The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 126

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

In Search of the Duke’s Husband – Episode 126

Evangeline gazed at her two younger brothers, then exhaled a long sigh before speaking.
“While you two have done nothing but cause trouble and clung to me like helpless children begging me to clean up your messes, Artia has demonstrated her true capabilities to me.”
With Derek looking deflated, Ian stepped forward instead.
“Sister, what abilities did she demonstrate? Surely you’re not referring to how she manipulated that naive noblewoman into reporting her husband?”
“She became an Ethereal and brought honor to our House.”
“That is…”
“If you’re about to suggest that becoming an Ethereal is merely a title any woman can obtain through idle gossip, then keep your mouth shut. I have no patience for petty remarks that diminish such a brilliant achievement—one that demands every ounce of effort to attain.”
“…”
“That’s not all. In a remarkably short time, Artia has also cultivated goodwill among the Cadet Branch Families of House of Edenberg.”
Evangeline withdrew the documents she had brought with her.
‘What is that?’
Evangeline spoke to her two brothers, who squinted their eyes to read the words written on the paper.
“These are letters of support for Artia from the Cadet Branch Families. They express their full backing for the new ventures Artia is undertaking on behalf of the House.”
“What?!”
Both brothers’ jaws fell open.
Letters of support from the Cadet Branch Families—they had never seen such a thing before.
Born as sons of the direct line, they had grown arrogant. They naturally assumed the Cadet Branches were beneath them and that their loyalty was simply a given.
That was precisely where they differed from Artia.
Artia had remembered each of their names, sought them out for conversation, and presented them with thoughtful gifts.
It was only natural that those of House of Edenberg would support someone who treated them with kindness and generosity.
‘Such vacant expressions…’
Evangeline clicked her tongue inwardly as she observed her two brothers.
“Grant Artia the opportunity to undertake new ventures for House of Edenberg. You can offer your judgment and criticism after seeing the results.”
Evangeline’s crimson eyes gleamed with intensity.
This was no casual remark. It was an explicit command.
The two men could not defy her words.
“Understood.”
Even as Ian obediently acquiesced to Evangeline, his gaze fixed upon Artia with barely concealed hostility.
“Don’t deceive yourself. You’re being given this opportunity not because we trust you, but because my sister supports you.”
Once she actually attempted to conduct business, she would learn the truth.
How utterly presumptuous and foolish she had been.
‘We’ll see when the time comes. I’ll crush her completely so she never dares act so arrogantly again, then marry her off to some wealthy man.’
Malicious uncles, truly. One could read their every thought just from the look in their eyes.
Artia read her uncles’ intentions clearly, but she said nothing.
I paid no mind to whatever foolish thoughts those two men harbored in their heads.
What mattered was that Artia had seized the helm of the House of Edenberg—that colossal vessel.

* * *

Though I had spoken boldly to my uncles, I had never actually studied business before.
‘Can I truly manage this?’
My anxiety was fleeting, however, for my gaze fell upon the golden roses that filled the chamber.
The dozens of flowers Killian had gifted me months ago to commemorate my ascension to Ethereal still maintained their pristine beauty.
As if bearing witness to the very magic of Emperor Orpheus himself.
The sight of them kindled confidence within me.
“I can do this. I am this year’s Ethereal, after all.”
Accomplishment bred courage, and courage became the driving force to pursue yet another purpose.
From that day forward, I began to ponder.
‘What do I know better than anyone else, and what could I sell with the greatest finesse?’
I contemplated while eating carrots, during walks, over tea, while reading, wandering the streets, gazing from windows….
“What are you thinking so intently about?”
“Eek!”
I let out a shriek utterly devoid of dignity and stumbled backward.
Killian extended his arm and caught me by the waist.
“Are you alright?”
My body was fine, but my heart was not.
I was mortified at having made such an unseemly sound before Killian, though he seemed entirely unbothered by it.
The man, oblivious to my racing heart, turned his attention to the stack of papers on the table.
The pages were densely covered with my handwriting. Noticing Killian’s interest, I spoke.
“I received this opportunity with such confidence, yet I’m uncertain which venture to pursue.”
In this male-dominated society, there were indeed a few fields where women could distinguish themselves.
Dresses, jewelry, cosmetics—matters pertaining to a woman’s adornment and appearance.
“But I’m not particularly interested in such things.”
“I suppose not. You’re beautiful even without embellishment.”
“…?!”
I looked up at Killian in utter shock.
He wore a composed expression, seemingly unaware of what he had just uttered.
“Would you like me to suggest something suitable for you?”
Killian was a prince who enjoyed the Emperor’s trust.
Entrusting him with even a single major state enterprise would yield far greater profits than any business run by ordinary nobility.
My eyes widened.
“I never expected Your Highness to say such a thing.”
“Why? You said before that I always help you.”
“Helping and entrusting a business are entirely different matters. Your Highness despises incompetent individuals taking on responsibilities they cannot bear.”
“So I’m entrusting this to you. I’m certain you’ll handle whatever task I give you with excellence.”
“…!”
There he goes again. Speaking such extraordinary words with that perfectly composed expression.
Once more, only Artia found herself flustered.
To hide the heat rising to her face, Artia crunched on a carrot stick from the table as she spoke.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but you needn’t concern yourself with me.”
“Why?”
It was something I’d only recently discovered—whenever Artia rejected Killian’s kindness, he wore that particular expression.
‘Like a cat sulking because its owner won’t accept the mouse it’s brought home.’
The old Artia would have trembled, wondering if she’d offended His Highness, but now I could only stifle a laugh.
‘I absolutely cannot let that thought slip past my lips.’
Artia answered carefully, ensuring her true feelings wouldn’t betray her.
“I want to conduct a proper business venture. With something I’m genuinely interested in and capable of doing better than others.”
Artia withdrew one of the papers scattered across the table and presented it.
“I’ve thought of a few ideas. Would you mind taking a look?”
Among dozens of words bearing the marks of deliberation, a single word was circled.

「 Carrots! 」

“I adore carrots, after all. And the House of Edenberg happens to have vacant land. What if we cultivated carrots on a large scale there?”
In that moment, a scene bloomed in Killian’s mind.
Artia wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a white apron, holding large orange carrots in both hands, smiling radiantly.
Artia continued speaking.
“And then we’d open a large café in the Convent, selling various desserts made from carrots we’ve grown ourselves!”
Killian envisioned Artia in a white maid’s uniform, holding delicate carrot cake and carrot tea in her hands.
Killian nodded, his face faintly flushed.
“That’s a reasonable idea.”
“Isn’t it?!”
Artia’s eyes gleamed at his positive response. But the moment was fleeting—her expression shifted as though she’d returned from a vibrant flower garden to dreary reality.
“But after investigating, I found there are already many large-scale carrot farms. Several related cafés are already in operation too. I lack the confidence to develop a business that could compete with them.”
I’ll purchase every carrot field except yours and make them Imperial property, then have them plowed under. I’ll convert all those cafés to different businesses.
Killian genuinely wanted to say this, but he refrained from voicing it.
There were times when being with Artia made reason abandon him entirely, but he was aware enough to recognize that such a statement would be utterly unreasonable.
He wasn’t quite mad enough for that yet.
Instead, Killian broached a different subject.
“What about this, then?”
“What do you….”
Artia trailed off, her eyes widening. Killian had drawn close to her.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————