I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 87

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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’d married the male lead on a whim.
Episode 87

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Emilia entered the tent and drew a handkerchief from her bag.
‘Hmm…’
She’d selected the best of dozens she’d made over several days, but it still wasn’t satisfactory.
‘Still, I can’t not give it to him.’
Having made her decision, Emilia stepped outside the tent.
She was about to call out to Kaiden, who stood before her, when she noticed he was gazing intently at something.
‘What’s he looking at?’
Curious, Emilia followed his gaze.
In the distance, she glimpsed a fair-haired woman entering one of the tents.
Emilia froze.
Though she couldn’t see the woman’s face from behind, she had little trouble guessing who she was.
The tent she’d entered belonged to the Romance Family.
‘Reina…’
Without thinking, Emilia’s hand clenched tight.
In fact, when she’d first arrived at the Hunting Ground, she’d been startled to spot the Romance Family’s crest.
But their allocated zones were different, and their encampment lay at a distance from hers. She’d thought there’d be nothing to worry about—
‘Why would Kaiden…’
Was it natural that his gaze would turn toward Reina?
Even if this wasn’t the same meeting as in the original story, Reina was still the female lead.
Just then, Kaiden’s voice reached her.
“Emilia?”
“Yes, yes?”
Startled by his sudden call, Emilia answered in a thin voice.
Kaiden raised an eyebrow, finding it odd.
“Did you need something?”
“No?”
“Then why…”
He trailed off, his gaze dropping downward.
Following his eyes, Emilia let out a soft gasp.
“Oh.”
She realized she’d been clutching the hem of his coat.
“A-ahem.”
Emilia quickly released her grip and held out the handkerchief instead.
“It’s not that I need anything—I have something to give you. Here.”
Kaiden accepted the handkerchief she offered and examined it closely.
He traced the crudely embroidered stitches slowly with his fingertip.
Emilia felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.
“P-please don’t look at it so carefully.”
At her reproachful words, Kaiden lifted his head to study her.
“Next time I’ll make one properly for you…”
Kaiden paused, seeking clarification.
“Next time?”
“N-no! That is to say…”
Startled, Emilia quickly shook her head.
When she thought about it, when would there be a next occasion for giving him a handkerchief?
“In any case, it’s terribly crude, but would you accept it?”
After all, wasn’t it because of her request that he’d entered the Hunting Competition?
She’d practiced earnestly to make it, wanting to express her gratitude with at least a handkerchief.
Kaiden’s lips curved upward slightly.
“If my lady gives it to me, nothing else matters.”
With that, he took her hand and raised it.
‘Oh, surely not…’
At the Hunting Competition, receiving a handkerchief and kissing the recipient’s hand in gratitude was a courteous gesture toward one’s counterpart.
Emilia found herself suddenly recalling that moment in his office when Kaiden had unexpectedly kissed the back of her hand—she felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment.
But holding her fingertips, he gazed down at her quietly before releasing her hand for a moment.
‘…?’
While Emilia stood puzzled, Kaiden wrapped her hand with the handkerchief she’d given him.
Then he bowed his head and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
As his lips settled against the fabric, Emilia blinked in surprise.
She seemed to want to ask why he hadn’t kissed her bare hand directly.
At her bewildered expression, Kaiden felt amusement bloom silently within him.
Over her flustered face, the image of her panicked expression from that day in his office surfaced vividly.
The way her face flushed such a pretty shade of red—
was something he wanted only for himself.
There was no reason to let others witness that adorable sight.
Yet Kaiden said nothing, simply releasing her hand without revealing his thoughts.
If she ever discovered what lay in his heart, all his careful restraint would be undone.

* * *

Word soon came that the Hunting Competition was about to begin.
Kaiden spoke to Emilia, who still wore a dazed expression, with a smile.
“I’ll return shortly.”
“Yes, of course.”
Emilia, who had been somewhat stiff, quickly nodded.
He fitted himself with the Shared Weapon and made his way toward where the participants had gathered.
Upon seeing the horse prepared for him, Kaiden let out a soft laugh.
Judging by its lean muscle and pale coat, it was an ancient creature well past its prime.
The Shared Weapon could be swapped at any time, so they’d resorted to this trick using a horse that couldn’t be easily replaced.
“Is t-there some problem, Your Grace?”
One of the attendants asked, seeming uncomfortable with how obviously feeble the horse appeared compared to those of the other competitors.
Though it was clear he had no intention of offering a replacement.
“No.”
Kaiden answered curtly and hoisted himself onto the horse.
As long as it could carry him, nothing else mattered much.

A moment later.
Clop, clop, clop.
The mounted competitors lined up at the starting line.
Beneath a cloudless, blazing sun, the weapons they carried glinted in the light.
While the participants waited, the women from the tents gathered nearby to offer their support.
Emilia stood among them, watching Kaiden.
He appeared to be stroking his horse and checking its condition.
As he bowed his head, his glossy black hair spilled forward.
It formed an intriguing contrast with the elegant line of his neck, exposed in the sunlight.
Captivated by the sight, Emilia gazed at him for a moment, lost in thought.
How was it that among all those people, she could spot him in an instant?
“My goodness, look at House Valen’s duke. How does a person stand out like that?”
“I know. My brother’s barely visible!”
“Oh my, if Young Master Yeong-shik heard that, he’d be hurt!”
At the whispered conversation of women not far away, Emilia shuddered slightly.
‘…Right.’
Of course this man didn’t stand out only to her eyes.
Being reminded of that fact once more brought her a strange sense of relief.
With her heart thus settled, she turned her gaze back to him—
‘Huh?’
Kaiden appeared to be looking at her.
Never mind that she was practically buried among the surrounding young ladies.
How had he managed to pick her out in such a short time?
Emilia shifted sideways, wondering if she were mistaken.
Kaiden’s gaze followed her movement.
When she shifted once more, Kaiden—whose gaze had followed—furrowed his brow as if to ask what she was doing.
“…”
He really was looking at her.
Emilia blinked slowly.

At that moment, the fanfare signaling the start blared loudly.
“The Hunting Competition is now declared open!”
In unison, the waiting horses surged past the starting line in a thunderous charge.
Kaiden tore his gaze from Emilia and gripped the reins.
Thud-thud-thud-thud—
Dust rose as the horses’ hooves pounded against the hard earth in rapid succession.
“Shall we head back?”
Having seen off the competitors, the women dispersed into small groups—some heading to enjoy a Tea Party, others returning to their tents.
Emilia too was making her way back to her own tent along a quiet Forest Path when—
A woman’s sharp voice cut through the air.
“Are you insane?! What are you doing here?!”
The woman was berating someone in an irritable tone.
Emilia’s brows drew together, and then the woman’s voice reached her ears again.
“Reina, are you ignoring what I’m saying?!”
At that all-too-familiar name, Emilia’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

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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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