This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 23

“…What?”

Raven looked flustered. Baron opened his eyes wide and spoke clearly.

“If you’re going to do something like that again, your identity needs to be verified.”

Come to think of it, there were obstacles.

“Identity verification for Royal Court transactions is very strict. They’ll probably come to investigate directly, right? Nuna will become very tired and busy.”

Baron’s voice had an edge to it. It seemed he really didn’t like Raven’s suggestion.

‘Oh no. Look at me losing my mind.’

Only then did I remember that I had forgotten an important fact.

Baron’s Family was destroyed by the Royal Court!

Feeling like I was breaking out in a cold sweat, I forced myself to smile.

“Thank you so much for your concern. But actually, nurungji and sungnyung are really simple to make.”

Making money is important, but I can’t drive a nail into my child’s heart. So let’s pretend this conversation never happened.

“It’s really so simple that supplying it to the Royal Court would be a bit much.”

We will absolutely never be connected to the Royal Court.

“Besides, our Baron said he wants to be the ‘only’ one to eat it.”

What a cute little greedy thing.

I couldn’t help myself and patted Baron’s head.

Hehe, Baron is so cute.

Baron, who saw my expression, smiled as if he had never been serious.

“Well, but if there’s someone Nuna wants to give it to, that’s okay.”

As expected, he just disliked the Royal Court.

Raven, who seemed at a loss for words at my response and was clicking his tongue, soon chuckled and readily backed down.

“I didn’t mean to burden you. It tasted so good that I was being short-sighted.”

“Not at all. I’m just grateful for your good intentions.”

The conversation had clearly ended, but a moment of silence followed.

‘It would be better to change the subject.’

After quietly taking a deep breath, I sipped some sungnyung while thinking about what to talk about.

“Oh, there’s something I saw for the first time while foraging here.”

“Something you saw for the first time?”

“It’s a fist-sized oval hole with a dark blue light swirling around it. When I dug it, it got bigger and the light around it grew to match the size of the hole.”

“…What?”

“I tried digging, but seawater that had pooled nearby filled it up, making it hard to see what it was. Still, I was curious about what kind of creature would live there to make that shape.”

“From your description, I can’t be certain, but as far as I know, that’s…”

Raven’s expression became serious.

Baron jumped up.

“Nuna! Where did you see that?”

“Huh?”

Baron’s expression also looked unusual, making me anxious.

“Is that, is that dangerous?”

An answer came to mind at the same time.

“Don’t tell me! Is it a Sea Slimes hole?”

At my words, Raven and Baron looked at each other, gulped, and nodded simultaneously.

“From what you’re describing, it sounds like it.”

“Gasp!”

Startled, I clutched my chest. Thank goodness I didn’t stick my hand in!

“We’d need to see it directly to be sure. Can you find it again?”

“Hmm, the location isn’t difficult, but I’m not sure about the exact spot?”

Tilting my head, I came to my own conclusion.

“Besides, the tide would have come in by now.”

It’s a rocky field everywhere, and it was even covered by seawater.

“It’s in the rocky field if you go straight to the left, but right now the waves would have swept away stones and dirt, making it hard to find the exact location.”

Just then, there was a small commotion outside. From the sound of someone calling out in a deep voice, it seemed lunch break was over and construction was about to begin.

“I had a wonderful lunch.”

Raven stood up from his seat with a very satisfied expression.

“It’s been so long since I’ve had such an enjoyable and delicious meal. Your cooking skills are truly excellent. If I could, I’d like to give you something in return and have lunch together every day.”

Something in return? A part-time job I could do at home?

I was getting interested when Baron became serious.

“No. Nuna will get tired.”

“…Excuse me?”

Baron, who stood in front of me, glared at the bewildered Raven and declared firmly.

“Nuna will only eat lunch with me. Even if you offer a fortune, you can’t, so drop your ulterior motives. Rejected.”

“Agh, Baron!”

I was listening contentedly when I was startled and covered Baron’s mouth with both hands.

