This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 162

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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 162

Until recently, the atmosphere inside this manor had felt like a funeral parlor—pleasant only to Raven Aner.
But this morning, the mood had suddenly reversed.
Since arriving in Snoril, Raven Aner examined the faces of those gathered, breathing in the warmest air he’d felt in the manor’s reception room.
Kimarise’s expression was remarkably serene.
“Hehehehe.”
Crockel, seated across from him, was laughing with unbridled delight, his tail swaying left and right betraying his happiness.
Even Dantarion, sitting beside him with arms crossed and back against the sofa, couldn’t hide the corners of his mouth rising upward.
To an unknowing observer, it was merely a small, adorable dog and two men sitting contentedly side by side.
But watching them, Raven Aner thought something truly surreal had occurred.
.
.
.
Dantarion and Crockel had such poor relations that they’d quarrel over the slightest provocation whenever they were near each other.
The day Dantarion first struck his head in the backyard of the inn was the same day Bloden and Hailey had their first and last waltz practice.
Having obtained a hint from Raven Aner that day, Crockel went to the backyard and mocked Dantarion as he was being scolded. There was no major problem up to that point.
Not until Dantarion provoked Crockel and dragged him far away.
Crockel, falling for the provocation, carried Dantarion all the way to the island where the Kingdom of Meridon had existed.
They went that far so they could fight freely without causing damage to humans, and to avoid being discovered by Bloden. Conflict between high-ranking Commanders was a grave transgression, after all.
But what kind of creature was Crockel?
The wretch, reduced to tatters, abandoned Dantarion on the island and returned alone. Dantarion was currently serving as Baron’s substitute, and quite foolishly at that.
Bloden found it strange that Dantarion was nowhere to be seen and summoned him, immediately sensing that the two had fought. It was a natural consequence to summon Black Libia and ascertain the situation at the battle site.
At that moment, Raven Aner stood beside Bloden with a very serious expression, observing the situation, but inwardly anticipated what kind of severe punishment Bloden would impose on them both.
Soon Black Libia returned and reported the damage at the scene. A radius of approximately 10 kilometers was entirely covered with monster corpses.
Bloden, realizing that the shrimp’s back had broken in the whale’s fight, rolled his eyes and spoke.

‘So they weren’t fighting—they were just processing monsters. We can make trips to Meriden Island whenever we’re bored.’
‘Pardon? Your Majesty? Are you serious? Even if the Commanders don’t die, if they’re injured too severely, they’ll have difficulty moving.’

Raven doubted his ears, but Bloden didn’t change his decision.
Once they had obtained their lord’s permission, the two of them would slip away to Meriden Island whenever Hailey was asleep, fighting without restraint.
They fought as if trying to truly kill each other, but since both were Bloden’s Commanders, neither could be killed. With each passing day, both accumulated only deeper wounds.
Thanks to that, the monsters roaming Meriden Island had decreased by roughly thirty percent.
.
.
.
‘And both are so badly injured that they’ve entered a temporary ceasefire.’
Yet since neither had dulled their animosity toward the other, sitting side by side laughing like that should have been impossible.
‘The only reason this is possible is because they’re being influenced by their lord’s emotions.’
Raven’s gaze turned toward Bloden, seated at the head of the table.
Even in that youthful frame, when he bore the eyes of an Emperor glowing crimson red, there was a distinctive chill and weight to him—but today was different.
Dignity cast aside, he held the marriage registration document bearing Hailey’s signature in his hands, grinning foolishly with an utterly blissful expression.
In all his years, Raven had never seen Bloden wear such a happy face.
And Raven understood all too well why Bloden was like this.
“Your Majesty, are you truly that pleased?”
“Yes.”
Bloden gazed down at the marriage registration document with sparkling eyes.
“They said I can submit it once I come of age. So I’m completing the document now and planning to process it at an appropriate time. As Emperor, I can register a marriage whenever I wish. About a week before my birthday would be ideal in every way.”
Unable to contain his emotions, Bloden’s lips curved upward without limit.
“Next year, we’ll finally become husband and wife. And at my twentieth birthday celebration, I’ll dance a waltz with my Empress Nuna.”
Hailey likely believed Baron wouldn’t come of age for another thirteen years.
Raven clicked his tongue softly, then voiced a doubt that had suddenly occurred to him.
“But Your Majesty, if you submit that, wouldn’t it constitute marriage fraud? Are you certain that’s your best course?”
“…What?”
“You know Hailey’s character, don’t you? If you truly submit that, she’ll believe she’s been deceived and will seek a divorce. You might become the first Emperor of the Ilpein Empire to be divorced.”
At those words, Bloden hastily protested.
“According to Imperial Law, an Emperor cannot divorce once married.”
“If Hailey truly wishes it, wouldn’t Your Majesty change the law for her?”
“…”
“If you intend to become a tyrannical Emperor indifferent to your spouse’s feelings and enjoy a desolate, melancholy Imperial life, then it matters not.”
“I… I have no such taste.”
Bloden’s face flushed red.
“I promised to make Nuna happy.”
“But Your Majesty, you’re telling Hailey that the marriage was established a week before her birthday celebration? She cried through the entire night just from being rejected during a proposal—how do you plan to endure her anger?”
Bloden’s shoulders sagged as his lips trembled. Seeing him receptive to the counsel, Raven felt relieved.
‘Phew, my lord. Your son nearly became a scoundrel committing marriage fraud. I’ve dissuaded him well, so rest peacefully.’
At that moment, Dantarion’s brow furrowed sharply at Raven.
“Really now, what’s with you, another lord’s Commander, dampening our master’s spirits? Didn’t you bring out these documents?”
Well, Bloden had ordered him to do so…
Kimarise also gave Raven a stern look.
“My lord has gained time to prevent his beloved from being stolen by another man. During that time, Miss Hailey will surely fall for my lord.”
“Grrrowl. Woof!”
Good grief, those two aren’t even close, yet they team up perfectly when it matters.
Raven, now receiving disapproving glances from Crockel as well, sighed and leaned back against the sofa.
On the other hand, he felt a sense of relief.
By human standards, the method was flawed, but reconsidering it, he would legally secure the key to breaking the curse.
“Just as Kimarise said, I’ve only gained the opportunity to prevent Nuna from being stolen by another man. I’ll make every effort to win Nuna’s love completely before her birthday in a week.”
Bloden, having made his firm resolve, placed the marriage certificate prominently and carefully wrote his name as the groom before signing it.

