The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 44

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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 44

After the incident erupted, I deliberately avoided meeting Penelope.
Not only did I lack the time, but I believed she would find it burdensome to see me.
Yet I was wrong….
Penelope harbored a far deeper affection than I had imagined.
“Even if you can’t repay the money, absolutely refuse to marry him. How could you accept a thug who tries to buy a bride with gold as your husband? If things get truly dire, you can always flee to our home….”
I pulled Penelope into a sudden embrace.
“Thank you, Pepe.”
I thought I was alone, yet there was still someone on my side.
Penelope blinked her wide eyes before patting my back reassuringly.
“That’s what friends are for.”

I recounted the current situation to Penelope in meticulous detail.
Penelope, who had only known the rumor that I married in exchange for borrowing money from the House of Rushian, erupted in fury.
“Baron Rushian lured the Duchess Mother into a gambling den and forced her to borrow money? How can such a despicable wretch exist?”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“And the Duchess Mother is equally culpable. No matter how enthralled by gambling, how could she pledge the lake I cherish as collateral…? Ugh, it infuriates me.”
Penelope pounded her chest with her fist in exasperation.
Seeing Penelope rage as though it were her own affair brought relief to my heart.
Penelope’s face twisted into something monstrous as she asked.
“So exactly how much did you borrow from that thug?”
“…Three billion gold, including interest.”
Penelope’s mouth fell open. She then glanced at the purse she had brought and murmured.
“This won’t nearly be enough….”
I placed my hand over Penelope’s dejected one.
“Don’t worry too much. I have a way to repay the debt.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but I need your strength to accomplish it. Can you help me?”
“Of course. I’ll do anything!”
I leaned toward Penelope, who had instantly regained her spirits, and whispered softly.
Hours later, I departed the mansion under the cover of darkness.

* * *

In the Convent’s Banquet Hall, elaborately dressed nobles whispered among themselves.
“The Duchess of Edenberg was running about everywhere trying to borrow money, but these days she’s nowhere to be seen.”
They spoke of Artia and the House of Rushian—the most scandalous topic in high society of late.
One noblewoman laughed with a snort.
“If she borrowed money and simply sat idle, she’d be called shameless, so she’s probably just pretending to search. Does she actually intend to repay? Once she marries Simon, there’s no need to repay the debt.”
“Abandoning an incompetent husband for remarriage to Simon—how quick her calculations are. Quite clever, really.”
As the gathered nobles burst into laughter…
“You speak rudely without even understanding the facts!”
Penelope’s sharp voice cut through the conversation.
Penelope glared at the woman who had just mocked Artia and continued.
“Artia didn’t marry into the House of Rushian for money. She was forced into marriage because she was trapped by debt!”
The woman, startled by Penelope’s fierce intensity, quickly countered.
“If that were true, why has she stopped trying to borrow money and simply remains idle?”
Penelope answered as if she’d been waiting for this question.
“You pretend to know so much, yet you don’t know that? Baron Rushian made it impossible for Artia to borrow money no matter how hard she tried. Heartbroken, she collapsed. Like a rabbit caught in a trap laid by a cruel hunter!”
In an instant, Artia had become a pitiful, unfortunate woman forced into marriage against her will.

A massive door swung open. Shylock von Rushian, who had been counting gold coins on his desk, heard Simon cry out.
“Brother, the Duchess of Edenberg has collapsed!”
“The Duchess of Edenberg?”
“Yes, I went to the Mansion after hearing the news, but she wouldn’t even open the door, saying she didn’t wish to see me. What if she’s seriously ill?”
Simon’s eyes glistened with tears, but Shylock’s face remained utterly expressionless.
“If it were serious, she would have summoned a doctor. Yet there’s no sign of that at all. From what I can tell, that woman is feigning illness. She’s upset because she couldn’t borrow the money.”
Artia had sought help from many people to raise funds.
The elders of House of Edenberg, nobles who dealt in money, merchants who purchased expensive goods—yet none of them helped her.
Because Shylock had visited them first, offering gold coins.
The power of money was truly formidable.
“The Duchess of Edenberg must have learned this bitter truth well. Born into the bloodline of a great noble house, yet suffering such humiliation—she must feel the sting of it.”
Shylock placed another gold coin atop the towering stack as he continued.
“But that too shall pass. Once her anger fades and reason returns, she’ll understand which choice benefits her most, and she’ll accept your proposal of marriage.”
Shylock wore the smug expression of a game’s victor, but Simon’s face grew even paler.
When Artia had rejected his proposal, the pain had been unbearable.
So when Shylock told him to trust only him, that he would make her marry Simon no matter what, he had nodded as if entranced.
But as time passed and reason returned, Simon felt this was wrong.
Gathering courage, Simon spoke.
“Brother, if you pressure her like this, won’t she come to hate me? I want her love, not her hatred.”
At Simon’s childishly innocent and foolish words, Shylock twisted his lips into a smile.
“How so?”
“Pardon?”
“Do you truly believe that if I now erase all her debts, the Duchess of Edenberg will give you her love?”
“….”
“Not at all. The deed is already done, and to her, you and I are nothing but ruthless hunters come to capture her. Even if I forgive the debt now, you’ll only lose money and gain nothing.”
“…!”
Simon’s face contorted at those curse-like words.
Shylock von Rushian’s voice softened as if to comfort his despairing brother.
“But if you marry her, everything changes. You’ll take the woman you’ve always wanted as your bride, and you’ll gain the title of Duke of Edenberg.”
“….”
“Is that all? I’ll pour an astronomical sum into House of Edenberg for your sake. The declining Duchy will reclaim its former glory as a great noble house, and then the Duchess Mother’s hatred will transform into affection.”
Shylock adjusted Simon’s collar as he continued.
“You’ll even win the heart of the woman you’ve desired so desperately.”
These were not fabricated words meant to persuade his brother.
Shylock von Rushian genuinely believed every word.
In this world, nothing—not even a human life—was more precious than money.
The delicate woman who had sworn never to marry would be no exception.
To some, Shylock von Rushian’s gaze appeared cunning as a serpent’s, but to Simon, it radiated absolute confidence.
Above all, Simon was a man of the Rushan Family.
A believer in the power of wealth.
“Do you truly think it’s possible?”
“Of course. So stop whining like someone who’s lost their fortune, and think about how to win that woman’s heart. Buy her the finest diamond ring, give her an entire island if you must—do whatever you can.”
Simon nodded, emboldened.
Shylock stroked his brother’s head with an affectionate expression, thinking to himself.
‘Only a fortnight remains until the payment deadline. When that day arrives, the woman who could do nothing but weep beneath her blankets will come to me and kneel.’
As he envisioned that scene, one corner of his mouth curved upward.
The smile of a hunter on the verge of capture.

* * *

“Ouch.”
Artia let out a small cry.
The elderly noblewoman lying in bed asked with concern in her voice.
“What’s wrong?”
“My ears suddenly itched. Someone must be talking about me.”
But unlike Artia’s carefree response, the elderly noblewoman’s face had turned pale.
She hastily pulled the bell cord. The door opened, and an elderly maid with snow-white hair appeared.
The elderly noblewoman spoke to the maid.
“Julie seems to have caught a cold, so bring her some ginger tea. Add plenty of honey.”

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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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