This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 153

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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 153

At the banquet, Bloden had assured the Nobles of his continued audiences while remaining at the Imperial Palace, following Raven’s counsel to demonstrate his vitality.
Yet he had never anticipated that his proposal would be rejected.
Who in this world would dare refuse an Emperor’s proposal, especially on his birthday itself?
But Hailey had rejected Bloden once more, and the shock of this second refusal had been so profound that he had collapsed onto his bed and could not rise.
Thus, today’s audience was conducted with Raven’s quick thinking—Dantarion stood in as his proxy.
Bloden had promised to receive audiences, not to receive them graciously.
If anyone disliked the discourtesy, they need not attend, and to all observers, Bloden remained present and maintained his appearance of vitality.
Should circumstances demand it, Dantarion would share consciousness with Bloden, so for now, they would simply muddle through this situation.
That was Raven’s conclusion.
Meanwhile, Anna, unable to fathom that another stood disguised as the Emperor, scrutinized him carefully. Then Bloden—or rather, the one pretending to be him—spoke with irritation.
“Ah, stop dawdling and state your business. What is it?”
Whatever the matter, Bloden’s mood appeared foul. He seemed like a different person entirely, making Anna doubt whether she could accomplish her task as intended.
As Anna hesitated, wasting time in deliberation, Bloden gestured to Kimarise with his chin.
“Why can’t you speak? Kimarise, bring me what she’s holding.”
Kimarise approached and extended both hands to Anna, who had no choice but to surrender the list of commanders.
After scanning the document, Bloden questioned Anna.
“Why this?”
Anna steadied herself.
“It is a document that Your Majesty has given final approval to. However, I only recently discovered that certain portions of its contents were modified.”
Anna continued, expressing her concern that the Emperor making arbitrary alterations would be problematic.
“While Your Majesty protected the Empire, it was the Regent who safeguarded the Imperial Palace and attended to state affairs. Should there be changes to such an important document as the commander list, you should have shared them with me beforehand. I was merely curious whether there was a particular reason you did not.”
Bloden fell silent, his gaze fixed upon the document.
Though his expression remained unchanged, his silence seemed to acknowledge her words, and Anna inwardly rejoiced.
‘As expected.’
Now she could press the matter of the Prediki Family.
Then Bloden spoke.
“The problem is replacing Ilnid with Eldit and adding Frediki to the list.”
“Is there truly a grave issue? I merely wish to understand the circumstances so that should related matters arise in the future, they may be handled without complications.”
Anna’s lips curled into a contemptuous smile.
“Should rumors spread that you arbitrarily pardoned them, it could tarnish Your Majesty’s honor.”
Now Bloden need only answer Anna’s question.
Having learned nothing but how to fight Monsters while growing up was Bloden’s weakness. He would surely dislike hearing such a thing, so he would likely construct whatever logic he could and speak with measured calm.
Yet contrary to Anna’s expectations, Bloden let out a laugh of utter disbelief.
“What nonsense. I’m the Emperor.”
Anna doubted her own ears.
Her eyes widened in shock, but Bloden paid no mind, casually picking at his ear as he tossed the commander list to Kimarise.
“Hey, Kimarise.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Find out what crime this bastard Ilnid committed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If it’s a serious offense, execute him.”
Bloden’s casual remark made Kimarise blink before asking.
“What would qualify as a serious offense, Your Majesty?”
“Anything that wrings tears of blood from the people’s eyes. Just check if there are any victims.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Anna was deeply alarmed.
In all the time she had observed Bloden’s words and actions, she had never witnessed anything like this. And to call it a serious offense if it wrung tears of blood from the people’s eyes?
Surely more than one or two families had been ruined, their fortunes stripped away at illegal gambling dens?
“Pardon? Your M-Majesty? What do you m-mean?”
Bloden waved his hand dismissively at Anna, issuing an edict of banishment.
“What I add or remove from the imperial edict is my prerogative. Now get out. And if anyone dares complain, don’t bother the Regent with excuses—just bring me a list of their names. Once I’ve hanged them all, those who spout empty justifications will disappear.”

