I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 17

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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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Chapter 17

I could recognize her even though she was hiding behind one of the Imperial Palace’s massive pillars.
I couldn’t deny it.

“Farewell, original heroine.”

Something dark and smoky filled my chest.
I suddenly recalled my death in my third life.
Right after the guillotine’s blade came down on my neck.
Drenched in my blood, that woman laughed with her mouth split wide open.
“…What?”
“….”
“Hillia.”
Perhaps it was the memory of that pain and rage.
For a moment, I didn’t hear Arpard calling my name.
Only after he grasped my shoulder and shook it did I finally come to my senses.
“…Are you alright?”
Arpard’s face had drawn close to mine without my noticing.
Close enough that I could feel his breath on my cheek.
The proximity was so intense that even my fierce anger toward Evangeline faded for a moment.
It felt as though he had pulled me up from a swamp with a single hand.
Thanks to that, I could belatedly understand why Arpard was so concerned about me.
“Your hands are cold.”
Arpard’s hand had already clasped mine.
“And you’re sweating profusely.”
His forehead touched mine as Arpard murmured softly.
“You don’t seem to have a physical illness, though….”
“I’m… fine.”
It was just that my emotions had become too intense for a moment.
But Arpard wouldn’t listen to me.
“No. You seem quite unwell.”
“What? I clearly said I wasn’t…!”
But the man who seemed to be stubbornness carved into human form leaped from his horse while cradling me in his arms.
My vision spun.
“Eek!”
Remarkably, he managed the feat of maintaining a princess-carry position even as he dismounted.
‘I’ve heard that dragon bloodline affects physical abilities, but… this is impressive.’
He lifted me into a princess carry and began heading toward the Prince’s Palace.
“My bride is far too delicate. I’ve grown concerned about having her ride any longer.”
He spoke as though ensuring everyone around us could hear.
It was then that I caught sight of something over Arpard’s shoulder.
Evangeline’s eyes blazed with fury—far more intense than moments before.
She was unmistakably enraged.
The instant I realized this, a peculiar thrill seized my mind.
Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around Arpard’s neck and clung to him deliberately.
Thus, our entry into the Imperial Palace unfolded as though we were displaying ourselves to all the world.
Only Arpard’s prized steed followed obediently behind us.

* * *

Crack!
Blood spattered across the white marble railing, delicately carved with floral patterns.
Evangeline’s prized fingernails, unable to withstand the pressure, had shattered.
Yet she felt no pain whatsoever.
‘What on earth did I just witness?’
The scene that had just unfolded was that shocking.
Upon hearing that Arpard and Hillia had entered the palace, she’d rushed over.
Only to find them brazenly parading on a single horse, displaying themselves to all.
What’s more, he was carrying her in his arms like a princess, walking all the way to the Prince’s Palace.
And beyond that.
‘Did Hillia just look at me with that expression?’
It wasn’t merely that. She’d even smiled, as though boasting.
As though she understood Evangeline’s heart completely.
Even Evangeline herself hadn’t realized she could be wounded so deeply by the sight of Arpard carrying another woman.
Yet there it was—as though everything were being read.
‘Nothing but a character from a book, after all!’
Empress Isabel, unaware of her daughter’s state, clicked her tongue softly.
“How she struggles. Yet even so, she shall never gain the Emperor’s recognition.”
Already, vicious and sordid rumors about those two had circulated throughout the Capital City six times over.
The palace attendants too were competing to spread related gossip.
“Those two were apparently in an illicit affair from the start.”
“Really? I heard that Princess Hillia seduced both the Prince and the Grand Duke.”
“My goodness. If that’s true, isn’t she a temptress of legendary proportions?”
“Still, for the Prince to abduct his cousin’s wife—has His Highness truly gone mad? It’s terrifying.”
All manner of negative rumors swirled around the two of them at the center.
Simultaneously, there were many words of sympathy for Ludwig.
“How pitiful—to have one’s bride stolen by the Prince’s madness.”
“Yet I hear both His Highness the Prince and the Lady of House Delphin have said they harbor no resentment.”
“They’re far too virtuous for their own good.”
Had Ludwig heard such rumors, he would have felt shame and fury.
But the Empress cared nothing for such things.
She scoffed and offered her assessment.
“It would have been ideal if Ludwig reclaimed his bride, but since matters have come to this, there’s no help for it.”
The Empress turned her head to regard her daughter.
“After Ludwig devours House Delphin, we’ll have gained a splendid weakness to expel that woman later—don’t you think, Eva?”
“….”
The Empress clicked her tongue and cradled her daughter’s bloodstained fingernails in her hands.
“You still haven’t abandoned it? That foolish heart of yours?”
“But Mother….”
“I told you to let it go. Arpard will never become a puppet like Ludwig.”
The Empress knew her daughter had harbored feelings for Arpard for a long time.
It was the Empress herself who had been persuading her all along.
At her mother’s insistence, Evangeline answered with resignation.
“Yes, Mother. I understand. I know well.”
Yet Evangeline could not abide the sight she had witnessed mere moments ago.
No matter that Arpard was soon to die, or that she could never have him.
‘Why must I simply accept another woman at his side? When I burn with such anger, such heartache?’
The Possessed within Evangeline had always believed one thing.
That she was the true heroine.
Why should she treat mere characters from a book as if they were real people?
‘I’ll kill her! Plans mean nothing—I won’t let this stand!’
Evangeline’s emerald eyes blazed with sinister murderous intent.

