This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 37

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

Chapter 37

 

He didn’t even know the grace of being helped, and it was irritating that he was thinking of butting in when he had just rolled in here.

 

‘Hmph! I’m absolutely not giving up this spot!’

 

Baron snorted once and lay back down, wriggling into Hailey’s embrace. Then he closed his eyes.

 

‘I’m going to sleep!’

 

Calling Raven could wait until tomorrow. Besides, he had Kimarise summoned right now. He could deliver instructions to Raven anytime.

 

Then Hailey pulled Baron close in her sleep and hugged him tight. The foul smell disappeared instantly and only Hailey’s pleasant fragrance could be felt.

 

* * *

 

As soon as I opened my eyes, I started thinking about how to feed the children.

 

‘I used up all the ingredients at home last night.’

 

To feed thirty-three children including Baron, it seemed like I’d have to go out and gather some sea snails.

 

I’d also have to rely on the charity of Raven, Kimarise, and the other people at the port.

 

Anyway, even if they came, it would take some time. In the meantime, I had to do what I could.

 

‘First, I need to do something about this stench.’

 

I divided the children into four groups of eight and appointed the oldest child in each group as the group leader.

 

“Follow me.”

 

I led the children in a line to the stream behind the house. Then, in front of the children, I picked up stones to mark out a safe area and handed out the only bar of soap I had.

 

“Now, from here to here isn’t deep and it’s safe. Don’t take off your clothes, and while I’m away, stay only within this area. Wash everything from your head to your toes. Got it? Group leaders, please teach the younger ones how to wash properly.”

 

Luckily, the sunlight was good from early morning, so even if they washed with their clothes on, the moisture would dry quickly.

 

I wanted to scrub them clean myself and take off all their clothes to wash them. But since there was nothing to eat or wear right now, I had no choice.

 

The children nodded and entered the stream. The children who had been splashing and washing their hands and rubbing their faces soon started splashing water at each other and giggling.

 

Every time they splashed, dirty water mixed with the stream water and flowed away, which was pitiful to see, but seeing the children playing so energetically made me smile naturally.

 

Then I saw Baron standing to one side with his arms crossed.

 

“Baron, would you watch the kids for a bit while Nuna goes out for a moment?”

 

“I don’t want to watch kids. Where are you going?”

 

Baron’s tone didn’t sound very pleased. It seemed the suddenly encountered foul-smelling sleeping arrangement had indeed been uncomfortable.

 

“I’m going to catch some sea snails. We need to eat breakfast.”

 

“Sea snails? Enough to feed all those kids? There won’t even be enough space to grill them on the stove.”

 

Baron was right, so I nodded.

 

“Since we have a big pot, I’ll boil them in water. It won’t be enough, but at least they’ll get to eat something.”

 

“…Don’t tell me you’re going to shell all the sea snails for them like you did for me?”

 

“Well, probably. The kids would have trouble preparing them themselves. There are kids younger than you.”

 

“Your hands will reek of sea snails.”

 

“That can’t be helped. I can get some orange peels again and rub them to get rid of the smell quickly.”

 

Baron remained silent for a moment, rolling his eyes around. Then he carefully watched my expression.

 

“Nuna, are you planning to raise them too?”

 

“Come on, how could I do that? Look how many there are.”

 

“Except for Peter, they all seem to be orphans like me. Actually, the orphanage isn’t a decent place to send them, which is why I came here too.”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

I smiled bitterly and waved my hand.

 

“Those children are just temporary protection. It’s impossible for me to raise thirty-two children…”

 

Baron’s expression still looked displeased.

 

‘Could it be that he’s anxious the other children might settle in permanently?’

 

Although Baron was very smart, he was still too young to generously understand sharing his guardian’s attention and love with other children.

 

In other words, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for him to feel anxious.

 

“I’m not a charity worker. Honestly, raising just you is enough for me.”

 

At my careful words, Baron’s sulky expression cleared up remarkably.

