I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 55

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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 55

“….”
“….”
The grand banquet proceeded in an awkward and stifling silence.
The perfect atmosphere to upset one’s stomach.
But not me.
I had successfully defended against the opening strike, and I had already prepared countermeasures against the Empress.
‘Besides, eating well is the best investment! Revenge runs on a full stomach!’
These days, I was eating with great dedication.
The memories of my struggles in the early days after regression were still vivid.
‘Forget about dietary restrictions!’
During the wedding preparations, I had eaten less than bird seed, and my stamina had hit rock bottom.
As a result, I thought I would die while riding a horse for four days straight.
This was all thanks to Evangeline and Ludwig’s gaslighting.

“Surely you’re not trying to embarrass me by becoming a fat bride?”
“My. Sister-in-law. You’re eating so much? Won’t your dress burst?”

As those memories surfaced, I ate with renewed combativeness.
‘Stamina is national power!’
Once I handled the urgent matters, I would exercise more to build up my strength further.
I ate with determination.
‘And it’s delicious! The Royal Chef truly has excellent skills.’
Thanks to that, I was able to clean my plate completely.
Then the Empress, slowly recovering from the shock of losing Arpard’s hand to me and being ignored even by the Emperor, began to provoke me.
“House Delphin’s family customs seem quite liberal. You eat so greedily.”
Ah, my Imperial Court-style backhanded insult translator worked quickly.
‘You eat like a pig because you weren’t properly educated at home?’
That was the gist of it.
I swallowed the piece of sole sauté that remained in my mouth along with a smile.
And I responded with a bright smile.
“Thank you for saying so. My late father always worried about my mother’s and my health. He always said that we must eat well.”
At that, the Empress’s brow twitched.
It was only natural, given how I had responded.
‘Unlike you, our family had a very harmonious relationship between my parents. That’s why my father prioritized my mother’s and my health.’
And of course, there was no one sitting at this banquet who wouldn’t understand the exchange between the Empress and me.
The Emperor simply continued eating quietly without any change in expression.
As for Arpard….
He suppressed a laugh threatening to burst forth, then served me directly—fresh truffle, shallots, and asparagus.
“My wife is absolutely right. I’m always worried that our baby squirrel is far too thin and fragile. Here, eat more of this.”
I flinched.
My shoulders trembled without my consent.
‘Of all places, why does “baby squirrel” have to come out here?’
Even the Emperor himself was looking between me and Arpard with an expression of utter bewilderment.
The Empress, naturally, looked ready to devour us with her eyes alone.
‘The “baby squirrel” comment infuriates me even more than Arpard pretending to dislike vegetables just to defer to me!’
That’s right.
Given that we’d been married for some time now, I’d come to know Arpard quite thoroughly.
Among other things, I’d discovered he was a terribly picky eater.

“You’re leaving all the vegetables?”
“As one of Dragon Bloodline, greens simply don’t suit my palate.”

Naturally, it was complete nonsense—utter drivel.
After all, the Emperor himself, who shared the same Dragon Bloodline, was eating vegetables just fine.
If I asked the Emperor, he’d probably say the Former Empress ate them well too.
But I couldn’t say in front of the Empress, “You’re just pawning off food you don’t want to eat, you picky eater!”
It would look rather unseemly in front of the Emperor as well.
And I couldn’t simply refuse to eat them either—it was impossible. Instead, Arpard brought a large zucchini directly to my mouth with his fork.
In the end, I had no choice but to open my mouth and say “Aah.”
‘It tastes delicious, which makes it even more infuriating!’
Why does the Royal Chef have to make everything so delicious…!
“Truly worthy of the Imperial Palace’s kitchen. It’s genuinely delicious.”
“Oh my, I’m starting to feel jealous.”
What?
I nearly let my expression turn sour, but barely managed to stop myself.
It was annoying that he’d dumped vegetables he didn’t want to eat into my mouth, but admittedly, the couple act—however cringey—did serve a purpose.
“Won’t you tell me the food tastes even better because I’m the one feeding you, my baby squirrel?”
Fortunately, this time I didn’t flinch when hearing “baby squirrel.” I’m gradually getting used to it, which is somewhat frightening.
I won’t lose!
“Well, it’s certainly only natural, but…”
With flushed cheeks, I looked at the Emperor and Empress and spoke.
“I’m embarrassed with the two of you watching.”
In truth, when I heard Arpard call me “baby squirrel”—a term that made my skin crawl and made me want to disappear—I made a decision.

‘I’ll repay him in kind!’

