I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 86

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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 ended up in a shotgun marriage with the male lead.
86

* * *

The Hunting Competition had simple rules.

First, it was divided into a first half and second half so that participants could rest in between.
Second, to ensure fairer competition, only weapons prepared by the imperial court could be used.

And Lucas, who was supposed to be the princess’s sole guard knight, found himself assigned to rather mundane work instead.
Specifically, distributing arrows and swords—the communal weapons—to all the participants.
“…….”
“…….”
‘Of all the luck.’
Lucas, his brow furrowed, handed over the weapons to the Duke and opened his mouth.
“I wish you good fortune.”
Kaiden accepted the weapons with a light nod.
Watching the Duke in a seemingly pleasant mood—unlike himself—Lucas felt a petty irritation rise and spoke before he could stop himself.
“You’re not planning to use those weapons against him, are you?”
“Him?”
As the Duke echoed the question, looking genuinely confused, Lucas let out an exasperated laugh.
He went on, making clear this was no joke.
“Emilia’s former fiancé. Over there at the tent—they’ve even put the House of Romances banner up quite proudly. Aren’t you just advertising for him to find you?”
The Duke had discussed Emilia’s former fiancé with his own father, seeking counsel on the matter.
So Lucas naturally assumed the Duke would already know the man was here…….
But seeing the Duke’s expression, Lucas found himself momentarily speechless.
‘He really didn’t know?’
He asked again, as if to confirm.
“Then you also didn’t know that he threatened Emilia on the day she held her tea party?”

* * *

After the weapons had been distributed and the participants were taking their preparation time, a middle-aged man with an anxious air paced back and forth in front of the Prince’s tent.
Then—
A fluttering sound.
An attendant emerged and spoke quietly to him.
“He says to come in.”
The middle-aged man, Marquis Monstera, hurried into the tent with urgent strides.
Inside, Prince Aaron sat with an expression of displeasure.
But no one was quite as consumed with worry as Monstera himself.
Aaron glanced over, fixing his eyes on the Marquis.
“Marquis, what is it?”
“It’s, it’s this, Your Highness!”
Monstera cast a quick look at the attendants around him.
“Speak freely.”
“It’s about Her Highness the Princess!”
As Monstera spoke in an excited tone, Aaron’s lips curled upward.
“Ah, so. Now that you’ve actually seen our sister, are you pleased? Does she suit your fancy?”
Aaron asked with a probing gaze.
At that, Monstera’s eyes widened.
“O, of course, Your Highness!”
Of course she pleased him.
He had spent all these years handling every dirty task behind the Queen and Prince, serving with complete devotion both in word and deed.
And along the way, he had pocketed his fair share of rewards.
But what was this?
The prize the Prince had given him this time was incomparably more satisfying than anything before.
Monstera recalled the princess standing on the dais.
The sickly prince before him certainly had a refined, aristocratic appearance, so he had come with certain expectations.
But to be so beautiful as that.
Hair that shimmered like silver, eyes that seemed steeped in sorrow. A delicate frame and bearing so modest it was beyond reproach.
She was the very image of the woman he had dreamed of since his youth.
His marriage to his recently deceased wife, by contrast, had been utterly tedious.
She had constantly grated on his nerves, always clawing her way into his attention.
He’d raised his hand to her a few times, and eventually she’d become obedient.
In any case, it was fortunate she’d died early, allowing him to take a new wife now.
That his second wife should be none other than such a beautiful princess.
And being so young, he could shape her to suit his every whim.
Now that he’d confirmed the princess met his desires so perfectly, his anxiety only deepened.
It was an unexpected participant that troubled him.
“That is, the Duke of House Valen has entered the competition.”
This was precisely why Monstera had sought out Aaron in such agitation.
“Ah.”
Aaron nodded as if understanding.
“I was rather surprised myself when I heard.”
“Then, might our plan perhaps…….”
As Monstera’s words began to express doubt about their scheme, Aaron responded with an icy tone.
“You’re saying you don’t trust me?”
Monstera broke into a cold sweat and waved his hands frantically.
“How could I dare mistrust Your Highness? It’s only that I’m somewhat……concerned.”
“Shut your mouth.”
At Aaron’s irritable command, Monstera clamped his lips shut.
In truth, Aaron had been deeply displeased when he heard the Duke of House Valen had applied to enter the competition so late.
The man was one of the most formidable contenders for the title.
Aaron had originally set him aside as not participating, but then he’d suddenly submitted an application.
This naturally gave Aaron reason to suspect one thing.
Could it be that the Duke had learned of Selena’s involvement and entered the competition because of it?
Of course, Aaron had already given his sister some amusing news and left her with a warning.

Afterward, Aaron had assigned someone to watch her, but found no sign she’d passed along any message.
In fact, judging by her behavior today, Selena hadn’t even told her own guard knight about the matter.
Aaron tapped his fingers against the desk, eyes narrowed.
His original intent had been to throw his sister to Monstera anyway, and the Hunting Competition was simply a more dramatic way to enjoy the affair.
To that end, he had arranged matters so that Monstera had no choice but to win.
Yet something continued to gnaw at him.
Aaron spoke with irritation.
“For now, we’ll see how things play out.”
“Your Highness?”
At Monstera’s bewildered expression, Aaron’s face darkened further.
He regarded the man with disdain for not grasping his meaning.
“The prize will be announced after the first half of the Hunting Competition ends, anyway.”
The champion’s prize was revealed during the rest period after the first half concluded.
If the prize were too attractive, competition among participants might grow dangerously intense, and if the prize fell short of expectations, participants might lose motivation.
So it would be soon enough to decide whether or not to offer the princess as the prize after observing what game the Duke brought back in the first half.
Aaron spoke irritably to Monstera, who still failed to hide his anxiety.
“If it doesn’t work out this time, I’ll give you the princess in the next Hunting Competition. Now go.”

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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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