The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 131

 

“……!”

 

“Just so you know, I’m not saying yes because you’re a fan of mine, or because you’re a friend. I’m saying yes because I want more people to see the world I’ve created.”

 

This sentiment has given her courage in the past, even when she’s written a novel and wondered a thousand times whether or not to publish it. 

 

As if she knew what she was thinking, Artia replied, “Leave it to me, and I’ll do a great job bringing your world to life.”

 

Dahlia said, handing over the signed contract.

 

“Artia.”

 

It was the first time she’d said Artia’s name today. 

 

Artia’s eyes widened, and Dahlia spoke.

 

“I’ll take all the money you’re offering, plus the profits, because you’re right, it’s a money business, and if the show doesn’t go well, I’ll have to pay you…”

 

According to the contract, Dahlia had nothing to lose. 

 

Her reputation as an artist and her work might suffer, but it wouldn’t be fatal. But not Artia. 

 

Not only would she lose her investment, but she would be criticized and ridiculed beyond measure.

 

Dahlia was powerless to help her clean up the mess. But…

 

“I’ll give you double the money I got for this contract.”

 

“What?”

 

Artia’s eyes widened, momentarily unable to comprehend her words. 

 

Dahlia continued calmly.

 

“I’m giving it to you as a friend, not as a business partner, because it’s the least I can do for a friend who’s struggling…”

 

“…….”

 

“So, promise me now, if the situation comes to that, you will take the money I give you without saying a word.”

 

Artia tried to keep her emotions out of the deal, to keep it cold. 

 

The businesslike manner she had learned from Count Golgus.

 

But when she said that, the calm mask she’d been wearing slipped off.

 

“Hmph, Ms. Redlip, you’re really tugging at my heartstrings.”

 

Holding the contract in her arms, Artia nodded twice, her eyes as red as rabbits.

 

 

* * *

 

 

With the contract in hand, the next step was to find a director to produce the show. 

 

Artia went to her first priority among the many candidates.

 

Lam. 

 

The most talented man in the empire. 

 

A member of the imperial court troupe, he was the man who created the works for the country’s national theater. 

 

But despite his fame, Lam was a lifeless, scruffy-looking man who looked like he could fall at any moment.

 

“What brings you to me…?”

 

His voice was so low and thin that even Artia’s heart sank.

 

Oh, no.

 

Artia scrambled to recall her research on Lam.

 

Born into the fallen nobility of the Empire. 

 

Arrived in Reju at the age of fifteen, learned the theater from the ground up, and made his debut as a director. 

 

He made a name for himself as a young prodigy with a series of groundbreaking performances.

 

However, at the age of twenty-three, he returned to the Empire due to his mother’s deteriorating health. 

 

To help pay for his mother’s medication, he joined the imperial court troupe and became the youngest director ever, gaining recognition from the imperial family and nobles for his quality work.

 

However, whenever he drinks with his close colleagues, he says, “I’m tired of performing for the emperor. I want to create works that drive the public crazy again!” He is dissatisfied with the status quo.

 

But he can’t go back to Reju because of his sick mother, and he can’t quit because there’s no other place in the empire that pays him as well as the Imperial Court Troupe.

 

She hopes for a chance to change the status quo.

 

‘I’ll give you that chance, Lambrador von Berto!’

 

Artia held out the papers confidently. 

 

Lam sighed, “Hah…,” but didn’t seem to have the energy to refuse, and began reading the papers. 

 

After a moment, his face, which had been as pale as if he had just watered a parched branch, came to life, and his eyes, which looked like those of an old man whose days were numbered, flashed like a madman.

 

“You mean to tell me that you’re going to create a work that’s not about how great the First Emperor is, or how noble the imperial family is, but about the passionate love story of a cold northern grand duke?”

 

“Yes, I want to create a mesmerizing performance that will make even the most exalted nobleman’s jaw drop, and there is only one director in this empire who can do that, Mr. Lam.”

 

Artia, her sweet words spoken in the dramatic tone of a theater actress, held out her hand.

 

“Will you join me?”

 

She added a word that should never be forgotten.

 

“I’ll pay you thirty percent more than what you’re currently earning in the Imperial Court’s art troupe.”

 

“I’ll do it!!!!!”

 

Lam replied in a voice so booming that Artia had to cover her ears. 

 

As if he had been waiting for this moment. 

 

He would defeat the Imperial Palace Arts Troupe that very day.

 

 

* * *

 

 

While Lam adapted the novel for the stage, Artia did her part as head of the production company.

 

She bought a building with the money she made from liquidating the Duke of Edenberg’s businesses. 

 

Standing in front of the eerie building, Evangeline raised an eyebrow.

 

“You had no fear and bought such a hideous thing.”

 

“But it’s cheap. It’s less than half the price of neighboring buildings.”

 

The reason it was cheap was because of the terrifying story behind it.

 

A hundred years ago, Count Montecreux, who lived in the mansion, committed suicide, unable to cope with the loss of his beloved wife. 

 

Since then, rumors have persisted that the ghost of Count Montecreux haunts the house, calling out his wife’s name.

 

Unlike Evangeline, who was filled with worry, Artia laughed.

 

“That story, with its focus on the ghost, is so romantic, isn’t it?”

 

“What?”

 

At Evangeline’s raised eyebrow, Artia continued.

 

“And the rumors aside, the building is quite sturdy and beautiful, though it’s become ugly from years of neglect.”

 

“Still, I’m a little worried about turning this place into a theater. What if people think it’s sinister and won’t leave?”

 

“That’s not true, the main reason people don’t come here isn’t because they’re scared, it’s because they don’t have a reason to come.”

 

But what if an old mansion with a long history of horror stories was transformed into a magnificent performance venue?

 

“You’d want to come here, and I’d want to come here, and you’d see something that’s never been done before.”

 

It would become a capital attraction.

 

Artia whispered in Evangeline’s ear.

 

“And just so you know, Auntie, it’s also just in case the show doesn’t do so well, because even if it flops, we’ll still have the building, and since we bought it so cheap, it shouldn’t be hard to make a profit when we sell it, even after the cost of the interior.”

 

Evangeline’s face suddenly lost its youthful concern.

 

“That’s quite a businesslike plan.”

 

 

* * *

 

 

It was as Artia had expected. 

 

The news of Artia’s purchase of the long-abandoned Montecreux mansion caused a stir in social circles.

 

“Why on earth did you buy that ominous building?”

 

“An acquaintance told me she plans to renovate the mansion and turn it into a theater.”

 

“A theater?”

 

“Yes. You know, the Duke of Edenberg has been getting rid of a lot of its businesses lately in the name of reform, and they decided to go into the theater business at Frau Edenberg’s insistence.”

 

The nobles were astonished.

 

“A woman has a business? A theater business, not even a clothing or jewelry business?”

 

The former was understandable, as there were a few ladies who ran their own businesses, though not many. 

 

But the latter was harder to understand.

 

“A performance business, why would a noblewoman do that?”