The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 66

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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 66

I studied each of the three women in turn, recalling the information I had committed to memory.
‘Marigold von Golders.’
The woman with wavy auburn hair and striking features was adorned from head to toe in glittering diamonds.
Despite her jewel-like brilliance, she had surprisingly gone unnoticed in society just years ago—the daughter of a minor baronial house.
Marigold’s position changed when she turned twenty. She married Count Golzess.
Count Golzess was extraordinarily wealthy, owning dozens of diamond mines. He was twelve years her senior and had a five-year-old daughter from his previous marriage.
Though she had married a widower and suddenly become a mother to a young child, her marriage proved remarkably successful.
The moment she became a wealthy countess, her standing in society elevated dramatically.
‘Dahlia von Greg.’
The woman with long, straight black hair elegantly pinned up and dressed in a simple green gown exuded both propriety and aristocratic grace.
She carried the unmistakable air of intellectual refinement befitting a distinguished family with generations of high-ranking officials in their lineage.
And finally….
‘Freesia von Elysium.’
The woman with cascading golden hair and emerald eyes shone with a beauty that seemed otherworldly.
Her epithet was none other than Princess Freesia.
It was not merely a casual nickname. She was an actual princess.
Though her homeland of Palenta was small compared to the Empire, her royal blood alone commanded considerable attention.
With her flawless appearance, bearing, character, and etiquette, she had swiftly become the jewel of society.
‘Still as beautiful as ever….’
I gazed at Freesia, memories of the past surfacing.
Years ago, when Lloyd saw Freesia at a masked gathering, his face had filled with admiration.
“You have indeed secured a beautiful wife, as the rumors suggest, Count Elysium.”
“Thank you. And surely you yourself have a lovely wife, Duke.”
At Count Elysium’s words, Lloyd glanced at me standing beside him with my head bowed, then burst into loud laughter.
“Ha! What amusing wit you possess. The difference between the Countess Elysium and my wife is as vast as that between a garden flower and a weed on the street.”
I had endured countless degrading remarks from him, but that moment was unbearable.
I fled to a corner of the banquet hall and could not hold back my tears.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
I lifted my head to find Freesia looking at me.
“I’m sorry—I didn’t realize anyone was here. I thought this place was empty.”
How plain must I appear before such a beautiful woman?
Freesia extended a white handkerchief toward me as shame burned through me.
She spoke in a gentle voice.
“Men can be so thoughtless with their words, can’t they? They wound people without realizing it.”
Her emerald eyes held no trace of disdain, contempt, or even superiority.
Only genuine compassion.
‘Since that day, we haven’t properly exchanged greetings, but I’ve wanted to speak with her if the opportunity arose.’
Then my gaze met Freesia von Elysium’s across the room.
I softened my eyes and offered her a warm, affectionate greeting. But Freesia von Elysium turned her head away sharply.
“…?”
I was taken aback.
I thought Freesia von Elysium might not remember that day—it had been such a brief encounter.
Still, given her gentle nature, I expected her to smile back. This reaction was unexpected….
‘Could she possibly dislike me?’

