I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 47

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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 47

Three days had passed since I obtained the information I desired from Yulken.
I found myself in quite a predicament.
Today was an exceptionally important day.
I had devised the best possible plan, utilizing all the information I had secured in advance, my memories from regression, and every resource at my disposal.
If I succeeded, I would be killing two birds with one stone.
But then.
But this—I hadn’t anticipated this.
“Why are you here?”
Someone suddenly blocked my path as I hurried toward the Empress Palace.
Platinum blonde hair, elegantly swept back, gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight, and those crimson eyes, visible in broad daylight, were more beautiful than the finest rubies.
The delicate features of a face carved from white marble shifted into a mischievous smile.
“I wondered where my consort was going alone, leaving me behind.”
“Well… it’s just a stroll, isn’t it?”
Besides, “leaving me behind”—what an odd way to phrase it.
“Then might you grant me the mercy of accompanying you on this stroll?”
He extended his hand with exaggerated courtesy that bordered on theatrical. It was a request for an escort.
I didn’t immediately take it.
….
I was beginning to understand Arpard’s manner of speech.
He was being sarcastic with all his might.
Why was he in a foul mood again? He truly was an impossible man to read.
I attempted to evade, not wanting to introduce more uncontrollable variables.
“But doesn’t Your Highness have a scheduled appointment? By now, shouldn’t you be receiving an audience?”
“Did Yulken tell you?”
Arpard was far more skilled at redirecting conversations in unexpected directions.
“Well, that is…”
It wasn’t entirely false.
Once I had dismantled his guard, Yulken would divulge every detail without my even asking.
That was how I had come to know Arpard’s schedule.
He tilted his head toward me slightly, his smooth brow faintly creased.
“It’s remarkable how you managed to handle that difficult man. I can’t figure out how you did it.”
“I simply proved my capabilities.”
Immediately after, Arpard’s sharp gaze directed itself toward my back.
I understood whom he was looking at among my attendants.
‘Count Beltane again.’
He spoke with a tone where discomfort still lingered like a burr.
“You’ve tamed my temperamental associate in one go, and now you keep a lover constantly at your side.”
“He’s not my lover—he’s my Knight. I witnessed his oath myself.”
“Ah yes, I was there as a witness when he swore to dedicate his life to you.”
“….”
Why did those words come to mind?
‘There’s no reasoning with him. I can’t win this.’
Arpard smirked and asked.
“Do you remember what I said last time?”
“What did you say?”
“That no matter how many men you have, I alone am your legitimate husband.”
“…It’s not easy to forget, that’s for certain.”
It was far too creative nonsense for that.
“As your sole legal husband, I’m requesting to accompany you on your walk. Surely I have that much right?”
“….”
…So he’s pouting because I didn’t immediately agree to go for a walk with him?
Suspecting as much, I placed my hand over the one Arpard was extending.
His long fingers immediately clasped my hand firmly.
At the same moment, the petulant expression vanished from his face, replaced by a radiant smile.
…Seriously?
It felt like watching a lion coquette like a kitten.
In the end, I had no choice but to drag Arpard along like a piece of goldfish waste to our destination.
‘Fine, whatever. If he’s going to cling to me anyway, I might as well use him.’

