I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 151

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 151

 

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Finally, all the truth had been revealed.

 

Special components were detected in the painting that Marquis Bartsen had created.

 

More precisely, the paint was made from an extremely rare mineral.

 

That mineral was not toxic by itself, but it reacted with magical power to harm the human body.

 

Additionally, the Emperor’s seal ring was the Empire’s only magical artifact that protected the Emperor from assassination threats.

 

The Marquis had gotten his idea from that aspect.

 

Since objects containing magical power were extremely rare, let alone magical artifacts, he calculated that he wouldn’t be suspected.

 

Thus, the Marquis personally painted a picture and gave it to the Emperor as a gift.

 

However, at that time, the Marquis couldn’t handle that paint as properly as he could now, so he couldn’t immediately drive someone to death like David.

 

The Emperor gradually fell ill and slipped into a coma.

 

But the Imperial Family responded more quickly than the Marquis had anticipated.

 

‘Contact the Imperial Palace immediately!’

 

They brought an ancient relic, which was a treasure of the Imperial Palace.

 

That relic protected the Emperor’s body.

 

The Emperor tenaciously held onto his life.

 

The anxious Marquis painted and hung one more picture, but fortunately, the Emperor continued to survive thanks to the power of the relic.

 

And so, presently.

 

Joshua and I were having tea time alone together after a long while.

 

“It must have been because of his greed for the imperial throne, right?”

 

I suddenly spoke up while putting sugar cubes in my teacup and stirring.

 

My face was reflected distortedly in the swirling tea water.

 

“Yes. I didn’t notice it at the time, but thinking about it now, he acted quite transparently.”

 

Joshua, sitting across from me, answered in a sunken voice.

 

“As soon as Father fell into a coma, he eagerly proposed regency. Of course, I rejected that proposal, but…”

 

Joshua picked up his fork.

 

However, he didn’t seem to have much appetite.

 

He just poked at pieces of cake with his fork, then continued with a sigh mixed in his words.

 

“Well, he must have been quite frustrated, I suppose.”

 

Currently, public opinion regarding Marquis Bartsen was at its worst.

 

It was terrible enough that he had harmed the Emperor for so long due to personal greed.

 

During the investigation into David’s death, it was revealed that magical stones were embedded in the wristwatches the Marquis had gifted to several nobles.

 

At the same time, those nobles thought of one chilling possibility.

 

The possibility that the Marquis might have murdered them too if things had gone wrong.

 

Perhaps that’s why.

 

They were raising their voices, saying the Marquis should be executed immediately.

 

However, the Marquis had not yet received lawful punishment, and the reason was.

 

“Where on earth did Marquis Bartsen go?”

 

It was because the Marquis had quickly fled after noticing the situation had gone awry.

 

Wanted posters were put up throughout the Empire.

 

The Security Bureau was also putting all their efforts into finding the Marquis, but his whereabouts remained mysterious.

 

“Don’t worry too much. Everyone is doing their best, so we should be able to find him soon.”

 

After reassuring me like that, he glanced in my direction.

 

“By the way, what are you thinking of doing about the Laventess Ducal title?”

 

“…I’m not sure.”

 

Actually, at first I was going to return the Laventess Ducal title to the Imperial Family.

 

After all, I had already been expelled from the family, and I also had the Marquis Rucerno title that I had earned with my own power.

 

In fact, I didn’t have much attachment to it.

 

But here, His Majesty the Emperor intervened.

 

‘Instead of that, how about Marquis Rucerno inheriting the Laventess Ducal title again?’

 

Although he had been asleep for a long time, His Majesty’s eyes looking at me still shone wisely.

 

‘It would be different if the family line had been completely cut off, but a direct descendant exists perfectly well.’

 

‘Pardon? But…’

 

‘If you return the title to the Imperial Family, the branch families of Laventess will also be greatly confused. There will be all sorts of gossip in noble society too.’

 

His Majesty the Emperor lightly shrugged his shoulders.

