The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Cafe Zeus.

 

It was the most famous coffeehouse in the empire.

 

Its reputation wasn’t just because of its upscale decor and taste.

 

It had a strict membership system and the cost was prohibitive.

 

The price was beyond the means of most nobles.

 

That’s why she dropped her membership right after her divorce from Lloyd, it was too much for her current financial situation.

 

But Simone sits down and orders a bunch of stuff, as if she’s in one of the capital’s many shops.

 

‘He looks so young, I keep forgetting, but he must be one of the richest men in the capital.’

 

Artia sipped her tea, remembering the Rushan Baron’s wealth.

 

A blush flickered across her flawless face.

 “Wow…” 

Zeus was Zeus, even if he was accused of being the end of luxury.

 

The taste of the tea, made from leaves said to be more precious than gold, was indeed delicious.

 

Simone grinned like a child when he saw Artia holding the cup and making a happy face.

 “Actually, I’m here because my brother insisted that I go to Zeus with Mrs. Edenberg.” “I see.” “And I felt like I was doing my brother’s bidding again, but I’m glad I came since you seem to like it.” 

Simone gestured to the desserts that filled the table.

 “You should try this cake. It’s so delicate and delicious, and the almond flour is amazing, and the julep with lots of strawberries…” 

With a twinkle in her eye, Simone looked less like an adult nobleman and more like a puppy wagging its tail in excitement.

 

Artia smiled, and suddenly a very different man popped into her head.

 

Arrogant and fierce, yet graceful and beautiful, like a black panther…

 “His Highness Prince Kilian?!” 

Yes, him.

 

Artia nodded, her mind racing as she realized what had happened.

 

It was Simone, not her, who had spoken Kilian’s name.

 

She looked at him, and he was staring off into the distance, his mouth open. Artia followed his gaze and saw the same expression on his face.

 

The man she had seen earlier entered the shop.

 

Killian, the arrogant, fierce, yet graceful and beautiful prince.

 “Heh…” 

Simone paled as if he had just witnessed the descent of the devil.

 

He wasn’t the only one startled.

 

Everyone in the building stopped what they were doing and stared at Killian.

 

As if time had stopped.

 

It was a woman who broke the stunned silence.

 

The woman at the far table jumped to her feet and approached Killian.

 “Greetings to the blood of the almighty Orpheus. I am Elisha, Countess of Renand, do you remember me?” 

The woman smiled an almost overly reminiscent smile and greeted him affectionately.

 

Killian opened his mouth, not even looking in her direction.

 “I will tolerate the greeting, but no more.” 

The low voice continued.

 “Unless you wish to insult me and make me bay for blood.” 

Despite the eerie words, his eyes were calm and his languid speech graceful.

 

Still, it was enough to stir a primal fear.

 

The woman, who had been walking at a brisk pace, shivered, her face drained of color.

 

Killian passed her with a look of disinterest.

 

Everyone in the shop was thinking the same thing.

 

“May the breathtakingly beautiful, honorable, and terrifying prince never come near.”

 

Artia was not the only one praying.

 

By now, Artia had her head down.

 

She didn’t want to attract Killian’s attention.

 

‘A man who threatens to kill me for saying hello to a woman won’t pretend to know me…’

 

But reality was cruel.

 

A small voice spoke over Artia’s head.

 “Artia von Edenberg.” 

Artia was startled, but now that she was being called by name, there was nowhere to run.

 

She bowed her head and lifted the hem of her skirt.

 “I greet the blood of the almighty Orpheus.” 

It was a stiff greeting, too stiff for the woman from earlier. There was no hint of a softening heart or a smile.

 

Still, Killian lifted the corner of his mouth.

 

It was a subtle change, too subtle for anyone in the room to notice

.

 

But it lasted only a moment as his beautiful face turned sour at the sight of Simone sitting across from Artia.

 

Simone, who had been staring at Killian in fascination, came to her senses and bowed her head deeply.

 “I, I, I, I, I, greet the blood of the almighty Orpheus.” 

He could barely find the words because he was so afraid.

 

Kilian looked down at the fluttering Simone and spoke.

“Are you the suitor of Artia of Edenberg?” 

It was a somewhat rude question, but the kind one might ask a young man and woman together.

 

Still, Simone felt like he was being accused of treason.

 

The aura emanating from those golden eyes was fierce.

 “If you don’t answer correctly, you will be severely punished.” 

He must answer quickly…

 

However, his tense body could not withstand the extreme fear, and he finally collapsed with a thud.

  

* * * 

  “Simone!” 

Artia started to reach for Simone, but Killian stopped her.

 

Artia spoke urgently.

“He’s one of my people, I’ll take him to the doctor.” “Don’t bother.” 

How can you not care when one of your own is down!

 

Turning to Artia, who was seething inwardly, Killian said.

“I’ll take care of him.” “……?!” 

Failing to control her expression, Artia ended up with a very disrespectful face, as if she had witnessed a bizarre scene.

 “Your Highness?” 

She was so surprised that she didn’t even realize she had asked another rude question.

 

Eyes locked with Artia, Killian replied.

“Because I caused this, and I must take responsibility.” 

It was true.

 

And Artia was even more puzzled.

 “It’s even more suspicious that Your Highness would say such a reasonable thing!” 

Killian gestured to the staff.

“Take this man to the palace.” “Yes, Your Highness.” 

The staff hurried out and picked up Simone.

 

Now that he had gone so far, Artia could not stop him.

 

It wasn’t polite to the prince,… and it was frightening.

 

In the end, all Artia could do was clasp her hands and say pleadingly

 “Please take care of Mr. Simone.” 

Kilian looked down at Artia and spoke with a cold voice.

 “Did you like him enough to say that?” 

‘What?’

 

Artia knitted her eyebrows in confusion.

 

Kilian jerked his head away, as if he wasn’t really looking for an answer.

  

* * *

 

 

All the way back to the mansion, Artia was not at ease.

 

The look on Prince Killian’s face at the end didn’t make her think he would take good care of Simone, to say the least…

 

Instead, it seemed as if Simone would never open her eyes.

 

When Artia returned, worried about Simone, Vivi said. “Master, they say a black cat came to the mansion earlier.”

 “What?!” 

Artia had told the maids in case Butterfly came to visit in her absence.

 

“If you see a black cat in the mansion, don’t chase it away, but treat it nicely.” Artia said excitedly.

 “Tell me more.” “About an hour ago, a maid was cleaning the lady’s room when she saw a black cat outside the window. It disappeared in a flash as soon as she made eye contact with it, but she said it was a stunningly beautiful cat, just like her master said.” 

As soon as Artia heard Vivi’s story, she ran to her room. She opened the window, but there was no sign of Butterfly.

 

Artia sighed in disappointment.

 “Butterfly…” 

She was very upset that Butterfly came when she was out.

 

She had prepared many treats and toys for him…

 “He’ll have to come back…” 

Suddenly Artia’s worries about Simone disappeared from her mind.

  

* * *

  

At the same time, Killian stood by the window with his arms crossed.

 

Nocturne approached him and said

 “Your Majesty, Simone of Rushan has come to his senses.” 

He was simply stunned, so he opened his eyes without treatment.

 

He looked like he was going to faint again when he realized he was in the Imperial Palace.

 “Knock him out again. This time, make sure he never wakes up.”Visit my Ko-fi for advance chapter discounts!!