The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 159

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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 159

In the now-quieted atmosphere, I bowed in greeting.
“I pay my respects to the blood of the almighty House of Orpheus.”
Killian von Orpheus gave a slight nod.
Our encounter ended there.
I greeted the other guests while Killian von Orpheus took his seat in the audience without further comment.
After the performance ended, as people chattered excitedly among themselves, I approached Killian von Orpheus once more.
“Did you enjoy the performance?”
“Very much.”
At his brief reply, I laughed.
It was not the kind, businesslike face or the elegant demeanor of a noblewoman I showed others.
It was an innocent smile, like that of a girl in love.
The moment was so fleeting that everyone except Killian von Orpheus standing before me failed to notice.
But today, one other person caught sight of my smile.
It was Luka.
Luka’s heart sank heavily.
Luka approached me and spoke urgently.
“My lady, the director says he has something urgent to discuss and asks that you come to the Waiting Room.”
My eyes widened in surprise as I glanced at Killian von Orpheus.
“I have an urgent matter to attend to. Please take care on your way home.”
“Very well.”
After exchanging farewells, I turned toward Luka.
Then an eerie aura emanated from Killian von Orpheus, who had been calm just moments before.
I didn’t notice it as I turned away from him, but Luka certainly did.
Luka felt Killian von Orpheus’s hostility with his entire body.
He trembled so violently it was terrifying.
Yet Luka gathered his courage and met Killian von Orpheus’s gaze, holding his trembling fists steady.
“Why are you dawdling, Luka?”
Only after hearing my voice did Luka turn around.
Watching the two of us walk away side by side, Killian von Orpheus muttered quietly.
“A mere pup dares to be a nuisance.”

* * *

Lamb called out to Artia with an urgent request: “Let’s go to the after-party!”
It was a gathering that had been repeatedly postponed due to the chaos following the performance’s start.
The Theater Troupe members flocked to the tavern that Lamb had so insistently championed.
Lamb spoke with a flushed, excited face, his nostrils flaring.
“The liquor here is truly exquisite. It’s the only place that rivals the quality of spirits produced in the Imperial Palace.”
Mikhail spoke up.
“But this place looks incredibly expensive.”
Sandra nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, one night of drinking here and you’d look like a pauper.”
At their worried words, Lamb nodded confidently.
“Exactly! That’s why I can’t come here often. But tonight, I’ll drink without a care in the world. Since this is an official after-party, the director will be paying!”
Artia, suddenly the center of attention, smiled warmly.
“That’s right—drink as much as you’d like.”
At her generous words spoken in such a kind voice, the group erupted with cheers of delight.
People drank and chattered away merrily.
Artia was among them.
During the preparation for the performance, I had attended a few after-parties like this, but they were entirely different from the gatherings I enjoyed with noblewomen.
There was no need to observe hierarchy or maintain etiquette.
One simply drank, laughed, and talked freely.
I found this atmosphere quite enjoyable.
People gathered around her.
Though she was the illegitimate daughter of the Ducal House and the director of the Production Company, Artia had no pretense whatsoever and was extremely popular among the troupe members.
“Director, I bought a new hairpin yesterday. What do you think?”
“Wow, it suits you beautifully, Nana.”
“My wife is a fan of yours and sent some cookies.”
“Oh my, thank you so much.”
Sitting beside Artia as she chatted warmly with everyone, watching only her, was Luka.
Sipping apple juice, Luka felt unsettled in a way unlike himself.
It was because of the scene he had witnessed earlier.
‘Master, what is your relationship with the Imperial Prince?’
I knew that Killian von Orpheus harbored feelings for Artia.
Long ago, he had made his feelings clear to me without reservation.
Back then, I had simply been afraid of him.
But today was different.
The moment I saw Artia smile at Killian von Orpheus, my heart ached, and simultaneously, I felt an emotion I had never experienced before.
I resented Killian von Orpheus, and I envied him.
Then Artia turned her head toward Luka.
“By the way, Luka. I learned an interesting magic trick—would you close your eyes and count to ten for me?”
“Of course!”
Though it was an unexpected request, Luka immediately closed his eyes and began counting.
What is ten?
If it came from Artia’s lips, Luka could count numbers without rest for a lifetime.
“…Ten.”
Before Luka’s opened eyes stood Artia, holding an enormous cake.
People who had gathered without warning all cried out together.
“Happy birthday, Luka!”
“…!”
Luka knew his age, but he had never known the exact day he was born.
Noma loved her grandson dearly, but she had never had the leisure to remember and keep track of such things.
Artia spoke to Luka, who stood frozen in surprise.
“Today is the day the Nobility’s debutante ball is being held. From today onward, you truly become eighteen and an adult. So I prepared a surprise event for you.”
“….”
Luka could not speak at all.
It was the first birthday greeting I had ever received.
Seeing Luka’s eyes redden, Mikhail and Sandra giggled.
“The youngest is crying, go ahead and cry.”
“At eighteen, you’re only an adult on paper—you’re still at an age where crying is perfectly appropriate.”
At those words, Luka’s eyes hardened with determination.
“No, I’m not! I’m not crying!”
It was a joyful day. I absolutely did not want to cry.
Seeing Luka’s face with lips pressed firmly together, Artia smiled and held the cake forward.
“Blow out the candles and make a wish about what kind of adult you want to become. Then the Goddess will bless you so that your dream comes true.”
A dream….
Luka had never thought about such a thing before.
When you were struggling just to survive each day, desiring something itself was a luxury.
But now….
Luka looked at the people surrounding me.
Artia, Lamb, Mikhail, Sandra… wonderful people were gazing at Luka with warm eyes.
A miracle I had never dared to hope for was unfolding.
‘So many people care about me. They praise me, saying I’m wonderful and doing well. So….’
If I desire something and make an effort, couldn’t I seize it?
For the first time in my life, Luka made a wish.
‘I want to become a fine man. One who can stand confidently beside my master.’
Luka blew out the candles with earnest prayer.
Amid the applause mixed with people’s cheers.

