The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 50

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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 50

“Helen has lost her grip on reality, so she shows no reaction even when seeing others aged. But Count Mizura may be different. Today, while gazing at this portrait, he was already brimming with anticipation about how perfectly the bride and groom standing side by side would complement each other. And…”
Humphrey looked at Artia.
With her dark blue hair and pink eyes, Artia was not Juliet.
Even knowing this with certainty, strange feelings would surface unbidden.
Humphrey spoke his heart honestly.
“Even if it’s a fake wedding, I don’t want to see you standing beside some unremarkable man.”
“…!”
Artia’s eyes widened in surprise at his unexpected words.
Humphrey’s ears flushed slightly as he cleared his throat with a soft cough before continuing.
“In any case, for this reason, the groom sought a substitute—a man resembling Count Mizura from twenty years ago.”
He added further.
“Rest assured, I will make absolutely certain he does nothing that would displease you in the slightest. The false groom will simply stand quietly beside you.”
Though it was a transaction involving payment, I could feel Humphrey’s sincere desire to consider my feelings as much as possible.
Grateful for that, I smiled softly.

* * *

Amidst the whirlwind of preparations, the day before the wedding finally arrived.
Bluerance Mansion bustled with activity.
A pre-wedding celebration was held, with families from both the groom’s and bride’s sides gathering to enjoy a grand reception.
Guests arrived at the mansion one by one.
Having been informed in advance by Humphrey, they dressed as lavishly as if attending an actual wedding ceremony.
Humphrey and Helen greeted the guests with radiant smiles.
“Welcome, everyone.”
Despite Helen’s bright demeanor, the guests felt conflicted in their hearts, yet they did not lose their smiles.
They understood it was the only thing they could do for Helen.
“Thank you for inviting us on such a meaningful occasion.”
“Congratulations, Helen.”
Helen, whose pallor had completely vanished, whispered to Humphrey.
“I heard a sudden landslide destroyed the roads on the way here, so we don’t have many guests, do we?”
There was no landslide at all. It was a lie Humphrey had fabricated, fearing Helen would find it strange that so few guests had arrived.
Humphrey responded with practiced nonchalance.
“Still, I’m grateful that those who came managed to traverse such treacherous paths.”
“That’s true, but… what if Count Mizura can’t make it? If the groom doesn’t arrive, it would be a disaster.”
‘That won’t happen. I promised an actor who resembles Count Mizura a sum of money so substantial that he couldn’t earn it even if he worked himself to the bone for a year. He’ll keep his word for that.’
The actor would honor the agreement for such a reward.
Unable to reveal these details, Humphrey spoke with conviction.
“Even if the world itself were to perish, he would come. That’s the only way he deserves to be our daughter’s husband.”
Only then did Helen relax, smiling as she gazed upon Artia.
Standing beside her parents, Artia wore a simple white dress prepared for the pre-wedding celebration, her face concealed behind a thick veil.
Following the doctrine that a bride must not be tainted by the corruption of the secular world.
‘How absurd—the bride, the very center of the wedding, must stand silent like a doll…’
When I married Lloyd, the ceremony had felt sacred. Now it seemed nothing but irrational.
Though I suppose there was one advantage: I didn’t have to converse with people I was meeting for the first time.
Misinterpreting my silence, Helen squeezed my hand firmly.
“Count Mizura will arrive soon. Don’t worry too much.”
Of course, I harbored no such concerns whatsoever.
‘After all, the groom is a fake. If he happens to arrive late, we can simply find a reasonably handsome man nearby to stand in. Finding someone as striking as Count Mizura won’t be easy, but…’
Now that I think about it, Uncle mentioned he’d found a man resembling the Count.
I had no interest in a fake groom I’d see for only a day or two, but the mention of his handsomeness piqued my curiosity.
‘I wonder what kind of man he is…’
Just then, a servant rushed in with an excited expression and announced:
“Count Mizura has arrived!”
Moments later, a man entered the Banquet Hall.
Though his face was obscured by a wide-brimmed hat, his sturdy build and refined, elegant attire unmistakably marked him as a distinguished nobleman.
“Ooh…”
The man extended his long legs and walked toward Artia, drawing the eager gazes of all present.
The moment the man standing before Artia removed his hat, she nearly gasped aloud.
‘Killian von Orpheus?!’
Could it be a mistake?
No, a man radiating such perfect beauty and overwhelming presence could not possibly be mistaken for anyone else.
A hallucination, perhaps?
That couldn’t be it either. The Count and Countess of Bluerance, along with everyone nearby, all stood with their mouths agape, wearing the same expression of shock.
‘Could this be a dream?’
Artia pinched the back of one hand with her gloved fingers.
It hurt.
Then there was only one conclusion.
‘It really is Killian von Orpheus. Unbelievable as it is!’
Behind the thick veil, Artia’s face filled with confusion.
Whether he noticed or not, Killian von Orpheus, with his long hair, opened his mouth to speak.
“I am Angracio von Misjura. It is an honor to meet such a beautiful bride.”
The moment Killian von Orpheus introduced himself as Count Mizura in his low voice, Artia felt as though she might faint.
How could the Crown Prince appear at a fake wedding held in a remote territory far from the Convent, attended only by those they knew?
And as the groom, no less!
Killian von Orpheus spoke to Artia, who was too shocked to say anything.
“It seems I’ve become unfamiliar to you after so long. Shall we go somewhere quiet and talk?”
The Count and Countess of Bluerance, who had been staring at Killian von Orpheus in a daze, came to their senses and shook their heads.
“That would be quite inappropriate….”
For an unmarried man and woman to speak alone together was unthinkable in the conservative Bluerance Family. However….
“It’s all right.”
“Artia….”
Artia spoke to Humphrey and Helen, whose expressions were filled with concern.
“He is the one I will spend my life with. I would like to greet him properly.”
The couple hesitated before nodding.
Humphrey whispered to Artia in a low voice.
“He seems far more dangerous than the description written in the letter. If he behaves disrespectfully in any way, slap him across the face and scream immediately.”
Never mind worrying about ruining the wedding.
Artia laughed at his affectionate words.
“Yes, I will.”

* * *

The moment we arrived at the deserted Garden, I cautiously opened my mouth.
“Your Highness Killian von Orpheus…?”
The situation was so absurd that I lifted my tone into a question, but his answer came back crystal clear.
“For now, I am Angracio von Misjura. Just as you are now Juliet von Bluerance, not Artia von Edenberg.”
I wrapped my forehead, which was covered by a thick veil.
“How much do you know about all of this?”
“Everything. It was a clever idea to seek money from a distant uncle you hadn’t heard from in ages. Though it seems you’ve stumbled into unexpected circumstances in exchange for receiving it…”
The way he spoke so naturally made it clear he saw through the entire situation.
I wasn’t particularly curious about how he discovered facts I’d told no one.
If he wished, he could probably even count the books in my Study.
What intrigued me was his intention.
“Why on earth did you come this far?”
I desperately hoped for a reasonable explanation, but his answer was just as bewildering as ever.
“I was curious what you were doing.”
Boredom, pity, amusement, and now curiosity.
His answers were always like this.
The petty emotions a child might harbor toward a tiny insect writhing upon a leaf.
‘Why on earth? Could he possibly be interested in me?’

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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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