The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 43

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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 43

I entered the Reception Room with an expression of utter disbelief.
In the barren chamber, stripped of all its ornaments, stood a figure who seemed utterly out of place.
It was Killian von Orpheus.
I suppressed the dizzying shock that threatened to overwhelm me and bowed my head.
“I offer my respects to the blood of the almighty Orpheus.”
Killian von Orpheus spoke instead of returning the greeting, his gaze fixed on my round head, which showed no intention of rising.
“Raise your head, Artia.”
I carefully lifted my head.
I wondered if stress had driven me to auditory hallucinations, but it had not.
‘Those piercing eyes—so intense they could kill with a mere glance—could never be conjured by imagination. That beautiful face, so flawlessly perfect it inspires awe rather than excitement.’
Killian von Orpheus opened his mouth as he watched me with wide eyes.
“You look like a rabbit that has spotted a fleeing carrot. You seem quite startled.”
And well I should be.
Killian von Orpheus was an imperial prince who could summon any nobleman to the Imperial Palace at will.
That such a person would seek me out directly….
I asked without bothering to hide my bewilderment.
“Forgive my presumption, but what brings you here?”
“The Convent is once again rife with rumors about you, Artia.”
“…?”
“They say you agreed to marry Simon von Rushian in exchange for borrowing money.”
I cried out in horror.
“It’s a baseless rumor!”
“Is it?”
“Yes, it’s true that I borrowed money, but I made no such promise. If I cannot repay the debt by the deadline, only the collateral will be forfeited.”
No matter how precious Ansi Lake was, brimming with memories shared with Mother, it was not worth enduring marriage to a man I did not love.
Of course, it would grieve me greatly….
A low voice reached me as I bit my lip, remembering Ansi Lake where Mother and I had stayed together.
“I’ll give it to you.”
Give what? A sword to sever the neck of Shylock von Rushian, that cunning serpent?
After a few seconds of absurd speculation, I finally understood what he meant to give.
“Surely you’re not offering to lend me the money right now?”
“I am.”
My eyes widened to twice their normal size in astonishment.
“Do you know how much the sum is?”
“I don’t care how much it costs. As long as I haven’t borrowed every coin in the Empire.”
It was an arrogantly presumptuous statement, yet not an unrealistic boast.
The man who spoke those words currently held the second-greatest power in the Empire.
Artia stared blankly at Killian von Orpheus before opening her mouth.
“Why?”
I had asked the same question on the day the Emperor approved my divorce.
To Artia, who asked why he had helped her, he had answered thus.
“Sometimes when you see a small caterpillar struggling to escape from a spider’s web, you want to help it.”
Would it be the same this time?
Yet today, a different answer emerged.
“Just. It seemed like it would be fun.”
It was a remarkably insincere and discourteous reason.
Still, Artia felt no anger whatsoever. If anything, she was delighted.
The only person who had ever offered to help me, aside from Bibi, was him alone.
Artia’s eyes softened into a gentle curve. Her full lips rose in a becoming smile.
Killian von Orpheus found himself captivated by that smile, blooming like a morning glory in the dawn light.
Artia spoke to him thus.
“I am truly grateful that you offer to help me again. But it’s all right.”
Killian von Orpheus’s eyes, which had been unfocused, sharpened.
“Do you wish to marry Simon von Rushian?”
In an instant, the smile that had lingered at Artia’s lips vanished.
“How could that possibly be!”
Only….
“I don’t wish to accumulate any further debt to Your Highness.”
“You need not harbor such feelings. It is merely an action I wish to take.”
“But it remains true that I am only receiving without giving in return. My heart is not at ease.”
“….”
Killian von Orpheus could move everyone save his family as he wished.
Artia was no exception. If he appended a command, she would ultimately nod in acquiescence.
Yet… he did not wish to do so.
Not to Artia.
After a moment, Killian von Orpheus spoke.
“Then you can help me instead.”
Help him, he said.
Artia’s eyes widened at words that seemed to have no place in the world of the man before her.
“Is there truly anything I could do to help Your Highness?”
“Why do you assume there isn’t? Just days ago, I went to Baron Crobason’s banquet with you as my partner.”
“But on that day, I don’t believe I was of particular help to Your Highness.”
“No, you were of great help.”
“In what way?”
Killian spoke to Artia, who was questioning him with clear dissatisfaction.
“I drove away the women who were after me, didn’t I? With that terrifying gaze of yours.”
That’s right, I did.
Acknowledging that this was the one thing I had done diligently, I finally nodded.
Killian seized the moment and continued.
“So think of it not as a debt, but as an exchange. Give and take from both sides. Then there’s no reason for words like obligation to even exist, is there?”
I was confused.
Why was the man called the Mad Prince, the one with such severe misogyny, saying such things to me?
Out of pity, perhaps. Or for amusement.
‘Could the reasons truly be only that?’
I didn’t know. The one thing I could be certain of was that he harbored no hidden schemes against me.
A man who could erase me with a single finger if he wished had no reason to employ such convoluted methods to gain anything from me.
After brief deliberation, my conclusion was reached.
Rationally speaking, maintaining a close relationship with the Prince held no disadvantages. Rather, it was an invaluable gain.
“I accept Your Highness’s words.”
In that moment, Killian’s golden eyes gleamed brilliantly. Yet the light within them dimmed at what followed.
“However, might I postpone receiving your assistance for now?”
“What do you mean?”
“In truth, I have one method to secure funds. The success rate is low, so I was uncertain whether to attempt it. But I’ve decided now. I will try that method first.”
“….”
“Should that method fail, then please help me.”
Killian spoke in a fierce voice.
“So you’re treating me as insurance, then.”
“I apologize.”
Yet contrary to my words, my pink eyes sparkled with fresh brilliance, like cherry blossoms in full bloom.
It was the same gaze I had shown months ago when I came to him and declared my intention to divorce.
A resolute determination to seize what I desired with my own hands.
Killian looked down at me.
‘She’s not even half my size….’
And that was only the beginning. Wherever he might grasp her, she appeared so slender and fragile she might shatter.
Yet when such a woman bore that gaze, a peculiar sensation tickled at one corner of his heart.
‘Today as well, you displease me, Artia von Edenberg.’
But that displeasure was not unwelcome.
Killian made an effort to conceal his complex emotions and uttered a single phrase.
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
Artia smiled brightly.
Simultaneously, Killian’s heart itched all the more.
To the point where he wished to reach inside his own chest and scratch at it desperately.

* * *

That evening, I gathered my belongings.
‘With only a month left until the deadline, I must hurry.’
I finished preparing for my departure with haste and was about to leave the Edenberg Mansion when a visitor arrived.
Today’s second guest was none other than Penelope.
Penelope gasped in surprise upon seeing me with a large bag in hand.
“Are you running away because you don’t want to marry Simon?!”
Caught off guard by her unexpected words, I missed my chance to respond before Penelope thrust a large purse into my hands.
The purse was brimming with glittering gold coins and jewels.
“This is….”
Penelope spoke to me, my eyes wide with astonishment.
“The jewels are mine, and I borrowed the gold coins from close acquaintances among the nobility.”
“….”
“I wanted to gather more, but this was the best I could manage. Will it help, even a little?”

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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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