This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 135

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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 135

The moment Crockel’s paws touched the deck, I scooped him into my arms. If he were a real puppy, leaping from the ship would have been terrifyingly dangerous, but now I understood the truth—Crockel was a Monster. My concern wasn’t for him, but for the people nearby. I needed to restrain him quickly.
“I told you to wait quietly.”
“Woof!”
Crockel barked at me and nuzzled his head against my hand. The sight was so endearing that laughter spilled from my lips unbidden.
“Who do you take after to be so affectionate?”
But the moment was fleeting.
“Grrr! Woof! Woof woof!”
Just as I’d feared, Crockel began snapping and barking at the humans staring at him. The behavior filled me with concern.
.
.
.
After discovering yesterday that Crockel was a Monster, I’d scolded Baron briefly.
It wasn’t just the lie about him being a puppy that troubled me—I was genuinely worried for Baron’s safety.
Fortunately, Baron’s judgment had been sound; had it been wrong, we all could have been in danger.
Then Crockel approached with a bright smile and wagged his tail at me. When I looked down, he flopped onto his back and exposed his belly.
In that moment, I discovered two truly unbelievable things.
No matter how monstrous a creature might be, if it’s this adorable, one’s resolve crumbles—and Baron seemed genuinely delighted by my worried scolding.
Since he wasn’t dismissing my words or mocking me, I had to ask why. His answer caught me completely off guard.

‘I’m strong enough to handle myself… but no one has ever truly worried about my safety before.’

In those violet eyes fixed on me, genuine joy gleamed.

‘You’re the only one for me, Nuna.’

He’s strong, sure, but “all this time”?
It seemed he was referring to everything from the clan’s destruction until now.
He only pretended to be fine in front of others, but the wounds from those days of wandering after losing his family were clearly still there.
Realizing this, my heart ached.
Baron was still just a child who needed care and love as he grew.
Because of that, I couldn’t bring myself to scold him further.
Instead, I made a decision: I would pay closer attention to controlling Crockel myself.
Though Baron was good at managing him, accidents could happen in an instant.
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.
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Recalling yesterday’s resolution, I asked Raven.
“Raven, I’m thinking of buying a leash for Crockel’s walks. Is there a shop nearby that sells them?”
Raven pointed toward the City.
“There’s a Pet Supply Shop over there. Let’s go.”
I went to the shop with Baron and bought a harness and muzzle for Crockel.
In truth, I doubted this would guarantee complete safety. Despite appearances, Crockel was a monster’s offspring after all. But it seemed it would buy us time to stop him if he suddenly bolted or tried to bite someone.
Shortly after, Crockel was fitted with a pink ribbon adorned with silver bells and a harness with abundant lace ruffles. The soft silver fur paired quite well with the pink ribbon.
Standing before a mirror, Crockel examined himself from different angles, then looked up at me with questioning eyes. A monster wouldn’t understand such things, but I met Crockel’s gaze and smiled broadly.
“You’re so adorable, Crockel.”
Crockel was male, but this was the only harness that fit him. Since the primary customers for small dog harnesses were Noblewomen, they were made to suit their tastes.
Crockel’s gaze shifted to Baron, and Baron nodded.
“It suits you well. Pink is definitely the way for a man.”
Crockel’s expression brightened as he began to laugh.
“Woof!”
I was relieved he seemed to like it.

* * *

Ting, ting, ting.
With each light step Crockel took in his harness, silver bells chimed with crystalline clarity.
“The place we’re heading to is a house I stay in whenever I visit the Capital. It’s over ten years old now, but I hope it will please you, Hailey.”
Raven was currently guiding Baron and Hailey to the Inn where they would be staying.
“Oh, it’s already pleasing me.”
“Pardon? But you haven’t even seen the house yet?”
Hailey smiled at Raven’s bewildered expression.
“The fact that you’ve prepared a place for us to stay is more than enough. I’m truly grateful.”
At Hailey’s sincere gratitude, Raven felt embarrassed yet his lips curved upward gently.
The Inn they were heading to was actually a Two-Story Residence that had been hastily purchased, with the cover story that it was where Raven stayed whenever visiting the Capital.
When Bloden’s birthday celebration season approached, members of the royal family and high-ranking Nobles of ducal rank and above stayed at the Imperial Palace, but most Nobles used townhouses or luxury Hotels. This was because Anna had refused to open the Imperial Palace’s rooms, citing security concerns.
Thus, the fine Hotels throughout the City were currently packed with distinguished guests from various nations.
Among them were those who recognized Raven’s face. Moreover, though I couldn’t be certain, there might be those who knew Adeline’s appearance.
In other words, a Hotel was not an ideal place to stay with Hailey.
For this reason, the Manor we found was about a ten-minute walk from the Port and had excellent accessibility to the City Center.
So as Baron walked in silence, he suddenly recalled a conversation he’d had with Stanley.

