The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 72

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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 72

I couldn’t bring myself to say what I’d said just a second ago—that I didn’t want pointless reports—so Nocton von Alihas answered instead.
“She is apparently engaging quite actively in social circles.”
“That’s all?”
“Shall I investigate further?”
“…Never mind.”
Any further inquiry would be prying into her private life. Killian von Orpheus had no intention of stooping to such pettiness.

‘I’ll just go see for myself.’
Hours later, Killian von Orpheus transformed into a black cat and made his way to the Edenberke Estate.
Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately), Artia was not in her undergarments as she had been that day, but rather dressed in a comfortable indoor gown.
Artia, who had been sitting at her desk writing something intently, caught sight of the black cat appearing at the window and broke into a radiant smile.
“Nabi!”
Artia gestured for him to come inside.
‘It would be rude not to accept such a desperate invitation.’
The black cat entered the room with elegant steps and leaped onto the desk. Upon it lay a letter.
Artia, noticing where the black cat’s gaze had fallen, spoke in alarm.
“You mustn’t tear this one like you did the last time (Catherine’s organized suitor documents). This is a very important letter.”
A letter?
The black cat, instinctively sensing something ominous, cast a glance at the paper.

「 I wish to drown in the depths of your eyes. 」

“…!”
In that instant, his long tail shot straight up.
With wide eyes, he looked below the paper and saw a name written in distinctly masculine handwriting.

「 From Edward, who dwells within your heart. 」

In that moment, Nocton von Alihas’s voice from earlier today echoed through my mind.
“This Edward fellow has been sending elaborate letters, stirring the hearts of noblewomen throughout the realm.”
Sharp claws extended from between the soft, fluffy paws that had seemed so innocent whenever I was near Artia.
I wanted nothing more than to shred that dreadful letter bearing Edward’s name into pieces.
The black cat’s face twisted into something sinister as I raised my paw.
“Nabi~.”
At the sound of Artia’s voice, the black cat’s senses snapped back to focus, and I quickly lowered my paw.
‘If I touch that letter, Artia von Edenberg will be angry with me.’
Perhaps she might even come to hate me.
That was something I couldn’t bear.
The black cat’s round paw clenched with effort.
‘I mustn’t touch it.’
Even the sight of it made fury rise in my chest, but it belonged to Artia von Edenberg, after all.
…Instead, I could always find something else to destroy.

* * *

That night, upon returning to the Imperial Palace, Killian von Orpheus issued a command to Nocton von Alihas.
“Bring me this Edward fellow at once.”
Pardon? Surely you don’t mean that Edward I mentioned in passing this morning?
Nocton von Alihas asked in surprise.
“For what reason, Your Highness?”
Killian von Orpheus was not a man to concern himself with such matters, so Nocton assumed there must be some plausible reason he was unaware of. But….
“That bastard wrote filthy, obscene letters.”
To Artia von Edenberg, no less.
Nocton von Alihas swallowed hard upon seeing the sinister glint in Killian von Orpheus’s eyes.
‘That’s not the gaze one reserves for a mere scoundrel who dared write to a woman.’
Even a traitor plotting sedition would receive warmer regard.
In any case, when Killian von Orpheus wore such an expression, swift obedience was the only path to survival.
Nocton von Alihas deployed the Rat Network, the intelligence organization under the prince’s command, and gathered information. Exactly two hours later, he delivered his report.
“Your Highness, I have discovered Edward’s true identity.”
“I told you to drag that bastard before my eyes, not to satisfy my curiosity about his identity.”
“But Edward’s true identity is… Lady Edenberg herself.”
“…?!”
Killian von Orpheus’s eyes widened at this unexpected revelation.
Nocton von Alihas continued.
“Edward never existed in the first place. Lady Edenberg was the one writing letters under the name Edward.”
“Why would she do such a thing?”
Could it be that Artia von Edenberg preferred women?
The blood drained from my entire body at the hypothesis that flashed through my mind.
Fortunately(?) Nocton von Alihas had cleared up Killian von Orpheus’s misunderstanding.
“He says she wrote letters to help women she was acquainted with. She was banking on the husbands who discovered their wives had received letters from Edward to jump to conclusions and explode in fury like madmen.”
Precisely as if she were the Crown Prince himself.
Nocton von Alihas omitted that remark and continued.
“Initially, it began as a playful jest with that intention, but recently there has been a growing number of noblewomen who find genuine solace in receiving letters from the fictional figure Edward. Now, even without any particular reason, requests for Artia to write letters on their behalf have been increasing.”
What in the world was Artia doing, gallivanting about like this?
Nocton von Alihas watched Killian von Orpheus’s expression as he pressed his forehead, then asked.
“Shall I bring Edward here now?”
Killian von Orpheus’s eyes conveyed utter incredulity. Nocton von Alihas bowed at the waist, as if he had anticipated this response.
“My report is complete. I shall take my leave.”
Left alone, Killian von Orpheus leaned back in his chair and exhaled a quiet sigh.
“So the letter was written by Artia.”
The contents of the letter he had seen hours ago came back to him with crystalline clarity.
It was a curious thing.
The passage that had made him feel such revulsion, such nausea—to think it had been written by Artia….

