This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 24

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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 24

“Twice a week. As long as you prepare it with proper dignity.”

I was startled.

Good heavens, once would be enough as a courtesy.

And what did he mean by “with proper dignity”? Just what level of dignity was he talking about?

It seemed like the conditions Baron was mentioning would cost quite a bit.

Wasn’t he being a bit too generous?

But Raven answered happily as if he didn’t mind at all.

“I’m delighted you’ve given permission. I’ll prepare the finest course.”

“Not this week, but starting next week.”

“Understood.”

I quickly stepped in.

“Well, I appreciate the thought, but a full course is a bit much… Just a piece of bread would be enough.”

“Please don’t feel burdened. It was such an enjoyable and wonderful time beyond imagination that I really want to repay you.”

Raven politely tried to persuade me.

“I do hope you’ll accept my goodwill.”

“Uh, but a course meal costs a lot of money. I can’t cause you such trouble…”

“Then how about a trade?”

“A… trade?”

“If I prepare and bring lunch, Miss Hailey could share some of your harvest and write down a recipe using those ingredients.”

“…”

“Would it be troublesome if the recipe became known?”

“Oh, not at all. Absolutely not. If you want, you could even open a restaurant with that recipe.”

“How generous of you.”

“Not at all.”

As long as it’s not a burden, I’d also like to eat home-cooked meals made by someone else occasionally.

“Then how about this trade: Miss Hailey gives me ingredients and your unique recipes, and I show you the culinary culture of the Ilpein Empire?”

‘The Empire’s culinary culture?’

I was secretly hooked in that moment.

The culinary culture of an empire from a romance fantasy novel. Wasn’t this an irresistible temptation for a reader?

Since I had the misfortune of being reincarnated as a pauper, I might never get to experience upper-class food culture in my lifetime.

My wavering heart ultimately couldn’t overcome my curiosity.

“Well, wouldn’t the ingredients for the Empire’s culinary culture be very expensive?”

“However expensive it might be, could it be more valuable than the rarity of Miss Hailey’s recipes?”

“Uh…”

When he put it that way, it became even more tempting.

After all, it seemed like I was the only one who knew Korean recipes, right? I even told Mr. Raven he could open a restaurant with them.

Hmm, at this point, it should be okay to be a bit shameless.

“Then, I’ll shamelessly accept your generous offer.”

“I’m delighted. I’ll do my best to make it an enjoyable experience for you.”

Raven, wearing a bright smile, politely bid farewell to Baron and me before leaving the cottage.

Not long after, small pattering sounds began outside, and fairly thick raindrops started pouring down.

* * *

“I’m going out, Baron.”

“Okay. Nuna, be careful and come back safely.”

“Let’s go, Serch. We’re going to catch everything today! Ugh, I’ve been going crazy from being cooped up.”

The rain had finally stopped, the water color would be good today, there were many pretty stars in the sky.

Hailey’s expression was very bright as she chattered away to Serch while heading to the night sea during low tide.

Standing by the bonfire lit on the sandy beach, Baron—no, Bloden—watched Hailey’s retreating figure until it became distant, and his eye color changed to red.

“Black Libia.”

The ghost raven that appeared instantly spread its smoky wings and paid respects to its master.

“Tell Raven to come here right now, within 5 minutes.”

-Black Libia. Raven. Go. His Majesty’s command. Convey.

Black Libia, transformed into a shadow, quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Bloden, gazing into the void, recalled the past few days.

.

.

.

It had started raining around the time Raven, who had been invited for lunch, finished his meal and was about to return.

The rainfall gradually intensified, and it continued for several days, stopping and starting repeatedly.

Because it always rained or fog rolled in precisely when it was time to go foraging in the sea, Hailey spent her time organizing inside the house or tending to her garden during brief breaks in the rain.

During this time, the ceiling began to leak. At first, Hailey caught the dripping rainwater in a foraging bucket.

But as time passed, more places began to leak.

Basins, gourds, pots, water containers, salad bowls. Eventually, she even brought soup bowls to catch the rainwater.

Drip, drip-drip, tap-tap.

Trickle, trickle-trickle.

Plink, plink, plink.

The various containers made different sounds depending on their material and size.

