The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 147

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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 147

Marigold spoke to Count Golzess with a sly smile.
“You acted all impressive earlier, talking about connections and whatnot, but deep down you were banking on His Highness too, weren’t you? You figured that since Killian von Orpheus is so interested in this performance, there’s no way it could fail.”
Count Golzess replied with a stern expression.
“You’re pretty enough that you don’t need to be smart.”
“Hmph, don’t say things you don’t mean. You’re greedy enough to want your wife to excel, yet here you are spouting nonsense.”
Unlike the couple bantering in front of their guest, Artia’s face remained grave.
Artia asked carefully.
“Has His Highness’s reputation suffered because of that incident?”
At her words, both Marigold and Count Golzess widened their eyes.
Then they burst into laughter simultaneously.
Marigold wiped away tears of laughter as she spoke.
“What are you talking about, Artia? That mad prince has no reputation left to lose. He has so many bizarre anecdotes that even if he danced with a sword naked, everyone would just think it’s typical of him.”
…
Why did I feel both reassured and oddly displeased at those words?
‘His Highness isn’t as strange as the rumors suggest!’
I wore an ambiguous expression, neither laughing nor angry.

* * *

That night, Killian von Orpheus came to find Artia.
As he entered through the window, Artia asked him a question.
“Did you enjoy reading the book?”
Killian immediately understood what book she was referring to.
In truth, I hadn’t found the content itself particularly engaging.
A story about a couple in a political marriage bickering and fighting before discovering love—what was there to be interested in?
But I hadn’t forced myself to read something I disliked.
“The narrative structure was quite ingenious. The prose is elegant, and it’s a well-crafted work.”
Compared to Artia, who had wept torrentially and proclaimed it a masterpiece for the ages, his assessment was remarkably restrained.
But the man before me was Killian von Orpheus.
‘For His Highness to say even that much is extraordinary praise.’
At the thought that her beloved work had been recognized, Artia’s lips curved upward so broadly that her cheeks puffed out.
‘She’s transformed into a rabbit who’s just acquired a hundred carrots.’
Killian found this far more captivating than the novel itself. I wanted to see that expression more.
So I asked a question unlike myself.
“What part of that novel did you find so entertaining?”
Killian now knew with certainty.
That this question would definitely captivate her.
Just as I predicted, her pink eyes brightened as though a lamp had been lit.
Artia opened her mouth with an expression of blissful confusion, as though surrounded by countless treasures and unsure which to grasp first.
“When Reinhardt drapes his cloak around Maria as she trembles, the cloak is so enormous that Maria practically disappears into it like a small child. That part was so adorable and thrilling!”
Killian gazed at her intently.
Simply watching her is delightful.
My heart races and my body grows warm.
‘If she draws such reactions from others, her performance will be an extraordinary success.’
After chattering animatedly for some time, Artia came to her senses and pouted slightly.
“I’ve been talking the whole time—it feels unfair. As a fellow reader who enjoyed the same work, please share your thoughts.”
Killian readily obliged her request.
“I found that scene memorable as well.”
Then Killian removed the jacket he was wearing.
‘Wow, even the way he undresses is like a work of art….’
He continued speaking to Artia, who had been left speechless.
“I wondered if there could really be such a difference in build between people of the same gender and age….”
Killian draped his jacket over Artia’s shoulders.
The jacket that had fit him perfectly instantly transformed into an oversized robe. Seeing this, Killian let out a soft laugh.
“It works.”
“….”
His smile was so beautiful that Artia could only stare at him in a daze.
A moment later, her face flushed crimson as though it might burst.
“It’s only because Your Highness is so large!”
His face was so strikingly beautiful and refined that it naturally drew the eye, yet Killian possessed the broad-shouldered frame of a knight.
His muscles were taut and lean, distinctly masculine.
“That’s why I’m not small—it’s just that any woman would look this way standing before you. Oh, but you absolutely cannot do this to anyone else. My heart can’t take the strain… I mean, it’s disrespectful behavior.”
What on earth are you saying, Artia? Please, just stop…
Artia wanted to cry, but Killian felt the opposite.
Watching her fidget and ramble endlessly, wrapped up in his jacket, was far too entertaining.
Killian couldn’t help himself and burst into laughter.

* * *

Only when Artia’s embarrassment had transformed into fury—her expression suggesting she might strike him with a carrot—did Killian finally stop laughing.
To appease her, Killian asked again.
Which other scenes had she enjoyed?
‘If I’d known she would answer so readily when asked again… that’s the correct answer.’
Artia’s eyes sparkled as she opened her mouth.
Still draped in Killian’s oversized jacket.
After mentioning nearly every scene from the novel, the conversation finally ended, and Killian couldn’t return to the Imperial Palace until dawn.
Among all that lengthy discussion, one particular passage remained vivid in his mind.
“Every scene was wonderful, but the best was definitely when Reinhardt gave Maria the Snow Diamond ring after they confirmed their feelings for each other. The ring, passed down through generations, holds Reinhardt’s very heart within it. Giving that ring is the same as giving his entire self. Even now, when I think of that part, tears come to my eyes.”
On Artia’s arm as she spoke hung a bracelet studded with a glittering pink diamond.
It was something Marigold had given her long ago.
Killian retrieved the box he had placed deep within the room.
Inside lay a bracelet set with a vivid pink diamond.
He had commissioned it long ago to give to Artia.
“I won’t accept gifts from men.”
That refusal had prevented him from giving it then.
Killian gazed at the bracelet and murmured in a low voice.
“But she’ll accept one from a friend.”
After all, she permitted much from someone she considered a friend.
Yet one thing bothered him.
The bracelet was a masterpiece, commissioned from the Empire’s finest designer through persuasion—or rather, coercion.
But it lacked the singular specialness of the ring the Northern Grand Duke had given to the woman he loved.
“Should I use magic…?”
A brilliant light began to leak from Killian’s golden eyes.

* * *

Artia handed the paper that Dahlia had given her to Lamb.
“This is…!”
“I added a scene for Shine. What do you think?”
Lamb’s eyes darted rapidly left and right as he devoured the text at incredible speed, then he cried out.
“It’s perfect!”
A wild gleam flickered in his eyes, dark circles etched beneath them like those of a sickly man.
On the spot, Lamb began composing a melody to match the lyrics Dahlia had written, singing as he went.
Mikhail whistled a bright tune and draped his arm across Sandra’s shoulder.
“Normally he looks like a madman with barely any time left to live, but when you see him like this, he’s a genius.”
“Exactly. The gods are fair after all.”
Artia clasped her hands together, her expression brimming with emotion.
‘It’s so much more poignant than when I just read the lyrics. This song will surely move many in the audience to tears.’
After finishing the song, Lamb turned his gaze toward Luka.
“Sing what you just heard, Luka!”
Luka remembered everything he heard even once. He could follow the melody reasonably well too.
But unlike usual, Luka hesitated.
“Luka?”
“…”
Not only Lamb, but Artia, Mikhail, and Sandra all widened their eyes and stared at Luka.
After a long moment, Luka opened his mouth, his face drained of color.
“I’m… I’m sorry. I can’t do 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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