This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 181

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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 181

The Duchess of Borderland was being held in a tower that stood some distance from Bernard’s House, rising to what appeared to be eight stories high.
Armed Knights guarded the entrance, but when Bernard presented Duke Utra’s entry permit, they searched his belongings and allowed him inside.
We spiraled up the winding Stairs that curved around a massive central pillar until we reached the top, where the Duchess of Borderland’s quarters came into view.
The entrance was flanked by a stern-faced Maid and Knight, but the door had gaps both above and below—any conversation would inevitably leak out.
As they opened the door, the Duchess of Borderland, who had been gazing out the single Window, turned her head toward us.
Though she appeared younger than her mid-forties, half her hair had turned completely white. Her complexion was pale, and her eyes lacked vitality.
She must have endured considerable emotional suffering.
“For the next four days, I am Hailey, here to look after the Duchess’s health in Bernard’s stead.”
Bernard introduced me to the Duchess of Borderland and explained that he needed to step away for his treatment.
“Ah, what a serious matter. Hailey must be quite concerned.”
She offered me comfort, but a faint glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes.
“I’ll be staying here with you for all four days. I know it’s inconvenient, but I appreciate your cooperation.”
After Bernard left and the wooden door closed, the Duchess sat at the table and spoke.
“I just remembered—Hailey from Snoril. I’ve seen your name before.”
“Really?”
“You’re running a skewer business, aren’t you?”
The Duchess of Borderland unfolded a newspaper on the table.
“Duke Utra is such a generous man that he allows me to read newspapers with a few missing pages.”
With a wry smile, she began recounting the minor articles that had appeared in the newspaper. She seemed delighted to have someone to talk to during her lonely confinement.
After I had been her conversation partner for about an hour, the Maid brought in a meal.
Fortunately, the food was decent. However, the knife and fork for cutting the meat were silver, and notably sharp.
This struck me as odd.
I understood that confined individuals were typically not given objects that could become weapons depending on circumstances. One couldn’t risk an accident.
Unless…
As I examined the cutlery quietly, the Duchess of Borderland let out a small, bitter laugh. I suspected she was interpreting the situation the same way I was.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh… the cutlery is so beautiful. Do they always bring these?”
“Sometimes. Today, since we have a guest, they seem to have taken extra care. The meat cuts so well that it’s easy to eat. Usually I have no appetite, but today it tastes good. Perhaps it’s because we’re eating together.”
“That’s wonderful to hear.”
I smiled warmly and shared the meal with the Duchess of Borderland.
After finishing, I slipped the knife and fork under the Bed one by one. If my interpretation was correct, the Maid wouldn’t question their absence.
Shortly after, the Maid entered and cleared away the empty dishes.
Whether she failed to notice the missing cutlery or deliberately pretended not to see them—
her expression showed no concern whatsoever.
Even as the Duchess of Borderland and I sat facing each other drinking tea, no one came looking for them.
As the teacup emptied, my gaze naturally drifted toward the single Window.
The unlocked Window was precisely the right size for a person to slip through.
‘So she wished to end her life by her own hand—is that what’s happening here?’
Rising to my feet, I gazed out the window and spotted two Armed Knights stationed at a measured distance—far enough that they wouldn’t have intervened had the Duchess of Borderland thrown herself from this height.
‘Three years confined to a place like this.’
It was difficult to fathom the depths of suffering the Duchess must have endured.
Bernard needed to relay the situation properly so that Count Enox could arrive to rescue her.
I turned my gaze toward the Forest, hoping the Duchess of Borderland would escape safely, and wondering if Bloden’s raven might be somewhere nearby.
Half my expectations proved correct, and half proved wrong.
The raven was indeed present—but rather than hiding among the branches, it perched boldly atop the tallest tree.
‘This must be the raven I know.’
I waved my hand once, barely suppressing a laugh that threatened to burst forth. The moment I gestured in greeting, the raven spread its wings and began dancing toward me as if to show off.
Relief flooded through me, and with it came a surge of strength.
That raven was powerful enough to cleave a Monster in two with a single strike, so if anything went wrong, it would protect us.
I approached the Duchess of Borderland and spoke in the softest whisper.
“Duchess, can we communicate through written notes?”
“No. They only give me a pen when I write letters to my family—and even then, rarely.”
At the same moment, the Duchess of Borderland pointed toward the door.
Beneath the gap at the bottom, I could see feet positioned to face us—and as we whispered, they seemed to lean in more intently to listen.
The Duchess of Borderland raised her voice with a troubled expression.
“I’m curious about this rice cake skewer business you mentioned. Could you explain it? If it’s as promising as you say, perhaps I should mention to Father that he might consider investing.”
“I’m grateful for the sentiment, but we already have sufficient investment.”
“I see. Then there’s nothing more to be done.”
It was hardly strange that an awkward silence followed when a commoner so promptly refused an offer from the Duchess of Borderland.
The moment our conversation ceased, the feet visible beneath the door disappeared as well.
I traced letters onto the Duchess of Borderland’s palm with my fingertips.

