The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 189

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

In Search of the Duke’s Husband
Side Story – Episode 4

Hair as black as the night sky, golden eyes that seemed to hold melted moonlight.
Not a single strand out of place, he stood immaculately groomed, radiating an overwhelmingly breathtaking beauty.
Killian von Orpheus approached Artia with an elegant gait.
With each step closer, Artia’s heart began to race.
The moment he came to a stop before her, she lowered her head.
“I offer my respects to the blood of the almighty House of Orpheus.”
An utterly formal and courteous greeting. Yet beneath it lay an emotion too deep to conceal.
And Killian von Orpheus felt the same.
“It’s been a while, Artia.”
A faint smile bloomed across Killian von Orpheus’s cool visage.
The faces of the nobility who had been staring blankly filled with shock.
The arrogant and cold young Emperor was an endlessly terrifying presence.
‘For His Majesty to make such a human expression!’
Meanwhile, the women who ardently supported Killian von Orpheus and Artia screamed inwardly.
‘Who said they broke up! They’re in love like this!’
Some were even imagining something more thrilling than the play opening today.
‘Could it be that His Majesty can’t hold back and is about to kiss her right here?!’
‘Please! Do something crazy for us!’
Amid the fervent anticipation of some of the women, Artia barely maintained her smile.
From the moment her eyes met Killian von Orpheus’s, her heart refused to settle.
‘Is it because I haven’t seen him in so long?’
As she looked at him with a somewhat flustered expression, the corners of Killian von Orpheus’s mouth slowly rose.
A smile he showed to no one else.
Combined with his indifferent face, it inadvertently exuded a decadent atmosphere.
In that instant, Artia staggered as if struck by tremendous force. Killian von Orpheus caught her lightly as she wavered.
A voice, low and hushed, brushed against her ear.
“I missed you.”
“…!”
Artia’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
‘Compose yourself. Compose yourself.’
Today was an important day.
As the representative of the Edenberg Company, she had to greet the audience.
It was Killian von Orpheus who noticed Artia’s discomfort.
“Don’t worry about me. Just focus on your work.”
“…Thank you for your consideration.”
Artia bowed respectfully before taking a step back.
Yet even after putting distance between myself and Killian, my heart refused to settle.
My eyes kept drifting toward Killian, surrounded as he was by admiring gazes.
The whispered murmurs of the women around us incessantly pierced my ears.
“His Majesty’s countenance seems particularly radiant today.”
“It’s almost too dazzling to even look upon.”
Both women and men alike gazed at Killian as though enchanted.
My insides twisted, yet I maintained a gracious smile.
‘I’m working right now.’
Just then, an elderly gentleman and a young woman approached Killian’s side.
“We offer our respects to the noble bloodline of the almighty House of Orpheus.”
Marquis Victor—a relative who had known Killian since childhood.
Killian’s expression betrayed annoyance, yet he offered the bare minimum of courtesy with a slight nod.
“It’s been a while.”
Accustomed to Killian’s rudeness, Marquis Victor paid it no mind and proceeded with what he wished to say.
“What a remarkable coincidence. I happen to be accompanying a distinguished guest.”
He gestured toward the woman beside him.
“This is Princess Silvia of the Sharman Duchy.”
The Sharman Duchy.
One of the great powers maintaining close ties with the Empire.
Silvia offered an elegant bow accompanied by a demure smile.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”
Her attire was far too elaborate for a performance hall—more suited to a grand ball.
Killian immediately grasped Marquis Victor’s intention.
‘He’s trying to pair me with her.’
Marquis Victor was among those who openly opposed my relationship with Killian.
“A divorced woman for the noble Emperor? Absolutely unthinkable!”
Had it not been for a relative who had actively supported him since childhood, he would have long since disappeared without a trace.
‘But it seems he’s been too lenient. To think he’d resort to such tiresome schemes.’
The usual Killian would have dismissed him with “Stop bothering me and leave,” disposing of him like an insect.
But this was Artia’s workplace. I didn’t want to ruin it in any way.
So he showed uncharacteristic forbearance.
“I’d prefer to be alone.”
Normally, that single statement would have prompted a tactful retreat.
But Marquis Victor, who had been waiting for this moment, had no intention of giving up easily.
He exchanged a meaningful glance with Silvia.
As a foreigner, Silvia was unfamiliar with the Empire’s affairs. She didn’t know how ruthlessly cold Killian could be toward women.
And faced with an overwhelming beauty unlike anything she’d ever seen in her own country, she had lost all sense of reason.
Sylvia made no attempt to hide her excitement as she spoke.
“Even if you’re busy, could you spare just a moment? This is my first time in the Empire, so there’s much I don’t understand. It would be such an honor if Your Majesty would show me around….”
Her words never reached their conclusion.
Artia, who had been standing at a distance, approached at an alarming speed and positioned herself between them.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Your Highness. His Majesty has just been called away on urgent business.”
“Pardon?”
Sylvia’s eyes widened in surprise.
But rather than politely explain the situation, Artia seized Killian’s hand and pulled him away.
“Your Majesty, this way.”
Killian complied without resistance, allowing himself to be led.
Being dragged along by someone’s hand was something he had never experienced in his entire life.