* * *

The tea party held at the Imperial Palace was arranged for the socialization of the Imperial Family and noblewomen.
Originally, members of the Imperial Family should have attended, but the Empress claimed to be unwell and did not appear.
Since this happened often, the women paid little attention to the Empress’s absence and focused instead on the purpose of attending today’s gathering.
Socialization—building connections.
The women had already decided whom they wished to befriend.
They flocked toward the Flower Ladies.
‘Their popularity is indeed as remarkable as I’ve heard.’
Seated at a slight distance, I listened intently.
I wanted to hear what women receiving such overwhelming attention were discussing.
Marigold von Golders exhaled dramatically, displaying the jewels adorning her entire body.
“Sigh~ My husband gave me these as gifts out of kindness, and I wore them all, but they’re so heavy now that I can’t stop wearing them.”
The women around Marigold von Golders wore expressions of rapture.
“The size alone is remarkable. I’ve never seen a diamond this large in my entire life.”
“It’s not just the size—the color, the luster, everything is exquisite. The brilliance is blinding.”
At the women’s praise, Marigold von Golders’s cheeks puffed with delight.
Thoroughly pleased, Marigold von Golders spoke.
“If you’re interested, let me know. I’ll speak to my husband and arrange for you to purchase them at a special discounted price.”
“My goodness, truly?!”
The women’s reaction was explosive.
The conversation continued with discussion of fashionable dresses, hair ornaments, and cosmetics.
‘The conversation is light, but it’s a topic many noblewomen would find fascinating.’
Of course, many women regarded Marigold von Golders with envious eyes, but if one counted that as interest, her degree of attention was extraordinary.
I nodded in understanding and turned my gaze toward Dahlia von Greg.
The atmosphere around Dahlia von Greg was entirely different from that surrounding Marigold von Golders.
It was quiet and refined.
“Have you seen Elgrecco’s latest work?”
Dahlia von Greg nodded.
“Yes, I have read it. The author conducted quite a thorough study on divinity and humanity. I found their interpretation of prayers offered to the divine particularly impressive.”
Dahlia von Greg began to discuss her impressions of the book in a composed tone.
Artia enjoyed reading as well, but her preference leaned toward romance-based novels rather than such genres.
Works classified as vulgar lowbrow literature among the nobility.
‘Though I have never thought of them that way.’
In any case, there existed works recognized among the nobility, and Dahlia von Greg was remarkably knowledgeable about them, her eloquence equally impressive.
The women listened to Dahlia von Greg’s discourse with the earnest expressions of students attending a professor’s lecture.
‘Now I understand why she is counted among the most intellectually distinguished noblewomen.’
Artia nodded once more and turned her gaze elsewhere.
She caught sight of Freesia von Elysium, surrounded by far more women than the previous two.
Freesia von Elysium’s conversation lacked the distinctive character of Marigold von Golders or Dahlia von Greg.
It was utterly mundane and ordinary.
‘Yet the women cannot tear their eyes away from her.’
It was admiration.
Directed toward an elegant and beautiful foreign princess.
‘I possess no such charm.’
Artia was pretty enough, but her beauty was not the sort to inspire gasps of wonder.
She lacked Marigold von Golders’ glittering wealth and Dahlia von Greg’s profound knowledge.
The only asset she possessed was the name House of Edenberg, yet now it was difficult to draw the women’s attention with that alone.
‘But I have a weapon that no one else in this room possesses.’
Artia’s gaze fell upon Penelope.
Penelope met her eyes, nodded, and asked in a clear voice.
“Artia, many here are curious about your divorce. Would you be willing to speak of it?”
Though the shock had faded since immediately after the divorce, the dissolution of the Duke of Edenberg’s marriage remained the most sensational event in high society.
As if to prove this, every woman’s gaze in the Banquet Hall turned toward Artia at once.
Exactly as Artia had intended.
‘I shall tell a story so compelling, so utterly fascinating, that they cannot help but listen—a tale that will spark their curiosity about me.’
For twenty years, Artia had preferred solitude in her chamber. This was the method she had chosen to capture the attention of the noblewomen.

* * *

Though the topic of divorce had drawn their attention, she had no intention of laying bare every intimate detail.
Artia sprinkled details of what had transpired between herself and Lloyd like seasoning, focusing instead on the divorce proceedings themselves.
“After I resolved to divorce, I submitted a petition to the Imperial Palace. Fortunately, the Imperial Court understood my earnest desire and accepted my petition immediately.”
She omitted the fact that Killian von Orpheus had assisted her, as revealing that would cause considerable scandal.
Despite the omission of many sensational details between husband and wife, the noblewomen found themselves unable to look away from Artia as she spoke.
Divorce itself was such an exotic and captivating subject.

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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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