 

‘Since the Imperial Family currently has various problems piled up, solving the title return issue as well would be a bit burdensome. I’d like to get the Marquis’s help, wouldn’t that work?’

 

…When he said it like that, I couldn’t exactly answer “I don’t want to,” could I?

 

So I was contemplating it for now.

 

David had also died as a suspect. Since I didn’t have much attachment to the Laventess name either.

 

I was thinking it might be better to have the Rucerno Marquis House absorb the Laventess Ducal House instead…

 

‘Hm?’

 

Suddenly I looked at Joshua with a puzzled expression.

 

It was because he had somehow started making a very pleased expression.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“Actually, Father said that Elodie is very pretty.”

 

Joshua smiled warmly while maintaining eye contact with me.

 

“I thought maybe she’s not just pretty to my eyes, but pretty to everyone.”

 

“…That’s enough, really.”

 

That’s right.

 

Since I was present at the scene when His Majesty the Emperor regained consciousness,

 

I somehow ended up greeting His Majesty the Emperor as well… goodness.

 

Due to various issues like the Laventess Ducal title and Marquis Bartsen who murdered David,

 

I had already had audiences with His Majesty the Emperor several times.

 

‘Still, it’s quite burdensome,’

 

He’s the supreme ruler of the Empire, and privately, my lover’s father.

 

I tried to organize my thoughts while sipping tea…

 

“His condition isn’t good right now, but he said once he gets a little better, he’d like to have a meal together. Would that be alright?”

 

Pfft.

 

I almost spat out the tea I had in my mouth.

 

So I’m supposed to have a meal with someone who might become my father-in-law… no, is father-in-law too early? Anyway!

 

“Elodie?”

 

I quickly came to my senses.

 

Joshua was now looking at me with suspicious eyes.

 

I nodded hastily, creaking like a broken wooden doll.

 

“Of, of course. I’m really happy.”

 

However, Joshua had already noticed that I was completely frozen.

 

He smiled bitterly.

 

“Is it quite burdensome after all?”

 

“Mmm, honestly, it can’t be helped. He’s the supreme ruler of the Empire, and he might even become my father-in-law…”

 

I was speaking until that point when I snapped my mouth shut like a clam.

 

My mind went completely blank.

 

‘Wh-what did I just say?’

 

Don’t tell me I actually said the word father-in-law out loud?

 

Joshua doesn’t seem to be thinking about such things at all yet, but aren’t I getting way too ahead of myself?!

 

Good heavens, what am I going to do about this loose tongue!

 

“Father-in-law, you said.”

 

Meanwhile, Joshua, who had been mulling over the word ‘father-in-law,’ soon broke into a bright smile.

 

“So does that mean Elodie is thinking about our relationship that seriously?”

 

“….”

 

This is driving me crazy, really!

 

My face heated up intensely.

 

To avoid his gaze, I gulped down my tea once more.

 

But Joshua was truly persistent.

 

“Yes? Elodie, please give me an answer.”

 

“…Oh, seriously.”

 

Unable to withstand Joshua’s pressing, I finally set down my teacup.

 

I glared at him with resentful eyes.

 

“There’s no way I wouldn’t be serious about it.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Joshua blinked his eyes blankly for a moment.

 

I blushed and shot back at him again.

 

“I don’t like Joshua with a light heart.”

 

“….”

 

At that answer, Joshua fell silent for a moment.

 

At the same time, a smile spread across his face once more.

 

It was completely different from the playful smile from just before.

 

He looked truly happy, as if he had gained the whole world.

 

“This makes me happy.”

 

At the same time, Joshua’s face became strangely tense as he looked at me.

 

“I’m saying this seriously, but if Elodie would be alright with it….”

 

Though he was trying to maintain a composed expression on the surface, I saw it.

 

The way Joshua’s earlobes gradually turned bright red.

 

“I’d like to formally introduce you to Father.”

 

Joshua’s voice, which had been calm throughout, began to tremble faintly.

 

“…As someone I’m dreaming of a future with, beyond just being lovers.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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