* * *

Mikhail looked at Luka and spoke.
“Why is the youngest in such a state?”
Luka’s face was flushed as he giggled and sang.
Sandra picked up the cup in front of Luka, sniffed it, and frowned.
“This isn’t juice—it’s alcohol. Who gave this to a child?”
“That would be me!”
Lamb raised his hand loudly.
Lamb, holding bottles in both hands, spoke in a slurred voice.
“His birthday’s passed, so he’s an adult now! He has to drink! Why wouldn’t he enjoy something this good!”
Mikhail’s brow furrowed.
“That drunken fool. Should’ve locked him away in a corner long ago.”
As Mikhail contemplated whether to move him somewhere he wouldn’t cause trouble to others, Luka spoke.
“Mikhail.”
“What is it, you budding little drunkard?”
“Could I… call you brother just once? Every time Mikhail’s siblings come looking for him and call him brother, I’ve felt terribly envious.”
“….”
Caught completely off guard, Mikhail stared down at Luka with wide eyes, then scratched his chin.
“Sure, go ahead.”
Luka smiled brightly as if he’d been waiting for this.
“Mikhail, brother!”
In that moment, Mikhail unconsciously clutched at his chest.
‘The youngest is so incredibly adorable!’
Then Sandra, standing beside the two of them, interjected.
“Me too, call me sister!”
Luka readily agreed to her request.
“Sister Sandra.”
At the sight of Luka smiling shyly with a slightly flushed face, Sandra lost all composure and spiraled.
“I’m abandoning the Northern Grand Duke and going to Shine!”
Pushing Sandra aside, Lamb approached Luka and asked.
“What about me?!”
One called him brother, one called him sister.
So wouldn’t that make him an uncle of sorts?!
Toward Lamb, brimming with peculiar anticipation, Luka spoke.
“Director.”
“No, why am I just director again….”
Luka kissed Lamb’s cheek with a soft peck as he grumbled.
Then, eyes wide, he spoke.
“Thank you sincerely for teaching me everything from the basics. I will never forget this kindness for as long as I live.”
“….”
Though only a few knew the truth, Lamb—a man who had lived consumed by his work—had never once experienced romance.
Physical contact was no different.
For someone like him, Luka’s kiss was an overwhelmingly intense stimulus.
‘Why, why is my heart racing like this! Could I possibly have such tastes?’
Luka, who had plunged Lamb into a panic of a lifetime, rose from his chair and turned toward Artia.

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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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