This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 157

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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 157

“Good day, Princess. I am Robinson Junior Snoril, the master of this domain.”
With Anna’s support in both material and practical matters, Nelloa made her way directly to the Lord’s Manor upon arriving in Snoril.
She knew that Anna had sent a personal letter to the Lord of Snorril, so she anticipated the treatment would be even more generous than before.
True to her expectations, the moment she arrived in Snoril and began unpacking her belongings, she received an invitation to Robinson’s dinner.
“Thank you for welcoming me so warmly.”
“Not at all. It is my honor to have you stay with us.”
Seated at a table laden with delicacies, Nelloa examined Robinson’s appearance first.
Unlike what the previous Lord, Duke Johnson Snoril, had boasted about, he possessed an unremarkable height and utterly ordinary features.
‘Even a hedgehog thinks its own babies are beautiful—this is precisely that case.’
Though she felt an inner urge to laugh, Nelloa maintained a pleasant expression.
It mattered little. She would simply manipulate him skillfully according to her purposes.
The two shared various conversations over dinner.
Robinson spoke primarily about Snoril while Nelloa spoke mainly about the Imperial Palace. As the conversation deepened, Nelloa broached her true subject.
“Well, I’ve heard rumors that a most advantageous location has appeared in Snoril since I was last here.”
“Ah, you must be referring to Miss Hailey’s shop. It was just a crumbling cottage standing alone in that spot, but now many people pass through there constantly.”
“When I visited before, the surrounding state-owned land was completely empty. What if you purchased the usage rights to that state-owned land and increased your domain’s revenue? With so many people coming and going, wouldn’t anything done there be profitable?”
“Ah yes, I did look into purchasing the usage rights. But it turned out all the landowners had already claimed them.”
True to his words, temporary structures had rapidly occupied the path connecting Hailey’s House to the City and were operating actively.
An Inn, a Bar, shops selling and renting all manner of provisions and camping equipment, tool rentals for shellfish gathering and fishing, and more.
“I hear that tourists who came upon hearing the rumors have even been camping on the Beach, so everyone’s business is doing quite well.”
Robinson smiled bitterly.
The thought of missing the opportunity to profit from state-owned land usage rights while preoccupied with his title succession still stung.
“My, everyone certainly moves quickly.”
“They have an uncanny sense for the scent of money. That’s how it happened.”
“Still, your tax revenue will increase.”
“Ha ha. Yes, that is a bright side.”
Though he laughed it off adequately, Robinson could not hide his lingering regret.
In truth, he had planned to visit Hailey’s House naturally while taking advantage of the crowds passing through. However, Raven, Hailey’s neighbor, had purchased all the usage rights from his own house to the Front of Hailey’s House and the Beach beyond it.
And from the front of his own house, he had constructed a waist-high fence to control pedestrian access, with large letters written at the entrance.

[-Beware of Dog-]

Hailey had begun spending money, so it seemed she had hired a fierce guard dog to protect the House.
Moreover, to reach Hailey’s House beyond that fence, one had to press the bell at the entrance. The bell connected to Raven’s House, and through him, one had to request a formal visit to Hailey.
Raven was a noble, so it made sense, but Hailey was a commoner.
That I, the Lord, had to formally request a visit to the House of a woman of lower status.
It would be one thing to drop by as if passing through by chance, but to seek her out as if I had business there wounded my pride.
Robinson’s brow furrowed as he recalled Raven’s eccentricity.
No matter that it was State-owned land, purchasing the usage rights for that extent of land must have cost an enormous sum.
‘Just how much money does she have?’
Robinson hadn’t voiced his thoughts aloud, but Nelloa laughed with ease.
Nelloa had bribed a Maid the moment she arrived at the Manor.
Previously, the Maid had only provided light information even while accepting payment, but after learning that the Regent had sent a letter looking after Nelloa, she became as pliant as a tongue in one’s mouth. Along with a request not to forget her once she entered the Imperial Palace.
Thanks to this, Nelloa knew that the current Lord was very interested in Hailey. She planned to use this information when Bloden left Snoril to close the Gate.
“You needn’t feel so regretful. There are still areas where the usage rights haven’t been sold, so the Lord should be able to pursue profit sufficiently.”
“There are such places remaining?”
Nelloa smiled slyly as she watched Robinson focus on her words.
“Of course. There are remaining areas. And they should be quite profitable too. So why not purchase the usage rights and then see the site in person? It might be different from the rumors, after all?”
Robinson’s ears perked up.
Nelloa’s words sounded like she was suggesting he could naturally get a glimpse into Hailey’s House.

