The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 157

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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 157

“Bravo! That was the most magnificent performance!”
The thoroughly exhilarated audience members could not bring themselves to leave the theater.
As if they wished to remain suspended in that dreamlike moment forever.
“The actors’ performances were truly extraordinary. I knew they were talented, but this is the first time I’ve witnessed such captivating brilliance.”
“The direction was equally remarkable. So Lamb was capable of creating such a bold and unconventional production.”
The flood of attention from the crowd turned toward Artia, the producer.
“Duchess of Edenberg, we have so many questions about the performance.”
Artia found herself surrounded by people, conversing for roughly an hour before she spoke.
“Since this is the performance’s opening day, I have many matters to attend to. I shall arrange a formal gathering where we can discuss this further at a later time, and I hope you will join me then.”
Leaving the disappointed crowd behind, Artia made her way to the waiting room.
Many nobles had wished to meet the actors, but she had strictly forbidden entry.
Thanks to this restriction, the actors who had been resting comfortably rose to their feet upon seeing Artia.
“My lady!”
Luka rushed forward with the greatest speed among them, his eyes gleaming.
“How was I today? Did I perform well?”
“Please praise me!”
Mikhail and Sandra could read Luka’s innermost thoughts so clearly that he was practically muttering them aloud—his anticipation was palpable.
However, instead of stroking his crimson hair, Artia addressed all the actors, including Luka.
“You all performed wonderfully today. You showed even more than what you practiced, and that is why we were able to conclude the performance so successfully.”
The actors beamed with satisfaction at Artia’s praise.
“I would love to speak with you all longer, but I have an urgent matter to attend to. Would that be alright?”
Lamb, who had collapsed to the floor as the tension finally released, spoke on behalf of the group.
“You must be exhausted from working without a moment’s sleep. Please go rest immediately. We shall do the same.”
“Thank you. Everyone should head home and rest today as well. We’ll meet again tomorrow morning.”
Artia hurriedly exchanged farewells and turned to leave the waiting room.
Before Luka even had a chance to speak again.
“My lady, may I come with you….”
Mikhail and Sandra caught Luka as he tried to follow Artia.
“Now, now, our youngest must join us for the after-party.”

