This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 149

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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 149

Bloden was flustered.
“I mean, that’s… it’s absolutely not about your appearance, and honestly, you’re the most beautiful person in the world to me…”
The darkness obscured his complexion, but it was clear that Bloden was deeply uncomfortable. Whatever his reason for suddenly calling me that, he was clearly struggling to recover from his slip.
“I mean… ah, how do I put this? It’s just that…”
Bloden, stammering pitifully, suddenly seemed to have a brilliant idea.
“The truth is, I actually have an older sister. You’re so warm like her that I called you that without thinking.”
It was quite convincing. If Bloden weren’t the Emperor and I didn’t know the original story, I would have believed him.
“But these are the words of His Majesty the Emperor himself. Doesn’t each word carry the weight of responsibility and trust?”
Still, I couldn’t allow a lie.
“That is… that’s…”
As I spoke with a gentle smile, Bloden realized his improvisation had been exposed, and his words became increasingly vague. If I left him alone, he looked like he might actually cry.
I didn’t understand why he’d called me that, and I’d suddenly been called old-looking, but truthfully, it wasn’t something worth making a fuss over.
Since he said I was the most beautiful person in the world, it wouldn’t hurt to give him an excuse to escape this crisis, right?
“Hmm, could it be that ‘Nuna’ isn’t meant as ‘older sister’ but rather an abbreviation using just the first letters?”
Bloden finally seemed to have found an escape route, clenching both fists tightly.
“Yes, exactly! It’s an abbreviation.”
So, shall we move on with Nuna?
“What did it mean, then?”
I asked the question partly to tease him.
Since he’d grasped at the explanation in his desperation to escape the crisis, explaining it now would be its own form of ordeal for him. He’d naturally stumble over his words, so I intended to laugh it off lightly.
But Bloden unexpectedly looked directly at me and spoke clearly.
“‘Anyone’ can see you’re the most beautiful ‘person’ in the world—my person!”
This time, I was the one caught off guard, swallowing hard.
“…What?”
It should have been improvised, so why were the words flowing so smoothly?
“Anyone can see you’re the most beautiful person in the world—my person.”
Bloden spoke again, taking both my hands in his.
“You’ve known from the beginning. That I regard you as special.”
The warmth emanating from his large hands felt unusually intense. My heart began to race wildly at the sweet yet desperate tone of his voice.
Whoooosh—
Boom! Pop-pop! Boom!
At that moment, brilliant and beautiful flowers of light bloomed across the night sky with tremendous sound. The fireworks celebrating the Emperor’s birthday had begun.
As the surroundings lit up, Bloden’s beautiful face became strikingly clear. His crimson eyes trembled with passionate emotion.
Bloden’s gaze fell upon my lips. That alone was enough to make my entire body feel as though it were burning with heat.
I wondered if it was just my imagination, but careful words flowed from his perfectly shaped lips.
“I wish to kiss you… and I hope you’ll permit me.”
The moment his desire transformed into language, my heart was drawn toward him, yet a sense of danger washed over me simultaneously.
I had developed a fondness for Bloden as well.
But Bloden was no ordinary man—he was the Emperor. If I accepted his affections, I could not predict what would unfold.
Becoming the Emperor’s lover meant becoming a target for all those who sought to harm him.
Especially Anna and Nelloa would undoubtedly harbor hostility toward me the moment they learned I was the Emperor’s lover, and that could place Baron in danger once more.
The thought of Baron jolted me back to clarity.
‘That cannot happen.’
For now, this affection could remain as nothing more than that. I withdrew my hand from his grasp and took a step back.
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
Bloden exhaled a small sigh and questioned me.
“Why not?”
To tell him honestly that my safety could be jeopardized because of him seemed somewhat cruel.
Such words would be tantamount to warning him that the same reasoning would apply to anyone he might meet in the future, not just me.
So I offered a more suitable excuse instead.
“Your Majesty is still a minor, and we are nothing to each other. I should take my leave now.”

* * *

Meanwhile, the festivities continued throughout the Imperial Palace.
While people across the entire Empire feasted and celebrated the birthday festival, the Nobles within the Imperial Palace actively cultivated their political alliances, each harboring their own ambitions.
Today was Bloden’s actual birthday—the grandest day of the entire celebration.
Moreover, as Bloden was soon to come of age and would make his appearance at the festivities in person, the Noblewomen with matrimonial aspirations had adorned themselves meticulously from head to toe.
Among them, the most resplendent and beautiful was Nelloa. Dressed in a pale green gown adorned with emeralds and her hair elegantly pinned up, Nelloa gazed at her reflection in the mirror and recalled the original story.
In the original narrative, Bloden had laughed upon seeing the heroine Robena in her pale green dress with elegantly pinned hair, marveling at how perfectly she matched his tastes, and had immediately requested a waltz with her.
‘I am more beautiful than Robena, and I have dressed to match his tastes perfectly, so he will surely develop affection for me.’
Nelloa then recalled the lies she had spread to Anna and the others involved.
‘I laid the groundwork by saying we agreed not to reveal our relationship at the birthday celebration, so even if I remain distant from His Majesty, no one will suspect. And once I share a waltz with him at the crucial moment, the Empress’s position will fall into place effortlessly.’
Her preparations complete and all attendants dismissed, Stanley entered, waiting to escort her.
“You look absolutely beautiful, Nelloa.”
He gently took her hand and attempted to kiss her cheek, but Nelloa immediately raised her hand to block him.
“Enough. When I needed you, you wouldn’t even open your mouth—why are you like this now?”
Stanley’s expression darkened at her words. He glanced around hastily and sighed.
“I cannot speak of it, but there are reasons.”
“What reasons?”
Stanley sealed his lips firmly. But as Nelloa continued to press him, he withdrew a letter from his breast with trembling hands and offered it to her.
“Do not ask such things. I will wait outside.”
The moment Stanley left, Nelloa opened the letter and caught her breath in shock.
The letter, which began with an admonition to burn it after reading, contained an account of the ordeals Stanley had endured.
‘Good heavens! My brother is under His Majesty’s surveillance?’
Whenever Stanley alone deliberated with himself about whether to speak of this matter to someone, he felt a sharp, killing intent that announced the observer’s presence. However, upon realizing that he received no response to messages from Kelite, he had written this letter.
Through Stanley’s letter, Nelloa learned shocking truths.
‘That arrogant brat who clung to Adeline’s side was His Majesty! And not only that, they both came to the Capital together, and His Majesty was curious about the state of the war with the Kingdom of Meridon and whether the Kelite Royal Family possessed any special abilities?’
As I recalled the moment, a chill ran down my spine.
‘Did he realize I can create Gates?’
If so, this was truly a perilous situation.
But Nelloa soon let out a soft laugh. If Bloden had discovered that fact, there was no way I would still be alive.
This was not a matter that would end with my death—Kelite would have already fallen to ruin.
‘Ah, so Stanley mixed truth with lies to withdraw me from consideration as Empress?’
Stanley truly disliked the idea of me becoming Empress.
‘In any case, it’s better not to leave such evidence behind. And since the Emperor didn’t reveal his true identity to Adeline, there’s still a path forward.’
I burned the letter in the flames.
The more curious details written in the letter would become clear if I went out and probed the person directly.

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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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