The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 28

—————
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 – Episode 28

Catherine began withdrawing portraits one by one from her collection and introducing them.
“The fourth son of Count William’s house has quite the business acumen. If you marry this man, he’ll lead the Edenberg Duchy’s enterprises brilliantly.”
“The third son of Baron Estek’s house owns five diamond mines under his own name. Marry him, and you can adorn yourself with diamonds to your heart’s content.”
“The fifth son of Marquis Filanche’s house….”
Artia, who had been listening quietly to her words, spoke up.
“Mother, I have no intention of remarrying yet.”
“What?!”
“It hasn’t been long since the divorce. I’d like to rest for a while.”
Artia glanced at the portraits and continued.
“If these are truly such fine gentlemen, why don’t you choose one of them and remarry yourself, Mother? It’s been three years since Father passed away, so I’m sure he would gladly approve from heaven….”
Catherine’s expression became as though she’d been struck by the stone Artia had been holding moments before.
“Have you truly lost your mind?”
“I hear that quite often these days.”
“Artia von Edenberg!”
The old Artia would have trembled when she spoke like that. Regardless of the situation, she would immediately apologize and watch for her approval.
But that was no longer the case.
“Yes, Mother?”
Catherine stared at Artia, who now met her gaze directly, with an expression of exasperation, then sighed.
“Do you think I came all this way for this? I came because of the Elders.”
At those words, Artia’s eyes widened.
The Elders—the adults who led the family.
To be precise, they were Benedict’s brothers and Artia’s uncles.
In the Empire, women could not inherit titles, nor were they granted the authority of a family head.
The same applied when widowed or divorced from a husband.
Thus, the authority of family head that Lloyd had possessed was currently entrusted to the Elders.
“Those old men are delighted to have gained the authority of family head, even temporarily. But separately, they’re furious with you.”
It was only natural.
They believed that Artia’s divorce had greatly damaged the prestige of the Edenberg family.
“For now, they’re preoccupied with playing at being family head, a dream they’ve harbored their whole lives. But once reason returns, they’ll begin searching for a husband for you.”
After all, by finding a respectable new husband and establishing him as the Duke of Edenberg, they could restore some of the family’s tarnished honor.
Of course, they wouldn’t willingly surrender the power that had fallen into their hands, so they would seek a man with considerable wealth but easily manipulated by them.
It was obvious they would ignore every other consideration.
“Before those old men thrust some man upon you who is as aged, foolish, and foul-tempered as they are, choose from among these. At the very least, they’ll be better than whatever husband the Elders would select.”
Catherine frowned as she looked at Artia.
“Surely you’re not planning to never remarry?”
“That’s not it.”
In this cursed world that denied women even the authority of a household head, living alone was extraordinarily difficult.
Above all, I was the legitimate daughter of House Edenberg.
I had a duty to stabilize the family. Remarriage was essential.
Though I hadn’t intended to do it this quickly.
After brief deliberation, I reached a decision.
“I’ll meet with the men who wish to marry me.”
Catherine’s eyes lit up.
“Wise thinking! A woman should marry while she’s young—even a day younger is better. That way, she can receive more of her husband’s affection.”
Yes, well. That may or may not be true.
I let Catherine’s hopelessly old-fashioned words go in one ear and out the other.

* * *

“In dry weather like this, you must apply an aloe mask. And always add milk to your bath.”
“Don’t forget to massage your entire body with aromatic oils. That’s how your skin develops fragrance.”
“A lady must be meticulous about hair care. Apply mashed avocado to your hair every day.”
With Catherine pestering me relentlessly, I had to endure grooming all day long.
“Now that the sun has set, don’t do anything else—go straight to bed. Nothing is better for skin care than sleep.”
After Catherine left, still nagging to the very end, I collapsed into a chair with a limp body.
With a face as smooth as a peeled egg, I spoke.
“You worked hard all day, Bibi. That must have been exhausting?”
Unlike me, drained of all energy, Bibi was perfectly energetic.
“Not at all. Rather, I learned so much thanks to what the Duchess taught me.”
Bibi’s chestnut eyes sparkled more than usual.
For Bibi, whose dream was to serve a lady, today’s work had clearly been deeply satisfying.
“Then I’m relieved…”
Bibi poured tea for me as I smiled weakly.
It was peppermint—the kind Catherine had given me, insisting I drink it for better sleep and skin health.
As I sipped the tea, Bibi spoke.
“My lady, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“What is it?”
Bibi hesitated uncharacteristically before speaking.
“About the Elders that the Duchess mentioned earlier. Is there no possibility they might threaten your safety?”
“Ah…”
Due to Father Benedict’s will, the ducal title was set to be inherited by my husband or son. However, should I die without an heir, the title would pass to one of the Elders.
Bibi was concerned about that.
Whether they might harm me out of greed for the title.
I spoke.
“Do you know that Father said he would pass the Ducal title to the child I bear on our wedding day?”
“Yes.”
“Father didn’t merely make a public declaration. He even received certification that the Imperial Court supports and protects that statement.”
And the certified content extended beyond that alone.
“If I die under any circumstances that could possibly be construed as murder before I bear an heir, all of House of Edenberg’s assets will be donated to the Temple. Even if I were to die of natural causes, the Temple would likely raise suspicions of foul play out of greed for the Ducal House’s wealth. Then the Elders wouldn’t be able to lay their hands on a single coin.”
“…!”
Shock flooded Bibi’s expressionless face. It was certainly shocking enough to warrant such a reaction.
Naturally, Benedict was no devout believer. He had documented such a drastic measure because of his brothers.
He feared they might commit some foolish act out of greed for the Ducal title. He absolutely refused to surrender his position to them willingly.
Artia spoke.
“That’s why the distance between Father and the Elders grew. He used such an absurd method to make clear he wouldn’t hand over the Ducal title to them.”
But thanks to that, Artia’s life was saved.
Without that constraint, Artia might have been stripped of her life immediately after Father’s death.
Bibi’s expression grew grave.
“Would the Elders harm you if such a constraint did not exist?”
“They’re not cruel enough to kill someone outright. But they’re not virtuous enough to pity a lone niece either.”
They were simply selfish in an ordinary way.
So according to Catherine’s words, they would want to marry Artia off as soon as possible. Not for Artia’s happiness or safety, but to set up a puppet they could manipulate as they pleased to control House of Edenberg.
One fortunate thing was that Artia possessed the status of legitimate heir to House of Edenberg and Duchess.
No matter how much she had become a temporary head of house, Artia’s rank was higher than theirs, so they could not force her into marriage.
“But as long as the authority of the head of house rests with the Elders, there’s no telling what they might do. I have no choice but to move first before they do.”
Artia sipped her tea.
Her expression was gloomy, entirely devoid of any anticipation about finding a new husband.

* * *

Catherine fluttered about like a peacock, holding up an ornate dress.
“Which one catches your fancy? A bold crimson dress like a rose? A fresh yellow dress like a tulip? A green dress that emphasizes modesty is lovely too.”
Catherine laid out glittering accessories.
“White diamonds are the most elegant. Pink diamonds to match your eye color would work nicely as well.”
Her enthusiasm was admirable, but Artia’s answer was firm.
“None of them suit my taste.”
Artia wore a sky-blue dress with minimal ornamentation and no accessories whatsoever. Her makeup was applied very lightly.
Catherine’s expression turned as if she had witnessed something unbearable.
“Surely you’re not planning to meet a suitor dressed like that?”
“I am.”

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