The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 130

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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 130

Among memories as hazy as fog, only the moment when I kissed Killian von Orpheus remained vivid and crystalline.
What was absurd was that even as tears threatened to spill from sheer embarrassment and confusion, I harbored not a shred of regret.
“It was so wonderful…”
At the thought of that soft, burning touch, goosebumps rippled down my spine.
“Let’s continue.”
The moment I recalled having said those words, I shrieked again—”Aaahhhhh!”—and pummeled the innocent pillow with my fists.
My face flushed so intensely it seemed ready to burst as I muttered to myself.
“How am I supposed to face His Highness now…”
Only after Bibi brought me a cup of mint tea and I drank it did I finally regain my composure.
Bibi then extended a small note toward me.
“It was wedged in the door frame.”
I tilted my head curiously and unfolded the paper.
To my surprise, it was a letter written by Killian von Orpheus.
「 I’m leaving first. 」
Just four words—that was all.
I understood then.
The very fact that this arrogant, willful prince had left such a note meant he cared for me deeply. And yet…
“I wanted us to return together…”
The words tumbled out with a wistfulness that even I found surprising.
Sensing Bibi’s gaze fixed intently upon me, I quickly offered an excuse.
“I only meant that since we came together, it would have been nice to leave together. Nothing more than that.”
“Yes.”
Bibi’s brief reply only made the heat in my face intensify.
Knowing that further protest would only make me look more suspicious, I chose to sip my tea in silence.
‘It’s probably for the best that I didn’t have to face His Highness. I didn’t come here to play, after all. I need to focus and attend to my duties.’
I remained in Leju for several days as planned, enjoying various performances before returning to the Empire.
Afterward, I shut myself in my chamber, reading and writing extensively, wrestling with my thoughts.
Days later, my pink eyes gleamed brilliantly above the dark circles that sleeplessness had carved beneath them.
“Let’s do this.”
After emerging from my chamber for the first time in ages and dressing properly, I sought out Evangeline.
After carefully reading through the documents I had brought, Evangeline spoke.
“Since my marriage, I’ve only managed household affairs for the family—I know nothing of business. Yet even I, who understands little, find this quite intriguing.”
Next, I visited Count Golzess.
Reading through the documents with astonishing speed from beginning to end, his eyes gleamed as if he had discovered a Diamond Mine, and he spoke.
“Would it be possible for me to invest?”
Artia broke into a radiant smile at the better-than-expected response.
“I appreciate the offer, but since I’m starting fresh after settling all of House of Edenberg’s affairs, I intend to proceed using only the family’s assets.”
“That’s a shame.”
Count Golzess shrugged his massive shoulders but refrained from mentioning investment again. Instead, he offered advice while marking several points on the documents.
Artia, whose papers were now densely covered with notes, bowed respectfully.
“Thank you so much, Master!”
A duchess calling a count her master—how peculiar.
Count Golzess found this odd epithet quite to his liking. He smiled with amusement and spoke.
“If you have any more questions, come find me, my student.”
“Yes!”
I had gathered opinions and made refinements.
Now all that remained was to transform the written plans into action.
* * *
Dahlia headed to the Publishing House after a long absence.
She avoided visiting unless delivering manuscripts, to keep her identity as author RedLip hidden—but this time, she came because of a letter sent by Dan, the Publishing House owner.
「Author, I have urgent matters regarding your work to discuss with you.」
What could it be? Surely the Publishing House hadn’t gone bankrupt?
Dahlia’s mind raced with countless possibilities as she pushed open the worn door. Her eyes widened immediately.
Dan and Artia sat in a room thick with the scent of paper and ink.
Dahlia made no attempt to hide her shock as she asked.
“Artia, what brings you here?”
Artia was the only person who knew Dahlia was RedLip.
Yet Artia never spoke of RedLip unless Dahlia was drunk and rambling nonsense.
So Dahlia couldn’t even begin to guess why Artia would be sitting here.
Artia rose and bowed formally.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Author RedLip. I have a proposal regarding your work, so I asked the Publishing House to arrange this meeting.”
Artia’s demeanor was entirely different from usual.
No longer wearing that innocent, girlish smile, she presented herself as a composed, mature woman as she handed Dahlia a stack of crisp papers.
“Would it be alright if I explained while you review the documents?”
Unable to comprehend what was happening, Dahlia listened to Artia’s words with an expression of disbelief.
“You want to produce ‘The Burning Heart of the Northern Grand Duke’ as a performance and stage it?”
“Yes. A well-produced performance has far greater impact than a book. We can expect substantially higher profits as well.”
But Dahlia couldn’t bring herself to nod in agreement.
The Empire was an extraordinarily conservative nation. The arts were no exception.
The Empire’s performance culture had developed around the Imperial Palace, primarily featuring works based on imperial history and mythology.
In such an atmosphere, staging a story like ‘The Burning Heart of the Northern Grand Duke’ would mean….
Dahlia spoke with a hardened expression.
“It will face tremendous criticism the moment it’s staged.”
Artia did not deny those words.
“That’s right. And the cheers will far outweigh any criticism. Just as they did with RedLip’s novels.”
When RedLip’s first novel appeared, noblewomen denounced it as vulgar while desperately seeking copies they couldn’t obtain. Finding a book was like plucking a star from the sky.
And now, with her fifth work released….
“The noblewomen no longer hide their fondness for your works.”
There were those who clicked their tongues at such women, wondering if they felt no shame, but the criticism was far less absolute than it had been before.
RedLip’s works had gained recognition in society to that extent.
“RedLip’s works are sultry yet stir the human heart. They’re not merely sensational—they move those who witness them. If we create a performance that properly realizes such qualities, it could surely shake the entire Empire.”
These were not idle words. Nor were they flattery.
Artia’s voice carried a powerful conviction.
Dahlia, who had been secretly writing novels since childhood, had never received such a look before.
Dahlia asked in a trembling voice.
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes, sincerely. That’s why I chose your work as the debut production for the Edenberg Production Company.”
Dahlia recalled words she had heard from Marigold.
“It seems Artia is starting a business. Not the sort of hobby a noblewoman dabbles in, but a proper main enterprise for the House. For someone with such an innocent face, she’s quite reckless.”
‘I never dreamed that business would involve me….’
Artia spoke to Dahlia, who still couldn’t believe any of this.
“To reiterate, as a business venture, there is nothing for you to bear separately. You need only grant the rights to produce your work as a performance; the Edenberg Production Company assumes all business risk.”
Artia presented another document she had prepared to Dahlia.
“You need only review the contract terms and consider whether to proceed with the agreement.”
Dahlia’s eyes grew wider as she read the document.
“You’re offering such a substantial advance?”
Moreover, the document stipulated that a portion of the performance’s profits would be paid to the original author.
Artia spoke.
“I mention this to prevent any misunderstanding—these terms are not offered because I’m a fan or a friend. As a businesswoman, I’ve assessed that your work possesses this value. I would very much like you to join us.”
Dan, who had been listening quietly, supported Artia.
“Author, this is an extraordinary opportunity. If the performance succeeds and your work becomes even more famous, you’ll be sitting on a fortune far greater than now. There’s no reason not to do this!”
Yet Dahlia could not nod readily.
‘What if the performance becomes such a success that my identity is revealed? What then?’
She was afraid.
Afraid that the world would discover she was the author of novels condemned as vulgar.
Dahlia lowered her eyes and fell into thought.
Dan fidgeted, worried she might refuse the contract, but Artia waited quietly for Dahlia’s answer.
After a long moment, Dahlia slowly opened her mouth.
“I’ll sign the contract.”

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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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