The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Artia muttered to herself as she looked at the black cat, who seemed more uncomfortable than usual.

 “Butterfly, do you hate men?” 

The cat didn’t answer, instead clawing at the portrait of the most perfect looking man she could find.

 

Artia had no idea.

 

The next day, the portraits she showed Butterfly would meet in the palace in a friendly way.

 “I wonder why His Highness Prince Killian summoned us so suddenly.” “Well, that’s for sure.” 

The men stepped into the alcove, tense at the suddenness of the prince’s call.

 

Soon they heard hissing and shouting.

 

Killian sat arrogantly, glaring at them. His gaze was so uncanny that they feared they were in a dream.

 

The men fell to the ground in unison, clutching their heads.

 “We did wrong!” 

They couldn’t figure out what they had done wrong, but they knew they had to ask for forgiveness somehow.

 

Because they wanted to live!

 

Nocturne, watching the scene, thought with a smile.

 

‘Wow, you’re getting crazier and crazier, my king.’

 

 

* * *

 

 

While Artia was having fun with Butterfly, Catherine was at a party, dressed to the nines.

 

One of the older ladies around her asked.

 “Godmother Edenberg, how is your daughter’s remarriage going?” 

“Who is the present Duchess of Edenberg going to marry, and thus who will sit in the vacant seat of the Duke of Edenberg?”

 

That was the hottest topic in social circles these days.

 

Catherine waved her fan and replied.

 “I haven’t found anyone yet, so I’m going to see some more suitors.” 

The women burst out laughing.

 

Especially those who had sons who might be eligible for Artia spoke enthusiastically.

 “Meet my third son, he’s so serious and brave.” 

Even though he’s forty years old.

 “My younger brother is a good match for your daughter.” 

Even though he has four children with his ex-wife.

 

But Catherine’s expression was fat as she listened to the women’s words.

 

Of course, Artia’s remarriage was important to her. But it wasn’t something she wanted to hear about at a party.

 “I am not here to marry off my daughter,”

she said,

“I am here to celebrate.” 

She was no longer the Duchess of Edenberg, though she still retained her beauty.

 

And since she had been away from the capital for years after her husband’s death, no one was interested in her for herself.

 

‘Should I stop coming to the party…?’

 

A man approached Catherine; his fine forehead furrowed.

 “Pleased to meet you, Godmother Edenberg.” 

The man in the black suit was Baron Shylock Rushan.

 

‘Artia dumped Simone.’

 

It’s rumored that the man was terribly fond of his brother, so he couldn’t be happy to see her.

 

Shylock smiled softly at Catherine, who was running away from the bad news.

 “It is an honor to meet the woman who was once called the life of the party.” 

Catherine looked surprised.

 “How could a young man know my nickname?” “How could he not, it was only a decade ago that every man in the capital worshiped the Godmother.” “…….”  

* * *

  “My mother was furious when godmother came to a banquet. My father just sat there and stared at you.” “Pooh-pooh.” 

Catherine burst out laughing.

 

After that, Shylock’s words were like a tongue in cheek.

 

It wasn’t hard for Catherine to figure out the reason for Shylock’s uncharacteristically sweet flattery.

 “You’re desperate to connect your brother to Artia somehow.” 

Catherine was also disappointed that Artia had fallen out with Simone. She hoped that her friendship with Shylock would give Artia a chance to get back together with Simone.

 

It’s kind of fun to have a seemingly innocent man who doesn’t have a care in the world.

 

Catherine accepted the drink Shylock poured for her with a straight face.

 

As she sipped, Shylock asked her.

 “You’re not having much fun after all these years, are you?” “A little.” 

Shylock raised an eyebrow at Catherine’s honest answer.

 “That’s understandable. Nobody parties as hard as Godmother Edenberg these days, and they’re too busy watching their backs for fear of the slightest blemish. So, when I want to relax and have fun, I go to the salons, which are smaller gatherings than these banquets.” “A salon?” “Yes. Would you like to go with me?” 

Catherine’s eyes sparkled at the unexpected invitation.

 

 

* * *

 

 

A short time later, Shylock and Catherine arrived in a dimly lit, heavily scented, candlelit room.

 

Unusually, everyone in the room was wearing masks that covered their eyes.

 

They were sitting around a round table, chatting, drinking, smoking, and playing games. She saw a man with a woman in a fox mask on his lap, kissing her.

 

The golden-masked Shylock spoke reassuringly to Catherine.

 “They may look debauched, but they are all carefully selected nobles who have been invited. Don’t be afraid.” 

Catherine, wearing a rose mask, raised her eyebrows.

 “The queen of the party is not naive enough to be intimidated by this.” 

Despite what she said, she’d never been in such a free-spirited environment before.

 

Her heart was pounding, but she had no desire to go back.

 

Instead, her excitement for what was to come only grew.

 

Just then, a man in a leopard-print mask approached Catherine.

 “Welcome, beautiful rose lady.” 

Catherine chuckled at the cute title, a far cry from the ponderous title of Godmother Edenberg.

 

The leopard-print mask extended a hand to her.

 “Would you like to play cards, Lady Rose?” “Of course.”

Catherine replied confidently.

 

Being a noblewoman didn’t mean she chatted all day.

 

When they got tired of chatting, they played cards, and Catherine was a good player.

 

But Catherine’s eyes widened as she followed the leopard print mask.

 

There was a pile of glittering gold coins on the table.

 

“

This isn’t just a game for fun, is it?” 

This is real money, and lots of it.

 

Shylock walked over to Catherine, who had stopped dead in her tracks.

 “Since you came all this way, why don’t you play a game?” 

Catherine considered refusing.

 

She was Godmother Edenberg in name only, and the Elders didn’t pay her much.

 

But then Shylock slammed a pile of gold coins on the table.

 

Turning to a surprised Catherine, Shylock said.

 “Since you’re an invited honored guest, I’ll be your host for the evening, so don’t worry about anything and enjoy yourself.” 

The leopard-print mask also pulled out an empty chair, one eye narrowing.

 “Let’s see what you’re made of Lady Rose.” 

Catherine’s face remembered.

 

‘Yeah, well, it’s not like I’m doing this on my own dime, and if I run out of money, I can quit.’

 

She didn’t want to come all the way out here and look like she was poor.

 

The cheering grew louder as she sat down in her chair.

 

Shylock’s eyes glittered fiercely behind his gold mask as he stared down at the card-carrying Catherine.

 

Like a snake biting its prey.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Artia narrowed her eyes.

 “It’s strange.” 

Catherine, who had been nagging her every day to meet a suitor, had been so quiet lately.

 

Or rather, she hadn’t been seen at all.

 

She went out every night and didn’t come back until after sunrise.

 

She’d come home reeking of booze and cigarettes.

 “I figured I could get away with it for a few days because she likes to party so much, and I didn’t want to nag a grown woman about coming home early.” 

But it was a little too much.

 

Crucially, Catherine was acting suspic

iously.

 “Mother went to the thrift store again?” “Yes, she sold a dress…”

Vivi added, her face serious.

 “Some of the decorations in the mansion are also missing.” 

Artia had a hunch.

 

That this was not something to be taken lightly.

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