The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 26

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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 26

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After the divorce, Artia had been confined to the Edenberg Mansion until today, when she finally ventured out.
Seated in the carriage, Artia flexed her arm and spoke with satisfaction.
“I’ve been exercising every day lately, and I think my arm muscles are getting firmer.”
Though her arm remained as slender as a forsythia branch, Bibi nodded with utter seriousness.
“Indeed, my lady. If you continue diligently, your arms will become as sturdy and thick as ancient timber.”
“I do hope that happens soon.”
Artia smiled contentedly, imagining her forearms becoming toned and muscular.
Shortly after, the carriage came to a halt.
With Bibi’s assistance, Artia descended from the carriage.
They had arrived at Penelope’s Estate.
During my confinement, Penelope had been of tremendous help to me.
Thanks to her relentless efforts in speaking ill of Lloyd, his reputation had plummeted to the depths.
Though I had crossed paths with her a few times in the past, this was our first true meeting as we are now.
Contrary to my worries about awkwardness, Penelope greeted Artia with a radiant smile.
“Welcome, Duchess of Edenberg. Or should I call you Lady Edenberg as before, now that you’re divorced?”
Artia’s face flushed slightly as she replied.
“Please continue to call me Duchess of Edenberg.”
A woman who had once married never reverted to her unmarried title. Like widows, Artia retained the title of Duchess of Edenberg.
Penelope nodded in understanding.
“Of course, Duchess of Edenberg.”
Artia bowed her head slightly to the gracious Penelope.
“Thank you for inviting me, Lady Oren.”
“The honor is entirely mine. You’ve become quite the sensation in society these days, Duchess of Edenberg.”
It was inevitable.
She was the protagonist of a shocking event—the first divorce since the Emperor’s ascension to the throne.
As a result, Artia had been receiving an unprecedented number of invitations.
Half stemmed from curiosity about a divorcée, a rarity in decades, while the other half sought to curry favor with her to secure the vacant position of Duke of Edenberg.
She had declined all their invitations, citing the need for time to compose herself, but she had accepted Penelope’s.
Artia offered a bright smile and extended a beautifully wrapped gift box.
“Thank you for helping me. Thanks to your efforts, my struggle with my ex-husband was not a lonely one.”
Did the Duchess of Edenberg always smile so adorably?
Penelope regarded Artia with mild surprise before responding playfully.
“Not at all.”
Penelope naturally linked her arm through Artia’s and guided her into the drawing room.
Inside the lavishly decorated chamber, a round table overflowed with an array of colorful desserts.
Penelope spoke with evident pride.
“I’ve emptied out all the trendy dessert shops in the Convent lately.”
Penelope had no idea that Artia detested the cloying sweetness of sugar and preferred fresh vegetables or dried ones to desserts.
‘It’s only natural—we knew each other’s names but were never truly close.’
Yet this fact brought me no disappointment, only gratitude.
These magnificent desserts were Penelope’s sweet gesture of comfort.
“You’ve been through so much dealing with that reckless fool. Just for today, forget about your waistline and indulge yourself—eat freely and unwind.”
Penelope added the remark after glancing at Artia’s waist.
“My apologies. I suppose I’m the only one who needs to worry about my own figure.”
Artia burst into laughter.
Many noblewomen disliked Penelope for her unrefined manner and unladylike behavior. But Artia found this side of her endearing.
Contrary to what I’d expected—that we’d share no common ground beyond the topic of ‘troublesome husbands’—our conversation flowed effortlessly.
Gossip from high society, the latest fashionable gowns, novels we’d enjoyed reading…
As the engaging conversation continued without pause, Penelope burst into audible laughter.
“Puhaha!”
Her bright, uninhibited laugh—far removed from the delicate demeanor of a refined noblewoman—rang out as she continued.
“You speak so eloquently—why were you so quiet before?”
Because the person you knew then wasn’t me.
But there was no need to say such a thing, so Artia simply smiled softly.
“Perhaps it’s because Lady Oren responds so well that the words flow naturally.”
…Her smile really is adorable.
Penelope gazed at Artia with slightly flushed cheeks before speaking.
“We’ve known each other since childhood, but we were never particularly close. So it feels a bit embarrassing to say this now, but…”
“…?”
“I’d like for us to be friends going forward.”
“…!”
Does Penelope know?
That in childhood, I longed to approach her, surrounded as she was by friends.
That I wished to play with dolls together, read books, and gossip with her.
‘Look, Artia. You’ve found the friend you always wanted.’
I smiled radiantly, hoping the real Artia would somehow know of this.
“I’d love that—I want to be friends with Lady Oren too.”
Penelope’s eyes widened, and unable to contain herself any longer, she pulled Artia into a tight embrace.
“Then call me Pepe from now on, Artia.”
Nestled in Penelope’s arms, Artia nodded shyly.

* * *

While Artia spent a quiet moment with Penelope, Killian sat with a sharp, cutting expression on his face.
Nocton von Alihas, standing behind him, thought to himself.
‘He looks like he’d tear apart anyone who crosses him, but I know the truth.’
The Imperial Prince was simply bored, that was all.
Though he wanted to leave him to his own devices, as his closest attendant, he had no choice but to speak.
“Your Highness, would you care for sword training?”
“No.”
“Then perhaps a bath?”
“No.”
“Shall I bring you a book to read?”
Killian shook his head and spoke.
“That’s enough. Leave me.”
“Pardon?”
“Go away and let me amuse myself alone.”
What a blessing these words were!
Nocton von Alihas bowed his head, barely containing the joy threatening to burst forth.
“Understood, Your Highness. Call for me whenever you need anything.”
After Nocton von Alihas disappeared, Killian, now alone, murmured to himself.
“Yes, I’m bored right now.”
This was how I usually amused myself in such moments.
With those words tumbling out like an excuse, my body was engulfed in golden light, and my strong masculine frame transformed into a sleek black cat.

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Tap, tap.
At the sound of tapping against the window, Artia’s eyes widened as she turned her head.
Artia closed the book she’d been reading, sprang to her feet, and opened the window.
“You came, Nabi!”
Excited, Artia chattered away with an expression as animated as a child’s.
“Before, I only ever saw you at the Imperial Palace. A few days ago, I was confined to my room, so the situation wasn’t ideal. That’s why I couldn’t give you anything, but honestly, there were so many things I wanted to give you.”
“….”
Sensing something ominous, Killian tensed at the bridge of his nose as Artia extended a basket toward him.
“Tada! It’s a gift.”
…The basket was brimming with food and colorful toys.
Artia retrieved a piece of well-dried beef jerky and placed it in her palm.
“Here, try it. It’s a treat I made especially for you.”
“….”
As befitted an imperial prince, Killian possessed exacting tastes.
He was so particular about his meals that even on the battlefield he demanded only the finest cuisine—so much so that Nocton grumbled it was harder to arrange the prince’s meals than to slay enemies.
‘She’s asking me to eat this?’
Of course, jerky was food fit for human consumption.
But the problem was that it had been made as a cat treat.
Moreover, he couldn’t eat it with a fork—he had to take it directly into his mouth.
‘I already meowed once. I won’t allow my dignity to be trampled any further.’
…Yet Artia’s pink eyes were shining with unprecedented brilliance.
I had never seen such hopeful eyes before.
Even when Killian had said he would help me divorce, it hadn’t been quite like this.
Glimmering.
‘Damn it….’
I wouldn’t eat it. Absolutely not!
Yet contrary to my resolve, I found myself opening my mouth as though cursed.
The moment Nabi bit into the jerky, Artia’s smile grew even brighter.

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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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