I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 75

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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 end up in a flash marriage with the male lead.
75

“For running your mouth so carelessly.”
“Ah, I see.”

At that, Caliana recalled a fact she’d learned while gathering information.
That merchant lord from the Parisian Family had been peddling the name of House Valen to collect investors.
Perhaps that was what had truly angered the Duke.
‘Then again, the great nobles are especially sensitive about such things.’
In any case, thanks to that fool’s loose tongue, Caliana had secured not just her fee but an enormous opportunity.
She glanced down at the contract she held in her arms.
‘Heh heh.’
She’d watched the Duke’s seal being stamped with her own eyes, yet she still felt dazed.
Now she could break through the trade channels that had been completely blocked by the Parisian Family’s interference.
And with a prominent, powerful house at that!
She needed to return to her territory at once to share this news with her people.
As she walked down the corridor with light steps, she spotted a familiar face in the distance.
“Oh—”
Caliana pointed at the woman, and the other’s eyes widened in recognition.
“Back then, the Parisian Merchant House—ah, you’re Caliana, aren’t you?”
“That’s right, that’s me!”
Caliana nodded to the woman who remembered her.
Come to think of it, she owed everything to this woman—the very chance to deal with the Duke.
It was this woman’s intervention with the Duke on her behalf that had started it all.
Caliana hurried toward her.
“Emilia, wasn’t it? I really owe you so much for back then!”
And in her excitement, she reached out to grasp both of Emilia’s hands and shake them, when—
“Wait a moment.”
A sharp voice came from beside them.
“Hmm?”
Caliana turned, bewildered, toward the young noblewoman standing next to Emilia.
A pink-haired aristocratic lady was staring at her with what seemed like outright hostility.
‘What’s this about?’
She hadn’t made any enemies during her merchant dealings.
Meanwhile, Flora spoke in a barbed tone.
“Isn’t that rather disrespectful?”
“What?”
“No matter how gracious the Duke’s wife is, pointing fingers and speaking casually—really, now.”
Of course, I’m hardly one to talk, calling her ‘sister’ myself, but seeing how familiar they seemed, I felt a creeping sense of alarm.
“The Duke’s wife?”
Caliana’s eyes widened as understanding dawned on her, and she nodded.
“Ah, of course! My goodness, I didn’t realize and was quite rude. I apologize sincerely.”
Caliana released Emilia’s hand, which she’d grabbed so eagerly, and scratched the back of her head.
“No, it’s fine.”
Emilia replied without concern.
She was actually more struck by how quickly Caliana accepted the situation.
“But what brings you to House Valen? Ah, is it regarding the Hitran Fabric trade?”
At Emilia’s question, Caliana nodded eagerly.
“Yes, thanks to you, I was able to make a contract with the Duke’s house.”
Moreover, it wouldn’t be long before she could land a blow on that merchant lord from the Parisian Family as well.
As she naturally began to share updates about her territory—
“Just a moment!”
The young noblewoman, who’d been listening beside the Duke’s wife, suddenly interjected.
Caliana’s eyes narrowed.
‘What now?’
Did she not want her to discuss private matters with the Duke’s wife?
But the noblewoman’s expression had shifted completely—her eyes were now gleaming with excitement.
“Is it true?! Is your territory’s soil truly barren?!”
“…Yes, it is.”
There was something almost feverish in her gaze.
Caliana took a small step backward.
“How tragic! Such unfortunate circumstances!”
Yet despite her words of sympathy, the noblewoman’s expression was that of someone who’d discovered a great treasure.
Her mouth was even twitching with barely suppressed excitement.
Surely her infertile soil wasn’t something to be so delighted about?
Moments ago, she seemed openly hostile toward me.
‘Is this some kind of noble provocation?’
Just as Caliana felt a surge of indignation at what she suspected was aristocratic double-talk—
Emilia called out in a stern voice.
“Flora.”
“Yes? Yes?”
“I think I know what you’re thinking, but that was a very rude expression just now.”
“Was… was it really?”
“Yes, apologize at once.”
Emilia spoke to Flora with an unusually firm tone.
Belatedly coming to her senses, Flora’s face reddened with embarrassment.
“I’m so sorry! I got carried away in my excitement…”
Flora bowed her apology.
But Caliana still couldn’t understand what there was to be excited about.
Emilia, wearing an apologetic expression, then turned to Caliana with a question.
“Caliana, do you have a moment to spare?”

* * *

“So you want to conduct trial cultivation or something in our territory?”
“Yes!”
Flora nodded vigorously, her eyes bright.
“Hmm.”
Caliana fell into thought for a moment.
Honestly, after hearing the explanation, it didn’t seem like a terrible proposal.
Then, looking at Emilia seated beside Flora, she posed her question with a serious expression.
“Forgive me, but Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
“Might I ask for your objective perspective on this matter?”
At her words, Emilia’s expression grew troubled.
“Well, I am Flora’s investor, so anything I say can hardly be called objective, can it?”
But Caliana shook her head reassuringly.
“That’s all right. I’d simply like to hear the Duke’s wife’s opinion.”
“Ah, well…”
Emilia glanced at Flora, then began to speak.
“Truthfully, I think there’s nothing to lose from your perspective. After all, you mentioned most of your land is currently unsuitable for farming, with minimal harvests, so existing food production shouldn’t be significantly disrupted. And Flora tells me that the plants she’s cultivated actually help restore soil fertility, which could only benefit you. Isn’t that right, Flora?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
Flora nodded enthusiastically.
“So wouldn’t it be worth both of you seizing this opportunity together?”
“Please!”
Flora clasped her hands pleadingly.
After a moment’s consideration, Caliana nodded.
“Very well. I agree.”
“Really?! You won’t regret this, I promise!”
“Hmm, merchants don’t put much stock in pretty words.”
“Then let me prove it with results—just wait and see!”
Watching the two of them appear to have found common ground, Emilia smiled softly.
Then, after a small sigh, she turned to Caliana.
“Oh, and there was something else I wanted to discuss with you.”
“Yes?”
Caliana turned, blinking.
“It’s about the water tax the Parisian Family demanded.”
Emilia spoke with a slight smile.
“I looked into it and found a method to address it. Would you like to hear?”
“…!”
And moments later.
After hearing the Duke’s wife’s proposal, Caliana realized that even barren soil could sprout abundance if fortune smiled upon it.

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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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