The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 17

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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 17

The Imperial Palace held a prophecy passed down since its founding.
[One who inherits the power of Orpheus, the first Emperor and great sorcerer, shall appear and lead the Empire into an era of dreamlike prosperity.]
Because of this prophecy, every member of the Imperial Family was tested for magical power at birth. Yet for a long time, no one with magic was born, and the prophecy gradually became an ancient legend.
Then one day, a child was born with jet-black hair and gleaming golden eyes—the distinctive colors of the Orpheus Imperial line manifested in vivid intensity.
It was the Second Prince, Killian.
The moment the infant’s hand, smaller than a maple leaf, touched the mana detection stone, brilliant light burst forth.
The Emperor and all the people of the Empire rejoiced greatly.
“His Majesty the First Emperor possessed such wondrous power that he could annihilate enemy forces alone. Surely Prince Killian will demonstrate strength to shake the world.”
Yet contrary to expectations, even as Killian reached an age to run about, he could not properly wield his magic.
The Emperor spoke coldly to the young Killian.
“What good is being born with magic if you’re defective?”
Remarkably, after that, Killian completely transformed the evaluation of himself.
His appearance, intellect, strength, presence, and boldness.
Without magic, Killian excelled in every aspect—the result of innate talent combined with relentless effort.
The Emperor’s heart softened toward the young prince’s superior abilities. People praised Killian and erased from memory the useless magic he possessed.
But Killian himself was different.
He remained conscious of the power within him and strived to use it, until finally he could wield his magic.
It was not the tremendous power of the First Emperor—the ability to take lives with a glance or resurrect the dying.
It was merely the ability to change his form.
At first, his power was weak enough to transform only into small animals, but for a child who had to remain confined in the palace, it was miracle enough.
Killian often transformed into animals and wandered about the palace.
The animal form brought him more than freedom alone. He could see many things he had never witnessed as a prince.
The sinister schemes of the Imperial Family.
The crude gossip of the attendants.
The dissolute private lives of the nobility.
…And a small girl hiding in a corner, weeping.
Killian knew the girl.
‘Artia.’
He had encountered her occasionally at banquets, but had never properly seen her face. She always trembled, eyes fixed on the floor.
Yet the girl’s reaction was different this time.
Artia’s eyes widened, then she closed them gently, her pink eyes crinkling softly.
“You’re really beautiful.”
It was something I had heard countless times—both when I was human and when I was a cat—so it stirred no particular emotion.
Yet the face of Artia as she spoke those words was, just a little, truly just a little… endearing.
It was amusing, in a way, how she could smile at me despite her eyes being as red as a rabbit’s, tears clinging to her lashes.
Killian decided to humor Artia.
After that, I encountered her several more times.
When Killian took human form, she would tremble with fear, her head bowed and shoulders shaking, but when he became a cat, she would approach first and smile brightly.
It was ridiculous, entertaining, and infuriating all at once.
“So you prefer animals to people.”
Was it because he himself was an animal?
In Killian’s eyes, Artia was nothing but a timid, fragile rabbit.
Years passed, and Killian turned nineteen. When he heard that Artia had entered the Imperial Palace, he naturally left his chamber and transformed into a black cat.
Finding Artia was not difficult.
A sweet, subtle fragrance of cherry blossoms.
Following that scent, I always found her.
I discovered Artia in a garden where flowers bloomed in full splendor.
Artia von Edenberg!
My pace, unusually quickened, came to an abrupt halt.
There was a man standing beside her—she who was always alone.
“What is that contemptible mantis-looking bastard doing here?”
Was he tormenting Artia von Edenberg?
But my prediction was wrong.
Artia was smiling at the man.
It was a smile entirely different from what she had ever shown me—brimming with excitement and bashfulness.
In that moment, my insides twisted. It felt as though I had witnessed something I should never have seen.
Killian turned away abruptly.
After that, he never transformed into a black cat again.
‘And yet…’
Killian irritably swept back his black hair, gazing at the Edenberg Estate that had grown distant.
When Nocturne told me that Artia was trapped, I came here on impulse.
I had no grand intention.
I simply wanted to confirm Artia von Edenberg’s condition.
Would she be in as pitiful a state as when she came to see me not long ago?
If she were…
I didn’t know what I wanted to do about it.
Without dwelling on it further, I changed my form to that of a cat. I thought it best—appearing in my true form would only cause people to make a fuss.
Following the subtle fragrance of cherry blossoms, I found Artia resting her chin against the window frame.
Her face, pale as snow, bore no visible wounds.
Though she lacked vitality, she did not appear to be starving.
Having confirmed what I came to see, I was about to leave.
“Nabi?”
Artia called out a name she had long forgotten.
Killian approached her as though enchanted.
Just like the first time we met.
Artia beamed brightly at Nabi.
“So it really is you, Nabi!”
…Why did I make that face?
Hadn’t I forgotten about someone like me?
Wasn’t it enough to have just that man whose very presence filled me with disgust?
She chattered away, oblivious to my true feelings.
It felt as though we had returned to the past.
To those childhood days when Artia would talk endlessly while I simply listened quietly by her side.
‘Her voice is still so soft.’
Hearing that delicate voice—even a baby bird’s cry would sound more forceful—made my ears tingle.
After listening to her voice for some time….
“My lady, it’s Elma.”
At the sound from beyond the door, I jolted to my feet.
Having faced countless threats to my life in the Imperial Palace and on the battlefield, my senses were honed sharp as a blade—yet I hadn’t noticed someone approaching the door until they announced themselves, which was utterly absurd.
Shame washed over me like a man awakening from drunkenness.
As I turned to leave, Artia’s voice reached me from behind.
“Let’s meet again soon, Nabi.”
Her words carried an unmistakable longing.
I turned to look at Artia and opened my mouth.
“Meow.”
Recalling that moment, I contorted my beautiful face in disgust.
“A meow, of all things….”
I had transformed into animals many times before, but I had never mimicked one.
There was no need to, and besides, the pride of an imperial prince would never permit such an act.
Yet today, for the first time, I broke that rule.
The thought of that cloying sound that had escaped from a cat’s vocal cords made my entire body shudder.
I felt as though I had made some childish, lisping sound.
The most infuriating part was that I felt absolutely no regret for such a despicable action in that moment.

* * *

A servant blocked Lloyd’s path.
“My apologies, Duke. Those without an invitation cannot enter.”
“Do you not know who I am? I am the Duke of Edenberg.”
Lloyd’s eyes blazed with fury as he shouted, yet the doors remained firmly shut.
Through the window, the nobility caught sight of Lloyd biting his lip as he turned to leave, and they sneered.
“Look at him, completely oblivious to the atmosphere, lurking about like that.”
From the beginning, the nobility harbored not a shred of respect for Lloyd.
Rather, they resented that the fourth son of some obscure Viscount’s house had risen to become a Duke through a fortunate marriage.
They relished the current situation where they no longer needed to curry favor with Lloyd.
Lloyd, however, felt anything but pleased.
Upon returning home, Lloyd seized the wine glass he had been drinking from and hurled it.
Crash!
The glass shattered against the wall into countless fragments, yet his rage remained unabated.
“Damn it, damn it!”

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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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