This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 141

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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 141

—The Capital National Library announces that closing time will arrive in ten minutes. All patrons are requested to finish their reading and exit the premises.
At the mechanical announcement echoing through the library, I closed my book and slid it onto the cart. The titles printed on the spines came into clear view.

【My Child Has Gone Astray】
【Attitudes Starting from Age Zero】
【One Well-Raised Child Surpasses Ten Fortunes】
【Adolescence in Chaos, Wise Parents】

Today, after Baron struck Camen on the back of the head, I pointed out his wrongdoing and immediately made him apologize. I also scolded him for calling the Emperor simply “Emperor” rather than “His Majesty”—not merely a matter of courtesy, but because he risked being punished for insulting the Emperor.
But Baron wouldn’t listen, and ultimately, after offering sincere apologies to both Camen and the Salamander, I brought him home and sat him on the thinking chair.
Yet even after thirty minutes passed, Baron showed no signs of genuine reflection. Instead, he stared directly at me and asked in a twisted tone.

‘So, are you going to throw me away now?’

The shock of that question was so profound my head spun.
‘My child was never like this. Why has he suddenly changed?’
Unable to continue the conversation with Baron, I told him to rest in his room, then rushed to the library and frantically skimmed through every book on child development I could find. Fortunately, I managed to discover some answers, and before I knew it, closing time had arrived.
‘Now I just need to put it into action!’
I clenched my fists and left the library. But after only a few steps, my eyes met those of Raven standing in front of the Music Shop.
“Oh? Raven?”
“Hailey. What brings you here?”
“Ah, I was just leaving the library.”
Raven studied my expression.
“I see. But you look rather exhausted today. Is something the matter?”
“Well, it seems Baron is going through puberty. I’m worried it might be too early, but I can’t explain it any other way.”
Raven’s eyes grew serious.
“Baron? Since when? Did this start today?”
‘Wait? Did Baron act out toward Raven before he did toward me?’
Unnerved by Raven’s reaction, which suggested he knew something, I asked carefully.
“Did Baron perhaps commit some grave discourtesy…?”
“No, that’s not it. Well, my throat is parched. Shall we discuss this over something to drink?”

* * *

Raven and I sat across from each other at a nearby cafe, nursing our coffees as we talked.
“Ah, such a bright child, yet he’s changed so suddenly… Hailey must be terribly worried.”
“Yes, I looked through some books and it seems he’s going through adolescence.”
I quietly gripped the hem of my skirt.
“Baron is such a good child that he didn’t show it, but he must have been exhausted from the journey to the Capital. On top of that, he even clashed with the Crown Prince of Kelite.”
I glanced around to see if anyone was listening, then lowered my voice.
“More than anything, I think he was under considerable stress because the Imperial Palace is so close to the Capital.”
The more I spoke, the more ashamed of myself I became.
Baron was only seven years old, yet I had been so thoughtless.
“I’m an adult, and I’m his older sister. Yet without realizing it, I’ve been relying on Baron’s strength. Even though he’s still just a child.”
Tears suddenly welled up in my eyes, and Raven startled, waving his hands frantically.
“Oh, that’s absolutely not the case.”
He handed me a handkerchief and offered his comfort.
“Don’t cry. You are a most ideal family member to Baron.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
I wiped away the tears streaming down my face with the handkerchief and spoke of my resolve going forward.
“So I’m going to embrace Baron more often and tell him I love him. Besides, it’s been ages since we’ve had a home-cooked meal together, hasn’t it?”
Originally, I had planned to look at the cooking facilities and refrigerator provided during my stay in the Capital, then try to work using auxiliary staff. But now my thinking had changed.
I would delegate my work to the auxiliary staff as much as possible and focus on taking care of my younger brother!
“I’ll cook delicious meals for Baron, and during the Birth Festival, we’ll explore the Capital together and enjoy ourselves. I read in a book that with adolescence, you shouldn’t simply create distance, but rather create opportunities for the family to naturally bond together, and that’s what’s important.”
“That’s an excellent idea. And as I was listening, something occurred to me—the matter you were most concerned about, regarding the Imperial Palace and Baron.”
Upon hearing Raven’s explanation that followed, I was so startled that I jumped to my feet.
“What? There’s a Birth Anniversary General Amnesty?”
“Whether Baron will be included in it remains to be seen. However, a proclamation announcing the amnesty recipients should be posted soon, so you’ll be able to confirm it then.”

* * *

“That’s all I know. The Commander-in-Chief’s prospects lifted your spirits considerably, and you returned home in much better spirits. To cheer up Hailey immediately, informing her was the best approach.”
“Well done.”
Bloden, who had been listening to Raven’s words with his hands clasped beneath his chin and a grave expression, exhaled a sigh of relief.
A commander’s disposition is influenced by their master’s emotions. However, Dantarion, to whom Bloden had entrusted his role, possessed a peculiar temperament, and having only recently been severed from him as punishment, it seemed he would require more time.
“That fellow really shouldn’t have been summoned.”
“Still, your activities in the Capital have become far easier, haven’t they?”
Bloden had originally planned to appear before people in his true form throughout his stay in the Capital, assuming Baron’s appearance only on important occasions. He had entrusted Dantarion with living as ‘Baron’ during that time.
Raven added a remark, mentioning that Hailey was planning an outing through the Capital with Baron.
“If Dantarion refuses, Hailey will be hurt.”
The ‘important occasions’ Bloden had envisioned were precisely the first day of waltz practice with Hailey and the day of departure for Snoril.
However, upon hearing Raven’s words, it seemed he would need to adjust his planned schedule somewhat.
‘To be able to wander through the Birthday Festival with Nuna.’
To indulge in such luxury, Bloden would need to move about more busily, but that was hardly a problem.
“Adjust your schedule, and while you spend quality time with Hailey, have that fellow Dantarion sit and contemplate his mistakes. He’s the sort who won’t resolve anything even after thirty minutes in the thinking chair.”
“Understood. Reschedule or advance the Audience Chamber appointment for that day.”
Bloden nodded at Raven’s suggestion and rose from his seat, checking his watch.
“Time has already gotten away from me.”
The Regent, Anna, had been waiting for an audience for over an hour. It was time to go.
Bloden made his way slowly toward the Audience Chamber.
Upon taking his seat on the imperial throne, Anna’s eyes widened at the sight of Bloden before she quickly composed her expression, donning a nauseating smile and offering a respectful, courteous bow.
“I am honored to behold the Sun of the Ilpein Empire and the Eternal Savior.”

* * *

“What is this colorful mess?”
Such was Baron’s reaction upon seeing the bibimbap, clear egg soup, and cucumber side dish placed on the evening table.
His expression suggested reluctance, which struck me as odd, but I seated Baron at the table nonetheless.
“You haven’t eaten properly during our travels.”
I would have preferred to share meals yesterday evening, this morning, and at lunch. However, today was the day the Imperial Palace’s support staff reported for duty, so I needed to hastily assign them their tasks.
After that, shopping had left me preparing dinner.
“I made something simple for the evening.”
I explained the menu and laughed while stirring the bibimbap before me.
“Let’s eat this quickly and practice the waltz. Raven said he’d be coming later.”
Baron watched me eat for a moment, then with a reluctant expression, mixed his own bibimbap and shoved a large spoonful into his mouth.
“Cough!”
Baron coughed softly and covered his mouth with his hand. His eyes widened considerably and began trembling violently.
Oh right, our Baron can’t handle spicy food.

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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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