This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 158

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 158

A week later.
The Lord’s soldiers began lining up at the entrance from the City to the Beach, blocking passage entirely.
As a result, the temporary shop owners and their customers couldn’t enter the Beach, and neither could we move about freely. With customers unable to arrive, business became impossible.
We could only traverse to the City during low tide when the seawater receded completely, and I used that window to venture into the City with Baron, Raven, and Kimarise. It was for an emergency meeting.
However, Baron had to go to the Library. The emergency meeting location was a tavern unsuitable for a child’s sensibilities, and it was early afternoon when they had just begun serving alcohol.
After dropping Baron off at the Library, I arrived at the tavern and immediately apologized to the temporary shop owners gathered there.
“I’m sorry. Even when I tried to negotiate with the Lord, it was impossible.”
At my words, the fishing equipment rental merchant quickly asked.
“What exactly did he demand?”
“That’s…”
I bit my lip and carefully explained the situation.
“The Lord didn’t demand money as a toll.”
He, who had set up an extravagantly luxurious tea table, handed me a bouquet the moment I sat across from him. He was proposing that I date him—he would grant free passage and provide backing in return.
According to his words, it was a ‘strategic romance.’
Robinson may have studied abroad, but even with that education, this was an idea he couldn’t have conceived. If he had any real intelligence, he wouldn’t have made such a proposal in the first place.
But really, it was absurd. Were there only one or two state-owned lands in this country?
I could leave this place with Baron alone and go elsewhere if necessary.
The only reason I was enduring this was because I’d made good neighbors like Ben and Cosette, Raven was living in the neighboring house, and I’d hidden my beloved jars here.
I could obtain the ingredients for the food I sell elsewhere, and I could gather seafood elsewhere too.
Moreover, if he interfered with business like this, wouldn’t the taxes he could collect diminish accordingly? I was genuinely bewildered as to what he was thinking when he believed I would accept such a proposal.
‘Nelloa must have put him up to this.’
People said they had never seen the Empire block pedestrian paths and collect tolls. It was an action these people couldn’t even imagine, so there were no relevant clauses in Imperial Law.
But in Korea, I had occasionally seen related news. Since Nelloa was also a possessor, she must have known about it and exploited it.
However, without evidence, I couldn’t confront her about it. There was no need to dwell on it further, so I simply left the table.
And that’s when passage was blocked.
I inquired about countermeasures through the Government Offices, but there was no legal recourse under Imperial Law. The narrow embankment path flowing behind my house leading to the City was also blocked—the Knights responded menacingly to everyone except Baron—so the only option was to use low tide to pass through non-designated routes.
Once I finished explaining up to this point, the merchants began murmuring. Then the balloon shop owner spoke up.
“Unexpected as it is, isn’t this a good proposal for you, Miss?”
“Right. If things go well, wouldn’t you become the Lord’s wife?”
When the grilled chicken skewer shop owner chimed in agreement, a considerable number of merchants nodded.
“The Lord certainly recognizes a good match.”
“Why not take this opportunity to improve your status? If he provides backing, wouldn’t we all benefit?”
Ah, I knew there would definitely be people who reacted this way.
Knowing there was no malice in their words, I could only sigh.
“Goodness, choose your words carefully! Does it make sense to date someone you don’t care for just to avoid a toll?”
Susan, Ben’s wife, flared up and shot back a comment. She also ran a temporary shop and sold conch skewers to tourists.
“That’s right. You’re all being too much. We were doing such thriving business thanks to Hailey!”
Cosette from the pottery workshop also struck the table and spoke firmly. Cosette had also opened a modest shop, selling and renting various vessels and ceramic souvenirs made in her workshop to customers who enjoyed camping.
“To be honest, why don’t you take a look at Hailey’s neighbors’ faces and add your opinions?”
At Cosette’s words, the merchants’ eyes all turned toward Raven and Kimarise.
A natural silence fell.
“Ahem.”
Raven and Kimarise, who had cleared their throats, each brushed their hair back smoothly.
Soon everyone began nodding their heads.
“Well, if the Lord had seen that face every day, it’s no wonder the Miss didn’t catch his eye.”
“The Lord certainly lacked conscience this time. Hehehehe.”
“Oh dear, I’m sorry. Miss.”
“Yes, it’s not the Miss’s fault.”
Thanks to the two of them, the arrows turned toward the Lord.
If someone were to report this situation to the Lord, it would become a problem, but everyone was of one mind since they had all suffered losses. They hadn’t even engaged in particularly harsh gossip that crossed the line.
Various stories were exchanged, but there was no suitable solution. And as time passed, the merchants’ eyes looking at me grew more desperate.
“Still, the more you look at him, doesn’t the Lord seem rather decent?”
There were those who slipped in words defending the Lord.
Though Susan and Cosette firmly blocked it and prevented them from speaking loudly, they clearly hoped I would change my mind and date the Lord, so I quietly swallowed a sigh.

