The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 65

She can still understand the former instructions, but not the latter.

 

Carrots, she realized, would be a very unpopular ingredient, and she was sure her guests would not approve.

 

But the maid kept her mouth shut.

 

She’d been in the palace long enough to know that the king had changed many times.

 

When the emperor gives an order, you must obey without question. No matter how crazy and outrageous it might be.

 

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

 

Nocturne, who had watched the whole thing from behind Killian’s back, thought with a smile.

 

‘Or better yet, have them write the words “Welcome Artia von Edenberg” in large letters and hang them in front of the ballroom, Your Majesty.’

 

 

* * *

 

 

Artia started getting ready early in the morning for the tea party that would begin in the afternoon.

 

As she sat in front of the mirror with her hands clasped together, Vivi stood behind her.

 

Vivi’s usually calm face showed an unusual amount of tension.

 

It was the job of a dedicated maid to prepare a lady. It had been Vivi who had dressed Artia for each of her outings.

 

But today’s outing was different.

 

A tea party at the palace!

 

It was her duty to take Artia’s beauty to the extreme.

 

Artia smirked at Vivi, who looked ten times more serious than usual and exuded a fearsome aura.

 

“Vivi, do you realize how you look right now? You look like a servant serving a knight going to war, not a lady going to a banquet.”

 

“My apologies.”

 

But despite her words, Vivi’s nervousness didn’t ease in the slightest.

 

Since childhood, Vivi had dreamed of serving a beautiful lady, and she had studied books in her spare time, including one on makeup and fashion.

 

But as a hunter’s daughter, Vivi’s access to information was limited.

 

After becoming Artia’s personal maid, she received specialized training, but her skills were still far from perfect.

 

In this manor alone, there were many maids who were more skilled than Vivi.

 

But she didn’t ask them for help for one reason.

 

“I want to decorate my master with my own hands, not someone else’s.”

 

This was the burning desire of Vivi, who was often called a rock for her calmness.

 

“Then let’s get started.”

 

With those determined words, Vivi grabbed the cosmetics.

 

Her thick fingers, which could punch a bear, began to move delicately as if she were playing a piano.

 

As Vivi applied the makeup, Artia thought to herself.

 

‘Vivi’s face is ten times more stern than usual.’

 

It was the kind of face that would bring anyone to their knees saying, “You’re wrong!” but to Artia, it was…

 

‘Nice.’

 

Often ignored because of her blurred features, Artia gazed at Vivi in ecstasy.

 

Vivi was too focused to notice.

 

Three hours later, Artia’s makeover was complete.

 

Vivi, who hadn’t blinked the entire time, looked at Artia.

 

“It’s not bad enough to be judged, but I didn’t do enough to dramatically enhance your beauty.”

 

Just as Vivi was about to frown, Artia looked in the mirror and smiled.

 

“Wow, I look so pretty.”

 

“……!”

 

“You’ve gotten a lot better in the meantime, Vivi, that’s great.”

 

“…….”

 

Her face was so expressionless that it showed nothing, but Vivi’s heart was pounding.

 

The heart that hadn’t flinched when she’d left home, trapped by her father, who would never allow her to become a maid, thumped in her chest as she stood before Artia.

 

The tips of her ears reddened, Vivi said, “I’ll make it more beautiful next time.”

 

“Yes, I look forward to it.”

 

Artia replied with a smile and twirled around with the hem of her skirt.

 

As if she really liked the way she looked.

 

 

* * *

 

 

The Imperial Palace. 

 

 

Artia stood nervously at the massive doors of the ballroom.

 

She’d attended many banquets at the palace, but she didn’t have any fond memories.

 

Her father had raged, Lloyd had sneered, and the people had ignored her.

 

With her head bowed low, Artia wished she could just get out of here as soon as possible.

 

“So it is. This beautifully decorated door looks like the entrance to hell.”

 

The rejection was etched deep into Artia’s soul.

 

“It’s okay, I’m not the same Artia. I can do this.”

 

Cheering herself on, Artia’s eyes widened as she stepped through the door.

 

The ballroom was decorated with pink flowers all around.

 

‘It’s beautiful…’

 

It was like spring had arrived.

 

But as soon as she was done admiring the flowers, the eyes of the women in the ballroom fell on her.

 

“Oh, my God, it’s Frau Edenberg. She hasn’t been seen since her divorce.”

 

“You said she was a different person, and she is. She always looks at the floor like she’s about to cry, but today she’s holding her head up high.”

 

Artia, who has better-than-normal hearing, heard all the women’s chatter.

 

“Excuse me, it’s rude to whisper to people,” she said.

 

“But was Mrs. Edenberg that pretty?”

 

They could say that all they wanted.

 

Artia smiled the social smile she’d practiced for days-not too much, not too little.

 

But no one seemed to notice her smile. If they even made eye contact with her, they looked away awkwardly.

 

It wasn’t just that they didn’t know her; the ladies had ignored her, and some had even mocked her outright.

 

They felt awkward and frightened by her transformation into someone else.

 

‘It won’t be easy to say hello…’

 

Just as Artia’s shoulders were about to drop in frustration, she heard a cheerful voice.

 

“Artia!”

 

It was Penelope in her yellow dress.

 

Penelope grasped Artia’s hand and smiled brightly.

 

“You’re early. It’s so good to see you in the ballroom!”

 

It was a strange thing.

 

Penelope had just appeared, and the loneliness of feeling like she was the only one in the world had vanished, and she felt like the whole world was on her side.

 

Artia smiled brightly.

 

“Yeah, me too.”

 

As Artia and Penelope smiled at each other, several women approached them.

 

“Pepe!”

 

The women who had come to greet Penelope turned to Artia and looked surprised.

 

“Eh, why is Frau Edenberg here…”

 

The women had seen Artia a few times before but had never exchanged a proper greeting.

 

Penelope was about to break the awkward ice when Artia spoke up.

 

“A pleasure, Mrs. McKeela, Mrs. Casey.”

 

The women’s eyes widened.

 

Artia was from a prestigious family, the Dukes of Edenberg, and the subject of a recent divorce that had shaken the empire.

 

The two women, on the other hand, were just another noblewoman, one of those people who had more strangers than acquaintances.

 

‘I can’t believe Frau Edenberg knows my name…’

 

Artia smiled at the surprised women.

 

“Mrs. McKeela, the tulips in your hair are very pretty, I heard that Baron McKeela’s tulip garden is picturesque, were they grown there?”

 

“I see Mrs. Casey’s necklace is in the shape of a swan, the symbol of the Casey family, and it suits your elegant lady very well.”

 

The women’s faces flushed at the string of words.

 

It was always nice to be complimented on one’s family name, the pride of nobility. Especially when it came from someone you didn’t expect.

 

The ladies replied, looking much more relaxed than they had a moment ago.

 

“You look very beautiful today, Frau Edenberg.”

 

It worked!

 

Artia let out an inward cheer.

 

After so many years away from socializing, Artia naturally didn’t know much about the ladies.

 

It was only after several days of Penelope’s lectures that she was able to recite information about them.

 

“Well done, student!

 

Penelope gave Artia a thumbs-up.

 

“Thank you, Master!

 

Artia made a heart-shaped gesture toward Penelope.

 

Artia had successfully struck up a conversation with the ladies when they all stopped talking at once.

 

Not just them, but all the women in the ballroom looked in the same direction with the same expression.

 

Artia turned her head, too.

 

There were three women who were just entering the ballroom. They were the Flower Ladies.