The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 4

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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 4

‘Artia, you’re identical to me in everything else, so why not in your taste in men?’
No, that wasn’t it.
Artia had fallen for Lloyd because he was kind.
A man whose face alone gleamed with beauty had hidden his true nature and wagged his tail so eagerly, as if he’d pluck out his own liver for her—it was only natural that innocent Artia would fall for it.
One saving grace was that Lloyd had left the mansion.
“I wish he’d been struck by lightning and never came back….”
I muttered while crunching on a carrot, and the Maid entered.
“Lirika wishes to have tea with you, my lady.”
At those words, my eyebrows shot up.
Lirika had been asking to spend time with me like this for a while now.
Unable to feel comfortable around Lirika, I had rejected her invitations by claiming I wasn’t feeling well.
After this happened several times, Lloyd came to find me.
Lloyd grabbed my silver hair and spoke.
“Don’t you see how the little bird is making an effort to get along with you, unlike you with your spiteful attitude?!”
“Ah, it hurts….”
“Do whatever Lirika says, unless you want to be punished.”
I trembled and nodded obediently.
I had no other choice when Lloyd terrified me so much.
The next day, I had tea with Lirika.
Lirika, delighted that she could finally play with her older sister, laughed merrily and boasted the entire time.
A dress decorated with hundreds of frills.
A large ribbon adorning her head.
“The Duke gave all of these to me. But this is my favorite.”
Lirika extended her hand before me.
A massive diamond sparkled on the fourth finger of her left hand.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it, sister?”
“….”
I stared blankly at the ring before covering my mouth.
Otherwise, the tea I’d forced myself to drink would have spilled out.
Recalling that moment, my stomach twisted again.
The Maid, seeing me clutching my belly, spoke with a look of slight pity.
“Shall I tell her you’re not feeling well and cannot attend?”
Since Lloyd wasn’t at the mansion, not going wouldn’t cause any immediate problems.
…But was there any real reason to avoid it?

