This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 155

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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 155

“I hope you won’t let me go, Nuna. I’m going to become the most magnificent man in the world.”
Before I could even scold him, Baron called over a passing employee.
“Bring what I asked you to prepare earlier. Baron Eldit.”
“Yes, understood.”
The employee soon returned with a tray bearing a pen and a document envelope.
“Baron, what is this?”
“I hate how suitors keep lining up in front of you. It’s only going to get worse, so I want to stop it entirely. And I’d like to see your handwriting too.”
“…What?”
A smooth sheet of paper emerged from the document envelope.
Baron positioned the document so I could see it clearly, then pointed to a specific spot.
“If you write your name here and show me, I’ll feel reassured and happy.”
‘Write my name? Why does this feel familiar somehow?’
Tilting my head in confusion, I looked at the document and was genuinely startled.

◆◆◆

「Ilpein Empire Marriage Registration Certificate」
Groom’s Name (Signature): Bride’s Name (Signature):

Imperial Calendar ____Year ____Month ____Day
We hereby declare our intention to marry of our own free will in accordance with Article 10 of Imperial Law,
and we pledge eternal union before His Majesty the Emperor and the sacred laws of the Empire.

Witness 1 (Signature):
Witness 2 (Signature):
Official Seal:

◆◆◆

“B-Baron? Where did you get this?”
“From the Government Offices. I saw it there while visiting and brought it back.”
What kind of official would hand something like this to a child? Paper must be cheap in this world.
“You want to use this with me?”
“Yeah.”
Baron pointed cheerfully at the signature line.
“Just like when you filled out the Academy entrance application before—you write your name here, and I’ll write mine here.”
Oh no!
“B-Baron! This is a marriage certificate!”
“That’s right. I want to marry you, Nuna.”
“Yes, and this document officially registers us as a married couple with the Empire, regardless of your intentions.”
“I know. You said you’d live with me forever anyway, so what’s the problem?”
“Ah…”
I knew children went through a phase of wanting to marry their mothers, but actually bringing a marriage certificate was a first.
It struck me anew just how young Baron truly was—he didn’t understand the weight of responsibility that came with marriage, nor did he grasp the meaning of what he was saying.
“Baron, living together with me is only until you become an adult. After that, you need to live your own bright future.”
I pressed my forehead and placed the marriage certificate back into the document envelope.
“Family members can’t marry each other. Besides, do you know how much older I am than you? Fifteen years. When you turn twenty, I’ll be thirty-five. If we married at that age, the world would condemn me.”
“What do you mean fifteen years?”
Baron crossed his arms and looked directly at my face with a smirk.
“Even when I’m twenty, I don’t think you’ll look much different from now. People will probably think we’re the same age—or they might even think you’re younger.”
“Ha, people age. There’s no way we’d look the same age.”
“Well, even being objective about it, people would probably think there’s only about a four-year difference. Besides, they say relationships work better when the man is younger.”
His stubborn insistence left me speechless, and I could only laugh.
“Like I said, you and I are already family.”
“But on paper, we’re strangers. I want to become truly family with you.”
“We’re already truly family. If you want to be family on paper, adoption would be better than marriage. How about adoption?”
“I don’t like adoption. If I become your son, matchmakers will try to diminish you.”
“I won’t marry anyone who would look down on me for that reason, so don’t worry.”
“What if you end up living alone forever?”
“Then I’ll live alone. What’s the problem?”
He stared at me as if at a loss for words, so I lifted one corner of my mouth into a smile.
“Tch. You’re too much, Nuna.”
“Too much? Just grow up a little more, you brat. You’ll thank me for this rejection someday.”
Baron pouted, took back the document envelope, and picked up his ice cream spoon. I noticed his shoulders droop slightly and his expression grow sullen, but there was nothing I could do about it.
‘It’s just a brief incident from adolescence.’
That’s what I thought.
I never imagined how relentless Baron would become on the journey back to Snorilo aboard Raven’s ship, as he remained sullen the entire way.

