The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 177

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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 177

I lifted my head abruptly.
“What do you mean by that?”
Charlotte tapped her own head lightly as she spoke.
“The human mind is extraordinarily delicate. Using magic to forcibly rummage through it and shake it about—that’s what happens.”
Which is why such terrible side effects are inevitable.
Some lost their memories. Many others had their minds shattered entirely, reduced to living husks.
This was why Charlotte feared and despised Orpheus.
He wielded magic that destroyed people without hesitation.
A terror far greater than when Killian von Orpheus had tried to kill me flooded through me.
I could lose him.
Forever.
“I must break His Majesty’s spell.”
Even if it meant killing Arsen.
There was no hesitation in my deepened rose-colored eyes.
Only an unwavering resolve to do what must be done.
Charlotte shrugged as she spoke.
“You’ve got nerve, but it won’t be easy.”
Arsen is a mage wielding the power of Orpheus, and he resides deep within the Imperial Palace.
Approaching him was nearly impossible.
And there was another critical problem facing me now.
Charlotte dropped a shocking revelation.
“You’re currently wanted for the assassination of a prince. Keeping yourself alive will be difficult enough.”

* * *

Artia attempted to assassinate Prince Killian von Orpheus but failed and fled.
An Imperial Knight proclaimed this shocking revelation, his voice cutting through the air.
“Report Artia immediately upon sighting! Anyone who harbors this criminal will face severe punishment regardless of their station or circumstances!”
The Imperial Knights descended upon the Edenberg Estate, as well as the residences of relatives and those closest to Artia.
Marigold cried out upon witnessing soldiers ransacking the mansion.
“Tia could never commit such an act!”
Marigold was among the rare few who had discerned the special bond between Artia and Killian von Orpheus.
She had not heard it directly from Artia herself.
Rather, she had once remarked in jest, finding it curious how Killian—who despised women more than monsters—kept becoming entangled with Artia.
“Could it be that His Highness actually likes you?”
Yet Artia’s reaction had defied expectation.
She neither protested vehemently nor laughed it off as nonsense.
Her face merely flushed as though she had heard something troubling.
Had her companion been any other woman, such an innocent response would never have surfaced.
But before Marigold, Artia refused to wear a mask or speak falsehoods.
Marigold had been so startled she nearly dropped her teacup.
Barely collecting herself, Marigold whispered to Artia.
“So His Highness Killian’s misogyny was merely exceptionally high standards in disguise.”
At those words, Artia burst into childlike laughter.
Marigold refrained from broaching the subject further, fearing Artia’s embarrassment.
‘There’s no way Artia would attempt to murder His Highness Killian!’
Count Golzess, unaware of these circumstances, shared his wife’s conviction.
Artia was not the sort to commit such an act.
Nor would she gain anything from it.
Count Golzess grasped Marigold’s shoulder, attempting to calm her.
“I understand your feelings, but this is no ordinary crime—it is regicide. The moment we express even the slightest doubt, our lives hang in the balance.”
Count Golzess possessed courage, yet when his own life and that of his family were at stake, he knew how to lower himself more than anyone.
“We must remain silent, my dear.”
The situation was no different for her other friends.
It was amid this atmosphere that Ian and Derek came seeking Evangeline.
Both harbored resentment toward Artia.
Not only had their young niece wielded the house as she pleased, but she had also claimed the position of acting head of House Edenberg.
Yet despite their feelings, they recognized that the family’s prestige, which had crumbled because of Artia, had begun to rise once more.
Their animosity had softened somewhat.
Ian cried out.
“Sister, shouldn’t we do something? At this rate, Artia will be captured as the regicide and executed.”
Derek, visibly gaunt after mere days, spoke.
“If that happens, our house will suffer greatly. We cannot allow this.”
Evangeline addressed her two younger brothers.
“I understand your feelings, but for now, remain silent.”
“But….”
Evangeline continued, addressing Ian, who was desperate to do something.
“If Artia is captured, then we step in. We’ll protect Artia in the name of House of Edenberg.”
At Evangeline’s resolute words, Ian and Derek nodded with solemn expressions.

