This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 234

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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 234

Ah, so Bloden’s lies weren’t finished yet.
“Honestly, Baron was a rare genius, wasn’t he?”
Kyle, having spoken thus, scratched his head with genuine regret.
“So even before graduating from the local academy, the academy teachers said that higher institutions had already taken notice and could recruit him, and that’s exactly what happened.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“Yes, but I never expected it to happen so quickly. I didn’t even get to say goodbye…….”
Then his eyes suddenly lit up.
“So I was thinking of visiting the Imperial Academy with Mother. Would that be alright?”
Just then Lora approached and placed a hand on Kyle’s shoulder with a laugh.
“You have no idea how much Kyle praises this boy Baron.”
“Praise?”
“He’s only eight years old, yet his swordsmanship is supposed to be that exceptional?”
At Lora’s words, Bloden’s face flushed.
“When taught one thing, he grasps a thousand—his mind is that sharp. Since he went to the Imperial Academy, it’s only a matter of time before he makes his debut in society.”
Now even Bloden’s ears had turned red.
“Oh, and I hear his appearance is quite remarkable too. As the saying goes, like sister, like brother.”
Cold sweat began to drip down Bloden’s forehead.
Oblivious to Bloden’s expression, Lora delivered the final blow with a delighted laugh, making Baron’s identity all the more impossible to reveal.
“And it’s not just Kyle’s word—even the Headmaster of Snoril Academy has said the same. So I made sure to inform the ladies of society that your younger brother is a prodigy of unparalleled brilliance. You should have seen how interested they all became…….”
…….
The House of Enox had just paved a very smooth path for Baron’s rise.
“Ha, thank you for speaking so kindly of Baron. Um, but Baron is currently…….”
Ta-da! The truth is he’s actually His Majesty the Emperor, who regressed in age from using too much Mana! ……That’s not something I can say, is it?
After all, Kyle isn’t the only one in this room.
And somehow, without my knowing it, Baron’s reputation had already spread throughout society itself. If I revealed his identity here, Bloden’s darkest secret would be made public across the entire Empire.
I observed Bloden’s reaction.
As if waiting for just this moment, when our eyes met, Bloden’s pupils trembled frantically. From his slightly gaping lips came a desperate plea for help.
‘Sister, sister! Please! Save me! Help me!’
That’s what you get for lying in the first place. One lie only begets another.
“Well, Baron is doing fine and staying healthy.”
I cleared my throat softly and answered Kyle with a smile.
“It’s just that he’s quite busy these days, so I’m afraid visits won’t be possible for a while.”
“Oh, what a shame.”
Kyle pouted and grumbled.
“Still, if even this little fellow is busy, how busy could he really be? I’m his older brother, after all. He may be talented, but his manners are terrible. Not even a single letter!”
“Ha, I’ll apologize on his behalf. And I’ll make sure to tell Baron that you came looking for him. So could you wait just a little longer?”
“Yes. I’d like to see him, but I can wait.”
Kyle nodded briskly and clenched his fists with determination.
“And there’s nothing for you to apologize for. I’ll just give him a proper flick on the forehead when we meet later.”
I smiled silently while carefully maintaining my expression, but sent Bloden a private message with my eyes.
‘Your Majesty, you’ll handle settling this karma yourself, yes?’

* * *

Throughout the festival, Bloden came to find me every day in disguise.
Some days in the afternoon, others in the evening.
Enjoying the festival daily with the handsome Bloden was quite delightful.
And now, having been specially invited to the Emperor’s Coming-of-age Ceremony, my heart was racing.
‘I never thought I’d see this moment with my own eyes.’
Moreover, my seat was in the front row reserved for the imperial family and foreign dignitaries—a spot with a clear view of the imperial throne itself.
According to Raven, I had been assigned to the foreign dignitaries’ section under the title of Princess of Meridian.
‘It’s not technically a lie, I suppose.’
Just as I nodded inwardly, the protocol officer approached and announced in a solemn tone.
“His Majesty the Emperor enters.”
As everyone rose from their seats, Bloden appeared beyond the wide-open doors.
He wore a black formal coat with gold trim, and a purple mantle draped across his broad, straight shoulders.
‘Wow, he’s so magnificent.’
He looked exactly as he had been described during the Coming-of-age Ceremony in the original work. But the sword he wore was different from the source material.
In such ceremonies, it was customary to wear a ceremonial blade. Yet this time, instead of a ceremonial sword, he had at his waist the very blade he’d wielded countless times while subjugating Gates. At the end of the hilt, the Dark Sapphire Ribbon I’d made for him fluttered softly in the breeze.
The moment I saw it, my heart soared.
Of course, I understood that his choice to wear his own sword wasn’t simply about displaying the gift I’d given him to the world.
He was demonstrating that the Empire’s national strength was his own power—a statement meant to ensure that no one would dare threaten his position.
Unlike the ease with which he’d laughed while wandering the festival, he now radiated an imperial majesty that no one dared approach. He had only just reached adulthood, yet no one could possibly call this young emperor a boy.
Presently, the Master of Court Ceremonies overseeing Imperial rites stepped forward and unfurled the proclamation of adulthood.
“By Imperial Law, I hereby proclaim that His Majesty the Emperor has reached his twentieth year and attained his majority on this day. Accordingly, the Regency System shall terminate as of today, and His Majesty shall henceforth personally oversee all affairs of state.”
The Regent’s seal was then sealed, and Bloden applied the Imperial Seal to the decree authorizing his personal rule.
Once all ceremonies were completed, all the domestic guests of Ilpein—save the foreign dignitaries—knelt before him.
“We swear to serve the governance of His Majesty the Emperor, the sole sun of Ilpein and eternal savior of our people, to dedicate ourselves to the Empire, and to pledge unwavering loyalty to the Imperial House!”
A moment of silence fell. In that stillness, our eyes met.
His eyes softened into a gentle curve, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. But he quickly hardened his expression and surveyed those who had sworn their loyalty to him with measured deliberation.
Bloden’s voice rang out solemnly through the quiet hall.
“I accept your loyalty. From this day forward, I shall personally decide all matters of the Empire, and I shall bear that responsibility alone.”

