I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - 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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I’d eloped with the male lead in a shotgun marriage.
Chapter 4

* * *

From that day on, Emilia fell gravely ill.
“Cough, cough.”
As she coughed, she cursed her own stupidity from within.
Wet clothes or not, she should have changed out of them immediately.
Swallowing was agony, so she winced hard just to manage a sip of water.
‘I really need to get some medicine.’
She tried to sit up, then gave up at once.
In her current state, even a brief trip outside was beyond her.
‘Cedric’s house is stocked with every remedy known to man,
and here I don’t keep a single potion.’ The irony of it struck her as anything but funny.
‘I’ll just sleep a bit more and try again.’
That’s when she was about to drift off once more.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
At the harsh knocking on her door, Emilia’s eyes flew open.
‘Who on earth—?’
“Open the door, won’t you, Emilia!”
That voice…
Emilia hauled her heavy body upright at once.
When she opened the door, Anderson stood there, visibly furious.
“How did you—cough, cough.”
“Good heavens, what’s become of you!”
At the sight of Emilia’s haggard state, Anderson struck her own chest reproachfully.
“What am I to do with such a foolish child! Let me in.”
She furrowed her brow and heaved a long sigh, then patted Emilia’s back and ushered her inside.
The woman surveyed the interior once, then pointed to a chair.
“Sit yourself down there for now.”
“What?”
“You clearly haven’t eaten a proper meal. Sit tight—I’ll have something ready in a moment.”
“That’s really not neces—”
“Hush! Quickly now.”
Anderson widened her eyes at Emilia as though scolding a child.
Emilia had no choice but to go sit in the chair.
‘Now that I think about it, I haven’t shown up at the shop without a word…’
Watching Anderson pull out cooking utensils, Emilia finally spoke.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t come to work without letting you know.”
“That’s enough. I figured something must be wrong.”
“But how did you know to come?”
“How did I know!”
Anderson set down a dish with a sharp clatter.
“The whole Village already knows Cedric brought a woman back from the Capital!”
She clicked her tongue as she went on.
“He’s been strutting about without a care in the world, they say. A Count’s daughter, no less?”
Emilia slowly lowered her gaze.
“Don’t you dare cry over that wretch! It’s a waste of tears!”
Anderson’s brows shot up as if she might actually strike her if she wept.
At her scolding, the tears that had been threatening to spill simply vanished.
“…I won’t.”
“Good then.”
With the woman’s practiced skill, a fragrant soup soon appeared before Emilia.
“Eat up.”
“Thank you. I’m grateful.”
Anderson sat across from her, watching to ensure she ate well.
Once Emilia had emptied her bowl, Anderson placed a heavy purse on the table.
Coins clinked against one another with a clear chime.
“What is this money?”
“Your Severance Pay.”
“I’m sorry?”
Emilia’s heart sank in an instant.
As if reading her thoughts, Anderson shook her head.
“It’s not because I’m firing you for any wrongdoing.”
With resolute eyes, Anderson took Emilia’s hand in her weathered one.
“Leave this place, Emilia.”
“…Leave? What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“Go to the Capital. If you’re going to start anew, you need a new place.”
Anderson slid the purse toward her as she continued.
“And whatever you choose to do, it’ll be better than here.”
“…”
Emilia hesitated, uncertain how to respond.
But she understood what Anderson was saying.
If she stayed, she’d hear nothing but whispers and gossip.
Even if Cedric was the one at fault, he was now an Imperial Palace official.
Everyone would be watching his every mood.
“Honestly, is there anyone in this Village who doesn’t know you’re sharper than Cedric?”
“…”
“You could have passed that vaunted Examination on the first try if you’d only been allowed to take it yourself.”
“But—”
“But nothing. Or would you rather stay here and watch them laugh and revel in his success?”
“…What will you do about the Shop?”
“By now I’ve earned five years’ worth of profit thanks to you. So don’t worry about it.”
This was no idle remark.
Thanks to Emilia’s advice, the Shop’s revenue had grown considerably, and Anderson had even mastered bookkeeping perfectly.

“What’s an old woman like me going to learn?”

So she had protested—yet Emilia had patiently taught her anyway.
‘That’s precisely why Cedric was able to pass the Examination.’
Anderson’s thoughts turned to Romanses, likely having a grand time with her own son by now, and her expression darkened.
She looked back at Emilia and spoke again.
“You’ve worked harder in place of my runaway son.”
“Runaway son?”
Emilia made an uncertain face at Anderson’s exaggeration.
Her son, Alex, had simply become an Imperial Palace official early on.
Of course, Anderson complained that he never showed his face at home.
‘Though he does come back every half-year or so, which is rather understandable.’
Just then, Anderson placed another purse on the table.
At Emilia’s questioning look, Anderson spoke with confidence.
“It’s from my son—I swiped a bit.”
“I don’t think it’s just a bit…”
“If it fits in your hand, it’s one bit.”
The woman, having just invented her own unit of measurement, seemed embarrassed and gave a false cough.
At that, Emilia broke into laughter.
“There now—you’re smiling again. Life’s unpredictable anyway, so just take it and hold onto it without protest.”
“Yes. I will.”
“Good. You made the right choice. And remember—your happiness comes before anyone else’s. Never forget that.”
Emilia nodded slowly at the warm advice.

* * *

After Anderson left, Emilia sat lost in thought for a while, then rose from her seat.
She made her way to the storage room and pulled something out.
It was a large Travel Bag.
She’d bought it long ago, preparing for the day she and Cedric would travel together.
In truth, she wanted nothing more than to throw it in the trash right then—
‘But what fault has the bag committed?’
Emilia picked up the bag, went to her room, and began deciding what to pack.
But when she looked at what she had, there wasn’t a single decent piece of clothing.
Suddenly, anger flared in her chest.
What right did he have to treat her so poorly?
Everything worthwhile belonged to Cedric; she had always come second.
Emilia gathered what few usable things she had and packed them firmly into the bag.

* * *

Bang! Bang! Bang!
The next day, Emilia hammered on Cedric’s door hard enough to break it down.
“What is—”
A irritated voice came from inside, and Cedric emerged.
“Emilia?”
He looked shocked to see her standing at the door.
He clearly hadn’t expected her to come to him.
The moment he noticed the large Travel Bag beside her, Cedric’s expression crumpled.
‘Does he think I’m here to move in and impose myself on him?’
If so, that would be quite the misconception.
Without another word, Emilia simply extended her hand.
“Give it back.”
“Give what back?”
“All the money I’ve ever spent on you. Hand it over.”

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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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