The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Helen stroked Artia’s white cheek.

 “Oh, how beautiful you are. You’re going to be the most beautiful, happiest bride in the world, and I’m going to see to it that you are.” “Bride?!” 

Artia gasped and looked at Humphrey who was standing next to her.

 

Humphrey looked at John with the same expression as Artia.

 

John looked at Helen with a straight face. Like a doctor examining the condition of a patient.

 

Helen squeezed Artia’s hand and spoke quietly.

 “I can’t wait to see how beautiful your wedding dress will be made by Madame Diora.” “Mama will make you a package every day. Let’s work hard on our skin until the wedding day.” “My daughter is slim, so she doesn’t have to worry too much about her diet. She just has to eat less dessert.” 

Artia hid her embarrassment and gave Helen her advice.

 

Helen went about her day with a vigor that belied her twenty years in bed.

 “She only uses her mind to move now, but her body is still weak, and if she pushes herself too hard, she may not be able to keep up and collapse.” 

Hearing John’s words, Humphrey turned to Helen.

 “Helen, it is late at night, you need to rest.” 

But Helen shook her head angrily.

 “No. I had a nightmare about Julie disappearing and I don’t want to have another one.” 

Helen sobbed like a child and gripped Artia’s hand tightly in her bony little one.

 

As if she would never let go.

 

Humphrey was about to say something to Helen when Artia spoke.

 “Julie’s not going anywhere. She’s staying with you.” “Really?” “Yes, so get some sleep so we can get ready for the wedding tomorrow.” 

Artia sat down on the side of the bed and looked at Helen with gentle eyes.

 

Slowly, Helen’s eyes closed. Artia gently took Helen’s hand, desperate not to let go, even in her sleep.

 

As if to say,

“Don’t worry.”

 

Soon, Helen’s face relaxed and she fell asleep.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Humphrey, who had left the room, looked surprised.

 “You took Helen well.” 

Artia smiled.

“I told you, I took care of my mother for a long time.” 

Humphrey looked at Artia with a complicated expression.

 

It was John who broke the silence.

 “I’ve been watching, and I think she thinks this is twenty years ago, before Lady Juliette’s wedding.” “……!” 

Humphrey and Artia’s eyes widened at the same time.

 

Humphrey arched an eyebrow.

 “But Helen didn’t seem to react much to the sight of me. If she was transported back twenty years, I wonder if she would be surprised at my old appearance.” “As I said, Madame is in a state of delirium. She can’t distinguish between reality and the past, real and fake, she only sees things the way she wants to see them.” “…….” 

John looked at Humphrey, who was at a loss for words.

 “I remember that early summer, twenty years ago.”  

Juliet, now twenty years old, was getting married.

Helen’s joy at being a bride outweighed her sadness that Juliet, the child in her arms, was leaving her side.

Helen kept a smile on her face as she busied herself with preparations for her daughter’s wedding.

But Helen’s heart was broken when Juliet died.

The night before the wedding.

  “……!” 

Artia gasped, knowing that Juliette had died, but not the night before her wedding.

 

John continued.

 “She collapsed from the shock and hasn’t recovered since. Her daughter’s wedding is the one thing she never got to see, and that’s why she’s still obsessed with it, even in her delirium.” “What should we do then?” “In my opinion, you should fulfill her dream.” “What?!” “I’m not suggesting that you have a real wedding. I’m suggesting that we pretend it’s a scene from an opera. A man can only be at peace if he untangles the knots in his heart. I’m sure it will be a great comfort to you, my lady, even if it is a sham.” 

Humphrey clenched his jaw, then looked at Artia.

 “Would you be willing to perform a mock wedding?” 

Humphrey gave Artia a stern look, as if he was asking too much, but he wasn’t really serious.

 

After all, it wouldn’t be her first marriage.

 

Besides, her uncle had agreed to pay her two billion gold.

 

Considering the amount of money, she could do a lot worse.

 “Yes, I will.” 

Artia nodded, and Humphrey’s nervous eyes widened in recognition.

 “Thank you.” 

The way the white-haired old man bowed his head showed his sincerity.

 

Artia returned his greeting with a slight smile.

 “I have a request, though.” 

From the moment Helen had thought of Artia as Julie, the key had been in her hands.

 

Humphrey nodded as if he’d given her ten times the money he’d originally offered.

 “Say something.” “I have to return to the capital with the money in a month, and I’d like to have things settled by then.” 

John advised.

 “My lady is only interested in Lady Juliet, and her judgment is not clear on anything else. The same goes for the date; she’d believe you if you told her the wedding was tomorrow, though she’d be in a panic if you didn’t make any preparations for it.” 

Humphrey thought for a moment, then said.

“Then let’s get ready as soon as possible and have the wedding.” 

He looked at Artia and went on.

 “Twenty years ago, Juliet left the mansion with her groom as soon as the ceremony was over. In keeping with history, you will leave here immediately after the wedding.” 

It was a good plan.

 

If all went according to plan, Helen would be able to leave the mansion naturally and without trauma.

 

So, Artia became Juliet and began to prepare for the fake wedding.

 

 

* * *

 

 

“Julie.” 

Helen smiled and held out her arms.

 

Artia blushed as she was caught like a child

in Helen’s arms.

 “You do this every day and I’m embarrassed every time.” 

As mother and daughter greeted each other, the maids moved in unison to set the food on the tables outside.

 

As Helen looked at the abundance of food, she said,

“It’s like a party.” “It’s important to stay in shape to be a beautiful bride, but the most important thing is to be healthy. This food is made with precious ingredients, so enjoy it.” 

Helen cut the meat into small pieces and placed them in front of Artia.

 

Artia looked at the meat with a puzzled expression on her face, but then she opened her mouth and took it.

 

The honey-basted chicken was sweet and tender.

 “You eat well, my daughter.” 

Helen looked as happy as if she had eaten it herself.

 

Every time she did, Artia thought of her mother, Sylvia.

 

Her mother, always lying in bed, looked at her daughter with the same eyes.

 “I feel like I’ve done the most wonderful thing in the world, even though I’m just a baby bird and I’ve just been fed.” 

Despite the pressure of Helen’s gaze, Artia ate all the food she gave her, leaving nothing behind.

 

After the meal, Artia took care of Helen’s medication.

 

The pills John had concocted from all sorts of precious herbs were grotesquely colored and smelled terrible. Not to mention that they tasted terrible.

 

But Helen didn’t hesitate to take the medicine and swallow it.

 

When Helen finished, Artia said,

“Wow,”

and clapped her hands.

 “That’s great, Mom.” 

Helen smiled, thinking it was sweet.

 “I hope you get well soon so you can be there for my wedding.” 

Humphrey’s eyes flushed as he looked at Helen.

 

This was the woman who lay in her darkened room every day, rejecting everything and wanting to die.

 

He couldn’t believe that his wife was out in the bright sunshine, eating, taking medicine, and smiling.

 

It was like a dream.

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