The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 146

 After talking to Dahlia, they headed down the street to the costume shop.

 

On Lam’s recommendation, Artia hired Andi, one of the most skilled designers in the business, to create her stage costumes.

 

When she arrived at the shop, she was greeted by Andi and Freesia .

 

“Welcome, Artia.”

 

Artia wanted to create clothes that could be worn in real life, not just on stage.

 

But Andi was not a designer who specialized in dresses for commoners and noblewomen, and her designs were limited.

 

So she turned to Freesia for help.

 

She was a socialite and a recognized fashionista.

 

“I know a thing or two about clothes.”

 

Freesia was delighted and readily agreed to Artia’s request.

 

Andi, a seasoned stage costume maker with a decade of experience, and Freesia, a fashionable aristocrat.

 

Together, the results are stunning.

 

“With…”

 

Artia’s mouth dropped open when she saw the finished heroine’s dress.

 

It was sophisticated and beautiful enough to be worn to a ballroom and turn heads.

 

Andi and Freesia beamed with pride at Artia’s reaction.

 

Andi said, “You have such a great eye, Lady Freesia. You paid attention to details that I hadn’t thought of and made the outfit perfect.”

 

Freesia said shyly. “It’s you, Andi. I’ve never met a designer as fast and detailed as you.”

 

They looked at each other and blushed.

 

‘Oh, my God, I didn’t think they’d get along so well.’

 

Artia smiled to herself.

 

“Come on, Andi. With an outfit like this, it’s a possibility, right?”

 

Artia was going to open a shop at the same time as the show.

 

It would sell costumes and props similar in design to those worn by the characters in the show.

 

She hired Andi as her exclusive designer to create the items for the shop.

 

“So far, I haven’t seen audiences interested in the costumes from the show, so I’m willing to sign the contract, but to be honest, I don’t know if the shop will work.”

 

Andi’s thoughts had changed in the meantime.

 

Andi’s eyes lit up.

 

“If it’s this good, the interest of the ladies will be enormous, whether the show is a success or not. I’ll put my needle to it and work hard!”

 

“Wonderful, Andi.”

 

Freesia smiled and clapped.

 

Watching the two of them, Artia thought.

 

‘If the response is good, I should ask Freesia to draw up a formal employment contract.’

 

 

* * *

 

 

The last appointment of the day was with Count Golgus.

 

Marigold and Cecil came running out. They threw their arms around Artia and hugged her tightly.

 

“We’ve missed you, Mrs. Edenberg.”

 

“So have I, Tia.”

 

Count Golgus’s face hardened at the sight of his wife and daughter.

 

“You didn’t greet me like that when I came home earlier…”

 

Artia smiled at the bitter words.

 

“I’m home, Master!”

 

The corners of Count Golgus’s mouth twitched up at the mention of Master, as if he hadn’t heard it before.

 

He raised his hand, his bull-like bulk heaving.

 

“Welcome, apprentice.”

 

 

 

The four of them, including Cecil, sat down at the table.

 

Artia got straight to the point.

 

“Have you reviewed the proposal I sent you?”

 

She hadn’t come today to ask Count Golgus for business advice.

 

She was here to discuss it as a business partner.

 

Suddenly, Count Golgus’s eyes turned cold.

 

“I see.”

 

Artia’s proposal to Count Golgus read like this.

 

 

“The upcoming performance will feature a mysterious gem called the Snow Diamond.

The Edenberg Production Company would like to collaborate with Golgus Diamonds to produce and market this gem.”

 

 

Straightening her back, Artia said,

 

“If the show is a success, the Snow Diamonds will become an epidemic, and your company will make a huge profit.”

 

“And if the show fails?”

 

Count Golgus’s eyes were fierce.

 

But Artia didn’t waver and answered calmly.

 

“Golgus Diamonds will only lose the cost of producing the new product, which is nothing compared to the profit we will make if it works out. I hope you will consider it with that in mind.”

 

A quiet hush fell over the table.

 

Marigold and Cecil had the same thought.

 

“Let’s not argue, let’s just do it!”

 

Just before the mother-daughter duo poked Count Golgus in the side, he spoke up.

 

“Pass.”

 

“……!”

 

“The content of your proposal and your persuasive demeanor are excellent, my apprentice.”

 

Count Golgus said.

 

“But there is one thing lacking. Business doesn’t have to be so emotionless and cold. If you have connections, you should use them.”

 

Count Golgus waved his papers in the air.

 

“A contract, let’s get to it.”

 

Count Golgus, a businessman known for stripping his opponents to the bone, skipped all negotiation and put his seal of approval.

 

It was a surprise to those who knew him.

 

“Thank you, Master.”

 

Artia clutched the sealed contract in her arms.

 

Marigold, who had come to stand beside her, said,

 

“Tia, do you want to hear a funny story?”

 

Artia had been working so hard lately that she hadn’t had much of a social life.

 

So when she did see her friends, she would catch up on social gossip.

 

“What is it?”

 

Marigold giggled.

 

“His Highness Prince Killian is infatuated with the burning heart of the Northern Grand duke!”

 

Artia nearly tossed her precious contract into the air. The words were shocking.

 

Looking at her stunned expression, Count Golgus spoke.

 

“A few days ago, a meeting of high-ranking nobles was held at the palace.”

 

The nobles, who had been bustling about elsewhere, were all sitting in their chairs, their faces tense.

 

This was because Killian was there on behalf of the Emperor.

 

Though still young, he was feared because he exuded an aura more ferocious than that of a dragon.

 

After a few moments, Killian burst into the room, the tension in the air suffocating.

 

“……!”

 

The nobles’ eyes widened at once.

 

In Killian’s hand was a book.

 

The title was plainly visible.

 

 

“The Burning Heart of the Northern Grand Duke.”

 

 

Artia asked in disbelief.

 

“Really?”

 

Count Golgus nodded, his face grave.

 

“I saw it with my own two eyes, and I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, and I looked again, and the writing didn’t change.”

 

Killian did not commit the atrocity of reading a novel in the meeting.

 

He put the book down in front of him and went about his business.

 

The nobles desperately pretended not to see the book, but they couldn’t help but notice.

 

The title was too powerful.

 

“After the meeting was over, the nobles gathered to discuss all sorts of things.”

 

‘I doubted King Killian had any intention of bringing such a lowly book.’

 

“Perhaps he was sending us a message to work with such enthusiasm that our hearts would burn?”

 

“No, that’s not the point, the point is the Northern Grand Duke in front of you. He wants us to pay attention to the North.”

 

“What if it means that something is bothering you so badly that your heart is burning?”

 

The nobles’ faces turned pale as if their hearts had stopped beating.

 

Eventually, one of the nobles mustered up the courage to go to Killian’s chamberlain, Nocturne.

 

(He didn’t have the courage to go to Killian himself.)

 

Nocturne smiled kindly and answered the nobleman’s questions.

 

“Ah, the book. His Highness Killian has been enjoying it lately.”

 

“……?!”

 

“So much so that a few days ago, he even traveled to the theater where it’s being performed to offer his encouragement.”

 

“……!!”

 

Marigold said, dying of amusement.

 

“And that shut up all the people who were fussing about how a nobleman could read such a lowly novel, and how any performance made from such a lowly novel should be banned, and how suey they were.”