The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 183

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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 183

More guests were invited than had attended the late Emperor’s funeral mere weeks before, and the chapel was adorned with flowers by the dozens.
It was the moment when Arsen, who had been treated as a non-entity since birth, received the honor befitting an Imperial Prince for the first time.
The nobility who had attended the previous coronation learned that Killian von Orpheus had failed to recognize Artia due to a curse.
However, they knew nothing of what had transpired between Killian von Orpheus and Arsen, and so countless rumors swirled.
“I heard His Highness Arsen placed a curse upon His Highness Killian von Orpheus.”
“They say His Highness Arsen died in His Highness Killian von Orpheus’s stead.”
With the truth shrouded in mystery, the only certainty was Killian von Orpheus’s feelings toward Arsen.
The funeral was conducted with magnificent grandeur.
Most tellingly, the golden eyes of Killian von Orpheus, now revealed to all, held a sorrow too profound to conceal.
The beloved of one destined to become Emperor.
And having died, there was nothing to hold against him.
The nobility wept as though they had cherished Arsen all along.
Fabricated grief.
Hollow mourning.
Yet I wished to give Arsen something, however meaningless it might be.
For there was nothing else I could do for him now.
As the coffin was lowered into the earth, Artia, who had stood beside me throughout, took my hand.
It was warm.
And so this was where I belonged.
I could not be consumed by sorrow.
“Farewell, brother.”
With my parting words, the funeral came to an end.

* * *

Nobles returning from the funeral gathered and whispered among themselves.
“His Highness Killian von Orpheus and the Duchess of Edenberg made no effort to hide their special relationship. They must be planning to make their courtship official now, yes?”
“Courtship is hardly the appropriate term for one destined to become Emperor. He must be looking far ahead.”
Marriage, in other words.
“But hasn’t the Duchess of Edenberg been married before?”
“The 15th Empress was also a widow. There is precedent.”
“….”
“Besides, if His Imperial Majesty desires it, is anything truly impossible?”
With the Emperor dead, the Empress in seclusion, and Arsen gone, Killian von Orpheus stood as the sole member of the Imperial Family, wielding absolute power.
If he wished it, Artia’s status as a divorcée posed no obstacle whatsoever.
Even if she had children, ascending to the position of Empress would be within reach.
The coronation ceremony proceeded amid anticipation and apprehension.
When Killian von Orpheus appeared in the grand chapel, the nobility suddenly grasped the truth—that he had been brainwashed at his previous coronation.
A vivid vitality radiated from him now, something entirely absent before.
At last, the crown descended upon Killian von Orpheus’s head.
The 27th Emperor of the Empire—Killian von Orpheus had ascended to the throne.
The nobles knelt in reverence.
Killian von Orpheus gazed down upon them and spoke.
“As you all know, a regrettable incident occurred recently within the Imperial Palace. I wish to clarify the facts surrounding this matter and prevent the truth from being distorted.”
His voice echoed through the silent chapel.
Though his tone remained measured and calm, the content was shocking.
Killian von Orpheus had been brainwashed by a mysterious sorcerer, and Artia had sacrificed herself to free him from that spell.
A noble ventured a careful question.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but is His Highness Arsen unrelated to your brainwashing?”
In that instant, Killian von Orpheus’s eyes flashed with an eerie light.
“How dare you. My brother gave his life protecting myself and Artia von Edenberg.”
The menace in his tone was unmistakable.
Not only the noble who had asked the question, but all those who harbored doubts about Arsen fell silent.
Killian von Orpheus spoke again.
“Sadly, my brother is no longer of this world. I cannot express my gratitude to him. But Artia von Edenberg remains with us.”
Killian von Orpheus’s gaze swept across the crowd and found her instantly.
When their eyes met, his expression softened with warmth.
“Therefore, I wish to offer my apologies to Artia von Edenberg for the false accusation that she was my assassin, and my gratitude for freeing me from brainwashing.”
Killian von Orpheus extended his hand.
“Come to my side.”
Artia ascended the dais and stood before the new Emperor.
Killian von Orpheus looked down at her and spoke.
“Thanks to you, I was freed from that vicious spell and regained my senses. You have saved my life. Ask for anything—anything at all. Tell me what you desire.”
The nobles’ eyes widened.
This was an unexpected turn of events.
Those with vivid imaginations conjured countless scenarios.
‘Surely the Duchess of Edenberg isn’t saying she wishes to become Empress here and now?’
‘No, that would be far too brazen. Better to fully restore her honor, request that her divorce be erased from record, and then slowly prepare for remarriage.’
Yet these were merely speculations playing out in their minds—no one could have predicted what Artia would actually say.
Artia opened her mouth slowly.
“Your Majesty, the all-knowing Emperor, I wish to say this: I desire to inherit the Dukedom of Edenberg.”
“…?!”
The nobility’s eyes widened in unison.
It was a statement no one had anticipated.
‘A woman inheriting a title? That’s impossible!’
‘If she becomes a Duke, she cannot become Empress! Does she have no intention of marrying Your Majesty?!’
Amid the confusion, Artia continued.
“I understand this is not a decision to be made lightly, as it has never occurred in the long history of the Empire. Therefore, rather than granting me the Dukedom itself, I ask that you grant me the qualification to inherit it.”
“….”
“When Your Majesty and all the people of this world acknowledge that Artia von Edenberg possesses the merit to receive such a title, then I shall ascend to the Dukedom.”
Artia’s rose-tinted eyes blazed with intensity.
It was the gaze Killian von Orpheus loved most, yet the very one that had once unsettled him.
But now he no longer feared she would leave him.
Because he possessed an unwavering faith.
Not faith in her, but faith in himself.
Wherever she walked, he would follow.
Killian von Orpheus nodded with a gentle smile.
“I promise.”
Amid the astonishment of the crowd, Artia laughed brilliantly.
It was an innocent, radiant smile—like a child who had finally obtained what she desired.

