I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 30

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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 30

Chapter 5. Starting with Internal Discipline

In High Society, it is an ancient tradition to poach guests from a rival’s ball.
This time, however, the scale had grown considerably larger.
Now the noble ladies of the Capital City’s High Society found themselves at a crossroads of choice.
‘Should I risk falling out of favor with the Empress, the mistress of my household, and Evangeline, who already reigns as the flower of High Society, just to attend my party?’
Or.
‘Should I ignore her, who hasn’t even been formally recognized as the Crown Princess yet, and follow the Empress and Evangeline, who hold the power?’
Perhaps everyone would deliberate a little.
But the conclusion was already decided.
‘Of course, they’ll side with the Empress and Evangeline.’
If I had established some standing in High Society by now, it might be different.
But I had simply remained confined to Delphin.
Aside from obtaining Artanus Hall from the Emperor, I had never demonstrated my abilities.
So who would trust me enough to take such a risk?
‘…But I need to make them trust me!’
The method to achieve this was simple.
“…and I’m at a loss for what to do. I have no close friends, and I can’t ask the Empress for help either.”
As I exhaled a worried sigh and expressed my anxiety, the Countess of Fileren grasped my hand with a pitying expression.
“Oh my! How pitiful, Your Highness. You couldn’t even have a proper wedding ceremony, yet the reception banquet must surely be a success.”
She spoke as though she were concerned for me.
“I’ll do my best to encourage the people around me to attend. If you give me invitations, I’ll distribute them diligently!”
“Oh, thank you so much! You truly are my genuine friend.”
I suppressed my revulsion and clasped her hand in return.
In truth, this was nothing but veiled mockery.
A reception banquet for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s wedding. And at that—held in Artanus Hall, the most prestigious venue where the coronation ceremony takes place.
What would happen if a minor noble like the Countess of Fileren begged for participation from those around her at such an event?
‘Of course, it would diminish the prestige of the reception. It would be as if she were announcing that there weren’t enough people willing to attend.’
That is precisely why the Countess of Fileren said she would do this.
To diminish the prestige of my reception and publicize that there were no attendees.
And this news would reach the ears of the Empress and Evangeline directly.
‘All the better.’
I had a servant bring invitations bearing the Crown Princess’s seal.
“Please distribute them to as many people as possible.”
The Countess of Fileren accepted the invitation with delight, then asked in a hushed voice.
“But did His Majesty the Emperor permit you to use the Crown Prince’s consort’s seal?”
I shook my head.
“No. However, His Highness the Crown Prince gave me permission to use it.”
I even blushed slightly at my cheeks, playing the part of a newlywed delighted by her husband’s affection.
I could see the Countess of Fileren taking the bait I dangled quite eagerly.
And I cast the most decisive lure.
“Also, you know I came up with a brilliant scheme? Won’t you tell me what you think of it?”
The Countess of Fileren’s eyes gleamed.
“What sort of scheme is it?”