* * *

True to its storied name, the House of Edenberg’s mansion boasted gardens that were vast and breathtaking.
At the heart of the Rose Garden—lauded as the most magnificent of them all—stood the White Pergola
(Pergola)
. Lirika was there.
She sipped her tea while humming a cheerful tune.
“The tea that once tasted bitter and astringent has become delightful. It seems I’ve truly become a proper noblewoman.”
The maids attending Lirika eagerly affirmed her words.
“Of course, Lirika is a true noblewoman.”
“Among all the noblewomen, few are as beautiful and graceful as you, madam. One can tell just by looking at you.”
Even accounting for necessary flattery, that was excessive.
Another maid frowned, but Lirika’s face shone like the sun.
In her affluent yet monotonous daily life, gossip about Artia was one of Lirika’s small pleasures.
“Right, I was truly shocked when I first saw my sister.”
As a commoner, Lirika harbored both admiration and fear toward noblewomen.
So the Duchess of Edenberg would surely be beautiful, elegant, and arrogant.
But Artia possessed none of those qualities.
A pallid face devoid of vitality, like that of a sickly patient; shoulders hunched with tension.
Most of all, she couldn’t even look Lirika in the eye.
“I was so disappointed when I saw her like that.”
Lirika shook her head and brought the teacup to her lips, her eyes suddenly widening.
Artia had appeared among the blooming roses.
Watching Artia approach, Lirika unconsciously swallowed hard.
The memory of Artia from a few days ago remained vivid.
Despite exchanging only a few words, it had been strangely terrifying.
But that fear soon dissipated.
The maids attending Lirika had whispered among themselves.
“It seems the madam has suffered a great shock and isn’t in her right mind. But as time passes, she’ll return to her former self.”
True to their words, Artia’s frightening demeanor had been fleeting.
Artia had retreated back into her room, like a rabbit that had been terrified and hidden away in its burrow.
‘Besides, I’m the woman the Duke loves. There’s nothing to fear.’
Lirika lifted her chin proudly and raised her hand.
“Welcome, sister!”
Watching Lirika wave her hand like a child from her seated position, Artia reflected.
‘She’s greeting me like this even after being scolded days ago. It seems she still thinks I’m easy to handle.’
Good.
That way, I could proceed with exterminating the cockroach without complications.
Rather than reproach Lirika’s lack of courtesy, Artia took a seat.
Lirika chattered excitedly toward Artia.
“The Duke sent this tea because he was worried about me being alone, and it’s absolutely delicious. You should try some too, sister.”
Lirika poured the tea without waiting for Artia’s response.
Her clumsy gesture sent a few drops of hot water splattering across the table.
Artia stared at the teacup before bringing it to her lips.
Lirika’s eyebrows furrowed at the elegant grace so unlike her own, and she opened her mouth.
“It’s not just delicious—it’s supposed to improve your skin too. I wasn’t eating properly because I was upset about the Duke being away, so my skin became rough, but it gained this lustrous glow all at once.”
Watching Lirika caress her smooth cheeks like a peeled egg, Artia spoke.
“It does look that way. But your improved skin probably isn’t from this tea leaf—it’s from the medicinal herbs.”
“…Medicinal herbs?”
“Lloyd gave me some medicinal herbs.”
Not long after becoming Duke, Lloyd had handed Artia a glass vial filled with clear liquid.
“Don’t forget to take it every day. It’s medicinal herbs that will strengthen your frail body.”
“…Thank you.”
Artia had accepted the vial with a face on the verge of tears.
The refined medicinal herbs had no scent but tasted as sweet as sugar water.
Though Artia disliked sweetness, she took it faithfully every morning.
It was the first gift Lloyd had given me after becoming Duke, when he had thoroughly ignored me otherwise.
“The herbs are supposedly precious, and they truly work well. When I take them, my body warms and my energy returns.”
“…”
“I heard you’ve been melancholy without Lloyd lately, so I instructed the Maid to give it to you secretly without mentioning the herbs, since it might burden you.”
Artia continued, gazing at the teapot on the table.
“It works better when dissolved in warm water. The taste is sweet enough, wasn’t it?”
“…!”
Understanding the implication, Lirika’s face drained of all color.
Soon Lirika began to retch.
“Ugh!”
Artia looked down at the retching Lirika and reflected.
The medicinal herbs Lloyd had given her were effective for vitality, but they were lethal to women of childbearing age.
Because those herbs contained contraceptive components.
‘While taking the herbs, a child cannot take root. If already pregnant, it could result in miscarriage.’
Lloyd had given such herbs to Artia.
To a wife who had been rejected on the wedding night and had never once shared a bed with her husband.
‘Were you afraid you might impregnate your wife in a drunken moment? Because if I bore a son, you’d have to surrender the dukedom?’
Whatever the real reason, it was contemptible and vicious beyond measure.
Lirika, who had been retching, glared at Artia with tear-filled eyes and screamed.
“Unlike you, Lirika receives the Duke’s love every night. There might be a baby in my belly!”
At Lirika’s sudden outburst, the Maids froze in shock.
Artia’s expression also registered surprise.
“I know, which is why I made sure you took the herbs. You’re someone precious to Lloyd, after all.”
“…!”
Artia refilled Lirika’s teacup with fresh tea.
“I’m not sure why you’re upset, but I drink this myself, so rest assured and have some.”
“That’s enough!”
Artia flashed a knowing smile toward Lirika.
“What, you love anything Lloyd gives you anyway.”
“…!”
Lirika’s eyes widened as she spoke in disbelief.
“You knew all along and made me drink it anyway.”
You knew too.
Instead of answering, Artia’s lips curved upward in a subtle smile.
In that instant, Lirika’s face twisted hideously—as though reason had abandoned her entirely.
Before anyone could intervene, Lirika’s hand lashed out.
Crack—!
A vivid crimson mark bloomed sharply across Artia’s cheek.

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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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