This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 136

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

Chapter 136

That was right. The Manor that Raven had confidently introduced had a different actual structure from its blueprints.
“The first floor is truly spacious and elegant. The chandeliers and those large windows are so beautiful too.”
Watching Hailey offer praise with a bright expression, Raven forced a smile and improvised on the spot.
“Sometimes waltz practice is necessary to attend Imperial Palace galas.”
“Wow, waltzing at the Imperial Palace—that sounds truly wonderful.”
As Hailey nodded in acceptance, Raven released a quiet breath of relief and gestured toward the upper level.
“I’m glad you’re pleased. Shall we see the 2nd Floor now?”
The 2nd Floor, which should have contained two large rooms and a study, now held only two rooms each with attached bathrooms, a Kitchen, and a Reception Room.
‘What? How did this happen? Why is it so different from the information?’
As Baron’s gaze fixed on the discrepancy, cold sweat began dripping down Raven’s face. Hailey’s attention naturally shifted toward Raven as well.
“Raven, why are you sweating so much?”
“The interior is a bit warm for me. I should open a Window and get some fresh air.”
Raven composed an indifferent expression and opened the Window. With his gaze fixed outside, he wiped the cold sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and began scheming how to overcome this crisis.
‘At least Hailey is fine. She knows nothing and is kind-hearted.’
If the Manor had always been this way, Raven could slip through naturally with a bit of smooth talking.
‘I’ll inquire through the real estate agent later and identify the cause immediately.’
Thinking ahead to what came next, Raven’s vision darkened, and he swallowed a sigh that nearly escaped.
‘Ah, His Majesty will hold me accountable.’
This was the greatest problem.
Regardless of comfort or discomfort, the task I had prepared had fallen apart miserably. This would damage Raven’s credibility in executing duties, and Bloden might even consider replacing his closest commander.
‘Should I just kill the real estate agent and the previous owner outright?’
The impulse surged momentarily, but Raven quietly took a deep breath and steadied himself.
He knew well that extreme methods would not help resolve this situation at all.
As Raven wrestled with his thoughts, he recalled the words Lienda had left for him before closing her eyes, having exhausted her lifespan using her abilities.

‘Raven, even without me, don’t return to the Abyss Realm—stay in this world. Will you stay and become Bloden’s closest aide, protecting his position and supporting him?’
‘When a master’s life ends, a commander is destined to return to the Abyss Realm.’
‘How boring. You know perfectly well there’s a way to stay in this world. Besides, if you go to the Abyss Realm, you can only think until the next master finds and contracts you. If you can’t endure it and go mad, passing through the gate turns you into a Monster—didn’t you say that?’
‘Even so, that method… are you suggesting not leaving even a bone fragment in a grave?’
‘Everything returns to dust anyway—what does it matter whether bones remain in a grave or not? So this is my command… no, my request.’

