The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 170

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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 170

Killian von Orpheus grasped Artia’s hand with trembling fingers as she lay motionless before him.
Her skin was ice-cold to the touch.
It felt as though the slightest pressure would shatter her into a thousand pieces.
A small, fragile voice escaped from Killian von Orpheus’s lips.
“Artia.”
“….”
“Open your eyes.”
“….”
“Open your eyes.”
“….”
“Please, open your eyes for me.”
As a single tear traced down Killian von Orpheus’s golden gaze, a brilliant light spilled forth from within.
That radiance enveloped her entire form, as though drawing her into an embrace.

* * *

Charlotte met Artia’s gaze and spoke.
“Resurrecting the dead defies the natural order of the world. That’s why certain side effects occurred.”
The memories of Artia’s death were erased from people’s minds.
Not just from those around her, but from the one who had been brought back to life herself….
Charlotte’s finger pointed toward Killian von Orpheus.
“Even from the very person who cast the spell.”
Charlotte continued speaking to Killian von Orpheus, whose eyes had widened in shock.
“But the aftermath of using that magic remained vivid. Draining every last drop of your mana must have brought overwhelming agony.”
Charlotte’s words were precisely accurate.
In those days, Killian von Orpheus had suffered through a raging fever for a full fortnight, unable to regain consciousness, with no understanding of why.
Charlotte’s gaze turned back to Artia.
“In your final moments before death, you spoke countless times.”
That you despised yourself, that you wished to disappear.
“Killian von Orpheus’s magic, desperate to resurrect you, merged with your own desire to vanish—creating a powerful hypnotic suggestion.”
I am not the pathetic Artia von Edenberg.
I am someone who grew up beloved by countless people.
And so a false Artia was born.
She did not fear others. She was confident in every moment, and she loved herself.
Tears began to well in Artia’s eyes.
Charlotte spoke to Artia, who now wept.
“You were always yourself, Artia von Edenberg.”

* * *

“Neither of you seems to be in any state for conversation.”
Charlotte waved her hand as she continued.
“I’ll take my leave for today. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
After Charlotte departed, only Artia and Killian remained in the room.
Artia could not find any words.
Killian was equally stunned.
Yet he suppressed his emotions as much as possible and took Artia’s hand.
How much time had passed?
In the darkened room, Artia’s voice echoed.
“It was me. Not someone else.”
“….”
“Artia von Edenberg accomplished so many things.”
Artia laughed, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to love myself.”
With those words, Killian pulled Artia into his embrace.
“I’m the one who should thank you, for staying alive.”
His voice, lower than usual, trembled visibly.
Without his memories, Killian could not grasp the reality of Charlotte’s words.
Yet one truth struck him with overwhelming clarity—that Artia had once turned her back on the world.
It terrified him.
Only then did Artia understand the fear he felt.
Artia brought his hand to her cheek and spoke.
“I swear to you. Never again will such a thing happen.”
“….”
“I will always remain by your side.”
Killian’s eyes reddened, as though holding back tears.
He was a prince. Noble pride would not permit him to weep.
Knowing this, Artia wept like a child.
Crying in his stead, as it were.
She grieved for her past self, abandoned even by her own hand.
Her heart ached thinking of how much suffering he must have endured, confronting the death of a woman he had cherished in his heart for so long.
The reality of meeting again after all this time, of being together now, filled her with profound gratitude.

