The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 15

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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 15

Even the Elderly Noblewomen, who never lost their composure regardless of circumstance, could not hide their bewilderment.
A divorce petition—something taboo among the nobility.
And the woman who had filed it was none other than a lady of the venerable House of Edenberg.
It was all far too shocking.
One Elderly Noblewoman furrowed her brow and spoke.
“The Duchess of Edenberg has acted rashly.”
The other women clicked their tongues and nodded in agreement.
“Indeed. How disgraceful for a woman to seek divorce….”
“They lived well together for three years. Why would she suddenly make such a choice?”
“It must be because of the Duke of Edenberg’s mistress, who has caused such a stir lately.”
“If that were the reason, it would make even less sense. The scandal was so great that the Duke sent his mistress far away. Besides, which high-ranking nobleman doesn’t keep at least one concubine….”
Penelope’s fist clenched beneath the table.
‘Just as the Duchess of Edenberg said.’
The letter Artia had sent contained these words:

「 Thank you for understanding my situation and being angry on my behalf.
But there are not many people like you, Penelope.
Nobility is lenient toward men’s failings, yet demands strict endurance from women. 」

Using Lirika to damage Lloyd’s reputation had its limits.
Even more so now that she had left.
So I decided to play another card.
In my place, confined to this room, Penelope took on the role of throwing that card.
Penelope asked with an innocent expression.
“I’m curious about something. What if His Majesty approves the divorce…?”
The Elderly Noblewoman cut her off sharply.
“His Majesty would never approve a divorce over a mere woman.”
Though Penelope bristled at the woman’s condescending tone—as if addressing a foolish child—she swallowed her displeasure and continued.
“Still. What if, by some chance, His Majesty does approve the divorce? What happens to the Edenberg Duchy title then?”
“…!”
In that instant, the women who had been chattering loudly fell silent as one.
The Empire did not permit the succession of titles through women.
So if I separated from Lloyd, the ducal title would become vacant. And according to the Former Duke of Edenberg’s will, the title could only be inherited by my husband or son.
Which meant that whoever remarried me would become the new Duke of Edenberg!

「 People care little whether Lloyd keeps a mistress or whether I suffer at my husband’s hands.
But when something worth coveting is dangled before them, their thoughts change entirely. 」

The women Penelope had invited shared one thing in common.
They were all eligible for immediate marriage and had sons who could not inherit their family’s titles.
Now that their calculations were complete, they were no longer graceful and gentle noblewomen.
They were beasts who had discovered unexpected prey.
Penelope swallowed hard as she watched the hunger kindle in their eyes.

* * *

Artia had been criticized for falling short in every regard—her appearance, her bearing, her character.
On top of that, she was not even chaste.
Yet despite all this, Artia remained the most desirable bride in the Empire.
Any man who married Artia would become the Duke of Edenberg.
Though Edenberg’s influence had waned from its former glory, the ducal title remained a noble and honorable position.
Many nobles coveted that seat.
‘First, I must make the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Edenberg succeed. By any means necessary.’
The eyes of those blinded by ambition turned toward Lloyd.
‘If I destroy the Duke of Edenberg’s reputation beyond repair, His Majesty the Emperor will have no choice but to approve the divorce.’
The nobles rushed to uncover scandals and misconduct involving Lloyd.
Before long, numerous accusations came pouring out.
“The Duke of Edenberg borrowed money from me dozens of times. He said he needed it for the gambling house. He hasn’t repaid a single coin, and I’m going mad over it.”
“Everyone knows the Duke of Edenberg accepts bribes and pushes certain individuals into positions of power.”
“The Duke of Edenberg forcibly seized my business, claiming he wanted to start a jewelry venture for his concubine. He threatened to ruin me completely and leave me with nothing if I didn’t hand it over quietly. Even back-alley thugs wouldn’t stoop so low.”
Lloyd was actually quite ordinary as far as nobles went.
In other words, he was an immoral and incompetent nobleman who indulged in entertainment and accepted bribes—nothing more.
But when these facts were gathered and inflated to their maximum, Lloyd became one of the most vicious, petty, and cunning villains in the Empire’s history.
Even those who had previously shown no interest in Artia began to frown.
“How could a man of ducal rank do such things…?”
Artia seized the moment and revealed the story she had been keeping hidden.
One nobleman spoke with a pale face.
“It is said that the Duke of Edenberg forced his wife to take contraceptive medicine.”
The nobles were seized with shock.
“Is that truly the case?”
“Yes, one of the maids working in the ducal house came forward in secret. She asked for help for the poor lady.”
“Whatever could have driven him to commit such a terrible act?”
“The Former Duke of Edenberg announced it officially on the wedding day, did he not? That he would pass the ducal title to the child born of Artia.”
The Former Duke of Edenberg had wanted his own bloodline to inherit the dukedom.
It was a blatant dismissal of his son-in-law, but Lloyd, who had only recently risen from being the fourth son of a humble viscount’s house to becoming a member of the ducal family, nodded without complaint.
However, only a few months after the marriage, the Duke died in an accident, and Lloyd inherited the ducal title.
“Could it be that he forced his wife to take contraceptives because he didn’t want to lose the ducal title he had so fortunately obtained to his own child?”
“Given what we now know of the Duke of Edenberg’s character, it’s certainly plausible.”
Bloodline was sacred ground that no noble dared touch.
The nobles felt an unprecedented fury and revulsion.
“The divorce must absolutely be granted! For the sake of the ancient House of Edenberg and the pitiful Duchess!”

* * *

Killian, standing at the edge of the Banquet Hall, brought a wine glass to his lips.
He despised entangling himself with people, yet he still attended the minimum required gatherings.
No matter how much he was the Emperor’s most trusted prince, power could not be maintained while sitting comfortably deep within the Imperial Palace.
He had to build intimate relationships with the nobility and read the shifting currents around him.
Yet recently, he had been discovering an unprecedented amusement at these banquets.
“Status doesn’t matter. The Duke and I love each other sincerely.”
It began when a woman—the Duke of Edenberg’s mistress—appeared and stirred up the Banquet Hall.
After that day, whenever the nobility gathered, they spoke of nothing but the Duke of Edenberg.
At first, they whispered cautiously, watching Lloyd’s expression, but now some dared to proclaim it openly before everyone.
“The divorce must be approved!”
In high society, where people were so guarded that even the slightest unusual behavior might expose a weakness, such an atmosphere was unprecedented.
People believed all of this stemmed from Lloyd’s actions, which were unbecoming of the Duke of Edenberg’s name.
But Killian knew the truth.
‘The one who orchestrated this game is Artia von Edenberg.’
The fact that a small woman—nicknamed the “burrowing rabbit” for trembling in her room—had orchestrated such an affair piqued his interest.
Nocton also spoke with an amused expression.
“At this rate, His Majesty might actually approve the divorce.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. No matter how opposed to divorce His Majesty is, public opinion has become so turbulent that he cannot help but be concerned. The Duchess of Edenberg’s confinement to her room has borne fruit.”
One of Killian’s eyebrows rose slightly.
“What did you just say?”
“No matter how opposed to divorce His Majesty is, if public opinion becomes this turbulent….”
“No, not that part.”
“The Duchess of Edenberg’s confinement to her room has borne fruit?”
A hairline fracture appeared in Killian’s otherwise perfect composure.
“Artia von Edenberg is confined to her room?”
“…Yes.”

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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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