The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 85

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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 85

Faced with his innocent question, I found myself unable to respond, squeezing my eyes shut instead.
Beyond mere excitement, my entire body felt as though it might shatter into a thousand pieces.
Only after a long moment did I finally open my eyes, struggling to find my voice.
“Your Highness, I must warn you—you absolutely cannot say things like that in front of other women.”
Killian von Orpheus, whose gaze had turned glacial at my words, listened as I continued with utmost gravity.
“If you did, there would be countless women who wouldn’t hesitate to throw themselves at you, caring not whether you harbored the most vicious misogyny imaginable, even if it meant losing their heads.”
“….”
Killian von Orpheus stared at me for a moment before a soft laugh escaped him.
As though my answer had pleased him greatly.
My heart, which had only just settled, began thundering wildly once more, leaving me utterly flustered.

4. A Princess Scarred and Broken

* * *

“Next time, let’s meet at my home.”
Dahlia devoted herself diligently to high society activities, yet she rarely invited anyone to her residence.
Thus, Artia could not conceal her elation, her cheeks flushing like peaches as she nodded repeatedly.
Days later, Artia arrived at Dalia’s Mansion, her heart brimming with anticipation.
The mansion, bearing the weight of countless years, was not ostentatious, yet it possessed the serene atmosphere of an ancient library.
Dahlia, the mistress of the house, and Marigold, who had arrived earlier, welcomed Artia.
“Welcome, Tia.”
“Welcome, Lady Edenberg.”
The two women were seated across from each other at a square four-person table—which proved to be the source of trouble.
“Sit here, Tia.”
Marigold playfully patted the seat beside her.
“Please sit here, Lady Edenberg.”
Dahlia then gracefully gestured to the seat beside her.
The two women fixed each other with sharp gazes. Dahlia spoke first.
“Marigold, seating arrangements for guests at a tea party are the host’s prerogative.”
“This isn’t a place where we need to stand on ceremony. Why not just sit comfortably?”
The two bickered like cats and dogs, with Artia caught between them.
As time passed, a remarkable sight unfolded: three women sitting side by side on chairs meant for two.
“It’s cramped!”
Marigold cried out with an irritated expression.
“How undignified.”
Dahlia spoke with an expression of mortification.
Artia, wedged between them, spoke cautiously.
“Perhaps I could move to the other side….”
“Hehe, sitting like this reminds me of when we were little and squeezed onto one chair together.”
“Indeed, there is a certain pleasure in revisiting old memories.”
In the end, the three sat in a row and enjoyed their tea party.
“Tia, say ah~”
The moment Marigold offered Artia a macaron, Dahlia, seated across from her, thrust forward a plate of plump tomatoes as if to intercept the sweet treat.
“Lady Edenberg doesn’t care for sweet desserts like macarons, does she?”
Artia glanced at Marigold before nodding.
“No.”
Marigold’s expression shifted to shock at this revelation she had never known, while Dahlia’s face radiated unmistakable triumph.
“I thought as much, so I had fruit prepared specially. Please don’t hesitate—eat only what suits your palate.”
Marigold quietly set down the macaron and questioned Dahlia accusingly.
“Why are you suddenly acting so familiar with Tia?”
Dahlia mingled with many women in high society, yet she maintained clear boundaries. This level of kindness was unprecedented.
Marigold asked, her tone tinged with jealousy.
“Don’t tell me you’ve only just discovered how adorable Tia is?”
Please, no more of this…!
Artia’s expression seemed on the verge of tears. Fortunately, Dahlia merely furrowed her brows with a composed demeanor.
‘Am I you?’
I harbored no peculiar affection for grown women, even when I felt nothing upon seeing small children. Yet….
“Not long ago, Lady Elysium helped me.”
“When? With what? How? Why didn’t you tell me?!”
Artia was taken aback by Marigold’s evident displeasure.
I had intended to keep that day’s events secret…!
Meanwhile, Dahlia remained unflappable as always.
“You were away on a trip that day.”
Of course, even if that weren’t the case, I would have deliberated whether to seek her assistance.
Marigold possessed the loyalty to scatter dozens of diamonds through the back alleys to aid a friend, but she harbored a fatal flaw.
Marigold’s tongue was loose. She could never keep a secret.
‘Surely, before long, not a soul in the Convent—no, in the entire Empire—would remain ignorant that I am RedLip, the author who writes such scandalous and clandestine novels.’
Worse still, mischievous Marigold would undoubtedly procure RedLip’s books and read them aloud with deliberate enunciation before me, all to tease me relentlessly.
‘Such a thing must never come to pass.’
For this reason, I sought Artia’s aid rather than Marigold’s.
Dahlia spoke to Marigold, who was on the verge of sulking.
“You said it yourself—whenever troubles arise, consult with Lady Elysium.”
“Ah….”
“As you said, Lady Elysium proved remarkably wise.”
With those words, Marigold’s hurt at not being asked for help evaporated entirely.
The joy of having my cherished friend recognized by another was far greater.
“So you’ve finally recognized Tia’s brilliance. But Tia isn’t merely wise—she’s adorable, lovely, and utterly charming.”
…Just do as you both please.
Realizing there was no way to defend against the barrage of praise from both sides, Artia accepted it all with humble grace, popping a tomato into her mouth and chewing thoughtfully.

* * *

Throughout the tea party, Marigold fussed endlessly over how adorable Artia was. Dahlia, too, had become increasingly eager to engage Artia in conversation.
Artia found herself turning her head left and right constantly to respond, and by the time the tea party ended, her neck was positively stiff.
As the sun began to set, Marigold decided to stay longer, so Artia left the mansion alone.
Walking through the Garden, Artia massaged her neck.
It had been exhausting, but wonderful.
Two beautiful, magnificent women had expressed their affection for me so openly and sincerely.
I hadn’t realized it until now, but I do enjoy being loved.
Artia’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushed as rosy as peaches.
A beautiful woman in a white dress was walking toward her through the blooming flowers. It was Frigia.
What breathtaking beauty—I never tired of admiring it.
Artia gazed at Frigia in awe before her eyes curved into a gentle smile.
“How wonderful to see you, Lady Elysium. It’s been quite some time.”
Despite the courteous greeting, Frigia’s beautiful face was twisted into a deep scowl.
She offered an awkward greeting as if compelled by someone, then simply walked past Artia.
She still despises me.
Artia was not so simple as to cry out, “Your friend is my friend, so we’re all friends!”
Nor was she naive enough to hope that everyone in the world would like her.
Still, it was disappointing.
I had hoped we could become close.
But with the animosity between them running this deep, anything I said would only backfire.
Artia turned her gaze from Frigia and walked down the opposite path.

Marigold looked startled at Frigia’s appearance, then broke into a radiant smile.
“Welcome, Princess. You’re earlier than we agreed.”
Rather than returning Marigold’s greeting, Frigia spoke of something else.
“Did you invite Lady Edenberg?”
Her eyes held the devastated look of someone who had just discovered their husband’s infidelity.
Marigold murmured “Ah…” before answering honestly.
“You both only had time today. But you turn serious the moment the name Edenberg comes up, so I scheduled you separately at different times.”
Frigia knew that Marigold had been meeting with Artia recently. She had held her tongue about it, enduring in silence.
Marigold was naturally curious about people, after all. She would grow bored after a few meetings, or so Frigia had thought.
But the moment she learned that Dahlia had also been with Artia, her heart sank.
It felt as though Artia had stolen the place that should have been hers.

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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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