The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 80

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

In Search of the Duke’s Husband – Episode 80

Dahlia’s ears flushed crimson at the memory of Artia’s voice, and her heart thundered in her chest.
She had been Artia’s first fan, met in High Society.

At that very moment, Artia lay in bed reading RedLip’s novel.
Even accounting for the original Artia’s memories, she had read this book dozens of times already, yet her heart still quickened and warmth flooded her cheeks.
‘Oh my goodness. The cold and stoic Duke of the Northern Region becomes so passionate before the woman he loves….’
Every line was direct and audacious.
Some criticized it as crude writing, but such judgment was far too narrow-minded.
‘Anyone who truly understands RedLip’s work could never say such a thing.’
The delicate emotions between characters, the intricately woven plot, the meticulous descriptions that made one feel as though stepping into the pages themselves…. Her works were undoubtedly the finest.
‘I wish RedLip’s new release would come out soon….’
Artia turned the page, her cheeks flushed a deep rose.

* * *

There were no High Society gatherings today. She had already finished all the letters she needed to write to the noblewomen.
With rare leisure time, Artia made her way to the Bookstore with a joyful expression.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat that obscured half her face and a plain dress with minimal embellishment to render herself as inconspicuous as possible, Artia whispered her question to the Shop Owner.
“Has RedLip’s new release come in yet?”
“No.”
The Shop Owner continued, watching as Artia’s shoulders sagged.
“There are rumors that a new release will arrive in about a month.”
Artia’s shoulders lifted instantly, her voice animated.
“I’ll pay in advance—could you set aside one copy for me when it arrives?”
But the Shop Owner shook his head firmly.
“I cannot.”
RedLip, a phenomenally popular author, had countless people waiting for her new release. The bookstore’s incoming stock was nowhere near sufficient to meet demand.
As purchasing became difficult, some even began offering premium prices to secure priority access to the books.
Yet the Shop Owner rejected every such proposal without exception.
“The world is already unfair enough. I won’t let the wealthy see books first.”
The Shop Owner continued, his eyes wide and earnest as he regarded Artia.
“If you wish to purchase a book, come to the bookstore and wait in line. Fairly.”
It was truly an admirable conviction.
Artia, whose eyes had momentarily glazed over at news of RedLip’s new release, regained her composure and nodded in agreement.
“Coming at dawn to wait in line, are we?”

Though RedLip’s new release reservation had fallen through, there was no shortage of things to do in the bookstore.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve discovered a new novel.’
Artia’s determination burned bright as she began methodically scanning the books on the topmost shelf.
Her gaze, drifting downward, suddenly halted on a single volume.

