The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 155

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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 155

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I love you.
Killian von Orpheus uttered those words before consciousness slipped away from him once more.
The Doctor, who came rushing at Artia’s alarmed summons, examined Killian von Orpheus and then spoke.
“Both his body temperature and pulse are normal. It appears he has fallen into a deep sleep due to extreme exhaustion.”
True to his words, Killian von Orpheus’s sleeping form looked remarkably peaceful.
While Artia felt reassured by this sight, she simultaneously wanted to shake him awake and scream.
‘How dare you turn my heart inside out and then simply fall asleep!’
My heart hammered violently, and every vein in my body seemed to thrash about.
I couldn’t calm down at all.
More so than when the Performance Hall burned.
As I clasped my trembling hands together, Nocton von Alihas entered the chamber.
“Your Highness!”
Before Nocton von Alihas could conjure some terrible imagining upon seeing Killian von Orpheus with his eyes closed, Artia quickly spoke.
“There’s nothing wrong. He’s simply asleep!”
“Ah… I see. Then he should wake soon.”
Was it just my imagination that he seemed disappointed?
Artia regarded Nocton von Alihas with an uneasy gaze, then noticed he didn’t appear particularly alarmed.
Artia asked.
“Has something like this happened before?”
Nocton von Alihas nodded.
“His Highness was born with a body so robust that he never fell ill even on the Battlefield, but this occurs once every few years.”
Nocton von Alihas continued.
“When he expends magical power beyond his capacity.”
“…!”
Nocton von Alihas spoke to Artia, whose eyes had widened.
“His Highness used his magical power to suppress the fire that broke out in the Performance Hall.”
“Has word already spread?”
“No.”
Nocton von Alihas learned this news through the Rat Network, the intelligence network exclusive to the royal princes.
Since it occurred late at night, the spread of rumors was slow.
But within a few hours, once dawn broke, the rumors would spread explosively, and soon the entire world would know.
That Killian von Orpheus, who was said to be unable to manifest magical power, possessed miraculous strength.
Artia’s expression hardened.
“Will this have a negative impact on His Majesty?”
“His Majesty subdued his enemies and earned the respect of his people without ever wielding magical power. I see no reason why discovering he possesses even greater strength would significantly change that.”
If anything, support for Killian von Orpheus would only grow. And yet…
Nocton von Alihas spoke while gazing at Killian von Orpheus with his eyes closed.
“I cannot speak to His Majesty’s feelings on the matter. He was quite reluctant to reveal his ability to use magic in the first place.”
Nocton von Alihas added upon seeing Artia’s rigid expression.
“Of course, setting aside that concern, he will be quite pleased with extinguishing the flames themselves. Being as stubborn as a prince, he finds satisfaction only in doing what he wishes.”
Nocton von Alihas wore a gentle expression.
“So do not trouble yourself over this matter. His Majesty will handle it himself.”
Artia, sensing Nocton von Alihas’s kindness in trying to ease her worry, forced a smile.
“You’re right. Thank you.”
I wanted nothing more than to remain at Killian von Orpheus’s side, but it was impossible.
“I must leave for the performance.”
Nocton von Alihas’s eyes widened.
“You’re proceeding with the performance despite the fire?”
Artia nodded and continued.
“The performance will end soon, and I’ll return immediately. Could I ask you to look after His Majesty until then?”
“…!”
Nocton von Alihas’s eyes grew wider than they had been moments before.
Since becoming Killian von Orpheus’s attendant at twelve years old, caring for him had always been Nocton von Alihas’s responsibility.
Maids, servants, nobles, and even the Emperor himself would ask and demand updates on Killian von Orpheus’s condition from Nocton von Alihas.
After seeing only such people, witnessing Artia treat caring for Killian von Orpheus as her own duty made him feel…
‘This is wonderful!’
Nocton von Alihas answered with a refreshed expression, as though liberated from tedious obligation.
“Yes, I shall care for him in the meantime, so please return as soon as the performance concludes!”

