This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 101

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

Chapter 101

The wardrobe that was filled with new clothes every day was more and more of a mystery the more I looked at it.

Usually I wore comfortable indoor clothes for treatment, and every day at 2 PM I would change into light outdoor clothes and then receive about 30 minutes of witness questioning from an administrative official belonging to the Imperial Guard.

Up to this point, it was still understandable.

But I couldn’t understand why there were three gorgeous dresses fancy enough to wear to an imperial palace party, various jewelry accessories, and shoes that matched the dresses in the wardrobe.

‘I’ll never have occasion to go to such places in my lifetime.’

Anyway, since they were gifts from the Emperor, refusing was impossible.

Then I heard a knock. It was time for the tenth witness questioning.

While changing clothes to go out, I examined my appearance reflected in the mirror.

The wounds had completely healed without even a trace, the bandages had been removed long ago, and I had taken off all the small band-aids that had been stuck on this morning.

Thanks to eating and resting well, my skin had a smooth luster, which I found more pleasing the more I looked at it.

At first I was dissatisfied with the forced hotel stay, but as time passed, everything became satisfactory except for missing Baron.

What I liked most of all was the witness questioning.

What I realized while being questioned was that this was practically like a dedicated channel for filing complaints directly to the Emperor!

In the process of trying to give as detailed a statement as possible during the witness questioning, I ended up revealing even the reason why I frequently went back and forth to the orphanage.

That meant I had conveyed problems related to the orphanage directly to the Emperor’s ears.

‘Not only did you solve the kidnapping case, but you consistently visited and cared for the children. Miss Hailey, you really went through a lot of trouble.’

‘No, many other people helped a lot too! More than that, I’m worried about the children’s treatment…’

‘Please don’t worry too much. His Majesty will also be very angry when he hears about the actual conditions of the orphanage operation.’

And today, after finishing the witness questioning, the administrative official conveyed various news to me.

“The orphanage director died, and the Lord has been confined to his manor. Fortunately he saved his life, but he was severely injured and has become unable to move easily.”

Though they weren’t people I liked, it was very sad news.

‘It seems like they paid their own karma though.’

I glanced at the administrative official’s expression.

‘Still, I shouldn’t say my true feelings directly, right?’

The administrative official who met my eyes laughed heartily.

“Even if the orphanage director had lived, he would have been executed anyway, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“…What?”

“If the director had managed the facility properly, that gate would have been reported early and dealt with. Then this kind of damage wouldn’t have occurred either. If he had been alive, His Majesty would have severely punished that crime, and in such cases, it’s usually execution.”

“Ah…”

“That aside, Miss Hailey was probably most curious about this news.”

The administrative official told me what would happen to the orphanage children.

“Since the director died, we had to find a new director anyway. But while organizing the debris of the orphanage building, double ledgers were discovered.”

Thanks to Bloden’s command, Camen had extinguished the fire while preserving the important documents without them being lost.

“So how could we seat just anyone there? His Majesty has issued a recruitment notice, and after completing qualification verification of applicants, a suitable person will operate as the new director of Snoril Orphanage.”

It was good news.

“Then what will happen to the children who were already there?”

“They will all be admitted to orphanages in the capital. There they will receive educational and living support while finding new parents.”

I clasped my hands together in emotion.

They say life’s fortunes are unpredictable, but who knew things would work out so smoothly!

With this development, there was only one remaining question.

“Administrative Official, when will the children go to the capital?”

“I’ll let you know as soon as that’s decided. Then I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

After the administrative official left, the hotel chef who had been waiting entered and placed snacks on the table, bowing politely.

Today’s snacks were assorted fruits beautifully arranged with flowers, various cookies, and warm flower tea.

After the chef left, I first opened the nightstand drawer.

Inside were two small cloth pouches and a letter set that I had specially requested from Raven.

When I opened the pouch that looked smaller in volume, I saw candies, chocolates, and biscuits that were about half full.

It was a bundle I had made by selecting only the types that preserved well from among the snacks I received here.

I put cookies in the pouch and leisurely enjoyed the flower tea and fruit.

“Hello, Miss Hailey.”

Soon Raven came to visit, and the dedicated staff rearranged the tea table.

Sitting across from Raven, I took out the snack pouch and a letter to deliver to Baron and handed them over. Raven checked inside the pouch and smiled brightly.

“Did you prepare Baron’s share again today?”

“Yes. Those are really delicious.”

“Baron will like them. But how are you feeling today?”

I showed my perfectly recovered hands and smiled.

“I took off all the band-aids today. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

“Oh, that’s really fortunate.”

“It wasn’t seriously injured before either. By the way, is Baron doing well?”

“Oh right, I should have given you this first but I forgot. Here’s Baron’s letter.”

During this time, Baron had been shocked by news of my accident and was very disappointed that he couldn’t see me right away.

But he wrote a short letter saying that my comfortable recovery was important and not to worry about him.

The letter that Raven delivered every time he came, written in crooked handwriting which made it even more adorable, always had such content.

While I was reading the letter, Raven, who had finished a whole cup of tea, said:

“Today Baron looked at books with me and tended to roses. The buds have formed, so they’ll bloom fully soon.”

But today Raven kept avoiding my eyes while speaking. He seemed to be hiding something.

“Is there something you haven’t told me?”

“What? No, nothing in particular.”

“It seems like there is. Is it about Baron?”

“Ah.”

Raven sighed softly and awkwardly scratched near his eyes.

“Actually, Baron told me not to mention this.”

Instantly I felt like my ears grew huge. All my nerves focused on my ears.

“Please tell me! What happened to Baron?”

With my heart racing, I urged for an answer.

“This seems like a big deal but also not a big deal.”

Raven hesitated before opening his mouth as if he had no choice.

“Well, he seems to miss Miss Hailey’s cooking. Especially the dish you made and left on the day the gate accident happened keeps coming to mind and it’s difficult for him.”

“The tteokbokki?”

“Yes, the taste is so hot but addictive, he keeps thinking about it and wants to eat it. But until now, Miss Hailey was injured and it was hard for you to use your hands, wasn’t it? And you’re staying at the hotel too.”

I immediately understood Baron’s feelings.

‘Tteokbokki may be spicy, but it’s elementary school kids’ soul food!’

No matter how composed he pretended to be about staying apart, in the end he was still a child, so he missed home cooking.

After thinking for a moment, I finally rolled up my sleeves.

‘If I just have the ingredients, I can make tteokbokki even here!’

Since I’ve recovered, I should plead with His Majesty to let me leave the hotel. If he says no, I should at least ask for a place to cook.

“My hands are all healed, and I can cook! Raven, may I ask you a favor?”

Wait just a moment, Baron! Nuna will make tteokbokki for you right away!

* * *

Before Bloden closed the derivative gate at the orphanage, he headed to the Millfield Gate leading Raven and Kimarise.

To return to Baron, he needed to use that much magic power, and for that, closing the gate was the best option.

Incidentally, he could also show the Emperor’s majestic appearance.

“It’s been a while. Have you all been well?”

The Imperial Knights narrowed their eyes for a moment. They hadn’t even imagined that the Emperor would appear in person, and it was their first time seeing eighteen-year-old Bloden.

When his red eyes turned cold at the knights’ reaction of not immediately recognizing him, the Imperial Knights who finally realized the identity of the person before them were startled.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

“Your Majesty!”

“His Majesty has arrived!”

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