The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 98

Despite his young age, Calvin was known for his meticulous research and impartial judgment, and he had already been assigned dozens of high-profile cases.

 

“Surprisingly, he volunteered,” he says, “and the judiciary is relieved. No one wants to take a case like the one of the women who was beaten by her husband.”

 

Calvin would investigate the case properly, not dismiss it as a minor matter, and make a proper judgment.

 

Just as Killian had hoped.

 

But his golden eyes were filled with displeasure.

 

“He’s the one who met with Artia von Edenberg.”

 

Artia had only met him once, under her aunt’s watchful eye, and she hadn’t been his type.

 

But…

 

‘Do you think Calvin was the same?’

 

Artia von Edenberg is pretty. Her voice is clear. She has a lovely way of speaking and graceful gestures. She smells sweet.

 

No wonder he was attracted to her.

 

Any man of sound mind and body.

 

Nocturne broke into a cold sweat at the sight of Killian, who seemed to have the ferocity of a beast upon his prey.

 

“You’re even more murderous these days than you were on the battlefield.”

 

‘Ha, I want to resign and run away to a faraway country…’

 

“If you don’t like Calvin, shall I make them change to another superior judge?” Nocturne said, resisting the urge to retire like a good man.

 

‘Or he could force Calvin to resign himself.’

 

With the power of the Mad King, nothing was too difficult.

 

But Killian shook his head.

 

“Forget it.”

 

The thought of Calvin being linked to Artia was unbearably unpleasant, but he would prefer to have a competent person in charge of the trial.

 

Anything to do with Artia made his blood boil like scalding water, but he had some sense.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Soon after, shocking news spread.

 

“Countess Freesia of Elysium, the so-called elegant princess of society, has charged her husband, Count Elysium, with assault and battery.

“High Judge Calvin of Rothenberg has taken up the case, and the date of the trial has been set for the Xth day of the Xth month. “

 

The nobles were shocked, as if a bomb had gone off in the middle of the capital.

 

“Lady Elysium was attacked by the Count?”

 

“Two people as sweet as a pair of butterflies?!”

 

Opinions were divided on the authenticity of the attack.

 

“I can’t believe that Count Elysium, who loves his wife, would do such a terrible thing.”

 

“But some people have seen Count Elysium treat his wife uncharacteristically roughly when he’s drunk, though they’ve never been able to say anything about it because they’ve seen through him.”

 

“Well, I don’t know any nobleman who doesn’t drink at least that much, and Lady Elysium was very frivolous to report her husband for it.”

 

Domestic violence was common, just not in the public eye.

 

Nobles were more offended that a woman reported her husband than that he beat her.

 

“The Countess of Elysium was revered by many as the epitome of a chaste noblewoman, even earning the title of Ethereal. For such a woman to be unable to control her husband’s behavior and yet raise him like an immature child… How disappointing.”

 

“You act all smug about being a princess, but in the end, you can’t help being born in a lowly country.”

 

The barrage of criticism rained down on Freesia.

 

 

* * *

 

 

“It’s good news that Calvin took the case, but public opinion is not favorable.”

 

Freesia frowned bitterly at Artia’s answer.

 

“I am, after all, just a stranger from a weak nation.”

 

“…….”

 

“I still remember the way people looked at me when I first entered Imperial social circles.”

 

“You may be a princess, but you’re from a country far below the Empire.”

 

“A subject sold for money.”

 

“I’ll be damned if I’ll let you install yourself as Countess of Elysium without knowing the subject.”

 

Her eyes were filled with arrogant hostility.

 

So Freesia worked even harder than she had at home.

 

She meticulously maintained her appearance, read dozens of Imperial books every day to keep herself conversant, and attended social gatherings even when she wasn’t feeling well, expanding her circle of acquaintances.

 

Slowly, the faces of those who met the beautiful, intelligent, and gentle Freesia changed.

 

And so she earned the title of Ethereal.

 

“I laughed at my enviable position, but I knew that no matter how much they praised me, I was still a stranger in their hearts.”

 

Those who dared not let a foreign princess stand above them waited for the moment of Freesia’s downfall. Just like now.

 

“Half of what I showed people was fake, but I was real in my desire to be loved…”

 

Freesia says with a forced smile.

 

“I guess it was too much for me, too. I was never really loved by my parents, let alone my husband.

 

Artia said quietly. “Do you really think so, because I don’t think so…”

 

“Thank you for comforting me.”

 

“It’s not comforting, I’m serious. If Freesia wasn’t loved, why else would those two be here?”

 

‘The two of them?’

 

Freesia’s eyes widened.

 

Just then, the door to the living room opened and two women appeared. It was Marigold and Dahlia.

 

Marigold rushed over and hugged Freesia.

 

“Princess, are you okay?!”

 

“…….”

 

“Why didn’t you tell me something so terrible happened to you?”

 

Marigold’s voice was full of worry and regret. Freesia’s eyes widened in surprise and then filled with moisture.

 

She replied in a sobbing voice.

 

“Oh, you only liked me because I was a beautiful, perfect princess.”

 

A woman worthy of her husband. No one would ever like her if she looked like this.

 

Marigold exclaimed.

 

“Oh, I liked you because you were pretty, but I’m not one of those people who throws away a favorite piece of jewelry because it’s flawed. I’ll put it back in its box and take care of it.”

 

Dahlia said in a stern voice.

 

“I don’t care about other people’s looks in the first place, and the only reason I hung out with you was because…”

 

‘Because Marigold liked me, not because Dahlia has a crush on me.’ Freesia thought.

 

“Because I thought you were a wonderful woman, because I saw how you kept yourself looking perfect every moment of every day.”

 

“……!”

 

“And that makes me admire you even more. It takes a lot of courage to report an abusive husband.”

 

Freesia stared at the two women in disbelief.

 

‘I thought no one would like me,’ she thought, ‘not the elegant Countess of Elysium, not the beautiful Princess.’

 

They didn’t.

 

‘But in reality, I had a friend, someone who really liked me, someone who appreciated me.’

 

“Hic!”

 

Forgetting her noble dignity and her princess body, Freesia sobbed like a child.

 

Marigold picked her up and patted her on the shoulder. Dahlia looked confused, but she didn’t leave her side.

 

“What a wonderful friendship.”

 

Artia gasped, looking at the three women with impressed eyes.

 

* * *

 

 

The four women, Artia, Freesia, Marigold, and Dahlia, sat down.

 

Artia spoke.

 

“There is a trial for Count Elysium’s assault in a month’s time, and in order to get a favorable verdict, we need to gather people who can prove that Freesia was assaulted. Do you know anyone who can?”

 

Freesia answered through puffy eyes from crying so hard.

 

“There are a few nobles, like Frau Edenberg, who have seen my husband treat me badly when he’s drunk, but even then, I doubt they’re going to take my side.”

 

Above all, Count Elysium’s influence in noble society was immense. No one would dare to offend him.

 

“And it’s likely that they’ve already been firmly silenced by Count Elysium. It would be more effective to find someone he hasn’t thought of…’

 

Artia thought for a moment, then spoke up.

 

“What about Count Elysium’s workers?”