‘Does the Kelite Royal Family perhaps possess supernatural abilities like the House of Ilpein?’

The second question Bloden had asked while sitting across from Stanley was actually also a concern connected to Hailey’s abilities.
Until now, it was known that only the Emperor of the Ilpein Empire possessed the supernatural ability to protect this world. Yet Hailey had demonstrated an unexpected ability—rapidly restoring magical power through food.
And as it turned out, she was the sole remaining bloodline of the Meridian Royal Family.
At this point, Bloden recalled Cosette’s words.

‘Crooke is a secret vessel used only in the Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Meridon.’

And Hailey kept the sauce she used when making tteokbokki in that very Crooke.
When Bloden recognized this, doubt arose within him.
‘Didn’t the Meridian Royal Family already know about the supernatural ability, they just didn’t disclose it?’
The Meridian ability held immense value for the House of Ilpein. It was the solution to the curse that the House of Ilpein had sought across generations.
With that in mind, questions naturally compounded upon one another.
‘Why didn’t the Meridian Royal Family contact the House of Ilpein?’
If Meridian had traded this with Ilpein, they would have escaped their status as a minor nation and acquired tremendous national power in an instant. His mother might not have had to pay for her strength with her life.
His thoughts deepened naturally, and in that moment, Raven offered a hypothesis.

‘Perhaps there is a price to be paid for using the ability?’

It was a plausible explanation. At the same time, a subtle dread began to stir within Bloden’s mind.
‘If that’s the case, what price must Hailey pay?’
If the cost of using Hailey’s ability was as fatal as it had been for her mother Lienda, then Hailey must never be allowed to use her ability.
However, since the Kingdom of Meridon had already fallen, there was nowhere particularly noteworthy to investigate. It was then that I encountered Stanley, a member of the Kelite Royal Family.
But the moment I saw him, an additional question arose in my mind.
If abilities existed in Ilpein and Meridon, would it be different for the royal family of another nation?
‘Wait, then Kelite must have abilities too, right?’
If that were the case, Stanley would surely know about abilities.
‘How can I verify this?’
While I was pondering this, Stanley began probing into Hailey’s identity.
I found Stanley’s actions deeply displeasing. His unnecessary interest seemed to pose a danger to Hailey.
I recalled the Kelite method of dueling as a solution.
‘If I crush him utterly, he won’t dare threaten my sister.’
Moreover, winning the duel would allow me to extract information from Stanley—two birds with one stone.
However, despite winning the duel against Stanley, I was unable to obtain any meaningful answers regarding abilities. He simply waved his hands dismissively, as if he knew nothing whatsoever.
I could have forced his mouth open through threats and torture, holding his life in my hands, but such crude methods of handling matters were not my preference.
I had to consider the possibility that his words might be the truth.
I reluctantly took a step back. Instead, I summoned Kimarise and attached a clone to Stanley. Stanley was horrified, but his wishes were irrelevant.

‘Eek! What is this!’
‘What else? A gag to keep your mouth shut.’

Information about abilities was one thing, but it was imperative that details about Hailey never reached the ears of Anna, Nelloa, or any of the hostile nobles.

‘Remember this. The moment you breathe a word of what we discussed, it will be your death sentence.’

Bloden deliberately crossed his legs and leaned back against the chair, issuing his warning with arrogant authority.
He thought that with a threat of this magnitude, the other party would have no choice but to keep their mouth shut.
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.
.
The moment Baron’s thoughts reached that point, Raven’s voice cut through the silence.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Wow, what a neat and beautiful residence. The garden is absolutely lovely.”
Baron lifted his eyes upon realizing they had reached their lodging. Just as Hailey had said, it was a Two-Story Residence with an immaculate exterior and a beautiful garden.
Bloden recalled the interior layout of the manor that he had previously confirmed through blueprints.
The first floor contained a lobby, a dining room, a kitchen, a reception room, and two large bedrooms each with their own bathrooms. The second floor had two large rooms and a study.
It was more than sufficient space for Bloden, Hailey, Raven, and Kimarise. If he gave Hailey one of the 2nd Floor rooms, their midnight discussions could easily be held in the Reception Room downstairs.
But the moment he opened the entrance door—
“Wow. The interior is even more beautiful.”
Hailey gasped in admiration, while Raven and Baron suddenly realized something was wrong with the building they had purchased, their expressions betraying their inner alarm.
Where the lobby should have been upon opening the entrance, the entire first floor was instead a grand hall with an atmosphere that would seem perfectly natural for hosting a ball at any moment.

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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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