The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 149

Artia relayed Norma’s words to Luca and said,

 

“Whenever you want to see your grandmother, go.”

 

Luca said yes, but he never spoke of his grandmother again.

 

Nor did he ever leave the mansion.

 

‘I heard he only had two siblings, but I wonder if they’re not as close as I thought?’

 

She didn’t know exactly why, but Artia didn’t say anything.

 

She didn’t want to make things awkward for the two of them if she didn’t bring it up first.

 

Then a thought struck her.

 

‘Maybe they’re both putting up with me because they think I’m bothering them.’

 

After much deliberation, Artia called Norma over, saying she had something to say about Luca.

 

Norma came running, dragging her uncomfortable leg.

 

And Luca… pulled her into a big hug.

 

Luca was bigger than most grown men, and Norma was thin and petite.

 

Still, Luca felt like he was being held by Norma.

 

Norma patted Luca on the back with a wrinkled hand.

 

“How have you been? Have you eaten well?”

 

“Yes, I’m fine. How is Grandma?”

 

Artia smiled at the sight of the two of them together.

 

She felt a mixture of relief that she hadn’t done anything wrong and regret that she should have sat down sooner.

 

Artia quietly excused herself.

 

Letting them get comfortable after seeing each other for so long.

 

Less than an hour later, Norma came to Artia’s room and bowed.

 

“Thank you, my lady. Your kindness allowed me to see Luca’s face after so long.”

 

“I’m glad you had a good time, I don’t mind if you stayed longer…”

 

“No, thank you, I’ve seen that Luca is doing well.”

 

Her words showed her affection for her grandson.

 

Artia said in a warm voice.

 

“If you want to see Luca, you can come anytime.”

 

“Yes, I will.”

 

Norma left the mansion, refusing Artia’s invitation to take the carriage.

 

Once outside the mansion, Luca stood in place for a while.

 

Until he lost sight of his grandmother.

 

A moment later, Luca found himself in Artia’s study.

 

It was the first time he had come here on his own before Artia had called him.

 

Artia greeted him with a surprised look.

 

“Did your grandmother send you off well?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Luca’s eyes were red as he said it. She could feel him holding back tears.

 

The little boy who couldn’t cry out loud for fear of getting in trouble, who could only bite his lip.

 

“I wonder if that’s why I want to help.”

 

Artia said in a soft voice.

 

“Luca, I would like to invite your grandmother to the mansion once a month from now on, do you mind?”

 

Luca’s eyes widened and he looked like he was going to cry.

 

Luca bowed at the waist.

 

“Thank you, thank you so much, my lady.”

 

“Well, it’s what I want to do.”

 

Luca looked at the smiling Artia.

 

“I’ll do my best, so I can repay you for your kindness.”

 

There was an unprecedented eagerness in his once gentle violet eyes.

 

Artia blinked, and then the corner of her mouth lifted.

 

“I look forward to it.”

 

 

* * *

 

 

The next day, Lam showed up at Edenberg Manor with a sullen face that seemed to harbor all the resentment in the world.

 

As he shuffled to his practice room, he recalled the events of yesterday.

 

He had been lying like a slime at home after taking an unexpected vacation when Artia came to visit him.

 

Lam woke up with a start, surprised to see Artia, who always met him in his makeshift office or practice room.

 

“It’s a shabby place, but come in.”

 

He didn’t just say it, he saw it.

 

Artia looked up at the cobwebbed ceiling.

 

“It’s quite a characterful house,” Artia said, looking up at the cobwebbed ceiling.

 

Lam’s lips quirked up at the sweet compliment, then immediately turned sour. He was in no mood to laugh.

 

To Lam’s childish behavior, Artia said,

 

“Are you upset that Luca couldn’t sing?”

 

Lam’s eyes widened at that.

 

“I’m not just offended, I’m soul-crushingly angry. I had high hopes for Luca because he’s always been so eager to do anything, even if it’s his first time.”

 

Artia spoke in a calm voice to the sulking Lam.

 

“Luca’s singing part, just leave it out.”

 

“What?”

 

Lam snapped back as if he’d been slapped in the back of the head, then screamed like a bird in a trap.

 

“Neh-eh-eh-eh?!”

 

Lam turned his wide-eyed face toward Artia, as if his eyeballs were about to fall out.

 

“What the hell are you talking about, don’t you realize that adding that one song would make the second half so much more immersive and complete!”

 

Lam’s face was so excited that saliva splashed down his cheeks.

 

Vivi, next to Artia, spoke in a low voice.

 

“Mr. Lam seems very excited, do you want me to calm him down?”

 

It was a milder way of saying knock him out.

 

Artia shook her head and turned to Lam.

 

“That’s why I came to see you personally.”

 

It’s a hard thing for a creator to say.

 

Artia continued.

 

“I’ve talked to Luca, and he’s very resistant to singing, and it’s going to be too much for him if we force him to do that part.”

 

“He’ll get over it!”

 

“But he’s only eighteen.”

 

“……!”

 

“He’s been through so much at such a young age because he’s so tough, or rather, he’s been forced to be tough, and I don’t want him to be hurt anymore, at least not when he’s acting with us.”

 

Lam did whatever it took to complete the grueling work.

 

He’d force-feed an actor who had a cold and couldn’t speak, forcing him to vomit up 100 years of vomit, chasing and harassing an actor who needed to lose weight for a role, and making him half a gay.

 

Luca was no different.

 

He was confident that he could get him to sing by any means necessary. But…

 

“He’s only eighteen.”

 

Lam felt weak.

 

Not as a director, but as an adult who knew Luca.

 

Eventually, Lam nodded, tears streaming down his face.

 

When he finished, he choked back the tears that threatened to fall and muttered to himself.

 

“It’s already been decided.”

 

He wouldn’t even bring up the “no” in the song to Luca.

 

He’s going to give it up as cleanly as if it never happened.

 

As Lam walked into the rehearsal room with this determination, Luca came running up to him.

 

“I want to sing, coach!”

 

“What?!”

 

“I guess I was too quick to say I couldn’t do it, but you said, “Director, if you can’t do it, just rehearse the scene a hundred or a thousand times.” Please lead me to sing. Please.”

 

Alas, this child was really…!

 

Lam, who had been fading like a ghost, suddenly came to life.

 

He shouted in a squeaky voice.

 

“Come, I, the Lam, will break your nasty curse!”

 

Luca began practicing his song.

 

But when he tried to sing, his whole body stiffened and no sound came out.

 

“You really can’t sing, and it’s very serious.”

 

Lam said to Luca.

 

“Pretend it’s not a song, it’s just a line.”

 

Luca followed Lam’s instructions and read the lyrics like a monologue.

 

Mikhail and Sandra, watching from the sidelines, commented.

 

“Your voice and lyrics are so good, it touches my heart even if you just recite it.”

 

“Yeah, you could just go with that.”

 

Lam’s eyes widened when he heard that.

 

“What are you talking about? It’s an artist’s job to express themselves the best they can, don’t you think, Luca?”

 

“Yes!”

 

Truth be told, Luca didn’t know about art.

 

Acting was enjoyable, but it didn’t make him feel anything that would change his life.

 

But he wanted to do well.

 

He wanted to earn his master’s praise.

 

Just then, the door opened and Artia appeared.

 

Luca, who was on the other side, quickly ran to her.

 

“Master!”

 

Sandra exclaimed in surprise.

 

“A bolt of lightning.”

 

Mikhail nodded.

 

“Even our dog, Popeye, is slower than that.”