This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 205

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

Chapter 205

“Welcome, all of you.”
As we descended from the carriage, Lora greeted us, and her expression softened into a sad smile when she saw Kail.
“So you’re Kail? How you’ve grown.”
“Good day to you, madam.”
Kail bowed with quiet composure, and Lora lowered her head in turn, offering a sincere apology.
“I am truly sorry to you and your family, Kail. I……”
Kail raised a hand, cutting her off gently.
“Please don’t apologize, madam.”
“……Kail?”
“This wasn’t your fault. Nor was it my father’s. The past cannot be undone.”
His words were firm, his fists clenched at his sides.
“Ever since I read the newspaper that my sister brought me, I’ve been thinking about how to become a worthy lord. And after receiving her letter, I’ve been considering your proposal as well.”
This was the very thing I had written in my letter before it reached Kail.
Lora had proposed that Kail become her son.
Since Kail had not yet come of age and would face many difficulties managing everything alone, she had offered to help him through the formal arrangement of adoption.
Raven had cared for Kail until now, but she was not his legal guardian.
Learning what she could of Kail’s circumstances, Lora had decided to honor the promise she’d once made to Lord Frediki—that she would care for his household should anything happen to him.

My own imprisonment had prevented me from keeping that promise then. Now only Kail remained of the Frediki line, and I had a duty to protect the boy.

At precisely this moment, Count Enox had named Lora as his heir. In turn, she too needed to consider her own successor. And among her considerations, Kail had come to mind.
Up until now, unaware of these deeper currents, Kail had asked me hesitantly when we boarded the Regalia.

‘Sister, may I accept this proposal? Becoming the madam’s son would make me the young master of a count’s estate. It seems like too much for me.’
‘Whether the proposal is too much for you matters less than whether you want it. We have time—think it over carefully.’

