The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Lloyd hadn’t seen Lyrica since the day she’d stormed into the ballroom.

 

She’d cried so much her eyes were puffy, but she was still cute.

 

Her ample breasts contrasted with her pale face.

 

Lyrica lunged at Lloyd, who was unintentionally drawn

to her full breasts.

 

Hugging Lloyd tightly, Lyrica sobbed like a child.

 “Come on, duke, it was Riri’s fault, she made a mistake because she liked you too much.” “…….” “I’ll never say anything again about wanting to be the duke’s wife, I’ll stay quiet in the mansion and please forgive Riri.” 

The childish sobbing was pitiful.

 

Lloyd stroked Lyrica’s curly mauve hair and said.

“Go away, baby bird, far away from the capital.” “……!” 

Lyrica’s eyes widened even more and she shook her head vigorously.

 “No, no, no, Riri will stay with the duke forever!” 

Lloyd’s face contorted at Lyrica’s vehemence as he nodded obediently no matter what she said.

 

Lloyd grabbed Lyrica’s delicate shoulders with both hands and shouted. “Do you know how hard it is for me to part with you, but I can’t help it!”

 

Keeping Lyrica in the manor would only increase the rumors.

 

That the Duke of Edenberg was in love with his commoner mistress and was trying to kill his wife, or something scandalous like that.

 

Lloyd wanted none of that.

 “I’m not asking you to leave forever. I’ll call you again when the noise dies down. Until then, be quiet.” 

There was an arrogant, mean streak in Lloyd’s eyes that told her he wouldn’t leave her alone if she didn’t comply.

 

A tear trickled down Lyrica’s big eyes.

 “I love you.” “…….” “I love you, Duke. Please don’t leave Riri. Please…” 

Lloyd loved Lyrica too.

 

But not enough to risk his safety.

 

Lloyd raised his hand.

 

The maids dragged Lyrica away.

 “Duke! Duke!” 

Lyrica’s piercing screams filled the mansion.

 

Soon, her figure disappeared from the mansion.

  

* * *

 

 

Elma entered Artia’s room and said happily.

 “Lyrica got kicked out of the mansion!” “Really?” “Yes. The maids, on the Duke’s orders, took her to a village far from the capital.” 

Artia chewed the carrot stick she had brought with her with a calm face while Elma spoke excitedly.

 “I didn’t care what happened to Lyrica, I just wanted Lloyd to be chewed up like jelly.” 

It was good news, of course.

 

No more looking at a pair of cockroaches that made her stomach turn.

 

If anything, kicking out a baby bird that acted like it would die if they were separated would mean more blame for Lloyd.

 

Penelope was clearly to blame.

 

Artia and Penelope weren’t close, but they were the same age and had seen each other often since childhood.

 

Unlike Artia, who was always cowering in a corner, Penelope was a hive of activity.

 

There were a lot of kids who liked her, despite her family’s low status.

 

It was understandable.

 

Unlike other aristocratic girls, who were extremely cautious about their behavior, Penelope was fiery, outspoken, and full of life.

 

She didn’t pay much attention to Artia, but she didn’t ignore her, and when she saw other children being too mean to Artia, she told them not to.

 

So she wrote to Penelope.

 

She hoped that Penelope would be moved by her compassion for Artia, as well as by their commonality of cheating husbands.

 

Predictably, Penelope was more eager than anyone to take Artia’s side, which intensified her criticism of Lloyd.

 

But now that Lyrica is gone, people’s interest in her will naturally wane

.

 

That’s a problem.

 

Somehow she had to capitalize on the

current mood to bring down Lloyd’s reputation.

 

To the point where the demanding Emperor would have no choice but to grant the divorce.

 

Artia sent Elma back to Penelope.

 

* * *

 

 

Unlike before, when she had only received and returned letters, Penelope greeted Elma warmly.

 “Welcome.” 

Penelope felt an unprecedented closeness to Artia, knowing that she was the only one she had asked for help.

 “How is your mistress, is she alive?” 

Elma’s spirits were lifted by the lady’s eager interest, but she wore a somber expression.

 “She is alive, yes. But she’s not well. She’s confined to her room, so there’s nothing I can do.” “Oh, well…” 

Penelope wished she could take a riding whip and storm into Edenberg Manor right now to get Artia out of her room.

 

But the reality was that she would be kicked out without even finding her room.

 

They sent a maid to tell her of her plight and there’s nothing she can do.

 

Penelope bit her lip in frustration and Elma handed her a letter.

 “My mistress asked me to give you this, Lady Penelope.” 

Penelope ripped open the envelope and read the letter.

 

Her mouth fell open in horror.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Returning from Penelope’s mansion, Elma said to Artia with a flattering smile.

 “Lady Penelope was very concerned about you.” “Really?” “Yes. She said she was afraid that being confined to your room was harming your health, so she sent you a gift.” 

Elma held out the box she had received from Penelope.

 

Artia suspected that Elma had taken some of the items with her, but she didn’t let on and opened the lid.

 

The box was filled with healthy herbs and cute little candies.

 “I knew she was on my side, but I didn’t think she would go this far.” 

Her heart sank.

 

Elma turned to Artia, who was carefully handling the box.

 “Lady Penelope told me that she would help you with everything in her power, so don’t worry and take it easy.” 

The corners of Artia’s mouth turned up. It was the first affectionate smile she’d worn since she’d been locked in that room.

 

 

* * *

 

 

A few days later, Penelope was sitting with a group of gray-haired older women.

 

The older gray-haired woman said.

“Thank you for inviting us, but I’m worried. Wouldn’t it be boring to have a young woman play with us?” “Of course not, it’s an honor to learn from the wisdom of the ladies. Thank you for coming to the tea party.” 

At Penelope’s reply, the old woman smiled as if flattered.

 “Now that you say so, may I say something as an adult?” “Of course. Go ahead.” “I have noticed that you seem to be telling interesting stories to young ladies these days, such as the one about the Duke of Edenberg locking his wife in her room.” 

Penelope replied confidently.

“That is true. I even went to the Edenberg estate to check it out.” “It doesn’t matter if it’s true or false, interfering in another family’s affairs is not only undignified, it does you no favors, especially when that family is the Dukes of Edenberg.” 

Lloyd was advised to keep his mouth shut, lest he suffer unnecessary retribution.

 

But Penelope would have none of it.

 

‘He has the nerve to lock his wife in her room while he’s having an affair.’

 

Penelope narrowed her eyes.

 “I appreciate your concern, but as a woman, I can’t stand to see my friend treated so badly by another man. I’m sure Artia Edenberg would have petitioned the Imperial Court for a divorce if she couldn’t stand it.” 

The old woman forgot her dignity and coughed and spat out her tea.

 

An old woman wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and asked.

“What did you say? Divorce?” 

The old woman’s voice trembled, as if she were saying a taboo word she should never utter.

 “Yes, they say a formal petition for divorce has been filed and is being considered by His Majesty the Emperor.”Visit my Ko-fi for advance chapter discounts!!