The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

It has been a long time since Artia has left the house since her divorce.

 

As she sits in the carriage, Artia flexes her arms.

 “I’ve been working out every day lately, and I think my arm muscles have gotten stronger.” 

Vivi nods, still as thin as a forsythia branch, but with a serious face.

 “It looks that way. If you keep at it, they’ll be as hard and thick as a thousand-year-old tree.” “I can’t wait.” 

Artia smiled as she imagined her biceps bulging.

 

A moment later, the coach stopped.

 

Artia stepped out of the carriage, accompanied by Vivi.

 

They arrived at Penelope’s villa.

 “Penelope helped me a lot while I was locked in my room.” 

Her enthusiastic gossip about Lloyd had destroyed his reputation.

 

They’ve crossed paths a few times in the past, but they have never seen each other like this.

 

Artia’s fears that this might be awkward were allayed when Penelope greeted her with a smile.

 “Welcome, Miss Artia von Edenberg. Or should I call you Princess Edenberg, like we used to, now that you’re divorced?” 

Artia said with a slight blush.

 “Please call me Mrs. Edenberg.” 

Once married, a woman never reverted to her unmarried title. Like widows, Artia retained the title of Mrs. Edenberg.

 

Penelope nodded.

 “I see, Mrs. Edenberg.” 

Artia bowed her head slightly to the kind Penelope.

 “Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Oren.” “I’m honored, Mrs. Edenberg is quite the socialite these days.” 

No wonder.

 

She’d been the subject of a shocking event – the first divorce since the emperor’s accession to the throne.

  

* * *

  

As a result, Artia received more invitations than ever before.

 

Half out of curiosity about a divorcee who hadn’t been seen in decades, and half in hopes of cementing a relationship with Artia for the vacant seat of Duke of Edenberg.

 

She declined all their invitations, claiming she needed time to gather her thoughts, but accepted Penelope’s.

 

Artia smiled wryly and held out a beautifully wrapped gift box.

 “Thank you for helping me, Mrs. Oren, your efforts have made my battle with my ex-husband less lonely.” 

‘Did Mrs. Edenberg always smile so sweetly?’

 

Penelope looked at Artia, a little surprised, before answering playfully.

“You’re welcome.” 

Penelope casually took Artia’s arm and led her into the drawing room.

 

The room was lavishly decorated, and a round table was set with all sorts of colorful desserts.

 

Penelope beamed with pride.

 “I’ve tried every popular dessert shop in the capital.” 

What Penelope didn’t know was that Artia hated the sweetness of sugar and preferred fresh or dried vegetables to desserts.

 “We knew each other by name, but never really got to know each other.” 

She wasn’t disappointed at all, just grateful.

 

These incredible desserts were her sweet consolation prize.

 “You’ve had a hard time with that asshole, and for once you shouldn’t worry about your waistline.” 

Penelope glanced at Artia’s waist before adding.

 “Excuse me. I’ll keep my waistline to myself.” 

Artia burst out laughing.

 

Many women disliked Penelope’s manner, finding it uncouth and coarse. But Artia liked this side of her.

 

She hadn’t expected to be able to talk to her about anything other than

“bad husbands,”

but it worked.

 

Stories about socialites, trendy clothes and novels she liked to read…

 

Penelope laughed out loud at the non-stop stream of interesting stories.

 “Fuhaha! If you’re such a good talker, why were you so quiet before?”

Penelope said, letting out a lighthearted laugh that was far from that of an elegant noblewoman.

 

Because she wasn’t the Artia she was then.

 

But it wasn’t necessary to say it, so Artia smiled wryly.

 “It must be because Mrs. Oren is so responsive to me.” 

Penelope looked at Artia with a slight blush, then said.

“Well, we’ve known each other since we were kids, but we weren’t that close, so I’m a little embarrassed to say this now.” “……?” “I’d like to be friends with Mrs. Edenberg fro now on.” “……!” 

Does Penelope know that Artia, as a child, wanted to be surrounded by her friends.

 

She wanted to play with dolls, read books and talk.

 

“Look, Artia, you have the friend you always wanted.”

Artia smiled, hoping that the real Artia could see this.

 “Good, I’d like to be friends with Mrs. Oren, too.” 

Penelope’s eyes widened and she hugged Artia tightly, as if she couldn’t tak

e it anymore.

 “Then you can call me Penelope from now on, Artia.” 

Artia nodded shyly in Penelope’s arms.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Killian sat with a sullen expression on his face while Artia spent time with Penelope.

 

Nocturne, standing behind him, thought.

‘He looks like he’s going to tear someone apart if he catches them, but I know that. Well, I’m sure the prince is just bored out of his mind…’

 

As much as he wanted to leave him alone, as his closest servant, he couldn’t, so he spoke up.

 “Your Highness, would you like to train in swordsmanship?” “No.” “Then how about a bath?” “No.” “Shall I bring you a book to read?” 

Kilian shook his head again.

“No thanks, get out.” “What?” “Go outside and play by yourself.” 

‘How could he be so grateful…!’

 

Nocturne bowed his head, hiding the happiness that threatened to burst forth.

 “Understood. Call me if you need me.” “Yeah, I’m bored right now.”

Killian muttered to

himself after Nocturne left. 

 

That was how he used to play at times like this.

 

With this mumbled excuse, Killian’s body was engulfed in golden light and the strong man’s body turned into a slim black cat.

 

 

* * *

 

 *Tap, tap, tap* 

Artia’s eyes widened as she turned her head at the knock on the window.

 

Artia closed the book she was reading, jumped to her feet and opened the window.

 “There you are, Butterfly!” 

Artia smiled and waved as if she had been waiting for it.

 

The black cat hesitated for a moment, then stepped into the room.

 

With a quick, graceful stride.

 “Wow, Butterfly is in my room.” 

It was a huge step forward, considering it had only been sitting by the window when it arrived a few days ago.

 

Excited, Artia chirped with a childlike memory.

 “I used to only see you in the palace. A few days ago, I was locked in my room and things were not good, so I couldn’t give you anything, but I had so many things I wanted to give you.” “…….” 

Artia held the basket out to Killian, who wrinkled his nose at the hint of something bad.

 “Voila, a gift.” 

The basket was filled with food and brightly co

lored toys.

 

Artia pulled out a package of well-dried beef jerky and placed it in her hand.

 “Here, try it. I made this snack just for you.” “…….” 

Killian was a fussy eater, even for a prince.

 

Even on the battlefield, the food was of the highest quality, to the point where Nocturne had complained that it was harder to feed the king than it was to kill the enemy.

 

‘And you expect me to eat this?’

 

Of course, jerky is meant to be eaten by humans.

 

But it’s a treat for cats.

 

And he can’t just pick it up with a fork, she has to put it in his mouth.

 

One meow is enough for him, and he won’t have his dignity trampled anymore.

 

But Artia’s pink eyes were shining like never before.

 

He’d never seen them look so expectant.

 

Not even when he’d offered to help her get a divorce the other day.

 

Sparkling.

 

‘Shit… I’m not going to eat it. I’m not going to eat it!’

 

But against his better judgment, Killian opened his mouth as if under a curse.

 

Artia smiled even more brightly as the butterfly bit into the jerky.

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