The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 56

Seeing Shylock’s distorted face, Artia continued.

 

“I’m not in the mood for a long conversation, so let’s get this over with. I’ve paid back the money, and this tiresome, awful relationship is over.”

 

Artia pulled out the loan documents Shylock had given her and tore them into shreds.

 

Shylock, coming out of his reverie, said impatiently.

 

“If you marry Simone, I’ll give you twice that amount as a dowry. I’ll put you up in a mansion in the capital, and I’ll arrange the most lavish ceremony in the realm, and the finest offerings. If this is not enough, let me know and I’ll do whatever is necessary.”

 

For Shylock, who valued money more than life itself, to say such a thing meant that he really wanted Artia and Simone to marry.

 

But Artia spoke in a cold, unemotional voice.

 

“All I want is to never see you, your brother, or any of those disgusting Rushan men again.”

 

With that, Artia left the room and opened her eyes wide.

 

Simone was standing there.

 

He was dressed from head to toe and had a look of remembrance on his face.

 

“Mrs. Edenberg, it’s been a long time.”

 

Artia looked at Simone, who greeted her shyly, unaware of what had happened in the room.

 

“I meant it when I said you were sweet and a good man, but not anymore.”

 

“……!”

 

“You’re a stupid, cowardly, ugly man, Simone von Rushan.”

 

Simone’s face fell in shock.

 

But instead of comforting him, Artia drove another wedge.

 

“Why? Are you going to come crying to your brother again?”

 

Simone’s face contorted in humiliation and shame.

 

Whether he did or not, Artia walked past him, her face expressionless.

 

As they left the mansion, the sky opened into a vivid blue.

 

Artia, who had looked cold as ice a moment before, was now smiling brightly.

 

“Wow, that’s refreshing.”

 

Vivi, a beat behind, handed Artia a piece of paper.

 

“This is a receipt that you paid back the loan in full.”

 

“I thought he would refuse to give it to me, but surprisingly he gave it to me.”

 

He didn’t. Vivi just made him give it to her.

 

Shylock wasn’t the only one who was good at threatening people to get things.

 

But Vivi didn’t bother to say that.

 

“He must have realized the terrible power of my master.”

 

At the word “terrifying power,” Artia’s jester’s face lifted.

 

“As far as I’m concerned, I did pretty well today.”

 

But after a moment of smugness, Artia’s face turned grim.

 

As important as the debt was, perhaps even more important, there was still work to be done.

 

 

* * *

 

 

The Imperial Palace. 

 

Killian and Artia sat facing each other.

 

Her head bowed before him, Artia was sweating profusely. She looked nothing like the woman she had shown Shylock earlier.

 

In the breathless silence, Killian spoke first.

 

“I’m surprised the bride who left her groom has returned.”

 

His voice was cold.

 

Artia swallowed hard, wanting to turn and run.

 

“I’m sorry I didn’t say hello and left before you.”

 

“No need to apologize, the wedding was called off, but you got paid handsomely, double what you were supposed to get… Good for you.”

 

“…….”

 

After enduring the suffocating silence, Artia suddenly felt resentful.

 

‘Why do I have to go down like a sinner?’

 

She felt bad for leaving without telling him, but it wouldn’t have mattered if it hadn’t been for Killian.

 

Artia gathered her courage and spoke.

 

“I understand that you’re unhappy, but you came to me in the first place because you wanted to, and if you’re going to blame me for that, I’m not going to let you…”

 

Resentful, troubled, angry?

 

But the next words threw Killian off all expectations.

 

“I’m scared.”

 

“……!”

 

Killian’s perfect face cracked.

 

One of his eyebrows shot up in annoyance.

 

“What did I do?”

 

Killian had told Artia what had happened at Blührens Manor, and he hadn’t blamed her. Nor was he angry.

 

Still, Artia was…

 

“I’m sorry, but you have an unfortunate nickname.”

 

‘A mad king will not hesitate to slit the throats of those who offend him.’

 

It was a phrase not unknown to anyone in the empire.

 

“That’s—”

 

Before Killian could reply, Artia’s hand came into his line of sight.

 

The two white hands clasped together trembled slightly.

 

His heart sank when he realized what it was.

 

Killian scowled and muttered.

 

“What the hell do you think I am…”

 

He let out a small sigh and ran a hand through his hair.

 

“Let’s not talk about this.”

 

“……Really?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Artia’s hands stopped shaking.

 

Killian’s brow furrowed even more, as if he couldn’t believe how relieved he was to see that.

 

Artia clenched her fists tightly, even as her heart pounded again.

 

His Majesty said to stop first, so he won’t do anything scary…

 

Artia plucked up the courage to say what she really wanted to say.

 

“Your Majesty…”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Artia turned to Killian, who stammered out a somewhat stilted reply.

 

“I was so pleased that you traveled so far to help me when my mother and even my relatives were not on my side.”

 

Even though she didn’t get any real help from him, she was still grateful, and he offered to lend her some money.

 

So she brought him a small gift.

 

A gift. A word that doesn’t excite Killian in the least.

 

Dozens of people came to him every day, offering him tons of stuff.

 

But unlike usual, Killian’s golden eyes lit up.

 

Artia nervously held out… a chocolate cake so rich and sweet he could taste it in his eyes.

 

“Will you take it?”

 

 

* * *

 

 

Artia sat across from Killian.

 

At a table in a brightly decorated garden, not in the stark reality of a moment ago.

 

‘Why did this happen?!’

 

Artia thought back to what had happened earlier.

 

Kilian held the cake out to her as if it were a precious treasure.

 

“Let’s eat it together.”

 

“What?”

 

‘When did my ears go out?’

 

Killian’s voice continued as Artia blinked at him.

 

“Or are you going to leave me again and run away?”

 

“No! Of course not!”

 

And just like that, she found herself in a cake-eating predicament, sitting across from him.

 

‘If you’re such a horrible misogynist, why the hell are you with me?’

 

In her confusion, Artia was surprised again.

 

It was Nocturne, not the maid, who brought the teapot and cups.

 

He has a look on his face that says, “Why are you out, Mrs. Edenberg?”

 

Nocturne smiled gently.

 

“His Majesty Prince Killian does not accept the presence of anyone but me.”

 

And now she’s the only one dying.

 

Nocturne, who spoke only to himself in the presence of his superior, set the table with skillful dexterity.

 

Soon the table was set with an intricately patterned teapot and teacups and the chocolate cake Artia had brought.

 

Nocturne cut the round cake into perfect sixths and placed it in front of Killian and Artia.

 

“To be served by the eldest son of an earl and direct subordinate of His Highness the Prince…”

 

Nocturne’s eyes softened at the sight of Artia stiffening under the pressure.

 

“I’m just doing my job, so don’t worry about it and make yourself comfortable.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

Nocturne’s words calmed Artia, and she smiled in response.

 

“Why cake, and chocolate too?”

 

Artia turned her head at the sound of Killian’s voice.

 

The sight of him with his arms crossed in front of a chocolate cake was so out of place that it was frightening.

 

She’s sure the Evil One would look better than that, even if it was holding a sweet cherry in its hand.

 

Artia thought to herself and replied nonchalantly.

 

“I know you like chocolate cake.”

 

“……!”

 

At that moment, Killian’s eyes widened slightly. So did Nocturne, who was standing next to him even though he didn’t have a ticket.