I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 89

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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 eloped with the male lead.
Chapter 89

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At the flutter of the tent flap, Laura turned from where she’d been organizing luggage inside.
“Welcome back, Emilia. I—”
But another woman followed Emilia through the entrance.
“My, who is this?”
The woman’s face was strikingly beautiful, and Laura had naturally assumed she was a noblewoman. Yet her tattered dress and skeletal arms suggested otherwise.
Then Laura’s eyes fell upon the distinctly swollen belly.
She went rigid, eyes widening in shock.
‘An expectant mother at the Hunting Contest?’
Even attending a simple tea party or banquet while pregnant required considerable caution.
And a hunting contest—filled with trumpet blasts and countless loud noises, reeking of blood from the kill—was an entirely different matter.
Who on earth would be mad enough to drag a visibly unwell pregnant woman to such a place?
Emilia answered Laura’s unspoken question.
“Just a young noblewoman I know slightly. Laura, did the physician who came with us arrive?”
“Ah yes, he’s in the adjacent tent. Shall I fetch him?”
“Yes, please. Thank you.”
Of course, given the nature of the hunting contest, a physician and medical tent had been set aside for any unexpected injuries.
But that location saw constant foot traffic and many eyes.
‘That’s likely why Reina couldn’t go there.’
Laura nodded quickly and replied.
“Of course! Just a moment, please.”
She promptly prepared a chair for Reina and hurried from the tent.
Emilia settled Reina into the seat.
The woman sat quietly now, her head bowed—a far cry from her earlier panic.

Soon Laura returned with the physician.
“M-Madam! Are you unwell? Have you taken an injury?”
Emilia shook her head at the breathless physician and gestured toward Reina with her eyes.
“No, I’m fine. I wanted you to examine this woman.”
“Oh, thank heavens you’re not hurt, madam.”
The physician set a hand to his chest and approached the woman Emilia indicated.
Yet Reina’s condition was plainly poor—a stark contrast to his relief.
The physician examined Reina carefully, then asked gently.
“Are you eating properly, if I may ask?”
Reina fell silent for a moment, then gave a small shake of her head.
The physician’s brow creased as he pressed further.
“Do you experience dizziness or nausea?”
Reina’s lips moved soundlessly before she answered in a voice barely audible to the physician alone.
“…Frequently.”
“I see.”
After asking several more questions, the physician completed his examination and gave Reina various instructions.
She listened quietly, nodding slightly.
Soon the physician rose and approached Emilia.
“Well?”
“The situation is… not immediately dangerous, but…”
If her condition worsened further, both the child and mother could be at grave risk.
Emilia’s brow furrowed.
“Is there anything you can prescribe right away?”
“Of course.”
“Then please give her the gentlest yet most effective remedy you have.”
“Very well, madam.”
The physician turned at once and headed back to his quarters.

* * *

Cedric’s reason for entering the Hunting Contest was straightforward.
After learning that Reina had lied to him, he’d become nothing more than a lowly bureaucrat with no connections whatsoever.
So Cedric had racked his brains for any possible breakthrough.
The solution he’d found was to participate in the Hunting Contest and build relationships with the higher nobility.
‘They say the First Prize Reward is enormous.’
Though winning was beyond his skill, he’d planned to turn over whatever game he caught to the nobility for their favor.
‘All this suffering because Reina deceived me.’
His teeth ground together.
Still, hoping it might help somehow, he’d even dragged along Reina, despite his loathing for the sight of her.
Then Cedric spotted a small animal and his eyes gleamed.
He was creeping forward, sword in hand, when—
Whisk—thunk!
An arrow shot past at stunning speed.
“Gasp!”
Cedric’s legs gave way and he collapsed where he stood. He turned his head with difficulty, mind racing, to look behind him.
By the narrowest margin, the arrow had lodged in a tree instead of his skull.
For an instant, he felt as though he’d stepped across the threshold of the afterlife.
“Who shoots that recklessly!”
Cedric shouted in fury.
What kind of incompetent entered the Hunting Contest without knowing how to aim properly…?
But then Cedric’s eyes widened.
The black-haired man with the bow was unmistakably a high-ranking nobleman.
‘An opportunity!’
Cedric forgot he’d nearly died moments before. His eyes gleamed with fresh calculation.
For someone in his position, even speaking to such a nobleman was difficult. But if the man had made such a grave mistake, surely he could at least open a conversation!
Cedric immediately exaggerated his expression and raised his voice dramatically.
“Ahhh! My heart nearly gave out from fear!”
The man approached with a stern expression.
He had a lean, muscular frame, yet his archery suggested his skills were far from impressive.
That made it all the better—Cedric could catch prey for him instead and suggest they hunt together.
The man extended a hand, his voice low.
“My apologies. I didn’t realize a person was here.”
Cedric suppressed his elation and smiled ingratiatingly.
“Not at all! These things happen when hunting, don’t they? Ha ha.”
He reached for the offered hand to pull himself up, when—
Crack!
“Ahhh!”
Pain exploded through his hand as though his bones were shattering.
“P-Please, let go!”
Cedric thrashed his hand, trying desperately to wrench free.
The man released his grip abruptly.
“Ugh!”
Cedric stumbled, lost his footing, and fell hard to the ground with a heavy thud.
“W-What is the meaning of this—!”
Cedric raised his head, cradling his trembling hand.
The man’s expression had shifted from mere blankness to something far colder—his eyes now glacial.
It was the gaze of someone repulsed by his very existence.
“I had dirt on my hand,” the man said flatly.
He took another step closer.
Cedric shuddered, skin crawling with dread.
Just moments ago, he’d been joking and hunting.
Now he was the hunted.
Instinct screamed that he needed help.
“Someone help! P-Please, help me!”
Cedric cried out desperately, hoping anyone nearby would hear.
But only silence answered.
Cold sweat slicked down Cedric’s spine.
The man simply stood there, staring down at him as if to say: go ahead, try again.
Then, like a miracle, Cedric heard footsteps approaching.
His expression brightened with desperate hope.
“This way! Over here!”
“Yes, coming!”
The newcomer responded to his plea.
But the voice was achingly familiar.
For some reason, his blood ran cold.
“…Ah.”
And his instinct proved right.
The Red-haired Knight appeared moments later, glancing between Cedric and the nobleman.
“What’s this. I heard a commotion, so I came to check.”
He drawled dismissively.
“Just a man hunting his little beasts, nothing more.”

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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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