The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 154

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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 154

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Artia emerged from her chamber in her nightgown.
The moment the carriage came to a halt, she leaped down, and her eyes widened in shock.
The building that had gleamed with such magnificent beauty mere hours ago was now engulfed in brilliant crimson flames.
“This… what on earth is this…!”
Artia barely clung to her composure as she turned to Bibi.
“Did you report this to the Fire Department?”
“Yes. But they’ll need time to arrive with the water carts.”
I couldn’t simply wait until then.
Artia’s voice rang out sharply.
“Bibi, find a water source nearby. Have the workers form a line and extinguish the flames.”
The servants who had come from the mansion began hauling water at Bibi’s command.
And Artia was among them.
I lifted a weight I could never ordinarily bear, gritting my teeth.
‘It’s fine. If I extinguish it quickly enough, tomorrow’s performance can proceed without issue!’
Even as sparks singed my face and my arms trembled at their limit, I didn’t stop.
Yet the flames showed no sign of subsiding, as if mocking my efforts.
Bibi, covered in black ash, spoke.
“My lady, no matter how much water we pour, the fire won’t go out.”
“What do you mean?”
“This isn’t a natural fire. It appears someone deliberately set it using a special method. It seems impossible to extinguish through ordinary means.”
Artia’s breath caught in her throat.
The revelation that it would be difficult to extinguish struck harder than learning it was deliberately set.
‘No, don’t stop. Think. Move, Artia!’
But nothing came to mind.
Had the building consumed by flames not been the Performance Hall I’d labored over for months, I might have judged the situation with cold clarity.
But as the structure blackened and crumbled, my reason crumbled with it.
It was then that a single transparent tear rolled down Artia’s cheek as despair consumed her.
“Artia von Edenberg.”
At the familiar voice, Artia slowly turned her head.
Killian von Orpheus stood beneath the dark night sky.
There was no room for curiosity about why or how he was here.
Artia’s voice cracked as she cried out.
“Please, Your Highness!”
Killian von Orpheus nodded toward me, tears streaming down my soot-stained face.
“Yes.”
After that brief reply, he began advancing toward the building.
Seeing this, I suddenly came to my senses.
‘What am I even saying right now…!’
I reached out toward Killian von Orpheus.
“Your Highness, it’s dangerous…”
I couldn’t finish my words.
His golden eyes shimmered, and a dazzling light began to emanate from his body.
He raised his hand.
Enormous golden particles gathered in his palm, scattering like pollen as they began to envelop the massive, roaring inferno in scorching brilliance.
Then the flames that wouldn’t die even when dozens poured water on them began to fade like a lie.
“…!”
Not just I, but everyone around us stood transfixed by the miraculous sight.
In an instant, the flames vanished without a trace.
Killian von Orpheus turned back.
With his eyes still radiant with brilliant light, he gazed at me and spoke.
“It’s all out. So…”
His large hand gently caressed my cheek.
“Don’t cry.”
With those words, his eyes closed and his sturdy frame swayed.
In alarm, I spread my arms wide and pulled him into a tight embrace.
My slender arms trembled, but I never let him go.

