How I Ended Up Becoming the Imperial Princess While Trying to Pay Off an Illegal Loan - Chapter 4

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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004.
The paper rustling in her pocket was surely the Marriage Certificate, or so she’d assumed—but when she pulled it out, it was only a scrap of magazine.
“Oh no! I didn’t bring the certificate, husband!”
“It’s here.”
Leon withdrew the Marriage Certificate from his breast so naturally and handed it to the official.
“You dropped it the other day, so I’ve been keeping it safe.”
“…You’re perfect.”
Tamia gave Leon a thumbs-up.
She’d thought he was only exceptionally strong, but he had the tact to match—a perfect score.
“So we can participate in the competition now, right? There’s no problem, is there?!”
“No problem, but…”
Like the priest before him, the official’s face drained of color as he held the Marriage Certificate.
“How on earth could such a person…”
“Hush.”
When Leon fixed him with an intimidating stare, the official hiccupped and fell silent.
“Hic.”
“I think it would be wise to arrive early and rest before the competition.”
“You’re looking after my condition too? I really am grateful. I definitely chose the right husband!”
“Let’s meet in front of the competition grounds tomorrow morning. Now go.”
“Right, you get some rest too and take care of yourself. Oh, that’s right! I have to go find it!”
Tamia waved at Leon and disappeared in haste.
Leon exhaled deeply, then approached the official, who remained rigid with fear.
“If rumors of the prince’s participation in this competition spread, I will hold you accountable.”
From beneath the black hood, crimson eyes blazed with lethal intent.
“Y-yes, understood!”
The official could only nod vigorously, his face twisted in anguish.
* * *
At last, the day of the competition arrived.
Tamia combed her long hair meticulously, gathered it high, and donned practical riding attire. She fastened the sword she’d purchased at Ripel Smithy a few days prior to her waist.
Across her back she slung her trusty bow and packed arrows generously.
“That should cover everything.”
Fearing any delay, she bolted for the Hunting Competition Grounds on the outskirts of the Capital the moment she finished breakfast.
“I hope he didn’t oversleep… Oh, there he is!”
Leon was already waiting at the entrance of the competition grounds, beating her there.
Even from a distance, his towering frame was unmistakable, his muscles honed by rigorous training.
Yet regrettably, that impressive physique was concealed beneath a shabby black robe.
“What’s with you? Are you a criminal or something? Why do you keep covering your face?”
Tamia stepped closer and jabbed Leon in the ribs.
“If I were a criminal, would you dissolve the marriage?”
“Even an assassin for hire works fine. You’re still my husband, after all.”
Tamia had absolute confidence that even if her husband turned out to be an elite spy dispatched by an enemy nation, she could subdue him on the spot.
Besides, his identity wasn’t what mattered now.
What mattered most was the prize money—the prize money!
“Well then, let’s go earn those two thousand Der!”
Fired with enthusiasm, Tamia seized Leon’s wrist and strode into the competition grounds with confident steps.
“Why do you keep grabbing my wrist since yesterday? Do you normally seize any random man’s wrist like this?”
“What are you talking about? You’re my husband.”
“Even so, in a few more hours we’ll be divorced…”
“Oh! I think that’s the waiting area over there.”
Before Leon could say another word, Tamia dragged him along.
Had his aide Kallen witnessed it, he would have been astounded.
‘No, no, no! Your Highness! Your wrist—is it alright?! Regardless of how averse you are to contact with others, you mustn’t resort to extreme measures such as severing a limb or burning it!’
Leon chuckled softly.
Had another noblewoman behaved as Tamia did, Kallen’s fears might well have come true.
The Empire’s second prince, Leon Ignatius Valentis, carried an affliction.
Severe Female Phobia—a condition of the most serious grade.
His vow never to marry a woman who couldn’t match him in five exchanges of blows was no idle boast. He truly could not bear even to look a woman in the eye if she lacked such strength.
Yet somehow, Tamia’s touch did not repel him. Though she’d gripped his wrist with crushing force—hard enough to break bone—he’d felt not revulsion but something close to welcome.
