The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 37

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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 37

I murmured to myself while observing a black cat whose eyes seemed more troubled than usual.
“Nabi, do you perhaps dislike men?”
Instead of answering, the cat scratched at a portrait of the most handsome man among them once more.
I had no idea.
That the very next day, the subjects of the portraits I had shown Nabi would meet amicably at the Imperial Palace.
“Why has Prince Killian von Orpheus summoned us so suddenly?”
“W-well, indeed…”
The men entered the Audience Chamber, their nerves wound tight by the unexpected summons from the prince.
They immediately let out a shriek.
Killian von Orpheus sat before them with arrogant composure, his gaze piercing—eyes so chilling they seemed pulled from nightmares.
The men prostrated themselves on the floor in unison, their heads bowed low.
“W-we beg your forgiveness!”
They had no idea what transgression they had committed, yet they knew only that they must plead for mercy by any means.
They wanted to live, after all.
Nocton von Alihas, observing the scene, smiled to himself.
‘Goodness. Our prince grows more unhinged by the day.’

* * *

While Artia was enjoying a pleasant time with Nabi, Catherine was dressed to the nines at the Party Venue.
One of the elderly noblewomen surrounding Catherine asked her a question.
“Duchess Dowager of Edenberg, how is your daughter’s remarriage progressing?”
Who would the current Duchess of Edenberg meet? And who would sit in the vacant seat of the Duke of Edenberg?
This had become the hottest topic of interest in high society recently.
Catherine fanned herself with her fan as she answered.
“I haven’t found anyone quite to my liking yet, so I’m planning to meet more suitors.”
The women erupted at her words.
Especially those with sons suitable for Artia spoke with great enthusiasm.
“Why not meet my third son? He’s truly dignified and courageous.”
Even if he was forty years old this year.
“My younger brother would be a perfect match for your daughter.”
Even though he had four children from his first wife.
Yet Catherine’s expression as she listened to the women remained utterly unmoved.
Of course, Artia’s remarriage was an important matter to her as well. But it wasn’t something she wished to hear about at a party.
‘I didn’t come here to marry off my daughter. I came to enjoy the party.’
However, she was no longer the Duchess of Edenberg. Though she still maintained her beauty, she lacked the fresh vitality of youth.
Moreover, after her husband’s death, she had spent years away from the Convent, so no one paid any attention to her anymore.
‘Perhaps I should stop coming to these parties….’
A man approached Catherine, whose delicate brow was furrowed in displeasure.
“It’s a pleasure to see you, Duchess Dowager of Edenberg.”
The man who approached in a black suit was Shylock von Rushian.
‘Artia rejected Simon.’
He was a man known to be extraordinarily fond of his younger brother, so he could hardly be pleased to see her.
Shylock offered Catherine a gentle smile as she tried to escape her ill foreboding.
“It’s an honor to meet the woman once praised as the Queen of Parties.”
Catherine’s expression showed surprise.
“How does a young man know my nickname?”
“How could I not? Even just ten years ago, all the men in the Convent admired the Duchess Dowager.”
“….”
“Whenever the Duchess Dowager attended a gathering, my mother would scold my father. She said he would lose himself, staring only at you.”
“Hehe.”
Catherine burst into laughter before she could stop herself.
After that, Shylock continued to speak words as pleasant to the ear as a tongue in one’s mouth.
Catherine easily discerned why Shylock was laying on such sweet flattery so uncharacteristically.
‘He’s desperate to reunite his younger brother with Artia by any means.’
Catherine herself had regretted that Artia and Simon had parted ways. If she could develop a connection with Shylock and create an opportunity for Artia to meet Simon again, it would be wonderful.
And there was something quite delightful about a man who seemed to fear nothing in the world now catering to her whims.
Catherine’s face flushed with excitement as she accepted the drink Shylock offered her.
As Catherine drank, Shylock asked her a question.
“It’s been years since you’ve attended a gathering in the Convent’s social circles, yet you don’t seem to be enjoying yourself much, do you?”
“Well, I suppose not.”
Shylock von Rushian’s lips curved upward at Catherine’s candid reply.
“That’s understandable. These days, there’s no one who enjoys parties with the same unbridled enthusiasm as the Duchess of Edenberg. Everyone is too busy watching their step, afraid of being caught in even the smallest mistake. That’s why when I want to relax and truly enjoy myself, I prefer these intimate gatherings at the Underground Salon rather than grand affairs like this.”
“The Underground Salon?”
“Yes, would you care to join me?”
Catherine’s eyes sparkled at the unexpected invitation.

