The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 108

“At any rate,” he said, “you should not have made such a big deal of it!”

 

“I had no choice, Countess Elysium had asked and begged her husband countless times, but he wouldn’t stop the violence. What was she supposed to do in this situation?”

 

Looking at the still disgruntled man, Artia spoke up.

 

“Viscount, I have heard that you are a filial son who cares for your mother very dearly.”

 

“Uh, speaking of my mother, why all of a sudden…”

 

“And you have a loving wife and a lovely daughter.”

 

Artia laughed softly.

 

“Can’t you consider this a judgment for them?”

 

A verdict that violence against anyone, even a husband, is a sin. It would be the least a woman could do to protect herself.

 

The man looked like he’d been punched in the face, and then he turned away.

 

As if he didn’t want to talk anymore.

 

*Clap! Clap! Clap!*

 

The sound of applause made her turn around, and there stood Marigold, covered in diamonds.

 

“Bravo! That was a great response, Tia.”

 

Cecil, who wore a golden ribbon in her hair that matched Marigold’s, beamed.

 

“You’re amazing, Tia, not to be intimidated by a man with a nasty temper!”

 

Awww, Miss Cecil…

 

Hoping that the Viscount hadn’t heard Cecil’s frank words, Artia walked over to them and stroked Cecil’s round head, her tail wagging.

 

Cecil, who had always liked Artia, was even more of a fan after this trial.

 

“She’s even formed a group of her peers to follow you. It’s called the Glorious Edenberg… Isn’t that cute?”

 

As Artia recalled Marigold’s giggling remark, a man approached her.

 

It was Count Golgus, a man as big as a bull and with a fierce expression.

 

“My wife and daughter are very fond of you, so I’ve been keeping a low profile, but I wasn’t really looking forward to the outcome of the trial, but something you said a moment ago changed my mind.”

 

Count Golgu’s gaze fell on Cecil, who smiled broadly.

 

“I endorse your opinion.”

 

Count Golgus was a typical nobleman, proud and arrogant, and for such a man to defend the outcome of Count Elysium’s trial meant that the tide of society was turning.

 

As the voices of support for Freesia grew louder, the voices of defense for Count Elysium grew quieter.

 

Some, like Count Golgus, changed their minds, while others remained silent, lest they be accused of being “barbarians who advocate violence” for taking Count Elysium’s side.

 

It was in this atmosphere that Freesia said,

 

“I’ve won my case, and I’m going home now.”

 

It had been more than a month since Freesia had stayed at the Edenberg manor.

 

Artia had made her feel so comfortable that they had become as close as sisters, but her heart was heavy with the thought that she owed her so much.

 

But Artia shook her head.

 

“No, you can’t,” she said, ”I know what Count Elysium will do to you if you leave now, when he’s high.”

 

“But I’ll be here forever…”

 

“No. I don’t care if you stay for the rest of your life.”

 

“…….”

 

“But that’s just me being greedy, and I don’t think that’s realistic.”

 

No matter how nice Artia is, it’s still someone else’s house. Freesia needed a home of her own.

 

A home where she would no longer be afraid of her husband and where she could live comfortably with her young daughter, Liese.

 

“Count Elysium will let you go if you come to him, apologize formally, and swear to do as the court says.”

 

Of course, that wasn’t enough to reassure her, so Artia decided to give Freesia a maid.

 

A maid who would be trained to prioritize Freesia’s safety no matter what, and who would immediately run to the court to report anything untoward.

 

It was the best thing Artia could do to ensure Freesia’s safety.

 

But no matter how long she waited, Count Elysium never came.

 

“Perhaps my husband has not received the court’s verdict,” Freesia said grimly.

 

“Perhaps my husband has no intention of abiding by the court’s ruling.”

 

“I suppose so, but he won’t be able to keep insisting.”

 

The power of the law was strong. If he didn’t do anything, the courts would apply pressure.

 

“Let’s wait a little longer.”

 

Artia whispered in Freesia’s ear.

 

“I like having more time with you and Liese.”

 

The childlike innocence made Freesia blush and burst out laughing.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Same time.

 

In a dark room littered with empty bottles.

 

Count Elysium crouched on the floor, a flask in his hand, gulping down a gulp.

 

His eyes are haggard, his beard is wild, and his entire body reeks of alcohol.

 

The gentleman who had once thrilled the ladies of the nobility had vanished like a lie, leaving behind a hideous, haggard loser.

 

Betrayal, anger, bitterness, hatred, and shame for his wife.

 

He was sinking into emotions he had never felt in his life.

 

“How dare you make me look like this? Just come back home. I’ll cut out your tongue so you’ll never say that shit again…”

 

His anger wasn’t just directed at his wife.

 

It was directed at the judge who had ruled against her, the maid who had testified in her favor, the women who had cheered at the verdict, the men who had looked at him with pity as he clicked his tongue.

 

…and Artia von Edenberg.

 

He remembered Artia’s face clearly from the courtroom.

 

He wanted to tear her white face apart as she stood by Freesia’s side.

 

“It’s all because of that bitch.”

 

Freesia was a quiet woman. She asked her husband’s permission whenever she went out, and she waited without eating until he returned.

 

She reported her husband and screamed at the tribunal.

 

Her uncharacteristic behavior was all because of Artia von Edenberg.

 

“That crazy wench who divorced her husband because she hated him instigated my innocent wife…”

 

Count Elysium tightened his grip on his wine glass. The thin glass couldn’t hold, and it shattered.

 

He clutched his hand, which was bleeding red from the shards of glass.

 

His scattered anger coalesced into a single point, a maddening hatred.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Artia was at the banquet hall again today.

 

Her reason for coming to the banquet every day was not simply to laugh and talk. It was to further cement public opinion in favor of Freesia.

 

“We never know when the tide will turn again, so we have to keep an eye on it.”

 

Don’t let it get too hot, don’t let it cool down.

 

As she chatted with the gathered women, a man with dark hair caught her eye.

 

Artia’s eyes widened at the sight.

 

“Prince Killian?!”

 

But as soon as she saw the man’s face, Artia’s face was filled with dismay.

 

It wasn’t Killian.

 

It was to be expected, after all, he didn’t usually attend small banquets like this.

 

‘I saw him at a banquet in Count Elysium the other day, so it’s not unusual…’

 

She couldn’t help but glance at the dark hair, hoping it might be him.

 

“What’s wrong, are you sick?”

 

Artia shook her head at Penelope’s concern.

 

“Just a little stuffy. I’m going to get some air.”

 

Artia walked out of the ballroom. Someone who had been watching her from a distance began to follow.

 

 

Artia stepped out onto the outdoor terrace and took a deep breath. The cool night breeze, so different from the hot air in the ballroom, seeped into her lungs.

 

She heard the door creak open behind her.

 

“It followed me.”

 

Artia had been aware of the stares that had followed her throughout the ballroom. She’d deliberately stepped outside, hoping that if she was alone, she’d be seen.

 

There were more than a few people interested in her these days.

 

‘A lady who wishes to consult me? A gentleman who is sorry for me? Someone who supports me?’

 

‘Or perhaps His Highness Prince Killian?’

 

Artia’s predictions were all wrong, but she was not disappointed.

 

For it was Evangeline von Glosta who stepped out into the moonlight.