* * *

The moment Artia stepped into the carriage, her expression transformed.
The composed and leisurely demeanor she had maintained before the crowd vanished, replaced by urgent words spoken in haste.
“To the mansion—as quickly as you can.”
The moment the carriage pulled up to the Edenberg Mansion, Artia began to run.
She didn’t even properly acknowledge the servants’ greetings before rushing forward and throwing open the chamber door.
Killian von Orpheus lay in her bedroom.
Exactly as she had seen him before leaving.
Artia turned to Nocton von Alihas, who stood beside Killian’s bed.
“How is he?”
“He continues to sleep.”
Fear suddenly gripped Artia.
“He’s all right, isn’t he?”
“Yes, the Doctor who visited just moments ago said he was resting peacefully. There’s nothing to worry about.”
At those words, Artia released a breath of relief.
“Since the Duchess of Edenberg has arrived, I shall take my leave.”
Nocton departed the chamber with barely concealed delight.
Now alone together.
Sitting beside the bed, Artia gazed at Killian’s closed eyes and spoke softly.
“I’m here.”
In that instant, something miraculous occurred.
Like a princess released from a curse, Killian’s eyes opened.
Artia started in surprise and asked.
“You weren’t actually sleeping?”
“I woke up. I heard your voice.”
Artia’s expression turned incredulous, while Killian, by contrast, opened his mouth with a serene countenance.
“Did your first performance go well?”
Only after a beat did Artia respond.
“Yes.”
Artia continued, her voice trembling slightly.
“I perfectly restored the areas damaged by the fire and presented the stage in its entirety. The audience’s reaction was explosive.”
“Then why do you look like that?”
“Like what?”
Killian stared intently at Artia before speaking.
“You’re upset.”
“…How did you know that?”
“I just do, when I look at you.”
Artia felt as though she might cry.
Moments later, she spoke with unguarded emotion, like a child.
“You weren’t at the Performance Hall.”
“…”
“It’s what I wanted to show you most.”
How endearing that sight was.
Killian von Orpheus struggled to lift his hand, which still wouldn’t obey him properly, and gently caressed Artia’s pale cheek.
“I’ll come tomorrow.”
“….”
“The day after that too, and the day after that, right through to the final performance.”
Artia furrowed her brow.
“Won’t it be difficult to obtain tickets?”
“Don’t worry about that. Nocton von Alihas is more than capable.”
Artia let out a soft laugh and spoke.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes.”
“I love you.”
“….”
Her confession was so natural that it took Killian von Orpheus a long moment to truly comprehend her words.
Artia spoke to him, whose face bore an expression he had never worn in his entire life.
“When I’m with you, my heart races and heat rises to my face. I want to meet your eyes, to hold your hand.”
“….”
Killian von Orpheus found himself unable to speak.
This moment felt utterly unreal to him.
Yet Artia’s voice continued to reach him.
“But I hid it desperately.”
“…Why?”
His once arrogant and composed voice trembled faintly.
Artia furrowed her brow.
“Because you and I are not ordinary man and woman.”
Killian von Orpheus was the crown prince destined to become the next Emperor, and he was meant to marry a woman who would become Empress and rule the nation alongside him.
Artia was the legitimate daughter of the House of Edenberg, seeking a husband who would take her family name.
They were incompatible.
So Artia had deliberately concealed her feelings for him, choosing to remain merely friends.
‘But I can’t anymore.’
Love was not something that could be suppressed.
“I want to be your lover.”
That was the conclusion Artia had reached.
Love is love, reality is reality.
Marriage was something she could never dare to dream of.
Yet still, she wanted to become something more special to him.
Even if it was an uncertain relationship whose duration she could not foresee.
“Is that possible?”
Uncertainty tinged Artia’s voice.
Killian was a prince.
‘He confessed his feelings to me, but perhaps he doesn’t wish to grow closer.’
Artia’s eyes widened.
The man they called the Mad Prince—the one the entire world feared—wore an expression as though he might weep.
Killian von Orpheus reached out and drew Artia into his embrace.
Thump, thump, thump.
Alongside the thunderous rhythm of his heart threatening to burst, a low voice emerged.
“Yes.”
From that brief answer, such intense joy radiated that tears gathered at the corners of Artia’s eyes.
Artia held his body close in return.
Then, naturally, their lips met.
It began as a gentle, tender kiss, but gradually the contact of their lips lingered longer.
Artia exhaled with breathless excitement and spoke.
“You absolutely cannot forget this time.”
Killian von Orpheus answered with a voice heated and fervent.
“That’s exactly what I was going to say.”
With those words, their lips met once more.

* * *

The following day, Killian von Orpheus appeared at the Performance Hall.
It was scarcely believable—two days prior he had collapsed from exhausting his magical power to its absolute limit, and the previous night he had spent kissing her—yet he arrived with such unshakeable confidence.
Killian von Orpheus watched the performance with his arms crossed, an air of arrogance about him.
After the performance ended, Killian von Orpheus approached Artia, who was surrounded by admirers, and spoke.
“It was a performance magnificent enough to leave its mark upon the very history of the Empire, Artia von Edenberg.”
His uncharacteristic praise did not end there.
From that point forward, Killian von Orpheus attended every single performance without fail.
And so, such jests began to circulate.

“Even the Mad Prince has fallen madly for the love story of the Northern Grand Duke.”

To this was added the fervent reactions of other audience members who had witnessed the performance.

“At the Montecro Theater alone, one must abandon all pretense of noble dignity.
One laughs aloud, weeps like a child, and ultimately throws a tantrum demanding to see it just one more time.”
“There may be those who have never seen the performance, but there is no one who has seen it only once.
With each successive showing, those wishing to see the performance again multiply like mushrooms sprouting after rain.”
“As time goes on, obtaining tickets grows ever more difficult, and their price skyrockets beyond measure.
There are now jokes that even a Diamond Mine itself could not secure a ticket, let alone a single carat of diamond.”

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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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