「 The Secret of the Mad Imperial Prince 」

The moment the words “mad imperial prince” registered, someone came to mind. As if bewitched, Artia pulled the book free and flipped through it—her eyes widened to the point of nearly bulging from their sockets.
The male protagonist depicted in the illustration bore an unmistakable resemblance to Killian von Orpheus.
‘His Highness’s beauty wasn’t quite captured, but then again….’
No, that wasn’t the point. The real issue was that the author had deliberately modeled the male lead after Killian von Orpheus.
‘The author has no fear whatsoever.’
Of course, Killian von Orpheus had long been the muse of countless romance novelists, and male protagonists fashioned after him were hardly rare. Yet never had a novel been so brazenly direct in its imitation.
One careless misstep and the author could face charges of lèse-majesté.
Artia’s fingers trembled as they hovered over the pages.
‘I’m dying to know what’s written here. But reading it would feel like committing a sin against His Highness.’
To read or not to read, to read or not to read—I wavered….
“Artia von Edenberg.”
“Eek!”
Startled by the voice at my ear, I let out a sharp cry, momentarily forgetting I was in a bookstore.
I clapped my hand over my mouth and turned—only to find the male protagonist from the book’s illustration materialized before me, upgraded to three times his illustrated perfection.
Regaining my composure, I pressed a hand to my racing heart and spoke.
“Your Highness, how did you come to be here….”
Killian von Orpheus gazed down at me with wide eyes and replied without a shred of shame.
“For the same reason as you. To buy books.”
A man with hundreds of thousands of volumes in the Imperial Palace, who could have any book delivered instantly with a single word, had come all the way here?
Not to some grand, prestigious bookstore on the main street, but to this tiny shop hidden away in a back alley?
Reading the skepticism in my eyes, Killian von Orpheus kindly offered an explanation.
“I’ve heard this bookstore carries many intriguing titles.”
His sharp golden gaze descended, settling on the book I held in my hands.
“Is it entertaining?”
“…!”
I jumped in alarm and hid the book behind my back, but it was already too late.
Killian von Orpheus spoke in a low voice.
“The person depicted looks quite familiar. Could it possibly be me?”
“It’s not!”
“Black hair, golden eyes, the nickname ‘mad imperial prince,’ and a name that’s also Killian—but you’re saying that’s not me.”
How had he managed to read the text beneath the illustration in such a brief moment?
Artia watched Killian von Orpheus, beads of perspiration rolling down her face.
His expression was as coldly impassive as always, yet his gaze held a terror she had never witnessed before.
She felt a chilling dread that if this continued, not only she but the author who wrote the novel would be dragged before him and lose their head.
Artia began her desperate plea for survival.
“It’s quite common for novels to be inspired by famous members of the Imperial Family or the Nobility. I hope you’ll understand it as an inevitable consequence of fame and show your magnanimous forgiveness….”
“Do you have one too?”
“Pardon?”
“You said many novels are inspired by famous people.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Artia blinked before answering.
“Of course not me.”
Though she had gained some notoriety recently through her divorce, her fame was so negligible it barely registered.
“I’m neither a striking beauty nor someone with a commanding presence. Why would anyone use me as a model?”
Though she spoke these facts plainly, Killian von Orpheus’s reaction was decidedly strange.
He furrowed his brows as if unable to comprehend, then spoke.
“If you find a novel modeled after you, tell me.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“Not at all. I would sever every finger of any author foolish enough to do such a thing.”
Killian von Orpheus’s beautiful face was so desolate that Artia couldn’t even think to ask “Your Highness, why?” and merely tightened her grip on the book in her hands.
As if protecting the author who had written it.
Fortunately, Killian von Orpheus showed no further interest in that particular book.
Instead, he broached a different subject.
“Since you seem knowledgeable about novels, I’d like you to recommend some books.”
First my wardrobe, and now novels?
Surely His Highness doesn’t think I’m his personal secretary?!
As if she would dare protest.
People were naturally delighted when others took interest in what they loved.
Artia’s pink eyes sparkled with delight.
“What sort of novel would you like to read? For instance, a particular type of female protagonist you prefer….”
A woman who was pale, petite, delicate, perceptive, and smiled like a flower.
Killian von Orpheus considered this silently before responding.
“Choose a novel with a male protagonist you find most attractive.”
“…?”
Artia blinked as if she hadn’t quite understood what she’d heard, then suddenly recalled a fact she’d forgotten.
That’s right—His Highness harbored a pathological hatred of women.
‘Perhaps His Highness’s sexual preferences are….’
At Artia’s gaze, Killian von Orpheus’s brows furrowed. His eyes held a distinctly displeased glint.
Noticing his expression, Artia quickly composed herself and hurried to retrieve several books.
“These are works that moved me deeply, and the male protagonists are truly magnificent!”
Artia extended the books to Killian von Orpheus with a bashful smile.
“I hope they suit your tastes.”
Though Killian found Artia’s laughing face endearing, his gaze remained glacial.
It displeased him that she would gaze at another man and call him magnificent.
Even if that man existed only as printed words, a creature of fiction.

* * *

Artia invited Marigold and Dahlia to her home.
In an atmosphere far warmer than before, Marigold ventured a bold suggestion.
“Duchess of Edenberg, I feel we’ve grown quite close now—would it be alright if I called you something more familiar?”
“Of course.”
Artia nodded readily, and Marigold spoke.
“How about Pretty? ♡”
Pfft. Artia nearly spat out the tea she was drinking.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————