* * *

“My, why are you alone here?”
Baron, who had been sitting obediently in the library seat reading a book as Hailey instructed, frowned at the unwelcome voice. Nelloa had sat beside him and whispered familiarly.
Baron ignored Nelloa and turned his gaze back to his book. Yet Nelloa, resting her chin in her hand, stared intently at the book Baron was reading.
Displeased, Baron closed his book and stood up from his seat. He intended to go somewhere else.
But then Nelloa’s lips curved upward in a smile.
“The Imperial Administrative Districts Handbook… it seems you’re reading a book that’s completely unsuitable for a seven-year-old child.”
When Baron’s eyes glanced toward her, Nelloa quietly mouthed the words distinctly.
‘Your Majesty.’
“…”
‘I haven’t received any reports that the Crown Prince said anything unnecessary.’
From the way Nelloa spoke, it seemed classified information had been leaked.
Baron inserted the book back into the shelf and left the library.
-Kimarise.
At the same time, he gave Kimarise an order and asked the doppelgänger attached to Stanley whether they had ever met outside of reporting standards. Whether Stanley and Nelloa had ever met.
Soon a report came back from Kimarise.
-They exchanged papers several times, sir.
-What was the content?
-I cannot read Kelite script, so the doppelgängers cannot read the writing either.
As Baron fell silent, Kimarise, reading his mood and quickly consulting with Raven, spoke up.
-We considered killing her immediately, but Raven says it’s still premature to kill based on circumstances alone. He says that would make you a tyrant.
Baron exhaled through his nose.
Raven’s words held merit. If I had killed him based on suspicion alone, and it turned out to be a misunderstanding, there would be no undoing it.
-How shall we proceed? Please give the order. What if we beat him soundly? It would serve as a stern warning.
Baron wanted to do exactly that. But considering he would need to order the Crown Prince to share his field of vision whenever writing letters going forward, he couldn’t allow it.
Once beaten severely, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare write to Nelloa again.
That would leave only suspicion with no evidence.
-For now, leave it be. Acquire the Kelite script within the coming days. After that, verify the contents of any letters and report back.
-Understood, my lord.
The moment we stepped completely outside the Library building, Nelloa, who had followed behind me, let out a soft laugh.
“It seems Hailey doesn’t know about His Majesty’s true identity.”
Baron scoffed.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if I told Hailey that your younger brother is actually His Majesty?”
Instead of answering, Baron rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“I’m not trying to blackmail you. I simply have a proposal.”
At Nelloa’s words, Baron noticed a secluded spot beneath a large tree nearby and walked toward it. He then fixed his gaze on Nelloa, who naturally followed behind him.
“What kind of proposal?”
“I want to tell you the real reason I stayed in Snoril. You’ll be quite surprised when you hear it.”
Nelloa smiled brightly at Baron, whose suspicious gaze remained unwavering.
“Actually, I possess a Royal Family ability. If you knew what my ability is, His Majesty would come to see me as a strategic partner.”
It was content that couldn’t help but shake Baron. Even when I had asked Stanley about whether the Royal Family possessed abilities, I couldn’t get a clear answer.
“What ability?”
‘Good, he’s taking the bait.’
Confident of success at Baron’s reaction, Nelloa displayed the charming smile she had practiced while looking in the mirror all this time.
“I have the ability to sense whenever a Gate appears.”
“…What?”
“I can sense it even while lying in bed. I can detect when and where Gates appear and disappear.”
Nelloa deliberately closed her eyes.
“One recently appeared in the center of the Southern Forest in the Aer Domain.”
“…”
“If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to verify it yourself.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————