* * *

The Empress Palace contained numerous gardens, and among them, the most famous was the one named the Rose Maze.
This garden, where all varieties of roses were gathered and planted true to its name, also served as a testament to the Empire’s power spanning the entire continent.
Being such an important and precious place, it was rarely opened to guests.
However, today was a special day, and this renowned and treasured garden stood open.
It was the day the Empress had ascended to her current position.
In other words, her wedding anniversary.
Empress Isabel, who often delegated high society activities through her daughter Evangeline.
But today was different.
Adorned in an elaborate gown and wearing the Empress’s crown upon her head, she proceeded directly to the Rose Maze.
The Emperor, who had received the invitation the Empress sent, would not show his face this year either.
Yet knowing this, the Empress could not abandon this day each time.
She had not relinquished the hope that perhaps the Emperor might grace her with his presence this once.
On this special day in this special place, the Empress encountered an unexpected sight.
She was startled. And immediately after, she felt a piercing sense of contempt and furrowed her brow.
“Ahahaha. Where are you, my love?”
It was a voice she knew well.
One belonging to a person for whom such words were utterly unsuitable.
Because of this, the clear intent of mockery was distinctly felt.
The Empress, struggling to compose her distorted expression, asked.
“What is the meaning of this, Arpard?”
Indeed, remarkably, it was Arpard who had burst from within the maze reciting such an unbelievable line.
He responded with a spinning smile.
“I was searching for my beloved wife.”
“I fail to understand why you would search for your wife in my garden. Unless you intend to ruin my garden party.”
At that, Arpard laughed brightly.
The Empress was nearly blinded by rage and contempt, but Arpard’s brilliant appearance did its work.
Every woman attending the garden party flushed in the face.
Even those of the pro-Empress faction had the same eyes when beholding a handsome man’s face.
“How could I possibly ruin the Empress’s party? I was unaware a party was being held.”
The Empress bit her lip.
Arpard was now openly mocking her.
‘Your wedding anniversary means nothing to me—I did not even remember it,’ he was saying.
And a stepson had intruded upon her modestly held wedding anniversary celebration, conducted without her husband, searching for his own wife.
“I repeat—I fail to understand why you search for your wife in my garden.”
“As you know, this place holds precious memories for me as well.”
“…!”
The Empress’s complexion turned ashen.
Those who understood the situation had similar reactions.
And for those who did not know, Arpard kindly explained, as if to enlighten them.
“Originally, this garden was a wedding gift my late mother received from the late Emperor. So I hold many memories here as well.”
“….”
The current Empress Isabel had been a lady-in-waiting to the previous empress before entering as the second wife.
Even her wedding ceremony had been conducted in a simplified manner.
It was a situation that could only create stark contrasts in every way.
It was hardly surprising that the atmosphere had become as if a garden of blooming roses had suddenly frozen solid.
“So I came to revisit this place of memories with my beloved wife, but we somehow lost our way and became separated.”
Arpard asked with an innocent air.
“By any chance, have you not seen my adorable baby squirrel?”
The Empress momentarily forgot her anger and sense of insult.
“A baby… squirrel…?”
At the Empress’s halting question, Arpard nodded with a boyish smile.
“Yes. She is so precious that I keep her hidden in my pocket, and I do not wish to show her to others—my wife, that is.”
And the person who suffered the greatest shock from this astounding declaration was someone hiding at a distance.
It was Hillia, who was tending to Princess Solenu, who had found herself in an embarrassing predicament in a corner of the Maze Garden, away from prying eyes.
‘Have my ears… gone mad? There’s no way I heard that… there shouldn’t be…’
But her hearing was perfectly intact, and because of that, she had no choice but to continue hearing words she did not wish to hear.

* * *

Though Arpard had suddenly attached himself to me, I proceeded with my plan.
There were aspects that had actually become easier thanks to his presence.
This man was the sort of existence that drew attention from all directions like a black hole.
Which meant that no matter where in the world he was placed, he would command all the surrounding gazes.
So I deployed Arpard in the most necessary location for the most necessary role.
It was what I called the “You’re it, go forth, Crown Prince!” operation.

“Please draw the attention of those around us in the Garden for a moment.”
“Draw attention? Does the method matter?”
“Yes. Please handle it as you see fit.”

Even if Arpard simply walked around in silence, all eyes would be drawn to him.
And I would come to deeply regret not specifying exactly what I wanted him to do in this moment.
While I hid behind the Maze, Arpard dashed out energetically and immediately began spouting something astonishing.

“Aha. Where are you? My love?”

The moment I heard those words, I nearly bit my tongue by accident.
‘Has he truly gone mad?’
But unfortunately(?), Arpard was not insane.
He was deliberately and calculatingly getting under the Empress’s skin.
And mine as well, for that matter.
‘This is intentional! One hundred percent certain! He’s trying to provoke me!’
Suddenly, Arpard and I had become a troublesome couple playing tag in someone else’s palace garden.
And then came the “Baby Squirrel”—a phrase that dealt an enormous blow to my sanity.
The effect was tremendous!
‘So… tremendous that it’s actually frightening.’
Baby Squirrel! Baby Squirrel!
While I stood frozen, Princess Solenu—whose dress was completely ruined after being hit by the teacup Evangeline threw—looked at me and asked.
“You’re looking for The Protagonist, aren’t you?”
“….”
Wearing the coat I had lent her draped over her shoulders, she seemed to be searching for the right words.
What came out was terribly awkward.
“Your relationship seems to be much better than the rumors suggest.”
“….”
I bit my lip.
Then Arpard’s unhinged voice reached my ears again.
“Haha! My little Baby Squirrel! Where are you hiding?”
…Why must all the embarrassment fall on me?

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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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