Calling an adult “you”! Ulterior motives! And using such a commanding tone!

“It’s very rude to speak to an adult like that. Raven is an invited guest!”

I quickly apologized to Raven.

“I’m sorry! I’m fine with anytime!”

“Agh! What are you saying!”

Baron, who was horrified, pushed my hands away and got angry.

“No! Nuna! Choose. Is it me or Raven?”

“…Huh?”

It was a completely unexpected, utterly ridiculous choice. I was momentarily dazed, wondering what he was talking about, when Baron’s eyes grew wide.

“It’s me, right? You’re not going to kick me out and eat lunch with Raven every day, are you?”

“…”

“Is it because Raven is tall and handsome and an adult?”

He looked clearly anxious. His voice was even trembling at the end.

“Phew, I must be crazy.”

Putting my hand to my forehead, I took a deep breath and asked Raven to wait a moment.

“Baron, I would never send you away.”

Relief flashed in Baron’s violet eyes.

“Then it’s me?”

“…Huh?”

“I’m better than Raven, right? Right?”

He even giggled with a bright face as if he had never been angry.

This immature kid.

What’s even more ridiculous is that despite acting so unreasonably, I still find Baron cute.

I’m really weak to handsome faces.

“Yes, yes.”

I pulled a chair close to face the wall. Then I sat the bewildered Baron in the chair.

“Now, Baron. Let’s not forget. Nuna really loves you.”

Baron’s ears perked up.

“Huh? Nuna, you even love me?”

“Of course. That’s why Nuna needs to discipline our Baron when necessary so he grows up well. Baron needs to follow Nuna’s discipline, okay?”

I hugged Baron once and then placed my hands on his small shoulders. Then I smiled sweetly and said firmly.

“This is the thinking chair. Look at the wall calmly, think about what you did wrong, and then let’s talk with Nuna.”

“Huh? What did I do wrong…!”

Baron couldn’t say more. I had raised my index finger and firmly pressed it against his small lips.

“Shh. Stay silent until Nuna says you can speak.”

“….”

When I met his gaze directly and smiled brightly, Baron’s face turned red and he nodded with a sigh.

“Ah, I have no choice.”

Baron’s eyebrows drooped sullenly. His mouth also jutted out like a duckling’s beak, clearly showing his reluctance.

But Baron sat up straight and looked at the wall.

It was practically an agreement to follow my discipline.

Thanks to that, I felt relieved.

I had worried about what to do if he threw a tantrum asking why he had to do this.

I turned to look at Raven who was standing. Raven, red to the tips of his ears, was trembling at the shoulders while covering his mouth with his hand.

“I’m sorry. Our Baron is still young, so there’s still a lot he doesn’t know.”

Raven closed his eyes and just nodded. At the same time, he pressed his mouth covered by his hand several times as if holding something back.

After waiting a moment, Raven took a deep breath to compose himself and spoke calmly.

“I understand. It’s my fault for making the suggestion hastily without considering Baron-nim’s feelings.”

Raven blamed himself again. I couldn’t sense any displeasure in his expression at all. Rather, he seemed to be in a refreshed mood.

“I’ll ask for the meal that Hailey-nim prepares when Baron-nim gives permission.”

Then, as if a good idea occurred to him, he looked at Baron and made a different suggestion.

“Baron-nim, how about I prepare delicious lunch every day? Then Hailey-nim wouldn’t have to struggle with meal preparation either, would she?”

I waved my hands in surprise.

“What? That’s absurd!”

At the same time, Baron, who had been only looking at the wall, flinched and turned his head.

“Nuna, I’m done thinking. Can I speak now?”

It hadn’t even been 5 minutes since I made him sit.

I shouldn’t soften my heart during discipline, but when I met those sparkling, innocent eyes, I couldn’t win.

“You’re done thinking?”

“I’ll try not to say rude things.”

It was a clear conclusion.

“Good, come here.”

Baron got down from the chair, ran over with quick steps, stood next to me, and looked at Raven.

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