This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 148

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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 148

Bloden, who had been smiling throughout, gradually fell silent as he watched the performance with an expressionless face.
I found myself studying his reaction carefully.
‘As the person involved, surely he knows this fairy tale was modeled after him?’
He had come to the Capital for his birthday after struggling tirelessly in the Northern Region for the Empire.
Yet here he was, witnessing the people enjoying a story that isolated him.
‘And unlike the performance I saw in Snoril, this one is on a much grander scale.’
I worried about the emotional wound Bloden would suffer.
But it wasn’t something I could openly address either.
Unless he brought it up first, I couldn’t tell him, ‘That story portrays you as isolated.’
‘Stay calm, Hailey. He might simply be watching the performance without any particular thoughts, contrary to what I’m imagining.’
Since Bloden hadn’t shown any signs yet, I thought I could just pretend not to notice and move along appropriately.
But Bloden didn’t leave my side, and the actors demanded more audience participation as the performance progressed.
“Now, listen carefully, everyone! Those who answer loudly will receive—”
The actor skillfully tossed several gleaming new coins into the air. They caught the torchlight and sparkled brilliantly, drawing the audience deeper into the performance.
When even passersby stopped to watch, the actor pointed to the books stacked like mountains on both sides of the stage.
“Special hardcover editions of the Northern Gate fairy tale published by Roan Times, along with spending money as gifts!”
Even the adults began to stir at those words.
“What? A hardcover edition alone costs quite a bit, and you’re giving money too?”
As the buzz grew, the actor began driving the performance toward its climax. Following the actor’s instigation, children and people began to shout.
“Invisible Warrior! Thank you!”
“Invisible Warrior! We love you!”
“Please always protect us in the Northern Region!”
Good heavens. I never thought I’d witness public opinion manipulation firsthand.
Not knowing what else to do, I bit my lip and quietly grasped Bloden’s pinky finger.
Only then did Bloden’s gaze turn toward me. He looked back and forth between his finger caught in my hand and me, then forced one corner of his mouth upward.
“You don’t need to be so flustered. That is my destiny, after all.”
‘Ah.’
I barely swallowed the sigh that was about to escape.
Bloden understood all too well what that performance meant.
“Still, the one consolation is rather nice. I think it would be better if you held it properly.”
He laughed weakly, then withdrew his pinky finger from my grasp and took my hand properly.
I nodded slightly and held Bloden’s hand in return. Then, watching the actors enthusiastically inciting the crowd on stage, I muttered softly to myself.
“Ugh… I’d love to burn all those books and call it an accident.”
That was when it happened.
“Squeak!”
“Huh?”
The Salamander that had been on my shoulder scurried rapidly toward the stage.
Before I could even ask where he was going, he vanished like a ghost, and I couldn’t find him anywhere.
That very moment.
“Wh-wh-what?!”
People screamed in shock. A torch pillar on the right side of the stage tilted and crashed onto the stack of books piled beside the stage.
As everyone’s gaze fixed on the right, the torch pillar on the left soon tilted as well and fell onto the books.
Sparks from the torches caused small wisps of smoke to rise from the books. The fire seemed minor, as if it would be extinguished quickly.
Whoosh!
But the sparks suddenly intensified, fiercely igniting the right stack of books. While everyone watched in stunned silence, the books on the opposite side also burst into intense flames.
Only then did I realize this entire situation was because of me.
‘Good heavens, did that Salamander just set the fire because he heard what I said?’
That was just me venting my feelings. I wasn’t asking him to actually do it!
As the actors’ performance abruptly halted due to the sudden fires on both sides, the crowd murmured restlessly.
“What’s happening?”
“Why did those pillars fall so perfectly?”
Even as books burned beside the stage, people didn’t leave their seats. Though they had promised to distribute the books, the angle at which the pillars fell and the intensity of the flames seemed far too deliberate to pass as an accident.
