The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 52

The sun had set and the banquet was over.

 

The twinkling lanterns in the ballroom were extinguished, and people filed into their assigned rooms.

 

As soon as Artia entered her room, she took off the cotton cloth she had been wearing all day.

 

“Wow, I think I’m going to die.”

 

The room came into view and Artia looked like a puppy without a leash.

 

It was Juliette’s room, where she’d been staying since the day, she’d arrived at the Blührens estate.

 

It was decorated with fresh flowers that she picked from the garden every morning.

 

As she looked at the flowers, now even more abundant for the wedding, she muttered to herself.

 

“This will be the last time I sleep in this room.”

 

After the wedding, Julie leaves the mansion with the Count of Missoula. This was the last scene in Humphrey’s script.

 

It was a perfect ending, but she felt heavy.

 

“Will my aunt be okay with me leaving?“

 

She thought of the pictures of Helen she had seen in the last few days.

 

The poor woman holding Artia’s hand, looking at her like she was the most precious treasure in the world…

 

“I’m going crazy.”

 

Artia threw open the window in frustration and screamed. Killian was standing on the terrace outside the window.

 

“Wha-what are you doing here?”

 

To Artia’s horror, Kilian replied in a calm voice.

 

“You told me to come.”

 

That’s right, she did.

 

Artia whispered to Killian just before the banquet ended.

 

“Please come to my room later. I have something to tell you.”

 

…But she didn’t mean for him to come like a thief.

 

Artia glanced at Killian, who was standing stiffly on the terrace, his face full of energy.

 

“Do you have a hobby of jumping through windows, by any chance?”

 

A hobby.

 

Killian remembered entering Artia’s room in the form of a black cat.

 

She’d greet him with a bright smile and…

 

“You look at me like I’m a criminal who shouldn’t be here.”

 

He was a little offended, but he didn’t show it.

 

“Count Humphrey has placed a servant at my door.”

 

“A servant?”

 

“Yes, ostensibly for my service, but there’s a real reason. Apparently he doesn’t like me.”

 

“So my uncle has a servant to keep an eye on you…”

 

Killian’s appearance under the bright full moon was breathtaking and scary at the same time.

 

Like a vampire sinking his mouth into a woman’s neck and sucking her blood.

 

Artia nodded. “I see. Yes, it could be like that.”

 

“What could it be?”

 

“Nothing, just come in.”

 

Killian was standing so comfortably that she didn’t bother to look up, but this was the fourth floor.

 

No matter how comfortable he was on the battlefield, a fall from here would hurt him badly.

 

He wouldn’t have made it this far if he didn’t have the motor skills to fall…

 

Still, she couldn’t put him in danger.

 

Killian stared at Artia’s white hand extended in front of him, then jerked his head and stepped into the room.

 

His movements were as light as a cat’s.

 

It seems the room is big enough for only one person.

 

Kilian said to Artia, who lowered her hand, suddenly awed by his presence.

 

“What do you want to talk about?”

 

Artia opened her mouth carefully.

 

“Let me assure you in advance that I have no intention of belittling or criticizing you for not liking women, for people have different tastes and inclinations.”

 

He paused, his golden eyes looking down at Artia.

 

“But the problem is that we’re getting married tomorrow.”

 

Today was the eve, so they could just stand next to each other, but it wasn’t a wedding.

 

Even a fake one had to follow basic formalities…

 

“We have to make physical contact.”

 

“……!”

 

“Can you do that?”

 

The pink eyes were serious and eager.

 

Killian stared into them, then slowly opened his mouth.

 

“I’m not some madman who doesn’t know what’s going on and does whatever he wants.”

 

He could be cruel and arrogant because he had to be.

 

When it mattered, which was rarely in his life, he put his emotions aside and acted rationally. It was the way he was trained.

 

“Do what needs to be done, whatever it is.”

 

“I know, I just saw it with my own eyes.”

 

“…….”

 

“Still, making out is a delicate matter, especially with you. So…”

 

Artia said seriously.

 

“Why don’t you practice now? No matter how much you don’t like something, practicing makes it better.”

 

“…….”

 

A stunned silence fell over the room.

 

Artia clutched the hem of her skirt.

 

‘Am I asking too much?’

 

But she wants to be sweet and happy tomorrow, if only for her aunt’s sake.

 

Artia looked up at Killian with pleading eyes.

 

She did not know. That his lips had dried from the unexpected attack.

 

After a moment, Killian parted his lips.

 

“Yes, let’s do it.”

 

“Really?”

 

“What’s so hard about it?”

 

Killian’s bravado faltered and he gave her an arrogant look.

 

Artia smiled brightly.

 

“Thank you…”

 

Artia’s eyes fell on Killian’s hand.

 

Artia was a virgin who hadn’t even made it through her first night, but she had been married many times before.

 

At least she was better off than that horrible misogynistic crown prince.

 

It’s not as hard as holding a man’s hand.

 

She thought…

 

‘Why is my heart beating so hard? Is it because I’m afraid my throat will be blown off if I touch him wrong? Fear of touching a roaring beast?!’

 

But she’d come this far and she couldn’t back down.

 

Artia plucked up the courage to place her finger on the tip of Killian’s second finger.

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

A stifling silence settled over the room.

 

Artia asked, her voice tense with nervousness. “What do you think?”

 

‘Does it disgust you, as if a hundred-legged bug had touched you, and make you want to crush it and burn it? If so, tell me quickly. Because I don’t want to go off the deep end at this young age.’

 

After a long pause, the answer came.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

His voice sounded as if she’d pressed something hard, and Artia turned to look at Killian.

 

His beautiful, arrogant face hardened slightly.

 

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

 

“Yes, I am. More.”

 

“…Then excuse me for a few more.”

 

Artia gathered her courage and placed her hand over Killian’s. Little by little, she increased the overlap.

 

“Your hands are so big. The veins are bulging and…”

 

His hands, perfectly manicured yet wild at the same time, spoke volumes about the man Killian of Orpheus was.

 

A prince in the absolute trust of the Emperor.

 

But a man who spent long hours on the bloody battlefields, not in the comfort of the imperial palace.

 

A man so beautiful and strong that he could command all the women in the world, yet he hates women with a passion.

 

A Curious Man…

 

Before he knew it, Artia’s hand had covered the back of his hand.

 

Artia looked up.

 

Killian’s face wore a more troubled expression than before.

 

But he didn’t look angry. Nor did he look offended.

 

If anything, he looked more like…

 

The door opened with a loud bang.

 

“……!”

 

Artia turned her head in surprise.

 

It was Helen who had stepped through the open door.

 

The look on Helen’s face made Artia realize that she was taking the situation seriously, and she quickly pulled her hand away from Killian.

 

“Mom, I didn’t do anything strange, I was just having a conversation with Count Missoula because he said he had something to tell me…”

 

Before Artia could finish her sentence, Helen shouted.

 

“No!”

 

Helen shouted back, rushing forward and pulling Artia’s hand away hard.

 

“No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No!”

 

Before she knew it, Humphrey was chasing after her in a panic.

 

Humphrey tried to calm Helen down, but she swatted his hand away and shouted.

 

“No, Julie!!!!”

 

With one final scream, Helen’s breath caught in her throat, and she collapsed like an unwrapped doll.