“Wow, Baron. These curtains are so beautiful! And through the window, I can see the Plaza Flower Garden?”
At Hailey’s exclamation, Raven snapped back to attention and gritted my teeth.
‘I absolutely cannot let my command change!’
This was no time to be lost in memories of the past. I needed to devise a clever solution to overcome the grave crisis that might befall me.
‘Ugh. How do I resolve this?’
My mind, which had been spinning frantically, was now on the verge of a headache.
‘Oh, my Lord. What should I do? If you are watching over me, please grant me strength.’
Raven lifted my head while muttering a prayer under my breath, and I discovered something in the distant field.
A boy who appeared to be a commoner was playing a flute, and a girl who seemed to be his friend danced while holding castanets in both hands. Then she took the boy’s hand and began dancing with him. The boy laughed with joy, though a bit bashfully.
‘That’s it!’
As if divine revelation had descended, an image formed in Raven’s mind. Filled with a sensation like light of salvation pouring in, I felt grateful to Lienda.
‘My Lord! Thank you!’
Raven composed my expression and turned toward Hailey.
“Miss Hailey. Now that I think about it, I’m curious.”
“Yes?”
“Are you planning to dance the waltz when you attend the Imperial Palace ball?”
“The waltz?”
In that instant, Baron flinched, and it entered Raven’s field of vision.
“Well, His Majesty seemed to have taken a liking to you, Miss Hailey. Might he not ask you to dance?”
Hailey rolled her eyes and laughed, waving her hand dismissively.
“Oh, come on. There are so many beautiful noble ladies there—why would he ask me to dance? Besides, I don’t even know how to waltz.”
“But you will be attending the ball, won’t you?”
“I’ll just enjoy the atmosphere quietly from a corner.”
“Still, if His Majesty requests a dance, you cannot refuse. If Miss Hailey cannot waltz well, the Nobles will question His Majesty’s judgment.”
“Well… no, it’s unlikely His Majesty would ask me to dance anyway….”
Hailey hesitated without giving a clear answer.
“For the sake of that possibility, I think it would be wise to learn at least the waltz. Moreover, since the waltz is a basic courtesy of high society, there’s no harm in knowing it.”
Hailey rolled her eyes and eventually nodded.
“That makes sense.”
Raven smiled broadly.
“That’s precisely why I thought this house would be perfect to stay in. You can practice the waltz on the first floor.”
“Ah, then I’ll need to find a dance instructor.”
In that moment, Baron’s eyes widened, and he suddenly raised one hand above his head.
“Nuna! I know how to dance!”
“What?”
“There’s no need to bring a separate instructor—wouldn’t it be better if I taught you?”
“You?”
“Yeah. I’m really good at it. You’ll learn quickly, Nuna. Maybe you even have a talent for it—you might pick it up perfectly after just one lesson.”
“Really?”
Hailey glanced at Raven and Kimarise to gauge their reactions.
That Hailey was Adelaine Meridian was something Raven and Kimarise had learned from Baron. But Hailey didn’t know that they knew this fact.
Since she believed only Baron knew her true identity, she couldn’t help but be cautious in conversation.
‘Not knowing how to waltz is merely the standard of Hailey, who has no memories.’
Once we actually began, my body would remember the waltz steps.
Raven and Kimarise chimed in agreement with Baron’s words.
“Hailey’s demeanor and bearing already possess a refinement befitting nobility. I’m certain you’ll have a natural talent for the waltz as well.”
“I believe you’ll do wonderfully at it.”
Hailey laughed softly then.
“I’m not sure about talent, but dancing with Baron sounds fun.”
“Me too! I’ll teach you, Nuna.”
‘Your Majesty, surely there’s no aide quite like me, is there?’
Baron’s response was so enthusiastic that Raven regained his composure.
“Then how about this? I’ll play the violin while Baron teaches Hailey the waltz.”
Raven brushed back his hair and smiled, revealing white teeth.
“The night before the banquet, Hailey can practice synchronizing with an adult man. What do you think?”
“An adult man?”
“Kimarise and I are available, of course, but wouldn’t someone more suitable be better? I’ll find someone appropriate separately.”
Hailey thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Thank you, Raven.”
“Not at all. Now then, which room would you prefer? The layouts are similar, so please choose between the blue curtains or the green curtains.”
Hailey’s gaze turned toward the rooms. At the same moment, Raven’s lips curved upward as he looked at Baron, whose eyes had widened in surprise.
Understanding the silent message, Baron hid his soaring smile behind one hand while giving a thumbs-up with the other.
At such open praise, Raven’s spirits soared.
Soon Hailey chose the room with the blue curtains.
“Woof!”
-Hey, what about my room?
Once Hailey and Baron decided to share one room, and Raven and Kimarise another, Crockel, who had been watching the situation unfold, barked sharply in protest.
Raven, who had been observing Crockel quietly, turned his gaze to Baron.
“What do you think this little fellow is saying?”
“Maybe he’s asking where his room is?”
Raven, who had been rubbing his chin briefly, pointed downward.
“A mutt like you doesn’t get a room. Guard the entrance on the first floor.”
“Hehehehe.”
-That’s the biggest space, and you’re giving it to me as my room? You bastard, you really do like me?
Baron, listening quietly, decided not to translate Crockel’s words to Raven.
‘If I conveyed it honestly, there’d be a death match between the Deathknight and the phantom wolf in the Capital Outskirts.’
Raven doesn’t know that those panting sounds carry meaning. So if I leave it alone, peace will be maintained.
“Then Hailey and Baron, please unpack and rest. Kimarise and I have some business to attend to, so we’ll be gone for a while.”
Raven led Kimarise away.
After about thirty minutes had passed, Kimarise’s voice reached Baron’s mind through their mental connection.
—My lord, I’ve just finished confirming the details. There were structural changes to the building, and it appears the previous blueprints were delivered by mistake.
This was the former owner’s secondary residence, and because he was absolutely obsessed with parties, he tore down the entire first floor and converted it into a ballroom.
It was an absurd situation, but Baron found he didn’t mind anymore.
In fact, he preferred it.

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