This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 108

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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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Chapter 108

Generally, when the Emperor bestows a reward, there should naturally be proper official procedures for it.

The usual process would be to first establish the justification according to procedure for why Hailey, a resident of Snoril Domain, is receiving an award, then announce it to the world, schedule it, and hold an award ceremony. Since the Emperor is busy, he might appoint a representative to present it directly instead of doing it himself.

‘At least he wouldn’t make it with such a design that I can’t even figure out where to start taking it apart and have to just leave it outside the door! It’s fortunate this place is secluded, but if this had been in the village center, it would have been a disaster.’

Thinking that far, I soon reached a conclusion.

‘I think I’ve seen a similar situation to this in my previous life. In weekend dramas, the chaebol male lead who brings incredibly expensive surprise gifts to women he’s interested in was exactly like this.’

In other words, this situation looks like powerful flirting from a chaebol to me.

‘It’s different from Raven’s case. This time it’s not a misunderstanding either. Bloden definitely has feelings for me.’

I recalled how he was cold to Nelloa but warm to me. If that’s the case, then that means…

‘The original story has changed?’

Actually, at this point, the original story doesn’t matter anymore. Looking at Nelloa’s behavior so far, I’m against someone with that kind of personality becoming Empress.

But becoming Bloden’s partner wasn’t something I wanted.

Of course, I liked Bloden himself. He’s the male lead, after all.

His heart-fluttering appearance just from looking at him, the fragrance he gives off when close by, and his low, gentle voice – I really like all of that.

But fatal flaws that would prevent me from advancing to a romantic stage with Bloden came flooding to mind.

‘Bloden doesn’t like me for who I am. He just developed feelings after seeing my actions.’

Looking at everything so far, it seems Bloden develops feelings for people who save kidnapped children and rescue orphanage children.

‘So that means the target of Bloden’s love isn’t determined by the person themselves but by altruistic actions? It doesn’t necessarily have to be me.’

Also, Bloden was still in political conflict with the Regent. If I stayed by his side, who knows what harm Anna might inflict.

‘I prefer a safe and peaceful life.’

Besides, there was another reason.

“Nuna, what are you thinking about so deeply?”

When I turned my head, I saw Baron with his clear violet eyes sparkling brightly.

‘If Anna tries to harm me, Baron could be put in danger too.’

When I gently stroked his black hair, Baron made an expression like a baby kitten.

“Yeah, I just had something to think about for a moment.”

In the original story, Bloden lost his parents early and was sent to the Northern Mountains, growing up lonely while fighting monsters, which made him crave and obsess over the female lead’s love.

This had the side effect of jealousy. He would get jealous of any man who gained the female lead’s favor, regardless of age.

What if such a Bloden saw Baron? And on top of that, what if he found out Baron was a child from a family the Imperial Palace had exterminated?

Bloden commands spirits. Even if he secretly took Baron somewhere one day, I would have no way to find him.

‘Ugh! That absolutely cannot happen!’

I shook my head vigorously.

‘I will protect Baron!’

Bloden was no longer a man to me. He was just someone who could harm our house’s child!

‘No matter how handsome he is, it’s useless. I should return all the excessive gifts to nip any potential buds. Then wouldn’t someone like me quickly lose interest and develop feelings for another woman?’

Just then, Baron’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Nuna? What exactly are you thinking about that you’re even shaking your head?”

“That’s right. Is something wrong?”

Baron, Raven, and Kimarise were all staring at me intently.

“Ah, ahaha.”

I laughed awkwardly and only shared my conclusion.

“I was separated from Baron for too long, wasn’t I? I was thinking we should never be apart like this again.”

“Oh, really?”

At my words, happiness settled on Baron’s face.

“That’s so nice. I want to stay by Nuna’s side for life too.”

“Not for life.”

“Huh?”

“Just until you grow up.”

“I don’t want that. I want to be with Nuna for life.”

“You might feel that way now, but when you become a proper adult, you’ll need to be independent. But for now…”

I picked up Baron’s fork and cut into the cake placed in front of us.

“This looks delicious. Baron, say ‘ah.'”

“Aah.”

Baron naturally opened his mouth and ate the cake I fed him. A warm smile naturally appeared at the sight.

‘Oh, you cute little thing. Nuna will definitely protect you until you grow up.’

Having steeled my resolve, I drank my tea while looking around the house.

Toto, who had followed us, seemed busy exploring every corner of the house.

I was told there were gifts that came for me, and sure enough, various boxes were piled up against the wall where Toto was approaching.

“Nuna, want to look at those too? They arrived this morning. We sorted them by type before bringing them in.”

