This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 134

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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 134

Many possessed black hair in this world, but the combination with crimson eyes was exceedingly rare. Moreover, Stanley knew of only one person who possessed both extraordinary beauty and formidable power.
Thus, Stanley finally understood why he had been forced to accept defeat in their duel.
There was no need for anyone to verify the truth. The suffocating pressure he felt despite his status as a crown prince of a nation was proof enough.
Stanley’s face drained of all color as cold sweat dripped relentlessly down his temples, and he lowered his head in reverence.
“I, I failed to recognize you. Your Majesty.”
“…Failed to recognize me?”
“I humbly failed to recognize you! Your Majesty!”
Thud!
In his haste to bow properly, Stanley struck his forehead against the table, and in that moment, all doubt that had lingered in his mind dissolved.
‘So that woman truly was Princess Adelaine Meridian!’
He had heard that despite extensive searching, she could not be found, and he had assumed she perished along with the Royal Palace. Yet she had clung to life with stubborn determination and seduced Bloden.
To exact vengeance for her fallen kingdom.
There was no other reason Bloden would ask such a question.

‘He’s curious about the circumstances when Kelite struck the Kingdom of Meridon.’

Stanley immediately grasped the weight of Bloden’s inquiry—how his answer would determine the very fate of Kelite. Cold sweat seeped from his palms, which rested respectfully upon his knees, dampening his trousers.
Then Bloden asked again.
“Did you lead that war?”
Stanley started in alarm and quickly shook his head.
“No! Absolutely not! There was no reason for me to! That war was led by Nelloa Kelite with my father’s support! I had no involvement whatsoever!”
Stanley began to lay bare everything he knew.
He genuinely loved his father and Nelloa as family. Yet the weight of that love paled infinitely compared to the value of the crown he would one day wear.
.
.
.
“At that time, you could not leave the palace as crown prince, and Nelloa Kelite commanded the army with the King’s approval?”
“Yes. From around thirteen years of age, Nelloa demonstrated exceptional strategic brilliance. The conquest war began when she claimed that if given command of the army, she could resolve the conflict with the Tillan Kingdom….”
Nelloa had ambushed and utterly destroyed both Tillan and the Kingdom of Meridon.
‘Hmm.’
As Bloden listened to the account, something felt amiss.
Perhaps for that reason, a different question spilled from his lips than the one he had originally intended.
“Why did she attack only those two nations?”
“That, that reason… I’m not entirely certain, since I had no involvement at all.”
Stanley spoke to Bloden with utmost caution.
“Your Majesty, that was your fourth question.”
One corner of Bloden’s mouth twisted upward of its own accord.
“That’s quite a peculiar logic, I must say. Kelite attacked the royal family of another nation twice without even a declaration of war, yet you’re confident they won’t face retaliation?”
Bloden’s gaze fixed on Stanley with a chilling intensity. Stanley, visibly shaken, bowed his head once more.
“I shall answer any questions you pose with complete sincerity. What would you like to know?”
“So then….”
Bloden tapped his temple thoughtfully with his index finger before speaking.
“Does the Kelite Royal Family possess supernatural abilities like the House of Ilpein?”
This was the question Bloden had truly wanted to ask all along.

