This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 223

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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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Episode 223

Bloden laughed with a bright grin, saying he’d been startled thinking I hadn’t recognized him even though I’d changed, but the one who was truly flustered was me.
“But… I don’t think I have the right to inherit the legacy of the Kingdom of Meridon.”
“What are you talking about? You’re more than qualified. Besides, as you know yourself, you’re the only surviving member of the Meridian Royal Family.”
I couldn’t argue against Bloden’s confident words. It was true that there were no other royals alive besides me, just as he said.
Bloden and I climbed back to the surface. Once Camen restored the ground, Bloden withdrew a Notebook from his coat and handed it to me. “Actually, coming here first was partly to inform you about the legacy in the Royal Palace, but there’s something I need to tell you before that.”
“What is this?”
“To prevent any misunderstandings, there’s something I want to discuss regarding your Ability.”
As I opened the Notebook, I held my breath for a moment.
‘He’s translated the book on the Meridian Royal Ability.’
The contents were organized beautifully.
‘When I learned about the Ability, didn’t Bloden harbor certain expectations?’
Even if Bloden had managed the side effects of the Ilpein Imperial Ability in his own way, the power to command Commanders was essentially Mana, and the Meridian Royal Ability restored that Mana.
Although the cause remains unclear, Derivative Gates are sprouting up everywhere these days. Given that, Bloden might ask me to use my Ability for faster Mana recovery or suggest I attempt awakening.
‘I wish I could use my Ability for Bloden’s sake.’
I studied Bloden’s expression, feeling a pang of regret. His face was serious, as befitted such an important matter.
‘It’s better to speak honestly before he makes his request.’
Our eyes met then. When he moved his lips, I spoke first.
“Now that you know about the Meridian Royal Ability, I’ll be honest with you. I can’t use my Ability.”
Bloden’s eyes widened.
‘He must be disappointed, right?’
This much I couldn’t help. Now the only thing he could ask of me was to attempt awakening the Ability, and that alone made me tense.
But what came out of his mouth was something entirely unexpected.
“Hmm, it did seem like you were using the Ability without knowing it.”
“…Pardon?”
“Thanks to that, I’ve been helped quite a bit, actually.”
What was he saying?

After hearing Bloden’s full explanation, everything I’d found strange until now fell into place.
Bloden said that because of the side effects of his Ability, whenever he used too much Mana, he’d take on the form of a young child, but each time I made him food, his Mana would refill and he could return to his original appearance. He even said that the Commanders could recover their Mana or display greater strength by eating the food I prepared—it was truly astonishing.
‘So that’s why Camen and Heart ate the Nurungji so eagerly.’
In truth, I’d simply wanted to eat Korean food in this unfamiliar world while I was managing to sustain myself. It was the cuisine that suited my palate best.
‘I was using my Ability without even knowing it.’
I was relieved that it had been of great help to Bloden.
But if my Ability had been this useful, the tone of everything Bloden had said until now took on a different meaning.
‘Could it be that when he confessed his love and proposed, he mixed in the value of my Ability along with his heart?’
When I refused to marry him until the very end, perhaps he was trying to inform me of the situation and make a proposal instead.
That he would give me whatever I wanted in exchange for my continued use of the Ability-infused food.
I watched Bloden’s expression, caught between longing and wariness.
Just then, as if reading my thoughts, Bloden pressed his forehead and sighed.
“Ah, I suppose it does look like political calculation.”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s true that your Ability is necessary to me. But I already liked you before I knew about that power. I’m not in love with you because of that Ability. I wanted to make that clear today.”
Bloden’s conclusion was simple.
“So you don’t need to use your Ability.”
“Then wouldn’t Your Majesty return to being Baron again?”
“You grow back over time. If I’m too small, I can just live by your side until then.”
“……”
His cheeks flushed slightly as he spoke, embarrassed by his own words.
“Then call me Baron. Hold me, carry me on your back, and kiss me goodnight wishing me sweet dreams.”
‘Is he serious?’
I thought for a moment before asking carefully.
“What if I don’t cook anything? Wouldn’t that be hard on you?”
For just an instant, I thought I might see a flicker of disappointment. But instead, his face brightened and he smiled warmly.
“You’ve taken such good care of my meals all this time—now it’s my turn to look after you.”

