The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 68

Artia couldn’t figure out what the question meant.

 

She looked puzzled, but answered dutifully.

 

“The maids were gracious and kind.”

 

“And?”

 

“The banquet hall was old-fashioned and breathtaking.”

 

“And?”

 

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Artia’s forehead at the persistent question mark.

 

There was something she wanted to hear, but she had no idea what it was.

 

It was then that Artia’s eyes caught sight of the pink flowers on the table.

 

‘No way…’

 

“I like the flowers in the banquet hall.”

 

At that moment, the corners of Killian’s expressionless mouth turned up.

 

That’s right!

 

But the joy was short-lived…

 

“Again?”

 

‘Again?!’

 

Artia had the urge to grab Killian by the neck and demand, “What the hell am I supposed to say?”

 

Fortunately, Killian spoke up before anything terrible could happen.

 

“Did the dessert hit you in the mouth?”

 

Artia’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. Artia blinked before answering.

 

“I’m sorry, but I can’t answer that.”

 

“Why? Did you not like it?”

 

“To be honest, I didn’t get to eat dssert because I was too worried about dealing with people.”

 

“…….”

 

Then why does His Highness have that look on his face?

 

 

Artia felt as if she had committed a great sin against him.

 

‘What was it? Did he make the dessert himself because his secret hobby is baking, or did he think the Imperial desserts were so delicious that he wanted to be recognized by others?’

 

None of these hypotheses suited Killian.

 

‘It is impossible to figure this man out.’

 

Instead of trying to figure out his intentions, Artia decided to do what she thought was best.

 

“Do you think we could try the dessert from the banquet now?”

 

“Eat now?”

 

“Yes, I’m afraid I haven’t had a bite yet, but I was actually wondering what the desserts at the palace tasted like.”

 

Correct!

 

Kilian subtly lifted the corner of his mouth, as if to ask when the grass had died.

 

 

Artia was surprised.

 

“There were so many desserts in the banquet hall today?”

 

The tables were filled with desserts of all shapes and sizes. It wasn’t just the quantity, but also the shape of each one.

 

“It’s almost too much to eat.”

 

But if she didn’t, she would be considered a traitor to the king.

 

Not wanting to do that, Artia dug her fork into the next cake.

 

‘I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but…’

 

But somehow it’s delicious, even if it’s horribly sweetened. So as not to offend the Mad King.

 

As she popped the cake into her mouth, meticulously planning, Artia’s eyes widened.

 

‘How can this taste like…’

 

A rich carrot taste with a subtle sweetness.

 

It was just the way she liked it.

 

Artia took another bite of cake, ecstatic, and then remembered her forgotten purpose.

 

‘Oh, I must give the king a proper response.’

 

Artia’s eyes widened as she turned to rave about the dessert before Killian shot her another scary look.

 

Killian was smiling.

 

It was a childlike, innocent smile that was neither arrogant nor creepy.

 

Artia stared at him, dumbfounded, then jerked her head away.

 

‘Seriously, did you really make this dessert yourself, and that’s why you’re smiling like that?’

 

Surprisingly, there was some truth to Artia’s thoughts.

 

 

Before the tea party, Killian ordered that all outgoing desserts be made with carrots, followed by further orders from the king.

 

“When the desserts are ready, bring them to me.”

 

The cooks pulled out all the stops to finish the desserts, as the emperor himself would be tasting them.

 

A few days later, a fresh-faced cook pointed to the desserts on the table and introduced them.

 

“Using the finest carrots, a specialty of the Kashan region, to maximize the sweetness of the carrots…blah blah blah…”

 

After listening patiently, Killian cut the cake with a graceful gesture and popped it into his mouth.

 

He swallowed the cake without changing his expression.

 

“I can barely taste the carrots, so increase the carrot content.”

 

“Your Majesty, carrots are a very controversial ingredient, and too much carrot taste might not be well received by your guests.

 

“You can’t be serious. You’re risking your life.”

 

“Yes, I will correct that.”

 

The chef leaned back and roared his answer.

 

After a few tastes, the dessert was served.

 

And among the palace cooks, Killian became known as “Your Majesty the Carrot Crazy”.

 

 

* * *

 

 

The Flower Ladies were gathered around the table as Artia devoured her carrot dessert under Killian’s gaze.

 

Marigold cut off a large piece of cake and popped it into her mouth.

 

“I think I’m going to live. All the desserts at the tea party today tasted like carrots and I couldn’t eat them.”

 

“I didn’t mind. I feel healthier.”

 

Marigold muttered in disgust at Dahlia’s reply.

 

“The world is divided into carrot and non-carrot factions.”

 

Then she looked at Freesia.

 

“So, Princess, how did you like your dessert today?”

 

“I don’t know, I don’t usually eat dessert…”

 

“I must correct you, the world is divided into those who can eat cake in front of them and those who can’t.”

 

Dahlia grinned at the playful remark, but Freesia’s expression didn’t change.

 

Marigold’s eyes narrowed.

 

Freesia usually smiled sweetly, but today was different.

 

It was so unlike her to be bitter towards Edenberg, especially in front of a group of people.

 

“What was that about? Did something happen between you and Mrs. Edenberg?” Marigold asked.

 

“Nothing much, I just couldn’t stand the way Mrs. Edenberg acted like she was so smug about breaking the sacred covenant of marriage instead of being ashamed of it.”

 

“Really? I didn’t think it was so bad that she was divorced; it’s much better to be divorced than to spend the rest of your life with a scumbag like Lloyd.”

 

Marigold waved her hand at Freesia, who looked at her as if she couldn’t believe she’d said that.

 

“Whoa, calm down, I’m just saying that’s how I feel about divorce, not that I liked Edenberg.”

 

Marigold said, pulling Freesia into a hug.

 

“If you don’t like her, I don’t like her. We’re a team, aren’t we, Dahlia?”

 

But despite Marigold’s cheerful words, Dahlia said nothing.

 

She sipped her tea quietly, then spoke again.

 

“But why did Mrs. Edenberg come to the banquet so suddenly?”

 

“Well, it’s a well-known story that Mrs. Edenberg fell into a lake and was transformed into someone else, and now she wants to enjoy the social life of a normal lady.”

 

Marigold said nonchalantly, but Dahlia disagreed.

 

“The Lady Edenberg I saw today didn’t just seem to be enjoying herself at the banquet, she seemed to be trying to win the favor of the ladies.”

 

It was clear she had an agenda.

 

“Like being an ethereal or…”

 

Marigold’s eyes widened at Dahlia’s muttering, and then she burst out laughing.

 

“Are you saying Edenberg wants to be an Ethereal?”

 

“That’s a possibility.”

 

“No, no, no. An Ethereal isn’t something you get just by being born into a great family. You have to have looks, character, decency, intelligence, reputation, and luck.”

 

Even the three women in the room would have struggled to earn the name without a strong alliance.

 

“But look at Edenberg.”

 

The Duchess of Edenberg was a respected family, but not as respected as it once was.

 

She was beautiful, but not overwhelmingly so.

 

Today’s appearance was different, but no one could fault the qualities of a woman who hadn’t spoken to another human being in twenty years.

 

“Worst of all, Edenberg is divorced, a fatal flaw for a lady. No one would choose such a woman as an Ethereal.”