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Artia made her way back to the Performance Hall.
Lamb and the performers gathered there after hearing the news.
While everyone else was shocked, Lamb’s condition was the worst.
Lamb, whose eyes were swollen from crying so much, rushed toward Artia.
“Director, what on earth are we supposed to do about this?”
Artia spoke calmly to Lamb, who was sobbing miserably.
“Calm yourself. The performance will proceed as scheduled this evening.”
“What?!”
Artia examined the building.
The mysterious flames had appeared enormous enough to consume the entire structure, but once extinguished, the damage proved far less severe than anticipated.
However, soot clung heavily to both the exterior and interior of the building.
“We have twelve hours until the performance. That’s more than enough time to restore it.”
The moment Artia finished speaking, dozens of maids and servants appeared, each wielding cleaning tools.
They were workers from the Edenberke Estate.
Susan, standing at the front, spoke with blazing determination.
“Allow us to demonstrate the prowess of estate management specialists.”
Under Susan’s direction, the workers began clearing the fire’s debris and scrubbing the soot-covered building clean.
But they were not alone.
“Artia!”
Andy and Frigia, who oversaw the creation of performance costumes, arrived.
The enormous cart they brought was stacked with dozens of bolts of fabric.
“We brought every piece of cloth from the shop, just in case!”
Fortunately, since the fire had started on the outer wall, the stage costumes stored inside the building remained undamaged.
However, some curtains and decorative pieces had burned.
Andy focused on repairing the fire-damaged areas using the fabric she had brought.
Frigia assisted her.
Just as the workers began to tire and breathe heavily, Marigold appeared.
“Sorry, I took a bit longer getting things ready.”
Marigold had arrived with five carriages laden with refreshments and food.
“Everyone eat while you work. If you need anything, just say so. I’ll have it brought immediately.”
That was not all.
She had brought three hundred servants who worked at the estate.
“They’re all exceptionally skilled, so work them to the bone!”
Her efforts did not end there.
She called out loudly.
“Everyone work hard until you can barely breathe! Once this is finished, I’ll give you all a generous bonus!”
She added further.
“Of course, I’ll give it to everyone, not just the servants who work at my estate. I’m not the sort of petty person who picks and chooses who deserves payment.”
At those words, both the workers Marigold had brought and those from the Edenberke Estate’s eyes gleamed, and their pace doubled.
Dahlia arrived last.
The reason I arrived only now, despite receiving word long ago, was because of my husband.
“I regret that your friend’s Performance Hall caught fire. However, venturing out before dawn is unbecoming of a noblewoman’s conduct. Especially to such a perilous location that was ablaze mere moments ago.”
Unable to contain herself against her husband’s stern opposition, Dahlia cried out.
“I am the original author of the performance being held at that Performance Hall!”
“What?!”
Count Greg’s expression resembled that of a man struck in the back of the head by a boulder.
Dahlia seized the moment and slipped past him, leaving the house.
The instant I beheld the charred building, a groan escaped my lips.
Yet immediately after, I clenched my teeth.
I refused to act foolishly as I had when my manuscript was stolen on the street.
I spoke to Artia.
“Gather all the performance staff in a room unaffected by the fire. I can help stabilize them and assist with the preparations for the performance.”
As the original author, I had shared much about the performance with Artia.
Through several meetings, I had built rapport with Lamb and the actors as well, so my presence would prove invaluable.
But Artia’s expression hardened.
“The Performance Hall is under restoration, so there are many people about. Marigold and Frigia are there too. Even with a mask, they would recognize who you are.”
That meant the entire world would soon learn that Dahlia was RedLip.
Yet I laughed.
“It doesn’t matter. I no longer wish to hide.”

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The workers moved about, shoveling food into their mouths and sweating profusely.
Hours later….
“It’s… done….”
A Maid finished her words like a final testament and collapsed with a thud.

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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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