This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 261

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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 261

<Emperor spotted wearing matching bracelet with mysterious woman. Empress appointment imminent?>
“The woman at His Majesty’s side was truly beautiful. While attending to His Majesty, she pretended not to notice, yet taught me how to make bracelets—I thought my heart would burst from the thrill.” – Knot Bracelet Experience Operator
<Emperor dances with citizens of the Empire. Those who witnessed it could not contain their cheers.>
“We were warned to pretend not to notice His Majesty even if we saw him. I never expected him to actually appear, much less dance with us. Seeing him up close, he was so handsome and gracious, what can I say?” – Anonymous Witness

Good heavens! I’d thought no one would notice, yet everyone knew and was simply pretending not to see!
‘Had they all been playing this game of national hide-and-seek?’
My face burned so fiercely I couldn’t lift my head.
Come to think of it, even in a crowd where dark hair was common, there weren’t many as handsome as Bloden. Without even his crimson eyes, he was striking enough to make everyone turn and look.
‘Ugh. I’m an idiot!’
Both Bloden and I had been far too naive.
On the other hand, the more I read the articles, the more I wanted to laugh.
‘Bloden had been protecting people all this time so they could live freely. This time, the people protected Bloden’s freedom in return.’
“Oh, isn’t this Hailey?”
Just then, nearby shop owners approached and greeted me, each offering a word.
“My, what keeps you so busy these days? We hardly see your face.”
“Travelers keep asking when the rice cake skewer shop opens.”
“At the festival the other day, there wasn’t a single skewer to be had—what a shame.”
“When will you open the shop? Or are you not opening here anymore?”
“Won’t you do a special sale to commemorate the Northern Gate’s closure?”
“If you need extra hands, I’ll help right away.”
In their voices lay warmth alongside unspoken hope.
Not wanting to disappoint their expectations, I rolled up my sleeves and spoke with renewed determination.
“Snoril is where it all started, so of course we’ll operate. I’m counting on you all!”

* * *

I spent the entire morning gathering seafood and happily filled a large basket with conch shells.
Straightening my back and wiping away sweat, I breathed in the sea air deeply, then exhaled.
“Ready to head back?”
As if waiting for my word, Camen lifted me and the basket easily, beginning to head toward the house.
“Thank you, Camen.”
At my thanks, Camen’s sky-blue eyes crinkled as he smiled warmly.
I sat still and gazed up at the blue sky where white clouds drifted past.
‘It’s already been a month and a half since I came home with Kimarise.’
The gossip column I saw right after returning to Snoril contained some unexpected content that embarrassed me, but that feeling was short-lived. My name wasn’t mentioned in those articles, after all.
I had returned to my ordinary life.
I spent my days selling seafood I’d caught, fermenting sauce, making and selling rice cake skewers.
Business had gone remarkably well, as always, and I’d earned a considerable sum even in just a month and a half.
When I checked yesterday, the profits from the ventures I’d entrusted to others had grown substantially—I’d already accumulated enough wealth to live comfortably for the rest of my life.
Looking back on it all, I felt deeply moved.
‘When I first came to this world, all I hoped for was to earn enough money for immediate living expenses.’
Back then, survival was the only goal.
Once I met Baron, my target amount had grown.

‘I wanted to earn a lot and feed him delicious things, dress him in fine clothes. Even if not quite like a nobleman, I’d raise him without lack and send him to the Academy.’

