I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 88

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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 had rushed into marriage with the male lead.
Chapter 88

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Rozia found the whole situation utterly absurd.
That the illegitimate child whom her entire household had searched for so desperately over all these years would turn up at the Hunting Event of all places.
At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.
But they weren’t.
There was no way she could fail to recognize that insufferable face she’d seen countless times around the Mansion for over a decade, just because she hadn’t laid eyes on it for a few months.
Rozia stared at Reina, who hung her head as though burdened by guilt.
‘That’s right—you’re guilty. Guilty of so much.’
And because of this ungrateful wretch, her family was struggling terribly right now!
Her father was running about frantically just trying to scrape together the money to repay what was owed.
Yet here she was, taking her leisure in a place like this.
And with a child, no less.
Rozia’s face twisted with displeasure as her gaze fixed on Reina’s swollen belly.
“Hah!”
She’d never imagined Reina capable of such audacity, even though she’d run away.
‘I need to consult with Father about what to do.’
Judging by her appearance, the child’s father was clearly some worthless fellow.
And with a child in tow like that, she couldn’t simply marry her off to another nobleman.
Rozia grabbed Reina’s arm roughly.
“Come with me at once.”
She was about to drag her away when it happened.
Rustle, rustle.
The sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears.
Rozia flinched and whirled around.
“Oh…”
The newcomer let out a soft gasp upon witnessing the awkward scene.
And when Rozia recognized who it was, her eyes widened.
‘The Duchess of House Valen?’
She was the woman all the young noblewomen and society ladies at the Hunting Event had been discussing.
“G-Duchess, I greet you. I am Rozia of Ilake.”
Flustered, Rozia released her grip on Reina’s wrist and hastily made her bow.
No matter that she was of commoner origin, the Duchess was still a Duchess—one could not afford to displease her.
Yet when Rozia introduced herself, the Duchess clapped her hands together as though they were old acquaintances.
“Oh my, so you’re the young lady of Ilake!”
“You know of me?” Rozia asked, startled.
Rozia’s voice carried genuine surprise.
“Ah, well—I overheard a noblewoman mentioning that she was looking for you.”
“Is that so?”
“She had chestnut hair, arranged quite elegantly, if I recall…”
Emilia trailed off, as if searching her memory.
“She seemed rather upset, actually—as though something urgent had come up.”
“Really?”
The noblewoman Emilia described was the Countess Raynor, the mistress of the cadet branch that had accompanied Rozia to the Hunting Event.
She’d been so scrutinizing ever since Rozia’s father had borrowed money from her.
That was precisely why Rozia had come along—to keep her in good spirits.
‘Damn it.’
Rozia bit her lip and cast a sidelong glance at Reina.
If she dragged her to the tent right now, all it would accomplish was to broadcast Reina’s pregnancy to the high nobility.
“You—don’t let anyone notice you. Stay quiet as a mouse, understood?” Rozia warned her in a low voice.
Then she turned to the Duchess.
“Thank you for letting me know, Duchess. I’ll take my leave now.”
As Rozia hurried away, silence descended between the two remaining women.
Emilia regarded Reina for a moment longer, then turned to head back to her tent.
But then it happened.
A faint voice spilled from Reina’s lips.
“…Are you pleased?”
Emilia stopped in her tracks and looked back at her.
“Pardon?”
“That I—the woman who stole your fiancé—have ended up like this. Doesn’t it please you?”
Emilia found herself at a loss for words.
Reina bit her lip and lifted her head.
A bitter laugh escaped her.
“I heard you became the Duchess of House Valen.”
Gone was the shabby, pitiful commoner woman Reina had seen in Cedric’s house.
The woman who had become Duchess of House Valen was unmistakably a noblewoman now.
By comparison, Reina herself had become hopelessly, utterly wretched.
“You found a fine man and are loved so dearly—while I’ve become this. It must feel wonderful, doesn’t it?”
Tears glistened in Reina’s eyes.
Emilia’s expression hardened as she listened, and when she spoke, her voice was sharp and cold.
“Why are you venting at me?”
Reina’s body trembled at the glacial tone.
Flinch.
“Did I tell you to steal my fiancé? Did I ask you to share his bed?”
“You said I would… regret it. You said so.”
Reina’s voice wavered with sobs.
At that, Emilia let out a bitter laugh before speaking again.
“Yes, you got what you deserved. Our positions have completely reversed, and seeing you in such a pitiful state is… deeply satisfying.”
Emilia paused, then asked as if seeking confirmation.
“So does hearing exactly what you wanted to hear from me make you happy?”
“Hic… hic-cup.”
Reina wept bitterly.
She started the quarrel herself, yet couldn’t even bear this much.
‘God, I must be losing it.’
A headache was building behind Emilia’s eyes.
“What are you crying about—as if you’ve done something praiseworthy?”
At the sight of Reina’s uncontrolled weeping, Emilia’s brow furrowed despite herself.
The truth was, she had meant to ignore Reina entirely.
They weren’t reuniting as old friends; she hadn’t wanted to see her again, didn’t want to blush with anger at the sight of her face.
But she had deliberately stepped in to separate Rozia because Reina’s condition looked so terribly poor.
All the color had drained from Reina’s face.
Even from a distance, Emilia could see her hair was damp with cold sweat, and her gaunt frame—belly swollen and nothing else—looked as though it might collapse at any moment.
“If you’re in such poor health, don’t start quarrels with innocent people. Ask someone for help instead.”
At that, Reina swallowed her tears and spoke haltingly.
“I’ve asked… I’ve asked for help, but no one… no one will help me… what else am I supposed to—”
Those were surely the very words she’d spoken when she first went to the Count’s house.
One day she’d said them to a maid who brought her rotten food.
Another day she’d said them to the servant dragging her along.
But all of them had turned away; not a soul had helped her.
In fact, asking for help had only exposed her weakness.
It revealed what foods she disliked most, what situations tormented her most.
So Reina had eventually given up on asking anyone for help.
“Hic… hic-cup.”
Right there, Reina broke down completely, crying with her whole body.
Then came the sound of a short sigh, followed by approaching footsteps.
Emilia grasped Reina’s wrist and began leading her somewhere.
“Wh-what are you doing…?”
“I’m going to show you that what you said was wrong.”
“No… that’s all right…”
As Reina tried to pull her wrist free, Emilia spoke to her as if coaxing a child.
“Just be quiet and follow me. And—”
Her voice turned quiet and steady.
“I’m not doing this because I think you’re pretty. When someone is suffering, it’s only natural to help them. That’s all this is.”
In that moment, Reina’s memories surfaced.
She remembered standing there in shock, watching herself be struck across the face by Cedric and crumple to the ground.
Shame washed over Reina all at once, and she lowered her head.
Then she saw the hand gripping her wrist—the hand of Emilia.
‘…’
It was the most gentle touch she had ever felt.

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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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