The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

When Killian became interested in Edenberg’s affairs, he didn’t need to gather information intentionally.

 

He simply listened to the nobles at the occasional banquet.

 

So now Killian was learning what many already knew.

 

His beautiful face suddenly became hard.

 “Why did you not tell me this before?” 

Nocturne was confused.

 

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find a reason to tell his master.

 

But his master’s character was too mean to let him vent his frustration so easily.

 

Drawing on his experience serving the prince since childhood, Nocturne gave the safest and wisest answer.

 “I was wrong.” 

Fortunately or unfortunately, Killian had already turned and was leaving the banquet hall.

 

No one in the ballroom reacted, even though he hadn’t bothered to bow to the host of the banquet before leaving.

 

It was such a small thing, not even worthy of being included in His Majesty’s

“madness”.

  

* * *

 

 

Artia stared out of the window.

 

The only people in the room were the maid, who brought the soup, and Elma, who crept in and out.

 

Surprisingly, Lloyd never appeared.

 

He must have gotten tired of her. Either that, or he expects her to shudder at the thought of being locked in her room forever.

 

Whatever the reason, the days without him were peaceful, and Artia liked it that way.

 

Though it is a little unnerving to hear about the situation outside only from Elma…

 

Artia’s eyes narrowed in thought.

 

A black cat appeared through the window.

 

“You…”

The cat’s bright golden eyes triggered

a long-forgotten memory.

  

As a child, Artia had often accompanied her father to the Imperial Palace.

 

While the adults talked, the children spent their time in the garden.

 

The children giggled as they watched Artia flutter through the willows, her head bowed, alone, even as everyone gathered to greet her.

 “Why can’t you look people in the eye?” “She’s cursed by a witch, they say, so she can’t look us in the eye. Anyone who makes eye contact with Edenberg turns to stone.” “There’s also a story that she shoots beams out of her eyes and shoots people.” 

The children burst out laughing.

 “Let’s see who can make eye contact with Edenberg first.” 

Soon, the children surrounded Artia.

 “Look at me, Edenberg.” “No, look at me.” 

When Artia didn’t look up, one of the children tugged at her silver hair.

 “Look at me?” 

The child shouted when she saw Artia’s face forced up.

 “Oh, I’m turning to stone. Run away!” 

The children scattered, laughing hysterically.

 

Alone, Artia covered her mouth and hurried out of the garden.

 

Once she was in the middle of nowhere, she shivered.

 “Oh, my father will be angry if he finds out I’ve been crying, I have to stop crying…” 

As Artia frantically wiped her eyes, she heard a rustling in her ear.

 

Turning her head, she saw a black cat.

 

   The sight of the cat, with its ebony-smooth black fur and jewel-like golden eyes, made Artia stop crying.

 “You’re beautiful,”

Artia said, her eyes instantly turning ecstatic.

 

‘I know.’ The cat’s innocent expression seemed to say so.

  

After that day, she saw the black cat a few more times in the palace.

 

Each time, the cat would hide in a corner and sit quietly beside Artia as she cried.

 

It was a stoic figure, with no cute cries or affectionate gestures, but Artia found it comforting.

 

Artia used to dread going to the palace, but she found herself looking forward to it.

 

She wanted to meet the cat with the sparkling golden eyes.

 

But one day, the cat was nowhere to be seen, and Artia often thought of it and longed for it.

 

Artia looked at the black cat by the window.

 “It can’t be…” 

Common sense told her that the palace cat couldn’t possibly be here.

 

But what other cat in the world could be so beautiful?

 

With a trembling voice, she carefully opened her mouth.

 “Butterfly…?” 

Artia had come up with the name herself.

 

The black cat entered the window with an aristocratic stride, as if it recognized its name.

 

Its appearance convinced her.

 “It’s Butterfly!” 

She reached out to touch Butterfly and stopped gasping.

 

Butterfly don’t like to be touched.

 

It used to give her a scary look when she tried to touch it.

 

She’ll have to be careful.

 

Artia clenched her fists to make sure she di

dn’t make a mistake and locked eyes with Butterfly.

 “It’s been a while, Butterfly.” “…….” “I used to worry when I didn’t see you.” 

Was it sick? Had it gone somewhere far away? Has it crossed the Rainbow Bridge…

 

She shakes her head quickly, feeling like she’s going to burst into tears if her mind goes that far.

 

It’s no use, Butterfly is loved and happy.

 

Artia was right.

 

Artia smiled weakly through her tear streaked face.

 “I’m so glad you’re safe.” “…….” 

Butterfly looked at Artia and then looked away.

 

Artia let out a small laugh at the sight.

 “Still the same.” 

Butterfly had never shown any sign of being happy to see Artia.

 

Sometimes she wondered,

“Does it hate me?”

but now she knows for sure.

 “If you didn’t like me, you wouldn’t have come to me in the first place. You like me.” 

Artia looked at Butterfly confidently.

 

It was indeed a beautiful creature.

 

Its golden eyes sparkled like jewels in the sunlight.

 

Artia gazed at Butterfly in rapture, then asked.

“How have you been?” “…….” 

Butterfly sat still and said nothing.

 

Even its appearance was the same as before.

 

Artia sat next to it and talked.

 

Things she was upset about, things she was happy about, books she was reading, things she wanted to do.

 

Butterfly listened as she said everything she wanted to say to someone, but no one else would listen.

 

Artia opened her mouth and remembered.

 “Actually, I was having a hard time because my father died.” 

Parting from a father without warm memories wasn’t heartbreakingly sad.

 

But seeing Lloyd as a different man after becoming Duke of Edenberg was too much.

 “I cried alone in my room, thinking of you,”

she recalls,

“so I got up the courage to go to the palace and wander the gardens, but I couldn’t find you anywhere. I was heartbroken.” 

Curiously, Butterfly arched an eyebrow as if it understood Artia’s words.

 

Noticing the subtle change, Artia waved her hand.

 “It’s okay now, I don’t love Lloyd anymore. I’m going to break up with him now, although I doubt I’ll succeed.” 

Even though everything was going according to plan, the divorce was far from certain.

 

The more time she spent alone in her room, the more anxious she became.

 

Then Butterfly lifted its front paw and flicked the back of Artia’s hand.

 

Surprised by Butterfly’s first appearance, she asked.

“Are you cheering for me?” 

Instead of answering, Butterfly stared at Artia.

 

Her piercing golden eyes, unwavering, seemed to say,

“You can do this”.

 

Just as she felt a magical surge of courage… a knock came at the door.

 “My lady, it’s Elma.” “……!” 

Butterfly fluttered at the sound of voices outside the door.

 

It had happened before.

 

Butterfly would sit quietly by Artia’s side, only to leave at the first sign of someone else.

 

As if it didn’t want to be seen by anyone but Artia.

 

Instead of grabbing Butterfly, Artia said.

“We must meet again, Butterfly.” 

She wonders if it knew how much she meant it.

 

Butterfly looked up at Artia and said,

“Meow—”. 

Artia covered her mouth in astonishment.

 

It was the first time Butterfly had ever made a sound in front of her.

 

When Butterfly turned away, Artia looked at its back and shouted.

 “I’ll be here forever. You can come back anytime!” 

In a flash, the black cat disappeared through the window.

 

* * *

 

An alley without people.

 

The black cat walked forward, step by step.

 

With each step, his appearance changed until he turned into a breathtakingly beautiful man.

 

It was Killian, with hair as black as the night sky and sparkling golden eyes.

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