“The domain residents brought them this morning, praising Miss Hailey’s courage and good deeds.”

While drinking tea and examining the piled items, I doubted my eyes.

“What’s that?”

What was sticking out long between the boxes was a green stem, and no matter how I looked at it, it was a green onion.

Green onion.

What a completely unburdensome item.

Curious, I put down my teacup and approached the wall to examine the stacked items.

[I grew this at home.]

[I hope Miss likes it.]

[Our wife made this.]

Each time I opened a box, gifts from the domain residents were revealed one by one, along with notes saying they brought a little of what they grew or made at home.

The handmade cookies and apple pie looked delicious. There were also aprons, handkerchiefs, ladles, and firewood.

As expected, they appeared to be practical items that could be given and received without burden, which put my mind at ease.

“My, why did they send so much? How grateful.”

Muttering to myself, I checked the wooden box next to it and was startled.

“This is flour! Huh? These are potatoes and sweet potatoes!”

Next to them were crops like cabbage, tomatoes, and carrots, fruits like oranges, grapes, and apples, and nuts too.

“They’re all food items?”

They weren’t particularly luxurious, but they weren’t poor quality either. They were extremely ordinary yet fresh ingredients that I really liked.

“Wow, people are really so warm-hearted.”

Feeling cozy, I picked up a potato bigger than an adult’s fist.

“Baron, look at the size of this potato.”

Baron came over and looked at the potato and laughed.

“It’s really big and solid.”

“Right? There’s milk, cheese, and butter here too.”

The boxes next to them contained eggs and meat respectively.

“I can tell the beef, pork, and chicken, but what kind of meat are the others?”

Raven came over to look and pointed at each one.

“This is turkey and this is duck. This is lamb.”

“I see. My goodness, to bring so much.”

I felt like I’d become rich, but thinking realistically, I was also worried.

‘Can Baron and I eat all this within the expiration period? No, even including Raven and Kimarise, I don’t think we can finish it all?’

To store it without wasting, I’d probably need to move diligently.

‘No, even so, I don’t think we can eat it all.’

I felt regretful again that this was a world without refrigerators.

‘Then I should cook all this and feed it to the children.’

The orphanage children were said to be leaving for the capital soon. It would be nice to make them a proper meal before then.

‘They said they’d let me know as soon as the departure date is set.’

Just then, I heard someone calling for me from outside.

“Hello, Miss Hailey. This is Linda from the Government Office. Oh my, the door is open?”

I quickly got up to greet Linda.

“Please come in, Miss Linda.”

Linda’s eyes widened even more as she approached and looked inside the house.

“My goodness, the Flower Arch outside is already so pretty, but when did the interior change like this?”

“Oh, this? It just happened somehow. Ahaha. Would you like to come in and share a cup of tea?”

I smiled sheepishly and stepped aside to let Linda enter.

“Thank you. But I’m a bit behind on work. I just need to deliver this and head right back.”

Linda handed me a letter.

“The Administrative Official from the Royal Knight Order asked me to inform you immediately once it was decided.”

“The date for the Children to go to the Capital has been set!”

“He said any necessary reply should be sent through Mr. Raven.”

“Mr. Raven?”

At the unexpected name, I looked back at him, and Raven nodded as if it were obvious.

“I’ve been in continuous communication while you were staying at the Hotel, Miss Hailey.”

“Ah. I see.”

“Everything seems fine then. Well, I’ve delivered the message, so I’ll be going now.”

“Thank you, Miss Linda.”

After seeing Linda off, I returned to the table and opened the letter.

[A naval ship will arrive at the Port at 10 AM in four days. The Children are scheduled to board that Ship and go to the Capital.]

After reading what the Administrative Official had written, I nodded and asked Raven.

“Mr. Raven. I’m planning to send a reply tomorrow morning. Could I ask you to deliver it to the Administrative Official?”

I’ll need to write two letters. One to the Administrative Official, and one to His Majesty.

And Raven, as always, smiled warmly and accepted my request.

“Of course.”

* * *

The next evening, when Hailey had gone out foraging.

Bloden sat in an arrogant posture with his legs crossed in the head seat of Raven’s Estate Study. Raven stood respectfully before him, breaking out in cold sweat as he watched Bloden’s expression.

In his lord’s small hands, whose mood seemed extremely low, was the letter Hailey had sent.

“Raven.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At the unprecedentedly cold voice, Raven gulped.

Bloden’s red eyes glanced sideways.

“Kimarise.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kimarise looked even more pale than Raven. It was because he could feel Bloden’s emotions directly.

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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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