This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 150

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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 150

7:30 PM.
The banquet had commenced, and the procession of ornate carriages that had been stopping and moving in front of the Imperial Palace Banquet Hall began to thin out.
Raven, observing this scene through the window of the Emperor’s Office, found his thoughts drifting to Bloden and Hailey’s date.
Though the catalyst had originated from Bloden’s emotions, the outcome proved remarkably useful in multiple ways.
First, Anna and Duke Roan’s scheme to manufacture public opinion had failed due to an unforeseen accident. The books they had prepared as instruments of opinion manipulation were reduced to ash by a single utterance from Hailey—that she wanted to burn them.
But that wasn’t the end of it. Among the Empire’s citizens, there were those who had recognized that the Transparent Warrior, the protagonist of the Northern Gate fairy tale, was an allusion to the Emperor, yet had paid it no mind.
However, when a peculiar fire suddenly broke out during a theatrical performance of that very tale, some among them perceived the blaze as a divine warning.
This incident also influenced the High Priest’s sermon taking place nearby.
According to information that arrived belatedly, someone in the crowd had posed an abrupt question to the High Priest.

“His Majesty’s power has protected the Empire since its founding—why would it be demonic in nature?”

With so many people present, it was impossible to identify who had posed the question, yet it was sufficient to shatter the reverent atmosphere.
The sermon’s mood became the worst it had ever been, ending in disarray.
It was a welcome turn of events for Bloden and Raven. These incidents represented cracks forming in the imperial public opinion that Anna and the High Priest had carefully constructed.
If Bloden maintained a commanding presence at tonight’s banquet, the Nobles would swiftly calculate which side it was advantageous to align with, and the Regent’s authority would gradually wane.
After all, while Anna could conduct state affairs, she lacked the ability to protect the nation from Monsters.
‘My lord, the day when His Majesty becomes the true master of the Empire draws near.’
Raven swallowed the words she wished to say to Lienda and adjusted the fit of her blue formal attire once more before addressing Bloden.
“Your Majesty, it is time to proceed to the banquet hall.”
But Bloden did not respond. Leaning against the sofa, he gazed intently at the ring held in his hand, his expression tinged with some tension.
Each time the angle shifted slightly, the exquisitely crafted blue diamond ring gleamed with brilliant radiance.
Raven understood why Bloden could not release the ring from his grasp. It was, after all, meant for a proposal.
Yesterday, Bloden had attempted to kiss Hailey but was rejected. Returning dejected, he had immediately procured a proposal ring.

‘Nuna seems to like me too. I’m certain of it. If she disliked me, she would have avoided spending time with me altogether.’

There was merit to Bloden’s reasoning.

‘But I’m the Emperor, and I’m still a minor—it’s burdensome to progress further. If I open my heart without any promise in place, and something happens, it would be Nuna who suffers the heartbreak. That’s why I said we’re not even in a proper relationship.’

If we became something special, it would all be resolved—I just needed to propose formally and promise to wait a year.
That was my conclusion.
But Raven seemed a bit uncertain.
“Your Majesty, are you really going to propose today? Wouldn’t it be better to ask her to court you first?”
“I do think it’s a bit hasty, come to think of it.”
I exhaled softly and tucked the ring back into my pocket.

‘But coming from His Majesty the Emperor himself, doesn’t each word carry an enormous weight of responsibility and trust?’