* * *

It was four in the afternoon.
After checking the time, Raven spoke carefully to Bloden, who was still sprawled across the bed.
“Your Majesty. You need to close the Gate. Shouldn’t you be preparing to depart soon?”
“….”
“If you’re to have dinner with Miss Hailey at the Restaurant tomorrow evening, you need to move now and expend your mana.”
“….”
Seeing Bloden’s silence, Raven paused to think before asking again.
“If seeing Miss Hailey is difficult for you right now, shall I have Dantarion attend the Restaurant dinner in your place? Dantarion has become quite docile in Miss Hailey’s presence. Given your current state, it would pain you to see her. Perhaps it would be better to stay apart for a while and compose yourself.”
“Absolutely not!”
Only then did Bloden spring up, wiping his swollen, tear-stained eyes with his hands.
“I’ll go myself.”
Raven gestured toward the bathroom.
“Understood. Though at the moment, you look less like the Emperor of the Empire and more like a seven-year-old child. Go wash up quickly.”
“Sigh.”
Bloden exhaled a long breath and entered the bathroom, while Raven examined the spot where he had been lying.
The pillow bore dark stains of tears.
Recalling yesterday’s events, Raven found herself sighing involuntarily.
Yesterday, Hailey had appeared at first glance to be delighted by Bloden’s proposal. But she had taken several deep breaths, composed her expression, and then bowed respectfully.

“I’m truly sorry for the confusion. I should have been more precise in my explanation.”

It turned out that Bloden’s status was the problem.
Hailey dreamed of enjoying a peaceful countryside life with her younger brother Baron. She wanted to protect her family rather than seize the Empire’s highest position.
So no matter how attractive Bloden was, it could never work as long as he was the Emperor.
After being cleanly rejected, Bloden trudged back to his bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, wailing.

‘People can’t even choose their parents! This filthy class system!’

To Raven, it was truly shocking language, but Bloden had long since lost his reason under the shock of heartbreak.
Bloden spent the entire night sobbing and burning with fever, while Raven cast soundproofing magic and stood guard at the door, worried someone might overhear.
‘What am I to do about this?’
No matter how much I thought about last night’s events, there were no immediate answers, and I could only sigh.
Soon Bloden emerged from the bathroom with his appearance neatly tidied. Raven handed him a sword and hooded cloak, then opened the secret passage.
“I shall see you off.”
Bloden nodded and entered the secret passage.
Stepping outside the Imperial Palace and gazing up at the cloudless azure sky, Bloden murmured.
“Raven, I’m feeling melancholy, yet the weather is so beautiful. How inconsiderate.”
What kind of mad thing was that to say?
But Raven smiled despite himself and went along with the madness.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. The weather has no sense of occasion. But which path shall you take?”
Raven pointed to two different directions.
One led to the coastline through the forest in the back, while the other could reach the coastline through the city.
Bloden brushed back his black hair with a dejected expression and let out a small sigh.
“Nuna should be at the Town Square, right? She said she had things to do before returning to Snorilo?”
“Yes, by now she should be at the workshop in the Town Square.”
“Then I’d like to see Nuna from a distance before I go.”
“Very well, let us go.”
Bloden and Raven headed toward the Town Square. Until that moment, the two had been imagining Hailey directing tasks to twenty workers.
But when they arrived at the Town Square, they discovered an unexpected sight. Hailey was nowhere to be seen, and formally dressed people stood in a line in front of her workshop, each holding bouquets, envelopes of documents, and gifts.
“What on earth is this?”
Raven pressed money into the hands of a passing boy and ordered him to find out what was happening.
The boy returned shortly and spoke with a bright smile.
“They’re secretaries sent by wealthy nobles.”
Since the skewered rice cakes had been a hit at this festival, it seemed business proposals were pouring in for Hailey. But what the boy said next plunged Bloden into yet another shock.
“The owner of that shop is rumored to be very beautiful and capable, so everyone is competing to send her marriage proposals.”

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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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