The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 143

“Besides, I thought it would be hard for him to learn the script because he can’t read, but that’s not the case at all, because I just read the lines to him once and he memorized them!”

 

Lam exclaimed excitedly.

 

“You have what it takes to be a great actor!”

 

Artia, next to him, looked at Luca with pride and smiled.

 

“That’s great, Luca.”

 

“……!”

 

So far, all the compliments Luca had received were about his looks.

 

“What a statuesque face, and what a body. You’re so muscular, like a well-trained horse.”

 

The women would say that and touch his body.

 

Luca laughed it off, but it made him feel bad. Uncomfortable, disgusted.

 

But now it was different.

 

He was thrilled to be complimented on his performance.

 

“Thank you!”

 

Sandra giggled as she watched Luca bend down at the waist.

 

“Our youngest, so cute.”

 

Mikhail nodded, his face solemn.

 

“It’s nice to have a kid like him after all the gray humans.”

 

“Can you leave me out of the dull humans, I’m the freshest girl in the empire.”

 

“Not fresh, sour.”

 

“Archduke of the North, would you like to search?”

 

Artia asked, leaving the bickering pair behind.

 

“Luca, you say you’ve never acted before, so how are you so good at it? Have you ever been interested in acting?”

 

Not that a Kudran would have had the luxury of time when he was desperate to make a living.

 

But he had seen her act many times.

 

“Ms. Tunguel took me with her a few times when she went to see a show.”

 

While it was hard to keep an eye on Tunguel throughout the show to make sure he didn’t feel uncomfortable, it was fun to watch the actors perform.

 

“I never thought I would be on stage, but it’s so exciting.”

 

Looking at Luca’s childlike expression, Artia’s heart sank.

 

She could guess why Luca could memorize the lines after hearing them only once.

 

Demanding women would get angry if he didn’t understand them the first time, and to avoid being scolded, he had developed the ability to memorize human speech in its entirety.

 

He had often seen such maids.

 

‘He’s a big boy, but he’s only eighteen years old…’

 

The more she looked at him, the more she thought.

 

‘Let’s be good to him while he’s here. I’ll feed him plenty of good food and teach him to write.’

 

As she was steeling her resolve for Luca, Vivi leaned in and whispered.

 

“My lady, Prince Killian is here, but he wishes to see you in the practice room, not the parlor.”

 

Artia’s eyes narrowed.

 

Even after Butterfly’s identity was revealed, Killian still came to Artia’s chambers in the middle of the night.

 

He rarely came in the middle of the day, much less in this crowded place.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

Artia nodded in wonder.

 

A moment later, something surprising happened.

 

Dozens of imperial servants burst into the room.

 

With the precision of well-trained soldiers, they set up a long table in the center of the practice room and piled heaping platters of food on it.

 

In an instant, the drab practice room was transformed into a glamorous party.

 

A beautiful man with black hair and golden eyes appeared in the magically transformed space.

 

At that moment, Lam let out a grotesque scream and bowed his head.

 

“I, the blood of the almighty Orpheus, greet you!”

 

The people in the practice room opened their eyes wide at that. Some of them let out a gasp.

 

People bowed their heads in astonishment.

 

Lam was about to get down on the floor, but then he remembered Artia’s words, “No kneeling here,” and lowered his head to the ground.

 

In the midst of everyone’s panic, only Artia nonchalantly lifted her skirt.

 

“Greetings to the bloodline of the almighty Orpheus.”

 

Killian quirked a fine brow at the way Artia bowed.

 

It had been so long since she had been greeted with courtesy, and it was oddly off-putting.

 

Fortunately, before he could feel any worse, Artia looked up.

 

Artia asked in a voice so low that anyone a foot away could barely hear her.

 

“Your Majesty, what the hell is going on?”

 

Killian replied with a smug look on his face.

 

“I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help you, and I have.”

 

“Like what?”

 

“A seat of harmony. You know, when you work with so many people, sometimes you need a seat like this.”

 

Harmony.

 

Nocturne behind Killian grimaced at the word that didn’t seem to fit him at all.

 

On the battlefield, in the palace, Killian had thousands of subordinates.

 

More people meant more noise, more confusion, more conflict.

 

But that never happened where he ruled.

 

For Killian watched over them, his golden eyes glowing fiercely.

 

With a leader like Thurl Furun, the gang was tight-knit even when they weren’t partying.

 

Unaware of that fact, Artia took his words at face value.

 

“I was in such a hurry to get ready for the show that I didn’t pay attention to that part.”

 

But after a moment of gratitude, she realized that there were too many people in the rehearsal room.

 

It seemed odd that the prince himself would come and organize a party for them.

 

‘What if people questioned my relationship with His Highness?’

 

Artia raised an eyebrow, and Nocturne stepped forward.

 

Nocturne told Killian in a gruff voice what he had been threatened, or rather, ordered, to do.

 

“His Highness has high hopes for this performance. A groundbreaking piece that could change the Empire’s rigid

performance culture. That’s why we’ve prepared today’s sacrament.”

 

Nocturne adds.

 

“It’s meant to encourage those who strive to create great work, so please sit back and enjoy.”

 

‘Folks, I’m talking bullshit.’

 

He was being polite on the outside, even if he thought so on the inside.

 

No one except Artia could believe that the handsome young nobleman was lying.

 

Especially Lam, who burst into tears.

 

“I am truly honored that Your Highness is so interested in my work. ”

 

For the record, Killian always sat with a bored look on his face when he watched Lam’s performances at the palace.

 

Lam didn’t need to know.

 

“Your Majesty, a lover of the arts!”

 

The actors looked up to Killian like a god had descended.

 

A halo flashed behind his beautiful face.

 

“Enjoy the banquet,” Killian said, his face full of arrogance.

 

The actors were partridges, full of energy.

 

They pounced on the food without a care in the world for the prince.

 

Mikhail was shocked as he took a bite of the ham and vegetable sandwich. It was unlike any sandwich he had ever tasted before.

 

“Delicious!”

 

Sandra nodded, her cheeks watering.

 

“Seriously, it’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten!”

 

“But why is everything so orange?”

 

“Oh, come to think of it, it all tastes like carrots.”

 

They both laughed hysterically, their cheeks bulging like hamsters.

 

“As long as it tastes good, I guess.”

 

While everyone lusted after the food, Lam got drunk.

 

He walked out of the imperial court of his own accord.

 

He didn’t miss anything, but he missed this one thing: the liquor made in the palace.

 

It’s only available at banquets held at the imperial palace, so he’s  been crying every time he tried it, but he never thought he’d get the chance so soon.

 

“This color! This aroma! This taste! This is the combination of the royal family’s energy and pure alcohol!”

 

His pale face, which always looked like it was about to collapse at any moment, came alive.

 

Artia, watching from a separate table on the second floor, gulped and turned her head to the side.

 

She grinned at Killian, who sat across from her.

 

“They’re all so happy, thank you for taking care of them.”

 

How pretty she looked.

 

 

Killian was stunned for a moment before he spoke up.

 

“We’re friends.”

 

He’s a master at using bittersweet words.

 

Killian smirked at her and gestured to Nocturne.

 

Nocturne quickly brought the plates.