* * *

We arrived safely at the Port of the Capital. The moment we disembarked, Stanley turned to Raven, Baron, and me—who had come to see him off—with a look of surprise.
“You’re not heading directly to the Imperial Palace?”
“Ah, we’re members of the Merchant Guild. We’re only permitted entry during banquets.”
At Raven’s response, Stanley glanced at us and sighed with evident regret.
“I had hoped to deepen our friendship with our benefactor… but it seems we must part ways here. What a shame.”
Stanley nodded slightly to us in farewell, then addressed me with utmost courtesy.
“I’ve caused you considerable trouble through misunderstanding. You resembled someone I know so closely that I… please accept this as my apology.”
Stanley handed me a platinum ring. The ring’s head bore the crest of the Kelite Royal Family, and what struck me most was that of the ten small gemstones encircling it, half were crimson and half were grey.
“There may be other Kelite citizens who misunderstand as I did. If you always wear this on the middle finger of your right hand, or show it whenever such misunderstandings arise, you should be safe.”
“Simply wearing this ring or showing it will keep me safe?”
“Indeed. Wearing this ring signifies that you are under the protection of the Kelite King.”
I was utterly bewildered.
Just moments ago, he had been interrogating my identity, yet now his demeanor had shifted so dramatically—speaking with formal respect and even presenting me with a gift for my safety?
Unable to comprehend his reasoning, I studied Stanley’s face. Though I couldn’t explain why, he appeared tense.
“I sincerely hope you will accept my gesture of goodwill.”
At his repeated insistence, I glanced at Baron and Raven standing beside me. They both nodded as if to say I should accept, so I thanked Stanley.
“Thank you.”
It was then.
“But why are half of them grey?”
Baron murmured almost to himself. Raven, observing beside him, spoke with understanding.
“It appears the embedded protective magic has been consumed, causing the gems to change color.”
“This is a magical ring?”
Startled by my question, Stanley opened his mouth as if he’d been waiting for this.
“Ah, the Merchant Guild Master seems to know something about magical rings. Regarding this particular magical ring….”
.
.
.
After hearing Stanley’s explanation, I found myself truly fascinated.
“Wow, so this is a magical ring that the previous Emperor gifted to the Kelite King long ago. It blocks life-threatening attacks a number of times equal to the gems it contains?”
“Precisely. The ring was not crafted by a human. It was made by a supreme commander under His Majesty—a Deathknight, as they call him. He is said to be skilled in both melee combat and advanced magic.”
Gasp! Is this really merchandise of Deathknight Raven Aner?
“My father overcame three brushes with death before passing the ring to me, and I’ve survived two near-fatal encounters thanks to it.”
I quickly counted the gems.
“Since there are still five of the small red jewels remaining, it means you’re safe five more times.”
Understanding the ring’s function filled me with genuine awe.
“Gasp, this is incredibly precious, isn’t it? Are you really giving me something like this?”
“Of course. Does it please you?”
‘Goodness, he’s thought of everything.’
It was far too valuable a gift to refuse.
Come to think of it, as Stanley had mentioned, there could be Kelite people who knew my face and might harbor hostility toward me. So couldn’t I wear it normally, and then slip it onto Baron’s finger when he goes to fulfill his mandatory service at the Northern Gate?
That way, it would be invaluable in protecting Baron’s life.
Fine. I’ll accept it.
I bowed respectfully to Stanley.
“Who would refuse something that guarantees safety? Thank you so much.”
Only then did the tension fade from Stanley’s face, replaced by a genuine smile.
“I’m truly delighted that you’ve accepted my sincerity.”
Just then, the carriage Stanley was to ride in arrived.
“Then we shall take our leave. We’ll see you at the banquet.”
Stanley departed for the Imperial Palace with his entourage.
The more I saw of him, the more peculiar he seemed. Besides, he’d been tense the entire time—apparently worried I might refuse the gift.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, I muttered to myself.
“He suspects my identity, yet gives me a protective magic ring. And he even uses formal speech to elevate my status…”
Suddenly, I felt a bit conflicted.
“Wait, isn’t that crown prince still the enemy of my parents?”
My mind knew it, but without the memories, it didn’t feel real.
That’s when it happened.
“Sister, I asked the crown prince about the war, and he said he had nothing to do with it.”
Baron looked up at me and began summarizing what he’d heard.
.
.
.
“What? Nelloa was the mastermind behind the conquest war?”
What I’d just heard was truly hard to believe, which made Baron look puzzled.
“Why? Do you have reason not to believe it?”
“It’s not that, but basic common sense shouldn’t differ much from mine…”
Nelloa was a possessor—a modern person like me.
That someone like that, appearing as merely a teenager, would wage war without hesitation… I simply couldn’t comprehend it.
“How could that possibly be?”
That’s when it happened.
Crash! Clang!
“Woof! Woof!”
The sound of something shattering echoed across the ship deck, accompanied by Crockel’s barking. Kimarise, who had yet to disembark and remained on the deck, cried out in a loud voice.
“Baron, Crockel has broken through the iron cage!”
“Woof!”
With an energetic bark, Crockel leaped down from the ship deck in one bound. At the sight of this, I pressed my palm against my forehead.
“Ah, who on earth is going to stop that dog….”

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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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