I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 18

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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 18

This wasn’t my first time becoming Crown Princess.
Though I was soon cast aside, I had at least reached the position of Crown Princess in name.
‘Of course, I was never a true Crown Princess then, just as I’m not now.’
It was always a contractual marriage of conquest, nothing more. The phrasing felt strange, but that was the truth of it.
Before Ludwig and I divorced, he had ascended to the position of Crown Prince twice.
But during those times, I was either imprisoned or locked away in a tower, so I never received treatment befitting a Crown Princess. I was merely a criminal.
I never once set foot in the bedroom reserved for the Crown Princess.
Every time, Ivory’s Bedroom belonged to Evangeline.
This happened even before Ludwig and I were officially divorced.
How did I know this?
She came and told me herself.

“Ludwig took me to Ivory’s room today. And soon it will become my room. The Empress’ Palace will be mine as well.”

Because of that, Ivory’s Bedroom had become a deeply symbolic place for me.
It felt like it represented everything Evangeline had ever taken from me.
My house.
My life.
My people.
And my husband and the position of Crown Princess.
That’s why I found myself gazing around the room in a rather sentimental mood.
The entire space was filled with ivory tones, true to its name.
When I touched a small white table with my fingertips, I was surprised to find it lacked the coldness of metal, stone, or wood.
‘Could this actually be made of ivory?’
I hadn’t expected the furniture itself to be crafted from genuine ivory.
Astonished, I touched the white furniture scattered throughout the room.
‘Goodness! It’s all actually ivory?’
Surely they hadn’t gone so far as to coat the walls in ivory as well?
I ran my hand along the white wall, caught between anticipation and dread.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the walls were covered in ivory-colored silk wallpaper.
Though the candelabra fixed to the wall was a mad extravagance of ivory inlaid with gold.
Then I felt a warm breath suddenly blow against my ear from behind.
“What, are you dissatisfied that the walls aren’t adorned with ivory as well?”
“Eek!”
I flailed about like a freshly caught fish.
My entire body flushed crimson.
What on earth was this mad Crown Prince doing?
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Well, you were caressing the wall so passionately that for a moment, I thought you’d married the bedroom wall instead of me.”
“Don’t be sarcastic! I was just observing because I found it fascinating!”
“I’m not being sarcastic.”
His words said one thing, but his expression and tone said something entirely different.
He was twisted up tighter than a pretzel, and it showed plainly.
“What are you so upset about now?”
Arpard held up both index fingers above his head in an endearingly awkward gesture.
“Even if my dragon bloodline runs deep, I haven’t sprouted horns yet.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
After grumbling for a moment, Arpard relaxed his expression and asked me a question.
“What are you thinking about so intently that you’re caressing the furniture and walls? Ignoring your husband, no less.”
“Could you please stop speaking so strangely?”
Arpard still wore that playful smile.
I replied flatly while running my fingers over the smooth ivory ornaments that radiated warmth at the slightest touch.
“I was thinking it was a shame and that I felt sorry.”
“Sorry about what?”
“That such a beautiful room had to welcome a fake mistress before its true one.”
I didn’t know who the woman Arpard would love in the future would be.
But she would be the true mistress of this beautiful room.
I was merely a passing guest before then.
When I turned my head after speaking, a very strange sight unfolded before my eyes.
Arpard’s expression had hardened. Wrinkles creased his smooth brow, and the corners of his mouth turned downward. Anyone could see he looked displeased and discontented.
Why did he suddenly look like that?
In any case, I finished what I was saying.
“…But!”
“But?”
If I didn’t stay, this room would eventually belong not to Arpard’s lover, but to Evangeline.
I absolutely hated that.
So.
“While I’m indebted to you, it’s mine, so I have to cherish it as much as possible!”
For some reason I couldn’t fathom, Arpard’s rigid expression softened slightly.
And then a question I never expected came tumbling out.
“What about me?”
“…Yes?”
“Will you cherish me too while you’re indebted to me?”
Why are you speaking as if you’re an option that comes with the Crown Princess’ bedroom?
“…?”
Has this man already lost his mind?
I carefully approached and placed my hand on Arpard’s forehead.
Fortunately, I felt neither intense heat nor cold. Everything was perfectly normal.
When I suddenly touched him, Arpard seemed quite startled as well.
His mouth, which had been spouting incomprehensible words, snapped shut.
His eyes, which had narrowed annoyingly, widened into perfect circles.
‘Why does he have to look so adorably cute when it doesn’t suit him at all?’
I pushed aside such frivolous thoughts and asked what truly mattered.
“Has your condition flared up?”
“….”
Arpard’s expression made it abundantly clear that all the wind had been knocked out of his sails.