 

“…Really?”

 

He must have been anxious after all. I patted Baron’s shoulder.

 

“When I asked you to watch the kids, it was just because it’s better to have at least one homeowner staying behind.”

 

“Homeowner. Ah…”

 

With a single exclamation as if he understood, Baron’s expression brightened. Baron straightened his back and shrugged his shoulders as if he had never been displeased.

 

“That’s right. The homeowner should be keeping guard. Don’t worry about here and have a good trip. I’ll keep a good eye on the guests.”

 

He looked so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“Thank you. I’ll be back then.”

 

* * *

 

Hailey headed toward the sea with a bright smile.

 

Baron watched Hailey’s retreating figure as she walked energetically despite probably not having fully recovered from yesterday’s fatigue, then soon sighed in relief, patting his chest.

 

Baron hadn’t actually thought Hailey would raise thirty-two children either.

 

Not only was it something Hailey herself couldn’t handle, but she would send them all away, whether through adoption or to facilities. So he knew he just had to endure for a day or two.

 

But as he had seen last night, the kids eyeing opportunities to snuggle into Hailey’s embrace were variables.

 

If Hailey, swayed by the children’s cuteness, decided to keep one or two of them, Baron wouldn’t be able to stop her.

 

So he had been secretly worried, but as if reading his mind, Hailey had refreshingly reassured Baron.

 

‘That’s right. I’m the only child Nuna is raising.’

 

Thinking about it again, Hailey’s eyes when looking at him and the other children had been different from the start.

 

‘Even without being connected by blood registration documents, to Nuna, only I am family.’

 

As Hailey said, since he was also a homeowner, he would do what he could.

 

Baron went to a place where the children couldn’t see him and called Camen.

 

“Nuna is going to catch sea snails. Be careful not to be seen while helping Nuna catch sea snails as comfortably as possible. But first, bring about ten sea snails here.”

 

Camen bowed politely with a hunched back and went back into the ground. Following Camen’s movement, small stones on the ground could be seen trembling.

 

Now Hailey would hit an unprecedented sea snail jackpot.

 

After giving his instructions, Baron lit a campfire in the sand pit in front of the house, hung a large pot, and filled it with water.

 

Soon ten sea snails came rolling along.

 

Baron washed the sea snails, put them in the pot, and went to the stream.

 

The children who had washed from head to toe were now all taking off their outer clothes and wringing out the water.

 

Baron took the clothes that the youngest girl was struggling to wring out, squeezed the water out firmly, and shook them vigorously.

 

Pop!

 

With a refreshing sound, the remaining moisture in the child’s clothes flew into the air.

 

Even if damp, it wasn’t unwearable. With the good sunlight, it would dry quickly. Since they weren’t properly washed, they’d still smell a bit, but it would be better than last night.

 

The young children who had been struggling to wring out their clothes saw this and flocked to Baron.

 

“Big brother, can you do mine too?”

 

“Oppa, me too.”

 

Baron sighed softly.

 

I’ve never even wrung out my own clothes, and now I have to wring out these little ones’ clothes.

 

“These weak little things.”

 

Even as he said this, Baron obediently squeezed out the clothes the children handed him and shook them out with popping sounds.

 

Pop! Pop! Pop!

 

Each time he shook the clothes, a refreshing sound came with a breeze, making the children burst into giggles.

 

Pop!

 

Then he heard the refreshing sound of clothes being shaken nearby. Since it wasn’t a sound he had made, Baron’s gaze naturally turned.

 

The moment he met those unwelcome deep orange eyes, Baron’s brow furrowed slightly.

 

It was the kid who had been eyeing Baron’s sleeping spot yesterday.

 

“You look like a young master, but you’re surprisingly strong?”

 

What is this little bean saying?

 

“I’m Kail. Kail Frediky.”

 

“Frediky?”

 

Baron doubted his ears. An orphan with a surname?

 

That meant he was a descendant of an Extinct Family.

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