I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 24

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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 24

When I entered the Imperial Palace with Arpard earlier.
Evangeline was unmistakably glaring at me with that look in her eyes.
And now I understand what that emotion is.
‘Jealousy.’
It was unmistakable.
But at the same time, a question arose.
‘Hasn’t Evangeline always been having an affair with Ludwig?’
I’ve already confirmed in this life that the two of them are lovers.
I’ve already witnessed and overheard the secret affections and conversations they exchange.
Yet Evangeline’s expression now resembled that of a wife glaring at her husband for bringing his mistress.
I suddenly realized something.
‘In my previous three lives, Evangeline never once looked at me with that expression, no matter the circumstance.’
Each time, I was Ludwig’s wife.
Back then, Evangeline would mock or check me, but—
This is the first time I’ve seen her lose her composure and become consumed by nothing but jealousy.
Now, in this fourth life, a sudden thought struck me.
‘Could it be that Evangeline’s true affection was for Arpard all along?’
Logically, it might seem absurd.
But a strange certainty seized me.
The gaze she fixed on me from behind that pillar earlier and the gaze she directs at me now.
And the desperate, bashful glint in her eyes as she steals glances at Arpard.
‘It’s like looking at two different people. Jekyll and Hyde, truly….’
It was absurd, ridiculous, and infuriating.
But soon I could acknowledge it.
‘Separate from her affair with Ludwig, her true affection could be directed elsewhere.’
That’s how the human heart works, after all.
The more, the better. More men means more blessings, or something like that….
‘…Like hell!’
Fury erupted like a volcano, and my head burned with rage.
‘So her act of pretending to share a thousand years of love with Ludwig wasn’t even genuine?’

‘There’s no helping it. True love cannot be hidden.’
‘A man never confuses the woman he truly loves. He never once confused me.’

Each time was slightly different, but Evangeline always looked down on me with the superiority of her so-called grand love.
But that supposedly magnificent true love was fake?
It was nothing but greed and desire for power and glory?
‘Then what was I sacrificed for?’
The fury that had been boiling like lava cooled sharply, as if cast into a winter sea.
My mind felt numb with a chill so intense it was almost painful.
Yet not a trace of emotion showed on my face.
The countless hardships I had endured, three deaths, and my burning thirst for revenge made that possible.
I smiled brightly and clung to Arpard’s neck.
Just after entering the palace earlier, I had only glared at her, but now it was different.
The fact that my words, my answers, would become real blows and wounds to Evangeline… it thrilled me.
So, I answered Evangeline’s question instead of Arpard.
The answer to whether the Emperor truly acknowledged the relationship between Arpard and me.
“Yes, Lady Evangeline. Fortunately, His Majesty blessed us and granted us permission to use Artanus Hall.”
I deliberately emphasized the title “Lady Evangeline” rather than her name.
It was quite a sore spot for her.
I smiled like the happiest new bride in the world.
I had an excellent model right before my eyes.
I tried to smile as similarly as possible to the Evangeline who had mocked me before my return, and continued speaking.
“The Emperor must have acknowledged our love as well. I’m truly delighted. I’m so happy to share this joyful news with you first, Eva.”
Ludwig heard it first, but I had never told him myself, so let’s count it that way.
Using Evangeline’s nickname—which I had never called her before—was meant to infuriate her further.
And.
The effect was tremendous!
“Is… that so?”
Evangeline’s face flushed crimson.
Not from embarrassment. She was forcibly suppressing an intense rage that seemed ready to burst at any moment.
I deliberately nestled deeper into Arpard’s embrace and whispered.
“I’m so tired, darling.”
Since she was standing close, Evangeline heard it perfectly well.
Her shoulders trembled noticeably, if only for a moment.
Arpard, who had been observing both Evangeline and me for a moment, fortunately played along.
“Of course. My Hillia.”
My?
I froze momentarily at the unexpectedly forward phrasing.
Given that I had just clung to him calling him “darling,” it was a mild reaction to be surprised by.
But for some reason, my ears caught the word “my” sounding so natural.
The kind of tone one would use only with a real lover or wife… it couldn’t be!
This man is quite the actor too.
And I didn’t have time to be more surprised or impressed.
Evangeline was clearly showing signs of being hit far harder by my earlier “dear” than I had anticipated.
Her complexion had turned ashen, and the two hands gripping her skirt trembled ever so slightly.
Arpard, remarkably, seemed entirely uninterested in Evangeline’s state.
The way he spoke suggested he would show more consideration to a mere attendant or maid.
“Since my wife is fatigued, let us postpone the formal audience for another time.”
“Ah, a formal audience?”
“Yes. As the daughter of a marquis, your greeting to the Crown Princess is indeed a formal audience.”
“Y-yes, of c-course.”
Her voice and shoulders trembled pitifully, visibly shaking.
And naturally, I felt not the slightest! Not even a hint! of pity for her!
Quite the opposite, in fact!
‘Ah! How satisfying!’
Ludwig had taken a physical blow moments ago, while Evangeline seemed to have received a mental slap across the face—both equally refreshing.
Having achieved quite favorable results from the imperial audience, I dealt blows to the two adulterers and returned to the Prince’s Palace.
Notably, Arpard held me in his arms the entire way back.
‘His stamina really is impressive.’
It was only after some time had passed that I learned scandalous rumors were spreading throughout the entire Imperial Palace.
That Arpard loved me so much he refused to let my feet touch the ground.
When I found out later, I burst into uncontrollable laughter at the absurdity, but that was still in the future.

