I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 65

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

I’d ended up in a shotgun marriage with the male lead.
Chapter 65

“I’m thanking you for giving me the chance to protect a child.”
“Ah….”
A small sigh escaped from between Selena’s lips.
“Thanks to the letter you sent to me, Your Highness, I was able to protect Ivan.”
Emilia spoke with genuine warmth in her voice.
“So the boy’s name is Ivan, then.”
Selena quietly repeated the unfamiliar name.
“I….”
She hesitated for a moment, then continued in a soft voice, her gaze lowered.
“I only sent the letter.”
She didn’t want her actions to be overestimated.
After all, she hadn’t stepped in directly to stop her mother.
And she couldn’t even be certain that her decision to help the boy had come from pure goodwill.
It stemmed from a guilt she’d carried for far too long.
Yet despite all that.
“I’m glad the child is safe,” Selena said slowly, offering a small smile.
“I truly am.”
Even if it had been a small gesture, she was glad it had helped protect someone.
And more than anything else, this time she wouldn’t have to live with regret.
But the brightness in Selena’s face faded just as quickly.
“Duchess, still… your mother won’t give up on the boy.”
Selena knew her mother better than anyone.
When it came to anything involving Aaron, she threw herself into it with fierce determination.
And Ivan was her father’s illegitimate son—by his very existence, he posed a threat to Aaron’s position.
That was far different from Selena’s own situation, where she could simply be left alone as long as she didn’t cause trouble.
The Duchess nodded at Selena’s worried words.
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Her answer was soft but unwavering.
At that, Selena offered a small smile of relief.
At first, she’d thought of this woman as merely a tragic figure swept up in circumstances, forced into the role of Duchess.
But this had been her mistake.
Though the time had been short, the woman Emilia had proven to be was someone with an inner strength that rivaled anyone else’s.
Meanwhile, Emilia was listening carefully outside the reception room.
Fortunately, the attendants hadn’t yet returned.
She recalled the moment she’d headed toward the reception room earlier.

But the attendants at the Tea Party Venue had all stood about uncertainly, merely exchanging glances.
‘They seemed to have no idea where the reception room was.’
It was information any attendant of the Princess Palace should naturally have known.
In that moment, a knight who’d escorted her alongside Lucas flashed through Emilia’s mind.
The attendants seemed little different from that knight.
‘They’re all the Empress Faction’s people, no doubt about it.’
That’s why she’d deliberately sent the attendants out of the reception room—so she could speak privately with the Princess.
Using the excuse of fetching ice.
“Your Highness,” Emilia began carefully.
“This is a sudden question, but might you be able to answer one thing for me?”
Selena wore a puzzled expression for only a moment before nodding.
“Yes, if it’s something I can answer for you.”
“Is there a Hunting Tournament that the Imperial Palace is preparing this year?”
“A Hunting Tournament?”
Selena echoed the question, as if it truly was unexpected.
The Hunting Tournament was a flagship event hosted by the Imperial Palace, and the prizes given to the champion varied from year to year.
And one particular year, an entirely unforeseen prize had been announced—
‘It was marriage to the Princess.’
Absurdly enough, that had been the tournament’s grand prize.
Emilia recalled a brief exchange from the Original Story.
It had been merely a scene meant to showcase Kaiden’s overwhelming hunting prowess, but now it was something she couldn’t brush past lightly.

“Last year’s tournament prize was quite extraordinary.”

Youngsik had let out a snort of laughter.
“Everyone was in an uproar about it. Absolutely out of their minds.”
“Marquis Monstera ended up winning, didn’t he?”
“That’s right.”
Another Youngsik had shrugged.
“He got lucky. If Duke Valen had participated, the outcome would’ve been different.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“So what do you think this year’s prize will be?”
“Who knows. But remember all that commotion from last time? The Princess’s knight who resisted even died, didn’t he? So they’ll probably offer something more reasonable this time.”
“Why bother guessing? The tournament champion is practically decided already this year anyway.”
“True enough. Ugh, I wish I’d participated back when Duke Valen wasn’t around. I’d have set my sights on the Princess too.”

In the Original Story, Kaiden’s participation in the Imperial Hunting Tournament was next year.

“What? There’s no Hunting Tournament scheduled for this year?”

That was the answer Herald had given when she’d asked about the tournament.

“Marquis Monstera… well, he’s not exactly a man of good character.”

It hadn’t been long since he’d lost his wife, and his nature was brutish.

“Oh, now that I think of it—” Selena said, as if something had just occurred to her.
“Since last week, Aaron—I mean, the Crown Prince has been preparing a Hunting Tournament.”
At those words, Emilia’s expression hardened.
‘Of course. It hasn’t been made public yet, that’s all.’
The Crown Prince would host it, and Marquis Monstera from the Empress Faction would claim the victory….
It was far too perfectly orchestrated to be mere coincidence.
The tournament this year almost certainly had its champion already decided: Marquis Monstera.
Herding the game was hardly difficult.
Emilia studied Selena’s puzzled face.
As she’d suspected, it was clear the Princess knew nothing of this arrangement.
She couldn’t possibly be so composed if she’d known she herself was to be offered as the prize.
The Original Story had said nothing of what kind of life Selena lived after marrying Marquis Monstera.
But was any explanation even necessary?
Then her mind drifted elsewhere.
‘Could it be that the Princess’s knight who died resisting… was Lucas?’
Just then, noticing Emilia’s darkened expression, Selena asked with concern.
“Are you alright, Duchess?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
Emilia quickly offered a smile.
And silently, she made a vow.
She would not let this kind girl—who had risked danger for a child she didn’t even know—end up as she had in the Original Story.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the reception room.
‘Already?’
Selena, too, had noticed the attendants’ approach, and she whispered to Emilia in a low voice.
“Duchess, thank you for sharing all this with me.”
As her soft voice faded, the reception room door opened and the attendants stepped inside.
“We’ve brought ice and towels.”
“Thank you.”
Emilia accepted the Ice Pack with a smile, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
As she placed the Ice Pack on her arm, a soothing coolness spread across her skin.
While the heat from her flushed skin subsided, Selena spoke to one of the attendants.
“Since we need to see our guest off, would you call Lucas?”
“Yes, right away!”
It was the same attendant who’d spilled the tea earlier and had been anxious ever since.
She quickly bowed her head and hurried from the reception room.
Emilia, for her part, felt a secret thrill.
‘I was already thinking of how to meet Lucas separately, anyway.’
Not long after, Lucas arrived.
Emilia casually set the Ice Pack aside and looked up.
The moment her eyes met his, she couldn’t help but tilt her head in confusion.
‘Why does he have that expression?’

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