The Reason I Got Engaged to My Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 23

“I heard you had a meal with Mother, Mary.”

“Sophia asked me to dine with her.”

I replied while continuing to adjust his collar. It was an occupational habit—I couldn’t stand seeing an awkward fit.

“And I also heard that you barely touched your food. Your worried fiancé had to hear about it.”

Whoever told him that certainly shared every little detail.

“Worried about what? You eat like a bird every day yourself…”

“That’s because I’m managing my appearance. There are already ridiculous rumors about me being some demon colonel hiding my true nature, so if I bulk up too much, I’d look too intimidating.”

Ransel replied while pouring lukewarm water into a cup.

‘Right, the murder case.’

I remembered the main reason I came here.

“Anyway, I have a favor to ask, so first…”

I explained about purchasing the disguise stone and my future plans.

Creating a perfume brand with a fake identity to target the upper class, then naturally extracting clues about the Eagle incident from related nobles.

Throughout my explanation, Ransel seemed to think it was dangerous work, but since it involved my real sister, he didn’t carelessly interject.

“So, I want you to create a fake identity for me.”

This was the main point.

While I could disguise my appearance with the transformation stone, I needed an officially registered identity to run a business.

“…”

Ransel, momentarily speechless, slowly replied.

“Aren’t you overestimating me? I’m just a sincere and virtuous civil servant of the Obern Empire.”

“You’re also the nephew cherished by His Majesty King Elistair.”

What I wanted was an identity from the kingdom.

‘It would be convenient to tell people I’m a foreigner when interacting with them. The accent is similar since it’s a neighboring country.’

Once again rendered speechless, Ransel countered.

“And I’m also navy personnel who catches illegal mastone trading near the port. If what you’re saying is true, while our princess might receive some leniency, the maid who procured the mastone would undoubtedly go to prison.”

“If you’re going to send me, do it after I finish my business.”

I said this knowing he had no such intention.

Though called illegal, mastone trading was so widespread among nobles that even the Emperor would turn a blind eye as long as it didn’t cause major chaos.

“Anyway, I’m taking it that you’ll help.”

I stood up without hesitation.

“That’s all I had to say. I’ll be going.”

As I tried to take off the cardigan, Ransel quickly stopped me.

“No, keep that on. You don’t have to return it, so keep wearing it until you reach your room.”

“It doesn’t fit properly, so it’s uncomfortable.”

“Then choose. Either take it off and sleep here with me, or wrap it tightly around yourself and go sleep in your room.”

“…”

I put the cardigan back on without hesitation.

***

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace.

“Your Majestyyy, you’re really too muuuch.”

The Emperor’s young aide, Chadde, let out a groan.

He had definitely been in the office with the Emperor, but when he opened his eyes again, he realized he had been sleeping alone, drooling…

“What exactly is too much?”

The Emperor asked nonchalantly.

He was quite lenient with Chadde, at least.

Chad Clediuos.

Once the most famous rake in high society. Just five years ago, rumors circulated that the ducal house would collapse if he became the head.

Though it might be frustrating that someone who had been suspended from the Academy three times became an aide simply for being a prestigious family’s heir, the Emperor seemed to live for the joy of nurturing Chadde.

“No, you should have woken me up to scold me… Do you know how embarrassed I was?”

“Didn’t the attendant carefully cover you with a blanket? Don’t the documents read better after getting some sleep?”

“…Yes, there was a pink blanket with some chick drawn on it, so I thought I was dreaming.”

The Emperor looked at Chadde, who still seemed drowsy, then picked up some documents.

They were papers from the naval base, including reports about the recent return of the Westport.

The Emperor began reviewing them carefully.

As it turned out, Ransel’s accusations were all true.

However, they were minor and light offenses, not serious enough to dismiss the admiral.

And.

“…Chadde, the Count.”

“Yes.”

“It seems Sir Ransel didn’t come just to see Cael.”

The Emperor handed the documents to Chadde with an intrigued expression.

Chadde inadvertently took the documents and began scanning them.

The Westport, which had departed last year, returned after a full year.

It all started with the Demon Realm archduke’s provocation toward the reconnaissance ship ‘Blue Bird.’

In truth, it was a mission that should have taken at most six months to complete.

The Westport wasn’t a ship that sailed frequently to begin with.

As befitting its name ‘Guardian of the Empire,’ it only deployed for special occasions. Their symbolic presence at the naval base was enough.

So according to the documents, the Westport’s battle scale and frequency were quite ordinary.

“…”

But something didn’t quite add up.

Just three or four battles.

It took a whole year to eliminate the demon archduke’s direct forces and clean up the remnants?

Watching Chadde’s face gradually grow suspicious, the Emperor turned toward the window.

“Right?”

***

A few days later.

I was looking up at a modest manor while wearing the disguise stone necklace.

This place, Semaphelaz, was a quiet neighborhood located on the outskirts of the capital.

‘I am a commoner. Born in the Kingdom of Elistair, but spent most of my childhood in the Obern Empire due to family circumstances.’

The fake identity I quickly obtained through the king’s nephew connection was like this.

A commoner from the Kingdom of Elistair, Berry.

‘…It must be a coincidence.’

Though it sounded very similar to my name ‘Mary,’ I decided to dismiss it as mere coincidence.

Anyway, I had planned to spend time getting used to my fake identity while searching for the genius perfumer who had gone into hiding, but…

‘Who would have thought Diana would be acquainted with that person.’

So, it started when I was having lunch with the staff.

I was watching the employees compete over ‘who had lived through more hardships.’

The last speaker was Diana.

“…If that lady hadn’t been there, I would have died long ago from beatings by that bastard uncle of mine. How about it? I’m the most pitiful, right?”

What started as a playful conversation had turned quite dark, making the atmosphere solemn.

‘Well, anyway.’

The village where Diana had lived was Semaphelaz, and I was able to discover that the name of Mrs. ‘Pryll Barnaby’ who lived nearby was exactly the same as the missing genius perfumer.

So when I lied that my acquaintance wanted to meet the lady, Diana easily obtained permission.

“The address you gave me… this is it.”

I habitually touched my disguise stone necklace before knocking.

Knock knock.

Soon I heard the sound of slippers shuffling from inside, then the door opened.

“Welcome, Miss Berry. You’re the guest our Diana sent, right?”

“Yes, hello.”

I nodded and entered inside.

I’m a commoner, a commoner…

“Please excuse me.”

Unlike the bustling outside with the port city business, the inside of the estate was quiet like another world.

“Since you’re someone our Diana knows, I must welcome you properly. Is black tea alright? Please sit comfortably.”

Frill gestured toward a small reception room.

I answered in a voice that had grown small from nervousness, then headed to the reception room.

Pryll Barnaby.

The legitimate wife of Viscount Barnaby, who passed away five years ago.

Frill’s father was said to be someone who had plenty of money but lacked status, yearning for aristocratic society.

Then he arranged his daughter’s marriage to a viscount through connections, and Frill’s short but intense life as a perfumer also came to an end.

A virtuous woman who had faithfully supported her husband by his side. Someone who bore an heir and fulfilled her duties as a wife, staying by his side until her husband’s death.

But to my eyes, Frill didn’t look like an ordinary noble lady.

‘No matter how much her husband has died…’

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