The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 68

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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 68

I couldn’t fathom the intention behind his question.
Artia answered earnestly, her expression clouded with confusion.
“The Maids attending us were graceful and kind.”
“And?”
“The Banquet Hall was elegant and splendid.”
“And?”
With each successive question, a bead of cold sweat rolled down Artia’s forehead.
He clearly wanted to hear something specific, but I couldn’t begin to guess what it was.
That’s when a pink flower adorning the table caught my eye.
‘Could it be…?’
“The flowers decorating the Banquet Hall were truly beautiful?”
In that instant, Killian von Orpheus’s expressionless face broke into a smile.
That was it!
But my joy was short-lived…
“Anything else?”
Anything else?!
I felt the urge to grab Killian von Orpheus by the collar and demand, ‘What exactly do you want to hear from me?!’
Fortunately, before such a catastrophe could unfold, he spoke.
“Did the dessert suit your palate?”
Artia’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. She blinked before responding.
“I’m afraid I must confess that I cannot answer that.”
“Why not? Was it unsatisfactory?”
“To be honest, I was so preoccupied with managing the guests that I didn’t taste the dessert at all.”
“…”
So why was His Highness making that expression?
Artia felt as though she had committed some grave transgression.
‘What could it be? Could His Highness have a secret passion for baking and made the dessert himself? Or perhaps the Imperial Palace’s dessert was so exquisite that he wanted others to appreciate it as well?’
None of these hypotheses seemed to fit him.
‘It’s truly impossible to understand this man.’
Having reached this conclusion, Artia decided to take the most appropriate course of action rather than attempt to decipher his intentions.
“Would it be possible for me to taste the dessert from the gathering, even now?”
“You wish to eat it now?”
“Yes, though I was too occupied to taste it earlier, I’ve become quite curious about what the Imperial Palace’s dessert tastes like.”
That was the right answer!
Killian’s lips curved upward ever so slightly, as if to ask when he had ever been depressed.

Artia was taken aback.
‘There were this many desserts arranged in the Banquet Hall today?’
The table overflowed with desserts of every conceivable shape and form. Not only were there countless varieties, but each one was a work of art in its own right.
‘It almost feels wrong to eat something so beautiful.’
But if she didn’t eat them, she’d be treated as a traitor to His Highness.
Unwilling to face such a fate, Artia pierced the nearest cake with her fork.
‘I don’t particularly care for overly sweet things, but….’
Even if it were sickeningly sweet, she’d smile and claim it was delicious. She couldn’t afford to displease this mad prince.
As she placed the cake in her mouth after carefully orchestrating her response, Artia’s eyes widened.
‘How is this possible….’
Beneath the subtle sweetness lay a rich carrot essence, woven together in perfect harmony.
It was precisely her taste.
With an enchanted expression, Artia took another bite of the cake, savoring it, before remembering her forgotten purpose.
‘Right, I need to show His Highness an appropriate reaction.’
She turned her head to shower the dessert with praise before Killian could wear that terrifying expression again—and her eyes widened once more.
Killian was smiling.
It was an innocent, childlike smile—neither arrogant nor sinister.
Artia stared at him in a daze before abruptly turning away.
‘C-could it be that His Highness actually made these desserts himself? Is that why he’s wearing such a smile?’
Remarkably, Artia’s suspicion held a grain of truth.

Before the tea party began, after Killian had commanded that all desserts served to guests be made from carrots, another order followed.
“Once the desserts are complete, bring them to me.”
Upon hearing that the Imperial Prince himself would taste them, the chefs poured every ounce of their skill into perfecting the desserts.
The Royal Chef, visibly gaunt after days of labor, gestured to the table laden with desserts and began his presentation.
“Using the finest carrots, a specialty of the Kashan Region…, we’ve maximized the natural sweetness of the carrot…, and so forth and so on….”
Killian listened with patience, then with an elegant gesture, cut a slice of cake and placed it in his mouth.
He swallowed without the slightest change in expression and spoke.
“The carrot flavor is barely perceptible. Increase the carrot content.”
Your Highness, carrots are such a divisive ingredient that if the carrot flavor becomes too strong, the guests’ reactions may be unfavorable.
As if he could voice such honest concerns. His life hung in the balance.
“Yes, I shall correct it at once.”
The Royal Chef bowed deeply and answered with vigor.
After several more tastings, the desserts finally passed inspection.
And among the Imperial Palace chefs, Killian became known as ‘the Prince obsessed with carrots.’

