The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

It wasn’t hard to deduce.

 

Lloyd, who had always thought of maids as interchangeable parts, suddenly wanted to use Vivi.

 

Elma was the only one who could offer such advice.

 

Instead of making some lame excuse, Elma nodded.

 “Yes, I told him, but please don’t misunderstand my true intentions. When I told him about Vivi, I wasn’t trying to get you into trouble, I was trying to see if she was worthy of your trust and loyalty.” “…….” “As I predicted, Vivi ran away and left you alone. She forgot the favor you gave her.” 

Elma knelt down and took Artia’s hands in hers.

 “But I am different. Please give this Elma a chance to be your loyal hand and foot.” 

Artia knows that Elma’s only doing that because she has her weakness, and if she can’t use it, Elma will change her stance in an instant.

 

She’s a bat.

 

Artia had never felt affection or trust for Elma. But now, in complete isolation, she needed Elma’s strength.

 

Artia looked deeply touched.

 “To think that you would stand by me in this situation… I think I’ve misunderstood you all along, Elma.” “My lady!”

Elma said, her face brightening.

 “Vivi is gone, and Lloyd is under heavy surveillance, and you are the only one who can help me; will you do me a favor?” “Of course. Anything!”

Elma nodded as if she had been waiting.

 

Artia whispered in Elma’s ear.

  

* * *

 

 

“The duke likes cute and sexy at the same time, so why don’t I try these on~” 

Lyrica’s face, which had been giggling and picking out underwear, quickly turned sour.

 

It was because Elma entered the room.

 “Why are you here!” 

Lloyd said to Lyrica, who yelled at him to get her out of the room and told him what Elma had done to her.

 

“Elma is a maid I took in from my own home, and I’d like to give her another chance after serving you for so long. She’s a good little bird, so you’ll understand, won’t you?”

 

The truth was that Lloyd had no affection for Elma.

 

He just couldn’t be bothered to hire a new person to suit his tastes.

 

And he didn’t want anyone to be slower to learn about Lloyd’s many irregularities with Edenberg’s finances.

 

Now that Lloyd had gone so far as to say so, Lyrica couldn’t be angry anymore. But there was still a lingering grudge against Elma.

 “Get out of here, you traitor!” 

Lyrica threw the underwear in her hand at Elma.

 

Elma was hit by the lace and fell to her knees in front of Lyrica.

 “Please listen to me, Ms. Lyrica,”

she said,

“all I could think of that day was to stop you before you were punished even worse by your mistress.” “But even if you did, how could you lock me in my room?” “Exactly, I hurt Ms. Lyrica no matter what my intentions were.” 

Elma hit her head on the ground.

 “I did wrong. Give me a punishment and I will take it.” “……!” 

Lyrica’s big eyes fluttered wildly as she looked at the prostrate Elma.

 

Lyrica was a commoner, poor even, and she wasn’t used to being accused like that.

 

Without missing a beat, Elma spoke.

 “I just want you to know this. I want you to know that Elma will always be on your side…” “…” “That’s why even when I was ordered to let you starve, I secretly brought you food.” 

Artia had never ordered anything like that, but it was impossible for Lyrica to know.

 

For whatever reason, Elma was special to Lyrica.

 

From the day she first entered the mansion, Elma had taken care of her. Carefully and intensely, as if she were a noblewoman.

 

Finally, Lyrica’s face relaxed. 

 “…I’ll believe you when you say so.” 

Elma smiled brightly through her tears.

 “You have a warm heart, Ms. Lyrica. You’re not at all like that mean lady who’s glamorous on the outside but mean on the inside.” 

Lyrica’s chubby cheeks puffed up.

 

Being called better than a noblewoman always made her feel good.

 

‘Easy girl.’

Elma sneered inwardly and opened her mouth.

 “I’ve come with some top-secret information to put your mind at ease, Ms. Lyrica. Would you like to hear it?” “What is it? Come on, tell me.” 

Elma whispered to an impatient Lyrica.

 “A few days ago, I received confirmation of their divorce petition from the Imperial Family.” “……!” 

Lloyd had kept the fact that the Imperial Family had sent him divorce papers a secret because he didn’t want anyone to know about it.

 

Turning to Lyrica, who was too stunned to speak, Elma continued.

 “My master must be trying to divorce her and take Lyrica as his true wife, for he truly loves you.” 

Elma’s words were far from the truth.

 

It was Lloyd who had refused to divorce Artia in the first place.

 

Normally, Lyrica would have laughed at Elma’s story, even if she didn’t know that.

 

What kind of nobleman gets a divorce to marry a poor commoner?

 

But Lyrica’s reaction was different.

 

With tears in her eyes, she murmured.

 “I’m going to be a duke’s wife…” 

It was a miracle that a poor commoner could meet and fall in love with a duke of such high status.

 

To Lyrica, who had already experienced a miracle, Elma’s words seemed quite possible.

 “I am happy for you, Ms. Lyrica,”

Elma said to Lyrica, who blushed as she imagined herself standing next to Lloyd in her white wedding dress.

 “Why don’t we please our master, who has made a great decision?” “How?”

Lyrica’s resentment towards Elma had long since faded.

 “After all, you are the one who cares most about me, Elma. 

Lyrica’s big eyes sparkled.

 

Like a baby bird, innocent of the world.

 

It was a charm that enchanted Lyrica, but Elma just scoffed.

 

‘She’s not naive, she’s stupid. How could she think of entering the noble world with such intelligence?’

 

Elma stifled a laugh and whispered in Lyrica’s ear.

 

In the sweetest voice she could muster.

  

* * *

 

 

A ballroom of nobles.

 

As Lloyd stood alone, the nobles asked.

 “Why did you come alone, Duke of Edenberg?” 

It was customary for couples to attend such events, even if it was an all-male gathering.

 

Lloyd replied with a gregarious smile.

“My wife is unwell and could not come.” “Oh, that… I hope she is well soon.” 

The nobles looked at each other pitifully and spoke heartlessly.

 

None of them cared about Artia.

 

It’s just a shame they don’t get to see the spectacle of Artia trotting after Lloyd like a frightened dog.

 

Soon the nobles and Lloyd began to talk about other things.

 

Lloyd was neither very knowledgeable nor very eloquent.

 

However, his title as Duke of Edenberg and his handsome appearance attracted many noblewomen.

 

The corners of Lloyd’s mouth twitched as he watched the woman giggle at his words.

 

That’s how women should be. Smart, beautiful, and loving.

 

She was nothing like Artia, who was always as grumpy as a cloudy day.

 

She’s changed lately, though.

 

The way she met his gaze without the slightest hint of fear was quite…

 

Lloyd moistened his lips with his tongue.

 

A cute little voice mixed with a snort echoed through the ballroom.

 “Duke Edenberg!” 

Lloyd almost dropped the wine glass he was holding.

 

With light footsteps, Lyrica appeared in a flowing gown.

 

Lloyd stumbled backwards in surprise.

“You, how could you…” “I decided to be brave like you so that I could become a lady worthy of the duke’s side.” 

Lyrica replied with a reminiscent look on her face and took Lloyd’s arm.

 

At that moment, an eerie silence fell over the banquet hall.

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