The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 128

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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 128

After the performance ended, Bibi spoke up.
“I’ll return to the lodgings first and prepare the sleeping quarters.”
It was something she could do precisely because Killian von Orpheus was at Artia’s side. As long as he was there, there was no need to worry about Artia’s safety.
“You’re sure about that?”
Artia hesitated before answering, then added with a start, “Oh—”
“It’s not for any other reason. I just thought you must be exhausted from such a long day. Don’t fuss over my bed; rest yourself, Bibi.”
I, however, returned from four days of wolf hunting and still meticulously carved and roasted every piece of meat over the fire before doing the laundry and cleaning.
—but such a retort was hardly necessary to voice.
“Understood.”
Bibi, having answered, turned her head to regard Killian von Orpheus.
Upon hearing that Bibi would be departing, he had become visibly delighted (though the change was so subtle that only Bibi could perceive it), and she bowed respectfully toward him.
“Please look after my mistress.”
One of Killian von Orpheus’s eyebrows arched upward.
As it had been before, that courteous phrasing irritated him considerably.
Yet the other party was a maid whom Artia held most dear.
Killian von Orpheus concealed his displeasure and inclined his head with arrogant indifference.
“Very well.”
After sending Bibi off, the two of them made their way to the Night Market near the Performance Hall.
True to its reputation as the Art City, the Night Market’s scenery was equally vibrant and diverse.
People dressed in their own distinctive styles peddled various wares, each item possessing a curious and unfamiliar appearance.
‘Beautiful! Fascinating! Magnificent! Amusing! Terrifying!’
As Artia wandered about, absorbed in examining the merchandise, a low voice reached her ear.
“Artia von Edenberg.”
“Yes?”
The moment Artia turned her head, Killian von Orpheus placed something upon her head.
“I found something that suits you perfectly.”
“What on earth is it…?”
Upon catching sight of her reflection in the mirror atop the vendor’s stall, Artia let out a small, startled cry.
It was a headband adorned with long, drooping rabbit ears.
For a noblewoman of three-and-twenty years, it was far too adorable. With her ears flushed crimson, Artia reached to remove the headband but changed her mind.
‘If I’ve received it, I ought to return the favor.’
Artia swiftly scanned the vendor’s stall.
Having spotted something suitable in an instant, she pointed and cried out.
“Oh, that one…!”
“….”
Seizing the moment when Killian von Orpheus turned his head—surely his expression of utter indifference was just my imagination—I reached for the headband I’d been aiming for and tried to place it on his head… but then something unexpected happened.
My hand couldn’t reach!
‘I knew there was a height difference, but not to this extent….’
Killian von Orpheus had already repositioned his face back to its original level, and our eyes met.
Killian von Orpheus looked down at me, frozen like stone, and spoke.
“Your assassination attempt failed, it seems.”
“Well….”
I rolled my eyes in bewilderment before nodding like a defeated general accepting surrender.
“I apologize for the trouble.”
Just as I was lowering my hand with a dejected expression, Killian von Orpheus bent his knees.
Meeting my eyes, he said:
“Go ahead. I’ll let you.”
My eyes widened in surprise.
The shock was brief, but I seized what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and placed the headband on him.
A muscular man with a scarf wrapped around his face like a mummy and cat-ear-shaped headband—what a sight….
“Your Highness, you look just like someone from Leju.”
I clutched my stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
‘Seeing him like this is amusing, but….’
Killian von Orpheus grabbed the scarf wrapped around his face.
As the scarf unwound, his hidden face was revealed.
Hair as black as the night sky, golden eyes that shimmered mysteriously in the moonlight’s reflection.
My laughter stopped at the sight of the flawlessly beautiful man’s face.
Killian von Orpheus, seeing me stare with widened eyes, curved the corners of his eyes upward.
He liked seeing himself reflected in those pink irises. He wanted to keep her gaze fixed on him.
But there was one thing Killian von Orpheus hadn’t anticipated.
The fact that passersby—even men—were captivated by the beauty radiating from him, more powerful than moonlight itself.
The constantly moving crowd came to an abrupt halt, their mouths falling open as they stared at Killian von Orpheus.
‘Oh…!’
Noticing those gazes, I came to my senses and took the scarf from Killian von Orpheus’s hand, wrapping his face again.
No, I needed to wrap it tighter and tighter so he couldn’t arbitrarily unseal it again.
I deftly tied the scarf’s end while muttering to myself.
“They say cats are supernatural creatures, and now I believe it. Far too dangerous.”

