The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

An eerie silence fell over the picturesque garden.

 

Lyrica and the maids around her let out a soft cry, but Artia was not surprised at all.

 

It was all expected.

 

The cockroach had fallen into the trap.

 

With the joy of the plan’s success came a twinge of bitterness.

 

‘No matter how much they hated me, a person was hit right under their noses and no one even came over to see it…’

she thought to herself. 

 

A maid came running from the other side.

 “Are you all right, ma’am?” 

It was the same tall maid with a scar on her cheek that she had seen on her way to Elma’s a few days before.

 

She studied Artia’s face with a blank expression and held out her hand.

 “Please go to your room and I’ll send for the doctor immediately.” 

Artia looked at her, then said,

“Wait, there’s something I need to do first.” 

Artia turned her head to Lyrica.

 “You’re Lloyd’s favorite mistress, and I’ve tried to be understanding, but I can’t tolerate your behavior any longer.” 

She pointed a finger at Lyrica, who was wide-eyed at what she had done.

 “Take this insolent woman who dared to touch me and lock her up immediately.” 

The maids looked confused at the sudden order.

 

But for a moment they remained motionless.

 

They had decided to side with Lloyd’s beloved mistress rather than the powerless Duchess.

 

The realization made Lyrica burst out laughing. 

 

The maid with the scar on her cheek, who had been standing next to Artia, rushed forward and grabbed Lyrica’s arm.

 

Lyrica gasped and screamed.

 “You, do you know whose body you’re touching?” 

When the maid with the scar on her cheek didn’t answer and tried to pull her away, Lyrica called to the other maids.

 “What are you looking at? Stop that bitch right now!” 

The maids, finally coming to their senses, pounced on the maid with the scar on her cheek.

 “Let her go!” 

One against five.

 

The maid with the scar on her cheek didn’t move like a giant boulder.

 

Lyrica’s eyes lit up as if she had found a savior, even though she had been caught in the middle of the maids’ fight.

 “Maids!” 

Elma appeared.

 “What the hell is going on?” 

Lyrica cried, sobbing like a child to her mother.

 “She’s crazy! She’s poisoning Riri and sending her maid to kill me!” 

Artia didn’t give up, rubbing her red, swollen cheeks.

 “Lyrica slapped my cheek.” “Isn’t that something even Duke Lloyd’s favorite mistress can’t get away with?” 

A commoner slapping a noble’s cheek was a clear insult, but Elma didn’t hesitate to take Artia’s side.

 

At Elma’s hesitation, Artia’s lips moved silently.

“Fortune. Wealth.”

 

The magic words were immediately strangled.

 

No matter how horrible Lloyd’s aftermath is, it’s better than being dragged before a tribunal and having your throat slit, isn’t it, Elma?

 

Elma’s eyes fluttered open and closed, and she opened her mouth.

 “Take Miss Lyrica to her room.” 

Lyrica’s face, which had been cheerful at Elma’s entrance, fell immediately.

 “Are you crazy? How could you do that to me?” 

Instead of answering, Elma turned to the maids.

 “Come.” 

Lyrica ignored the order of the powerless Duchess, but it was hard to disobey the order of the maid who had a firm grip on Lyrica.

 

The maids hesitated and looked at each other before Lyrica.

 

Lyrica tugged on her arm.

 “Let’s go, Miss Lyrica.” 

Lyrica struggled and yelled.

 “When the Duke comes, he’ll beat you all so hard you won’t be able to walk on your own!” 

The Duke of Edenberg’s name made the maids’ faces fly, but it didn’t change the situation.

 

After Lyrica had disappeared, Elma turned to Artia and smiled an uncharacteristic smile.

 “You see, this Elma is on your side.” 

She looked as if she needed to be patted on the head for a job well done.

 

But instead of answering Elma, Artia turned to the maid with the scar on her cheek, who was still standing.

 “What is your name?” 

The maid looked at Artia as if surprised by the sudden question, then replied in a calm voice

 “Vivi..” “Vivi., you’re Vivi….” 

Artia smiled as she repeated the name.

 “Vivi., from now on you will be my maid.” 

Vivi’s blank eyes widened dramatically. Elma’s eyes widened twice as much. 

 

Elma looked confused.

 “You can’t just pick a maid on a whim, you have to make sure she’s up to the job.” “She’s my maid, if I like her, that’s all that matters.” “But…” 

Elma looked like she had a lot to say, but Artia ignored her and kept walking.

 “Come on, Vivi..” 

Artia held out her hand to Vivi.

 

Vivi glanced at Elma, then crouched down to greet her, then walked over to Artia and hugged her.

 

Vivi’s solid body was so comforting and reassuring.

 

***

 

Artia entered the room and sat down in a chair.

 

Standing in front of her, Vivi bent down and smeared the medicine on Artia’s red, swollen cheeks.

 

Vivi’s hands were large and covered with small cuts. But despite their rough appearance, her movements were deliberate.

 “It’s like being cared for by a mama bear with huge, fierce front paws.” 

Vivi looked at Artia as she paced, then spoke.

 “My lady, I dare say. I dare you to reconsider the idea of making me your servant. I am far too inadequate to serve you.” 

Obviously, Vivi was uncomfortable with Artia’s orders. But Artia could not give her up.

 

She had a good reason.

 “I have known you before.” 

Months ago.

 

At Lloyd’s invitation to dine with him after a long absence, Artia left the room dressed from head to toe.

 

Her heart fluttered at the thought that Lloyd had found her after all these years.

 

But the moment she reached the hall, her heart sank.

 

There, at the head of a table set with a full feast, was Lyrica, sitting on Lloyd’s lap.

 

Dressed in a gown with many bows, Lyrica smiled brightly.

 “Sis, today is the 100th day since Riri and the Duke met, so let’s celebrate with them.” 

Lloyd pulled Lyrica into a hug.

 “I wanted to celebrate this day with you alone.” “Aye, but you like a crowd on special occasions.” “Ha ha! my baby bird is just so cute…” 

Artia’s face turned pale.

 

Lloyd gave her a sharp look.

 “What are you doing, sit down.” 

Artia had always been unable to stand up to Lloyd.

 

But now she couldn’t bring herself to sit there.

 “Mm, I’m sorry.” 

Artia barely managed to get the words out before she spun around and tripped over the hem of her skirt.

 BANG! 

Lloyd’s loud laughter could be heard behind the fallen Artia.

 “Fuhaha, how stupid are you going to be when you can’t even run properly?”  

Lyrica asked, holding back her laughter.

“Hmp. Are you okay, sis?” 

Artia’s head swam with an immeasurable huiliation.

 

She shuddered, not daring to stand.

 

But none of the maids standing around would help her.

 

The moment a single tear escaped her deep despair… a large, gnarled hand touched Artia’s body.

 

The hand gently lifted her to her feet.

 “Let me show you to your room, my lady.” 

She doesn’t know how she ended up there.

 

Before she knew it, Artia was lying on the bench bed.

 

The maid pulled the covers over her, tears streaming down her stunned face.

 “Rest.” 

Her tone was blunt.

 

Yet there was a hint of sadness in her voice.

 “Do you know how much comfort you gave me that day?Visit my Ko-fi for advance chapter discounts!!