This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 145

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

Chapter 145

Before Nelloa received Anna’s letter in Kelite and departed for the Ilpein Empire, Stanley had been overjoyed. His reasoning was that if Nelloa became Empress, Kelite would naturally grow prosperous and strong.

‘If only I weren’t so busy right now, I’d go directly to the Regent and tell him how clever and beautiful you are.’

At the time, his genuine regret at being unable to accompany her had given Nelloa a sense of reassurance.
Yet the Stanley who arrived in the Empire seemed like a different person entirely.
Even before his tea time with Anna, he refused to discuss anything related to the Emperor. Whenever Nelloa broached strategies that might aid her ascension to Empress, he dismissed them, claiming such matters were inappropriate to discuss at present.
In Nelloa’s assessment, there was only one reason for Stanley’s changed demeanor.
‘Acting like such a doting older brother, and now this.’
Upon reflection, Stanley was naturally ambitious and acutely sensitive to hierarchy. He had spoken so affectionately of his younger sister, but that was when Nelloa possessed less power than he did.
Now that his sister was on the verge of becoming Empress of Ilpein, he must be experiencing a belated sense of reality—and it was eating him alive.
If Kelite prospered with Ilpein’s aid, it would be Stanley who would have to bow and scrape.
‘Wait—is he going to sabotage my marriage?’
The thought unsettled her, and she could not simply let it rest.
‘I need to discern his true intentions.’
Nelloa rose from her seat with a carefully composed smile.
“I’m concerned about your complexion, brother. Would it be alright if I stepped away to check on you?”
“I’ve heard the Kelite Royal Family shares remarkable affection between siblings, and it appears to be true.”
“It’s because my brother cares for me so deeply.”
“Of course. Go ahead and take your time.”
With Anna’s permission, Nelloa hurried after Stanley.
The moment Nelloa vanished, the expressions of all who remained turned cold as ice.
Duchess Roan was the first to speak.
“Wasn’t the Princess of Kelite said to be in her early twenties? She looks to be in her thirties. I’d believe she was the Crown Prince’s older sister.”
Anna nodded in agreement.
“It is peculiar. When I first saw her, she appeared my age. Yet only a few months have passed, and now she looks like that.”
Duke Roan twirled one end of his magnificent mustache between his fingers.
“Still, the information about the Gate that the Princess provided to our Roan Times correspondent proved quite valuable. While the source is uncertain, it’s clear she possesses some intelligence network.”
“A foreign princess with her own intelligence network in the Empire…”
Duke Utra repeated the Duke’s words and chuckled darkly.
“Isn’t that a rather suggestive statement, Duke?”
Duke Roan turned his gaze toward where Nelloa had disappeared, a leisurely smile playing at his lips.
“Whether she can establish herself as Empress remains to be seen, but she certainly appears to have immediate utility, as Your Majesty anticipated.”
Anna’s lips curved into a knowing smile.
“Yes, that’s sufficient for now. By the way, Duke Roan, how is the plan progressing?”
Duke Roan bowed respectfully.
“Following Your Majesty’s wisdom, we are deploying personnel to shape public opinion. The hardcover editions have been completed as well. We plan to distribute them alongside coins on the festival day so that no child is left without access to the material.”
Anna’s gaze shifted toward the High Priest.
“We have been devoted to sermons and prayers. Recently, when His Majesty personally dealt with the monster that appeared at the port near the capital, the faith of our congregation wavered somewhat.”
The High Priest furrowed his brow for a moment.
“In truth, that was the work of demonic power, was it not? I cautioned them against being deceived, and we are gradually restoring stability.”
Duke Utra, who received Anna’s gaze last, bowed his head slightly and spoke in a weighty voice.
“Preparations for any contingency are also proceeding well.”
“I see. Is the Duchess at peace?”
“She is recuperating and reflecting on herself. However, her chronic ailment has weakened her considerably of late, and we are searching everywhere for medicine.”
“Your heart is as vast as the sea, Duke. It seems you have forgiven your wife even after what happened two years ago.”
“What choice do I have? She is my wife despite her faults. Moreover, was her family not already distant from the Previous Emperor?”
“Yes, they were a family of great loyalty.”
“There is no doubt of it.”
Duke Utra, having answered Anna’s words, took a sip of tea and then deftly changed the subject.
