The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 73

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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 73

Marigold’s eyes widened before she burst into laughter.
“So that’s what this was about?”
“….”
“Here I thought you looked like an angel, but you’re actually greedy. You’re like a cunning little princess.”
Marigold whispered to Dahlia.
“So if Frigia becomes Ethereal this year, should I ask you to push for me next year? I wonder what kind of face the princess would make if I became Ethereal again?”
Dahlia’s thick brows drew together.
A friend she’d known since infancy truly had the most disagreeable temperament.

* * *

“It was truly a pleasure spending time with you today. I hope to see you again soon, Duchess of Edenberg.”
Artia returned home, receiving warm farewells from the noblewomen.
Starting with listening to Clara’s troubles, I had naturally expanded my social circle by counseling many women.
To the point where several invitations arrived each day, unlike before. And yet….
‘Many noblewomen still hesitate to grow close to me.’
It was the aftermath of Frigia’s harsh words toward me at the Imperial Palace tea party.
The influence of the Flower Ladies in high society was indeed formidable.
“I need to cultivate a more harmonious relationship with them, even if not an intimate one.”
Only then would the possibility of becoming Ethereal open up.
The next day, I made my way to Diamond Street, renowned as the most luxurious thoroughfare in the Convent.
Since the Elders still managed Edenberg’s finances, I was in no position to afford luxuries.
Yet I had come here to meet Marigold, one of the Flower Ladies.
‘They say she, called the wealthiest noblewoman in the Convent, comes here every day?’
My plan was to encounter her while strolling the street and perhaps exchange pleasantries.
I walked along the street, praying my plan would succeed.
‘This street truly lives up to its reputation—only the most renowned shops in the Empire can establish themselves here.’
Dresses, jewels, shoes…. Every item on display was of the highest quality.
My gaze, which had been admiring the merchandise as though appreciating fine art, came to rest on one particular storefront.
What I saw through the glass was a men’s formal suit.
Unlike the ornate formal wear typical noblemen wore, the moment I saw the simple design and entirely black ensemble, a certain man came to mind.
‘Your Highness Killian always wears clothes in this style.’
Usually such garments would appear dull, but he was nothing of the sort. Rather, he emanated a brilliance like polished obsidian.
‘I never knew black could shine so brightly.’
That outfit would look amazing on someone too.
A low voice reached Artia’s ears as she stood dazed, imagining Killian von Orpheus in formal attire with his eyes cast downward.
“Artia von Edenberg.”
“…?!”
Artia spun around abruptly, gasping in surprise, then immediately clapped her hand over her mouth, startled by her own sound.
The man who had occupied her thoughts mere moments ago stood before her.
Radiating an arrogance that exceeded her imagination and an oppressive presence.
‘Why is His Highness here of all places?!’
Artia bowed deeply, her face flushed crimson like an adolescent boy caught daydreaming of a beautiful lady.
“I offer my respects to the noble blood of the House of Orpheus.”
Killian von Orpheus stared at Artia intently before asking.
“Your face is red. Have you caught a cold?”
“No! I’m in perfect health!”
Before he could press further, Artia quickly changed the subject.
“I was merely startled to encounter Your Highness in such a place.”
The Imperial Family summoned merchants to the Imperial Palace to make purchases, citing the need to maintain security and dignity.
Therefore, the appearance of Killian von Orpheus, the Second Prince and pinnacle of power, was nothing short of shocking. Everyone passing by on the street turned to stare in astonishment.
Artia glanced around nervously before asking.
“What brings you to such a place…?”
I caught your scent and came to investigate.
Since he couldn’t possibly say such a thing, Killian von Orpheus deflected casually.
“Thought I’d do some shopping for a change of pace.”
“That’s surprisingly ordinary for a hobby.”
“Did you think I’d swing a sword and slice people apart whenever bored?”
Half the people in the Empire wouldn’t be surprised to hear that.
Killian von Orpheus, observing Artia’s wordless expression conveying exactly that sentiment, turned away with a displeased look.
His gaze fell upon the black formal suit that Artia had been mesmerized by moments before.
Killian von Orpheus spoke without bothering to conceal his displeasure.
“How strange for a husbandless woman to gaze so intently at clothing. Are you hoping to give it as a gift to someone?”
In that instant, Artia’s barely composed heart sank with a heavy thud.
She answered hastily, terrified that he might discover she had been imagining Killian von Orpheus in that black suit.
“I was simply admiring the outfit!”
“Admiring it?”
“Yes, the design is simple yet refined. The fabric is also quite luxurious.”

