This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 189

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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 189

Raven, who had been listening quietly to our conversation from the side, asked in a gentle voice.
“Kyle, do you remember where you went with Lord Frediki? Could you recognize it on a map?”
Kyle scratched his head.
“It was when I was little. I wouldn’t know where it is on a map. I’d have to go there in person and piece together my memories. But Hailey.”
“Hmm?”
“I trust you, so I told you everything honestly. But now that I think about it, something feels off.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the way you’re telling me things slowly, piece by piece……”
Kyle bit his lip once, then asked me carefully.
“Did you go to the Utra Territory?”
“……What?”
“Because I thought maybe you met Duke Utra. The Duke probably put a bounty on my head……”
A flicker of wariness crossed Kyle’s eyes. In that instant, I realized my mistake.
He might think I’d extracted important information only to sell him out!
I quickly waved my hand.
“No, I didn’t speak with Duke Utra. Actually, I met the Duchess of Borderland.”
“The Duchess? But she should have been confined—how did you meet her?”
“It’s a long story…… I’ll explain once everything is sorted out. What matters is, you were right—Lord Frediki is innocent of the charges against him.”
I took Kyle’s hand gently.
“That’s why I’m looking for a way to protect you. That document seems like it could be a crucial clue, so I want to find it.”
“Can that document clear my father and our family of the false accusation?”
“I’m not entirely sure yet. But it seems Duke Utra is chasing you because of it. So I wondered if maybe you knew something about it.”
“You think I know something about it.”
Kyle fell silent again. Then, looking puzzled, he scratched his head and muttered.
“Is that why Mother told me to stay in the countryside?”
But soon Kyle seemed to make up his mind, glancing back and forth between me and Raven.
“If that’s the case, I want to go check right away. Though honestly, there are a few complications. For one thing, if the Duke has any spies there, it could be dangerous.”
“I’ll protect you.”
“Really?”
Kyle’s eyes brightened at Raven’s assurance of safety.
“Then I want to go right now. Do you know what time the ship to the Aer Domain leaves today?”
“As far as I know, there’s none today. There should be one tomorrow evening.”
“Oh, then I’d have to skip the Academy. I’d need to spend a night there and come back.”
Kyle’s brow furrowed.
“There’s a swordsmanship class at the Academy that day, so it’s awkward to skip it…… Should I pick a different day?”
I quickly confirmed how much time Kyle needed.
“Do you need about one night and two days?”
“Well, I need to go there and search, but that’s the minimum.”
“Then don’t worry. We’ll go right away and search—if we don’t find anything, we’ll come back tomorrow. And we can go again next weekend if needed.”
“What? How can we leave right now? Plus, the travel expenses would be quite substantial.”
“Well, the thing is—I recently acquired a ship.”

