The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 98

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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 98

Despite his youth, Calvin was recognized as a talented individual renowned for his meticulous investigative abilities and impartial judgments. He already had dozens of significant cases assigned to him.
“Remarkably, he volunteered for this one. The Judiciary is actually relieved. No one wants to take on cases like a noblewoman being beaten by her husband.”
Calvin would not brush aside even a minor matter carelessly—he would conduct a thorough investigation and render a fair verdict.
Exactly as Killian had hoped.
Yet his golden eyes were filled with displeasure.
‘That man who met Artia von Edenberg.’
Artia had said she met him only once out of deference to her aunt, and he was not to her taste.
But….
‘What about Calvin?’
Artia von Edenberg is beautiful. Her voice is clear. Her manner of speech is endearing. Her movements are graceful. She carries a sweet fragrance.
It was only natural to be drawn to her.
Any man with a sound mind and body would be.
Nocton broke into a cold sweat upon witnessing Killian emanating a menacing aura like a beast with prey within sight.
‘Lately, it’s been more bloodthirsty than an actual battlefield.’
Sigh, I wish I could resign and flee to some distant countryside….
Suppressing the retirement urge that plagued him as frequently as meals, Nocton spoke.
“Would you like me to have another senior judge assigned to the case instead?”
He could even make Calvin withdraw of his own accord.
With the power of this mad sovereign, nothing was impossible.
But Killian shook his head.
“Never mind.”
Though Calvin’s connection to Artia was unbearably displeasing, she would surely prefer a capable individual to preside over her trial.
When it came to matters involving Artia, he would boil over like scalding water in an instant, yet he possessed that much reason.

* * *

Not long after, shocking news spread throughout the capital.

「 Freesia von Elysium, the Countess of House Elysium, known as the graceful princess of High Society, has filed charges of assault against her husband, Count Elysium, in court. Senior Judge Calvin has taken the case, and the trial date has been set for the X month, X day. 」
“Senior Judge Calvin has taken on the case, and the trial date has been set for X month, X day.”

The nobility felt as though a bomb had detonated in the heart of the Convent.
“Lady Elysium was being assaulted by the Count?”
“The two who were as affectionate as a pair of butterflies?!”
Opinions divided over whether the assault allegations held any truth.
“I simply cannot believe it. Count Elysium, who cherishes his wife, could never commit such a terrible act.”
“Yet there are those who have witnessed Count Elysium treating his wife roughly when intoxicated, though they dared not speak of it for fear of his displeasure.”
“Good heavens, what nobleman doesn’t indulge in a bit of drunken behavior? For Lady Elysium to report her husband over such a trivial matter shows remarkably poor judgment on her part.”
Domestic violence, though concealed, was a frequent occurrence among the nobility.
The nobility felt far more displeasure at the wife reporting her husband than at the husband striking his wife.
“Lady Elysium has been the very model of a virtuous noblewoman, earning the admiration of many and even the title of Ethereal. For such a woman to not overlook her husband’s actions but instead make a childish spectacle of the matter is truly disappointing.”
“She acted so superior with all her talk of being a princess, but in the end, a woman of such inferior stock from a minor nation cannot help herself.”
Arrows of condemnation rained down upon Freesia.

* * *

“It is welcome news that Calvin has taken the case, but public sentiment is not favorable.”
Freesia’s expression turned bitter at the reaction Artia conveyed.
“In the end, I am merely a foreigner from a minor nation.”
“….”
“I remember it vividly still. The way people looked at me when I first set foot in Imperial High Society.”
“A princess, perhaps, but from a nation far inferior to the Empire.”
“Sold for money, no less.”
“If she thinks becoming Countess Elysium gives her the right to strut about, we won’t let her off so easily.”
Their eyes gleamed with arrogant malice.
So Freesia had exerted herself far more than she ever had in her homeland.
She maintained her appearance meticulously, read dozens of Imperial books daily to converse without fault, and attended High Society gatherings even on days when her health faltered, steadily expanding her circle of acquaintances.
And so, those who came to know the beautiful, intelligent, and gracious Freesia gradually changed their regard for her.
In this way, she even earned the title of Ethereal.
“I stood at a position envied by all, smiling, yet I knew the truth. No matter how much they praised me, deep in their hearts I remained nothing but a foreigner.”
Those who resented that a foreign princess had risen above them waited for the moment of Freesia’s downfall. A moment like this.
“Half of what I showed them was false, but my desire to be loved was genuine….”
Freesia forced a smile and continued.
“Perhaps it was beyond my reach after all. I was never truly loved by my husband or my parents, so it was only natural.”
Artia spoke gently.
“Do you truly believe that? I do not think so….”
“Thank you for your consolation.”
“It is not consolation but sincerity. If Freesia had not been loved, why would the two of you have come this far?”
The two of us?
Freesia’s eyes widened.
At that moment, the door to the Reception Room opened, and two women appeared. Marigold and Dahlia.
Marigold rushed over and embraced Freesia.
“Your Highness, are you alright?!”
“….”
“Why didn’t you tell me you suffered something so terrible!”
Worry and hurt saturated Marigold’s voice. Freesia’s eyes, which had been frozen in shock, soon glistened with tears.
She answered in a trembling voice.
“But you liked me because I was beautiful and perfect, didn’t you?”
A wife beaten by her husband. If I showed such a pitiful sight, no one would care for me.
Marigold cried out.
“Yes, I liked you because you were beautiful. But I’m not the kind of person who discards a jewel just because it’s flawed. I’d treasure it all the more, keeping it safe in a box.”
Dahlia also spoke in a solemn voice.
“From the start, I had no interest in anyone’s appearance. What made me suited to you was….”
Because Marigold liked me. Dahlia has no affection for me whatsoever.
—But Freesia’s thoughts were contradicted by what came next.
“I thought you were a remarkable woman because you maintained perfect composure without faltering for even a moment.”
“…!”
“And this incident has made me respect you even more. It took tremendous courage to report your abusive husband.”
Freesia stared blankly at the two women.
She had believed that no one would care for her unless she was the elegant Lady Elysium or a beautiful princess.
She was wrong.
‘I did have them—friends who genuinely cared for me and acknowledged me.’
“Wahhhhh!”
Freesia forgot all about a noblewoman’s dignity and a princess’s propriety, and burst into tears like a child.
Marigold held Freesia and patted her comfortingly. Dahlia, though wearing an awkward expression, did not leave their side.
‘What truly wonderful friendship.’
Artia watched the three women with moved eyes and sniffled.

* * *

Four women—Artia, Freesia, Marigold, and Dahlia—sat together.
Artia spoke.
“A trial regarding Count Elysium’s assault will be held in a month. To receive a favorable verdict then, we need to gather people who can testify that Freesia was abused. Do you know of anyone suitable?”
Freesia answered with eyes so swollen from crying they were nearly shut.
“There are a few nobles who have seen my husband treat me carelessly when he’s drunk, just like the Lady of Edenberg. But even then, those people dismissed it as mere drunken behavior and won’t necessarily take my side.”
Above all, Count Elysium’s influence in the Nobility Society was considerable. No one would willingly incur his displeasure.
‘And they’ve likely already been thoroughly silenced by the Count. Finding someone he hasn’t thought of would be more effective….’
Artia paused in thought before speaking.
“What about the servants of House Elysium?”

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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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