The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Lloyd’s eyes widened.

 

As if he’d never heard that word before, never thought he’d hear it again.

 

And with good reason.

 

The Empire had a system of divorce, but it was strictly taboo among the nobility.

 

Even on the rare occasions when a divorce was desired, it was not easy. All noble marriages and divorces had to be approved by the emperor.

 

And the current emperor had never granted a divorce. Not even once during his 29-year reign.

 

Not that there were no nobles who tried to get divorced, but they all failed.

 

So Lloyd let out a crooked laugh.

 “Fuhaha!” 

Lloyd leaned down and grabbed Artia by the chin.

 

His face was so vicious that it looked like he wanted to eat her.

 “Go ahead, divorce me.” “If your goal is to break up with me, hanging yourself would be a lot easier than divorcing me.” 

***

 

As soon as Lloyd leaves the room, Vivi enters.

 

Vivi’s stoic face cracked when she saw Artia on the floor.

 

Vivi helped Artia to her feet and said.

“I’ll get a doctor right away.” “It’s okay.” “Then I’ll get you some medicine.” 

Artia rubbed her red, swollen cheeks.

 “No thanks, I’ll look even more pitiful if I have to wear something like that. Just get ready to go out.” 

Vivi looked at Artia’s swollen face and couldn’t help but notice, but she obeyed.

 

Fortunately, Lloyd didn’t interrupt Artia’s outing.

 

She was expecting that because Lloyd thinks she’s a worm hiding deep in the ground.

 

No one cares about a tiny worm whose only skill is to squirm.

 

But Lloyd will soon regret his arrogance.

 

Standing at the front of the carriage, Artia stared out the window into the distance.

 

She could see Lloyd holding a sobbing Lyrica.

 “Yuck.” 

Artia climbed into the carriage, impressed by the affectionate reunion of the cockroach couple.

 

The sensation of the carriage moving was unfamiliar.

 “It must be because I haven’t been out for a while.” 

Artia never left the mansion unless she was forced to.

 

She always stayed in her room and read.

 

That is why her skin is as white as paper. Her wrists are as thin as a child’s.

 

Artia clucked her tongue and opened the window. Bright sunlight and a cool breeze streamed into the carriage.

 

Good~. A human needs the sun.

 

But the young smile on Artia’s face vanished the moment the carriage reached its destination.

 

The place. The Imperial Palace, home of the noblest and most arrogant of the Empire.

 

The Imperial Palace.

 

***

 

A few days ago, Artia sent a letter to twelve people.

 

Only one of them replied.

 

Killian von Orpheus.

 

The second Crown Prince of the Empire. The closest thing to an emperor.

 

He also had the unholy nickname of

“The Mad King”.

 

He’s been at war for four years, since he was 19, and finally returned home a few months ago after leading the war to victory.

 

Because of his years on the battlefield, the nobles in the capital knew little about him.

 

There are only gruesome rumors that the prince still smells of blood from the battlefields.

 

She wrote to such a feared man because he was the one who could most certainly help Artia.

 

But she didn’t expect to hear back.

 

There were no kind words in Kilian’s letter, no offer to help Artia.

 

There was only one short line:

“Come and tell me in person.”

 

Artia couldn’t figure out what Kilian meant, but it didn’t matter.

 “I must take this opportunity somehow.” 

Artia swallowed hard and entered the Imperial Palace.

 

A slim, handsome man with dark green hair greeted her.

 

Nocturne von Alihas.

 

The second son of Count Alihas, he was chamberlain to Prince Killian.

 

He greeted her with a friendly smile.

 “Welcome, Mrs. Edenberg. Let me show you to His Highness.” 

Artia bowed slightly and followed Nocturne’s lead.

 

As they walked down the long corridor, Artia asked cautiously.

 “May I ask how His Highness is feeling today?” 

The Mad King had a fearsome nickname. She hoped he was in a good mood.

 

But Artia’s hopes were immediately dashed.

 “He always wakes up at the same time without missing a beat. But today he woke up an hour early. He skipped breakfast, claiming he had no appetite. His sword practice took twice as long as usual, and two of his servants fainted at the sight of his haggard eyes.” “The bottom line is that Your Highness is in terrible shape, right?” 

Artia resisted the urge to turn and leave.

 “If I don’t make it out alive, please assure me that the culprit is unconditionally Lloyd von Edenberg.” “Understood.” 

Man, that answer really makes it sound like I’m going to die.

 

Nocturne laughed softly at Artia’s stern expression.

 “Just kidding. Don’t worry too much, he’s better than the rumors.” “Really?” “Maybe?” 

A moment later, Nocturne was standing in front of the massive doors.

 

He opened the door and gestured graciously.

 “Come in, then, Mrs. Edenberg.” 

Artia stared at the inside of the door, which felt like a lion’s cage, then stepped through.

 

She heard the massive door shut behind her.

 

After a short walk, she saw a man sitting in a chair. Artia bowed her head before she could get a good look at the man’s face.

 

“Greetings to the blood of the almighty Orpheus. I am Artia von Edenberg.”

 

There was another reason Killian was called the Mad King.

 

He was a virulent misogynist.

 

There are anecdotes of him slashing the wrists of women who dared touch him, or strangling women who crawled into his bed.

 

‘As long as it’s not sexual, I don’t mind, but why risk it? Let’s try to be as inconspicuous as possible.’

 

So Artia didn’t look up after the greeting and continued to stare at the floor. After a while, a low voice came from above.

 

“What do you have to say as Edenberg?”

 

The voice was hoarse and emotionless, with a hint of demonic eeriness.

 

Artia swallowed dryly, her face tense.

 

‘If I say anything, he’ll cut out my tongue for blasphemy.’

 

She opened her mouth, hoping to say something he would find at least a little interesting.

 “I don’t know if you remember, but two years ago I paid my respects to Your Highness.” 

It was a banquet to welcome home Prince Killian, who had been away at war all that time.

 

Artia and Lloyd bowed to Prince Killian together.

 “Greetings to the blood of the almighty Orpheus. I am Lloyd of Edenberg, the 23rd Duke of Edenberg.” 

Lloyd, making his first appearance as Duke of Edenberg, introduced himself with a wry smile.

 

Artia, on the other hand, was too afraid to look up.

 

She had always been afraid of Prince Killian, and she could only hope that this moment would pass quickly.

 

A moment later, Artia heard Killian’s familiar voice in her ear.

 “What a piece of trash, Duke Edenberg.” “His Highness said it was…” 

Before she could make a flimsy excuse, Prince Kilian spoke up, his voice arrogant.

 “Is it true?” “Yes, it is. My husband, Lloyd, is a piece of garbage, a vicious piece of garbage that can’t even be recycled.” 

Prince Killian glared at Artia, then froze.

 “You’ve changed your mind so much in just two years.” 

Artia was surprised.

 

It was such a fleeting moment, she hadn’t expected Killian to remember it.

 

That day, two years ago, Artia who had loved Lloyd so much.

 

She lifted her head and stared at Prince Killian.

 

As soon as she made eye contact, she lowered her head again.

 

It was the courage of a lifetime for the cowardly Artia.

 “It’s a black history that I would like to erase now…”Visit my Ko-fi for advance chapter discounts!!