A moment later….
‘Why am I sitting here?’
I found myself perched on a plush sofa inside the boutique, having lingered outside mere moments before.
The reason for this predicament stemmed from a single offhand remark Killian von Orpheus had made.
“You seem knowledgeable about men’s fashion. Help me choose something.”
Me? I know nothing about men’s clothing whatsoever. I have little interest in fashion to begin with. Surely Your Highness possesses far superior taste than I do?
Besides, isn’t it strange for me to assist you in such a matter?
Despite these thoughts swirling in my mind, I found myself nodding without hesitation.
The excuse that it was a command from the Imperial Prince was merely a flimsy justification.
The true reason I had followed him here was….
‘I wanted to see how His Highness looks in those clothes!’
But as time passed and reason returned to me, I pressed my palm against my forehead and sighed.
“What was I thinking, following him all the way here?”
One fortunate circumstance was that the moment Killian von Orpheus entered, all the staff and customers departed, and the shop door sealed shut.
Only four people remained in the spacious boutique: Killian von Orpheus, myself, Nocton von Alihas, and the Shop Owner.
Nocton von Alihas spoke with an amused expression.
“Rest assured about discretion. No one will ever know what transpires within these walls.”
The Shop Owner standing beside him nodded vigorously, his face taut with extreme tension.
‘At least no troublesome rumors about me selecting His Highness’s attire will spread.’
As I felt relief wash over me, the sound of a curtain being drawn reached my ears.
The moment I lifted my gaze, time seemed to freeze, and I became utterly motionless.
The figure of Killian von Orpheus in a perfectly tailored black suit was nothing like my imagination.
The man who had seemed merely beautiful as a painting in my mind’s eye….
Was commanding and breathtaking.
Dangerous in appearance, yet utterly captivating.
It was a magnetism that only Killian von Orpheus could emanate in this world.
I had known that Killian von Orpheus possessed extraordinary beauty, but his overwhelming presence had never allowed me the opportunity to truly appreciate it.
Yet as my wariness gradually dissolved, his features became increasingly vivid before my eyes.
Though I myself remained unaware of it.
“Well? Does it suit me?”
“…!”
Snapped back to awareness by Killian von Orpheus’s voice, I nodded.
“Yes, it suits you very well.”
Startled by his appearance, my response emerged blunt and unremarkable, yet the corner of Killian von Orpheus’s mouth curved upward ever so slightly.
As if my answer had satisfied him.
As I stared intently at him, I suddenly spoke.
“Your cravat is slightly crooked.”
In that instant, something extraordinary occurred. Killian von Orpheus bowed his head toward me.
“Fix it for me.”
“…?!”
Caught off guard by the unexpected action, I opened my mouth in surprise and whipped my head around in alarm.
Nocton von Alihas and the Shop Owner, who had been standing beside Killian von Orpheus just moments before, had vanished as if they were never there.
Where on earth had everyone gone?
While I had been captivated by Killian von Orpheus, they had quietly slipped away upon seeing his piercing gaze commanding them to leave—something I could not have possibly known.
I regarded Killian von Orpheus with an awkward expression.
Killian von Orpheus showed no intention whatsoever of touching the cravat himself.
Of course—a noble prince of his station would hardly be expected to attend to such trivial matters on his own.
There was no help for it.
A moment later, I reached out my hand.

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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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