This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 132

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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 132

“Ah….”
Stanley and his entourage let out groans of dismay at the portrait’s condition, while Baron and I quickly covered our mouths to stifle the laughter threatening to burst forth. Raven’s reaction was much the same as ours.
“Um, well… shouldn’t we open the other boxes quickly? If they’ve been submerged, we should salvage them right away to save whatever we can?”
I deliberately averted my gaze from the portrait and steered the conversation elsewhere, and Raven readily agreed with my suggestion.
“You’re right, Your Majesty. At least the most important vase remains intact, which is fortunate.”
“You speak wisely. It’s a blessing we survived those monsters at all.”
Stanley quickly composed himself and turned his attention to the other boxes. That was when Baron tilted his head and spoke up.
“But Nuna, Princess Nelloa has already met His Majesty the Emperor, hasn’t she? So wouldn’t the portrait be unnecessary?”
Upon hearing Baron’s words, Stanley let out a soft chuckle.
“This portrait isn’t being sent as a gift because His Majesty doesn’t know what the Princess looks like. We’re aware that the Princess has met His Majesty. This has been prepared to hang right beside His Majesty’s own portrait.”
“Huh?”
Baron looked genuinely bewildered.
“Ha ha, didn’t you know? Our Nelloa will become the Empress of the Ilpein Empire.”
I recalled Bloden’s reaction when he saw Nelloa.
‘It seems like we’re getting ahead of ourselves, doesn’t it?’
At the same time, Baron furrowed his brow and muttered while picking at his ear with his pinky finger.
“What did I just hear? Have I lost my mind? Seriously.”
That was when it happened.
The Attendant of Kelite, who had been observing me intently, whispered something to Stanley. Stanley then turned back around, stared at me with wide eyes, and uttered something completely unexpected.
“Now that I look again, your face seems familiar… have we met somewhere before?”
“Pardon?”
“No, I’m certain I know your face. Not long ago, at my brother’s request, I had someone’s portrait obtained and sent, and that very face is standing before me now.”
‘Oh no, he even had a portrait commissioned?’
Despite my denials, Nelloa seemed unwilling to let go of her suspicions. I managed my expression carefully and asked in return.
“A portrait? I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Where do you live? What’s your name?”
“I’m Hailey, and I live in the Snorril Domain.”
I wished I could withdraw gracefully at this point, but Stanley pressed on with suspicious intent.
“Is that name correct? It doesn’t seem right….”
The intensity of his gaze made me increasingly anxious.
‘Kelite attacked Meridian, didn’t they? What happens if my identity is exposed? Could they be planning a secret assassination?’
That was when it happened.
“Now that I think about it, something’s really off. It was this person who saved those who nearly became fish food.”
Baron, who had been standing behind me, suddenly stepped forward with a furrowed brow.
“Why are you interrogating my sister so persistently?”
“What?”
Stanley looked taken aback. But Baron remained confident and unflinching.
“If you’ve been rescued, shouldn’t you be grateful and rest quietly instead of complaining? Isn’t that the proper way?”
‘Gasp, Baron. Are you really speaking informally to the Crown Prince? How on earth did your family raise you! Don’t tell me you were taught to speak informally to everyone except the Imperial Family?’
Just as I feared, the sailors began to murmur in shock at Baron’s words. Stanley’s attendants bristled as well.
“What an insolent brat!”
“When we arrive in the Empire, we shall report this to the Royal Court and ensure you receive proper discipline.”
‘Oh no, why is everything going like this? Why did the atmosphere suddenly change? What do I do? How do I fix this?’
My mind felt overloaded by the unexpected situation.
My eyes were spinning wildly, but Baron twisted his lips upward instead.
“Why bother going all the way to the Imperial Palace? We can settle this right here. Raven.”
“Yes, Baron.”
“Gloves.”
Without hesitation, Raven produced gloves from his pocket and handed them to Baron. At his swift response, Stanley looked puzzled.
“Is the Merchant Guild Master’s master a high-ranking noble of the Ilpein Empire?”
“High-ranking noble? He lives next door.”
Before Raven could respond, Baron stepped forward with his answer and hurled the gloves at Stanley’s face.
“We’ll do this Kelite style. Come on. I’ve been wanting to ask two things anyway, so let’s make it a 2v2 match.”
Gasps erupted from those around us, and I quickly embraced Baron.
“Ack! Baron! A duel? You can’t do that!”
At the same time, I felt resentful toward Raven.
‘How could you actually give him the gloves when he asked for them?’
But this wasn’t the time to scold him. The milk was already spilled, and what mattered now was damage control. I forced a smile and sought Stanley’s understanding.
“Haha, my younger brother doesn’t know any better. Could you please be generous and let this slide?”
“How could you possibly have a younger brother?”