「 From Artia, who dwells within your heart. 」

“My heart feels ticklish.”
Killian von Orpheus understood now why the noblewomen sought out Artia’s letters.

* * *

In the Reception Room adorned with flowers sat three women more beautiful than the blooms themselves—the Flower Ladies.
Marigold, draped in a large violet diamond set, spoke first.
“Have you heard about the Edenberg woman?”
Dahlia nodded with a composed expression.
“They say she listens to the troubles of noblewomen and offers particularly sound advice on marital matters.”
Frigia’s beautiful face twisted in distaste.
“I don’t understand. Don’t they feel ashamed? Why would anyone share such personal matters with a stranger?”
Marigold let out a soft laugh.
“When hardship strikes, anyone feels the urge to confide in someone. Though such concerns hardly apply to us.”
The three women seated here had become the envy of society because everything about them was flawless.
They were beautiful, graceful, wealthy, and enjoyed harmonious marriages.
They possessed no troubles worth confessing to others. Indeed, they could not afford to.
Marigold embraced Frigia from behind and continued.
“She calls it counseling, but it’s merely listening to others’ problems—no different from merchants wagging their tails eagerly to hear my words so they might sell their wares. She may soothe women’s feelings, but she will never earn their respect.”
Reassured by Marigold’s words, Frigia nodded in agreement.
Hours later, the Masked Gathering commenced.
Any noblewoman would have longed to attend a gathering hosted by Frigia, the flower of society.
Every woman present wore an expression of excitement.
“Thank you for the invitation, Lady Elysium.”
Frigia, linked arm-in-arm with her husband, softened her gaze.
“The pleasure is mine for your attendance.”
The women’s faces flushed crimson in an instant.
“How can she be so beautiful…”
“Even though we’re the same sex, my heart races every time I see her.”
Marigold, observing from a distance, let out a soft laugh.
“They can’t tear their eyes away from the princess.”
Dahlia replied.
“Understandably so. Recently, she’s intensified her regimen to a degree that ordinary noblewomen wouldn’t dare attempt.”
Frigia maintained a strict diet, spent hours each day combing her hair, endured massages that drew involuntary cries, and remained perpetually indoors for fear of the slightest blemish to her skin.
With natural beauty enhanced by relentless effort, Frigia renewed her exquisite appearance each day.
Marigold spoke.
“It’s pleasant to observe, but it looks exhausting. Why would someone already so beautiful go to such lengths?”
“You and I have become Ethereals.”
At Dahlia’s words, Marigold’s eyes widened.
“What do you mean?”
“The title of Ethereal is no longer exceptional among us. So we must become Ethereal once more—only then can we be recognized as the supreme, incomparable woman in this society.”

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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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