The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 116

Artia had befriended him, but she had no intention of pretending to know him in public. She never knew what might be said.

 

Knowing Artia’s heart, Killian didn’t move toward her.

 

Instead, his fierce eyes curved gently and the corners of his mouth lifted.

 

A fleeting smile, but the effect was powerful.

 

“Aaahh~!”

 

Some groaned, a single word here and there. Some even staggered, as if their legs had given out.

 

The arrogant prince who had briefly taken control of the banquet hall sat down on the dais with a nonchalant expression.

 

After the other members of the imperial family had entered and the atmosphere in the banquet hall was ripe, a servant’s voice rang out.

 

“Her Majesty the Empress!”

 

The noisy ballroom suddenly fell silent.

 

The Empress stepped to the podium.

 

Felicity of Orpheus, wife of the Emperor, mother of the First Emperor Arsen and the Second Emperor Killian.

 

Despite her glorious name, her appearance was as withered as a rose with thorns, and she exuded an air of desolation.

 

Her dreary voice rang out.

 

“It seems the social scene has been particularly noisy this year.”

 

The Empress’ eyes fell on Artia and Freesia.

 

The woman who had divorced her husband.

 

Women whose husbands had been sent to prison.

 

The Empress, who disliked fuss, was deeply offended by the two women’s behavior.

 

Artia, standing next to her, took her hand and whispered, “Don’t be afraid.

 

“You don’t have to be afraid, she’s not the kind of woman to brandish a whip just because she doesn’t like something.”

 

The Empress was harsh, but she wasn’t cruel enough to stampede an innocent woman, at least not as far as Artia knew.

 

Fortunately, as Artia had expected, the Empress looked away and continued.

 

“Flowers bloom in the midst of turmoil. I present to you the flower of flowers, the Ethereal, who has earned the admiration of the most women this year.”

 

For a moment, the eyes of the beautiful women lit up with intense desire.

 

 

The Ethereal.

 

A name recognized by all noblewomen, an honor reserved only for the most elegant and beautiful lady of the year.

 

In the midst of the suffocating tension, Artia looked at Freesia with a calm face.

 

Count Elysium’s crimes had not changed Freesia’s reputation.

 

She had actively acknowledged her husband’s guilt and paid Artia a large sum of money in compensation.

 

Her reputation as a brave woman who stood up to her husband’s attacks was added to her reputation as a responsible woman who did not shirk her husband’s guilt. She was still admired by many women.

 

As her aunt had said, this year’s Ethereal would be Freesia.

 

Artia had no qualms about that.

 

All she wanted was for Freesia to be an Ethereal, to shine proudly and beautifully, completely free of any accusation that she had made her husband a sinner.

 

For they were friends.

 

It was then that her eyes met Freesia’s.

 

Her eyes softened and the Empress’s voice rang out.

 

“Artia von Edenberg.”

 

Uh, so…

 

“Me?”

 

Freesia smiled brightly at Artia’s wide-eyed, stunned expression.

 

One look at her and Artia realized.

 

Freesia was up to something.

 

 

It was as Artia had suspected.

 

Over the past month, Freesia hadn’t attended any public banquets, but she had gone to each of the women she knew, one by one, and said, “It was Artia von Edenberg who gave me the courage to step out, who took me by the hand and guided me, and I want you to know that.”

 

The ladies realized what Freesia meant, which led to today’s outcome.

 

Before Artia could ask how it happened, Freesia beamed.

 

“Congratulations, Artia!”

 

It wasn’t a formal smile. It was a genuine, heartfelt greeting, filled with nothing but joy.

 

Marigold, Dahlia, Penelope, Clara, and many other women standing nearby smiled and turned to look at Artia, including Calvin’s mother, Chloe, with her white hair and bright floral dress.

 

“Come upstairs, dear. It’s not polite to keep the Empress waiting.”

 

“Oh, yes!”

 

Barely able to compose herself, Artia picked up the hem of her skirt and climbed onto the dais.

 

Standing face to face with the Empress, Artia swallowed hard.

 

It was the first time she’d ever seen the Empress up close.

 

She looked so much more sickly and sharper than she had from afar…

 

She has the same eyes as His Highness Kilian…

 

Artia, who had unconsciously recognized Kilian in the Empress, was brought back to reality by the Empress’ voice.

 

“Congratulations on receiving the most votes from the ladies of society this year.”

 

Despite the congratulations, the Empress’ violet eyes were cold.

 

“Ethereal is the name given to the most beautiful and graceful ladies. I hope you will remember the weight of that name and act accordingly.”

 

‘So, no more fussing, just be quiet?’

 

Artia smiled brightly, not showing the slightest sign of discomfort at the Empress’s criticism.

 

“Yes, I will take Your Majesty’s wise advice to heart.”

 

 

“…….”

 

The Empress looked unimpressed and held out the bouquet her maid had brought.

 

It was a golden rose, a flower that only blooms in the imperial palace.

 

Artia accepted the flowers with the utmost grace and respect.

 

“Speak as an ethereal.”

 

At the Empress’s command, Artia stood in the center of the dais, bouquet in hand. She had attended many banquets in the palace, but this was the first time she had stood on the dais.

 

This is what it looks like…

 

Her eyes scanned the faces of the people in the ballroom.

 

Some were beaming with joy, some were disappointed, and a few, though not many, looked envious.

 

And then… She saw Killian.

 

His golden eyes had a youthful sparkle, and despite the distance, it felt like he was right in front of her.

 

Strangely, the moment she met his intense gaze, the tension that had been building in Artia’s body melted away. Her courage filled her, as if she had the most reliable ally in the world.

 

With a strange feeling, Artia blushed slightly and opened her mouth.

 

“As you know, not long ago I was hardly socializing at all. I told you I was ill, but the truth is that I was afraid to attend a gathering of beautiful, elegant, wise ladies because I thought I was too ugly to be in their company.”

 

The real Artia was terrified and hid in her room, curled up in a ball.

 

But the truth was, she wanted to be brave, to come out of her room and stand in front of people as Princess Edenberg.

 

Just like she is now.

 

“Then something happened that changed me. I decided to be brave.”

 

She divorced her abusive husband and started dating.

 

And then she realized she’d made a big mistake.

 

“The women who seemed so perfect, so flawless, had secrets of their own.”

 

 

Marigold, she seemed so poised, but she was heartbroken over her tiny child.

 

Dahlia, she looked so calm, but she had a fiery passion and a mesmerizing writing style.

 

Freesia, she looked like a fairy princess, but she was struggling with terrible pain from her husband.

 

It wasn’t just the three women.

 

“Everyone was struggling, hiding, crying, hating, jealous, afraid, regretting, but hiding those feelings and laughing in front of people.”

 

“…….”

 

Artia continued under the heated looks of the women.

 

“It is said that the one who is considered by many to be the finest lady is called the Ethereal, and I would like to share that honor with all of you in this room. For we are all fine ladies who have had a colorful and wild year.”

 

Artia looked at the Empress.

 

“Your Majesty, do you mind if I share your flowers with the people?”

 

A proper greeting would have been in order, but she was talking nonsense.

 

The Empress was offended, but she didn’t say no. She wasn’t the most considerate person, but she wasn’t so dull that she couldn’t read moods.

 

“It’s yours, do what you want with it.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Artia bowed her head, untied the ribbon that bound the bouquet, and handed the Empress a single golden rose.

 

“I give this to you, Your Majesty, for your careful care of the entire nation as Mother of the Empire.”