Stanley countered while wearing an awkward expression.
“And regardless of whether that child is your brother or not, we of Kelite cannot back down in such a situation. That child declared ‘Kelite style.’ The procedure was followed precisely.”
Stanley, looking at Baron, spoke as if he had no choice.
“Once a formal duel has been challenged, refusing to accept it becomes a violation of our national law. If I, the Crown Prince, were to do such a thing, it would create far greater problems down the line…”
What kind of law is that? And you’re actually going to duel with a seven-year-old child?
As I fidgeted anxiously, Raven added an explanation from beside me.
“Your Highness is correct. In Kelite, duels are considered most sacred. One must not challenge frivolously, and the results must be accepted.”
“Exactly. Even if one dies during the duel, there can be no protest, and the loser must answer one question from the victor truthfully. One question for a 1v1 match, two questions for a 2v2 match. One must not ignore a duel challenge simply because the opponent is young or of low status.”
Stanley looked at Baron with pitying eyes and clicked his tongue.
“Baron, was it? You look quite young, but if I duel with such a child, I lose either way—victory or defeat brings only shame. So I have no reason to accept, but since this child has thrown down the gauntlet…”
The attendant standing beside him drew a firm line.
“Your Highness, Kelite’s national law is absolute. However, since the child is young, perhaps it would suffice to extract a declaration of defeat.”
At those words, I quickly spoke to Baron.
“Baron, declare that you’ve lost right now and apologize. Okay? You can’t do this to an adult.”
But Baron merely snorted.
“Don’t worry, Nuna. I’ll win.”
“No, I know you’re strong, but the opponent is the Crown Prince, not just anyone.”
Stanley must have undoubtedly honed his skills under an excellent master. Moreover, given that I was at a disadvantage in terms of social standing, there seemed little benefit in scraping out a victory.
But Baron didn’t even blink at my persuasion.
“I’m serious. If you don’t believe me, ask Raven.”
My gaze reflexively turned to Raven. Meeting my eyes, Raven shrugged as if to say he understood my concerns.
“Baron is strong. You needn’t worry so much. Since this is a sacred duel, there won’t be any problems later even if he defeats the Crown Prince.”
The sailors around us stirred at those words.
“What, are they really going to duel?”
“The Guild Master seems so relaxed—does the kid actually have some skill despite appearances?”
“No way, how much skill could such a young child have? He’ll probably just take a hit and be done with it.”
Then Stanley snapped his fingers.
“Phew, let’s just finish this quickly. Go bring your allies. It would be best to bring the strongest adults you can.”
Having given Baron this advice, he now looked around at his own retinue, muttering to himself.
“Let’s see, who should I face off against?”
At that moment, the most physically imposing man among Stanley’s retinue suddenly stepped forward.
“What’s there to deliberate about? Shouldn’t I always stand by your side, my lord?”
“No, the opponent is just a kid—if you, my Guard, join in, what’s the point?”
“The child might bring someone skilled, might he not?”
The Guard offered his counsel to Stanley with fierce, determined eyes.
“In any battle, one must never let their guard down.”
“That’s true, but… well, I suppose.”
Stanley smacked his lips and permitted the Guard to join. Watching the Guard’s confident demeanor, so unlike Stanley’s own measured approach, I found myself utterly exasperated.
‘Seriously, Guard? You want to do this against a child?’
.
.
.
Soon the sailors spread out widely across the ship deck. The circle they formed became an impromptu dueling ground.
“Hailey, this way.”
Raven then seated me in a chair prepared off to the side. Sitting there, I fought back tears that threatened to spill as I looked up at Raven.
“But really, my child is dueling the Crown Prince of Kelite?”
I was anxious to death, but Raven answered with composure.
“As I’ve told you, Baron is strong, so it should be fine. And since this is a duel with a Kelite, you needn’t worry about retaliation or such.”
“But the opponent is strong too. And it’s two against two.”
Stanley and the Guard, now changed into fresh clothes, waited with relaxed attitudes for Baron to return with his dueling partner.
“Baron is coming now.”
At Raven’s words, I quickly looked in the direction he indicated, hoping Baron would bring Kimarise. But I saw neither a familiar face nor anyone with a build similar to Kimarise’s.
And then I heard Kimarise’s voice from behind me.
“Ah, I hear there’s a duel—is it finally beginning?”
Turning around, Kimarise was indeed there.
“Huh? Kimarise, why are you here?”
“Yes?”
“Didn’t Baron ask you to duel alongside him?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“That can’t be right….”
Kimarise smiled broadly as he observed my incredulous reaction.
“Baron’s companion seems to be coming out together with him over there.”

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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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