The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 165

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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 165

Killian von Orpheus shook his head, his face etched with pain.
“No, Mother. I only wish to heal my brother….”
Yet the Empress had no desire to hear the words of one she despised.
“Get out of my sight!”
Killian von Orpheus insisted on remaining to watch over Arsen’s condition.
But despite being larger and stronger than his peers, he was still merely a child.
Attendants seized him and began dragging him away.
“Mother, please! Let me stay here!”
Arsen’s face, lying upon the bed, was as pallid as when I first beheld it.
Like a corpse.
Or like one on the verge of death.
This cannot be.
I cannot be separated from my brother like this.
Just before the door closed….
“Arsen von Orpheus!”
The moment Killian von Orpheus called out his brother’s name, his golden eyes shimmered, and Arsen’s body began to glow with the same radiant light.
“Do not die.”
Killian von Orpheus continued, tears streaming down his face.
“Do not die! Do not die! Do not die!”
Blood trickled from Killian von Orpheus’s nose as his golden eyes blazed with intensity.
Simultaneously, the light enveloping Arsen’s body grew more brilliant.
Those in the chamber squeezed their eyes shut against the blinding radiance.
Moments later….
“Haah….”
A faint breath escaped from Arsen’s lips.
The Empress, hearing that precious sound from nearby, pulled Arsen’s small body into her embrace.
“Ah, Arsen!”
Warmth returned to the icy cold flesh.
The breath and heartbeat that had been imperceptible now stirred once more.
Arsen slowly opened his eyes in the Empress’s arms.
Killian von Orpheus’s eyes softened with tenderness as he beheld those hazy golden irises.
“Thank heavens….”
Thump.
With those words, Killian von Orpheus collapsed.

Killian von Orpheus lay ill for a full fortnight.
When he finally opened his eyes after enduring the excruciating agony—his entire body trembling, groans escaping his lips—the first thing he saw was the Emperor.
Fierce rage burned within those eyes of ice-cold gold.
The Emperor spoke.
“I told you not to approach that place, even by accident. Why did you go there?”
The Emperor utterly denied Arsen’s existence.
He would show no mercy to anyone who so much as mentioned Arsen.
That was why the Empress had kept Killian von Orpheus’s search for Arsen strictly secret.
But when Killian von Orpheus collapsed, the matter spiraled beyond control, and even the Empress could not prevent word from spreading.
“Answer me.”
Still weak and unsteady, Killian von Orpheus struggled desperately to think.
‘How much does the Empress Mother know?’
Had she discovered that he’d attempted to heal Arsen through magic, she would not have questioned him in such a manner.
She would have been far more furious.
After gathering his thoughts, Killian von Orpheus barely managed to draw out his voice and speak.
“I wanted to see my brother.”
A single, plaintive word from a child not yet ten years old.
Yet the Emperor showed no sign of being moved; instead, he frowned as though he’d heard something utterly unacceptable.
“Killian von Orpheus.”
His voice rang out with menace.
“You are destined to inherit my throne and rule the Empire. I will not tolerate you being swayed by trivial emotions and approaching an ill-omened existence.”
The Emperor increased Killian von Orpheus’s attendants and commanded them to monitor his every move.
Even while he slept.
After that, Killian von Orpheus could not see Arsen for a long time.
Not until the aging Emperor fell ill and the power that had seemed absolute began to waver.