Baron was astounded watching this spectacle.

The Northern Gate, where all sorts of magical beasts ran wild. Even the barracks there weren’t in such a state.

Just how terrible had this house been, and how had Hailey been living in this place?

He realized at the same time.

That poverty could be this inconvenient.

Should I use my power?

Baron seriously contemplated while listening to the rain.

If he properly commanded Camen, he could demolish this cottage in a day and build a stone structure.

But then Hailey would inevitably catch the attention of the Royal Court.

Baron didn’t want Hailey to catch the eye of Anna, the regent.

That’s why he opposed the proposal to supply nurungji and sungnyung to the Royal Court. Even though he knew they could charge several times the cost price.

‘Come to think of it, I interfered with her money-making opportunity. But she’s not angry?’

He found it newly curious.

In such poverty, every penny would be precious, yet why didn’t she seem to regret the lost opportunity that had been ruined by a child’s tantrum?

Moreover, Hailey didn’t seem poor. Despite clearly being impoverished, her attitude was relaxed and confident.

Was it thanks to her natural beauty?

Thinking this way led to more questions.

Hadn’t there really been anyone who offered Hailey money to win her heart? If Hailey had accepted all such offers from others, would she be living like this now?

The interior of the house looked different to him now.

‘Hailey has the personality to draw lines when others’ goodwill exceeds her own standards, even if they call it kindness. That’s probably why the house is in this condition.’

It seemed like openly displaying wealth wouldn’t work.

‘Subtly. It would be better to naturally make her life more comfortable.’

The moment Baron made up his mind, Hailey began humming while watching the raindrops falling into the bowls.

‘No way, she’s singing in this situation?’

Sensing his bewildered gaze, Hailey smiled brightly.

‘Baron, can you hear it too?’

‘Huh? Hear what?’

‘The sounds of raindrops falling into the bowls are all different, so it’s like music, isn’t it?’

Hailey lifted her head toward the ceiling and closed her eyes.

‘Listen, there’s a subtle sense of rhythm, right? It’s like nature is giving us the gift of music.’

The corners of Hailey’s mouth curved up gently. From that expression of hers, Baron read happiness.

‘Nuna. Are you happy right now by any chance?’

With rainwater dripping enough to require mobilizing every bowl, she was genuinely happy?

Baron had no choice but to ask her.

Hailey immediately nodded at his question.

‘Yeah.’

‘Even though the rain is leaking like this?’

‘Honestly, I was flustered at first, but looking at it now, it’s atmospheric and nice, you know.’

‘To find atmosphere in a situation like this… Nuna, you’re incredibly positive.’

‘Am I? Haha.’

‘It’s amazing. How can you be happy?’

‘What’s so amazing about it.’

Hailey gently stroked Baron’s hair.

‘Look, at least here there’s no one trying to drag me into a quagmire.’

‘…Quagmire?’

‘Yeah. Like getting completely drunk and smashing household items, or dumping gambling debts on me.’

Hailey swept her gaze around the cottage where rainwater was dripping.

‘Honestly, the current state of the house is like this, but I can gradually fix it by working. And most importantly.’

Taking a light deep breath, Hailey answered with a bright face.

‘You’re here.’

.

.

.

Recalling that scene again, Bloden smiled without realizing it.

“Nuna was right. At least here there’s no one trying to drag me into a quagmire. And I can be happy because I’m with someone I like.”

No matter how many times he thought about it, a house with a leaking roof couldn’t be good. But because he was with Hailey, it was somehow okay.

Though he had no intention of continuing to watch the rain leak.

“Camen.”

As soon as the command was given, a rock emerged from the ground.

“The house was leaking rain. If there were holes in the ceiling, you should have filled them on your own.”

Bloden’s red eyes flashed.

“Won’t you do the repairs properly?”

At his master’s rebuke, Camen fidgeted restlessly before bowing and entering the ground.

Soon the roof began to shake.

Now when it rained, Hailey might be a bit puzzled, but there would be no more watching dripping water indoors.

Just then, he sensed someone’s presence.

“Lord Raven, I came running after hearing Black Libia’s message.”

“Oh. First, isn’t there something you should do voluntarily?”

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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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