The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 87

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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 87

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Artia’s aunt, Evangeline, sat in her chair with an exhausted expression.
She had spent the morning at the Edenberke Estate, her childhood home, handling a mountain of affairs.
She had mediated between her younger siblings as they blamed one another over the family’s increasingly strained finances, and concluded by liquidating one of the businesses operating at a severe loss.
Yet even after all that, the problems remained unresolved.
“Sister, I’ll manage the funds from selling the business. I have a venture I’ve been wanting to pursue.”
Her second-youngest brother, who bungled every business venture he touched.
“Why not divide it equally among the three of us instead? My wife keeps complaining that we’re short on money.”
Her third-youngest brother, who burned through money the moment it came into his hands.
“No, give it all to me. This time I’ll actually make something of myself.”
Her youngest brother, consumed by gambling addiction.
Evangeline sighed as she recalled her siblings growling at one another.
Separate from her affection for them, she had grown thoroughly weary of their incompetence.
“They studied under first-rate tutors since childhood, so why are they all so hopelessly foolish?”
Evangeline had always watched with envious eyes as Benedict and her siblings studied.
That realm was one she could never enter.
Even now, as the Marquess of Gloucester’s wife, it remained the same.
Though she moved her siblings, it was always from behind, quietly. She could never step into the light.
How suffocating.
It was then that Evangeline drained her heated wine.
The Maid who entered the room made her report.
“Madam, you have a visitor.”

Evangeline opened the door. Inside the reception room sat a middle-aged woman dressed in a gown adorned with vibrant floral patterns.
A smile bloomed across Evangeline’s cool features.
“Chloe.”
Chloe’s smile was equally radiant, luminous as a girl’s.
Like the sun and moon, these two souls had been dear friends for years.
Evangeline, who maintained perfect composure before others, relaxed her expression as she asked, “What did you want to discuss?”
“What do you mean you have something to tell me?”
“I encountered your niece a few days ago.”
“My niece? You mean Artia?”
“Yes.”
Chloe recalled the Artia she had seen at the bookstore, her eyes softening with warmth.
“She’s lovely. In appearance and in spirit.”
….
Evangeline was accustomed to hearing such words.
Recently, more and more noblewomen had begun speaking Artia’s name in her presence.
“Your niece has been attending high society gatherings with remarkable enthusiasm lately.”
“I never knew before, but her conversational gifts are truly exceptional. Time seemed to vanish when we spoke together.”
Some remarks went beyond mere praise.
“My daughter was troubled by something, but after conversing with the Duchess of Edenberg, her heart found peace. You must be delighted to have such a perceptive and warmhearted niece.”
Yet now even her closest friend had come to offer such words….
“Is that girl truly attempting to become ethereal….”
Chloe, who hadn’t heard Evangeline’s murmur, continued speaking.
“Miss Artia… well, since she’s been married once, isn’t ‘Miss’ rather inappropriate?”
Yet she appeared so youthful and beautiful that ‘Miss’ suited her far better than ‘Duchess’.
Since this was neither a public venue nor a formal gathering, merely an intimate moment between close friends, Chloe decided to address her as she wished.
“I became curious about Miss Artia and made inquiries. She doesn’t stand out brilliantly, but her reputation is quietly excellent.”
Evangeline merely nodded quietly in response, until Chloe delivered her shocking proposal.
“Could you arrange a meeting between Miss Artia and Calvin?”
Chloe had three sons—the two eldest were married, but her youngest, Calvin, remained unwed.
Evangeline’s gaze grew heavy.
“Why so suddenly? Have you developed ambitions for the Duke of Edenberg’s position?”
Chloe gasped and waved her hands frantically.
“Heavens, no. I have no interest in such things, and neither does Calvin. As you well know, that boy is obsessed with the law alone. I simply wish to create a good match for my youngest son, who shows no inclination toward marriage.”
Evangeline, who had known Chloe for many years, understood that she harbored not the slightest interest in power. The same was true of her son Calvin.
Despite his exceptional intellect—he had passed the judicial examination at the youngest possible age—he lived solely as an upright and incorruptible judge.
Chloe added, “If Miss Artia wishes it, Calvin would delegate all the authority of the Duke of Edenberg to his wife.”
“If Miss Artia wishes it, Calvin will delegate all the authority of the Duke of Edenberg to his wife.”
A gentle mother-in-law, a wise and righteous husband. It was an attractive prospect.
The corners of Evangeline’s mouth lifted ever so slightly.
“My niece is truly blessed.”

* * *

A letter arrived for me.
“A letter from Aunt!”
I hadn’t seen Evangeline since our meeting months ago. We had agreed to meet again after I became an Ethereal.
“I thought we wouldn’t be in contact until then, so I’m surprised she’s reached out.”
As I read through the letter, my expression twisted like unsalted bread—flat and uninviting.
“She’s telling me to meet a man?”
The cold, impersonal letter contained nothing but a detailed description of some man.
Calvin von Rosenberg, twenty-six years old, a judge at the Central Court.
The credentials were quite respectable in every way.
If only I had any desire to meet men.
These days, my mind was occupied solely with the women of High Society. Marriage and blind dates felt like nothing but tedious obligations.
‘But if Aunt went to the trouble of introducing someone, wouldn’t she be upset if I refused without even considering it?’
There was no benefit in offending someone whose trust I valued.
After deliberation, I made my decision.
‘I’ll at least pretend to meet him.’

* * *

A bare face, a plain dress with no adornments.
I left the house fully prepared.
Typically, when a meeting is arranged for marriage purposes, the man visits the woman’s home, but Calvin was not a suitor.
We were merely making an acquaintance through an introduction from both families’ elders.
So I requested to meet Calvin outside, and Chloe, who received word through Evangeline, readily agreed.
I entered the cafe where I was to meet Calvin.
‘This is far less burdensome than meeting at home.’
I released a small sigh and sat in the reserved chair.
When the appointed time arrived, a man appeared with not a single second of deviation.
My eyes widened at the sight of him—a man whose hair, eyes, clothes, everything from head to toe was tinged with gray.
‘He’s the man I saw in front of the bookstore before.’
With the same cool and refined impression as then, the man bowed respectfully and spoke.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Calvin von Rosenberg.”
“I’m pleased to meet you as well. I’m Artia von Edenberg.”
“….”
“….”
After the brief greeting, a suffocating silence settled between us.
Moments later, Calvin spoke with his cool expression unchanged.
“I apologize. My mother urged me earnestly to come, but I must be honest—I am a confirmed bachelor.”
“…!”
“If my actions have caused you any inconvenience or displeasure, please tell me. I will offer a sincere apology along with appropriate compensation.”
I stared blankly at Calvin for a moment before letting out a small laugh.
“You must be conscientious for a judge, even thinking of compensation. I was planning to end it with an apology, but….”
“That means….”
“I feel the same way. I was only dragged here because of my aunt’s expectations. I have no intention of marriage whatsoever.”
“Ah….”
Calvin regarded me with an expressionless face before nodding.
“That’s fortunate. If we part ways too quickly, the adults will lecture us endlessly. Shall we simply pass the time appropriately before we separate?”
It was remarkably rude for words spoken to a lady upon first meeting, yet I smiled with satisfaction.
“I like that.”
Suddenly, Simon von Rushian came to mind. On the day we first met, he had said something similar.
That he had no intention of marrying yet.
And then he proceeded to cause trouble in the most irritating way imaginable.
‘Surely not….’
I cast a wary glance at Calvin.

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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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