The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 126

Evangeline looked at her two brothers, sighed, and said,

 

“While you’ve been messing around and clinging to me to clean up your messes, Artia has been showing me what she can do.”

 

Ian stepped forward to take Derek’s place.

 

“Sister, what did she show you, you don’t mean luring an unsuspecting noblewoman into turning in her husband?”

 

“She became an Ethereal and honored her family.”

 

“That’s…”

 

“If you’re going to tell me that being an Ethereal is just a name you can earn by laughing and talking to women, then shut up. I don’t want to hear ugly words that disparage a glorious accomplishment that can take all your strength to achieve.”

 

“…….”

 

“That’s not all. In her short time here, Artia has also gained the favor of the Edenbergs.”

 

Evangeline pulled out the document she’d brought with her.

 

“What is that?

 

Evangeline said to her brothers, who squinted to read the words on the paper.

 

“It’s a letter of support for Artia from the Fang family. It says that they strongly support Artia’s new business venture for the family.”

 

“What?!”

 

The two younger siblings’ mouths dropped open.

 

They’d never seen a letter of support from the Fang family before.

 

As sons of the immediate family, they were arrogant. They naturally thought that the Fang Clan was beneath them, and that it was only natural for them to follow them.

 

That was the difference between them and Artia.

 

Artia remembered each of their names, visited them, talked to them, and gave them sincere gifts.

 

It was natural for them to support someone who was nicer to them and gave them something.

 

‘They gave me dumbfounded looks…’

 

Evangeline looked at her brothers and clicked her tongue.

 

“Give Artia the opportunity to take on new business for House Edenberg, and you can judge and condemn her after the fact.”

 

Evangeline’s red eyes glowed fiercely.

 

These were not mere words. It was a command.

 

The two men could not disobey her.

 

“Understood.”

 

Ian glared at Artia even as he meekly complied with Evangeline.

 

“Make no mistake. I’m only giving you a chance because my sister supports you, not because I believe in you.”

 

‘You’ll see when you get down to business. How clueless she was.’

 

“I’ll see you then. I’ll crush you so hard that you won’t be able to be cocky anymore, and then I’ll marry you off to a rich man.”

 

‘Wicked uncles, I can see what they’re thinking in their eyes.’

 

Artia read their thoughts but didn’t say anything.

 

She didn’t care what the two immature uncles were thinking in their heads.

 

What mattered was that Artia was at the helm of the great ship called the Edenbergs.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Despite her uncles’ curious comments, Artia had never been taught business.

 

“Can I do it?”

 

In the midst of her anxiety, Artia’s eyes caught sight of the golden rose that filled the room.

 

The dozens of flowers that Killian had given her months ago as a gift for becoming an Ethereal were still fresh.

 

As if to prove that they were imbued with the magic of the first emperor, Orpheus.

 

The sight of them filled her with confidence.

 

“I can do this. I’m the Ethereal of the Year.”

 

The feeling of accomplishment gave her courage, and courage fueled her to pursue another goal.

 

From that day on, Artia began to wonder.

 

‘What do I know better than anyone else, and what can I sell that I’m good at?’

 

She thought about it while eating carrots, going for walks, drinking tea, reading books, walking down the street, looking at the window…

 

“What are you thinking about so much?”

 

“Ugh!”

 

Artia let out an undignified squeal and flinched back.

 

Killian reached out an arm and grabbed her around the waist.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Her body feels fine, but her mind doesn’t.

 

She was so embarrassed to have made such a freakish noise in front of Killian. He didn’t seem the least bit bothered.

 

Unaware of Artia’s pounding heart, the man looked at the stack of papers on the table.

 

The papers were scrawled with Artia’s handwriting, and she said to Killian, who looked at them curiously.

 

“I’ve been given an opportunity that I’m confident in, but I’m not sure what kind of business to start.”

 

In a male-dominated society, there were a few areas where women excelled.

 

These were things related to women’s adornment, like dresses, jewelry, and cosmetics.

 

“But I’m not really into that kind of thing.”

 

“Of course not. You’re pretty without it.”

 

“……?!”

 

Artia looked at Killian in surprise.

 

With his nonchalant expression, he didn’t seem to realize what he had just said.

 

“Do you want me to give you something?”

 

Killian was a trusted prince to the emperor.

 

Give him one of the big state projects and he could make more money than any noble family could run.

 

Artia’s eyes narrowed.

 

“I didn’t expect you to say that.”

 

“Why? You said before that I was always helping you.”

 

“Helping me is one thing, entrusting me with a business is quite another, and the king despises incompetents being entrusted with anything that requires responsibility.”

 

“That’s why I’m giving it to you, because I know you’ll do a good job no matter what I ask you to do.”

 

“……!”

 

There he goes again, making such a big deal out of nothing.

 

This time, Artia was the only one who was flustered.

 

She nibbled on a carrot stick on the table to hide the heat in her face.

 

“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t mind if you don’t care.”

 

“Why?”

 

It hadn’t been true lately, but Killian gave Artia that look when she refused his favors.

 

‘He’s like a cat who’s upset because his master won’t let him have the mice he caught.’

 

The old Artia would have been horrified, thinking she’d offended the king, but now she just smirked.

 

“You should never say what you think is cute.”

 

Artia replied, careful not to let her sincerity slip out.

 

“I want to make a real business out of it, something I’m interested in and can do better than others.”

 

Artia pulled out a piece of paper from the stack on the table and held it out.

 

“I’ve been thinking about a few things, would you mind taking a look?”

 

She circled one word among dozens of others that showed signs of distress.

 

 

“Carrots!”

 

“You know how much I love carrots, and the Edenbergs happen to have some empty land, and I was wondering if I could start a large-scale carrot farm there.”

 

At that moment, a scene flashed through Killian’s mind.

 

Artia, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a white apron, beaming, holding a large orange carrot in each hand.

 

Artia continued.

 

“And I’m going to open a big cafe in the capital, selling a variety of desserts made from the carrots I’ve grown!”

 

Killian envisioned Artia in her white maid’s uniform, holding an adorable carrot cake and carrot tea in her hands.

 

Killian blushed slightly and nodded.

 

“That sounds like a good idea.”

 

“Isn’t it?!”

 

Artia’s eyes lit up at Killian’s positive response. But it was short-lived, and Artia looked like she’d just come back from a colorful flower garden to the drab reality of the world.

 

“But as it turns out, there are already a lot of people growing carrots on a large scale, with a few cafes associated with them, and I don’t think I can compete with them.”

 

‘I’ll buy all the carrot fields except yours, make them imperial property, and turn them over to you. I’ll even turn all the other cafes into other businesses.’

 

Killian really wanted to, but he wouldn’t say it out loud.

 

He’d been around Artia enough times to know that she was losing her mind, but he recognized that it wasn’t common sense.

 

He wasn’t that crazy yet.

 

Instead, Killian said something else.

 

“What about that?”

 

“What…”

 

Artia stuttered, her eyes wide. Killian had gotten close.