* * *

To my astonishment, Arpard actually carried me all the way to the Prince’s Palace.
Yet his breathing remained perfectly steady throughout.
‘Remarkable stamina.’
I’d learned this painfully well over the past four days of riding horses together without pause.
The palace staff, led by the chief steward, greeted us in a state of bewilderment.
“Your Highness! You’ve finally returned!”
“Do you know how shocked we were when we heard the rumors?”
“Surely, this person is…?”
They all regarded us with a mixture of astonishment, curiosity, and suspicion.
Arpard ignored their confusion entirely and responded with utmost composure.
“The Crown Princess.”
For the record, I was still cradled in Arpard’s arms.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I whispered to him.
“Don’t you think you could put me down now?”
“Why would you want to come down? Do you dislike being held by me?”
His smooth brow furrowed. He looked displeased again.
Why? This man was truly impossible to read.
“It’s not that, but I’m embarrassed with everyone watching.”
“Why would you be embarrassed? Am I embarrassing?”
If I said yes, he would genuinely take offense.
“…That’s not it. It’s naturally embarrassing to be carried in front of everyone like this.”
“I’m not embarrassed.”
Arpard was utterly confident.
“I’m embarrassed, so put me down!”
“No.”
“Why not? What’s the reason? I have legs too! I can walk perfectly well!”
“Because you keep asking me to put you down, I don’t want to.”
What a contrary child!
Exasperated, I tried to wriggle free by force, but it was completely useless.
Ultimately, I was no match for his strength and had to remain in his arms.
To make matters worse, Arpard proceeded to scold the palace staff while still holding me.
“What are you all doing standing there?”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Aren’t you going to show proper courtesy to your mistress?”
I was horrified.
‘No, shouldn’t he put me down first before worrying about courtesy and greetings! They were all clearly waiting for that!’
But Arpard was mad. And mad meant someone beyond the reach of reason or common sense.
The palace staff, accustomed to serving such a madman for so long, knew how to grovel.
They knelt in succession and bowed to me.
“We greet Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”
“May the glory of Artanus forever accompany Your Highness.”
Thanks to that, I experienced something quite extraordinary.
Being greeted by the palace staff while cradled in a man’s arms.
It could only be called an extraordinary experience.
‘I’m probably the only Crown Princess in history to be greeted this way!’
Concealing such thoughts, I responded with proper decorum.
“…It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I wanted to cry. My cheeks were burning far too much.
So I had no choice but to hide my face against Arpard’s remarkably broad shoulders.
The palace staff and Arpard seemed to interpret this rather strangely.
“The Crown Princess appears quite fatigued.”
“Shall I summon the imperial physician?”
“Keep one on standby, just in case.”
That’s not necessary!
“We’ve already prepared Ivory’s Bedroom in advance, just to be safe.”
“Well done.”
Ivory’s Bedroom was the Crown Princess’s chamber.
It was also a room I had never once used throughout my three previous lives. For some reason, my feelings about it were complicated.
And Arpard carried me all the way to Ivory’s Bedroom.
‘Yes, your stamina really is impressive!’
Only after entering the bedroom did Arpard finally set me down.
But it wasn’t the sound of my feet touching the floor.
He placed me on the bed as gently as a feather.
Arpard’s gaze and mine collided directly.

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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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