* * *

As Artia bore the brunt of Killian von Orpheus’s piercing gaze while struggling to swallow the carrot dessert, the Flower Ladies had gathered in one corner.
Marigold cut a large slice of cake and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully.
“Finally, I feel like I can eat again. Everything served at today’s tea party tasted like carrots—I couldn’t stomach any of it.”
“I didn’t mind it. It even felt rather healthful.”
At Dahlia’s response, Marigold grimaced and muttered under her breath.
“The world has always been divided into carrot enthusiasts and carrot skeptics.”
Then she turned her gaze toward Frigia.
“What did you think of today’s dessert, Princess?”
“I couldn’t say. I don’t eat desserts as a rule….”
“I must revise my statement. The world is divided into those who can refrain from eating cake when it sits before them, and those who cannot.”
Dahlia let out a soft laugh at the jest, but Frigia’s expression remained unchanged.
Marigold’s eyes narrowed.
Frigia, who always wore a gentle smile, seemed different today.
Particularly, the way she had spoken harshly to the Duke of Edenberg in front of others was unlike her at all.
“Why did you do that earlier? Did something happen between you and the Duchess of Edenberg?”
At Marigold’s question, Frigia answered.
“Nothing in particular. It was simply difficult to watch the Duchess of Edenberg boast and carry on without any shame for breaking the sacred promise of marriage.”
“Is that so? I didn’t think the divorce itself looked particularly bad. It’s far better to part ways with trash like Lloyd than to spend a lifetime with him.”
Seeing Frigia’s expression of disbelief, Marigold waved her hand.
“Whoa, calm down. That’s just my view on divorce—it doesn’t mean I approve of the Duchess of Edenberg.”
Marigold pulled Frigia into an embrace as she spoke.
“If you dislike that woman, then so do I. We’re a team, after all! Right, Dahlia?”
Yet despite Marigold’s spirited words, Dahlia offered no response.
She calmly took a sip of tea before broaching another subject.
“But why did the Duchess of Edenberg suddenly attend the gathering?”
“It’s a well-known story that the Duke of Edenberg fell into the lake and became a different person. Perhaps she simply wishes to enjoy social life as an ordinary noblewoman now.”
Marigold spoke casually, but Dahlia’s thoughts diverged.
“The Duchess of Edenberg I saw today didn’t appear to be merely enjoying the gathering—she seemed to be actively working to gain the favor of the other women.”
She clearly had a purpose.
“For instance, becoming an Ethereal….”
At Dahlia’s murmur, Marigold’s eyes widened before she burst into laughter.
“Are you seriously suggesting the Duchess of Edenberg aspires to become an Ethereal?”
“It’s possible.”
“No, it isn’t. An Ethereal isn’t achieved by noble lineage alone. One must possess beauty, virtue, grace, intellect, reputation—and even fortune. The three of us gathered here would have struggled to earn that title without our solid alliance.”
The three women present would have found it difficult to receive that distinction without their steadfast bond.
“But look at the Duchess of Edenberg.”
House of Edenberg was indeed a distinguished family, but it no longer commanded the same respect as before.
While she was beautiful, her appearance was not overwhelmingly striking.
Though her behavior today was noteworthy, no one would praise the qualities of a woman who had spent twenty years without proper conversation with another soul.
“Most critically, the Duchess of Edenberg is divorced. A fatal flaw for a noblewoman. Who would ever select such a woman as an Ethereal?”

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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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