The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 61

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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 61

That was when it happened.
“Arsen! What are you doing out here!”
A hysterical voice pierced the air as the Empress appeared.
She approached with a pallid face and gently touched Arsen’s cheek.
“It’s freezing cold out here—how could you be outside like this? What if you catch a chill?”
Before Arsen could even respond, the Empress whirled around and cried out.
“Are you out of your mind, bringing Arsen out on a day like this?!”
“Your Majesty asked to breathe the fresh air first.”
“You should have stopped him regardless! Even if you do wish for your brother to die as soon as possible!”
The Empress’s gaze was not that of a mother looking upon the son she had borne.
It was the look one gives a murderer intent on harming a precious child.
Before Killian von Orpheus could even respond, the Empress seized Arsen’s wheelchair and pulled him away.
Arsen turned to look back, but upon seeing the Empress’s furious expression, he hung his head low.
Killian von Orpheus stood rooted in place, watching the two figures recede into the distance.
It was always like this.
It no longer tore at his heart the way it had when he was young.
Yet even with age, he could never grow accustomed to the hollow emptiness that consumed his chest.
Killian von Orpheus gripped his left chest with a rigid expression.

* * *

A few hours later, a black cat appeared at the Edenberg Estate.
There was no rational judgment behind coming here—only instinct.
The thought that seeing her might ease even a fraction of this anguish.
It was the first time I’d come at such a late hour.
‘Is she asleep?’
Then I should just leave.
…No, surely it’s fine to just catch a glimpse of her face before going?
Before the window that was unusually sealed shut, the black cat’s eyes widened.
The window opened, and Artia appeared.
“Welcome, Nabi!”
Artia greeted the cat with her characteristic radiant smile, but I couldn’t afford my usual composure.
She was wearing nothing but a thin negligee.
Her delicate form was completely exposed.
“…!”
In that instant, the heavy emotion that had been consuming my mind evaporated entirely.
My thoughts simply went blank.
Only after a long moment did I regain my senses, tensing my round paws.
‘I need to leave.’
Though I was called the Mad Emperor for my willful nature, I wasn’t shameless enough to stare at a woman in such an unguarded state.
The moment the black cat turned to go, Artia cried out.
“You just arrived—why are you leaving already, Nabi? Come inside. It’s raining so hard.”
It was the first time someone had pleaded with such desperate urgency for me not to go.
The Emperor who commanded the Empire, even the Empress who gave birth to me—neither could sway me so easily. But….
‘I cannot disobey Artia von Edenberg’s words.’
I was grateful to be in the form of a cat.
It concealed my hopelessly flustered expression.

Watching the black cat pad gracefully into the room, I felt a surge of excitement that even an audience with the Emperor couldn’t have stirred.
I wouldn’t be this thrilled to meet His Imperial Majesty.
My cheeks flushed as I stared intently at the black cat, when I noticed something peculiar.
‘Every other day you stare at me without blinking, yet today you won’t even look up?’
I wondered if something delicious lay on the floor, but I saw nothing.
‘Why the sudden change?’
Are you embarrassed after days apart? Do I look unattractive all of a sudden? Or have you lost interest in me?
…That would be rather sad.
My mind spinning with countless possibilities, I retrieved a thick towel.
“Come here, Nabi. Let me dry you off.”
“…?!”
“Your fur is soaked from the rain.”
“….”
The black cat remained motionless, as if deaf to my words, so I continued persuasively.
“We’ve even held hands—surely you can allow me this much?”
“….”
Damn it, those eyes again.
When those rose-pink eyes—like crushed cherry blossoms—met mine, I found myself helpless, as though enchanted by a witch’s spell.
The black cat walked toward me with lowered gaze, thinking to himself.
‘I’ll surrender my body, but I will not look at her. I absolutely will not.’
For the honor of Artia von Edenberg and Killian von Orpheus.
Yet his resolve crumbled as my rounded chest suddenly entered his field of vision.
“…!”
The black cat’s eyes widened involuntarily before he froze, then squeezed them shut a beat too late.
‘Don’t look!’
Oblivious to the cat’s inner turmoil, I laughed softly and diligently dried the water from his black fur with the towel.
“There we go—all fluffy again, my beautiful Nabi.”
Yes, he’s back to normal now. This should be enough.
Don’t do anything else, Artia von Edenberg. That’s an order.
Yet contrary to Killian’s wishes, I left the room and soon returned with a steaming bowl. Inside was a warm soup made with meat and vegetables.
“You can’t catch a cold, so eat this too.”
His rose-pink eyes gleamed.
The black cat finally lowered his head to the bowl and began lapping at the soup.
His imperial pride temporarily set aside.

Fluffy fur, a belly contentedly filled with warm soup.
My voice drifting like a melody.
It was far too comfortable, far too warm.
My resolve to see only her face crumbled as the black cat’s eyes slowly closed.

* * *

When Killian von Orpheus turned eight years old, the Duke of Edenberg, who frequently visited the Imperial Palace, brought along a small girl.
“My beloved only daughter, Artia.”
Artia bowed her head, her small hands trembling visibly as she lifted the hem of her dress in greeting.
“I-I-I humbly g-greet the b-blood of the m-mighty House of Orpheus. I-I am A-Artia von Edenberg.”
At her pitifully stammering voice, Benedict’s expression turned cold and rigid.
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, the Emperor and Empress showed no interest in such an unremarkable girl who couldn’t even manage a proper greeting.
After formally acknowledging her salutation, they turned their gaze away from Artia.
But the young prince seated beside them did not.
The young imperial heir, who typically showed no interest in people, found his attention drawn toward Artia.
‘Artia? That’s similar to my brother’s name. And her hair color is just as pale as his.’
Even her visible face appeared as fair as Arsen’s.
‘I wonder if her eye color is similar to my brother’s too?’
Though Killian von Orpheus didn’t realize it, this was the first time he had taken interest in anyone other than Arsen.
However, Artia, who had been looking down at the floor from the start, showed no sign of lifting her gaze, and her eyes hidden behind her bangs remained completely obscured.
Had he seen her eyes from the beginning, his curiosity would have faded quickly.
But the unresolved curiosity only grew stronger, and Killian felt an overwhelming impulse to rush over and meet the small girl’s gaze directly.
Killian stared intently at Artia from across the distance, his mind racing.
‘Look at me, Artia von Edenberg.’
Yet Artia never lifted her head.
The same held true at their second and third meetings.
What had begun as mere curiosity about the girl’s eyes had gradually transformed into an intense obsession.
‘I absolutely must see them today.’
Killian von Orpheus, who had always sat motionless in his chair like a doll, rose from his seat for the first time.
In that instant, every eye in the Banquet Hall turned toward the young prince.
As Killian von Orpheus approached Artia with an aristocratic gait unbecoming of a child, his eyes widened.
Artia’s clasped hands trembled violently, as though seized by convulsions.
Killian von Orpheus understood immediately.
‘She’s afraid of me.’
It was a familiar reaction.
Most people were intimidated by the young prince, who possessed exceptional abilities and an aura far beyond his years.
He had never cared about their reactions before.
But today, for some reason… he felt irritated.

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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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