* * *

The coronation concluded, leaving the nobility in disarray.
The nobles resisted the notion that a woman could inherit a title, yet none dared voice such objections aloud.
The Emperor himself had promised it.
They feared that one careless word might offend the Emperor.
They could not even confront Artia about it.
She was Killian von Orpheus’s beloved, after all.
Among them all, only Marigold sought out Artia and shrieked at her.
“Artia, you’re really going to become a Duke?!”
“I wished to, so I petitioned His Majesty for it.”
“If you become a Duke, you can’t be Empress! Are you planning to spend your whole life dating His Majesty without marriage? Or are you trying to become some secret mistress while he marries another woman?!”
Dahlia, who had come with Marigold, lit up with intrigue.
“Quite the imagination, isn’t it?”
Frigia nodded in agreement, impressed.
Artia laughed as she regarded the three women.
“I have no intention of becoming a secret mistress. And His Majesty won’t marry another woman. His place beside him belongs to me.”
Yet Marigold remained unconvinced.
“Then why insist on becoming a Duke!”
“Because I wish to become one.”
“But if you become a Duke….”
She was about to say once more that she could not be Empress, when Artia spoke.
“They said nobility could never divorce, yet I did.”
They said a wife could not punish a husband who struck her, yet I won in court.
I became ethereal by befriending three women of tremendous influence in High Society.
I revived my dying house through successful business ventures.
“Everyone said it was impossible, yet I achieved it. So why wouldn’t this be possible as well?”
Becoming a Duke first, then Killian von Orpheus’s wife.
I intended to accomplish it.
I was greedy—I had to have everything I desired.

* * *

“Can the Duchess of Edenberg truly ascend to the ducal seat?”
“With the Emperor’s strong backing, it’s naturally possible.”
“If that were the intention, she would have requested the ducal seat at the coronation itself. The fact that she asked only for the qualifications to inherit the title means she won’t become Duke as long as the nobility opposes it.”
“At least she knows her place. How could a woman possibly become a Duke?”
“What’s impossible about a woman? The Duchess of Edenberg is undoubtedly the finest talent in her house.”
“I agree with that assessment, but I don’t wish for the Duchess of Edenberg to become a Duke. I would prefer she become Empress and use her abilities for this nation, not merely her house.”
The nobility chattered noisily among themselves.
Yet Artia and Killian von Orpheus, the principals themselves, simply devoted their attention to their respective duties.

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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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