* * *

Along the path leading to our house at the end of the Beachside sandy expanse, temporary structures were being erected in succession. I recalled Linda mentioning that inquiries about usage rights for state-owned land in this area had been increasing.
‘Just like the oceanview café district from my previous life, will this place become a street of shops overlooking the sea?’
The once-quiet Seaside seemed destined to soon brim with vitality.
As Baron and I passed in front of the temporary buildings on our way home, the workers overseeing the construction site rushed over to greet me.
“Miss Hailey, welcome.”
“We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Here, take this first.”
The workers greeted me warmly and handed me small gifts.
I wondered why they were giving me these, but they soon revealed their purpose.
“Say, what’s your business plan looking like?”
“Are you thinking of operating every day?”
Ah, now I understood. They intended to open their temporary shops during my operating hours.
I watched the temporary structures being erected for a moment before responding.
“When will all the buildings be completed?”
“About two weeks, they say. Since they’re temporary structures, it won’t take long.”
“Then I’ll start operations in two weeks.”
With this much construction, dust will be flying everywhere—it’s not good for food hygiene.
But the workers, unaware of my true reasoning, practically leaped with joy.
“Oh, you’re even considering our opening day?”
“We appreciate that.”
“Miss Hailey, if you need our help with anything, just say the word anytime.”
“Thank you. I’ll head inside now.”
I smiled warmly and took Baron’s hand as we made our way toward home.

* * *

“Baron, I’m going to look around for a bit. Don’t worry and just rest.”
I barely set down my luggage before peering into the chicken coop. The chickens’ feathers gleamed with health, and the number of chicks had increased.
‘Phew, they’re all healthy. Thank goodness.’
Ben had mentioned he’d check on them occasionally, and it was clear he’d taken good care of them.
Weeds had grown in the Field and Garden, but a few hours of work should clear them.
‘Now I need to check on the fermentation jars. I’ll pull the weeds tomorrow.’
On my way to the Caves where I kept the fermentation jars, I gathered some clams and caught a few octopuses along the way.
When I arrived at the Caves and opened the jars, my mood brightened considerably.
There was enough miso to use. I just needed a bit more soy sauce.
‘Wonderful, I can finally make miso stew.’
Imagining the visual of green squash and white tofu alongside the rich, savory aroma of miso stew, my mouth watered involuntarily.
‘Once I get home, I’ll make tofu first. Then I’ll tidy up the Field and pick some squash and peppers.’
Humming to myself, I portioned out the miso and red chili paste into the containers I’d brought, then headed home.
.
.
.
“Baron, I’m back.”
As usual, I announced my arrival loudly, then washed my hands in the Stream. Without thinking much, I opened the House door and froze in disbelief.
Baron was lying flat on the floor instead of on the Bed.
“B-Baron! What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
Startled, I hastily set down what I was carrying and rushed over to check his condition. Baron looked up at me.
“Nuna.”
Huh? He didn’t seem to be in pain.
No matter how I looked at him, he appeared perfectly fine.
I helped Baron sit up. He obediently raised himself into a sitting position.
“Why are you doing this?”
“My heart aches, so I collapsed.”
“What?”
“I’ve been thinking about it the entire journey from the Capital to Snoril.”
Baron began speaking, then suddenly bit his lip, so I coaxed him gently and asked.
“Baron, tell me. Your heart aches? What were you thinking about?”
Baron took a long, deep breath.
“No matter how much I think about it, the conclusion is always the same. I’m going to marry you, Nuna.”
What? He’s still saying that?
“You’ll like it too, Nuna. Because…”
Baron rattled off one hundred and one reasons why marrying him would be wonderful.
In summary, the cute and strong Baron would grow into the world’s greatest man.
“I’ll maintain first place at the Academy until graduation, and I’ll earn plenty of money.”
It was his so-called “Nuna’s Flower Path Future Plan”—ensuring I’d live happily without lifting a finger.
The way he confidently promised to pluck stars from the sky for me was so endearing that I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Baron, where did you learn to make promises like that?”
“I heard women like it when men say things like this? Don’t you hate successful men, Nuna?”
“What woman would hate a successful man?”
Baron’s eyes gleamed with determination as he clenched both fists tightly.
“I knew it!”

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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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