I had vowed to give him a nickname he absolutely despised and call him by it in front of everyone.
That perfect opportunity had arrived now.
I picked up a vibrant green bean with my fork—something Arpard clearly detested—and held it to his lips.
“Come now,
Ripa.
Say ‘ah’ for me.”
‘Ripa’ was the nickname I had crafted with great conviction.
Arpard’s nickname.
After agonizing over what adorable epithet could possibly suit him, this was my final decision.
And sure enough.
The Empress nearly spat out her water, and even the Emperor let out a low murmur.
“R-Ripa…?”
For the first time since I’d sought him out in the Catacombs to request the abduction marriage, I watched Arpard’s crimson eyes tremble as though shaken by an earthquake.
I whispered softly.
“If you don’t eat it here, people will say our marriage is on the rocks.”
I didn’t forget to add a final provocation.
“Besides, you’re the Prince—surely you’re not refusing vegetables simply because you find them unpalatable?”
“…”
Arpard’s hesitation was brief.
He clamped his mouth shut with resolve, then lowered his head and accepted the bean I offered, swallowing it whole.
He bit the fork rather forcefully, though I pretended not to notice.
“You should chew thoroughly, Ripa, so you don’t get indigestion.”
Arpard’s brow twitched slightly as he laughed, chewing with such intensity it seemed he might pulverize the bean entirely.
“…Don’t worry. My little squirrel. I won’t do anything for you to fret over.”
The Empress finally couldn’t hold back any longer.
“It’s good that you two get along, but… isn’t this excessive? As if you’re trying to put on a show?”
Arpard then launched into an even more shameless display of affection.
“A couple being close is a good thing, so there’s no need to hide it. Just as the Former Emperor did.”
Even while making a show of tenderness, Arpard didn’t forget to strike at the Empress.
The unspoken implication—unlike you and the Emperor—was something no one in the room could miss.
‘Ouch, that must have cut deep.’
Arpard ground his teeth as though facing a mortal enemy before reluctantly swallowing the bean.
Meanwhile, I finished off the garnish he’d abandoned as well. It tasted fine, after all.
In any case, Arpard and I cleaned our plates, and the Emperor finished most of his meal too.
The only one who barely touched her food was the Empress.
Apparently, our passionate display of affection had completely spoiled her appetite.
‘Well, I’ve repaid what she did to me by turning it on her instead.’
I spoke with a bright smile.
“Your Majesty the Empress, you’ve barely eaten anything. Did the food not suit your taste? I’m worried your health might suffer.”
And I added meaningfully.
“The Royal Chef has served the Empress for quite some time… Perhaps I should offer a word of advice?”
“…!”
The Empress’s brow twitched visibly.
And for good reason, given what I had just implied.
‘Your Majesty, managing the Imperial Palace’s affairs seems to be straining you—shall I lend a hand?’
The Empress laughed with such intensity that her brow convulsed, shaking her head.
“No. I simply have a habit of eating lightly, that’s all. Do not torment the poor chef.”
“How fortunate, Your Majesty.”
Of course the Empress would never agree, so I gracefully retreated.
Just then, the empty dishes were cleared away, and the dessert arrived.
“Blancmange with almond cream and cherries.”
Atop the pink pudding sat deep rose syrup, honey, gold leaf, and cherry blossoms—utterly adorable.
I reached for the dessert with my silver spoon, eager to taste it, when Arpard snatched it away.
He began feeding me directly from his spoon.
“This dessert’s color reminds me so of you—I simply must feed it to you myself.”
“My, Rifa. You really are terribly affectionate, aren’t you?”
I called him by that powerful magical pet name, Rifa, intending to strike back at him.
I was astonished by his utterly serene response.
The soft, sweet dessert melted onto my tongue.
It dissolved delicately in my mouth, and the sweetness was utterly blissful.
‘Ah… this is delicious…’
I thought this unconsciously, then caught myself in surprise.
Arpard showed no embarrassment whatsoever, no sign of being wounded.
Rather.
‘Is he… enjoying this?’
Even though I called him Rifa?
He scooped more dessert with the same spoon that had been in my mouth and took a bite, then whispered.
“My cherry-blossom-colored canary’s pet name for me sounds like a song—sweeter even than this dessert.”
“….”
I had to admit it clearly.
‘I lost.’
No pet name, no matter how cutting, could ever embarrass or shame him.
And in the next moment, I realized something.
‘Wait… was that grimace earlier really just because of the vegetables?’
Before I could glare at him any longer, he placed another spoonful of dessert in my mouth.
Nom.
The dessert was blameless, so I had no choice.
It wasn’t until much later that I realized Arpard and I had shared the same spoon throughout dessert.

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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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