The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 89

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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 89

Artia stood before Frigia with a radiant smile.
“Thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful gathering, Lady Elysium.”
Frigia felt as though her head had been struck by a hammer.
She knew Artia possessed an audacious nature, but she never imagined she would be so brazen in a setting like this.
Frigia barely managed to compose her expression before speaking.
“I was concerned about sending an invitation to the Duchess of Edenberg, knowing how difficult it would be for her to attend, but I’m delighted you’ve come.”
Artia tilted her head with an innocent expression.
“Why would it be difficult for me to attend?”
Because you’re a divorced woman without a husband!
Frigia swallowed the words she longed to speak, aware that countless eyes—including those of Marigold and Dahlia—were fixed upon this exchange.
At that moment, Count Elysium, who had been linked arm-in-arm with Frigia, inserted himself between the two women.
“My wife’s homeland of Palenta holds marriage vows as sacred. In Palenta, spouses can never be separated. They part only when one dies first, if circumstances force it.”
Count Elysium gazed at Frigia with tender eyes before continuing.
“Yet the Duchess of Edenberg severed the marital bond simply because her husband displeased her. That such a woman would stand before people without shame is nothing short of shocking to Frigia.”
Artia’s eyes widened.
‘I had no idea Palenta’s culture was like that.’
Now I understood why Frigia had reacted so sensitively to my divorce.
Meanwhile, Count Elysium’s irritation surged.
‘After saying all that, she should feel ashamed and weep—what’s with that composure?’
Though they shared no personal connection, Count Elysium harbored considerable disdain for Artia.
She was an arrogant, vicious woman who had dared to cast out her husband.
Unlike some suitor blinded by the vacant seat of the House of Edenberg, he, as the head of House Elysium, had no reason to regard Artia’s feelings.
“Duchess of Edenberg, I shall offer you counsel, as you seem unable to properly grasp your situation, dazzled as you are by the many suitors drawn to your title. Many harbor ill feelings toward you. While they smile outwardly to show respect to the Duchess of Edenberg, their hearts are filled with contempt and condemnation—viewing you as a woman who cast out and divorced her husband.”
“….”
“Before your reputation sinks further, I urge you to remarry with haste and demonstrate your devotion to a husband.”
That was hardly counsel—it was outright rudeness.
‘They say he’s an arrogant yet courteous gentleman, but he’s nothing but a scoundrel.’
Artia was fundamentally gentle, but she was no fool who would overlook a confrontation she had witnessed.
Artia offered a soft smile.
“Thank you for your kind words, Count Elysium. In return, allow me to offer you a piece of advice.”
“…?!”
“My divorce was not accomplished simply because I wished it. It was granted with the Emperor’s approval. His Majesty, the sovereign of this Empire, judged that when a spouse is irredeemable trash, severing the marital bond is only proper.”
My pink eyes deepened with intensity.
“Therefore, to condemn and deny my divorce is to defy His Majesty’s will. As a nobleman who serves the Emperor, you would do well to be cautious about actions that displease him.”
If the Emperor frightened her, she shouldn’t carelessly spread rumors about my divorce.
Presumptuous woman.
The moment Count Elysium’s face, which had been wearing an aristocratic smile, twisted savagely.
“Tia!”
With perfect timing, Marigold and Dahlia approached Artia.
Following them, women who shared close ties with Artia rushed over in droves. Surrounded by these women, Artia naturally distanced herself from the Count and Countess Elysium.
Count Elysium spoke in a low voice, audible only to Frigia beside him.
“Why did you invite such a woman?”
Frigia forced her lips open, tensing her hands to hide their trembling.
“If I didn’t invite the Duchess of Edenberg, I feared I’d hear unpleasant gossip….”
A sigh.
At the sound of Count Elysium’s exhale, Frigia’s slender shoulders flinched. Conscious of others’ gazes, Count Elysium grasped Frigia’s shoulder with a concerned expression.
To any observer, it appeared he was attending to his wife as he whispered.
“Smile. Let everyone in this banquet hall look up to us.”
Frigia forced the corners of her mouth upward.

* * *

Penelope wore an astonished expression.
Just a few months ago, when she had gone to her family home to nurse her ailing parents, Artia had few acquaintances in High Society.
Penelope had sent invitations daily, pitying Artia for remaining at home, unable to attend gatherings.
Yet now Artia was surrounded by numerous women.
Most astonishing was that among them were Marigold and Dahlia, members of the Flower Ladies.
‘What on earth happened while I was away?!’
Marigold addressed the bewildered Penelope.
“How lovely to see you, Lady Oren.”
Though Penelope had been active in High Society, she had exchanged only formal pleasantries with the Flower Ladies, never engaging in lengthy conversation. An unspoken hierarchy existed among the women.
Penelope received the greeting with an awkward expression.
“Delighted, Lady Marigold.”
Marigold continued the conversation with a smile.
“Tia has told me so much about you. She said you were a tremendous help when she went through her divorce.”
Tia?!
Her jaw dropped at hearing Artia referred to by such an intimate nickname.
“As Tia’s sister, I’m truly delighted she has a friend like you.”
Sister?!
Penelope’s jaw fell open twice as wide.
Marigold was known for her vivacious nature but also for being particular, associating only with women who caught her fancy.
‘Why would she suddenly act this way? Did she cast some spell? Or is it blackmail? Or perhaps….’
Penelope covered her mouth, watching Artia standing between Marigold and Dahlia.
‘Have they also discovered Tia’s charm?!’
What all the women Marigold favored had in common was that they were all strikingly beautiful.
Artia was not a woman who turned heads with her appearance. And yet….
“She’s as endearing as a rabbit with those big ears, just waiting for someone to toss her a carrot.”
It was Dahlia who reacted to Penelope’s unguarded confession.
“Are you perhaps describing the Duchess of Edenberg? That’s quite an amusing way to put it.”
“…!”
Since Dahlia was herself a star in the night sky, just as Marigold was, Penelope’s expression grew even more astonished.
‘To have become friends with the two most influential women in High Society. You’ve succeeded, my protégé.’
Penelope gave Artia a double thumbs up.

The women gathered around Artia continued their warm conversation. Standing apart, watching the scene unfold, Frigia found herself thinking.
‘Duchess of Edenberg, I’ll admit you have a gift for enchanting women.’
But no matter what anyone says, I am the true star of tonight’s gathering. It has to be that way.
Frigia and Count Elysium stepped hand in hand into the center of the glittering Hall. At that very moment, the gentle music that had been playing shifted.
A hymn to love. A melody that captured the tender, thrilling emotions of lovers.
As Frigia and Count Elysium danced to the music, the crowd gasped in admiration.
“How can such a beautiful couple exist?”
A man who had once been the first love of many noble girls, and a dazzlingly beautiful foreign princess.
The affectionate sight of the two stirred the hearts of many, and that emotion soon transformed into intense longing.
Feeling the weight of all those gazes upon her, Frigia finally felt reassured.
‘There, you see? This is the perfect noblewoman that people truly desire.’
Whether in renowned paintings or operas or any other masterpiece, a woman shone brightest when she stood beside the man she loved. A woman alone could only wither beneath scorn and contempt.
Then Frigia’s eyes widened as she caught sight of Artia standing outside the Hall.
In Artia’s gaze upon Frigia, there was not a trace of envy or jealousy.
Only a confident smile.

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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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