“Pardon?”
“I’ll cook.”
“?”
“You’ve watched Nuna the whole time, haven’t you? I can manage simple cooking and grill meat properly now.”
‘The meat Bloden grilled for us at home back then was quite delicious, come to think of it.’
I was inwardly acknowledging his skill when Bloden added further.
“If it happens to not suit your taste, I’ll learn and make it for you anyway—so look forward to it.”
“You’re serious?”
“Of course. I stake my honor on it.”
Goodness, staking the Emperor’s honor no less.
Bloden’s declaration was startling, but the sincerity in his words reassured me, and I found myself smiling softly.
“I’m glad to see you smile, Nuna. My heart feels at ease now too.”
Bloden picked up the weathered flag I’d discovered earlier.
“As I said before, your legitimacy in succeeding Meridian is entirely sound. Meridian’s bloodline flows through you, and the Royal Ability has manifested in you as well.”
Bloden spread the flag out flat upon a stone slab, then plucked a wildflower and placed it atop. After a moment of silent reverence, he nodded softly.
“The kings of old would have welcomed you without hesitation.”

* * *

I awoke to the faint scent of flowers. It was morning.
As I rose, Camen—standing watch beside the door—pulled the bell rope as though waiting for exactly this moment, then withdrew.
The door opened, and four handmaidens entered.
“Did you sleep well?”
They bowed respectfully, their expressions dark and shadowed, yet they devoted themselves to preparing me, even draping me in a beautiful teal dress.
‘There’s no need to treat me with such care.’
After Bloden and I discussed our Abilities, we departed the ruins of Meridian, arriving at Kelite’s Royal Palace last night.
That was when I understood.
Bloden had not sent word to Kelite’s Royal Palace that we would be visiting.
It amounted to an unannounced intrusion.
Bloden emerged in haste and issued a command to the Crown Prince of Kelite, who was hurrying toward us and bowing—his manner exceedingly imperious.

‘Bring the Kelite Ability records. We’ve come knowing everything already.’

We hadn’t truly come knowing everything, but I sensed it instinctively from the way Stanley’s complexion froze over.
The Kelite Ability was likewise something too delicate to be known outside their walls.
Once Stanley regained his composure, he stammered that he knew little of such matters, claiming what he’d said before was all he could offer.
This brought back to mind the moment he’d given me the Magical Ring, muttering something about an apology.
‘He pressed a precious treasure into my hands and was endlessly courteous.’
Now I understood why.
‘That was when he found out who Baron was.’
Stanley suggested he would ask the King about the Ability in the morning, using my fatigue as pretext.

‘Would it not be well for Lady Hailey to rest thoroughly, given the journey’s toll?’

Bloden’s frightening demeanor dissolved in an instant, and so we spent the night, dawn arriving in its turn.
“You look truly beautiful.”
“Are you uncomfortable in any way?”
While I was briefly lost in thought recalling yesterday’s events, the preparations were complete.
Looking in the mirror, my hair had been twisted into a low, elegant knot with waves swept to one side. Dignified yet graceful, I was genuinely pleased with it.
“It’s comfortable. Thank you.”
Once I finished eating, one of the handmaidens spoke hesitantly.
“His Majesty awaits you in the Audience Chamber.”
‘What? Not the Crown Prince, but the King himself, all of a sudden?’
“His Majesty requested that you come once you’ve finished your meal, Your Highness.”
Following the handmaidens in bewilderment, I soon beheld an astonishing sight.
A gathering of people stood before an empty throne. At their head, beside Stanley, was a middle-aged couple wearing crowns.
For all appearances they were the royal couple, yet I couldn’t fathom why they stood there instead of sitting upon the throne.
At that moment, Stanley stepped forward abruptly.
“We have been waiting for you, Hailey.”

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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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