This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 169

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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 169

If Robinson was curious about the source of funds, he could have simply asked. Instead, he insisted on an “investigation” and demanded I come to the Manor. How infuriating.
His tone made it sound as though he were interrogating a criminal.
Still, I wasn’t worried.
‘Camen handled everything, and she’s prepared responses for situations exactly like this.’
If I needed to explain anything to the Lord, Raven, Kimarise, and Baron had agreed to accompany me, which gave me considerable peace of mind.
Then Robinson glared at Kimarise and Baron in turn before uttering something utterly absurd.
“Come alone. Don’t bother dragging these rabble along and expect to gloss over this with flimsy excuses.”
What? Alone?
“Why would Nuna have any reason to go by herself? Your intentions look decidedly suspicious.”
Baron bristled before I could respond, stepping forward to glare at Robinson.
“Suspicious intentions?”
“It’s easy enough to summon someone, lock them away where no one knows, and pretend ignorance afterward, isn’t it?”
“What did you just say, you brat? How dare you!”
Robinson’s expression darkened menacingly.
‘Oh no, Baron!’
Not only had he spoken informally to the Lord himself, but he’d voiced an accusation I couldn’t prove on the spot!
My blood ran cold as I quickly pulled Baron behind me.
“Ah, haha, he’s still young, you see. I’m still teaching him proper manners.”
“No, Nuna. Move aside.”
Baron stepped forward again quickly, meeting Robinson’s gaze directly.
“I’m warning you—don’t even think about summoning Nuna to the Manor again. If you do, I won’t let it slide.”
No, Baron, you can’t do this!
There was nothing for it but to salvage the situation and send Robinson away.
But something unexpected happened. Robinson flinched and took a step back. His expression resembled that of a frog facing a snake, which was utterly bewildering.
Yet seeing Baron’s aura, I understood Robinson’s reaction.
‘Wow.’
Now I could see it clearly—the oppressive force Baron radiated when angry was formidable.
‘No wonder he becomes Captain of the Knights in the future, showing such presence even now.’
“Raven will go. If you need to investigate anything, do it with Raven.”
Robinson’s lips trembled at Baron’s commanding tone. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Yet soon he clenched his fists and bared his teeth.
Then a familiar voice interjected.
“As Baron says, there is no need for Hailey to visit the Lord’s Manor.”
I turned to find Raven had emerged.
Raven continued calmly.
“Based on Hailey’s plan, I informed the National Land Management Department in the Capital of the situation, obtained permission for restoration, and invested the funds. Had it not been for Hailey, I would never have involved myself, and the Lord would have been obligated to conduct repairs as part of his domain management, separate from relinquishing usage rights.”
“The National Land Management Department in the Capital?”
Raven smiled gently at Robinson’s incredulous repetition.
“Yes. I was in the study writing a final report when the commotion broke out, so I came down.”
I hadn’t expected Raven to express gratitude, but most of what he said had been part of our prepared answers.
Raven handed the documents he’d been holding to Robinson.
“This is the report I was writing.”
Robinson sighed after reviewing the report’s contents.
“Why would you go out of your way to request support from the Capital’s National Land Management Department? We have our own management department in this domain.”
“Isn’t this a matter the Lord has abandoned management of? How could Snoril’s management department have the resources to help? But I couldn’t leave the sunken land in front of my house as it was, and I was even considering moving. Then fortunately, Hailey provided me with an excellent plan.”
Raven pulled one corner of his mouth upward.
“The Capital’s National Land Management Department manages state-owned lands throughout the entire Empire. Since I’m originally a merchant dealing in the Capital, I simply made my request there.”
There was no reason for the Capital’s National Land Management Department to refuse when Raven was offering to restore the ruined land at his own expense.
Robinson bit his lip, apparently at a loss for words.
Then the crowd that had gathered to observe our situation began to murmur.
“What? He treated a landowner like a criminal without even basic verification?”
“The man just cleaned up a collapse, so why is the Lord acting like this?”
