I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 70

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 70

The Emperor had not been waiting behind the curtain since the banquet began.
When Hillia requested to borrow Artanus Hall from the Emperor, she had added one more condition.

“Once it becomes certain that I have earned Your Majesty’s recognition, please grace the banquet with your presence.”
“And who decides that?”
“There will be proof so undeniable that no one could possibly dispute it.”

As she spoke, Hillia wore a smile of absolute confidence.
The Emperor knew that smile.
It was the smile that reminded him of his deceased wife.

“You truly are a fearful man.”
“Roxellin, I am….”
“Who else would take in a man so full of fear but me?”

For that reason, the Emperor gave his conditional consent.

“If you show me proof that no one could possibly deny, as you say, then I shall come.”

And Hillia truly accomplished it.
Long after the banquet at Artanus Hall had begun.
The Emperor witnessed the phenomenon from his own bedroom in the Palace.
The dragon’s eclipse.
Of course, the Emperor did not truly believe that Artanus had blessed Hillia.
Yet Hillia knew precisely of a phenomenon that neither the Imperial Palace nor the Archmage’s Tower had predicted.
Using this, she had made her position and authority so unshakeable that no one could touch them.
‘With such capability and boldness, she would be more than sufficient as Crown Princess.’
And that was not all.
‘With this girl, she might truly keep the grand promise she made.’

“I know well that Your Majesty desires to save your son more than anyone else.”
“Give me just one chance. Then I will prove to you that I can save your precious son.”

The Emperor—no, Emperor Walter Istrid—felt hope surging through him for the first time in ages.
That was the reason.
When he heard Hillia’s voice beyond the curtain, it was with genuine warmth that he smiled.
“I present the representative of the great Artanus and sovereign of the mortal realm, the sole master of the Istrid Empire.”
With that, he nodded to the Chamberlain who had been waiting beside him.
The curtains that had been blocking the view parted left and right, revealing the Artanus Hall teeming with people.
Since his coronation, this hall had never been so crowded.
At the beginning of the first banquet, it had been primarily the influential nobles of the West.
Had it remained that way until now, it would have been difficult to say that the condition the Emperor had first set for Hillia had been fulfilled.
‘That would merely be a half-hearted affair.’
It could not have become a proper banquet in the Artanus Hall.
But now, within the hall were gathered not only the nobles of the West, but numerous nobles from the central regions and throughout the empire.
No one could claim this banquet was incomplete or lacking.
Because this was something even the woman currently occupying the Empress’s seat had not accomplished.
The Emperor paid no attention to those bowing their heads in unison.
His gaze was fixed solely on the one person who had created this moment.
The Emperor rose from his throne and descended the steps himself.
And he spoke directly before Hillia and Arpard, who still had their heads bowed.
“Raise your heads. Crown Prince. And….”
The Emperor’s crimson eyes turned toward the one wearing the tiara of moon and stars.
And finally, the title fell from the Emperor’s lips.
“…Crown Princess.”
With this, no one could ever claim that Hillia had not been recognized as Crown Princess.
As if in response, Hillia rose slowly with Arpard’s escort.
The same smile she had worn a month ago while making bold declarations was now gracing her rosy lips.
Hillia answered cheerfully.
“I am overwhelmed by your gracious presence, Your Majesty the Emperor.”
The Emperor chuckled softly, observing his son beside her genuinely smiling for the first time in ages.
And he spoke publicly.
“You are indeed blessed with a fine wife, Arpard.”
Arpard’s brow twitched slightly, but he did not openly contradict the statement here.
“…Indeed, Father.”
Those who knew the nature of relations between this father and son were astonished by the gentle atmosphere.
Of course, Hillia was silently heaving a sigh.
She jabbed Arpard in the ribs.
And glared at him with her eyes.
‘Must you really be so stiff even in a moment like this?’
Arpard feigned ignorance.
‘This woman, truly!’
Then it happened.
The Emperor’s interjection prevented Hillia from jabbing Arpard’s ribs further.
“Calling me ‘Your Majesty’ sounds rather stiff, doesn’t it?”
“I beg your pardon?”
The Emperor then chuckled warmly and patted Hillia’s shoulder.
“At the last banquet, you called me something different, didn’t you?”
What on earth was he talking about?
Hillia, momentarily flustered, soon understood.
‘Could he possibly mean… that thing I wrote to provoke the Empress?’
It was rather difficult to believe.
So I asked awkwardly.
“Father? Mother?”
At that, a tender smile bloomed across the Emperor’s face.
“…Yes. That sounds pleasant to hear.”
Arpard nearly lost composure for a moment but managed to conceal his expression.
However, few noticed this.
Everyone was too astonished.
‘Good heavens! His Majesty the Emperor?!’
‘Did my ears deceive me?’
‘This cannot be!’
It was then that the Duchess of Axion, seizing the opportune moment, interjected.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. Your Highness the Protagonist. The banquet will soon transition to the congratulatory ceremony. You must surely receive congratulations from all assembled here.”
The Emperor supported her from beside.
“A wise observation, Duchess.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Remarkably, the Duchess—who had refused even to look upon the Emperor since the Former Empress’s funeral—accepted his words with gentleness.
This too drew gasps from those around them.
‘Those two? Impossible!’
‘Has the sun risen twice in the west today?’
‘There can be only one reason for such a sudden change…’
All eyes turned with wonder upon the Princess Delphin—or rather, the woman whom no one could any longer deny as the Crown Princess.
‘All of this is a miracle that occurred after she arrived!’
Moreover, everyone present in this hall had witnessed it.
A miraculous wonder.
The form of a golden dragon enveloping the sun itself.
Yet it was impossible to deny this woman.
Beginning with the Duchess of Axion, everyone in the hall simultaneously bowed their heads and bent their knees.
As if spoken in unison, the hall resonated with a resounding echo.
“We greet Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
Hillia raised her head and, with her posture straightened, received this salutation.

* * *

I’ll admit it—I felt a lump form in my throat.
When the Emperor called me “Crown Princess” for the very first time.
And in that moment when everyone in the hall bowed in unison.
A thrilling sense of accomplishment wrapped around my entire body, and something hot surged up from my chest.
In that instant, what came to mind was not merely the hardship of the past month.
Three instances of regression.
Deaths so cruel and miserable, experiences so horrifying.
Each time, I had come closest to the position of Crown Princess, yet I had never truly claimed that status.
But in this moment, I was recognized as Crown Princess—undeniably, by all.
The suffering I endured across three regressions could never be fully compensated.
Yet somehow, I felt—just a little, just the smallest bit—rewarded.
When I lifted my head, my gaze met the only person who had not bowed, aside from the Emperor and Arpard.
‘Evangeline.’
Or rather, the Possessed whose name I did not know.
She was watching me with vacant eyes.
And I gave her the brightest smile in the world.
Simultaneously, I moved only my lips, speaking without sound.
I could be certain of it—Evangeline, the Possessed, understood what I had said.
‘Look forward to it. This is only the beginning.’
Evangeline’s shoulders seemed to flinch.

* * *

Kneeling on the floor, the Countess of Fileren trembled violently.
‘What, what do I do? How can I…’
That was when Hillia approached her directly.
“You told quite an amusing story just now, didn’t you, Countess of Fileren?”
The Countess of Fileren lifted her pale face.
“Your Highness?”
“Who exactly did I grow jealous of, and what did I supposedly do? Say it again.”
Hillia’s smile, blooming like a flower, felt utterly terrifying.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————