I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 73

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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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She had rushed into a marriage with the male lead on a whim.
73

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‘Thank goodness.’
Emilia had managed to slip into the Office with Herald as her unlikely ally.
Kaiden gave a soft laugh at the sight of her clinging so closely to Herald as he trailed behind.
Then Herald reached Kaiden’s side.
As an aide, he could hardly neglect to verify that his superior had properly attended to his duties.
Herald’s expression betrayed considerable suspicion.
“You’ve returned early, sir. But you did complete all your business, didn’t you?”
“Of course.”
Kaiden nodded matter-of-factly, prompting Herald’s next question.
“And the Antidote development—how does it progress?”
“Still underway.”
“Well, the Empress wouldn’t use something ordinary, would she?”
Herald shook his head as though he’d expected nothing less.
From behind them, Emilia, who had been listening to their exchange, ventured carefully: “An Antidote, you say? What do you mean?”
“Ah.”
Herald turned to her and exhaled softly.
“We’re researching an Antidote for the poison the Empress uses in the Dukedom of Valen.”
“I see.”
Emilia nodded in understanding.
“The matter is too sensitive to report by letter, so he had no choice but to travel to his Territory in person.”
Herald paused mid-explanation, his eyes suddenly widening.
“Wait a moment.”
Something had just occurred to him.
“Emilia!”
“Yes?”
“When he was injured before, you used a Wound Treatment Remedy on him, didn’t you?”
“Ah, yes.”
At her confirmation, Herald turned to Kaiden with hopeful eyes.
“Even accounting for his Poison Resistance, the physician said it was remarkable how quickly his condition improved.”
“That’s right.”
“Could that Wound Treatment Remedy have possessed detoxifying properties as well?”
Listening to Herald’s quite reasonable conjecture, Kaiden’s gaze fell upon Emilia.
She flinched at his scrutiny, and Herald pressed her eagerly: “Where did you obtain that Wound Treatment Remedy?”
Emilia answered him while discreetly avoiding Kaiden’s eyes.
“A friend from my hometown made it.”
“Is that so?”
The unexpected answer made Herald’s eyes widen.
“Then might you ask your friend about the ingredients and formulation? It could be the key to developing the Antidote. Of course, we shall offer generous compensation. The Duke will ensure it.”
The efficacy of any remedy, even one bearing the same name, varied greatly depending on its ingredients and proportions.
Such information could not be obtained without consideration, so Herald turned confidently to Kaiden with a slight nod.
“Yes, I’ll reach out to my friend.”
Emilia agreed readily, inclining her head.
Yet her attention remained fixed on the man beyond Herald.
Kaiden’s gaze had not wavered from her since earlier.
Self-conscious, Emilia half-hid herself behind Herald’s frame.
She forced herself to speak evenly: “…But aside from that, why did you call for me?”
Yesterday’s words kept echoing in her mind.

“At least from tomorrow onward, I wish you to address me by my name, Emilia.”

Of course, she couldn’t call him “Duke” in formal settings.

“Emilia.”
“Y-yes?”
Emilia started, her voice rising slightly.
Kaiden’s tone remained calm as he spoke: “Today is your regular report on business operations, isn’t it?”
“Oh…”
Emilia let out a small sigh.
Now that she thought of it, today was indeed her scheduled briefing day as his business liaison.
‘I forgot completely after coming back to the Mansion so suddenly last night.’
Emilia bit her lower lip lightly.
“…I’m sorry. I didn’t think ahead.”
Heat rushed to her face.
‘What on earth did I think he wanted to see me about?’
She’d been dwelling on yesterday’s words all on her own.
Just then, Kaiden’s quiet voice reached her: “Once you’ve finished with Ivan’s instruction, return to my Office.”
“Y-yes, of course.”
She answered quickly, bowed, and hastened from the room.
Click.
Herald watched the door close behind her, tilting his head.
“Something seemed rather off about Emilia today, wouldn’t you say?”
“Perhaps.”
Kaiden chuckled softly and added: “That would be ideal.”
“Pardon? You’d prefer if something were off with her?”
Herald posed the odd remark to his superior, but Kaiden merely wore a satisfied smile, saying nothing more.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the Reception Room.
Estel had been summoned by the Empress and arrived to meet her.
“That woman is far from ordinary!”

“For a commoner, she certainly presumes to lecture others as though she were nobility itself, and the way she feigns innocence is absolutely infuriating—”

The Empress cut her off with a single word.
The Reception Room fell silent, and the sound of a teacup being set down followed with a sharp clink.
Estel flinched, turning her gaze to the Empress.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
The Empress traced the rim of her teacup with a finger, her lips curving upward.
“Do you truly believe I summoned you to hear complaints?”
“Of course not, Your Majesty.”
Estel answered hastily, the Empress’s displeasure all too evident.
“What is it I asked you to do?”
The implication was clear: she had no patience for further idle talk.
In truth, Estel had regretted her actions at the tea party yesterday the moment the water spilled.
The Duchess of Valen had withdrawn from the gathering because of it.
Watching her leave, Estel had cursed herself for her carelessness.
After failing to gather information and the tea party ended in shambles, she’d been unable to return home, instead pacing anxiously through the Imperial Palace.
But then fortune struck.

“Impossible… it can’t be…”
A man appearing to be an Imperial administrator had walked past her, muttering in a daze before suddenly raising his voice.
“It can’t be possible!”
Estel had frowned at the commotion.
‘What a nuisance.’
Already vexed, she’d been about to leave when the man’s next words made her freeze.

‘What?’
Estel stopped dead.
The name alone had arrested her attention.
She’d turned back and quickly called out to the administrator.
“You there!”
The man startled, looking at her in surprise.
“Y-yes, what is it?”
Estel pointed a finger at him, her expression intent: “You just said the Duchess of Valen?”
“E-er… yes, but… what brings this on…?”
He glanced uncertainly at her lavish dress before responding hesitantly.
“You seem to know something about that woman…”
She withdrew a ring set with a large jewel and offered it to him.
“Could you spare a moment of your time?”

Now Estel smiled, recalling the tale she’d extracted from him.
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ve brought you information that should prove most satisfying.”

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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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