* * *

I had finished observing Ivory’s Bedroom, which would soon become my own quarters.
Arpard’s nonsensical rambling had somehow deflated on its own, leaving him quiet.
I was thinking it was time to rest and organize my thoughts.
But the Imperial Palace was the very heart of power within the Empire.
Naturally, it resembled the eye of a tempest where countless conspiracies and incidents never ceased for a single moment.
Before my conversation with Arpard could even conclude, the next event came seeking us out.
The Chamberlain of the main palace came in person to deliver the Emperor’s command.
“His Majesty the Emperor has ordered that the Crown Prince and the Lady Delphin at his side attend him together.”
The Chamberlain’s words briefly revealed the Emperor’s current stance.
‘So the Emperor still hasn’t acknowledged my marriage to Arpard.’
It was exactly as I had anticipated.
‘When I entered the palace, I thought gaining the Emperor’s recognition of this marriage would be the first and most significant task I’d need to accomplish.’
This was merely a realistic assessment of the situation.
But then.
There was a man beside me who couldn’t accept this obvious fact and was accelerating recklessly.
“The Chamberlain must be getting on in years. Your title is incorrect. Not Lady Delphin, but Crown Princess.”
His voice rumbled low and menacingly, carrying an ominous tone.
It was an atmosphere that would make anyone tremble and obey without question.
However, the Chamberlain, seasoned by long years in the Imperial Palace, did not yield in the slightest.
“His Majesty the Emperor referred to her as Lady Delphin. I merely conveyed his words.”
“Don’t make me repeat myself. Crown Princess.”
The Chamberlain adjusted his monocle and replied coldly.
“The Crown Prince and Lady Delphin should prepare for your audience.”
At that very moment, a blade was drawn from Arpard’s scabbard.
Clang!
‘No! This madman! Drawing a sword before the Emperor’s own Chamberlain—what is he thinking!’
I ran with all my strength.
Fortunately, the distance was short enough that I could squeeze between Arpard and the Chamberlain.
Thanks to that, the blade hurtling toward the Chamberlain’s neck came to an abrupt halt mid-air.
It was mere inches from the tip of my nose.
‘Ah, my heart is about to stop.’
I reached out to grab the blade.
Then Arpard furrowed his brow and withdrew the sword.
The moment I felt certain that Arpard wouldn’t dance with his blade on a whim, I turned my head.
And I greeted the Chamberlain as calmly and gracefully as I could manage.
“I do hope you’ll forgive my husband’s lapse in judgment. The blind blade certainly wasn’t aimed at you, after all.”
It was aimed at me because I stepped in.
Then something flickered in the Chamberlain’s eyes.
Yet his response remained cold.
“I have not been granted permission to address you as the Crown Princess.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“…Pardon?”
“Did you not just refer to the Crown Prince as his highness?”
“Whether or not I’m recognized as the Crown Princess, the fact remains that I am Prince Arpard’s wife.”
“….”
“And I understand your position perfectly well—that you cannot call me the Crown Princess.”
If a superior orders it, you obey. Especially when that superior is the Emperor.
Such is the way of hierarchical society.
I made my declaration quietly, without letting such thoughts show.
“Above all, answering the Emperor’s summons takes precedence. And once we have an audience with the Emperor, you’ll be able to address me by the proper title.”
To interpret my words simply:
‘Once I meet the Emperor directly and speak with him, he’ll recognize me as the Crown Princess anyway, so it doesn’t matter.’
The Chamberlain seemed genuinely surprised.
For the first time, his true feelings surfaced.
“You are quite bold, the wife of the Crown Prince.”
He even stepped back. He wouldn’t acknowledge me as the Crown Princess, but he would address me as the Crown Prince’s wife.
Good.
I barely managed to salvage the situation and turned around.
‘Now I need to look after Arpard and head to meet the Emperor.’
But the moment I turned, Arpard’s expression seemed rather subtle.

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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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