The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 159

In the calmer atmosphere, Artia bowed her head in greeting.

 

“Greetings to the blood of the almighty Orpheus.”

 

Killian nodded curtly.

 

That was the end of their encounter.

 

Artia greeted the other audience members, and Killian took his seat in the audience without another word.

 

After the show, when people were talking to each other with fond looks on their faces, Artia approached Killian again.

 

“Did you enjoy the performance?”

 

“Very much.”

 

Artia smiled at the short answer.

 

It was not the face of a kind businessman or an elegant lady that she showed to others.

 

It was an innocent smile, like a girl in love.

 

It was too brief to be seen by anyone but Killian, who stood facing her.

 

But today, one other person noticed her smile.

 

It was Luca.

 

Luca’s heart sank.

 

Luca approached Artia and spoke urgently.

 

“My lady, the director wants you to come to the waiting room, he has something urgent to tell you.”

 

Artia’s eyes narrowed, and she looked at Killian in understanding.

 

“I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I’ll leave you to it. Have a safe trip home.”

 

“Yes.”

 

With that, Artia turned to Luca.

 

An eerie aura emanated from Killian, who had been so calm just moments ago.

 

Artia, with her back to him, didn’t feel it, but Luca did.

 

Luca felt Killian’s hostility with every fiber of his being.

 

It was enough to make him shiver.

 

Still, he gathered his courage and made eye contact with Killian. He clenched his shaking fists.

 

“What are you doing, Luca?”

 

Only at the sound of Artia’s voice did Luca turn.

 

Killian muttered softly as they stood side by side and walked away.

 

“You’re interrupting my one-day puppy theme.”

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“Come on, let’s go to dinner!” was all Lam said as he called Artia over.

 

It was something he’d been putting off since the show had started.

 

The troupe rushed to the bar that Lam had insisted on.

 

Lam flared his nostrils in remembrance and said,

 

“The liquor here is really good. It’s the only place that tastes as good as the stuff they make at the palace.”

 

Mikhail said, “But it looks very expensive here.”

 

Sandra nodded.

 

“Yeah, you’ll look like a beggar after just one night of drinking.”

 

Lam nodded proudly at their concern.

 

“That’s right, that’s why I don’t come often either, but tonight I’ll drink to my heart’s content, and since it’s an official dinner, you’ll be the one to pay the bill!”

 

Artia smirked as she realized she was the center of attention.

 

“That’s right, you can drink to your heart’s content today.”

 

The bubbly words in her sweet voice were met with a roar of “Oooooh!” and a roar of joy.

 

They drank and chattered.

 

Artia was in the middle of it all.

 

She’d had a few dinners like this in preparation for the show, and it was nothing like the banquets she’d had with the ladies.

 

There was no hierarchy, no sense of decorum.

 

They just drank, laughed, and talked.

 

Artia found the atmosphere quite enjoyable.

 

People flocked around her.

 

The duke’s daughter and the head of the company, but not at all scary, Artia was very popular with the troupe.

 

“Ms. President, I bought a new hairpin yesterday. How do you like it?”

 

“Wow, it looks great on you, Nana.”

 

“My wife said she’s a big fan of yours, so I made some cookies and sent them to you.”

 

“Oh, my gosh, thank you.”

 

As Artia chatted with people, there was one person sitting next to her who was staring at her, and it was Luca.

 

Sipping his apple juice, Luca was unusually agitated.

 

It was because of what he had seen earlier.

 

‘My lady, what is your relationship with the prince?’

 

He knew Killian had a thing for Artia.

 

Long ago, he had bared his heart to Luca.

 

At the time, he was simply afraid of him.

 

But today was different.

 

When he saw Artia smile at Killian, his heart sank, and at the same time, he felt something he’d never felt before in his life.

 

He hated Killian, and he envied him.

 

Then Artia turned her head toward Luca.

 

“By the way, Luca. I’ve learned a fun trick, would you like to close your eyes for a moment and count to ten?”

 

“Sure!”

 

It was a silly thing to say, but Luca immediately closed his eyes and started counting.

 

Ten.

 

Luca could count to ten for the rest of his life if Artia had her way.

