The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 75

Artia, holding Marigold’s hand, said excitedly.

 

“It hurts so much, doesn’t it? What if it leaves a scar? Ouch, I’m so sorry…”

 

“……????”

 

‘Why are you here? Why are you even pretending to be friendly?’

 

Artia jerked her head away from Marigold, who was so upset that she stiffened, and looked down at Cecil.

 

Turning to Cecil, who had stopped crying at the suddenness of the situation and was now wide-eyed, Artia spoke.

 

“Tell me, young lady. Who in the world would do such a horrible, evil thing to Mrs. Golgus, the most respected woman in society?”

 

“……!”

 

Cecil had often hurt Marigold’s feelings, as he had today, but each time she had brushed it off as a child’s mistake.

 

This was the first time she’d ever seen someone react so seriously to something she’d done.

 

“I-I’m…” Cecil stammered, her face pale, before burying her face in her nanny’s arms and sobbing again.

 

“Awww!”

 

This time it wasn’t a fake cry, but a real one, with tears welling up in her eyes.

 

The embarrassment of a child being told off for the first time.

 

The nanny patted Cecil on the shoulder and glared at Artia.

 

“I don’t know who you are, but please stop interfering in family matters and go on your way.”

 

Artia covered her mouth as if she hadn’t heard.

 

“Meddle? I only came to see if there was anything I could do for Mrs. Golgus after seeing the horrible wounds on her body…”

 

Artia’s eyes narrowed, just as they had a moment ago.

 

“Aren’t you Count Golgus’ maids, by the way, and why are you moping around instead of tending to the lady’s hand as soon as possible?”

 

The maids jumped at the sudden criticism.

 

Artia spoke up.

 

“You don’t think any of the maids would dare to disrespect Countess Golgus, do you?”

 

The pink eyes were so fierce, the maids bit their lips tightly, unable to say anything.

 

Turning her head away from them, Artia’s eyes returned to their original clear color. Then she gently took Marigold’s hand, who was still standing there in astonishment.

 

“I cannot entrust your care to such untrustworthy maids. Please follow me, Mrs. Golgus.”

 

Marigold stared at Artia mesmerized, then nodded.

 

 

* * *

 

 

“Cecil looks very upset, so take her home. I’m going to pull myself together.”

 

The maids looked unhappy at Marigold’s words.

 

If she were a real mother, she would never send a crying child home alone.

 

“She’s the one who seduced the master into taking this seat in the first place. What do you expect of her?”

 

Marigold knew exactly what the disrespectful maids were thinking, but she didn’t react.

 

If she showed any emotion, she felt she would lose control.

 

After the maids left, Artia took Marigold to the common room of the shop.

 

Artia applied the medicine she had received from the shopkeeper to the wound on the back of Marigold’s hand.

 

When Marigold winced at the stinging pain, Artia spoke reassuringly to her.

 

“Just hold on a little longer. The ointment won’t leave a scar.”

 

“…….”

 

Marigold looked calm, a far cry from the way she’d looked earlier, like a screw had fallen out.

 

 

When Artia was finished, she helped Marigold with the bandages. Marigold looked at her bandaged hands and raised an eyebrow.

 

“It doesn’t look like it deserves this…”

 

“There’s no harm in overtreatment, and you should look this injured, so your husband won’t say much when you return to the manor.”

 

Marigold’s eyes widened and she gave her a crooked smile.

 

“I was wondering why you barged in and made such a fuss when we didn’t even know each other, but now I know. You saw the whole thing, didn’t you? You helped me because you wanted to win my favor.”

 

“Yes, I went out of my way to see if I could win a little favor with you.”

 

In an instant, Marigold’s face lost its youthful impatience and was replaced by a look of confusion.

 

She’d had more than her fair share of women approach her, but Artia was the first to admit that she’d only approached her because she wanted to be friends.

 

Artia continued. 

 

“But I mean it when I say I was upset because I saw how Mrs. Golgus was holding it together under the circumstances…”

 

‘Did I look pitiful? Or did you laugh at the ugliness?’

 

But this time Artia said something different from what Marigold was thinking.

 

“I was angry.”

 

“Angry? Why?”

 

“Well, Mrs. Golgus is the most glamorous and regal woman in society, and to see her maids and children behaving so immaturely in front of her was insulting.”

 

Artia looked at Marigold and continued.

 

“Still, it was very rude of me to interfere in your family’s affairs without even knowing you, and I apologize.”

 

There was nothing to apologize for. Far from being offended, it was… Clear tears formed at the corners of Marigold’s eyes.

 

Marigold mumbled to herself.

 

“I tried so hard after we were married.”

 

She made her daughter’s meals and clothes every day, took her shopping, and made sure to say good night to her every night.

 

But no matter what she did, Cecil would throw tantrums about how she didn’t like Marigold, and the maids would cluck their tongues at the comparison to his ex-wife.

 

Even worse were the stares from others, including her husband.

 

“A stepmother can’t help it,” she said. “What more do they expect of me?”

 

Marigold’s angry shouts bordered on screams.

 

When Marigold regained her composure, she blushed.

 

“I got emotional and said something unnecessary. If you’re wondering if you should do something to comfort me, please stop.”

 

‘Because I’m embarrassed enough as it is.’

 

Artia lowered her eyebrows.

 

“What do I know about you to comfort you, but I think I know a little about Miss Cecil’s mind because I had a stepmother when I was about her age.”

 

“……!”

 

Artia recalled a memory from her childhood.

 

Her first reaction to hearing that the young, beautiful woman standing next to her father was going to be her stepmother was one of strong rejection rather than excitement.

 

“That’s not my mother…”

 

But that feeling didn’t last long.

 

Catherine never showed any interest in young Artia.

 

She rarely saw her stepdaughter, let alone made sure she ate or studied.

 

Some might have called her a mean stepmother, but it actually put young Artia at ease.

 

“It was hard enough for me as a child to call her mother and act like a daughter to someone who wasn’t, and I wonder if it’s the same for Cecil.”

 

“You mean my attitude made Cecil uncomfortable?”

 

“Maybe.”

 

Turning to Marigold, who looked as if she’d been slapped, Artia continued.

 

“I’m not saying the relationship won’t change forever, and maybe in time Miss Cecil will accept you as her mother, but I don’t think so, and for now why don’t you take a step back from her and watch?”

 

Marigold had been impatient all her married life.

 

She felt that only by winning the heart of her daughter, whom her husband cherished above all others, could she truly be recognized as a member of the Counts of Golgus.

 

Her parents, as well as her friends, spoke in worried tones whenever they met Marigold.

 

“No matter how unruly Cecil is, never get angry with her, but embrace her. You have to reach out and be nice to her, and then she’ll open up.”

 

…It was the first time Artia had ever said that to her.

 

 

* * *

 

 

A few days later, inside a shop on Diamond Street. Marigold and Cecil are in a confrontation.

 

Cecil shouted at Marigold, who was holding a children’s dress.

 

“I hate that dress!”

 

Normally, she would have said something like “But try it on.”, but not today.

 

“Okay, then don’t wear it.”