The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 66

Artia took in the three women one by one, recalling the information she had memorized.

 

“Marigold von Golgus.”

 

The woman with the wavy orange hair and sharp features was covered in sparkling diamonds.

 

As gorgeous as she was, she was surprisingly inconspicuous in social circles until a few years ago. She was Baron Reiner’s favorite.

 

Marigold’s position changed at the age of twenty when she married Count Golgus.

 

Count Golgus was a fabulously wealthy man with dozens of diamond mines, twelve years older than Marigold, and a five-year-old daughter.

 

Despite marrying a widower and leaving Josie the mother of a five-year-old, their marriage was a success.

 

She became a wealthy countess and her social standing was instantly elevated.

 

“Dahlia von Gregg.”

 

With her long, straight, black hair elegantly framed by a simple green dress, the woman exuded a sense of sobriety and nobility.

 

She had the intellectual air of someone from a prestigious family with generations of high-ranking officials.

 

Finally…

 

“Freesia von Elysium.”

 

The woman with shimmering golden hair and sparkling emerald eyes was otherworldly beautiful.

 

Her nickname was Princess Freesia.

 

It wasn’t just a nickname, she was a real princess.

 

Her homeland, Palenta, was a very small nation compared to the Empire, but her princess lineage was enough to attract attention.

 

Add to that her looks, her grace, her personality, her manners, and everything else, and she quickly became the center of attention.

 

‘You’re still beautiful…’

 

Artia looked at Freesia and remembered something from the past.

 

Years ago, Lloyd had seen her at a banquet and had been impressed.

 

“As rumored, you have a beautiful wife, Count Elysium.”

 

“Thank you. The Duke has a beautiful wife as well.”

 

At Count Elysium’s words, Lloyd looked at Artia, who bowed her head beside him, and burst out laughing.

 

“Pooh-hah! You’re playing a funny joke. Lady Elysium and my wife are as different as a flower in a garden and a weed in the street.”

 

It wasn’t the first time she’d been insulted, but the moment was too much to bear.

 

Artia ran to a corner of the ballroom and burst into tears.

 

Then she heard footsteps behind her.

 

She looked up and saw Freesia staring at her.

 

“I’m sorry,” she said, “I didn’t know there were guests here.”

 

How ugly she must look to this beautiful woman.

 

As Artia bit her lip in shame, Freesia held out a white handkerchief.

 

She spoke in a soft voice.

 

“Men sometimes hurt people with their words, don’t they?”

 

There was no dismissal, no contempt, no condescension, not even a hint of superiority in her emerald eyes.

 

There was only sincere comfort.

 

I haven’t spoken to you since that day, but I’ve always wanted to talk to you when I had the chance.

 

Then her eyes met Freesia’s, who was standing off to the side.

 

Artia’s eyes fluttered open in a friendly gesture of greeting. But Freesia jerked her head away.

 

“……?”

 

Artia was confused.

 

She thought maybe Freesia didn’t remember, it had been so brief.

 

But she’s such a sweetheart, she thought she’d laugh at her, but she can’t believe she reacted like that…

 

“Does she hate me?”

 

 

* * *

 

 

Tea parties at the Imperial Palace were for royalty and noblewomen to socialize.

 

The imperial family was supposed to be there, but the empress didn’t show up, claiming she wasn’t feeling well.

 

As was often the case, the ladies didn’t pay much attention to her absence and focused on the purpose of today’s banquet.

 

To socialize, that is, to make friends.

 

The ladies knew whom to befriend.

 

The ladies flocked to the Flower Ladies.

 

“You’re very popular, I hear.”

 

Artia sat a few feet away and listened.

 

She wanted to hear what these women had to say that attracted so much attention.

 

Marigold sighed, revealing the jewelry that covered her entire body.

 

“Hah~ My husband was kind enough to give me all of them, but they are heavy to wear.”

 

The women around Marigold looked delighted.

 

“It’s certainly big enough, I’ve never seen a diamond this big before.”

 

“It’s not just the size, it’s the color, the brilliance, the sparkle.”

 

The women’s compliments made Marigold’s cheeks swell.

 

Her spirits lifted, Marigold said, “Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll talk to my husband and see if I can get you some at a special discount.”

 

“Oh my God, really?!” The woman exclaimed.

 

A conversation ensued about the latest fashionable dresses, headdresses, and cosmetics.

 

Although the conversation is light, it’s a topic that many noblewomen would find interesting.

 

Of course, there were many women who looked at Marigold with jealousy, but if she counted that as interest, the amount of attention she received was enormous.

 

Artia nodded in agreement and turned her attention to Dahlia.

 

The women gathered around Dahlia had a completely different vibe than the ones next to Marigold.

 

They were quiet and polite.

 

“Have you seen Earl Greco’s new work?”

 

Dahlia nodded.

 

“Yes, I have, and I’m impressed by his deep study of gods and men, especially his interpretation of prayers to the gods.”

 

Dahlia began to recount her appreciation of the book in a quiet tone.

 

Artia liked to read as well, but her tastes were not in that genre, but in romance novels.

 

Classified as undignified and inferior by the nobility.

 

She would never think so, but…

 

Still, there were certain works that were recognized among the nobility, and Dahlia was very knowledgeable and eloquent about them.

 

The ladies listened intently, like students in a professor’s class, as Dahlia spoke.

 

‘I can see why she is considered one of the most intelligent ladies.’

 

Artia nodded and turned her head again.

 

She saw Freesia, surrounded by more women than the previous two.

 

Freesia’s conversation was not as characteristic as Marigold’s or Dahlia’s.

 

It was mundane and ordinary.

 

And yet they can’t take their eyes off her.

 

It was admiration.

 

For an elegant, beautiful, exotic princess.

 

Artia has no such charm.

 

Artia was pretty, but not in a dazzling way.

 

She had no glittering wealth like Marigold, no deep knowledge like Dahlia.

 

All she had was the name of Duke of Edenberg, and now that was hardly enough to attract the attention of a woman.

 

But I have a weapon that no one else here has.

 

Artia looked at Penelope.

 

Their eyes met, and Penelope nodded, her voice clear.

 

“Artia, many people are curious about your divorce. Can you tell us about it?”

 

Although it had cooled down from the immediate aftermath of the divorce, the Duchess of Edenberg’s divorce was still the most shocking event in social circles.

 

As if to prove it, the eyes of the women in the ballroom turned to Artia at once.

 

Just as she had hoped.

 

‘Let’s tell a story that people can’t help but hear. Something so entertaining and interesting that they’ll be curious to know more about me.’

 

It was Artia’s way of attracting the attention of noblewomen after two decades of enjoying being alone in her room.

 

 

* * *

 

 

While the topic of divorce was on everyone’s minds, she didn’t want to delve into personal details.

 

Instead, she focuses on the divorce proceedings, sprinkling in the details of what happened between Artia and Lloyd.

 

“After I decided that I had to get a divorce, I sent a petition to the Imperial Court, and fortunately they understood my desperation and accepted it immediately.”

 

I left out the part about Killian’s help because it would have been too controversial.

 

Despite the omission of many of the titillating details of the marriage, the noblewomen had no choice but to listen to Artia’s voice.

 

Divorce itself was an exotic and interesting subject.