[Then let’s communicate this way. It’s slow, but we can manage necessary conversation.]
[How did a flower-like Miss find her way to such a dangerous place?]

The Duchess of Borderland’s first words expressed concern for me.
I had hoped that since Bernard had gone to Count Enox, we might receive help, but upon careful reflection, I realized it was indeed dangerous.
Seeing her desire to protect an innocent like me from harm, I felt that she was truly a good person.

[Please don’t worry. We’ll likely be safe. Bernard went to request help, yes, but the truth is—]

I conveyed that I understood the current situation, and told her about the Emperor’s raven. The Duchess of Borderland’s expression brightened considerably.
But when I asked why she had become this way, her face changed entirely and she shook her head.

[Don’t try to learn that. It could put you in danger, Miss.]

* * *

As night fell, Bloden’s raven slipped through the darkness and flew in through the open window. A small note was tied to the raven’s ankle.
“Caw.”
At that sound, the maid watching us from outside knocked on the door.
“Madam, I hear a raven’s cry—is something amiss inside?”
“A raven has perched on the windowsill. I’ll chase it away. Shoo, be gone!”
Even as I answered, I untied the note from the raven’s ankle.
When I unfolded the note, I found myself admiring the remarkably elegant handwriting.

[What a curious coincidence. Count Enox asked me to rescue his daughter, so I came to Utra Territory—and then Black Libia informed me that you were there as well.]

Upon reading the contents, relief washed over me.
‘How fortunate that you’ve arrived. And so the raven’s name is Black Libia.’
Yet the opening phrase could only make me smile.
‘A curious coincidence, indeed.’
Was it truly coincidence?
Still, what a raven could convey to Bloden would be limited, yet the circumstances seemed to align like interlocking gears—it was remarkable.

[If things go awry, I’ve sent Camen to help you escape, so don’t be alarmed. However, the timing of the escape may depend on Duke Utra’s movements, so please wait a little longer. If anything suspicious happens, Camen will be the first to inform you.]

‘I understand, Your Majesty.’
I showed Bloden’s note to the Duchess of Borderland, and as she covered her mouth in astonishment and joy, I traced letters onto her palm with my fingertips.

[Hold on just a little longer.]

As I folded the note again, Black Libia seized it in her beak and flew out the window as if she had been waiting.
The evidence would be thoroughly destroyed. Since the night had grown late, we needed to sleep.
After I helped the Duchess of Borderland into her nightclothes and into bed, I dimmed the light by covering the magical stone lamp. As I settled against the bedside, she shifted slightly and patted the space beside her.
“Come, lie here with me.”
“Is that… truly all right?”
“How could I make you sleep on the floor when you’ve come to visit lonely me? I won’t hear of it.”
At those words, I lay down beside the Duchess of Borderland.
.
.
.
I’m not sure how long I slept.
Something touched my face and woke me.
When I turned my head, I saw a small sprout poking up beside the bed, swaying gently.

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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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