* * *

Even though Killian von Orpheus had wrapped the scarf around himself more combatively, becoming a complete mummy, his beauty could not be entirely concealed.
When Artia noticed sharp-eyed women stealing glances at him, she spoke in a serious tone.
“We’ve seen enough of the sights. Shall we find somewhere quieter?”
Killian von Orpheus nodded as if he’d been waiting for this.
He felt the same way about not wanting to show Artia to other men.
The two of them left the crowded Street and headed toward the Back Alley.
Since it was late at night, only a dingy Tavern had its doors open.
While Killian von Orpheus frowned, uncertain whether he should bring her into such a gloomy place, Artia’s eyes sparkled with delight.
“I’ve always wanted to come to a place like this.”
“You wanted to come?”
“Yes, it’s a common trope in romance novels. A noble lady sneaking off to visit a commoner’s tavern!”
A naive, sheltered noble lady ventures to a commoner’s tavern without her parents’ knowledge.
Drunk ruffians ogle the woman as she displays her elegant bearing despite wearing a simple dress borrowed from her maid.
“You’re pretty, miss. Want us to keep you company?”
“D-don’t come any closer, or I won’t forgive you!”
The woman gathered her courage and cried out, but it was utterly useless.
The ruffians snickered and mocked the woman.
“Won’t forgive us, huh? Oh, how terrifying. I’m so scared I almost ran to tell my mother.”
The ruffians laughed mockingly at her threat.
Killian von Orpheus, who had been quietly listening to Artia’s story, furrowed his brow.
“This is just irritating…”
“Wait, hear me out.”
Just as the ruffians reached out toward the woman, a man sitting in the corner of the tavern drew his sword with lightning speed, and the ruffians collapsed with a single cry.
“Who is that man?”
“Who else? A prince on an incognito outing!”
Killian von Orpheus’s lips twisted into a wry smile as he watched Artia’s face light up with anticipation.
“It doesn’t make sense for royalty to be in that exact place at that exact moment…”
Killian von Orpheus closed his mouth before finishing his thought.
All of it had been his doing.
Every encounter with Artia—on the Street, at the Bookstore, at the Cafe, at the Masked Gathering—had never been coincidence.
Killian von Orpheus had sought her out and orchestrated each meeting.
Deciding there was no benefit in dwelling on this story, Killian von Orpheus grasped the shop door handle.
“Come on in, you naive little noble lady.”

Unfortunately(?), nothing remotely like a novel happened to Artia.
It wasn’t that the Tavern lacked customers—a few rough-looking men reeking of alcohol were scattered about. But…
“What… what is that guy?”
A towering figure with a sword at his hip, his face swaddled entirely in a woman’s scarf with only his eyes visible.
That alone would have been grotesque, but the man emanated an unsettling aura that made the blood run cold.
‘A rare specimen of madness! Flee!’
The men, drunk as they were, retained enough survival instinct to scramble out of the Tavern in a panicked rush.
Not sparing Artia so much as a glance.
The incident had unfolded so quietly that Artia, oblivious to what had transpired, was left in shock.
‘So picking a fight with village thugs isn’t something just anyone can do.’
Someone as unremarkable as me could never find herself in such a scene…
Artia found herself newly appreciating the protagonist’s prowess in novels as she settled into the table where Killian von Orpheus had claimed his seat.
The dimly lit corner table, tucked away with only a single faint silhouette visible, felt like a rabbit’s burrow carved into the earth.
‘This is exactly where I’m most comfortable.’
And the fact that Killian von Orpheus’s solid frame blocked the open side only made it all the better.
‘An incredibly strong sentinel, and perfect at that.’

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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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