* * *

Nocton von Alihas spoke.
“The nobility are cooperating without refuting the assassination charges against Artia. On the surface, at least.”
Listening to the report before Nocton von Alihas was Killian von Orpheus, his expression cold and composed.
And beside him sat Arsen in a wooden wheelchair.
Nocton von Alihas continued speaking, his gaze fixed only on Killian von Orpheus as though Arsen were invisible.
“However, in their hearts, they deny or question whether Artia could have committed such a crime.”
Many among the nobility despised Artia.
Yet even they could not accept the fact of her guilt.
She had become the subject of countless rumors through her unconventional actions, but she was a person of moral integrity and wisdom.
Arsen smiled thinly, his pale face bearing a bitter edge.
‘How presumptuous—yet she possesses influence.’
Indeed, Artia’s conduct thus far had been far from incompetent.
Had she not become entangled with Killian von Orpheus, I might have made her a subject.
Though such a thing was impossible now.
Arsen stared intently at Nocton von Alihas, who stood motionless, and asked.
“Why do you not inquire about Killian von Orpheus’s condition?”
Nocton von Alihas was the closest attendant to Killian von Orpheus.
He could not have failed to notice any change in him.
Nocton von Alihas answered without the slightest change in expression.
“I beg your pardon, but I do not understand your meaning. To my eyes, His Highness appears as vigorous and healthy as always….”
Was he feigning ignorance?
‘No, it matters not to him.’
Beneath Nocton von Alihas’s deceptively gentle exterior lay an ambitious and calculating mind.
The reason he remained at the side of Killian von Orpheus, whom he regarded as a demanding master, was not merely fear of future retribution.
He wished to stand beside the noble being who would one day become Emperor of this realm.
Thus, he harbored no particular dissatisfaction with Killian von Orpheus as he was now.
Arsen’s eyes widened.
‘My poor brother—even your sole retainer desires of you only one thing.’
Emperor.
The image of absolute power to lead this vast land.
That was the path Killian von Orpheus must walk.
Not dallying with some woman.
Arsen regarded Nocton von Alihas with a satisfied gaze.
“Go on.”
“Yes.”
After Nocton von Alihas departed, only Arsen and Killian von Orpheus remained in the vast chamber.
“Killian von Orpheus.”
Killian von Orpheus responded to Arsen’s call.
“Yes.”
His voice emerged hollow and lifeless.
There was no emotion whatsoever contained within it.
It was not merely his voice.
His golden eyes held no trace of affection either.
Arsen disliked this, but there was nothing to be done about it.
‘If I release the spell, he will abandon me and go to that woman.’
That cannot happen.
You must remain by my side and fulfill the dream I desire, Killian von Orpheus.
Arsen caressed Killian von Orpheus’s expressionless face as he spoke.
“Killian von Orpheus, become Emperor.”
“Yes.”
At his obedient response, Arsen’s eyes curved with satisfaction.
He had no intention of waiting any longer to realize his dream.

* * *

The Empress lay in her chamber, sobbing quietly.
‘Arsen has changed ever since that sorceress Charlotte visited….’
His fragile body remained as it was. Yet the dull glimmer in his eyes had been replaced by a sharp, piercing gaze unlike anything before.
Most of all, he refused to leave Killian von Orpheus’s side.
From morning until night, constantly.
“Come now, let us return to your own chamber, Arsen.”
“I don’t want to.”
The first refusal she had ever heard from her son.
The Empress felt her heart being torn asunder.
Yet all she could do, despite loving her son so dearly, was return to the palace and weep.
When Arsen called for her, the Empress came.
Abandoning all dignity, she rushed to Killian’s Palace without hesitation.
She smiled brightly through eyes swollen from days of tears.
“Arsen!”
The Empress could not bring herself to tighten her grip as she embraced him.
Fearful his delicate frame might ache.
Arsen, cradled in the Empress’s arms, cast his gaze downward.
‘That familiar scent….’
Without casting any spell, the Empress had given everything to Arsen. Though she had once received the admiration of many, she had never known such profound affection until now.
And so she was a pitiful creature.
For Arsen, like Orpheus, loved only Killian von Orpheus.
She alone harbored an agonizing, one-sided love.
Arsen felt remorse for this, but Orpheus did not.
To him, the Empress was merely a tool to be manipulated.
Arsen parted his lips.
“Mother, you would do anything for me, wouldn’t you?”
Arsen had never spoken such words in all his life.
He had desired nothing, and had always conducted himself as though he might depart at any moment.
And so in this moment, the Empress felt joy far greater than confusion.
“Of course. I would give even my own life for you.”
In truth, the Empress suffered from severe melancholy and felt the impulse to end her life countless times each day, yet she had never acted upon it.
She had to live longer than Arsen to care for him.

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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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