* * *

Only when I arrived at the Ivory Room in Prince’s Palace could I finally feel solid ground beneath my feet.
That’s what prompted this question.
“Your arm isn’t hurting?”
Arpard’s gaze then took on that look of scrutinizing something he couldn’t quite comprehend.
“Is that your first concern?”
“Well… you carried me all that distance from when we entered the palace, so I couldn’t help but worry whether your arm was in pain.”
I answered while glancing at Arpard’s thick forearms.
Arpard crossed his arms and looked down at me, then let out a small sigh.
“Is that all you have to ask and say?”
“What else is there? …Thank you for carrying me?”
For some reason, Arpard’s sigh this time sounded noticeably heavier and longer.
Before I could respond, Arpard’s words came at me like a sudden strike.
“You seem to harbor quite considerable ill will toward Evangeline…”
“Well, that’s…”
I couldn’t hide it since I’d been openly mocking and striking at her earlier.
I was somewhat grateful that he’d supported me without any prior hint from me.
Then a question occurred to me.
‘Does Arpard know how Evangeline feels?’
And another, more complex question emerged.
‘What does Arpard feel toward Evangeline?’
It was certain that he didn’t seem particularly interested.
Moreover, seeing how he took my side when Evangeline and I quarreled…
While I was analyzing this quite positively and letting my guard down.
Arpard struck the back of my head.
“Before the Emperor earlier, you said you received Artanus’s blessing, didn’t you?”
“…!”
My hatred toward Evangeline, my thirst for revenge.
And all those idle thoughts about what Arpard thought of Evangeline—they all froze solid.
Goosebumps erupted as if an icy tongue were licking up my spine.
Reptilian, inhuman eyes stared directly at me.
Like a serpent observing a bird trapped within its coils.
“Did you say those words in the Catacombs—that you would help me become Emperor without losing my mind—because of that blessing?”
I forced myself to suppress the tension that had frozen my body in an instant.
And I responded as casually as I could.
“Of course it was a lie! Why would Artanus bestow a blessing upon someone like me?”
This was the truth.
Even the Emperor hadn’t seemed to fully believe it. It was an absurd claim no matter who heard it.
“I made it up as a lie to persuade and gain recognition from the Emperor.”
Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
“My words seemed quite convincing, didn’t they?”
Arpard’s gaze remained sharp and suffocating, pinning me in place.
“Ah, but don’t worry. I truly do have a way to prevent His Highness from going mad. I even swore it by the Sacred Language as proof, didn’t I?”
His eyes narrowed to slits.
A pale, well-formed finger tapped against my chin repeatedly.
He seemed lost in thought for a moment before leaning his face close to mine.
“…!”
I was so startled that heat rushed to my face in an instant.
‘I thought he was going to kiss me!’
Fortunately, his lips never made contact with mine.
Instead, Arpard buried his face against my neck slowly, like a predator savoring the scent of its prey.
My nape, the hollow of my collarbone, my shoulder.
He inhaled deeply as if inspecting each spot, then murmured in a low voice.
“By the way, why does such a delicious scent emanate from you? I feel like I could swallow you whole in one bite.”
A chill ran down my spine.

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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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