The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 87

Artia’s Aunt Evangeline sat back in her chair, looking exhausted.

 

She had been at her family’s Edenberg estate since early this morning, dealing with a flurry of business.

 

She’d mediated between her siblings, who were blaming each other for the family’s dwindling finances, and she’d ended up reorganizing one of their businesses, which was deep in the red.

 

But that didn’t solve the problem.

 

“Sister, I’ll take care of the money from the sale of the business, because I have a business I’ve always wanted to do.”

 

Her second brother, who tends to get into trouble whenever he touches a business.

 

“Why don’t we split it equally between the three of us? My wife complains that we don’t have enough money.”

 

The third brother can’t wait to spend any money he gets.

 

“Oh, come on, give it to me, I’ll try something.”

 

The fourth brother is crazy about gambling.

 

Evangeline sighed as she remembered her siblings snarling at each other.

 

As much as she loved them, she was tired of their incompetence.

 

“How can they be so stupid when they’ve had the best teachers since they were children?”

 

Evangeline often gazed enviously at Benedict and his siblings as they studied.

 

It was a realm she could never enter.

 

Even now, as the Marquise of Glosta, it was no different.

 

She moved her brothers around, but only “behind the scenes, quietly.” She could never come out into the open.

 

It was frustrating.

 

Evangeline was sipping hot wine when a maid entered the room.

 

A maid entered the room and reported.

 

“Madam, you have a visitor.”

 

 

Evangeline opened the door. In the parlor sat a middle-aged woman in a dress with a bright floral pattern.

 

A smile broke out on Evangeline’s frosty face.

 

“Chloe.”

 

Chloe smiled back, just as bright as the girl.

 

Like the sun and the moon, the other two were old friends.

 

Evangeline, who never faltered in front of others, looked more relaxed than usual.

 

“What do you want to talk about?”

 

“I met your nephew a few days ago.”

 

“And by that you mean… Artia?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Chloe’s eyes softened as she remembered Artia from the bookstore.

 

“She was beautiful. In appearance, in spirit.”

 

“…….”

 

It wasn’t the first time Evangeline had heard that.

 

Lately, more and more noblewomen had mentioned Artia’s name to Evangeline.

 

“I’ve noticed that your niece has been very active in socializing lately.”

 

“I didn’t know her before, but she has a great way with words, and time flies when we talk.”

 

There were also comments that went beyond simple praise.

 

“My daughter was upset about something, and after talking to Mrs. Edenberg, she said she felt much better. You must be so lucky to have such a bright and kindhearted niece.”

 

And today even a close friend stopped by to say.

 

“Is she really trying to become an Ethereal…”

 

Chloe, who hadn’t heard Evangeline’s muttering, spoke up.

 

“Miss. Artia… By the way, since she was married once, isn’t the title “Mrs.” inappropriate?

 

But she’s so girlish and pretty that “Miss” suits her better than “Mrs.”.

 

Since they weren’t in a public place and only close friends were present, Chloe decided to call her whatever she wanted.

 

“I was curious about Miss Artia, so I looked her up. She has a reputation for not being flashy, but she does have a reputation for being quiet.”

 

At Evangeline’s silent nod, Chloe made a shocking statement.

 

“Would you be so kind as to arrange a meeting between Miss Artia and Calvin?”

 

Chloe had three sons, the two above were married, and only the youngest, Calvin, was still unmarried.

 

Evangeline’s eyes grew heavy.

 

“Why do you suddenly covet the seat of the Duke of Edenberg?”

 

Chloe threw up her hands in surprise.

 

“Never. I’m not interested in that position, and neither is Calvin, and you know he’s all about the law. I just want to make a good match for my youngest son, who has no intention of marrying.”

 

The Chloe Evangeline had known for years was about as interested in power as a grain of wheat, and neither was her son Calvin.

 

He was the youngest person to pass the bar exam, brilliant enough to be a lawyer, but a man of integrity.

 

Chloe added. “If Miss Artia wishes, Calvin will transfer all the authority of the Duke of Edenberg to his wife.”

 

A gentle mother-in-law, a wise and just husband. It was a charming marriage.

 

The corner of Evangeline’s mouth lifted slightly.

 

“Blessed is my nephew.”

 

 

* * *

 

 

A letter arrived for Artia.

 

“A letter from my aunt!”

 

Artia hadn’t seen Evangeline since they met a few months ago. She had promised to visit her after she became an Ethereal.

 

“I didn’t think I’d see her until then, but for some reason she reached out to me.”

 

Artia’s face twisted as if she’d forgotten to salt her bread.

 

“She wants me to meet a man?”

 

The letter was blunt, devoid of warmth, and contained only one description of a man.

 

Calvin von Rothenberg, twenty-six years old, a judge of the Central Court.

 

In many ways, it was a good match.

 

If only Artia had been in the mood to meet a man.

 

All she could think about these days were the women of society. Marriage and Zen were a nuisance.

 

“But at most, my aunt would be offended if I rejected him without thinking, wouldn’t she?”

 

There was no point in going against the wishes of someone she wanted to trust.

 

Artia hesitated, then decided.

 

“Let’s at least pretend to meet.”

 

 

* * *

 

 

A face without make-up, a simple dress without ornaments.

 

Artia left the house fully prepared.

 

Normally a man would show up at a woman’s home with the intention of marrying her, but Calvin was not a suitor.

 

He had been introduced by her elders.

 

So Artia asked Calvin to meet her outside, and Chloe, who had been contacted by Evangeline, readily agreed.

 

Artia entered the cafe where she and Calvin had agreed to meet.

 

‘This is less intimidating than meeting at home.’

 

Artia sighed and sat down in the chair she had reserved.

 

At the appointed time, a man appeared without a second’s delay.

 

Artia’s eyes widened as she took in the man’s hair, eyes, clothes, and gray from head to toe.

 

This is the man I saw outside the bookstore the other day.

 

The man, looking just as cool and dignified as he had then, bowed politely and opened his mouth.

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Calvin von Rothenberg.”

 

“Nice to meet you too. I’m Artia von Edenberg.”

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

The brief greeting was followed by a breathless silence.

 

After a moment, Calvin broke the silence with a frown.

 

“My apologies, madam. My mother begged me to come, but I’m a celibate.”

 

“……!”

 

“If this has embarrassed or offended you, please let me know. I’ll make it up to you with my sincerest apologies.”

 

Artia stared at Calvin blankly, then let out a small laugh.

 

“You have a conscience for a judge, and you’re willing to offer compensation. I wanted to end it by saying I’m sorry…”

 

“That means…”

 

“So am I. I was only dragged out because my aunt was looking, and I have no intention of getting married.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Calvin looked at Artia with a blank face, then nodded.

 

“That’s good, I’m sure the adults will scold us if we leave too soon, so let’s bide our time and then part ways.”

 

It was almost too rude a thing to say to a woman he’d just met, but Artia smiled in satisfaction.

 

“Very well.”

 

She suddenly remembered Simone of Rushan saying the same thing the day they met.

 

He had no intention of getting married yet, and then he lied to her in a disgusting way.

 

‘No way…’

 

Artia looked ominous at Calvin.