The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 141

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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 141

Madame Tungguel barely restrained herself from spitting out a curse at Artia’s mockery.
‘She’s not saying a word, but her eyes are screaming volumes.’
Artia clicked her tongue inwardly and thrust a document toward Madame Tungguel.
“…?!”
Artia spoke to Madame Tungguel, whose eyes had widened in bewilderment at the sight of the papers.
“From what I’ve heard, you’ve never once paid Luka a proper wage. I could overlook ignorance, but I’m simply not refined enough to let such an unreasonable matter slide.”
Compelling labor without providing fair compensation was an outright illegal act.
Yet while the law was explicit on this point, wage theft was rampant, and those who committed it rarely faced punishment.
But what if the other party was Calvin, renowned as a judge of impeccable integrity?
Artia had met Calvin through Evangeline and Clara, and obtained from him a document bearing the Court’s seal.
“This is an invoice for all the wages Luka failed to receive, calculated and notarized by the Court. You have one week to send this amount to Luka. If you don’t, you’ll face not only the Court’s enforcement action but also a most dreadful public condemnation.”
Artia continued.
“When that happens, it won’t be my name on the front page of the newspapers—it will be yours, branded as a contemptible criminal who exploited a young man without paying him.”
The way she smiled sweetly while threatening was utterly infuriating.
Madame Tungguel’s patience finally shattered.
Aaaahhhhh!
She let out a piercing shriek and collapsed in a heap.
The servants she had brought with her rushed toward her in alarm, but they could only gape helplessly, shuffling their feet without knowing what to do.
‘Pretty to look at, but utterly useless—just like their mistress.’
Artia found it perfectly fitting and exchanged a glance with Bibi.
Bibi approached Madame Tungguel and checked her pulse.
“Pulse and breathing are both normal. She’ll regain consciousness after some rest.”
“How fortunate.”
Artia spoke without sincerity as she regarded Madame Tungguel’s servants.
“Take your mistress and go.”
“Y-yes, at once!”
The servants’ eyes held only fear of the noblewoman who had felled their formidable mistress—not a trace of anger flickered in their gaze.

After four servants struggled away with Madame Tungguel, I opened my mouth.
“Come in, Luka.”
Luka soon appeared.
I deliberately left the Reception Room door slightly ajar as I entered.
Then I instructed Luka to stand before the door.
The reason I gave such a troublesome order was….
“Madame Tungguel, you’re nothing before me, aren’t you?”
To show Luka.
The disparity in power between myself and Madame Tungguel.
Luka stared at me with widened eyes.
Though he had met many women, Madame Tungguel stood out as uniquely terrifying among them.
Her vicious temperament meant she raised her hand at the slightest provocation.
It was not merely toward servants. She did not fear the nobility either.
I had witnessed her crush nobles beneath her heel countless times.
But it was different when she stood before me. In my presence, Madame Tungguel was nothing but a helpless commoner.
That sight was truly….
Luka’s lips curled upward without his awareness.
He caught himself and covered his mouth, but I smiled mischievously as though I had seen everything.
Well then, shall we continue where we left off?
“Before you went to meet Madame Tungguel, you told me you would follow me.”
It was likely an unavoidable choice born of reluctance to approach that ill-tempered beast, but in any case, the matter was decided.
At my gesture, Bibi brought two sheets of paper.
I handed one to Luka.
Seeing his serious expression as he wondered what this could possibly be, I spoke.
“It’s an employment contract.”
In truth, it was exceedingly rare for a noble to hire a servant with a written contract.
The prevailing notion was that a noble took a servant into their service.
A servant was merely to be grateful to the noble who employed them.
But I despised such a relationship.
I provide money, and they provide labor. Only what is promised.
That was my ideal conception of the relationship between employer and employee.
So I had drawn up contracts with all the workers in the Edenberg Mansion. Luka was no exception.
“The employment terms are written there, so read them.”
But Luka’s expression seemed odd.
His ears had flushed red, and he wore an uncomfortable look. Only then did I realize what I had overlooked.
“Can you not read?”
“…Yes.”
Fundamentally, workers employed in a noble’s household could not write, but they could read. Otherwise, they could not perform their duties properly.
So I had naturally assumed Luka would be the same.
I realized I had made a mistake. Yet an apology seemed inappropriate.
I spoke with a casual air, as though the matter were of no consequence.
“Then I’ll read it to you.”
“…Thank you.”
I retrieved the paper before Luka and began reading aloud.
The contents were brief and concise.
“Artia von Edenberg hereby employs Luka. The employment period shall be a minimum of one year, with the possibility of indefinite extension should both parties consent. Compensation shall be paid weekly at ten gold per week.”
“…!”
Luka’s eyes widened.
Ten gold—far too generous a sum for what a servant in Kudran would typically receive.
‘Could she have misspoken the amount?’
Yet I did not correct the figure and continued speaking.
“If you agree to this contract, you must henceforth carry out my instructions faithfully. Can you do that?”
Tension coiled through Luka’s sturdy frame.
‘With such a substantial sum offered, the work cannot be simple.’
Unable to fathom what lay ahead, his dread only deepened.
Yet he dared not refuse.
Submission and obedience had been the only path he had ever known.
“Yes, I will work diligently.”
I gazed down at Luka as he bowed deeply, my lips curving upward.
I wore the expression of a villain who had successfully concluded a sinister bargain.

* * *

Luka had never written a contract before.
Naturally, he had no idea how to sign his name.
“Then let’s use a thumbprint instead.”
Following Artia’s suggestion, the two of them pressed their thumbs into red ink and marked the end of the paper.
It was a ritual that felt both wondrous and terrifying.
That day, Luka was formally introduced to the household staff.
The workers did not look down on Luka for being from Kudran.
Some were surprised by his appearance, certainly, but none showed disdain.
Luka didn’t realize it was because Artia had given them stern instructions beforehand.
He was assigned to a room shared by four servants.
The bed was soft, though a bit short for his frame.
Luka lay beneath the blanket with his feet jutting out, gazing up at the ceiling.
‘What sort of work will I be doing starting tomorrow?’
He sensed it wouldn’t be the kind of labor the previous noblewomen had demanded.
That thought alone brought him some comfort.
That night, Luka slept more deeply than he had since arriving at the mansion.
The next morning, he rose early, washed himself thoroughly, and sat quietly in his room.
Ready to spring to his feet the moment anyone called.
Yet it was nearly midday before Artia summoned him.
Artia smiled as Luka approached, bowing deeply from the waist.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Starting today, you’ll be kept busy without a moment’s rest. Come along now.”
Ordinarily, servants received their orders from other servants.
He couldn’t fathom what sort of work would warrant Artia’s personal instruction.
Luka followed her with a tense expression.
They arrived at an annex building, separate from the main mansion.
A plaque reading “Edenberg Workshop (Temporary)” hung above the door as it swung open….
“Shine!!!!!!!”
Lamb came rushing at Luka with a corpse-like expression on his face.
Had Mikhail, who had been forewarned by Artia, not caught him, Lamb surely would have succeeded in tackling Luka.
“Let me go! I need to get to Shine!”
Yet the sight of him thrashing about while restrained was somehow more terrifying.
Artia instantly regretted bringing Luka here so abruptly.
‘What if Luka becomes frightened?’
Fortunately, Luka showed no sign of fear.
His eyes had widened as though he’d witnessed some curious creature.

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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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