The Actor stood bewildered, eyes rolling. His mind seemed to have frozen as his carefully prepared performance threatened to collapse.
I clasped my hands together and shouted with all my might.
“Wow! What an amazing bonfire! The production scale is incredible!”
Then, before people could look my way, I quickly hid behind Bloden.
With so many people moving about, it would be difficult for anyone to figure out who had shouted.
“Ah, ah! How quick-witted of you!”
The Actor’s voice immediately grew louder.
“A bonfire is essential to conclude this beautiful festival night! And the burning passion of the Transparent Warrior’s desire to protect the people burns just as fiercely!”
He spread both arms wide, gesturing to the flames rising on either side, and smiled brilliantly. As if it had been planned from the start, he seamlessly improvised and incorporated the unexpected fire into the stage production.
‘Yes, it’s better to complete the play this way than to ruin it, isn’t it?’
“Chirp.”
The Salamander, who had returned to my shoulder, rubbed its head against my neck and cried softly. It seemed to be asking, ‘Did I do well?’
I forced a smile and watched Bloden carefully. Bloden said nothing and simply observed the scene.
Once the play ended, people lined up to receive coins and made comments as they took them.
“What? They said they’d give us hardcover books and then burned them.”
“It’s fine. I was just sitting here for the money anyway.”
Soon the stage was cleared, and people gathered around the fire, now framed as a bonfire, and began to play.
Some of them started heating skewers of snacks over the flames.
“Hey, this fire’s strong, so it cooks really well.”
“Let’s add potatoes too.”
From who knows where, all sorts of food on skewers gradually accumulated around the bonfire.
Bloden and I both looked at the rice cake skewers we were still holding. I took his hand and led him forward.
“Shall we warm ours over that fire too?”
We joined the others around the bonfire, warming our rice cake skewers. Then someone began playing a ukulele and violin. Naturally, people started singing and dancing.
The scene of an unexpected accident had transformed into what anyone would recognize as a natural part of the festival celebration.
.
.
.
After finishing the skewered rice cakes, Bloden and I slipped away from the crowd and made our way to a secluded stretch of seaside we’d scouted earlier for the fireworks.
We found a suitable spot, settled down side by side, and carefully arranged the fireworks we’d brought.
Whoosh, bang.
The fireworks, ignited by the Salamander’s flame, soared into the sky and burst with a soft crackling sound and humble light.
The fireworks faded quickly, leaving only the sound of waves from the Night Sea. As I gazed up at the now star-filled sky, I spoke my thoughts quietly.
“It’s so peaceful. That chaos from earlier feels like a lie. I’m really grateful no one was hurt.”
“Pfft!”
At that moment, a burst of laughter erupted from Bloden.
“You’re impossible, truly. You commandeered someone else’s soldiers, caused a scene, and now look at you.”
On the surface, it sounded like he was blaming me, but Bloden continued laughing for quite some time.
It was surprising to see this unexpected side of him, yet his laughter was remarkably charming and seemed to lighten his entire being, which lifted my spirits as well.
“Well, I didn’t expect you to listen to me either. And I didn’t order them to do anything. It was merely a natural response to suppress the chaos, that’s all.”
Bloden nodded and gently wiped the corners of his eyes with his hand.
“True. Thanks to you, I think I know how to respond going forward.”
Bloden gently squeezed my hand.
“Thank you, Nuna.”
“…Pardon?”
I doubted my ears at the unexpectedly intimate form of address.
“Your Majesty, did you just call me… Nuna?”
In that instant, Bloden’s eyes widened considerably.
“Oh dear, I’ve become too comfortable and committed an unintended breach of etiquette.”
He pulled out a handkerchief, wiping his forehead as if cold sweat had broken out, offering an explanation.
“Since you appear older than me, I wondered what it would feel like to have a Nuna, and it just slipped out.”
…
Even if I am older than Bloden, there couldn’t be that much of an age difference between us.
“Do I… really look that old?”
Bloden, greatly flustered, hastily waved his hands.
“No, that’s not what I meant. What I’m trying to say is…”

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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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