This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 154

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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 154

The Boy completed his errand and returned with a bright smile, but Bloden could not smile.
Veins began to bulge visibly on Bloden’s forehead as he watched the line of people.
“…How dare those fools presume to do anything regarding her?”
Seeing Bloden emit a chilling aura and reach for the sword beneath his cloak, Raven quickly stopped him.
“P-please calm yourself! We’re in the middle of the Capital’s Town Square! Besides, those people lined up of their own accord—Hailey isn’t even reviewing any proposals!”
“What if one of them wins Nuna’s heart?”
“If His Majesty cannot, how could they possibly succeed?”
At that moment, Bloden fell silent in thought before furrowing his brow again. He had felt relieved by Raven’s assurance that they would not succeed, but hearing that he himself could not succeed had soured his mood.
Just then, a Woman emerged from the Workshop and loudly announced an eviction order to the gathered crowd.
“The Owner must return to his Domain and has much to attend to regarding business matters today! If you wish to continue enjoying skewered rice cakes, please leave without causing further disturbance!”
A young man standing in the middle of the line quickly called out.
“I’ve come to make an investment!”
The Woman’s gaze shifted to the bouquet of flowers the young man held.
“The Owner is not accepting investments either. Please leave.”
He sighed briefly, then scratched his head in resignation and stepped back.
As the gathered crowd dispersed one by one, Raven exhaled in relief.
“Your Majesty, they’ve all gone. Now please set your mind at ease and go close the Gate.”
He wished to remain longer, but could delay no further.
Bloden turned to leave without enthusiasm.
.
.
.
Once Bloden and Raven reached a place away from prying eyes, Bloden called for Crockel. The creature, who had been waiting in the form of a small puppy, emerged at his summons and expanded to his original massive size.
-Master! You’ve arrived!
Bloden began to mount Crockel’s back but hesitated.
“Raven, what if someone captures Nuna’s heart while I’m away?”
Seeing Bloden’s still-gloomy expression, Raven sighed.
“That will not happen.”
“How can you be certain?”
“I shall remain at Hailey’s side.”
Crockel, who had been listening to their conversation with perked ears, asked a question.
-Master, if you wish to claim the lady’s heart and not let another take it, why not simply mark her? When a suitable female catches your eye, we demonstrate our strength. Once the male’s charm has captivated her, you bite the nape of her neck and mark her. Then no one else can interfere. Your Majesty should mark the lady the same way.
“Mark her?”
-Yes. When a desirable female appears, I show how strong this one is. When she’s entranced by the male’s charm, bite the nape of her neck and mark her. Then afterward, no one can interfere. Your Majesty should mark the lady the same way.
Bloden’s face flushed as he briefly imagined the scenario.
“B-biting the nape of her neck is a bit….”
Watching the two of them, Raven felt an inexplicable unease and cautiously asked a question.
“Your Majesty, what did Crockel say to put that look on your face? Why would he mention biting the nape of the neck…?”
“He’s saying I just need to imprint on her.”
“Imprint?”
Raven, having learned through Bloden what Crockel meant, found it so absurd that he smacked his own forehead.
“Your Majesty. Phantom wolves are different from humans.”
-How different could they possibly be?
At Crockel’s dismissive snort, Raven’s eyebrows shot up in an inverted V.
“Listen here, you mutt! Humans don’t imprint like phantom wolves do. Humans start with affection first!”
Raven jabbed his finger at Crockel while launching into a lengthy lecture about how humans form bonds.
“…The marriage registration form has to be filed at the Government Offices for the legal procedures to be complete!”
-What? Then that marriage registration form is just the imprinting between humans, isn’t it? Can’t you just use that?
“Ah.”
Unlike Raven, who failed to grasp what Crockel’s casual response meant, Bloden—who understood the phantom wolf’s words—let out a single exclamation. His complexion flushed red, then drained to pale, shifting rapidly as though he’d just grasped something crucial.
“Your Majesty?”
“Thanks to this beast, I’ve found my answer.”
Bloden’s expression suddenly turned composed as he climbed onto Crockel’s back. Then he looked down at Raven and issued an order.
“While I go close the Gate, you head to the Government Offices and prepare one marriage registration form.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve just thought of a way to keep Nuna from being taken by another man until I come of age.”
One corner of Bloden’s mouth curved up with confidence.
“If I use that method, I’ll be able to marry Nuna.”
To Raven’s ears, it was utterly nonsensical.
Wait, Your Majesty? Hold on. What are you saying? Surely you’re not planning to force her to sign the marriage registration form?
Honestly, it would be entirely possible for Bloden to force Hailey to sign the marriage registration form.
Bloden was the Emperor, after all.
But if he did that, he would never win Hailey’s heart.
Raven wanted to ask Bloden what he was actually thinking. But Bloden, mounted on Crockel, was already disappearing into the distance.