Bloden Ilpein

Bloden gazed at his elegantly written signature and smiled happily, his eyes crinkling as he looked toward the Commanders.
“Now I need two witnesses. Who wants to sign?”
“Woof!”
Crockel raised his paw first.
“You can’t write, you mutt. Should I just have you make a paw print instead?”
Dantarion’s rebuke came immediately, and Crockel’s ears drooped. Kimarise pulled out a pen with an obvious smile.
“I believe Raven and I should suffice, Your Majesty.”
Raven straightened up from the sofa and leaned forward.
Though this marriage was a fraud, it was still Bloden’s marriage certificate. He couldn’t afford to miss signing as a witness.
But then Dantarion frowned and waved his hand dismissively at Raven.
“No, I’m a high-ranking Commander—why are you excluding me? It’s Raven who should be left out since he’s opposed to this.”
“Raven is a high-ranking Commander of the previous Emperor. Besides, you’re not even a noble.”
“A noble?”
“This is the Emperor’s marriage certificate, no less. Shouldn’t the witnesses be at least of noble rank to maintain proper dignity?”
“You’re a noble? Do you have a title?”
Kimarise raised one corner of his mouth and lifted his chin proudly.
“You didn’t know because you were under disciplinary action? I’m Kimarise Orfe, Baron of the Northern Region. Raven is Duke Dillen and Marquis Aner.”
“Everyone just seemed to call you Lord Aner, but you were a Marquis?”
Shock was evident in Dantarion’s eyes as he looked at Raven.
“I simply don’t flaunt it out of modesty, but my lord held me in great favor. That’s precisely why my name must go in as witness number one.”
“Where are your lands and manor located?”
In Dantarion’s question, faint acknowledgment could be sensed. Though he had initially opposed it, Raven was a high-ranking Commander of the previous Emperor and was now serving Bloden, so recognition was warranted.
Feeling rather pleased, Raven shrugged his shoulders proudly.
“Far in the Eastern Region, beyond mountains and across waters. It’s difficult to reach, but the land is vast and expansive.”
“Oh, a Commander with personal assets. That’s impressive.”
“Hmph, at my level, it would be strange not to have them.”
Raven lifted his chin and pulled out a pen.
“Your Majesty, I’ll sign in the witness number one column. Kimarise can sign in the witness number two column.”
Bloden was nodding in agreement when it happened.
“Wait. I understand why Raven Aner goes in Witness 1. After all, he’s a high-ranking commander of the late Emperor.”
Dantarion quickly pulled out the marriage registration form and tapped lightly with his fingertip on the signature section for Witness 2.
“Then the remaining slot should naturally have my name as the liege’s high-ranking commander.”

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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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