The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

“…….” 

Killian had expected it.

 

The sight of Artia and Lloyd entering the chapel had told him the outcome.

 

But there was only one thing he hadn’t expected.

 

Her face, beaming with a happiness that couldn’t be mo

re…

 

‘She’s doing it again.’

 

A tingle near his heart.

 

Killian’s brow furrowed slightly at the familiar yet unfamiliar sensation.

 

This is why he hates Artia von Edenberg.

 

The little woman, who looked like she could bring him down with a snap of her fingers, often provoked him like that.

 

So rude.

 

Killian blurted out a single word, hiding his emotions well.

 “Congratulations.” 

Artia narrowed her eyes.

 

Divorce was a word that meant the failure of a marriage.

 

Unhappy, ashamed.

 

After months of wanting a divorce, the word

“congratulations”

hadn’t even crossed her mind.

 

But in that moment, it was the word that made her happiest.

 Phew! 

Artia giggled like a child, forgetting that she was in the presence of a mad king.

  

* * *

 

 

Killian ate his meal.

 

He thought of Artia of Edenberg’s smiling face.

 

Killian swung his sword.

 

He remembered the smiling face of Artia von Edenberg.

 

Killian bathed.

 

He remembered Artia of Edenberg’s smiling face.

 

Killian raised an eyebrow.

 “Why do I keep thinking of her?” 

‘Does Artia von Edenberg have magic like me? Has she used it to curse me?’

 

But then Killian realized that the idea was completely unconvincing.

 

Artia von Edenberg had no interest in him.

 

So there was no need to curse him.

 

It wasn’t until the dark of the night that Killian finally had an answer.

 

‘I have never seen Artia von Edenberg laugh so hard in my life,’

he thought,

‘and she always looked at the ground.’

 

That’s why he keeps thinking about it.

 

She’s rarer than a monster with a hundred eyeballs wearing a lace dress to a social gathering.

 

Finally coming to a conclusion, Killian got up.

 

He needed to get some fresh air to calm his confused mind.

 

His eyes widened slightly as he walked down the airy open hallway.

 

In the distance, a woman walked with her maids.

 

The woman with the dull eyes that contrasted with her colorful crown was Felicity, Killian’s mother and the Empress.

 

The distance between them grew smaller and smaller.

 

The Empress stood in front of Killian and spoke.

 “I understand you have asked me to formally grant Mrs. Edenberg’s petition for divorce?” “Yes.” “You have also sent Mrs. Edenberg a golden knight.” “That is correct.” 

The Empress arched an eyebrow.

 “Why do such a useless thing? So, unlike you.” 

Killian looked down at the Empress.

 “Mrs. Edenberg came to me and begged. That she wanted to divorce her bastard husband and live happily ever after.” “…….” “Isn’t that a bold and brazen thing to say, for there are many who would like to do it but can’t muster the courage.” 

The Empress’s perfectly manicured eyebrows raised.

 “You are too flattering. She has nothing to lose by divorcing him. If there was something precious at stake that she couldn’t give up, she wouldn’t be able to do it. She’ll stay with a husband who’s worse than garbage.” 

‘Like you mother?’

 

Killian didn’t say the words, just stared at the Empress without a word.

 

The brief conversation was over.

 

The Empress walked past him without s

aying goodbye.

 

Even today, she didn’t even look into her son’s eyes. As if he were some horrible bug.

 

Killian put his hand to his left breast.

 

When he’d met Artia von Edenberg, he’d thought there was something in there, but he’d been wrong.

 

It was empty.

 

Still.

  

* * *

 

 

Once your divorce is finalized, it’s not the end of the story.

 

There were still complicated steps to take, such as property division.

 

But that wasn’t a problem for Artia.

 

Lloyd hadn’t brought any property with him!

 

There was nothing of his at Edenberg Manor.

 

Artia spoke with a firm voice.

 “Get out, empty-handed, now.” 

The servants dragged Lloyd away.

 

Lloyd fought the servants and shouted.

“I am the Duke of Edenberg! I am the lord of this manor!” “No, Edenberg is me, and I own this place.”

Artia said as Lloyd walked away.

 

With a bang.

 

The door slammed shut.

 

The mansion was silent, except for the disappearance of one person.

 

Staring down the empty hallway, Artia remembered the past.

 

Whenever Lloyd didn’t return until late at night, she grew anxious.

 

“What if I’m left here all alone?”

 

She would stay up all night waiting for him.

 

Lloyd returned late in the morning, reeking of alcohol and holding a woman she’d never seen before.

 

She was relieved, even as she felt her heart break.

 

Relieved that Lloyd was with her in the sprawling mansion.

 

But right now, at this moment, Artia felt something else entirely.

 

It was as if a tumor that had been festering inside her body had been removed.

 

It was exhilarating, joyous.

 

Artia raised her hands above her head and shouted.

 “I am finally alone!” 

Her happy voice echoed down the silent corridor and beyond.

 

* * *

 

 

Undeterred, Lloyd refused to leave the mansion.

 

He stood in front of the massive iron gates and shouted.

 “Open the gates now!” 

The gatekeepers, who obeyed his every word, stared at the sky as if they couldn’t hear him.

 

Soon the words of anger turned to desperate pleas.

 

Lloyd fell to his knees before the iron gate and sobbed.

 “Artia, I’ve done wrong! Forgive me!” 

Artia, lying in bed reading, furrowed her brow and muttered.

 “Oh, shut up.” 

She didn’t hit Lloyd, nor did she demand astronomical alimony.

 

It wasn’t the least bit disrespectful to the man who had been her first love, just a reflection of her own inability to look a man in the eye.

 

But maybe it was too much, because she has no intention of returning to her old home.

 “If you don’t want to leave on your own terms, I’ll have to clean it up…” 

The next day, a woman stood in front of Artia.

 

It was Lyrica.

  

* * *

  

She hadn’t seen Lyrica in months, and she looked like a corpse, all her loveliness gone.

 “I heard you’ve been crazy since Lloyd kicked you out, and you look like it.” 

Even with the grief, the fear remains.

 

Lyrica shivered violently in her pitifully small body.

 

‘It’s understandable, she hurt me while in Lloyd’s arms. Now that Lloyd’s barrier is gone and she’s alone with me, she’s afraid of what punishment she’ll receive.’

 

As Artia opened her mouth to speak, Lyrica knelt on the ground.

 

There was a loud crack that made her wonder if her kneecap had been shattered.

 “I was wrong, ma’am.” 

Lyrica, who had changed her name from Sister to Ma’am, said with tears streaming down her face like a child.

 “I never meant you any harm, ma’am, I just liked the duke so much, and I was so jealous of you, the duke’s wife, that I was mean to you.” 

It was a desperate cry, but Artia was only annoyed.

 “Look, I don’t want to hear any of your unworthy penance right now, so will you just shut up and listen to me?” 

There was something irresistible in her soft tone.

 

Lyrica bit her lip in frustration.

 

Finally, she was silent.

 

Artia looked down at her and spoke.

 “I’m divorced from Lloyd. You know that don’t you?” 

The shocking news that the emperor had granted the Duke and Duchess of Edenberg a divorce had rocked the Empire.

 

The whole world was talking about it, and everyone knew about it.

 

Even Lyrica, locked up like a prisoner in a small town far from the capital, was no exception.

 

Lyrica nodded; her face even paler.

 “Yes, I know…” 

She wondered why she was saying that to her.

 

‘Are you mad at me for divorcing him?’

 “I’ll give you this for our divorce. Take this man.”

Artia said to Lyrica, who was talking even harder than before.

 “……!” Visit my Ko-fi for advance chapter discounts!!