* * *

The food at the most famous restaurant in the Capital was truly exquisite.
I savored the dinner course leisurely with Baron, and now it was time for the final dessert.
When a beautifully plated ice cream in soft mint green and pink was placed before us, Baron spoke.
“Nuna.”
“Yes, Baron?”
Baron was studying my expression with a gentle face, as if he’d never experienced adolescence at all.
Just as I wondered what he was up to, Baron continued with his question.
“I heard a bunch of suitors came to where you were yesterday?”
“They did, but I sent them all away.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to get married?”
Only then did Baron’s expression brighten.
“Is it because you want to stay with me forever?”
Ah, now I understood.
His emotions were already unstable from early adolescence, and hearing that suitors had flocked to me must have made him secretly anxious.
He was worried that if I married, he’d be pushed out of my attention.
But when I said I had no immediate plans to marry, he felt relieved.
My reluctance to marry wasn’t solely because of Baron, but his reasoning wasn’t wrong either.
When I rejected Bloden’s proposal, I had said I wanted to maintain a simple, peaceful life with Baron in Snoril.
‘Should I help put his mind at ease a bit more?’
I gazed at Baron, whose eyes sparkled with hope, and broke into a wide smile.
“Of course. Who else would I live with? I’ll live with our Baron.”
“I knew it, right?”
Baron tilted his head with his hand beneath his chin, his eyes crinkling with joy. His cheeks flushed adorably.
‘Oh, my beautiful boy.’
I mirrored his pose, hand beneath my chin, and smiled back at him.
“Of course. Once we return soon, you’ll be entering the Academy. You’ll study hard, won’t you?”
Baron looked ready to pout and ask if I was really bringing up the Academy again. Then I’d laugh it off and we’d eat ice cream together.
“Yeah. I’ll come in first in everything.”
Oh? Since when did he show such determination?
But Baron’s next words were unexpected.
“Because I want to marry you, Nuna, so I’ll definitely come in first.”
What does coming in first have to do with marriage?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Baron noticed and added an explanation.
“Don’t I need to achieve that much to advance in life and marry you?”
Ah, the beginning of another “I want to marry Mom” phase.
“You’re going to marry a really amazing man, Nuna. Isn’t that right?”
“Well, that’s not wrong, but…”
I was trying to laugh it off when Baron asked seriously.
“Nuna, think about it carefully.”
“Huh?”
“When I grow up, I’ll be really tall with broad shoulders, right? I’m definitely going to become a true man among men.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“And won’t I become even more handsome?”
“Our Baron is already handsome.”
“Still, how much more handsome do you think I’ll become?”
In that moment, Bloden’s face flashed through my mind—the way he had held out that beautiful ring as he proposed to me.
I had averted my gaze and hurried away, afraid my heart would weaken if I saw his disappointment, but now that I thought about it again, a corner of my heart ached a little.
“Right, Nuna?”
Baron’s question snapped me back to reality.
‘Why am I regretting this now? Stop wavering, Hailey.’
This feeling was only because the atmosphere had been so romantic that night, and because I felt a little sorry for him.
But at this point, Bloden’s pride would surely be wounded, so he wouldn’t come again. Snoril no longer had a Gate, so the Emperor would have no reason to visit.
‘That matter is finished now, and I made the right choice.’
I put ice cream in my mouth to cool my emotions, but Baron said something ridiculous.
“Don’t you think I have the makings of a really cool man?”
“Cough.”
I nearly choked on my ice cream.
“Baron, where did you get such an idea?”
Where on earth did he learn to say things like that!

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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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