The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Artia went into Catherine’s room.

 

Catherine was sitting at her dressing table, applying her makeup, looking surprised.

 “Why did you come to see me?” “Are you going to the banquet again tonight?” “Yes.” “I’m coming with you.” 

Catherine, stunned, jumped to her feet.

 “Why would you go with me?” “Because you go there every day, and I’m curious to see what it’s like, and Mother told me I should go to some banquets instead of staying home.” “Well, by the way…” 

Catherine shook her head, unable to hide her embarrassment.

 “No, it’s not your place to come.” 

The blank look deepened her suspicion.

 

‘What kind of banquet was this…?’

 

Suspicious, suspicious.

 

Catherine’s irritation flared as her eyes locked with Artia’s pink ones.

 “Do I really have to go to a banquet at my age and with your prying eyes? I want to enjoy myself, so stay home and don’t give me any ideas!” 

Catherine stormed out of the mansion.

 

Artia saw the carriage leaving the mansion and stood up.

 “Let’s go, Vivi.” “Yes.” 

Normally she would never do something like that, like going behind her mother’s back, but she couldn’t help it.

 

She followed the carriage, keeping her distance so Catherine wouldn’t notice.

 

A few moments later, the carriage pulled into a mansion on the outskirts of town.

 

Artia, watching from a distance, raised an eyebrow.

 “Whose mansion is this?” 

Artia didn’t recognize the place.

 

The coachman asked.

“What shall we do, my lady?” 

At first glance, the mansion was heavily guarded. It was unlikely that they would let just any carriage in.

 “Wait here for a moment.” 

Artia stepped out of the carriage and approached the manor.

 

As expected, the gatekeepers stopped her.

 “Show us your invitation, please.” 

“

Oh, no, there is no such thing as an invitation. But my mother has been invited here today. I have come all this way to tell her something urgent, so please allow me to enter.” 

The small, white, soft-eyed woman did not look threatening at all.

 

The gatekeepers nodded involuntarily, then realized what they were doing and said.

 “Only those with an invitation may enter.” 

From the looks of it, they weren’t going to let her in.

 

Vivi whispered to Artia.

 “Do you want me to go in?” 

No matter how heavily guarded it was, Vivi could do it.

 

But Artia didn’t want to risk letting Vivi into the mansion where she didn’t know what was going on.

 

The penalties for trespassing in a nobleman’s home could be severe.

 “Now that we know where the banquet hall is, let’s go back.” 

The next day, Artia investigated the banquet.

 

She found out that it was held in a mansion owned by a man named Baron Crovachon, but nothing else.

 “What kind of banquet is this, and why is it so secret?” 

She’ll ask her mother.

 

No, she’s done it before, she’s deflected, she’s not going to get a straight answer.

 

‘What am I going to do?’

 

A few days later, Artia found herself in a carriage pulling into the Crovachon estate.

 “Show me the invitation.” 

The man in front of her reached through the window and held out an invitation with a distinctive pattern.

 

And then the security was breached.

 

The carriage moved through the gate the gatekeepers had opened.

 

‘We are finally inside…’

 

Artia looked at the man across from her with a remembered expression.

 

The man in the black suit, legs crossed arrogantly, was Prince Killian.

 

She still couldn’t believe it.

 

That she was here, in this suspicious mansion, with this dangerous man.

  

* * *

 

 

A few days ago, Artia was lying in bed, wondering how to get into the mysterious mansion.

 

Then she heard a rustling sound and a black cat appeared.

 “Butterfly!” 

Artia jumped out of bed and ran to the window with a big smile on her face.

 “There you are, I missed you.” 

Artia jumped up and down as if she hadn’t seen him in years, even though she had only seen him a few days before.

 

The black cat, on the other hand, had a defiant look in his eyes, his gaze darting around as if searching for something.

 

No unpleasant faces today.

 

The cat’s face relaxed and he pressed his butt against the window.

 

Next to him, Artia chuckled softly, her jaw set.

 “What do you want to do today? Have a snack…” 

The cat’s golden eyes narrowed.

 “A toy…” 

Again!

 

Artia’s eyes narrowed as she realized the cat’s mood.

 “…Why don’t we just talk?” 

Talking, she thought, she’d be talking to herself, and Butterfly is no fun.

 

But despite her worries, the black cat’s piercing eyes narrowed again.

 

He loves listening to humans.

 

Artia was fascinated by the Butterfly’s taste and told him about the events of the last few days.

 “We never made it into Baron Crovachon’s mansion.” “…….” “If I were a cat, I might have been able to sneak in…” 

Artia laughed ruefully.

 

But the very next day, something amazing happened.

 

Nocturne, the lord’s chamberlain, came to visit.

 “I bring you a message from His Highness, Prince Killian. His Highness has asked you to accompany him to a banquet given by Baron Crovachon.” “What?!” 

Artia was so surprised that her eyes almost popped out of her head.

 

A message from Prince Kilian was one thing, but to be asked to accompany him to Baron Crovachon’s banquet?

 

Could there be such a coincidence?

 

Are the gods watching and playing with her?

 

Without giving it much thought, she said yes.

 

This was her chance to attend the banquet she’d been wondering about.

 

On the day of their meeting, Artia sat across from Killian in the carriage.

 

Artia had been clutching the hem of her skirt and staring at the floor from the moment she entered the carriage.

 “I’m sure you feel uncomfortable being alone with me in a cramped carriage, so let’s not provoke each other.” 

Killian said, looking down at the head that refused to look up.

 “Artia von Edenberg.” “Yes.” “Say whatever you want.” 

‘I can? I can, right? His Highness gave me permission first.’

 

There were too many questions, so Artia slowly raised her head.

 

Meeting Killian’s golden eyes, she asked cautiously.

 “What kind of banquet are we going to?” “It’s a banquet hosted by Baron Crovachon. It’s a very secretive affair for a single baron. Only those who have been carefully selected and invited are allowed to attend, and there is one unusual rule.” “What rule?” “Those who attend the banquet are not allowed to reveal their names, families, ages, or anything else about themselves.” “The nobles of the capital are a close-knit group. Is that possible?” “It is possible if you have this.” 

Before she knew it, Killian was holding a white mask.

 

Artia remembered a day.

 

The day Catherine had returned to the manor, drunk, wearing an ornate mask adorned with roses.

 

One of the secrets of the banquet had been unraveled, and as Artia nodded, Killian handed her the mask.

 “Wear it.” 

‘Ah, I thought it was too feminine for your highness, but it was mine.’

 “Thank you.” 

Artia took the mask, careful not to touch his fingertips.

 

Surprisingly, the mask fit her face as if it had been custom-made for her.

 

The design was not too flashy, and it suited her taste.

 

‘Coincidence? …or care?’

 

Artia put on her mask with a small pause.

 

Killian wore a mask too.

 

With half his face covered by a black mask, he looked like a different person.

 

‘The aura he gives off is still frightening, but…’

 

Artia looked at him and opened her mouth.

 “Your Majesty, I have one more question.” “Tell me.” “Why did you ask me to attend the banquet with you?” 

‘You looked like you were going to cry if you couldn’t go.’

Visit my Ko-fi for advance chapter discounts!!