The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 80

Dahlia’s ears flushed red and her heart pounded in her chest as she remembered Artia’s voice.

 

She’d met her first fan in the social scene.

 

At that moment, Artia was lying in bed, reading Redlip’s novel.

 

She had read it dozens of times, including the memories of the real Artia, but it still made her heart race and her face flush.

 

‘The cold and unapproachable Duke of the North is so hot in front of the woman he loves…’

 

Each word was direct and unconventional.

 

Some people might have judged it as poor writing, but that was too narrow-minded.

 

If they’d seen Redlip’s work, they could never say that.

 

The delicate emotions between the characters, the exquisite plotting, the detailed descriptions that make you feel like you’re in a book… Her work was by far the best.

 

‘I can’t wait to see Redlip’s new book…’

 

Artia flipped through the pages, her cheeks blushing.

 

 

* * *

 

 

There were no social gatherings today. She had finished her letters to the ladies.

 

It was to the bookstore that Artia went, happy to be free for the first time in a long time.

 

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat that covered half of her face and a plain dress with little embellishment, Artia made herself as invisible as possible and asked the owner in a whisper.

 

“Is Ms. Redlip’s new book out yet?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The owner looked at Artia, who hunched her shoulders.

 

“Rumor has it it will be out in about a month.”

 

Artia raised her shoulders as if she’d heard that before, and then said in a reminiscent voice.

 

“I’ll give you money in advance, and when your new book comes out, can I have a copy for myself?”

 

But the owner shook his head coldly.

 

“No.”

 

There were many people waiting for Redlip’s new book. The bookstore couldn’t keep up with the demand.

 

When it became difficult to get a copy, some people even offered to pay him money to sell them first.

 

But the owner rejected all offers with a knife.

 

“I don’t want those with money to see the books first in this unreasonable world.”

 

The boss looked at Artia with narrowed eyes and said.

 

“If you want to buy a book, come to the bookstore and stand in line. Fair and square.”

 

It was a truly inspiring statement of faith.

 

Blinded for a moment by the news of Ms. Redlip’s new book, Artia recovered and nodded.

 

“I’ll be here at the crack of dawn to stand in line.”

 

 

Despite the failure of Redlip’s book, there was plenty to do at the bookstore.

 

“Let’s find a new novel.”

 

Artia gathered her willpower and began to leaf through the books on the top shelf.

 

Her gaze traveled down the rows and stopped at one book.

 

“The Secret of the Mad Prince.”

 

The moment she saw the words “Mad Prince”, someone came to mind. Artia’s eyes widened as she leafed through the book, fascinated.

 

The male protagonist in the illustrations bore an uncanny resemblance to Killian.

 

Although he’s not half as handsome as Your Highness…

 

No, that’s not the point, the point is that he based his hero on Killian.

 

What a fearless writer.

 

Of course, Killian was the muse of many romance writers, and there were many male characters based on him, but none so directly based on him.

 

It would have been an offense that could have landed one in jail for blasphemy.

 

Artia’s fingers twitched as she turned the pages.

 

“I wonder what the hell he wrote, but I feel like I’d be sinning against the king if I read it.”

 

To read or not to read, to read or not to read…

 

“Artia of Edenberg.”

 

“Evil!”

 

Startled by the voice in her ear, Artia screamed, forgetting that she was in a bookstore.

 

Covering her mouth, she turned to see the book’s male protagonist, upgraded about three times, leaping at her.

 

Regaining her composure, Artia spoke through her racing heart.

 

“I, Your Highness, how did you get here…”

 

Killian looked down at Artia’s wide-eyed stare and said shamelessly.

 

“I came for the same reason you did, to buy books.”

 

Why, when there were hundreds of thousands of books in the Imperial Palace, and he could have any of them delivered immediately with a word?

 

And not to a big, fancy bookstore on the street, but to this small shop hidden in a back alley?

 

Seeing the thought in Artia’s eyes, Killian replied kindly.

 

“I hear this bookstore has a lot of interesting books.”

 

His piercing golden eyes darted down and landed on the book in Artia’s hand.

 

“Is this interesting?”

 

“……!”

 

Artia gasped and hid the book behind her, but it was too late.

 

Killian spoke in a low voice.

 

“The person drawn looks very familiar. Could it be me?”

 

“No!”

 

“Black hair, golden eyes, nicknamed the Mad Prince, and his name is Kirian, but it’s not me.”

 

How he’d seen that in such a short time and the words under the picture.

 

Artia broke into a cold sweat and looked at Killian.

 

His face was his usual cold one, but the look in his eyes was more frightening than ever.

 

At this rate, she feared they would drag her and the author of the novel away and cut their throats.

 

Artia began to plead for her life.

 

“Many of the novels were originally inspired by famous royalty or nobility, so if you consider it the fate of popularity and give it the benefit of the doubt, I’ll be happy to find more…”

 

“Do you have any?”

 

“What?”

 

“You said there were many novels inspired by celebrities.”

 

Artia blinked at the unexpected question, then answered.

 

“Not me, of course.”

 

Although she had recently gained a bit of fame with her divorce, Artia’s popularity was minimal, to say the least.

 

“I’m not a stunning beauty, and my presence is a blur.”

 

Despite the blunt truth, Killian’s reaction was odd.

 

His eyebrows knitted in disbelief, and then he spoke.

 

“Tell me if you find a novel based on you.”

 

“Are you trying to make fun of me?”

 

“Not at all. I’d cut off the author’s fingers if I did.”

 

Killian’s beautiful face smiled so much that Artia didn’t even think to ask, “Why, Your Highness?” she just tightened her grip on the book.

 

As if to protect the book’s author.

 

Fortunately, Killian was no longer interested in the book.

 

Instead, he brought up something else.

 

“Since you seem to have a knack for novels, I’d like a book recommendation.”

 

‘After clothes, now novels? What do you think I am, His Majesty’s personal assistant?’

 

She can’t argue with that.

 

People are always happy when someone takes an interest in their favorite things.

 

Artia’s pink eyes twinkled.

 

“What kind of novels do you like to read, what kind of heroines do you like…”

 

“White, small, thin, sharp and smiling like a flower.”

 

Killian replied, thinking to himself.

 

“Pick a novel with the type of male protagonist you find most attractive.”

 

“……?”

 

Artia blinked, as if she’d heard something she didn’t recognize, then remembered something she’d forgotten.

 

That’s right, the king was a virulent misogynist.

 

“Perhaps His Highness’s sexual preference…”

 

Killian arched an eyebrow at Artia’s look. It was a strangely insulting look.

 

The look on Killian’s face sobered Artia, who scrambled to her feet and pulled out some books.

 

“These are the ones that impressed me, and the male protagonists are so handsome!”

 

Artia smiled shyly as she held the books out to Killian.

 

“I hope you like them.”

 

Although he found Artia’s smile cute, Killian’s eyes were cold.

 

He didn’t like the idea of Artia calling another man handsome.

 

Even if it was a fictional character in print.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Artia invited Marigold and Dahlia into her home.

 

The mood was more cordial than before, but then Marigold said something unexpected to Artia.

 

“Mrs. Edenberg, I think we’ve gotten to know each other quite well, so may I call you by your nickname?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Marigold turned to Artia, who nodded happily.

 

“What do you say about, pretty girl?”

 

Artia almost spat out her tea.