The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 136

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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 136

Shine accepted the pouch with an awkward expression, though he complied without resistance.
Then he glanced at me cautiously.
Watching him, I found myself momentarily speechless.
‘Those amethyst eyes are identical to Shine’s.’
Purple was a rare eye color among the Empire’s citizens.
It was then that I belatedly realized something.
Shine was waiting for my permission to leave.
But I had no intention of letting him go just yet.
“Would you ever consider becoming an actor?”
“I beg your pardon?”
I explained the upcoming performance to Shine, whose eyes had widened at my sudden question.
“Don’t worry if you’ve never acted before. The finest director and actors will help you.”
Sensing Shine’s hesitation, I hurried to add more.
“I’ll give you 500 gold just for signing the contract!”
If nothing else, I had been generous with the actors’ compensation.
Even the established actors already under contract had been moved by treatment they’d never received before.
The power of money was truly remarkable.
Shine’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“500 gold?”
“Yes, and after the performance begins, you’ll receive additional appearance fees every time you take the stage.”
Surely even someone with no interest in acting couldn’t refuse such an offer?
At my confident words, Shine suddenly stood up and prostrated himself on the floor once more, bowing deeply.
“Forgive me, my lady. I cannot accept your proposal.”
Caught off guard by another bow attack (?), I spoke in exasperation.
“Would you sit down and talk to me about this?”
I asked Shine, who had settled onto the edge of the sofa as before.
“Why can’t you accept my proposal? Is performing too burdensome for you?”
“No, my lady. I can do any work you ask of me.”
He meant it sincerely. He was from Kudran, after all.
He was in no position to be selective about work.
“But I currently have another position.”
Shine was a young, healthy man.
It was natural to assume he already had employment.
“Many actors work other jobs while performing on the side. I’ll adjust the rehearsal schedule to fit your free time as much as possible.”
However, Shine shook his head.
“My master wouldn’t permit it. I’m truly sorry.”
Seeing how genuinely distressed he was by having to refuse her offer, I found myself at a loss for words.

* * *

As Shine left the Edenberg Estate, he recalled the last image of me he’d seen.
“If you change your mind anytime, come find me. I’ll be waiting.”
Until the very end, she hadn’t commanded him. Hadn’t grown angry with him.
She’d only smiled with a hint of regret.
He’d found it strange from the moment his grandmother first told him the story.
A noblewoman had helped a Kudran in Kudran Village.
It was as absurd as saying an angel had visited hell and saved a demon.
Still, he could understand that much.
There were the occasional nobles with good intentions, after all.
His grandmother had wanted to express her gratitude to the noblewoman, and Shine had agreed.
If not for her, he would have lost the one and only family he had in this world.
He’d asked the Doctor and learned the name of the woman who had shown such kindness.
Artia, Duchess of Edenberg.
When he heard that name, his shock was immense. It felt almost sacrilegious even to think of it.
Even knowing such a great lady would never meet with a Kudran, he’d made his way to her estate.
He knew the sum was pocket change to her, but he’d wanted to express his gratitude no matter what.
The servant who opened the door frowned at the sight of Shine’s dark skin. It was the reaction he’d expected.
‘If he throws me out, I’ll ask him to deliver my thanks and the money.’
But then something surprising happened.
The servant led him to the Reception Room.
‘What?’
Bewildered, Shine entered the elegantly appointed chamber.
Simply being shown to the Reception Room was already an act of considerable mercy toward a Kudran.
Shine didn’t dare sit on the sofa and instead stood with his hands clasped respectfully before him.
‘When will the lady arrive?’
An hour? Two hours?
He wouldn’t have been surprised if she came tomorrow or a week later.
But contrary to his expectations, Artia entered before he’d even grown bored standing in the room.
She looked exactly as he’d imagined.
Fair-skinned, delicate, and kind.
At a glance, he could tell she was a ‘good’ noblewoman.
He felt reassured.
He thought he could simply offer his thanks and leave without any complications.
But it wasn’t long before he realized that assumption was completely wrong.
Artia introduced herself and asked for his name.
She had accepted the money without hesitation, despite the grime caked upon it.
She had ‘requested’ that he become an actor.
Over the years, Shine had encountered many noblewomen.
Yet everything Artia had displayed in that brief span of time felt utterly unfamiliar.
Had it not been for the brilliant gleam in her eyes, I would have genuinely suspected she suffered from some mental affliction.
Shine emptied the coins from the pouch he had retrieved from Artia onto his palm.
…The coins were pristine.
Artia had taken only the heavily tarnished ones, leaving behind those in good condition.
Yet she had not made a show of it.
It was not an act born from intoxication with her own virtue.
“What on earth was that?”
Shine clenched the coins in his fist, bewilderment etched across his face.
It felt as though he had stepped down from a meticulously choreographed stage.
Everything that had transpired moments before felt equally unreal.

* * *

Edenberg Production Company Temporary Office.
Upon hearing the account from Artia, Lamb struck his chest repeatedly.
“Good heavens, how could you simply let Shine go after we’ve only just found him? You should have grabbed him by the trouser leg to keep him from leaving, threatened him if necessary, and forced him to sign the contract!”
To be honest, Artia had wanted to do exactly that. But….
‘That child treated me with such deference it was almost burdensome.’
Had Artia prevented him from leaving, Shine would have remained in that spot.
With a dark expression, as though he had committed some grave sin.
Artia was nobility, yet she had witnessed the tyranny of the powerful countless times.
She abhorred the notion of one person forcibly crushing another. Thus, she could not press further.
But as days passed without any sign of his return, regret came belatedly.
‘I should have at least learned his name.’
Mikhail, who had been listening to the two of them while munching on a sandwich, spoke.
“A Kudran, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Red hair and violet eyes are common among Kudrans, but one handsome enough to captivate the director at first glance….”
“I wasn’t captivated.”
At Artia’s firm tone, Mikhail quickly corrected himself.
“One handsome enough to seem perfectly suited for the role of Shine is rare indeed.”
Sandra beside him nodded in agreement.
“Beautiful men are scarce.”
“If you know that, treat me better.”
“Your face is passable, but your character is utterly lacking.”
“And I don’t want to hear such things from someone whose only merit is a pretty face.”
The two who had been grumbling fell silent the moment they caught Lamb’s piercing gaze that said, “Shut up and say what you came to say.”
Mikhail spoke again.
“Actually, there is someone who comes to mind.”
Mikhail picked up a pen and began sketching on the paper that lay on the table.
A man’s face with distinct features emerged on the white paper—a face that resembled the man I had seen days ago.
Mikhail asked.
“Is this correct?”
Artia nodded with a look of surprise and asked.
“How did you know?”
“As you know, there are many actors with exceptional looks. Because of that, there are quite a few people around me who ask me to be more charming.”
Sandra nodded with a look of disgust.
“Many indeed, many.”
“The most famous among them is Madam Tinguere.”
At the mention of that name, Sandra made a face of revulsion.
Meanwhile, toward Artia, whose eyes had widened at the unfamiliar name, Mikhail continued.
“These days, there are rumors that she is infatuated with a man from Kudran. I don’t know his name, but I know his nickname.”
Mikhail’s lips moved.
“Madam Tinguere’s Red Dog.”

* * *

Madam Tinguere.
Born into a family of great merchants, she was a commoner who lived more aristocratically than the nobility itself.
She possessed everything.
A grand mansion, glittering jewels, a magnificent rose garden.
And men.

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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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