The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 16

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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 16

Killian’s interest in Edenberg’s affairs was not something he had deliberately cultivated through careful information gathering.
He merely overheard conversations among the nobility at the banquets he occasionally attended.
And so Killian had only now learned what many others already knew.
His beautiful face twisted into something sinister in an instant.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this until now?”
Nocturne was taken aback.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t find a compelling reason to report such matters to his master.
Yet he lacked the courage to voice his grievance openly—his master’s temperament was far too volatile.
Drawing upon his experience serving the Imperial Prince since childhood, Nocturne offered the safest and most prudent response.
“I apologize.”
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Killian had already turned and was slipping out of the banquet hall.
Propriety demanded he bid farewell to the host, but no one in the hall reacted to his departure.
Such conduct was far too trivial to even register as one of the “mad prince’s” “mad antics.”

* * *

Artia gazed blankly out the window.
The only visitors to her chamber were the Maid, who brought thin soup each time, and Elma, who came and went in secret.
Surprisingly, Lloyd had not appeared even once.
‘Perhaps he’s grown utterly weary of me. Or maybe he’s waiting to see me tremble in fear that I’ll be trapped in this room forever.’
Whatever the reason, the days without facing him were peaceful, and I found the current situation rather agreeable.
‘Though it’s somewhat unsettling to hear about the outside world only through Elma….’
My eyes widened as I was lost in thought.
A jet-black cat had appeared beyond the window.
“You….”
The moment my gaze met the cat’s brilliant golden eyes, a forgotten memory surfaced.
In my childhood, I often accompanied my biological father to the Imperial Palace.
While the adults conversed, the children spent time in the Garden.
Even as everyone gathered to greet one another, the other children giggled as they watched me standing alone with my head bowed, trembling.
“Why won’t you look people in the eye?”
“She’s cursed by a witch, so she won’t look at us. Anyone who meets Edenberg’s gaze turns to stone.”
“I heard that beams of light shoot from her eyes and strike people down.”
The children burst into laughter.
“Let’s see who can make eye contact with Edenberg first.”
Before I knew it, the children had surrounded me.
“Look at me, Edenberg.”
“No, look at me.”
When I showed no sign of lifting my head, one of them grabbed my silver hair and yanked it.
“I said look!”
The child who saw my face forced upward let out a shriek.
“Ah, I’m turning to stone! Everyone, run!”
The children scattered with raucous laughter.
Left alone, I covered my mouth and hurried out of the Garden.
In a desolate corner where no one could see, I collapsed to the ground.
“If Father finds out I’ve been crying, he’ll be angry. I have to stop these tears….”
As I desperately wiped my eyes, I heard a rustling sound near my ear.
When I turned, there was a black cat.
At the sight of the cat with fur as smooth as ebony and eyes that gleamed like golden jewels, my tears stopped of their own accord.
My expression transformed in an instant to one of enchantment as I spoke.
“You’re truly beautiful.”
I know.
The cat’s aloof expression seemed to answer precisely that.
After that day, I encountered the black cat several more times at the Imperial Palace.
Each time, the cat would sit quietly beside me as I hid away and wept.
Though it displayed no cute meows or affectionate gestures—only an aloof demeanor—I found solace in that very composure.
I, who had dreaded visiting the Imperial Palace, soon found myself looking forward to those days.
I wanted to meet the cat with those sparkling golden eyes.
But at some point, the cat had disappeared, and I found myself often thinking of it, missing it dearly.
I gazed at the black cat by the window.
“Could it be…?”
It made no sense—there was no way the cat from the Imperial Palace could be here.
But could there possibly be another cat in this world as beautiful as this one?
With a trembling voice, I carefully spoke.
“Nabi…?”
It was a name I had given to the cat on a whim.