‘Now I have plenty of money, but there’s no Baron to send to the Academy.’
Kyle was already of noble status, so there was no need for me to look after him.
‘Hmm. Perhaps I should help other children in need? Supporting the people of Meridian as they reclaim their land sounds worthwhile too. Well, then I’ll need to earn more money.’
As I thought, my heart grew warm.
‘Before possessing this body, I could barely manage myself. Heh.’
Then Camen, who had set down the basket and me in front of the house, headed straight toward the field.
Camen crouched down, methodically pulling out weeds, and his serene expression while concentrating so intently was so endearing that an involuntary smile spread across my face.
‘He seems to love that work.’
On the beach in front of the field, Heart had kindled a bonfire. A large cauldron hung over it, boiling beans, and Kimarise’s clones were pounding and kneading the cooked beans to make meju.
I’d personally fermented the sauce for the food to feed Bloden and the Commanders after returning to Snoril, so what the clones were making now was preparation for next year’s business.
‘Thanks to Kimarise’s clones, I should be able to sell quite a bit more next year.’
I smiled to myself, washed up, changed clothes, and made my way to Raven’s House. I needed to ask Kimarise about Bloden’s well-being.
Recently, Bloden had been buried in paperwork at the Imperial Palace, occupied with weighty matters. Though he hadn’t told me the specifics of what he was handling.
Still, he’d sent word of his condition through Kimarise without fail, and had asked about mine.
“Oh, how fortunate that you’ve arrived. Hailey.”
Kimarise greeted me the moment I knocked on the door.
Behind him, I could see Kimarise’s clones seated in a circle.
The clones had piled wisteria vines like a mountain at the center and were in the process of stripping the bark with small knives.
‘So that wisteria vine platform Raven once said she had no use for and was going to discard—it was actually Bloden’s thoughtfulness.’
Now they were constructing an additional large platform to produce more red chili paste.
Kimarise, who had brought tea shortly after, took a seat across from me at the table.
“My lord contacted me a moment ago.”
“Is that so? How is he spending his day?”
It was obvious he’d be busy again today. But then something unexpected came from Kimarise’s lips.
“He said he would come by today.”
“He will? Today?”
“We had expected him in a day or two, but fortunately the procedures concluded faster than anticipated, so he departed late last night.”
“So suddenly?”
“Isn’t that wonderful news?”
“Well, yes, it is…”
From what I knew, Bloden’s travel speed was beyond imagination. After all, Crockel’s speed was Bloden’s speed.
‘How long does it normally take Crockel to reach here?’
I felt an uneasy premonition creeping in.
“Do you know what time he’s expected to arrive?”
“Around two hours from now, perhaps?”
Good heavens! This was no time to be leisurely sipping tea!
Startled, I jumped from my seat.
“No, wait! Tell him not to come!”
“Pardon?”
“I look absolutely dreadful right now.”
“He says you needn’t worry. It’s only coming home, so you should remain as you are, he says.”
“Is he arriving as Baron?”
“That can hardly be the case.”
“Is he coming incognito?”
“Not this time. He’s bringing news you’ve been waiting for, he said.”
Kimarise broke into a bright smile.
“The Knight Order stationed here in Snoril is mobilizing, or so I’ve heard.”
“Oh no! Then it’s the Emperor’s official state visit!”
Once the Knight Order had departed, there was no stopping them.
I hurried inside, washed quickly, and changed into a pale green dress. Then, while tidying my appearance, I checked the calendar.
A month ago, the Marriage Annulment Law had gone into effect. And the first case for annulment review under that law was mine and Bloden’s marriage registration.
That must be the news I’d been waiting for.
It was then.
“Extra Edition! Extra Edition!”
From outside the house, I heard the ringing cry of a newspaper boy.
“The Extra just dropped and here it is! News that the traitors were executed four days ago!”
‘What?’
This was genuinely big news. I quickly grabbed a rice cake skewer and stepped outside. The boy who had been waving the newspaper at the fence broke into a wide grin when he saw me.
“I was waiting for you! Hailey!”
The boy thrust the newspaper into my hands and immediately snatched up the rice cake skewer before hurrying away.
“Extra Edition! Extra Edition! Former Regent Anna Beldenburo, once ruler of the Empire, now fallen to traitor—hear of her execution! Read all about it!”
I unfolded the newspaper.

FORMER REGENT ANNA BELDENBURO, WHO ONCE HELD DOMINION OVER THE EMPIRE, MET HER END AT LAST AS A TRAITOR.
The Imperial Court has found all charges of treason against former Regent Anna Beldenburo and the major nobles who participated in the rebellion to be substantiated, and has carried out their execution.
The Court determined that the attempted seizure of the Imperial Palace, the plotting of harm against the Emperor, collaboration with the witch Nelloa, the mobilization of military forces, and the attempted subversion of national order constituted grave acts of treason.
Anna Beldenburo, who led the rebellion, and Duke Roan were sentenced to beheading, including forfeiture of title and property, while former Byeongyeongbaek Outra and other conspirators were sentenced to hanging.

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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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