…!”
Evangeline’s eyes widened, as did those of the two men.
Artia spoke to the bewildered Evangeline.
“Your aunt is the eldest daughter of the Former Duke of Edenberg, and the elder sister of the previous Duke of Edenberg and the current Elders. Even after her marriage, she has carefully looked after the House of Edenberg.”
Artia’s clear voice continued.
“I wish to treat my aunt with proper respect as a senior member of our House.”
“….”
Evangeline remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on Artia.
Though she was known for her icy demeanor, something warm rose in her throat at this very moment.
Artia’s eyes turned toward the two men wearing stunned expressions.
“You uncles agree as well, don’t you?”
No.
Derek thought it absurd for someone from another House to openly attend the conference, no matter how much of an elder sister she was. But….
‘What if my sister gets angry….’
If his older brother Crankk spoke first, he could follow along, but he lacked the courage to take the lead himself.
He kept his mouth firmly shut, though his expression betrayed his displeasure.
Ian, on the other hand, shared Artia’s opinion.
‘My sister should have taken that seat long ago. I felt sorry for keeping her hidden during every conference, but now my heart feels completely relieved.’
Thus, four members of House Edenberg took their seats.
Hair of pale silver with a reddish tint to the eyes.
Though their individual features differed, the overall coloring was similar among them as Artia opened her mouth.
“I will address the main matter directly.”
Artia paused briefly before continuing.
“I intend to liquidate all of House Edenberg’s business ventures.”
Boom! It was as though lightning had struck the conference room. The statement was that shocking.
Derek’s face flushed crimson as he shouted.
“Are you, are you completely insane?”
“No, I’m perfectly sane. This isn’t a joke either.”
Artia distributed pre-prepared documents to the three men.
“This is a summary of House Edenberg’s currently operating business ventures. As you’ll see, these businesses operate at a loss and are barely maintained by drawing from other budgets. The amount required grows with each passing year.”
Artia continued.
“After consulting with experts, the conclusion was that if we maintain the businesses as they are, House Edenberg will face complete bankruptcy in approximately twenty years.”
“What?!”
Derek and Ian’s mouths fell open.
Having managed the ledgers, they knew the losses were severe. But they had never imagined the situation was dire enough to speak of bankruptcy.
Derek spoke.
“Your father and husband mismanaged things terribly, which is why we’re in this state, but these are businesses passed down through generations. How dare you suggest eliminating them? We must maintain them by any means necessary.”
“I didn’t know you cherished the House’s businesses so dearly, Uncle.”
Artia pulled out one of the ledgers she had received from Evangeline and continued.
“You sold off several farms that were actually generating income, didn’t you? All because you needed to expand your own mansion.”
“That, that was….”
Caught off guard by this unexpected counterattack, Derek found himself at a loss for words.
Ian, seated beside him, wore a sly smile.
“Brother, how disappointing. You were always lecturing me about sacrificing for the family, yet here you are meddling in business ventures over such trivial matters.”
My, Uncle Ian is hardly any better.
Artia’s gaze turned toward Ian.
“Uncle Ian, I discovered that you’ve been siphoning off a considerable portion of the funds needed for the business under the guise of investment.”
The casual composure drained from Ian’s face in an instant.
“That is an investment! I was making an effort to increase the family’s assets!”
“I investigated the investment destination in detail, and it turned out to be a gambling den masquerading as an investment. The losses you’ve incurred there alone exceed tens of billions in gold.”
“….”
A deadly silence filled the Conference Room.
Both uncles regarded Artia with twisted expressions.
Artia accepted their hostile gazes without hesitation and opened her mouth to speak.
“We have neither the reason nor the capability to maintain these business ventures. I ask that you acknowledge this and agree to liquidate them.”
After a long pause, Derek spoke.
“Fine, let’s say I agree with what you’re saying. But what do you intend to do once the business is completely liquidated?”
No matter how venerable and prestigious a noble house is, money doesn’t simply materialize from thin air.
To maintain the family, a continuous means of generating funds was essential.
Artia spoke.
“Precisely. That’s why I intend to launch a new business venture.”
The two uncles blinked in confusion before speaking.
“Who?”
“I, Artia von Edenberg.”
Derek and Ian were momentarily at a loss for words.
They were more shocked by this than when Artia had pointed out their incompetence, more shocked than when she’d suggested liquidating all the family’s businesses.
It was that absurd.
Derek asked incredulously.
“You’re going to run a business?”
“Yes.”
At Artia’s response, Derek couldn’t restrain himself and let out a sharp cry.
“What business can a woman run! All you’re capable of is choosing dresses and gossiping over tea!”
“So that’s what you’ve been thinking.”
At Evangeline’s words, spoken after remaining silent until now, Derek let out a gasp of pain.
Evangeline continued with her characteristic stern expression.
“You’ve come to me countless times asking for help—saying Father frightened you, your brothers scolded you, you had conflicts with friends. Each time, I helped you wholeheartedly, yet you harbored such thoughts?”
“S-Sister is different from other women, of course.”
“….”
Evangeline’s crimson eyes turned glacial.
Derek’s face paled, and he stammered before lowering his tail.
“I-I misspoke. My apologies, Sister.”
Ian, standing beside Evangeline, snickered.
“Is this the first time? Be more careful.”

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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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