* * *

After the Coming-of-age Ceremony concluded, a brief recess was granted. The attendees returned to their assigned chambers to change clothes and refresh their appearance before the Masked Ball and the second banquet commenced.
‘The Masked Ball where I promised to dance a Waltz with Bloden is happening tonight, unbelievably.’
I too returned to my room and, after deliberating which gown to wear, decided on the Red Dress that Bloden had personally chosen for me at the dressmaker’s shop some time before.
‘He said it was specially made for me, after all.’
Though it felt overwhelming, I wanted to wear the dress he had specially selected, given that this was such a meaningful day for him.
After preparations were complete with the help of the Imperial Palace attendants, I emerged into the Ballroom to find everyone wearing identical half-masks—some white, some black. The Imperial Palace had provided them, and seeing that sight, I finally understood Bloden’s earlier remark that “knowing what dress someone wears keeps you from confusing your partner.”
Or so it would have been, before Bloden arrived.
‘As if a mask could hide him.’
No matter how well he wore the mask, the moment Bloden entered the hall, I recognized him instantly. Everyone else turned to look at him and instinctively stepped back to clear a path.
There was an aura unique to the Emperor that no mask could conceal.
Bloden swept his gaze across the hall once, then walked directly toward me as I stood mingled among the crowd.
‘I was so hidden among the others, he shouldn’t have been able to see me properly.’
As he reached me, Bloden’s mouth curved upward upon confirming that I wore the Red Dress. He extended his hand toward me, encased in a black evening glove.
“Beautiful lady, would you grant me the honor of dancing the first waltz of the evening with you?”
Only then did I properly examine his attire.
A form-fitting Black Evening Wear revealed his broad shoulders and elegant waistline. The collar and cuffs of the coat were embroidered with intricate patterns in fine gold thread, and a silver cravat wound about his neck was adorned with a deep violet gem.
The black half-mask covering half his face bore the same gold patterns. Yet rather than concealing his features, the mask only emphasized the prominence of his sharp nose and the clean line of his jaw.
The more I looked, the harder it became to breathe.
‘Isn’t this unfair?’
By day he appeared as an emperor no one dared approach; now he had transformed into a man so captivating that I didn’t know where to fix my gaze.
At that moment, Bloden extended his hand a bit further. Only then did I realize I’d been captivated by his appearance, lost in a daze. I smiled and took his hand.
“With pleasure, distinguished gentleman.”
The instant our hands met, the orchestra’s Waltz swelled through the hall, and the crowd retreated to open a wide space in the center of the Ballroom.
‘Right. Everyone here knows this man is the Emperor.’
In other words, I was now the one dancing the first Waltz with the Emperor, who had only just come of age.
All eyes fell upon us. For a moment, I wished I could hide away, but it was far too late.
Bloden, drawing my waist closer to him, spoke in his captivating voice near my ear.
“Look only at me.”
The moment passion gleamed from his red eyes beyond the half-mask, all my complicated thoughts evaporated like a lie.
My feet moved as though they were flying, keeping time with the music that filled the air.
Only Bloden’s face was visible; behind him, the world spinning in circles glittered and shimmered until it felt like I was dreaming.

* * *

As I danced the Waltz in that dreamy state, applause poured down around us. Somewhere along the way, the song had ended.
After finishing the Waltz, I tried to slip away toward the Terrace to escape the crowd’s gaze, but Bloden held my hand and followed. I didn’t pull away from his grip and made my way to the Terrace.
I could hear clusters of people behind us murmuring and gossiping, but I no longer had the will to mind it.
‘It’s customary at a Masked Ball not to seek out those who’ve retreated to the Terrace, so it should be fine. And we’re wearing masks besides.’
As I opened the Terrace doors and stepped outside, brilliant fireworks were bursting across the starlit night sky.
Without a word, we stood together, facing the breeze, and gazed at the spectacle for a moment.
Save for the fact that everyone’s attention had been on us moments before, it was a truly beautiful night.
In that instant, Bloden asked me something in his pleasing voice.
“May I kiss you?”

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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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