The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 57

“How do you know that?”

 

“You may not remember, but I have seen you at many banquets.”

 

A prince and a princess from the same country, so they attended the same banquets from a very young age.

 

Though their paths rarely crossed, as young Killian was surrounded by people in the brightest places and young Artia was in the darkest.

 

“No matter how much delicious food was laid out on the banquet table, His Highness would always eat the chocolate cake.”

 

Few and often, not often enough.

 

After seeing it many times, it became second nature.

 

Unknown to many, His Highness has a sweet tooth.

 

“…….”

 

After a long moment, Killian spoke.

 

“Were you looking at me?”

 

Artia waved her hand in disbelief, sensing the oddity of the question.

 

“I was never looking at you, I just happened to glance at you a few times!”

 

Definitely not the kind of woman Killian despises – women who admire or desire him!

 

He even said things he didn’t have to say to make his point.

 

“I like people who are cheerful and kind!”

 

Artia’s eyes snapped to Nocturne. Nocturne’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

For a moment, there was a breathtaking silence in the beautiful room.

 

Nocturne looked at Killian and cried out.

 

“I did wrong!”

 

He wasn’t sure what he had done wrong, but he decided it was time to hang his head like a criminal.

 

For Killian’s eyes, which had seemed unusually cheerful a moment ago, had turned colder than ice.

 

“We can’t do that, we have guests, so let’s change the mood somehow.”

 

Nocturne grabbed the teapot for dear life.

 

“I’ll pour you some tea.”

 

One cup for Killian, one for Artia.

 

Nocturne poured the tea with the grace of a maid.

 

Artia’s eyes widened as she raised the cup to her mouth.

 

“This is…!”

 

It was carrot tea, orange in color and full of carrot flavor and aroma.

 

As far as she knew, not many people had the eccentric taste to drink this kind of tea.

 

Artia’s eyes twinkled as she wondered if it was a colleague.

 

“Does His Highness also like carrots?”

 

“Not really.”

 

“Then why are you making carrot tea…”

 

“Because I’ve seen you drink it.”

 

“…….”

 

‘When?’

 

At a banquet in the Imperial Palace, in honor of the most bountiful carrot harvest ever, there were a whole bunch of desserts made with carrots.

 

Carrot tea, carrot cake, carrot ice cream.

 

Artia’s head snapped up and she looked ecstatically at the orange feast on the table.

 

People didn’t seem to like it, but strangely enough, at every imperial banquet after that day, there was at least one dessert made with carrots.

 

Artia devoured every carrot dessert, despite the stares she received.

 

“I didn’t think anyone would know about this…”

 

There was one person who did.

 

Even the guy she thought was standing farthest away from her.

 

“…….”

 

Her chest felt weird.

 

It felt tight, then it felt ticklish.

 

Artia looked at Killian with confused emotions, then said to herself, ‘Stop thinking about it and drink the carrot tea,’ and swallowed hard.

 

‘The flavor and aroma of rich carrots are still there. It’s so delicious…’

 

Artia’s cheeks flushed.

 

Watching, Killian dipped the tip of his chocolate cake and popped it into his mouth.

 

‘Sweet as hell.’

 

It was perfect for his taste.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Catherine sighs when she sees the receipt that Artia has paid off her debt.

 

“Thank goodness…”

 

Seeing Artia’s blank stare, Catherine held out a box.

 

She opened it to reveal a box full of shiny gold coins.

 

Artia raised an eyebrow.

 

“What is this?”

 

“I’ve wanted to give it to you for a long time, but you wouldn’t meet me, so I’m giving it to you now. I don’t know how I got the money, but it shouldn’t be too hard, so take it.”

 

Artia remembered Vivi’s words when she had returned to the mansion.

 

“Godmother wrote letters here and there, trying to borrow money, though I don’t think many people were willing to lend, knowing that she was involved with Baron Rushan, and she got rid of all the clothes and jewelry she had.”

 

Suddenly, Artia understood.

 

Catherine had always been glamorous, but now she wore no jewelry.

 

Surprisingly, even the ring that had always shone on her fourth finger was nowhere to be seen.

 

The wedding ring, set with the finest diamonds and engraved with the Edenberg seal, had been her treasure…

 

“Did you sell the ring?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Artia’s expression hardened.

 

“Why now?”

 

“…….”

 

“You wanted me to marry Simone, that’s why you borrowed the money so fearlessly.”

 

Catherine nodded, her face distorted.

 

“That’s true, but I want you to know this. I really thought he was a decent bridegroom: young, gentle, and above all, rich.”

 

Noble marriages are more about conditions than love anyway, because love wears off after a few years, but money doesn’t.

 

Artia might not like it now, but in time she’ll be glad she married Simone.

 

Catherine sincerely thought so.

 

But when she saw Artia’s anger at her and said, “How can this be?”

 

She knew she made a terrible mistake.

 

“I’ve done wrong, can’t you forgive me just this once?” Catherine said, her voice shaking.

 

Artia looked at Catherine with a blank face, then spoke.

 

“When my father brought you to me, it was awkward, but I liked you.”

 

“This beautiful woman is going to be my mother?”

Young Aria’s pink eyes sparkled.

But despite her excitement, Catherine was indifferent to her.

As if she were someone else’s child who had nothing to do with her.

Still, Artia was happy to have her.

 

“I was grateful that my father said something to me when he spanked me, that he didn’t think it was right to hit a girl like that. I was relieved that he told me it wasn’t something to cry about, that it was something to celebrate. I was glad he took me to the dress shop when I was getting ready for the debutante ball and picked out a pretty dress.”

 

Her calm voice became increasingly emotional.

 

“I thought you and I were family, even if we weren’t related by blood, even if we weren’t mother and daughter.”

 

Not very supportive, but occasionally checking in and praying for each other’s well-being.

 

“And then you tried to sell me to a man with nothing but money.”

 

“Like I said, that was…”

 

“Stop saying you did it for my happiness, you just coveted the jewels that would fall from my marriage.”

 

“…….”

 

Catherine couldn’t deny the words.

 

For it was true.

 

Anything she could say would be an excuse. She tried to pull Artia away.

 

By now, tears were welling up in the corners of her eyes, and Artia’s heart sank.

 

But it wasn’t enough to erase her deep disappointment.

 

Artia lowered her eyes and said.

 

“Go back and stay out of my marriage.”

 

Her voice was cold as ice.

 

Catherine covered her eyes.

 

She didn’t want to show her tears; it was the least she could do as a mother in name only.

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

A few days later, Catherine left the mansion.

 

Artia sat in her room while Catherine paid for her carriage ride.

 

She didn’t say goodbye on purpose; she resented her too much for that.

 

She must be gone now.

 

Just as she thought that the door opened, and Catherine appeared.

 

Sweat pooled on her forehead from running, she called out.

 

“I will try!”

 

“…….”

 

“I will do everything I can until you forgive me. And when that time has passed, and you’ve made up your mind… will you call me mother again?”

 

She tried to say no, firmly.

 

But when she saw the tears in Catherine’s eyes, she couldn’t.

 

“I thought you would just leave me, but you didn’t.”

 

Such a desperate look on the face of a woman who used to speak so bluntly.