Artia brought Killian to a small room tucked away in the corner of the Performance Hall.
Ordinarily, I would have taken him to my chamber on the second floor, but there was no time for that now. The urgency was too great.
The moment the door closed, Artia cornered Killian against the wall and cried out.
“Why did you have to look so dashing?!”
“….”
“And why are you being so kind to everyone?”
Killian raised one eyebrow.
When did I?
He had no idea.
In the joy of seeing Artia after so long, the usual coldness that clung to him had noticeably softened—a fact he himself hadn’t recognized.
Killian gazed down at the furious Artia and let out a low chuckle.
“You didn’t like it?”
“Did you really just say that? Of course I didn’t like it!”
If today hadn’t been the opening night of the performance, I might have cast aside all pretense of nobility and made a scene.
At her petulant complaints, like those of a child, Killian felt the thirst that had accumulated over the past two weeks melt away in an instant.
He chuckled softly and drew Artia into his embrace.
It was a warmth he hadn’t felt in so long.
Thump, thump, thump.
Whose heartbeat was threatening to burst?
A tremor coursed through her entire body, and Artia’s vision swam.
Killian brought his lips close to her ear and whispered softly.
“I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”
“….”
“What? What else do you want me to do?”
Artia clutched his shirt collar tightly as she murmured.
“Next time, no matter how busy you are, we’ll see each other.”
Killian’s eyes wavered.
“It was so hard without you.”
I thought I was fine. I thought I could bear it. So why are my eyes burning?
Artia found herself utterly childish and wished she could simply disappear into the ground.
Yet contrary to her mortification, Killian von Orpheus found her unbearably lovely in this moment.
He slowly brushed away the tears from her cheeks and spoke softly.
“What if I don’t let you go?”
“Then you can just keep holding me.”
“But that would put you in a difficult position.”
“That’s my concern. So….”
Artia met Killian von Orpheus’s gaze.
In those fevered eyes, only each other existed.
“Don’t worry about such things. If you miss me, come see me. I’ll do the same.”
Those were her final words.
Killian von Orpheus’s large hand suddenly pulled Artia’s waist toward him with fierce strength.
He wanted to hold her.
Tightly, even more tightly.
So desperately that he feared she might vanish.
Drawing Artia deep into his embrace, Killian von Orpheus murmured in a voice rough as a beast’s.
“From now on, stay only with me.”
Don’t concern yourself with work or anyone else.
In my arms, see only me.
The sticky, burning possessiveness of a man consumed by desire.
Artia found his love not burdensome in the slightest. It was purely a joy.
“I will.”
The moment Artia answered, Killian von Orpheus bit at her neck.
Like a black panther released from its chains.

Epilogue

Though Artia vanished abruptly, no serious problems arose. After all, the performance belonged to the actors and staff.
When the performance ended, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
“It was the most magnificent performance!”
The audience and actors began searching for Artia, the performance’s producer.
“Artia!”
Luka in particular rushed to her private chamber with the desperate face of a lost dog, but she was nowhere to be found.
Ultimately, no one could locate Artia.
Thanks to this, Artia and Killian von Orpheus were able to spend time together undisturbed.
For a very, very long time.

Side Story 1: For You – Complete

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————