The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Artia entered the parlor with a look of disbelief on her face.

 

In the room, stripped of all decorations, was a man who looked completely out of place.

 

It was Killian.

 

Artia bowed her head in

astonishment, trying to suppress the urge to scream.

 “Greetings to the blood of the almighty Orpheus.” “Raise your head, Artia von Edenberg.”

Killian said in return, staring at the round head that hadn’t bothered to rise.

 

Artia raised her head cautiously.

 

She wondered if her stress had reached a breaking point and she was hearing things, but it wasn’t.

 

Those intense eyes that look like they could kill you just by looking into them are not something she could ever make up, nor that beautiful face that is so perfect that it fills her with awe, not excitement.

 

At Artia’s wide-eyed stare, Killian spoke up.

 “You look like a rabbit that just found a carrot that’s jumping, and you’re very surprised.” 

No wonder.

 

Kilian was a prince who could summon any noble to the palace.

 

For him to come to her in person…

 

Artia asked, not hiding her embarrassment.

 “I beg your pardon. What brings you here?” “The capital is full of rumors about Artia von Edenberg again.” “……?” “They say she is to marry Simone von Rushan in exchange for money she borrowed.” 

Artia exclaimed in horror.

 “It’s a rumor!” “Really?” “Yes, it’s true that I borrowed the money, but I never promised anything like that. If I don’t pay it back when it’s due, it’s just collateral.” 

No matter how precious the lake with its memories was, it was not worth marrying a man who had no heart.

 

Sure, she’s upset, but…

 

A deep voice spoke to Artia, who bit her lip as she remembered Lake Annecy, where she had stayed with her mother.

 “I’ll give it to you.” 

Give her what? Shylock, a sword to cut the throat of that insidious serpent?

 

It took Artia a few seconds to realize what he was offering.

 “You’re saying you’ll lend me money?” “Yes.” 

Artia’s eyes widened twice in surprise.

 “Do you know how much money I need?” “Any amount, as long as I haven’t borrowed all the money in this empire.” 

The words were arrogant, but they weren’t unrealistic bluster.

 

The man who spoke to them was currently the second most powerful man in the Empire.

 

Artia stared at Killian blankly, then opened her mouth.

 “Why?” 

She had asked the same question the day the emperor had granted her a divorce.

 “Why did you help me?”

she had asked.

 

“Sometimes you see a tiny caterpillar struggling to get out of a spider’s web, and you want to help it.”

 

She wondered if that was the case this time.

 

Today, however, he had a slightly different answer.

 “Just. I thought it would be fun.” 

What a disingenuous and rude reason.

 

But Artia wasn’t offended at all. On the contrary, she was pleased.

 

He was the only one besides Vivi who had offered to help her.

 

Artia’s eyes softened. Her full lips curved upward in a pleasing way.

 

Killian’s eyes were drawn to a smile that bloomed like a morning glory in the sunrise.

 

Artia turned to Killian and said,

 “It is very kind of you to offer to help me again. But it’s okay.” 

Kilian’s eyes widened in disbelief.

 “You want to marry Simone of Rushan?” 

In an instant, Artia’s youthful smile vanished.

 “Of course not!” 

Just…

 “I don’t want to increase my debt to Your Highness any further.” “You don’t have to feel that way, it’s just something I want to do.” “But it’s true that I’m just taking from you, and I don’t feel good about it.” “…….” 

Killian had everyone in his life at his beck and call, except his family.

 

If he added that this was an order, she would eventually nod obediently.

 

But… he wouldn’t.

 

Not for Artia von Edenberg.

 

After a moment, Killian spoke.

 “You can help me, too.” 

‘Help him?’

she thought.

 

Artia’s eyes widened at the word, which seemed to have no place in the world of the man before her.

 “Is there anything I can do to help you, Your Highness?” “What makes you think there isn’t? A few days ago, you escorted me to Baron Crovachon’s ballroom.” “But I don’t think I was very helpful to you that day.” “No, you were very helpful.” “In what way?” 

Kilian said, looking at Artia who was questioning him.

 “You fought off the women who came after me with that scary look in your eyes.” 

Yes, she did.

 

Artia nodded, knowing she’d done a good job.

 

Killian didn’t miss the opportunity to speak.

 “So, think of it as a trade, not a debt. So, there’s no reason for a word like debt, right?” Artia was confused. 

Why would this man, the so-called Mad King, a vicious misogynist, say that to her?

 

Out of pity, out of amusement.

 “Is that really the only reason?” 

She didn’t know. The only thing she was sure of was that he had no other hidden agenda.

 

A man who could snap his fingers and get rid of her if he wanted to would have nothing to gain from such a complicated method.

 

After a moment’s thought, she came to a conclusion.

 

Rationally speaking, she had nothing to lose by forging a close relationship with the lord. In fact, he would gain nothing.

 “I accept your word.” 

Killian’s golden eyes glowed for a moment, but the light faded with his next words.

 “But can I hold off on accepting your help this time?” “What do you mean?” “Actually, I have a way to raise money, and I was debating whether or not to do it because of my low success rate, but now I’ve decided to give it a try.” “…….” “If it fails, you can help me.” 

Killian said in a grim voice.

 “In other words, you’re going to insure me.” “My apologies.” 

Despite her words, her pink eyes sparkled as brightly as a cherry blossom in full bloom.

 

It was the same look she’d given him months ago when she came to Killian and told him she wanted a divorce.

 

The look of a woman determined to get what she wanted.

 

Killian looked down at Artia.

 

She is only half my age…

 

She looked thin and fragile, as if she could break wherever he held her.

 

Whenever she looked at him like that, he felt a strange tingle in the pit of his stomach.

 

‘You insult me again today, Artia von Edenberg.’

 

But he didn’t hate the offense.

 

Killian blurted out the words, trying not to show his mixed feelings.

 “As you wish.” “Thank you.” 

Artia smiled brightly.

 

At the same time, Killian’s heart tickled even more.

 

So much so that he wanted to reach in and scratch it.

 

* * *

 

 

That night, Artia packed her bags.

 “I only have a month before the deadline, so I must hurry.” 

She quickly finished getting ready and was about to leave the mansion when her guest arrived.

 

Penelope was the second guest of the day.

 

When she saw Artia carrying a large bag, she exclaimed in surprise.

 “Are you running away because you don’t want to marry Simone?” 

Before Artia could respond to the unexpected remark, Penelope held out the large bag.

 

The bag was filled with glittering gold coins and jewelry.

 “This is…” 

Penelope told Artia, whose eyes widened.

 “The jewelry is mine, and the gold coins I borrowed from some noblewomen I know.” “…….” “I had hoped to collect more, but this was the best I could do. Will it help you at all?”Visit my Ko-fi for advance chapter discounts!!