The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 57

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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 57

“How did you know that?”
“Your Highness may not remember, but I’ve seen you many times at the Masked Gathering.”
A prince of one nation and a princess. Because of their status, the two had attended the same gatherings since childhood.
Young Killian was always surrounded by people in the brightest corner, while young Artia observed from the darkest shadows, so they had rarely crossed paths.
“No matter how appetizing the food was laid out at the Masked Gathering, Your Highness would eat nothing but chocolate cake.”
Subtly, little by little, and often.
After observing it several times, I came to understand it naturally.
The sweet preference of the prince that so many did not know.
“….”
After a long pause, Killian finally spoke.
“Were you watching me?”
Artia, sensing something odd about the question, quickly waved her hand in alarm.
“I absolutely was not watching you. I just happened to see you a few times!”
I’m definitely not the type Your Highness despises (women who admire or desire him)!
In her desperation to convey this, she ended up saying things she shouldn’t have.
“I like people who are bright and kind!”
Artia’s gaze drifted toward Nocton von Alihas without her realizing it. Nocton von Alihas’s eyes widened in surprise.
In that moment, a suffocating silence fell over the beautiful space.
Nocton von Alihas, catching a glimpse of Killian, screamed inwardly.
‘I’ve made a terrible mistake!’
He didn’t know what exactly he’d done wrong, but he judged this to be a moment when he should bow his head like a criminal.
The light in Killian’s eyes, which had seemed unusually animated just moments before, had turned colder than ice.
‘There’s a guest here, so I can’t do that. I need to change the mood somehow.’
Nocton von Alihas picked up the teapot for his survival.
“Allow me to pour you some tea.”
One cup for Killian, one cup for Artia.
Nocton von Alihas poured with a grace more elegant than any maid.
Artia’s eyes widened as she brought the teacup to her lips.
‘This is…!’
It was carrot tea, with a rich orange hue and a distinct carrot flavor and aroma.
As far as Artia knew, there weren’t many people with such an eccentric taste who drank this kind of tea.
Wondering if perhaps this was a kindred spirit, Artia’s eyes sparkled.
“Do you also enjoy carrots, Your Highness?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then why the carrot tea….”
“I saw you, that’s why.”
“….”
When was it?
At a gathering held in the Imperial Palace, they had celebrated an exceptional carrot harvest with an abundance of carrot-based desserts.
Carrot tea, carrot cake, carrot ice cream.
Faced with the table overflowing in shades of orange, I found myself lifting my head without thinking, my expression radiant with delight.
Though people’s reactions seemed less than favorable, remarkably, carrot desserts began appearing at every Imperial Palace gathering thereafter.
I would glance around nervously while devouring every last morsel of the carrot confections.
‘I thought no one would ever discover this secret….’
But someone knew.
The very man I believed stood furthest from me.
“….”
My chest felt strange.
Suffocating and yet tingling all at once.
Bewildered by the conflicting emotions, I stared at Killian, then silently urged myself to stop overthinking and simply drank the tea in one gulp.
‘The rich flavor and aroma of carrot are perfectly preserved. It’s absolutely delicious….’
My cheeks flushed crimson.
Watching me, Killian dipped the edge of his chocolate cake into his mouth and savored it thoughtfully.
‘Exquisitely sweet.
It suited his palate perfectly.

* * *

Catherine exhaled deeply upon seeing the receipt confirming that Artia had repaid her debt in full.
“Thank goodness….”
Observing Artia’s unresponsive demeanor, Catherine extended a box toward her.
When opened, it revealed an abundance of gleaming gold coins.
Artia’s brow furrowed.
“What is this?”
“I wanted to give it to you long ago, but you wouldn’t see me until now. Regardless of how you obtained the money, you must have struggled for it. Please, take it.”
Artia recalled Bibi’s words from when she had returned to the Edenberg Mansion.
“The Duchess Mother wrote letters everywhere, attempting to borrow money. It seems few were willing to lend readily once they learned it concerned the House of Rushian. And she sold all the dresses and jewels she possessed.”
Only then did Artia truly understand.
Catherine, who had always been resplendent, now stood before her in modest attire, adorned with not a single jewel.
Remarkably, even the ring that had always gleamed upon her fourth finger was nowhere to be seen.
The wedding band—a supreme diamond engraved with the Edenberke crest—had been her most treasured possession….
“You didn’t sell the ring, did you?”
“…Yes.”
Artia’s expression hardened.
“Why now, of all times?”
“….”
“You wanted me to marry Simon. That’s why you borrowed money so recklessly.”
Catherine nodded, her face contorted with anguish.
“That’s right. But understand this one thing: I genuinely believed he would be a suitable husband. Young, gentle, and above all, wealthy.”
After all, noble marriages are built on conditions rather than love. Love fades within mere years, but money does not.
Artia may protest now, but as time passes, she will come to be satisfied with her marriage to Simon.
Catherine truly believed this.
Yet after witnessing Artia’s fury—her indignation at how such a thing could be possible—Catherine’s mind suddenly cleared.
I have made a terrible mistake.
Catherine spoke with a trembling voice.
“I was wrong. Could you not forgive me just this once?”
Artia regarded Catherine with an expressionless face before finally speaking.
“When Father brought you home, it felt strange, yet I was genuinely happy.”
Such a beautiful woman would become my mother?
Young Artia’s rose-colored eyes had sparkled with wonder.
Yet contrary to her hopes, Catherine remained indifferent toward Artia.
As though she were merely an unrelated child, a stranger’s offspring.
Still, Artia was grateful for her presence.
“I was grateful when you spoke up as Father wielded the cane against me, saying it was wrong to strike a girl so harshly. When I wept in confusion at my first menstruation, I was reassured when you told me not to cry—that it was something to celebrate instead. I was delighted when you accompanied me to the Dress Shop to select a beautiful gown for my debutante ball.”
Emotion gradually infused her previously measured voice.
“Even though our blood was not mingled, even though we were distant from being called mother and daughter, I considered us family.”
Not desperately devoted to one another, yet occasionally inquiring after each other’s welfare and praying for the other’s happiness.
“Yet you tried to sell me. To a man whose only possession was money.”
“As I mentioned earlier, that was….”
“Please stop saying you did it for my happiness. You simply coveted the jewels that would fall to you through my marriage.”
“….”
Catherine could not bring herself to deny those words.
Because they were true.
No matter what she said, it would only be an excuse. Catherine had tried to manipulate Artia as she pleased.
Tears welled up in Catherine’s eyes. Seeing this, Artia’s heart ached as well.
Yet the deep disappointment did not fade.
Artia lowered her gaze and spoke.
“Leave. And do not involve yourself in my marriage any longer.”
Her voice was as cold as ice.
Catherine covered her eyes.
She did not wish to show her tears. It was the bare minimum dignity for one who bore the name of mother.
“Very well. I understand.”

Days later, Catherine departed from the Edenberg Mansion.
As Catherine prepared to board her carriage, I remained in my chamber.
I deliberately did not go to see her off. My resentment toward her was far too great.
‘She must have left by now.’
The moment I thought this, the door opened and Catherine appeared.
Catherine, her forehead beaded with perspiration as though she had run, cried out.
“I will try!”
“….”
“I will do everything I can until you forgive me. And if, as time passes, your heart softens… will you call me Mother again?”
I tried to refuse firmly.
But the moment I saw Catherine’s tear-filled eyes, I could not.
‘I thought she would abandon me so easily, but she did not.’
The woman who had spoken with such haughty eyes was now wearing an expression so desperate.

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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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