 

“Ten…”

 

When Luca opened his eyes, Artia was standing in front of him, holding a large cake.

 

Before he knew it, the whole crowd was shouting.

 

“Happy birthday, Luca!”

 

“……!”

 

Luca didn’t know exactly when he was born, only his age.

 

Norma loved her grandson, but she didn’t have time to keep track of such things.

 

Looking at Luca’s stunned face, Artia said,

 

“Today is the day of the nobles’ debutante ball, and as of today, you’ll actually turn eighteen and become an adult, so I’ve organized a surprise for you.”

 

“…….”

 

Luca was speechless.

 

It was the first birthday greeting he’d ever received.

 

Mikhail and Sandra giggled at his reddened eyes.

 

“The little one is crying, crying.”

 

“Eighteen is an adult on paper, but he’s still old enough to cry.”

 

Luca’s eyes widened at that.

 

“No, I’m not crying!”

 

It was a happy day. He never wanted to cry.

 

Artia smiled at Luca’s pursed lips and pushed the cake forward.

 

“Blow out the candles and make a wish for what you want to be when you grow up, and the goddess will bless you to fulfill your dream.”

 

Dream…

 

Luca had never thought about such things before.

 

It was a luxury to wish for something when he was so desperate to get through the day.

 

But now…

 

Luca looked at the people surrounding him.

 

Artia, Lam, Mikhail, Sandra…, all wonderful people, were looking at him with warm eyes.

 

It was a miracle he had never dared to look at before.

 

He thought, ‘So many people care about me, tell me I’m cool, tell me I’m good, tell me I’m amazing.’

 

If he wants something, and he works for it, he can get it, right?

 

For the first time in his life, Luca made a wish.

 

‘I want to be a good man, one who can stand proudly beside his master.’

 

Luca prayed fervently and blew out the candle.

 

The crowd cheered and applauded.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Mikhail looked at Lukca and said, “What’s the matter with you?”

 

Luca was blushing and singing with a giggle.

 

Sandra lifted the glass in front of Luca, sniffed it, and frowned.

 

“This isn’t juice, it’s alcohol. Who’s been feeding him this?”

 

“Me!”

 

Lam raised his hands in the air.

 

Holding a bottle in each hand, Lam chuckled.

 

“It’s his birthday, he’s a big boy now, he should drink, why wouldn’t he drink something so good!”

 

Mikhail arched an eyebrow.

 

“That drunkard. I should have put him in the corner.”

 

As Mikhail wondered if he should move it now to prevent it from harming others, Luca said.

 

“Brother.”

 

“Why do you call me brother, you growing drunken dreamer?”

 

“Can I call you big brother just once, Mikhail, because whenever your brothers come to visit and call you big brother, I’m so jealous.”

 

“…….”

 

Mikhail’s eyes widened at the unexpected comment, and he scratched his chin.

 

“Whatever.”

 

Luca grinned, as if he’d been waiting for this.

 

“Mikhail!”

 

At that moment, Mikhail clutched at his chest.

 

“First-born, I knew it, but he’s so cute!”

 

Sandra, who was standing next to them, interrupted.

 

“Me too, call me big sister!”

 

Luca was happy to grant her request.

 

“Big Sis Sandra.”

 

Luca smiled shyly, his face slightly red, and Sandra burst out laughing.

 

“I’m ditching the Northern Grand duke and going to Shine!”

 

Lam said as he pushed Sandra away and approached Luca.

 

“What about me?!”

 

“One older brother, one older sister. So I’m like an uncle, right?!”

 

“The director.” Luca said, looking at Lam with a strange sense of anticipation.

 

“No, why do you think I’m the same director…”

 

Luca leaned in and kissed Lam on the cheek.

 

Then he rolled his eyes and said,

 

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for teaching me from one to ten. I will never forget this favor for the rest of my life.”

 

“…….”

 

It was a fact known to only a few people, but Lam had never been in a relationship before now, as his work was his life.

 

Not even making out.

 

For him, Luca’s kiss was an intense stimulus.

 

“Why, why is my heart racing? Did I never know I was into that kind of thing?

 

Sending Lam into the panic of a lifetime, Luca rose from his chair and turned to Artia.