The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

“Artia, why are you so much like me in everything else, but not in your taste in men?”

She mumbled.

 

Artia fell for Lloyd because he was nice.

 

It’s easy to fall for a man with a bland face and a tail that wagged like it wanted to rip out your liver.

 

The only good thing was that Lloyd was out of town.

 “If he gets struck by lightning and doesn’t come back for good…” 

She was muttering to herself, wiggling the carrots, when a maid came in.

 “Lady Lyrica would like to have tea with you, ma’am.” 

Artia’s eyebrows shot up.

 

***

 

This was how Lyrica had always asked to spend time with Artia.

 

Unable to look at her in a way that made her feel comfortable, Artia had refused, using the excuse that she wasn’t feeling well.

 

After this happened a few times, Lloyd came to visit.

 

Lloyd grabbed Artia’s silver hair and said.

 “Unlike you, who’s mean, the baby bird is trying to get along with you. Can’t you see she’s trying to get along with you?” “Oh, it hurts…” “Do what Lyrica says, unless you want to get in trouble.” 

Artia nodded shakily.

 

She was so afraid of Lloyd that she had no choice.

 

The next day, Artia had tea with Lyrica.

 “I’m so excited to finally hang out with my sister,”

she giggled and couldn’t stop showing off.

 

A dress with hundreds of ruffles. A large ribbon in her hair.

 “They were all gifts from the Duke to Riri, though this is her favorite.”  

Lyrica held out her hand to Artia.

 

A large diamond glittered on the fourth finger of her left hand.

 “Isn’t it beautiful, sis?” 

Artia stared at the ring, then covered her mouth.

 

If she didn’t, the tea she’d forced herself to drink would spill out.

 

She felt her stomach twist again as she remembered.

 

The maid, seeing Artia with her stomach wrapped around her, said with a hint of pity in her eyes.

 “Shall we say that you are not feeling well and cannot go?” 

If she didn’t go because Lloyd wasn’t in the mansion, it didn’t matter for now.

 

…But why avoid it?

 

***

 

As befits the storied name of the Duke of Edenberg, the gardens of the mansion were large and beautiful.

 

In the center of the rose garden, said to be the most colorful, was a white pagoda (Pergola). Inside it was Lyrica.

 

She was sipping her tea and humming a melody.

 “The tea was bitter and astringent at first, but now it’s delicious. Riri must have become a real lady.” 

The maids at Lyrica’s side chimed in eagerly.

 “Yes, Lady Lyrica, you are indeed a lady.” “There are not many real ladies as beautiful and graceful as you, Lady Lyrica, and you know it when you see it.” 

Even if they meant to be flattering, this was going too far.

 

The other maid frowned, but Lyrica’s face lit up like the sun.

 

Gossiping about Artia was one of Lyrica’s small pleasures in an otherwise rich and boring life.

 “You’re right, I was surprised when I saw her for the first time.” 

As a commoner, Lyrica envied and feared noblewomen.

 

So, the Duchess of Edenberg must be beautiful, elegant and arrogant.

 

But Artia was none of those things.

 

She had a lifeless, sickly white face, long, long, stooped shoulders.

 

Worst of all, she couldn’t even look at Lyrica properly.

 

“How disappointed I was to see that…”

 

Lyrica’s eyes widened as she shook her head and put her mouth to her teacup.

 

She swallowed hard when she saw Artia coming towards her.

 

The image of Artia from a few days ago was still fresh in her mind.

 

It was strangely frightening, even though they had only exchanged a few words.

 

But the feeling faded quickly.

 

The maids who served Lyrica whispered in her ear.

 “I think she’s been traumatized and hasn’t been thinking straight, but I’m sure she’ll be back to her old self in time.” 

It was the only time Lyrica had ever been afraid.

 

Artia hid in her room again. Like a rabbit that has eaten all its fears and gone back into its burrow.

 

“After all, I am the duke’s mistress and have nothing to fear.”

Lyrica snorted defiantly and held up her hand.

 “Welcome, big sister!” 

“I guess I’m not too bad after all the scolding I gave her a few days ago.”

Artia thought as she watched Lyrica sit up in her chair and wave like a child.

 

Good.

 

Then she can get on with the cockroach extermination.

 

***

 

Instead of criticizing Lyrica’s rudeness, Artia sat down in her chair.

 

Lyrica chirped excitedly at Artia.

 “The tea the duke sent me because he was worried about Riri being alone is delicious. You should try it, too.” 

Lyrica poured herself a cup of tea without listening to Artia’s answer.

 

A few drops of tea splashed around her with a wicked wave of her hand.

 

Artia stared at the cup, then raised it to her mouth.

 

Lyrica arched an eyebrow at the uncharacteristically elegant gesture, then opened her mouth.

 “Not only does it taste good,”

she said,

“but it makes my skin glow. I’ve been so upset about the Duke’s absence that I haven’t eaten properly, and my skin has become rough.” 

Artia said as she looked at Lyrica, who was stroking her cheeks, which were as smooth as a hard-boiled egg.

 “I see. But I don’t think it’s the tea leaves that made your skin look so good, it’s the herbs.” “What do you mean… herbs?” “The herbs Lloyd gave me.” 

Not long after he became duke, Lloyd never offered Artia even a glass of clear water.

 “Don’t forget to drink it every day, it’s an herb that will make your fragile body stronger.” “….Thank you.” 

Lyrica took the vial and looked like she was going to cry.

 

The refined herb had no taste, but it was sweet as sugar water.

 

It was a hardship for Artia, who hated sweetness, but she ate it every morning without forgetting.

 

It was the first gift she had ever received from Lloyd, who had completely ignored her after becoming a duke.

 “They say it’s a precious herb, and it certainly works. It makes me feel warm and energetic. When I heard that you’ve been depressed lately without Lloyd, I told the maid to feed you secretly, not to tell you about the herb because you might feel overwhelmed.” 

Artia looked at the teapot on the table and continued.

 “They say it works better with warm water. It tastes sweet, so that’s okay, right?” 

Lyrica’s face turned blue as she realized the implications.

 

She started to gag.

 “Ewww!” 

Artia looked down at the vomiting Lyrica and thought to herself. You can’t have a baby while you’re taking them, and if you do carry a baby, you might miscarry.

 

Because the herbs had contraceptive ingredients.

 

The herbs Lloyd gave her were nourishing, but deadly to women of childbearing age.

 

Lloyd gave the herbs to Artia.

 

He gave it to his wife, who had never slept with her husband since their first night together.

 

Was he afraid that he might impregnate her in his drunkenness, that if she gave birth to a son, he would have to give up the dukedom?

 

Whatever the real reason, it was despicable and vicious.

 

Lyrica, who was vomiting, looked at Artia with tearful eyes and shouted.

 “Unlike you, Riri has the Duke’s love every night, and she may have a baby in her belly!” 

The maids were stunned by Lyrica’s outburst.

 

Artia looked surprised as well.

 “I know, that’s why I gave you the herbs, because you’re important to Lloyd.” 

Artia poured more tea into Lyrica’s cup.

 “I don’t know why you’re upset, but I enjoyed it too, so drink it in peace.” 

Artia smiled at Lyrica.

 “Never mind!” “Why? We know you like everything Lloyd gives you.” 

A wide-eyed Lyrica said in disbelief.

 “You knew all along and made me drink it.” 

She knew.

 

Instead of answering, Artia gently raised the corner of her mouth.

 

At that moment, Lyrica’s face contorted frighteningly. As if all reason had fled.

 

Before anyone could stop her, Lyrica swung her hand.

 

Aaaah!

 

A bright red mark was left on Artia’s cheek.

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