The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 14

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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 14

Since the day Lirika burst into the Banquet Hall, Lloyd had not properly faced her once.
Seeing Lirika after so long, her eyes were swollen from crying, yet she remained endearing.
The full curves of her chest, contrasting with her youthful face, were still there.
Without thinking, Lirika rushed toward Lloyd, whose gaze had been captured by her prominent bosom.
Clinging tightly to Lloyd, Lirika spoke with childlike sobs.
“I-I’m sorry, Your Grace. Lirika made a mistake because she loves you so much.”
“….”
“I won’t say things like wanting to become Your Grace’s wife again. I’ll stay quietly in the estate. Please forgive Lirika.”
Her whimpering voice, like that of a child, was pitiful.
Lloyd stroked Lirika’s coarse periwinkle hair and spoke.
“Leave, little bird. Go far away from the Convent.”
“…!”
Lirika’s large eyes widened further as she shook her head vigorously.
“I don’t want to, I don’t. Lirika will be with Your Grace forever!”
At Lirika’s stubborn words—so different from her usual docile nods—Lloyd’s face contorted.
Lloyd grasped Lirika’s delicate shoulders with both hands and shouted.
“Do you think my heart is at ease? I suffer too from parting with you! But what else can I do!”
If he left Lirika in the estate like this, the rumors would only grow.
That the Duke of Edenberg was besotted with a commoner mistress and sought to kill his wife—such vile gossip.
Lloyd wanted no part of such a situation.
“I’m not asking you to leave forever. Once those who speak loudly fall silent, I’ll call for you again. So stay quiet until then.”
Lloyd’s eyes gleamed with an arrogant and menacing aura—a warning that he would not tolerate disobedience.
Tears fell from beneath Lirika’s large eyes.
“I love you.”
“….”
“I love you, Your Grace. Please don’t abandon Lirika. Please….”
Lloyd loved Lirika too.
But not enough to risk his own security.
Lloyd raised his hand.
At that, the Maids dragged Lirika away.
“Your Grace! Your Grace!”
Lirika’s sharp screams filled the estate.
Not long after, her presence vanished completely from the estate.

* * *

Elma entered Artia’s chamber with a delighted expression.
“Lirika has been cast out of the estate!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, the maids acting on the Duke’s orders have taken her to a remote village far from the Convent.”
Despite Elma’s animated chatter, I calmly crunched on the carrot stick she had brought, my expression serene.
‘From the beginning, what I truly desired was to see Lloyd squirm like gelatin between my teeth. What became of Lirika was of no consequence to me.’
Of course, it was welcome news.
I would no longer have to endure the sight of that pair of cockroaches whose very presence made my stomach churn.
‘More importantly, expelling the fledgling who clung to Lloyd as though separation meant death—this only amplified the accusations against him.’
It was undoubtedly thanks to Penelope.
Penelope and I were not close, but we were the same age and had crossed paths frequently since childhood.
While I had always huddled alone in the corners, Penelope’s presence commanded a bustling circle of admirers.
‘Despite her house’s modest standing, so many adored her.’
And with reason.
Unlike other noble girls who measured every gesture with meticulous caution, Penelope burned with candid brilliance and vitality.
‘Penelope held no particular interest in me, yet she never dismissed me either. When other children treated me with cruelty, she would occasionally speak against it.’
So I sent her a letter.
I wagered she would act from a sense of kinship—both bearing unfaithful husbands—and from pity toward me.
As anticipated, Penelope championed my cause with unmatched fervor, and the condemnation of Lloyd intensified accordingly.
‘But now that Lirika has departed, people’s interest will wane. My own prominence will fade naturally as well.’
That would be problematic.
I had to sustain this momentum and drag Lloyd’s reputation into the depths.
To such sordid depths that even the fastidious Emperor would have no choice but to grant the divorce.
I sent Elma to Penelope once more.

* * *

Unlike before, when she had merely received letters and sent them back, Penelope now welcomed Elma with genuine warmth.
“Do come in.”
The fact that Artia had sought help from her alone filled Penelope with an unprecedented sense of intimacy toward her.
“How is the lady? She is alive, isn’t she?”
Elma’s spirits soared at the noblewoman’s fervent concern, yet she concealed her delight beneath a melancholic expression.
“She lives, madam. But her condition is poor. She remains confined to her chamber, so there is little to be done.”
“How dreadful….”
Penelope longed to seize a riding crop that very moment and storm into the Edenberg Mansion, to wrench Artia from her chamber and set her free.
Yet reality dictated she would not even locate the room where Artia was held before being cast out.
‘She sent even her maid to confide in me her suffering, and yet there is nothing I can do….’
Elma pressed a letter into Penelope’s hand as she bit her lip in frustration.
“My lady instructed me to deliver this to you, madam.”
Penelope tore open the envelope and read the letter through.
Her hand flew to her mouth as shock rendered her momentarily speechless.

* * *

Upon returning from Penelope’s Estate, Elma spoke to Artia with an ingratiating smile.
“Madam Penelope was deeply concerned for you.”
“Was she?”
“Indeed. She worried that confinement to your chamber might damage your health, and has sent a gift.”
Elma extended the box she had brought back from Penelope.
Artia suspected Elma had pocketed a few items for herself, but she said nothing and opened the lid.
The box overflowed with medicinal herbs and delicate confections.
‘I thought she would become my ally, but I never imagined she would care for me to this extent.’
My heart ached.
As I carefully examined the box, Elma spoke.
“Madam Penelope says she will do everything in her power to help you, so please set your mind at ease and live in comfort.”
The corners of my mouth lifted in a tender smile—the first affectionate smile I had worn since being confined to this chamber.

* * *

Several days later, Penelope found herself seated among a gathering of distinguished older women, their hair touched with silver.
The Elderly Noblewoman, her white locks elegantly pinned upward, spoke first.
“We’re grateful for the invitation, but I confess my concern—surely a young woman finds our company rather tedious?”
“Not at all. This is an honor to learn from your wisdom, madam. Thank you for gracing this tea party with your presence.”
At Penelope’s gracious reply, the Elderly Noblewoman smiled approvingly and continued.
“Since you speak so thoughtfully, might I offer a word of counsel?”
“Of course. Please, do speak.”
“I’ve heard you’ve been sharing rather intriguing tales with the younger ladies of society—for instance, that the Duke of Edenberg has confined his wife to her chamber.”
Penelope answered with unwavering confidence.
“Indeed. I even visited the Edenberke Estate to verify it myself.”
“Whether it’s truth or falsehood matters little. Meddling in another family’s affairs is unseemly, and it serves you no purpose whatsoever. Especially when that family is House of Edenberg.”
It was counsel to guard her tongue lest Lloyd seek retaliation.
Yet Penelope had no intention of heeding such warnings.
‘As if I’d concern myself with the feelings of a man who indulges in affairs and then locks his wife away.’
Penelope’s eyes narrowed with determination.
“I appreciate your concern, truly. But as a woman, I cannot stand idle while another suffers such cruelty at her husband’s hands. The Duchess must have endured unbearable torment to petition the Imperial Court for a divorce.”
The Elderly Noblewoman, abandoning all decorum, sputtered and sprayed her tea in shock.
Another noblewoman dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, her voice trembling. “Did you just say… divorce?”
She spoke as though uttering a forbidden word that should never cross one’s lips.
“Yes. A formal petition for divorce has been filed and is currently under review by His Imperial Majesty.”
“Yes, a formal divorce petition has been filed, and His Imperial Majesty is currently reviewing it.”

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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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