* * *

Baron and I held hands, humming as we stomped our feet. Each time, splashing sounds accompanied bubbles rising from the blanket.
We trampled the blanket evenly, rinsed it thoroughly, then divided the ends between us and wrung out the moisture as if twisting a pretzel.
“Good. Let’s hang it to dry now.”
I spread the clean blanket neatly on the clothesline. Watching it flutter beneath the blue sky filled me with a sense of accomplishment.
“You did well. Baron.”
“You too, Nuna.”
We were exchanging a high-five when it happened.
“Woof! Woof woof woof!”
Crockel began barking sharply. Our eyes naturally turned toward the entrance installed near Raven’s House, and without anyone needing to say it first, we both frowned.
The people standing close to the entrance were unmistakably Robinson and Nelloa, along with several of their attendants.
I thought Robinson might come someday when he saw Crockel and made that bewildered expression, but Nelloa’s arrival was truly unexpected.
‘The Emperor should be at the Imperial Palace, so why is she here?’
Soon, Kimarise emerged from Raven’s House.
Kimarise made a gesture to Crockel to be quiet, then greeted Robinson.
He received a document from one of Robinson’s attendants. After examining it, Kimarise had a brief conversation with Robinson across the fence. Then he turned to look at me.
“Something seems to be the matter.”
His expression was clearly displeased, so I moved toward where Kimarise stood.
“Hello. Lord. And Princess.”
I greeted Robinson with a businesslike smile, offering only a nod to Nelloa.
Robinson was startled and gently admonished me.
“Oh, this is the Princess of Kelite. We must show proper respect.”
Instead of answering, I looked at Nelloa.
‘Really? You want me to speak formally to you? And why are you even here?’
Nelloa’s face flushed crimson at my gaze, and she quickly stopped Robinson.
“Thank you for your consideration, Duke. But Hailey and I actually….”
Nelloa glanced at my expression, then bit her lip in frustration before letting out a small sigh.
“…there’s a part of us that only understands each other, so we agreed to speak comfortably with one another. Isn’t that right, Hailey?”
Kimarise and Baron looked at me. Their wavering eyes seemed to ask if this was true.
“That’s right. We may not be friends yet, but we agreed to drop the formalities.”
After answering Nelloa, I offered some explanation to those around us.
“We met at the Imperial Palace Banquet Hall and talked for a bit.”
“Yes, it’s nice to see you again here. How have you been?”
Nelloa, satisfied with my words, greeted Baron with an angelic, affectionate expression.
“My, your younger brother has grown so much. How adorable.”
‘Did she take the wrong medicine? Why is she saying things she doesn’t usually say?’
Sure enough, displeasure immediately showed on Baron’s face.
Ugh, if the Lord takes a dislike to her, it’ll be troublesome.
I pulled Baron behind me and lifted the corners of my mouth.
“My brother’s going through puberty these days.”
“Oh my, I understand.”
Nelloa finished kindly, so I now looked at Kimarise. Since he had spoken with Robinson, he would know the purpose of their visit.
Just then, Robinson smiled warmly and glanced around at the row of temporary shops.
“Depending on what you all do, the price of all this will change. I’m a Lord who loves his landowners, so Miss Hailey, please discuss this with those around you and visit my Manor within the near future.”
Robinson and Nelloa turned to leave. But among those following them, a man caught my eye—he was writing something intently with an interested expression.
‘Wait, isn’t that the Roan Times Journalist?’
When I saw him in the Capital, he was riding in Nelloa’s carriage, and it seemed he had now become part of her inner circle.
After quickly finishing his notes—whatever he was writing—he turned to look at me, smiled broadly, gave a silent bow, and hurried to follow Nelloa.
Once I confirmed they had gone far enough, I asked Kimarise.
“What documents did he leave behind?”
“It’s absurd. He claims he purchased the rights to use state-owned land and demands we pay accordingly.”
Kimarise sighed through his nose and pointed with his hand—from where the City enters the Beach, to this entrance here, and the White Sand Beach adjacent to the road.
“That state-owned land is the road itself.”

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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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