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Imperial Palace Banquet Hall.
Before ten-year-old Killian von Orpheus, whose cheeks were round and full, stood Artia, a hand’s breadth shorter than him.
“Artia von Edenberg.”
As Artia lifted her head, Killian von Orpheus was reflected in her large pink eyes.
Artia showed no fear of Killian von Orpheus and smiled shyly.
The two sat side by side at a round table.
On the table lay an orange dessert made from carrots.
Artia took a bite of the carrot cake and wore a blissful expression.
“The Imperial Palace frightens me and I dislike it, but every time I come, they serve this carrot dessert, and I love it.”
Killian von Orpheus wore a smug expression.
“I know. That’s why I had the Maids make it. Eat plenty.”
Cherry blossoms swirled as the scene shifted.
To a secluded corner of the Imperial Palace Garden.
Young Artia buried her face in her knees, weeping.
As young Killian von Orpheus approached, Artia slowly lifted her head.
Seeing her pink eyes wet with tears, Killian von Orpheus offered her a handkerchief.
“Don’t cry.”
Cherry blossoms swirled again as the scene shifted.
This time to the glittering Ballroom of the Imperial Palace.
Artia standing beneath the bright chandelier was no longer a round-cheeked little lady.
She was a beautiful eighteen-year-old woman.
Toward Artia in her pink gown, Killian von Orpheus extended his hand with courtesy.
“Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
Artia’s eyes widened, her face flushed, and she nodded.
The two clasped hands and moved their bodies to the rhythm of the music.
The sweet fragrance emanating from her made Killian von Orpheus’s mind reel.
His heart pounded fiercely at the sight of her pale, slender neck and exposed shoulders.
As the dance drew to a close, Killian von Orpheus spoke.
“You look truly beautiful tonight.”
Cherry blossoms scattered once more.
Twenty-year-old Killian von Orpheus was on the Battlefield.
A place reeking of blood daily was dangerous and uncomfortable, yet far more bearable than being in the Imperial Palace.
Here, I could escape the Emperor’s pressure, the Empress’s resentment, and Arsen’s sorrow.
After completing a battle, Killian von Orpheus entered the Military Camp in blood-stained armor and sat down.
Nocton von Alihas reported news from the Convent to Killian von Orpheus, who drank strong liquor like water.
“Artia von Edenberg will hold her wedding with Lloyd von Rainer in a fortnight, it seems.”
I knew Artia had a man she favored.
Even if that weren’t the case, she was of age for a noblewoman to marry.
It was entirely foreseeable.
Yet my chest roiled and churned.
The feelings for Artia that he thought he had severed on the way to the Battlefield surged back to life.
‘Endure it, Killian von Orpheus.’
Suppress it as you were taught since childhood.
One day passed, then two. Hours bled into one another.
Killian von Orpheus fought desperately to maintain control.
But the night before Artia’s wedding, his golden eyes blazed with intensity.
He could no longer bear it.
No—he did not wish to bear it.
In the darkness of night, Killian von Orpheus transformed into a black panther and bolted forward with lightning speed.
He could not afford to think of tomorrow’s battle.
His mind held only one thought: Artia von Edenberg.
After a full day of relentless running, he arrived at the Imperial Palace.
“A monster! A monster!”
People screamed in terror at the sight of the black panther, far larger than any natural beast.
The panther tore through the panicked crowd and burst into the Grand Chapel.
At the end of the long aisle, Artia stood in a white wedding dress.
The black panther raced up the aisle toward her.
“Ahhhhh!”
Lloyd, standing beside Artia, shrieked and fled in terror.
Left alone, Artia trembled with shock, too paralyzed to even think of escape.
But then her frozen eyes widened.
Just before reaching her, the massive black panther transformed into Killian von Orpheus.
Killian von Orpheus knelt before Artia.
Looking up at her, he spoke.
“Don’t marry another man.”
His voice was desperate, almost heartbreaking in its intensity.
…It was all a dream of Killian von Orpheus’s.
A longing buried deep within his heart, hidden from everyone—even from himself.

Killian von Orpheus returned to consciousness, his eyes opening slowly.
Artia came into view.
Her hair was disheveled, and her pale face was smudged with dark ash.
Artia cried out, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.
“You’re awake, Your Majesty?!”
“….”
“The Doctor said your condition wasn’t critical, but you wouldn’t regain consciousness—I was so frightened I can’t even tell you.”
Artia let loose the tears she had been holding back, her shoulders trembling with sobs.
Killian von Orpheus’s low voice resonated toward Artia, who wept like a child.
“Artia von Edenberg.”
As she lifted her head, Killian von Orpheus was reflected in her rose-pink eyes.
Feeling a thrilling joy at the sight, he continued.
“I love you.”
It was a truth he could not speak even in dreams.

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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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