The black cat, as if confirming that was indeed its name, entered through the window with an aristocratic, dignified gait.
At that sight, I was certain.
“It really is Nabi!”
Without thinking, I reached out my hand toward Nabi, then caught myself with a soft gasp.
Nabi disliked being touched.
In the past, whenever I tried, it would make a frightened expression.
I had to be careful.
I clenched my fist tightly to avoid any mistakes and met Nabi’s gaze.
“It’s been so long, Nabi.”
“….”
“I’ve been worried not being able to see you.”
Was it sick? Had it gone somewhere far away?
Could it have crossed the rainbow bridge…?
When my thoughts reached that point, I felt tears welling up, so I quickly shook my head.
Foolish thoughts. Nabi must be living happily, loved and cared for.
My thoughts were correct.
With tears glistening on my face, I smiled softly.
“You’ve been well. I’m so relieved.”
“….”
Nabi stared at me intently, then turned its head away with a haughty expression.
At that, I let out a small laugh.
“You haven’t changed.”
Nabi had never shown me a hint of affection.
There were times I wondered, ‘Does it dislike me?’ but now I understood clearly.
‘If it disliked me, it wouldn’t have come to me in the first place. Nabi likes me.’
I gazed at Nabi with confidence.
It truly was a beautiful cat.
Especially those golden eyes that sparkled in the sunlight—they were like jewels.
I looked at Nabi with an enchanted gaze and asked.
“How have you been all this time?”
“….”
Nabi sat in silence, offering no response.
Even that posture remained exactly as it had always been.
Artia would sit beside Nabi and chatter away endlessly.
Frustrations, joys, the books I was reading, the things I wished to do.
Words I had wanted to speak to someone, words no one else had ever heard—Nabi listened to them all without judgment.
Remembering those moments, Artia finally spoke.
“The truth is, I’ve been struggling. My father passed away.”
The parting from my father, devoid of even a single warm memory, was not the kind of sorrow that tore at one’s heart.
But Lloyd’s transformation into someone unrecognizable after becoming the Duke of Edenberg had become a wound far too deep.
“I cried alone in my room, and I thought of you. So I gathered my courage and went to the Imperial Palace, wandering through the Garden searching for you, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find you. You have no idea how heartbroken I was.”
Strangely, as if understanding my words, Nabi’s brow furrowed.
Noticing that subtle change, Artia waved her hand.
“I’m fine now. I have no affection left for Lloyd whatsoever. I’m going to leave him. Whether I’ll succeed, I’m not certain.”
Though everything was proceeding according to plan, I could not guarantee the divorce would succeed.
The longer I remained confined alone in this room, the more my anxiety grew.
Then, Nabi lifted a paw and gently tapped the back of Artia’s hand.
Surprised by this unprecedented gesture, Artia asked.
“Are you cheering me on right now?”
Instead of answering, Nabi stared at Artia intently.
Those proud golden eyes, showing not a shred of hesitation, seemed to speak thus.
You can do this.
In that moment, courage bloomed like magic… a knock sounded at the door.
“Madam, it’s Elma.”
“…!”
At the sound of the voice from beyond the door, Nabi sprang to her feet.
It had always been this way.
Nabi would sit obediently beside Artia, but the moment she sensed another’s presence, she would vanish.
As if unwilling to reveal herself to anyone but Artia.
Rather than try to hold Nabi back, Artia spoke.
“We’ll meet again for certain, Nabi.”
Perhaps sensing the earnestness in my plea.
Nabi looked at Artia and let out a soft, “Meow—.”
Artia gasped and covered her mouth in surprise.
It was the first time Nabi had made a sound in her presence.
Watching Nabi’s retreating form, Artia called out.
“I’ll stay here always. Come whenever you wish!”
In an instant, the black cat vanished beyond the window.

* * *

An empty alley.
The black cat padded forward, one deliberate step after another.
With each stride, its form shimmered and transformed, until it had taken the shape of a breathtakingly beautiful man.
It was Killian, with hair as dark as the night sky and gleaming golden eyes.

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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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