* * *

Shortly after, the place where Shylock von Rushian and Catherine arrived was a room bathed in dim lighting, illuminated by candles that exhaled a rich, heady fragrance.
What was peculiar was that everyone inside wore masks that concealed their eyes.
They gathered around round tables, chattering boisterously as they drank, smoked, and played all manner of games. A man wearing a fox mask had a woman on his lap, kissing her.
Shylock von Rushian, adorned in a golden mask, spoke to reassure Catherine.
“Though it may appear dissolute, all of these guests have been carefully selected from the Nobility. Do not be afraid.”
Catherine, wearing a rose-adorned mask, smiled.
“The Queen of Parties is hardly naive enough to be frightened by something like this.”
Yet in truth, this was my first time attending such a freely indulgent gathering.
My heart raced, but I felt no desire to leave.
Rather, my anticipation of what might unfold only intensified.
Then, a man wearing a leopard-spotted mask approached Catherine.
“Welcome, beautiful Rose Lady.”
Catherine burst into laughter at the endearing title, so different from the weighty designation of Duchess of Edenberg.
The leopard-spotted mask extended a hand toward Catherine.
“Does the Rose Lady enjoy card games?”
“Of course.”
Catherine answered with confidence.
A noblewoman did not spend all day merely chattering.
When conversation grew tedious, I played card games, and among them, I was quite skilled.
But Catherine’s eyes widened as she followed the leopard-spotted mask.
Gold coins glittered in towering piles upon the table.
‘This isn’t merely a game for amusement, is it?’
Real money was at stake. A considerable sum, at that.
Shylock von Rushian approached the motionless Catherine.
“Now that you’ve come this far, why not play a round?”
Catherine had intended to refuse.
Though she bore the title of Duchess of Edenberg, the allowance she received from the Elders was hardly generous.
At that moment, Shylock von Rushian placed a substantial stack of gold coins upon the table.
He spoke to the astonished Catherine.
“Since I’ve invited such an honored guest, allow me to be your patron today. Think of nothing and simply enjoy yourself.”
The man in the tiger-striped mask pulled back an empty chair with a wink.
“Let us see the cunning skill of the Rose Lady, shall we?”
Catherine’s face flushed with excitement.
‘That’s right—it’s not even my money. Once it runs out, I can simply stop.’
Above all, she had no desire to appear impoverished in a place like this.
The moment Catherine took her seat, the crowd’s cheers grew even louder.
Shylock von Rushian’s eyes gleamed with predatory intensity behind his golden mask as he gazed down at Catherine holding her cards.
Like a serpent that had tasted its prey.

* * *

I narrowed my eyes.
‘Something is wrong.’
Catherine, who had constantly nagged me about meeting suitors, had become far too quiet lately.
More precisely, I hadn’t encountered her at all.
These days, she left every night and only returned around dawn.
Reeking of alcohol and tobacco.
‘Mother has always loved parties, so I thought a few nights like this were acceptable. I didn’t want to nag a grown woman about coming home early.’
But this was excessive.
Most tellingly, Catherine was engaging in distinctly suspicious behavior.
“Mother has been to the Second-hand Shop again?”
“Yes, she sold some dresses, it seems. And….”
Bibi continued with a grave expression.
“Several decorative items from within the Edenberg Mansion have also gone missing.”
I sensed it instinctively.
This was not something I could overlook.

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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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