* * *

After hearing Killian’s story, Artia’s eyes grew red.
The sadness in Killian’s gaze as he spoke so calmly was almost unbearable.
Artia barely managed to hold back her tears as she asked.
“But Your Highness was able to open his eyes through your power. Doesn’t that mean Lord Arsen is showing signs of recovery?”
“No. After that, my brother still couldn’t walk, couldn’t go out in the sunlight, and fell ill constantly.”
Killian von Orpheus continued in a low voice.
“My power was utterly useless to him.”
Why did those words make my heart sink so deeply?
I pulled Killian von Orpheus into my arms.
Looking at Killian von Orpheus with wide eyes, I spoke.
“Don’t say such things.”
“….”
“You did your absolute best for your brother at such a young age. How remarkable and admirable that is.”
I continued speaking to Killian von Orpheus, who said nothing in return.
“Look at my own family. My siblings don’t even show affection for one another—they just snarl at each other, afraid someone might take something away. You have such a beautiful, precious heart. You’re truly kind.”
These were words Killian von Orpheus had never heard in his entire life.
A smile bloomed across his face, which had grown cold just moments before.
“Say more. Praise me more.”
“Of course. I could do this all night if needed.”
I proceeded to enumerate Killian von Orpheus’s virtues with the determination of someone willing to stay awake all night.
At first, Killian von Orpheus listened eagerly to her kind words about him, but gradually his brows drew together.
Tender, warm, adorable, gentle….
‘Is that really me?’
The Killian von Orpheus she described seemed like an entirely different person.
He wondered if she was exaggerating to make him feel better, but Artia’s eyes held nothing but sincerity.
‘She truly sees me this way.’
Killian von Orpheus felt both bewildered and a pleasant flutter in his chest.
It was strange and wonderful that she saw him as such a man.
“And Your Highness is incredibly considerate. Just recently, you noticed right away that I hadn’t slept, and you laid me down in bed and even tucked me in.”
Artia’s eyes widened as she spoke excitedly.
A bracelet set with a pink diamond glimmered on her wrist—something that hadn’t been there moments before.
“This is….”
Killian von Orpheus let out a small laugh as he watched Artia finally notice.
“Do you remember this bracelet?”
Killian von Orpheus continued as Artia nodded.
“You refused it, saying you wouldn’t accept anything from a man. But you would accept a bracelet from a boyfriend, wouldn’t you?”
Artia’s face flushed crimson.
“A boyfriend?! Where did you learn such a word?”
“From that novel you recommended. It’s a term for a man who is both a friend and a lover. It’s the perfect description for our relationship.”
That’s not what that word means at all.
I found myself at a loss for words, yet the corners of my mouth twitched upward.
Perhaps it was a phrase even common girls used, but the way he pronounced “boyfriend” with such exquisite elegance was simply too endearing.
I touched the bracelet, my overwhelming emotions evident in my expression.
“Thank you. It’s truly beautiful.”
Killian von Orpheus caressed the bracelet that glimmered around my wrist as he spoke.
“In ‘The Burning Heart of the Northern Grand Duke,’ the Snow Diamond contained Reinhardt’s heart. This one also holds something special.”
“What is it?”
“A spell to protect you when you’re in danger.”
With all my heart.
“Since this is the first time I’ve used my power in this way, I’m uncertain whether the magic will manifest properly.”
At those words, I closed my eyes contentedly.
“It doesn’t matter. After all, you’ll always be by my side.”
Killian von Orpheus chuckled softly, then pressed his lips to my wrist adorned with the bracelet as he spoke.
“A wise answer.”

* * *

Having been consumed by business matters, I held a tea party for the first time in ages.
Penelope arrived first.
“Thank you for inviting me, Artia!”
Penelope greeted me cheerfully, then asked with an excited expression.
“He’s coming today too, right?”
“Yes, he said he would.”
At my response, Penelope clenched both fists and let out an excited squeal.
Not long after, Marigold and Frigia arrived.
And the moment Dahlia appeared, Penelope grabbed the book she’d brought and rushed forward.
“Author RedLip! Could I possibly get your autograph?!”
Dahlia nodded naturally.
“Of course.”

On the day the Montecro Theater caught fire, Dahlia revealed that she was RedLip.
Marigold and Frigia, who were present that day, were so shocked their eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
Marigold in particular was so astounded she could barely stammer out her words.
“You—you were RedLip?! But why didn’t you tell me all this time?!”
“I didn’t have the courage. I’m sorry for hiding it.”
Marigold was taken aback by the simple apology.
“No, there’s nothing to apologize for….”
“….”
“I understand. If I’d known, I would have broadcast it to the entire world.”
Above all, Marigold was not the type to scold a friend for keeping secrets.
She sparkled with excitement as if she’d never been shocked at all.
“Since you’ve revealed it to us, that means you’re not planning to hide it anymore, right?”
“Right.”
At Dahlia’s answer, Marigold was absolutely thrilled.
Marigold spread the news everywhere that Dahlia was RedLip, and she always added a particular remark.
“The author of the most popular novel these days is my friend—isn’t she absolutely wonderful?”

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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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