If a landowner spoke like that, they’d be punished. But hearing such remarks, they seemed to be tourists from another domain.
“Who dares speak so carelessly?”
Robinson, his face flushed crimson, shouted with an air of great displeasure.
Robinson glanced around the suddenly silent surroundings and turned his body.
“That’s enough investigation. The questions are answered, so make sure you pay your taxes properly.”
Soon Robinson’s figure receded into the distance.
‘Phew, is the situation over?’
I was relieved I didn’t need to return to the manor alone, but I was worried about Raven and Baron. I lowered my voice and asked Raven.
“Raven, do you think the Lord might retaliate?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not even collecting facility usage fees, and as fellow nobles, he won’t be able to move recklessly.”
Then Raven lowered his body slightly and spoke quietly, just loud enough for me to hear.
“Besides, he hasn’t been Lord for long, so he’s still inexperienced. He’s different from the previous Lord.”
Raven smiled coldly toward Nelloa, who was only looking at Baron.
“Does the Princess have any remaining business?”
‘Right, she was here too.’
Seeing how the Lord moved even more foolishly than expected, it was clear that Nelloa’s instigation had played a part.
As I sighed and looked at her, Nelloa flinched and turned her feet away, saying.
“I just came to see since I heard the disaster damage had been restored.”
I was about to say something but held back. Since we weren’t on good terms, there was no need to engage further.
‘Fine, fine. Just leave already.’
Then it happened.
“Nuna!”
I saw Kyle running toward me, waving his hand.
“…Kyle?”
“Nuna! I’m here!”
Kyle, who suddenly appeared before me, had his eyes sparkling brightly.
“Welcome, Kyle.”
I quickly opened the gate for him. Kyle stepped inside and greeted Raven, Kimarise, and Baron before glancing around curiously.
“Wow, the place has transformed beautifully since I last saw it! How did this happen?”
“Ha, there’s been quite a lot going on. Have you eaten?”
“I have, but I’d love to eat something you made, Nuna! Oh, and I brought you a gift!”
Kyle’s eager gaze shifted toward Crockel, nestled comfortably in my arms.
“You got a puppy too? How adorable!”
The moment Kyle reached out impulsively, Crockel flinched—his reaction was decidedly unusual.
Though cute and with a hearty appetite, obedient to both Baron and me, Crockel was still a Monster.
‘I can’t have Kyle getting bitten.’
I quickly tapped Crockel’s hindquarters.
“No. Behave yourself.”
Crockel immediately relaxed and accepted Kyle’s touch.
“Wow, truly adorable. Is he smart?”
“Yes, very clever.”
“Pant, pant.”
Crockel began wagging his tail, apparently understanding the praise directed at him.
Kyle stroked Crockel while speaking with excitement.
“Nuna, can I take him for a walk?”
I was about to say it would be fine if Crockel liked it, when I glanced up and caught Nelloa watching Kyle with an odd expression, her steps halted.
An uncomfortable feeling crept over me.
‘There’s no need to discuss this in front of everyone like this.’
I naturally blocked Nelloa’s gaze with my body and guided Kyle forward.
“Come inside first. Where’s Charlie?”
“Charlie is a Merchant Guild member, so we parted ways at the Port. I’ve come home completely. He said he’d stop by to say hello before departure.”
“I see.”
“Yes. Nuna, I’d love to eat the snacks you make.”
“What snack would you like?”
“Rice cake skewers! I want ten of them!”
His spirited enthusiasm made me laugh, but Baron narrowed his eyes at Kyle.
“One is enough. Why ten? Don’t make Nuna work so hard.”
Then he muttered quietly.
“She was already exhausted from cooking not long ago.”
He was referring to when I’d prepared an entire spread for Camen.
“That’s manageable. Besides, I was already preparing ingredients since tomorrow is a business day.”
I pulled Baron’s shoulder and drew him close to my side.
“Ha, what about you, Baron? Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
As if to deny any jealousy, Baron’s cheeks flushed adorably, and his lips twitched.
“I’m happy with anything you make, Nuna.”
“Then you’ll have rice cake skewers too. Come on!”
Kyle rushed into our house with unbridled excitement, practically flying through the entrance.
“Raven and Kimarise, please come in as well. We can share some barley tea if you’d like.”
I called out to Raven and Kimarise while discreetly glancing back toward where Nelloa had been. Fortunately, she was already leaving without looking at Kyle again.

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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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