* * *

The next day, Charlotte returned to the Edenberg Office.
Upon seeing Artia and Killian von Orpheus, she burst into laughter.
“Good thing you two left quickly yesterday. Your faces are in terrible shape.”
Artia’s eyes were badly swollen.
Killian von Orpheus wasn’t quite as bad, but the area around his eyes was faintly reddened.
“Spare us the commentary and get to the point.”
You can’t sound imposing with eyes like a rabbit’s, after all.
Killian von Orpheus spoke to Charlotte, who was giggling.
“I said I could accomplish anything I desired.”
Indeed, Killian von Orpheus had even brought the dead back to life.
It was an omnipotent power rivaling that of Emperor Orpheus.
“Then why can’t I heal my brother’s body?”
Charlotte stared directly into Killian von Orpheus’s golden eyes as she spoke.
“You’ve been continuously healing Arsen all this time.”
“…!”
“Arsen’s life should have ended long ago. The fact that he’s still alive is thanks to your magic.”
Faced with such a shocking revelation, Killian von Orpheus found himself speechless.
He had believed he was offering his brother no help whatsoever, yet he had been keeping him alive all along.
Yet this brought him no joy.
It was because despite using magic, Arsen’s condition had not improved.
Understanding his heart, Artia took Killian von Orpheus’s hand.
Regaining his composure from the warmth of her touch, Killian von Orpheus spoke.
“This isn’t enough. I want to make my brother completely healthy.”
The image of Arsen walking beneath warm sunlight, smiling brightly.
That was Killian von Orpheus’s desire.
“Is there a way to do that?”
Charlotte smirked.
‘Just as I thought—he looks like Orpheus, but his nature is entirely different.’
Orpheus would never make such an earnest expression for the sake of another.
‘I prefer this one.’
Unfortunately, no matter how much affection she felt, there were limits to what she could help with.
Charlotte spoke.
“I merely read what your magic has accomplished so far. I cannot know such things.”
Despite the negative answer, Killian von Orpheus did not give up and asked again.
“Then if I meet my brother? Could you read his physical condition and how he might become healthy?”
Charlotte furrowed her brows in contemplation before answering.
“It’s possible, or it might not be.”
Even at this ambiguous answer, Killian von Orpheus clenched his fists tightly.
A mere possibility.
For him, that alone was a miracle.
“What do you want?”
At Killian’s blunt question, Artia, who had been silent until now, interjected.
“Would it be possible to meet with Prince Arsen? Since this is no simple matter, I shall demonstrate appropriate sincerity. Whatever it takes.”
Charlotte laughed, a soft ha, ha.
“How do you say the same thing so differently? Killian, you should learn from Artia.”
“….”
Charlotte continued speaking to Killian, who offered no particular objection.
“I do have a wish. But it’s something Artia can provide far better than you.”
Since Artia had heard this yesterday, she answered calmly rather than with surprise.
“Please tell me what it is.”
Charlotte’s expression grew serious as she spoke.
“Introduce me to Luka.”
“…?”
The request was so unexpected that Artia momentarily wondered if she had misheard.
Seeing Artia’s eyes widen, Charlotte’s face flushed like a young girl’s.
“Everyone kept talking about the Northern Grand Duke’s burning heart, so I was curious how entertaining it truly was and attended a performance.”
And I fell completely.
For Luka.
I attended the performance more than twenty-nine times, obtaining tickets that were supposedly difficult even for the Imperial Family to acquire.
Strangely, rather than tiring of it, my affection only grew deeper.
However, the problem was that Luka had captivated not only Charlotte.
Because Luka’s fans were so fervent, he returned to the Edenberg Estate immediately after each performance and hid away like a turtle.
Outside of performances, it was nearly impossible to catch a glimpse of him.
Of course, if Charlotte used magic, she could create opportunities to see Luka in any number of ways.
But she hadn’t, because she had read the longing in Luka’s eyes as he returned home to escape his admirers.
‘I’m grateful to those who watch my performances, but I dislike those who seek me out carelessly.’
So Charlotte had come to Artia.
“Luka trusts and relies on you most of all. If you introduce me, he will gladly meet me.”
Charlotte spoke with sparkling eyes.
“You’ll do this for me, won’t you?”

* * *

Artia walked through the Garden with a troubled expression.
‘If she had asked for money, I would have given it freely without hesitation.’
But the request to meet Luka left me utterly perplexed.
Just then, Luka appeared with a pop from the shrubbery.

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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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