The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 76

“……?”

 

“If you hate all the new dresses, let’s just mend the ones we have at home and wear them. Wearing an old dress to a ten-year-old’s birthday party might be a little tacky, but it’ll be fresh and you’ll be seen as thrifty for the daughter of the Earl of Golgus.”

 

At this unexpected response, Cecil looked at Marigold with wide eyes that threatened to pop out.

 

“Gee, what do you think you’re doing, mocking me?”

 

“No, just respecting your wishes.”

 

Marigold shrugged.

 

“If you show up looking shabby in an old dress, people will think I’m bullying you, but I’ll take it.”

 

“…….”

 

“Unless you have something to buy, let’s go home.”

 

Cecil’s heart pounded as Marigold turned without hesitation.

 

‘Uh-oh, not this.’

 

She had sung about hating all the dresses just to embarrass Marigold.

 

The last thing she wanted to do was wear an old (and best of all, only a few times worn) dress to her tenth birthday party.

 

Cecil ran up to Marigold and yelled.

 

“Oh, I’m going to tell Daddy you didn’t buy me a dress.”

 

Marigold burst out laughing.

 

“You’re the one who said you didn’t like this dress or that dress, and you’re not the only one who saw it.”

 

Marigold glanced at Cecil’s maids who were standing off to the side. They didn’t look happy, but they didn’t say anything.

 

“Isn’t there something else to tell your father besides a bottomless pit of lies?”

 

Marigold lifted her bandaged hand. Cecil’s face paled at that moment.

 

 

The sight of Marigold’s injured hand a few days ago had infuriated Count Golgus.

“How dare he scar my wife’s body!” he said.

But Marigold refused to name the culprit, and that only made Count Golgus angrier.

“If I catch him, I’ll cut off his hand and foot!”

 

 

Cecil broke into a cold sweat, remembering his father screaming like an angry gorilla.

 

“There’s only one reason I didn’t tell him the culprit’s name, and that’s because I don’t like being a coward like everyone else.”

 

Marigold looked down at Cecil with an eerie glint in her eye.

 

“I’d rather have a fight than a slap.”

 

“……!”

 

A child of barely ten was no match for a powerful woman who had risen from the daughter of a fallen baronet to the Countess of Golgus.

 

So far, Marigold had let it go.

 

‘I’m afraid…’

 

For the first time, Cecil was afraid of Marigold, her small body trembling and her fists clenching.

 

‘The maids are watching. She can’t touch me.’

 

Cecil scraped together the courage to speak.

 

“Have you decided to stop being nice?”

 

Marigold grinned.

 

“I’m not going to stop being nice, I’m going to stop pretending to be your mother.”

 

“……!” She exclaimed.

 

She used to get annoyed when Marigold called her “my daughter” in a friendly way, but hearing her say it made her feel…

 

Turning to Cecil, who was cowering like an abandoned puppy, Marigold said, “I’m not going to bother you anymore. So if you ever need me, just let me know and I’ll be there for you, whether it’s mothering or picking out a new dress.”

 

Marigold smiled.

 

It wasn’t the awkward, overdone smile she’d given Cecil. It was the charming smile that had won the heart of the Count of Golgus, who had not flinched at the temptations of countless women since the death of his wife.

 

Cecil, who looked so much like her favorite father in the world, even down to her tastes, stared at Marigold in fascination, her little face turning bright red.

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“I want a book. I want a romance novel with a rugged but kind-hearted hero and a sweet and innocent heroine.”

 

Artia had been writing the letter all day, resisting the urge to bury herself in a novel.

 

Answers to invitations from noblewomen. And a letter from Edward, who was simultaneously hated by nobles and adored by noblewomen.

 

It is painful not to see the novel, but I enjoy writing letters. Although my fingers are a little sore.

 

Artia pressed down hard on the nib of her quill, finishing her work for the day.

 

As she stretched her arms to ease her stiffness, Vivi entered the room.

 

“My lady, Lady Marigold of Golgus is here.”

 

Artia’s eyes widened at the unexpected arrival.

 

Artia opened the parlor door to find Marigold sitting there, adorned in sparkling diamonds.

 

Marigold greeted Artia with a beaming smile.

 

“You’re surprised to see me here, aren’t you? I wanted to say hello as soon as I could. I’m the kind of person that when I see something I want to do, I do it right away…”

 

“Greetings?”

 

“Because what you told me before was very helpful. The little girl in my house, she’s still mean, but she doesn’t ignore me like she used to, and she’s starting to notice me. It’s made my life a lot easier.”

 

Artia smiled.

 

“That’s good, because I heard about Miss Cecil, and I hear you gave her a very nice tenth birthday party.”

 

“Spent a fortune.” Marigold said, rattling her teacup with a cheerful flourish.

 

“I’ve lived with her for five years now, and I know her taste like the back of my hand. She may say she doesn’t like this or that, but if she sees something shiny enough to make her squeal, she’ll go crazy, just like her father.”

 

“Even if Count Golgus had the same tastes as his daughter, he would never have given Miss Cecil a party that would have pleased her, for there are limits to a grown man’s understanding of a young girl’s tastes. I’m sure Miss Cecil would have been very grateful.”

 

“But she didn’t say thank you, she just whined.”

 

“Maybe she’s shy, but in time she’ll ask you for help, and if you’re willing to give it, she’ll gradually open up. The two of you can make a good mother-daughter team.”

 

It wasn’t just advice.

 

There was a sincerity in Artia’s words that suggested she sincerely hoped so.

 

Marigold spoke up with a complicated expression.

 

“You make it sound like it’s your job.”

 

Artia blushed.

 

“Miss Cecil is in a similar predicament as I was when I was younger, so please stop…”

 

“I’m not criticizing you, I’m just saying it’s kind of interesting…”

 

Socialites, including Marigold, always smiled, but never let their true feelings show easily; it was part of preserving their dignity.

 

But when Marigold saw Artia, she realized.

 

Artia doesn’t look funny when she’s serious, but rather…

 

“You possess people.”

 

“What?” Artia tilted her head, not having heard Marigold’s words.

 

Instead of repeating what she had said, Marigold motioned to the maid she had brought with her.

 

The maid held a velvet-wrapped box in front of Artia. Artia opened the box and gasped at Marigold’s gaze.

 

Inside was a bracelet of sparkling pink diamonds.

 

As a duchess, Artia had seen the finest things in her time, so she knew immediately how precious this jewelry was.

 

“You look like a frightened rabbit with those big eyes.”

 

Marigold chuckled at the look on Artia’s face.

 

“I don’t usually use words to thank you. But thank you, Artia.”

 

Artia was not the type to accept things easily. It was a bit overwhelming to give her such an expensive gift for just a few words.

 

But that diamond is her sincerity.

 

Artia chose to accept her heart. Graciously, gratefully.

 

Clasping her hands together, Artia smiled.

 

“Thank you for this beautiful gift. I will treasure it.”

 

‘Why does this simple greeting, without honeyed praise or flattery, make me feel so good?’

 

Marigold, her cheeks puffed out, spoke up.

 

“It’s only a diamond.”

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Artia turned at the sound of rustling footsteps and smiled.

 

“Welcome, butterfly.”

 

Once a month, once a full moon, once a week. Butterfly came less and less, until recently he came every four days.

 

“I love that you come so often. I wish you would come every day.”

 

Artia smiled giddily as she felt Butterfly’s gaze on her.

 

Her golden eyes stared at the bracelet on her wrist.

 

“Oh, isn’t it pretty?”

 

Artia smiled proudly, like a child showing off a new toy.

 

“I got it a while ago.”

 

“……!”

 

The black cat’s eyes widened.