The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Lloyd was no longer a duke. Worst of all, he had left the woman he loved for his own safety.

 

There was no reason for Lyrica to desire him now.

 

But Lyrica’s eyes widened as if she had received an unexpected gift.

 “Are you sure I can take him?” “Yes.” 

At that moment, her large, innocent eyes glowed eerily.

 

The emotion in them was not love.

 

It was another kind of anger.

 “Lloyd thinks Lyrica is a naive girl who doesn’t know anything, but he’s wrong.” 

Born and raised in the back alleys, Lyrica had a fierce side to her.

 

When she loved Lloyd, she had to hide it, but now she won’t have to.

 

This is a chance to trust you, Lyrica.

 “If you want to find fault with me, don’t ever show up in my presence again. And Lloyd with you.” “…….” “Do you understand what I’m saying?” 

Lyrica stared at Artia blankly, then fell on her face.

 “Yes. I will do my best not to offend you again.”  

* * *

 

 

A week after his divorce and eviction, Lloyd stood at the iron gate of his mansion, unshaven and unkempt.

 

He expected to look pathetic, but people who passed him on the street raised their eyebrows.

 “He’s been divorced through no fault but his own, and he’s holding on shamelessly.” “If he had any sense, he wouldn’t have done such a terrible thing in the first place.” 

Public opinion of Lloyd was at its lowest as the nobles gossiped about his misdeeds.

 

It was as if the entire empire considered him an enemy.

 

A woman spoke up beside him.

 “They say he also killed the last Duke of Edenberg.” 

Benedict’s sudden death prompted an investigation by the ducal family and even the Imperial Court, but no evidence of foul play was found.

 

Still, Lloyd’s reputation was at rock bottom, so the story was taken with a grain of salt.

 “Murderer!” 

Someone shouted, throwing a small stone at Lloyd.

 Puck!  “Ow!”

Lloyd screamed as the rock hit him in the forehead.

 

Lloyd was in pain, surprised that he was not the one who threw the rock.

 

He was used to being hit, but he wasn’t immune.

 

God, he hated being hurt.

 

Finally coming to his senses, Lloyd looked up.

 “I don’t care what kind of asshole you are!” 

Lloyd’s eyes widened.

 

Lyrica was standing in front of him.

 

Though she was much more demure than the last time he’d seen her, she still had the same sweet face and voluptuous breasts that mesmerize him.

 

Lloyd, who had been staring at her breasts without realizing it, snapped out of it.

 “Yeah, I don’t know how you got here…” “The maids you sent to keep an eye on me have all left, and since your divorced there’s no reason for them to follow your orders anymore.” “……!” “So I came back because I missed you so much.” 

Lyrica hugged Lloyd tightly.

 “Duke, you’re coming with me.” 

What Lloyd needed now was Artia.

 

Somehow, he had to free her mind and become the Duke of Edenberg again.

 

But a lifetime of nobility had already taken its toll on his body after days on the road.

 

All he wanted was to get home to a cozy place, bathe, eat something warm, and lie down in bed to be comforted.

 

In the fluffy lap of an adorable baby bird.

 “It’s not like Artia is going anywhere. We’ll come back when we’re stronger.” 

Lloyd followed Lyrica like a fascinated child.

 

They went to the house where Lyrica had lived before she

became Lloyd’s concubine.

 

The moment Lloyd saw the dilapidated house tucked away in a dingy back alley, he made a face.

 “It’s still dirty. Shall we go to a hotel?” 

At that moment, something hard hit Lloyd on the head with a loud thud.

 

The pain was nothing compared to being stoned, and Lloyd couldn’t even scream as he collapsed.

 

When he opened his eyes again, Lloyd was lying in bed, just as he had hoped.

 

Except that he was… naked and bound.

 “What the hell…” 

Lloyd stammered, too surprised to speak until he saw Lyrica’s face in front of him.

 

Lyrica smiled brightly.

 “You’re awake, Duke. I was afraid I’d hit you so hard you wouldn’t be able to open your eyes. I’m glad you’re okay.” 

Only then did Lloyd realize that Lyrica had hit him over the head with the frying pan.

 

Lloyd’s eyes lit up with anger.

 “What have you done…” 

But he couldn’t get the words out.

 

Lyrica had raked her fingernails across his cheek.

 

Her sharpened nails proved to be an effective weapon, le

aving a bright red gash.

 “Ow!” 

Lloyd screamed as if he’d been cut by a knife.

 

Lyrica swung her nails again.

 

She dug another nail where she had jus

t cut, deepening the wound and causing it to burst. The pain doubled.

 “Argh!” 

Tears formed in Lyrica’s large eyes as she stared down at Lloyd, who let out an animalistic howl.

 “Does it hurt, Duke?” “Of course it hurts!” “Riri was even sicker.”

Lyrica said, looking at Lloyd who was screaming.

 “……!” “It hurt so much when the Duke left me, even though I begged him to let me stay with him, and it still hurts.” 

The purple eyes with their clear tears were eerie.

 

Suddenly, Lloyd realized.

 

She was no longer the innocent, adorable baby bird before him.

 

‘I have to get away from this crazy woman. If I don’t, I don’t know what will happen to me.’

 

Lloyd tried to pull himself together and said as sweetly as he could.

 “Oh, baby bird, you’ve been through a lot, but don’t worry, I haven’t left you. I’ll call you back when I’m stable, ah!” 

Lyrica’s nails dug into Lloyd’s lips this time.

 

A drop of blood formed on his tender lips.

 “I hate you, Duke.”

Lyrica said.

 

Lyrica spoke to Lloyd, whose bruised lip was too sore to make a sound.

 “So the Duke must stay here until Riri’s anger has passed.” 

And the time passed in a blur.

 

As much as Lyrica loved Lloyd.

 “Aaah!” 

A man’s shrill scream echoed through the old mansion.

 

But it was so secluded that few could hear him.

 

There were occasional passersby, but no one paid attention.

 

To the ragged backstreet dwellers, another man’s scream was no more interesting than a drink.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Elma chirped excitedly.

 “Mr. Lloyd, who has been making a lot of noise every day, has finally left, and he’s taking Lyrica with him.” 

Several people saw Lloyd and Lyrica leave together.

 

The rumor spread quickly.

 

The nobles, who already had a bad feeling about Lloyd, were quick to criticize.

 “He said he didn’t want to get divorced, but now that he’s divorced, he’s so excited that he’s sleeping with a commoner.” “He is a disgrace to the nobility. He shouldn’t even be allowed to set foot in society.” 

Elma, holding the teapot, looked at Artia.

 “If you don’t mind, I’ll get Lyrica Goh’s head if you give me the order now.” 

Elma’s words were meant as a jab at Artia.

 

But Artia snatched the teapot out of Elma’s hand and said.

“No, thank you.” 

Artia thought as she poured herself a cup of tea.

 

She had been secretly informed of the situation by Vivi, who was still in hiding.

 

Lloyd and Lyrica were together, as everyone knew, but they were having a terrible time, not a cozy one.

 “I spied on the house and found Lloyd tied to the bed with cuts all over his body, his mouth covered with a wet towel and he was crying. Next to him, Lyrica was humming and cooking, saying things like, “You need to eat well so you can have fun with Riri.”” 

Lyrica’s condition was worse than expected.

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