The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 131

—————
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 131

“…!”
“I’m just saying this to be sure, but I’m not agreeing because Artia is my fan or my friend. This decision comes from wanting to show the world I’ve created to more people.”
Even in the past, when I agonized thousands of times over whether to publish the book after finishing the novel, this singular conviction gave me the courage to move forward.
As if understanding that resolve, Artia answered with confidence.
“Leave it to me. I will bring your world to life brilliantly.”
Dahlia handed over the signed contract and spoke.
“Artia.”
This was the first time she had called Artia by her name at this meeting.
Dahlia spoke to Artia, whose eyes had widened.
“I will accept both the advance payment and the profits you’ve proposed. As you said, this is a business where money meets money. But if the performance doesn’t go well….”
According to the contract, Dahlia stood to lose nothing.
The author’s reputation and the reception of the work might suffer somewhat, but it wouldn’t be catastrophic. However, the same could not be said for Artia.
Not only would her invested capital vanish, but she would face criticism and ridicule beyond what she could even fathom.
Dahlia lacked the power to help her recover from such a situation. But….
“I’ll give you twice the amount I receive from this contract.”
“What?”
For a moment, Artia’s eyes widened as she struggled to comprehend her words.
Dahlia continued calmly.
“I’m giving this to you as a friend, not as a business partner. It seems like that’s the only thing I can do for a friend who’s struggling….”
“….”
“So promise me now. If such a situation arises, you’ll accept the money I give you without saying a word.”
Artia had intended to proceed with the contract coldly, without a shred of emotion.
With the demeanor of a businesswoman as taught by Count Golzess.
But hearing such words, the composed mask she’d been wearing all along crumbled away.
‘Oh, RedLip really does shake my heart too much.’
Artia, clutching the contract to her chest, nodded twice with eyes as red as a rabbit’s.
* * *
With the work contract completed, the next step was to find a director to produce the performance.
Artia sought out the person she had designated as the top priority among many candidates.
Lamb.
The most skilled talent in the Empire.
A member of the Imperial Arts Troupe who created works for the National Theater, which was operated by the state.
However, despite his renown, Lamb appeared utterly devoid of vitality—a frail figure who looked as though he might collapse at any moment.
“What brings you to seek me out…?”
His voice was so quiet and thin that even I felt my spirits flagging.
No, this won’t do.
I sharpened my focus and recalled the information I’d gathered about Lamb.
「 A descendant of a fallen noble house of the Empire.
At fifteen, he went to Leju alone and learned about performance from the ground up, debuting as a director.
He gained fame as a young genius by producing groundbreaking performances one after another.
However, at twenty-three, he returned to the Empire due to his mother’s declining health.
After that, he joined the Imperial Arts Troupe to earn money for his mother’s medical expenses, taking the position of youngest director and earning recognition from the Imperial Court and nobility through his polished works.
Yet whenever he drinks with close colleagues, he says things like ‘I’m tired of performances where the Emperor is the greatest. I want to create works that drive the masses to madness again!’ showing considerable dissatisfaction with his current situation.
However, with his ailing mother, he cannot return to Leju, and there is no place in the Empire that pays as well as the Imperial Arts Troupe, so he cannot resign.
He yearns desperately for an opportunity to change this dreary reality. 」
I’ll give you that opportunity, Lambrado von Berto!
I thrust the documents forward with confidence.
Lamb exhaled a long sigh but began reading the documents as if he lacked even the energy to refuse.
Moments later, color returned to his gaunt face like water poured onto a dried twig, and his eyes—which had seemed like those of a man with little time left—blazed with fervent intensity.
“You’re saying you’ll create a work not about how great the founding Emperor was, not about how noble the bloodline of the Imperial Family is, but about the passionate love story of the cold Northern Grand Duke?!”
“Yes, I want to create a captivating performance that would make even the most aloof nobles lose their composure and gape in wonder. And the only director in this Empire capable of such a feat is you, Lamb.”
I delivered these honeyed words with theatrical flair, extending my hand.
“Will you work with me?”
I added something I absolutely could not forget.
“I’ll pay you 30% more than what you currently earn from the Imperial Arts Troupe.”
“I’m in!!!!!”
Lamb answered in a voice so thunderous I had to cover my ears.
As if he’d been waiting for this very moment.
He quit the Imperial Arts Troupe that very day.
* * *
While Lamb adapted the novel for performance, I did my work as production company representative.
I purchased a building using funds I’d raised by liquidating the assets of House of Edenberg.
Evangeline, standing before the building that exuded a distinctly ominous atmosphere, furrowed her brow.
“How reckless—buying something so sinister.”
“But it was cheap. Less than half the price of nearby buildings.”
The low price was due to the frightening legend attached to this place.
A hundred years ago, Count Montecro, who lived in this mansion, could not bear the grief of losing his beloved wife and took his own life.
Since then, rumors have persisted to this day that the ghost of Count Montecro appears, calling out his wife’s name in anguish.
Unlike the worried Evangeline, I smiled as I spoke.
“That story—it’s actually quite romantic if you focus on it rather than the ghost aspect, don’t you think?”
“What?”
I continued speaking to Evangeline, who was frowning.
“And if you set aside the rumors, the building is quite sturdy and beautiful. It’s only become ominous from lack of maintenance over the years.”
“Still, converting a place like this into a performance hall worries me. What if people avoid it because they think it’s unlucky?”
“That’s not it at all. The real reason people don’t come here isn’t fear—it’s simply that there’s no compelling reason for them to visit.”
But what if that dilapidated old mansion, shrouded in sinister rumors for so long, were transformed into a magnificent performance hall?
“Everyone would want to come and see it for themselves. And they’d witness performances unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.”
This place would become a landmark of the Convent.
I whispered into Evangeline’s ear.
“And this is just between us, but it’s also a contingency plan in case the performances don’t go well. Even if the shows fail spectacularly, the building itself will remain. Since I acquired it so cheaply, accounting for renovation costs, it won’t be difficult to turn a profit when I resell it.”
Only then did the worry fade from Evangeline’s face.
“Quite the businesswoman’s strategy, I see.”
* * *
My prediction proved accurate.
News that I had purchased the long-neglected Montecro Mansion sent shockwaves through High Society.
“Why on earth would she buy that cursed building?”
“I heard from someone that she plans to renovate the mansion and convert it into a performance hall.”
“A performance hall?”
“Yes, you know how the House of Edenberg recently underwent a major restructuring and liquidated most of their business ventures? Well, apparently the Duchess of Edenberg has decided to launch a performance business instead.”
The nobility was astonished.
“A woman running a business? And not even in textiles or jewelry, but in performance arts?”
The former was at least comprehensible. While rare, there were noblewoman who did operate their own enterprises.
But the latter was difficult to fathom.
“A performance business? Why would a noblewoman involve herself in such a thing?”

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