The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 54

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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 54

“….”
Yet no matter what Helen said, Juliet kept her lips firmly sealed, her expression darkening with each word.
Watching Juliet’s silence, Helen’s heart ached, but she steeled herself each time.
‘Julie is simply confused before the wedding. That’s all.’
Once she stood in the glittering Wedding Hall in her white gown, bathed in the congratulations of countless guests, surely her thoughts would change.
Fortunately, Juliet never uttered that dreadful statement again.
Though she showed little enthusiasm for the wedding preparations, she made no protest either.
Seeing this, Helen clung to hope and threw herself into the arrangements with renewed fervor.
As if it were the only thing she could do for her daughter.
Time passed, and at last the day before the wedding arrived.
The eve celebration was held, and Count Mizura made his entrance.
With his handsome features and refined manners, he bowed respectfully toward Juliet, who wore a delicate white veil.
The guests standing nearby clapped their hands and cheered.
“How perfectly they match—like a prince and princess from a fairy tale.”
“Truly beautiful. They will surely become the most loving couple in the Empire.”
Both Humphrey and Helen wore expressions brimming with emotion.
Everyone laughed.
Everyone, that is, except Juliet, whose face remained hidden behind her veil.

After the Masked Gathering concluded, Helen inspected the Wedding Hall where tomorrow’s ceremony would take place.
Glittering gold dust had been scattered across the virgin road, and the ceiling’s glass panes were adorned with exquisite stained glass crafted by a renowned artist.
By tomorrow morning, hundreds of fresh flowers she had painstakingly cultivated to bless her daughter’s marriage would fill this space.
As Helen envisioned her daughter and son-in-law standing radiant among them, a tender smile graced her face.
Humphrey approached and placed a hand on Helen’s shoulder.
“You must be exhausted from receiving guests all day, yet here you are again for one final inspection.”
“I wanted to check everything once more before tomorrow.”
“Even the Imperial Family wouldn’t prepare a wedding with such meticulous care.”
It was no mere pleasantry—Helen had devoted herself so thoroughly that Humphrey had grown concerned for her health.
Humphrey’s brow furrowed slightly.
“But Juliet has seemed listless lately. Is she truly all right?”
Helen answered with an awkward expression.
“I’ve told you already. She’s simply nervous about the wedding. There’s no need to worry.”
“I see.”
Humphrey accepted Helen’s words without question, for she was a mother who cherished Juliet more than anyone else.
Gazing at the empty Hall, Humphrey spoke softly.
“Tomorrow, Juliet will leave this house.”
At those words, Helen’s heart ached.
Caught up in Juliet’s shocking declaration and wedding preparations, she had momentarily forgotten.
That tonight was the last evening Juliet would spend as a daughter of the Bluerance Countess Family.
“I wish to spend tonight with Julie.”
“Of course.”

As Helen made her way to Juliet’s chamber, memories of the past flooded her mind.
A tiny newborn, crying with a voice that rang clear and bright.
The image of her nursing at my breast, nestled safely in my arms.
The moment she first called me “Mother.”
“I love Mama the most. I’m going to live with Mama forever.”
My precious daughter, smiling with such radiance that it outshone the very sun itself.
Since that day, I had desperately wanted to mend even a fraction of the rift between us.
“Juliet….”
Helen froze as she entered the chamber, her footsteps halting abruptly.
Rather than lying in bed in her nightclothes as Helen had expected, Juliet was frantically stuffing belongings into a large bag.
Helen gasped in shock.
“What on earth are you doing?”
Juliet turned to face her stunned mother and spoke.
“Mother, I tried to follow your wishes. But today I realized something with absolute certainty—that man and I can never be husband and wife. If I go through with this marriage, I’ll be miserable for the rest of my life.”
“Are you… are you trying to run away?”
“Yes.”
Helen’s voice erupted in fury.
“You’ve never even been out alone! What do you think you’ll accomplish out there?”
“It’s better than losing myself completely!”
Juliet stood before Helen, bag in hand.
“Please let me go, Mother. I’m begging you.”
Juliet’s eyes were both pitiful and fierce.
This was no childish tantrum. It was the truth.
And that was precisely why Helen could not yield.
“No. I will not let you go.”
Helen turned her back to the door and spread her arms wide, blocking the way.
Juliet’s voice trembled with desperation.
“Mother, please…!”
But Helen shook her head with an implacable expression.
“I am your mother. I cannot allow my daughter to walk down a path of ruin!”
Those words were decisive.
A single tear escaped from Juliet’s eye.
“Are you rejecting me too, Mother?”
“…?!”
Helen did not understand.
She did not know how fiercely and painfully Juliet had wrestled with herself, how she had denied her own nature again and again—dozens, hundreds of times—before finally summoning the courage to take this step.
This was no thoughtless escape.
It was a desperate stride toward finding her true self.
Yet she was utterly rejected.
And by the one she loved most—the mother who loved her most.
In that moment, the fragile grip I maintained on consciousness crumbled like a sandcastle.
I hated my mother for not taking my side. No—I hated myself most of all. It was unbearable, utterly repugnant.
I wished I could simply vanish from this world.
Consumed by such profound despair, my body moved of its own accord.
Juliet turned away from Helen, hurling her bag to the floor before dragging her feet forward with hollow steps.
Why had the window been flung wide open at that very moment?
Why had the moon shone so brilliantly at that very moment?
Beckoning like a siren’s call.
…Juliet threw herself through the window.
Thud!
Immediately, a horrifying sound of something shattering echoed through the air.
Helen, frozen in shock and unable to breathe, finally snapped back to her senses and rushed to the window.
Below, she saw Juliet crumpled on the ground.
Juliet lay there, her eyes wide open, crimson blood pooling beneath her head.
Her gaze spoke volumes.
“It’s all because of you, Mother.”
“Aaahhhhh!”
Helen’s anguished scream tore through the Edenberg Mansion, filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers.

* * *

Helen, returned to the present, knelt and grasped both of Artia’s hands.
“Even if the entire world condemned you as wrong, I should have shielded you alone. I was a fool. I’m sorry, Julie. I’m so terribly sorry….”
Thick tears streamed relentlessly from Helen’s parched eyes.
As though every drop of moisture within her would be drained away.
Tears gathered at the corners of Artia’s eyes as well.
‘Juliet, I don’t know how much pain and sorrow you endured. But this much I know with absolute certainty—your mother loved her daughter with genuine sincerity.’
Though her love had wounded her daughter and brought about the worst of outcomes, Helen’s heart had been true.
‘So please, I beg you to understand what I’m about to say.’
Artia caressed Helen’s hands and spoke.
“Mother, am I not an embarrassment to you anymore?”
“No, no. You’re not an embarrassment. You’ve always been my pride and joy, my beloved daughter.”
“Then that’s all I needed. I have no more grievances with you now.”
Helen’s eyes widened before she broke down like a child, sobbing uncontrollably.
After a long while, Helen finally ceased her weeping and retrieved something from beneath the bed.
The worn leather bag was the one Juliet had packed twenty years ago.
Helen extended the bag to Artia and spoke.
“Go now, Julie.”
….
“Go where your heart desires and live as you wish.”
Any appearance is fine. Wherever you are, just smile for me.
That is my only wish.
I gazed at Helen through tears that had gathered in my eyes before accepting the bag.
The bag was heavy. As heavy as Helen’s heart.
I embraced Helen.
“Thank you, Mother.”
It was Juliet’s final farewell.
I left the room with the bag in hand. Helen waved with a smile.
As if returning to that night twenty years ago.

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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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