The moment Hailey said that, I realized my mistake. And I deeply regretted the careless lie I had told when I first met her.
‘Back then, I had simply hidden my identity without much thought, relying on the goodwill of a woman whose status I didn’t know, thinking I could take a brief vacation.’
In truth, I had no choice at the time.
If I had revealed from the start that I was the Emperor, Hailey would have shown only formal courtesy, never her true heart.
I had thought that even if discovered, I could simply compensate her with titles or wealth. Since no one dared question the Emperor’s amusement, it would only be a gracious blessing to her.
But now that I had come to truly love Hailey, everything was different.
I understood it all too well now. Her genuine heart could not be bought with power or money.
To win her true affection, I needed to offer nothing less than my own sincerity.
“The problem is this lie that’s grown longer than intended.”
I had stacked lies upon lies to protect the original deception. Now that fact had become a serious obstacle to earning her genuine heart.
Regardless of my intentions, if Hailey discovered that I had deceived her all this time in Baron’s form… I might never be forgiven.
That terrified me.
Yet part of me thought it would be fine if the lie never came to light. If I could keep my identity hidden from Hailey forever, there would be no real problem.
But no matter how many times I considered it, I couldn’t accept such a state.
“I can’t stay with Nuna only in Baron’s form forever. If the proposal succeeds today, I’ll be able to continue seeing her in this form.”
If Hailey came to love me as much as she loved Baron, then perhaps when I confessed the truth later, there would be room for forgiveness.
Above all, I wanted to be at her side as my true self, as a complete man.
Steeling my resolve once more, I rose from my seat and headed toward the banquet hall.

* * *

When Bloden arrived at the interior balcony on the 2nd Floor with Raven, the resplendent chandelier illuminated the panoramic view of the banquet hall below.
The banquet hall was vast and crowded, yet Bloden immediately spotted Hailey standing pressed against a corner of the wall.
Hailey had braided her luxuriant hair neatly and let it cascade down the front.
She wore simple, elegant accessories and a graceful dress in a soft gray-blue that fluttered with every movement—the very dress she’d unexpectedly received while being treated at the hotel.
Though she’d dressed with minimal adornment to avoid drawing attention, people were already stealing glances at her.
After all, this was a dress gifted by the Emperor himself. Despite its simple design, the fabric quality and decorative details were exquisite, rivaling even the elaborately adorned young noblewomen of high rank.
Though she herself seemed entirely unaware of this fact.
“You’re truly beautiful.”
The moment Bloden laid eyes on Hailey, his mind went blank, and he couldn’t suppress the smile that naturally rose to his lips. But his brow soon furrowed, and veins bulged across his forehead.
Far too many young nobles were paying attention to Hailey.
Some were even approaching her, seemingly to request a waltz.
“Raven, arrest every last one of those presumptuous fools and throw them in prison.”
In a moment of jealous fury, Bloden issued a ruthless command. But Raven’s simple rebuttal snapped him back to reason.
“Your Majesty, regain your composure. Do you intend to reveal to the Regent who Hailey is?”
“….”
“Within the banquet hall, you mustn’t even glance in her direction.”
There was no choice. Bloden exhaled a long sigh and gave Raven his instructions.
“Fine. Once the audience concludes, have Nuna come to the place I mentioned.”
“Understood, Your Majesty. I’ll send a separate invitation.”
“If only she receives an invitation, it might seem suspicious.”
“I’ll be careful.”
After Raven withdrew, Bloden headed toward the grand staircase leading down to the 1st Floor banquet hall. The ceremonial official waiting there bowed respectfully at the sight of Bloden, then announced loudly toward the banquet hall.
“The Sun of the Ilpein Empire and eternal savior, His Majesty the Emperor, makes his entrance!”

* * *

“My lady, would you grant me the honor of dancing a waltz with you?”
“That’s too kind, but I must decline.”
The breathtaking splendor of the banquet hall was soon forgotten.
I couldn’t fathom why these carrot, potato, and squid-looking fellows kept approaching me. Watching the embarrassed young noble retreat after rejection, I noticed the surrounding noblewomen seemed excited—they must be considered handsome by their standards, though I couldn’t quite see it.
Then it happened.
“The Sun of the Ilpein Empire and eternal savior, His Majesty the Emperor, makes his entrance!”
At the ceremonial official’s announcement, silence fell over the banquet hall, which had been bustling with soft music in the background. The nobles who had been standing rigidly upright, conversing, all bowed their heads in unison toward the grand staircase where the Emperor appeared.
I also paid my respects like everyone else, but ultimately unable to resist my curiosity, I lifted my head slightly and glanced around.
Bloden, dressed in a black uniform adorned with gold trim and a violet cape, with half his front hair swept back gracefully, was slowly surveying the banquet hall.
His commanding presence made it unmistakably clear that he was the Emperor of this empire.
‘Wow. He really is magnificent. So this is the majesty of the male lead Emperor.’

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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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