The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 167

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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 167

It was Evangeline who put an end to the bickering between the two men.
“Enough.”
Evangeline continued speaking to the two men, whose well-trained lips had sealed shut.
“This is not a pleasure outing. As representatives of House of Edenberg, you must demonstrate dignity and intellect befitting our station. Yet looking at you both now, neither of you seems fit to represent our family abroad.”
Evangeline cast a glance toward Artia, who sat at the head of the table.
Artia sat demurely with her hands folded, her expression inscrutable.
“Let us deliberate further on who shall attend the Noble Conference.”

After Derek and Ian departed, Evangeline remained behind.
Evangeline asked, “Why didn’t you speak up just now and say you would be the representative?”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier that you were going to represent us?”
Artia’s eyes widened before she answered. “Aunt, you know as well as I do. In all of Imperial history, there has never been a single instance of a woman attending the Noble Conference. I wouldn’t even be permitted to enter the Conference Hall.”
Moreover, criticism would rain down upon House of Edenberg for sending a woman as their representative.
Yet Evangeline spoke with eyes that would not waver.
“Then what of it?”
“…!”
“It has always been thus, hasn’t it? When you divorced, when you petitioned for proper punishment against that damnable wretch who struck his wife, when you began the family’s ventures—everyone said it couldn’t be done, yet you succeeded. Why should this be any different?”
“….”
Until now, Evangeline had been the conservative one, and I had been the progressive force.
But today, for the first time, our positions had reversed.
Evangeline placed a hand upon my shoulder and spoke. “Think on it. If you decide to do this, I will support you with all my strength.”
Evangeline placed her hand on Artia’s shoulder and spoke.
* * *

* * *

Crunch, crunch, crunch.
Artia gnawed ceaselessly on carrot sticks when a low voice reached her ears.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
Killian had entered the room without her noticing.
Artia, showing no surprise whatsoever, naturally drew him into an embrace and spoke.
“Just… thinking about something.”
“About what?”
Artia enjoyed chattering away to Killian about every little thing.
But today’s matter, for some reason, she didn’t want to discuss.
Killian leaned close to Artia’s ear, her lips pressed firmly shut, and whispered.
“Tell me.”
Ordinarily, when Killian was beside Artia, he behaved like a languid cat.
He wanted nothing from her and rarely displayed his emotions.
Yet when it came to Artia alone, he possessed a relentless streak.
He wouldn’t rest until he knew everything about her.
‘If you don’t answer, I’ll keep asking all night.’
Knowing Killian’s nature, Artia ultimately had no choice but to confess everything that had happened today.
“Aunt really does favor me too much. She’s asking me to attend the Noble Conference—it’s absurd.”
Killian, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
“Why is that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why are you saying something so unlike yourself?”
“….”
“The Artia von Edenberg I know is far more ambitious than her gentle appearance suggests. You always have to get what you want.”
He continued.
“You want to become the Duke of Edenberg.”
In that moment, my heart sank.
It felt as though a secret I never wanted anyone to discover had been exposed.
Yet soon after, I composed myself and shook my head.
“I only wanted to possess power that wouldn’t be swayed by anyone else. I never harbored ambitions for the ducal title itself. A woman as a duke—it’s unthinkable.”
“….”
“And since we’re on the subject, I’ll tell you this: I intend to pass the dukedom to one of my two uncles. I can’t leave it vacant indefinitely.”
Artia added playfully.
“Of course, I’m only transferring the title. I’ll be the hidden power controlling House of Edenberg from behind the scenes. Doesn’t that sound magnificent?”
Yet despite my bright tone, Killian’s expression remained cold.
Killian stared intently at my pink eyes and spoke.
“You made that decision because of me.”
“…!”
A brief silence fell between us.
After a moment, I opened my mouth.
“When His Highness and I first began our relationship, I thought about it.”
Killian von Orpheus was a prominent imperial prince, a strong candidate for the next emperor.
He couldn’t remain unmarried forever.
Someday he would have to take a wife, and when that time came, I would have to end this relationship.
My heart would shatter, but there was no helping it.
Until that day came, I resolved to love him without regret.
“….”
Killian’s beautiful face twisted as though he’d heard words he shouldn’t have.
Before he could speak, I laughed bitterly and continued.
“How foolish and arrogant of me. It could never be that way.”
With each passing day, my love for Killian deepened.
More, and more, and more.
Like waves crashing upon the shore, the tide of emotion swept away my resolve, and my thoughts transformed.
“I want to be by Your Highness’s side. Even after you ascend as emperor, I want to continue.”
“…!”
I continued speaking to Killian, whose eyes had widened.
“It’s not impossible.”
I was born into House of Edenberg, a noble lineage.
Though I had married once, if I could prove that the wedding night never took place, I could manage to overcome that obstacle.
There was only one thing I would have to surrender.
The Dukedom of Edenberg.
The head of a house cannot become empress.
The empress must abandon her original name, take the emperor’s surname, and become the mother of this nation.
I spoke with deliberate playfulness.
“I want to keep open the possibility of becoming Your Highness’s wife. As you said, I’m greedy enough that I can’t rest until I have what I desire.”
Would it be burdensome to want to become his wife without even a proposal?
I worried about how Killian would react.
I swallowed hard and looked at him.
Yet his beautiful face had frozen as though he’d received an entirely unexpected gift.
Just as it had when we confirmed our feelings for each other.
Killian interlaced his fingers with mine and spoke.
“I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d find it burdensome….”
He whispered as though sharing a secret.
“I wanted to be your husband. From the very first day we began dating.”
“…!”
Killian too had understood that our future together was uncertain, and he believed effort would be necessary to solidify this relationship.
“I found a mage who might be able to cure Arsen.”
At words I never expected, my eyes widened.
“It took a long time.”
The imperial prince’s personal intelligence network, the Rat Network, had finally traced the mage after more than a decade of relentless pursuit.
“Once my brother recovers, he’ll formally ascend as Crown Prince. And I….”
Killian gazed into Artia’s pink eyes as he continued.
“I’ll renounce my claim to the throne and become the husband of Artia von Edenberg.”
“…!”
It was impossible for an Emperor to take the Duke of Edenberg as his wife.
An Empress of the realm could never bear another house’s name.
But as an ordinary member of the Imperial Family—not the Emperor himself—it became possible.
Of course, there would be countless objections and condemnations, yet Killian possessed the resolve to overcome them all.
So, Artia.
“I’ll have myself, the dukedom, and everything you desire.”
…Where in this world could such a proposal exist?
Artia spoke with an expression as though she might weep.
“Is that truly possible?”
“You said it yourself. You hoped I’d find something I genuinely wished to do.”
What Killian most yearned for now was Artia alone.
He wished for her to do as she pleased, to possess all she desired, and to find happiness.
Understanding his heart, Artia pulled him into a tight embrace and nodded.

* * *

Killian learned of the mage Charlotte’s existence when he was ten years old.
While reading countless ancient texts in search of a way to restore Arsen’s health, one particular mage caught his attention.

「 Charlotte, one of the mages from the era of Emperor Orpheus, the first Emperor.
She possessed the answers to all things in this world.
Even Orpheus himself, wielding omnipotent power, would inquire of her about his curiosities. 」

What captured young Killian’s attention was not merely those words.

「 What is remarkable is that no one has ever witnessed her corpse, and sightings of Charlotte have continued for centuries.
Thus, the hypothesis that she lives in eternal life has emerged. 」

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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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