“What are you doing, husband? Why are you moving so slowly?”
Tamia urged Leon forward, impatient that he wasn’t keeping pace with her.
“Hurry to the front and catch at least one more!”
* * *
“Sigh…….”
At that very moment, the Arderin Estate echoed with nothing but Theodore’s weary breath.
“Why won’t anyone buy these jewels……?”
A handful of glittering gems lay across his weathered palm.
It had been three days since the sudden demand for repayment came knocking.
After consulting with his wife Grita, Theodore had decided to sell off a few pieces of jewelry at once.
But strangely, the jewels weren’t moving at all.
‘We only sell, we don’t buy. Please come back another time.’
At every jeweler’s shop, the merchants turned him away with a wave of their hand.
‘These aren’t stolen goods, are they? Why are you in such a hurry to sell?’
Some even cast open suspicion on Theodore.
Growing desperate, he’d even ventured into the underworld’s back alleys, but no one—not a single soul—would buy jewels bearing the Arderin name.
“Darling, please don’t worry so much. I’ve already written to my father asking for his help…….”
That was when Grita began to comfort her husband.
“Ahem, is the Count Arderin at home?”
Someone had come looking for Theodore.
“Good heavens—is that not Duke Dupont?”
Theodore’s face lit up and he rushed outside.
“I heard you’d moved to the Capital, but I’ve been so tied up I never managed to call. You’ve done quite well for yourself with this place.”
“Please, come inside.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
Theodore led Duke Alexis Dupont to the receiving room.
“Your build hasn’t changed a bit. The Demon Beasts would flee in terror at the mere sight of the Count.”
“Ha, as a warrior, I simply cannot neglect my training.”
“I owe you such a debt. Has it been seven years now? If you hadn’t helped me then, I’d have fallen to those beasts.”
The duke gave Theodore’s shoulder a friendly pat.
“Not at all. Hunting Demon Beasts is simply my duty.”
Theodore’s expression, which had been brightened by the praise, suddenly darkened.
“Your Grace, there’s actually something I’ve been hoping to ask you about.”
“You were hoping to see me?”
The duke opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“Yes. Didn’t you advise me to acquire a Town House in the Capital? You even recommended a finance company.”
“That’s right.”
“Well, that company you recommended…… it’s turning out to be rather peculiar. We’d only just received the loan when they suddenly demanded we repay a thousand Der at once. Can you imagine?”
The duke rested his chin on his hand and examined Theodore with evident amusement.
“Hmm, that doesn’t sound right. Are you certain you haven’t misunderstood something, Count?”
Theodore hung his head in embarrassment.
“No, Your Grace. The creditors have already been here. They say that if I don’t repay the thousand Der within a week, they’ll seize the estate in my territory.”
The duke clicked his tongue at the sorry tale.
“That’s quite the predicament you’ve found yourself in. You know as well as I do that Imperial law is strict with debtors. I’m afraid your only option is to find a way to repay the debt, no matter what.”
“Could you…… perhaps help me? For some reason, all my sources of funds have dried up.”
Theodore swallowed his pride and bowed deeply.
“Well then, Count, listen to me.”
The duke smiled with a cunning gleam and continued.
“Your daughter is twenty-two this year, isn’t she? Have you never considered marrying her off?”
“Marriage?”
Caught entirely off guard, Theodore lifted his head in bewilderment.
“My son Chris seems to have taken quite a liking to your daughter.”
“What?”
“I’m suggesting we become in-laws. If you do, I’ll not only settle your thousand Der debt, but also pay off everything you owe on this Town House.”
“That is…….”
Theodore’s words caught in his throat.
Now that he thought about it, when he’d saved the duke seven years ago, Chris had shown some signs of being fond of Tamia.
But they’d been just thirteen or fourteen at the time, so he’d paid it no real mind…….
“Your Grace, I believe that’s a matter I should discuss with my daughter first.”
As Theodore hesitated to accept the duke’s offer, the latter’s expression turned cold and rigid.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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