“Since we have spoken of my wife, I apologize, but I have a request for assistance from you, The Regent.”
“Is that so? What may I help you with?”
“The medicine suitable for my wife is rare and difficult to obtain. I am told the Prediki Family knows where it can be found. Since only their son remains, I have been tracking him, but he hides so well that it seems impossible with our strength alone.”
Anna clicked her tongue.
“You seek medicine from that family? Is Lord Frediki not a traitor to you, Duke?”
“Yes, which is why I have executed everyone except that scoundrel who fled so quickly. I intended to uproot the family entirely, but as my wife’s condition worsens, it seems I must find that wretch first and begin her treatment.”
“Indeed, a human life must come first.”
Anna sighed softly.
“Very well. Bring me the boy’s portrait. I shall issue a public bounty expanded across my entire empire.”
“Thank you, The Regent.”
It was then.
From far away in the garden, someone cried out loudly.
“The Regent! How can you do this! Did Father not say he would be pardoned! Let go! Release me!”
The voice cut off abruptly. It was clear he had been subdued by soldiers on patrol nearby.
Anna gestured to summon an Attendant waiting at a distance.
“How disruptive. Find out what this is about and report back.”
The Attendant who received her instruction hurried toward the source of the commotion and returned shortly to report.
“My apologies. Ilnid Young Baron snuck into the Imperial Palace while it was busy with banquet preparations, and when discovered, he caused a disturbance.”
Anna’s brow furrowed in an instant.
“The Ilnid Family should be pardoned. Surely they were included on the list?”
Baron Ilnid had been caught operating an illegal gambling establishment and had been imprisoned for two months.
To secure his release, Ilnid Young Baron had delivered a substantial bribe to Anna through the High Priest, and in return had been promised the Baron’s pardon and covert permission to operate.
Anna had included the Ilnid Family in the amnesty decree as compensation for the transaction. To suppress any potential backlash, she had even arranged with Duke Roan to publish an appropriate article in the Roan Times, and she had personally written the Ilnid name into the amnesty document herself.
‘But he says there is no pardon? How can this be?’
No matter how she thought about it, something was amiss.
Anna tilted her head and instructed the Attendant.
“You there, go to my study and tell my aide to bring me the amnesty decree list from this time.”
Shortly after the Attendant relayed the message, the aide rushed over with the list of those granted amnesty. Anna placed the list on the table and searched for Ilnid Young Baron’s name.
“?”
Amorrang, Ajeoltibi, Eldit, Umbar, Jabel.
If it were there, it should be between ‘Eldit’ and ‘Umbar’.
No matter how carefully I searched, ‘Ilnid Young Baron’ was nowhere to be found.
“How is this possible?”
Anna muttered to herself.
“Wait, Your Majesty the Regent. Why on earth is this family on the amnesty list?”
Duke Utra, who had been glancing over from beside her, pointed to the end of the list without bothering to hide his confusion. The moment Anna saw where he was pointing, she too doubted her eyes.
Frediki.
“Isn’t this the family name of the child the Duke is searching for?”
Anna, who had asked the question, soon sensed something was amiss.
“No, from what I saw, there was no such name.”
The High Priest, who had been reviewing the list with them, nodded as if understanding.
“Given that only this family name breaks the alphabetical order, it must have been added last. Your Majesty the Regent, who has the authority to alter this amnesty decree?”
Only then did Anna recall Bloden.
Anna had typically given final approval to the amnesty decrees. But this time, since Bloden was present, the Emperor had given the final approval himself.
“Ah, His Majesty must have….”
At Anna’s words, which came out like a sigh, Duke Utra’s complexion darkened.
“Then, are you saying His Majesty added this family name directly?”
If his assumption was correct, this was an extremely grave matter.
It was as good as saying ‘Bloden already knows everything.’
Realizing this, Anna’s heart sank.
‘That can’t be. How would the Emperor, who has only ever lived in the Northern Region, know about this?’
Without realizing it, Anna carefully examined the spot where Ilnid Young Baron’s name should have been.
Following Anna’s gaze, Duke Roan pointed to ‘Eldit’ on the list.
“No matter how I look at it, this appears to have been written over. The lettering is subtly different from the others. Could it be that His Majesty changed Ilnid to Eldit?”
This time, the High Priest’s complexion darkened.

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