At my reassurance, Kail nodded.
Throughout our journey on the Regalia and in the carriage, he spoke with me, Baron, and Kimarise, sorting through his thoughts. By now, it seemed, he had reached his decision.
Kail stepped to the side, surveying the gathered villagers.
“But before we discuss that, there seems to be something I must do first.”
“Something you must do first?”
“Yes. Haven’t they all come to welcome me? And I have things I wish to say as well.”
At Kail’s question, Lora glanced toward the villagers and nodded in acknowledgment.
“You’re right. They’ve all set aside their work to receive you.”
Facing the villagers, Kail fell silent for a moment, then glanced sideways at me. His face was resolute, yet uncertainty still flickered in his eyes.
I reached over and squeezed his shoulder once.
‘You can do this, Kail.’
Kail took a deep breath, closing his eyes slowly, then opening them again. When his gaze met mine, all hesitation had vanished.
As Kail turned to face the villagers with quiet dignity, an elderly man stepped forward, removed his hat, and bowed deeply. He was the Village Chief, who had long managed the village’s affairs in Lord Frediki’s stead.
“Lord Kail. Or rather—my respects to you, Lord.”
At his words, the villagers all bowed to Kail in greeting.
Kail looked slowly over the assembled crowd and spoke with steady calm.
“You have endured much hardship. I know this time has troubled your hearts after such calamity. But now that the Frediki family’s honor has been restored, I stand before you as the lord who will protect this village. Though I am not yet of age and shall require a regent’s guidance, I ask that you lend me your strength as we move forward to safeguard our home together.”
At Kail’s declaration, silence fell over the square, and my throat tightened.
This child—how much must he have agonized over what to say to these people, in the wake of learning that he must become lord upon the ruins of his own house’s near-destruction?
‘He’s younger than me, smaller in frame…’
Yet Kail no longer looked small. I could see it clearly—years hence, the proud figure of a great lord.
A moment later, soft sounds of weeping began to drift through the crowd. As I listened, I understood: the villagers were moved by the way Kail stood unmoved despite such hardship.
“Lord, if I may—would you permit us each to offer our greetings before we return to our duties?”
Kail nodded at the Village Chief’s request.
One by one, the villagers came forward, spoke their names, and bowed. Kail received each with a composed manner, exchanging greetings with them all.
.
.
.
Only after all the villagers save the Chief had finished and departed did Kail face Lora directly.
“I will look only forward. To how I might become a worthy lord, and how I might exact my revenge against Duke Utra in the manner most fitting.”
At the word revenge, Lora’s expression wavered for a moment. But in Kail’s eyes, as I observed them, I saw no anger remaining.
“So perhaps I won’t be the most devoted son to you. I intend to honor my parents’ sacrifice by rebuilding the Frediki Family to its former glory. I believe they would wish that for me too. And I know that your offer will give me tremendous strength to accomplish that task.”
It was all but acceptance.
“But I want to preserve the Frediki name. Just as you didn’t abandon the name Enox, I don’t wish to abandon Frediki. I must become Kail Frediki Enox.”
Kail looked up at Lora and asked hesitantly.
“Can I still become your son?”
“Oh, Kail.”
Lora covered her trembling lips with both hands, and Kail extended his hands toward her, eyes glistening with tears.
“If it’s acceptable, please hold me and call my name. But if that would be too difficult, you needn’t. I’ll try not to feel hurt.”
“Well spoken. Thank you. Kail Frediki Enox.”
Lora immediately pulled Kail into a tight embrace.
“In noble families, adoption—like marriage—allows one to keep the original family name, abandon it, or maintain both. You’re free to choose as you wish. So let’s restore both Frediki and Enox together, yes?”
As Lora buried her face against Kail’s shoulder, her expression was hidden. But her voice trembled with relief and quiet sobs.
And Kail, his face composed, raised his arms to hold her steady.
I found his composure and calm resolve admirable, yet inwardly I worried. The child seemed to suppress his emotions beneath a weight of duty and obligation far too early in life.
As Lora’s tears began to subside, Kail spoke with measured precision.
“Yes. Once the adoption is formalized, please tell me what duties I must undertake. I’ll do my very best.”
Lora nodded and rose, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. Only then did she notice the Village Chief standing nearby with an uncertain expression. With a gentle smile, she took a step back.
“You’ll need rest after your journey, and there’s much to discuss with the Chief about village matters. I’ll go prepare for the adoption proceedings. We’ll speak again soon.”
After parting with Kail, she turned her gaze to me. I could read what she meant to say in that look alone, and I smiled warmly in response.
“I’ll take good care of him.”
“You’ve done me a great kindness, repeatedly.”
“Please, don’t say that. I’m delighted that Kail has found a true family. I congratulate you on seeing your wish come true.”
Lora’s eyes curved gently in a smile.
“I’m truly grateful.”
She bowed to me once more and departed.
Kail remained standing in place until Lora was out of sight, then turned to address the Village Chief.
“Thank you for welcoming me. I’ll rest a little and return shortly. We’ll speak again in about an hour.”
“Of course, I’ll be here.”
Once the Chief had withdrawn, Kail looked toward me.
“Nuna.”
“…Yes?”
“Unlike the Duke, this lady seems like a good person. It would be strange to refuse her offer.”
“You’re right, it was quite extraordinary. An adoption as compensation—you don’t see that often.”
Baron was correct. As things stood now, Lora was the Count’s only child, and since she had no children of her own, Kail would become the heir to the Enox title.
Kail gripped the hem of my skirt tightly with both hands.
“That’s why I decided to accept it, but…”
The composure he’d shown moments before vanished. Now I could see Kail trembling slightly even as he spoke to me. His expression was troubled, his eyes brimming with tears that threatened to spill at any moment.
“What if I’ve made the wrong choice?”
“That’s not possible.”
Moved by his distress, I felt my own throat tighten. I quickly embraced Kail and patted his back gently.
As if he’d been waiting, Kail clung tightly to me, held his breath, then began to whimper softly. He seemed conscious of being watched, fearful that his emotions might break free where someone might see.
Baron, catching my eye, gestured toward the carriage with a glance.
“Kail, shall we rest for a moment with Nuna?”
I led Kail back into the carriage and sat beside him. It was just as I closed the door.
“Nuna. I’m actually scared. What if I accepted without understanding my place—if I made a mistake?”
Kail laid bare his anxieties and buried himself against me, tears streaming freely. My own eyes welled up in response, but I also felt a strange relief—finally, he was showing a response befitting a child rather than the little adult he’d been.
I held Kail’s shoulders and slowly stroked his hair.
“Listen, Kail. The Enox family seemed like truly good people. So it will all be fine. And if it ever becomes difficult, come to me anytime. No matter what name you carry, I’ll always welcome you.”

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