* * *

Our luggage was packed in no time.
Those coming with us were Baron, Kyle, Raven, and myself.
As we rode in Kimarise’s carriage to the port, Kyle was brimming with excitement, peppering me with questions.
When did I buy the ship, what kind of ship was it, had the skewer business really taken off so much that I could afford a ship, had I named it, how big was it, and so on.
“I didn’t buy it, it just came about……”
Then the carriage stopped. We’d arrived at the port.
“It’s one of those over there, right? Let me guess!”
Kyle quickly jumped out and ran toward where several ships were moored.
Looking that way, I noticed people gathered in front of our Regalia, drawn to it despite its simple appearance—it had a refined air about it.
‘I wonder if Baron likes it too?’
I found myself curious about Baron’s reaction.
“Baron, do you like ships?”
“Hmm, wouldn’t most children like ships?”
Baron answered my question with a question of his own, then squeezed my hand and broke into a bright smile.
“But I’m going to be on the ship anyway, so I like holding hands with you much better than the ship.”
‘Oh, what a sweetheart.’
With a child this lovely of mine, I couldn’t help but reach over and ruffle his hair.
“I love holding hands with Baron and going there too.”
“Hehe. Hug me.”
I wrapped Baron in a tight embrace and took his hand again. Though this wasn’t a leisurely excursion, my steps felt light, as if we were heading out on a cheerful picnic.
Raven, watching us both, rubbed his own arms with both hands and let out a sigh.
“Hailey, aren’t you indulging Baron’s whims a bit too much? He’s already attending the Academy now…”
“He’s still just a child, though.”
“Sister! Sister!”
Kyle came running up again.
“That’s your ship, isn’t it!”
At the spot Kyle pointed to so eagerly stood a small sailboat. It had that fresh, new appearance of something not long off the builder’s stocks.
Baron immediately chided him.
“Are you an idiot? That’s clearly a fishing boat.”
“But you said Aer was the domain next to this one.”
Kyle pouted and rolled up both his sleeves.
“Sister can sit and enjoy the sea breeze, and I and you and Raven can row hard.”
“Ugh. We can’t get there with that.”
With a sigh, Baron scanned the various vessels moored about, then pointed directly at the Regalia, which was drawing a crowd of onlookers.
“That one—that seems more fitting to sister’s station, doesn’t it?”
My goodness, he got it in one.
Kyle’s eyes widened in shock.
“That—that one? No, surely not.”
Kyle’s gaze turned toward me, so I gave him an affirming nod.
“Yes, that’s the one. Her name is the Regalia.”
“Whoa! Really? That’s really your ship? Really, truly, no joke?”
He seemed utterly unable to believe it.
I hadn’t expected to end up with a ship like that either, truth be told.
“Stop being so shocked and let’s go already.”
As we approached the Regalia, the murmurs of the crowd watching grew louder.
“I heard this ship has rare magic stones fitted for navigation?”
“Really?”
“Supposedly you don’t even need to row. It’s fast, and the entire crew is skilled in all manner of combat.”
“Good heavens, whose ship is this?”
“Word from the Manor is that some distinguished guest must be visiting.”
“The Lord ordered us to find out who the ship’s owner is, and that must be why.”
Ah, this isn’t good news. The Lord might come calling before long and make a nuisance of himself.
I’d have to think about how to handle him while we’re away.
“Welcome aboard, Captain.”
The Captain of the Regalia, who had been waiting by the gangway, recognized me and greeted me formally first.
I deliberately paid no attention to the stares converging on me all at once, and smiled brightly.
“Hello, Captain.”
I introduced the Captain to Baron, Raven, and Kyle, then introduced the three of them to the Captain in turn.
“This was rather sudden notice, but when do you think we could set sail?”
At my question, the Captain chuckled.
“We have no other business, and we’ve already made our preparations, so please come aboard whenever you’re ready.”

* * *

The ship sailed under the watchful eyes of many onlookers, and an excited Kyle’s chatter continued the whole way.
We docked safely at the Aer Domain Harbor.
The crew hauled out a sturdy-looking four-wheeled carriage from the ship and lowered it onto the dock.
I didn’t know until after arriving in Snoril that the ship also carried a carriage, cargo wagons, and several horses to pull them. Count Enox must have thoughtfully arranged this, knowing I lacked such conveyances.
Raven took the reins as coachman, and we headed toward Frediki Village.
The journey went smoothly until we reached the village entrance, where there was a brief commotion. Some men suddenly appeared and blocked our way, insisting on searching inside the carriage.
Raven told us to cover the windows with the curtains and not open them under any circumstances. It seemed he was worried they might catch sight of Kyle.
Then a bigger disturbance erupted.
From the constant sound of “Die!” echoing from outside until the area fell completely silent, it was clear that Raven had gotten into a fight with the men.
“Ahhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhh!”
“A—a monster!”
“Run!”
“It’s not human!”
The shouts twisted into terrified shrieks, then faded to silence just as quickly.
I was debating whether to pull back the curtain and look outside when Raven’s exasperated voice reached me.
“Really, calling a person a monster—that’s too much. Anyway, they’ve all fled.”
“Raven, are you hurt?”
“Of course not. We’re safe now, so I’ll get us moving.”
The carriage lurched into motion again.
I opened the rear window and peered out. The street was indeed deserted, but I spotted two swords lying abandoned on the ground—apparently left behind in the panic.
‘Well, they must have been terrified beyond all reason to abandon their weapons like that.’
Raven was evidently far stronger than I’d realized.
Raven navigated by asking locals for directions, and our destination turned out to be an old mansion that the Frediki Family had used as a country retreat whenever they visited this region.

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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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