* * *

The Countess of Fileren, who had even changed clothes in secret before seeking out Evangeline, spilled forth all the information she had gathered in just one day.
Holding the invitation stamped with the Crown Prince’s consort’s seal, Evangeline let out a scoff.
“How bold of her to use the Crown Prince’s consort’s seal without permission. This alone could be quite problematic.”
“She doesn’t seem to realize that. Well, she did say the Crown Prince gave her permission, but….”
At that, Evangeline’s expression crumpled entirely.
“What good does that do! Only His Majesty the Emperor can grant authority to use the Imperial Family’s seal!”
“Exactly! That’s right! That foolish woman doesn’t seem to know that either!”
To humor Evangeline’s sudden outburst, the Countess of Fileren whispered the most significant piece of information she had brought.
“She’s absolutely terrified that no one will attend the banquet in about a month, and she’s even willing to take desperate measures.”
“Desperate measures? What kind of measures?”
Evangeline’s green eyes gleamed.
“Well, apparently she plans to spread rumors that His Majesty the Emperor might attend the banquet that day!”
“What?”
Evangeline’s eyes widened.
This was certainly significant information.
“Really? That idiot is actually going to spread false rumors?”
“Yes, if the banquet at Artanus Hall fails, it would be practically impossible for her to be recognized as the Crown Prince’s consort, wouldn’t it? So she’s trying to gather people by any means necessary.”
“That much is true.”
Moreover, the Empress and Evangeline had already publicly declared they would impose a ban from High Society on anyone who attended the banquet that day.
Yet not a single noblewoman would dare attend the banquet at Artanus Hall.
And without noblewomen, surely only men would swarm the event.
After all, social activities are primarily centered around noblewomen.
That’s why salons are hosted by their mistresses.
“No matter how desperate, spreading false rumors about His Majesty the Emperor to gather people is too much.”
“She said that if she spreads the rumor that His Majesty specially permitted Artanus Hall and will attend the banquet, everyone will believe it.”
It wasn’t entirely wrong.
For the Emperor to bestow Artanus Hall to such an extent was indeed unprecedented.
“At least she’s using her head for something.”
Though in the end, it all remained within the palm of her hand.
A malicious smile played at Evangeline’s lips.
She tore the invitation bearing the Prince’s consort’s seal into shreds while muttering to herself.
“It won’t matter anyway—it’ll all come to this soon enough.”
Still, to be thorough, Evangeline confirmed the matter through her mother.
Whether the Emperor would truly set foot in Artanus Hall on that day.
And the Empress had replied that the Emperor had no intention of attending personally.
“It seems His Majesty will decide whether to recognize her as the Prince’s consort based on whether that banquet succeeds or fails.”
If that were the case, the outcome was already as good as decided.

* * *

Soon, rumors of the exact opposite began circulating through High Society.
“I heard His Majesty the Emperor will attend the banquet at Artanus Hall in a few days and acknowledge his son’s marriage?”
“I heard otherwise. They say the Princess of Delphin spread false rumors to gather attendees.”
“Would anyone really spread false rumors about the Emperor?”
“She must be desperate since she can’t gain anyone’s approval.”
“Indeed. How humiliating it would be if that prestigious Artanus Hall ended up completely empty?”
The notion that Hillia was lying seemed far more plausible than the idea that the Emperor would personally attend for a daughter-in-law who had arrived through abduction marriage.
Not a single noblewoman was ignorant of how ruthless the Emperor could be.
Besides, this version of events was far more scandalous and entertaining.
Some even began placing wagers on the matter.
“Will His Majesty the Emperor really attend Artanus Hall that day? I’ll wager my newly acquired prized horse that he won’t!”
“I’ll bet my newly tailored formal gown that he won’t come!”
“Wait, that doesn’t work as a wager. No one’s betting that the Emperor will attend!”
Mocking conversations about this topic echoed from all directions.
In the midst of it all, devastating news reached Hillia, whose situation already seemed as good as lost.
“The Countess Quinivel has suddenly declared she will host a ball on that same day?”
Hillia learned this news through the Countess of Fileren.
“Yes, Your Highness! The Countess Quinivel is one of the Empress’s closest companions. Moreover, this time she has been granted the honor of using the second-largest hall in the Empress Palace as her venue!”
Hillia’s complexion turned ashen.
This was the Empress’s way of declaring that she would use the Countess Quinivel to sabotage Hillia’s banquet.
“This is absurd! If my banquet falls short even compared to the Countess Quinivel’s…!”
Then no one would recognize her as the true Prince’s consort.
Not even the Emperor.

* * *

I watched through the glass window as the Countess of Fileren crossed the garden, and I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself.
“Ah, the bait moved far more eagerly than I expected.”
Thanks to her, the game had grown larger.
Which was naturally all the better for me.
“Ah, I can hardly wait.”
I was methodically preparing everything I needed, and the Countess of Fileren was playing her role perfectly.

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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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