This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 42

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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 42

 

“But you know what, Baron.”

 

I cupped Baron’s face with both hands.

 

His cheeks felt like soft rice cakes against my palms, plump and incredibly tender.

 

I lifted Baron’s head to meet his gaze and rubbed both his cheeks firmly.

 

“To this Nuna, Baron is the most handsome, you know?”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Baron’s purple eyes began to shake wildly.

 

“Our Baron is the cuuuutest in the world! Handsome! Cool!”

 

“Ugh, eek!”

 

Baron’s face turned even redder.

 

“Aww, our Baron.”

 

“Pfft!”

 

Raven, who had been watching from the side, burst into laughter. Finding something so amusing, Raven covered his mouth and lowered his head, shoulders shaking for quite a while.

 

When he noticed me staring at him, he wiped the tears from his eyes and spoke.

 

“You know more than I expected. Your reasoning is good too. That’s correct. The regent handles everything except matters related to magical beasts.”

 

After continuing various conversations, our teacups had emptied when

 

Linda knocked on the door again from outside.

 

“Duke Dillen? The status investigation is complete.”

 

She entered the house and reported her investigation findings to Raven.

 

“Three of them gave their parents’ names. They’re children who were kidnapped from other regions, so we should contact those domains.”

 

All the rest were orphans, she said.

 

“But I discovered something unusual about one of them.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“He’s an orphan but says he’s from the Prediki Family. I was confused, so I listened to his story for a bit.”

 

Raven’s brow furrowed.

 

“You mean a child from an extinct family?”

 

“Yes. But we recently received an official document from Duke Utra regarding this matter.”

 

Linda couldn’t hide her troubled expression as she looked around at us, then quickly whispered to Raven before immediately turning her gaze outward to watch the surroundings.

 

“The child seems completely unaware of how serious the situation is. It’s a matter that should be reported to the lord, but…”

 

Linda trailed off, revealing her dilemma.

 

“I don’t know what to do about this.”

 

Raven frowned for a moment, then let out a small sigh.

 

“Let me think about it for a moment. Please guard the front door so the Prediki Family child doesn’t come near here.”

 

Linda nodded and went outside.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

At Baron’s question, Raven sighed.

 

“Duke Utra has apparently put a bounty on the child.”

 

“A bounty?”

 

“It was quite the scandal about two years ago. Duke Utra’s wife had an affair with a close knight…”

 

“Eek!”

 

Raven’s words cut off at my shocked reaction. Hey, there’s a child listening!

 

I quickly gestured toward Baron with my eyes, and Raven’s lips curved up as if amused.

 

“Well, they were caught in the act. There were many witnesses, so the incident couldn’t be buried.”

 

Enraged by the humiliation, Duke Utra executed Sir Prediki who had played around with his wife, and confiscated his property. According to Raven, not satisfied with that, he tried to massacre the entire family, but the one son had already disappeared somewhere.

 

“I thought it ended there, but apparently he’s been quietly searching. Recently, he put a bounty on the child’s head and sent official documents throughout the Empire.”

 

Raven clicked his tongue while brewing more tea.

 

“But the child says the family was destroyed because of false accusations, and that the injustice will be cleared up with time. Even if there’s a bounty, he’s just a young child, isn’t he?”

 

Linda was troubled because reporting this would mean the child’s death.

 

Fresh cups of tea were placed before us again.

 

“Both the orphans and the Prediki Family child… I wonder what would be best.”

 

He trailed off while subtly looking at Baron. As if hoping Baron and I would offer our opinions.

 

But no matter how much I thought about it, it was troubling.

 

With so many children, sending them to an orphanage was the right choice. But based on what we’d just heard, we couldn’t feel safe about any orphanage.

 

“Isn’t there any region where we could send them with peace of mind?”

 

At my question, Baron opened his mouth with a calm expression.

 

“The orphanage in Snorril Domain isn’t a place for children to live. But the capital would be somewhat different, wouldn’t it?”

 

The capital?

 

“Ah, that’s right.”

 

Raven’s expression brightened.

 

“The capital is directly under the Emperor, so that would be better. It’ll take some travel time, but we could send them by ship.”

 

“That would be much shorter than waiting to escape abuse at an orphanage. And Kyle is…”

 

Baron’s brow furrowed. After pondering for a while, he eventually shook his head.

 

“Even sending him to the capital orphanage won’t help if he’s discovered. Anna Roan, Duchess Beldenburo has a close relationship with Duke Utra.”

 

Wow, Baron’s words made me click my tongue in amazement.

 

Even at such a young age, his parents had made him memorize the genealogy and characteristics of nobles.

 

Early education is scary.

 

“True, if she hears the name, she’d eagerly hand the child over. So whether we leave him here or send him to the capital, he’ll die…”

 

Raven tilted his head, then raised a question I couldn’t even imagine.

 

“But do we really have to keep him alive?”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“Children from extinct families shouldn’t be left alive no matter how young they are, that’s the proper way…”

 

My hair stood on end instantly.

 

“Eek! Shut your mouth!”

 

Crash! Clang!

 

The table shook and teacups fell to the floor, shattering loudly. I had urgently stood up and covered Raven’s mouth with both hands.

 

But it was already too late. Baron had heard more than enough to understand completely.

 

Raven’s eyes widened. He looked truly bewildered, which made my anger flare.

 

“What crime has the child committed! Even if that’s how the world works, you should never say such things! Raven, I’m really disappointed!”

 

“What?”

 

Startled, Raven looked confused. He seemed genuinely bewildered too.

 

But I was frantically worried about Baron.

 

Good heavens, how must Baron feel hearing such horrible words about how he shouldn’t be kept alive, said right to his face.

 

My heart was pounding and my hands were trembling. Dizziness washed over me, but I endured it and grabbed Raven’s arm.

 

“I’m truly sorry for breaking your precious teacup. Even if it takes time, I’ll compensate you for it.”

 

When I pulled his arm, Raven stood up obediently.

 

“Rescuing the children together from the kidnappers’ hands seems like truly meaningful work. I’m also very grateful that you’re supporting the children in every way and thinking about where they should go.”

 

I pushed Raven’s back, sending him outside the house.

 

“Huh? Am I being kicked out?”

 

“You understand well.”

 

I looked at Kimarise, who was still sitting at the table. At my glance, Kimarise obediently stood up and came outside.

 

“It’s nice that you’re quick to catch on.”

 

I nodded to him in greeting and called loudly for Kyle.

 

“Kyle! Come here!”

 

Kyle, who had been playing among the children, came running.

 

“Nuna, what is it?”

 

“Come inside.”

 

Kyle looked puzzled but obediently entered the house.

 

I forced a smile as I looked at Raven, Kimarise, and Linda.

 

“Let’s keep quiet about related matters until we have an appropriate answer. I’m too shocked right now to continue this conversation. I’ll think about the rest and we can talk later. That’s all for today, goodbye!”

 

I bowed politely and closed the door, locking it. Then I hugged Baron, who was looking up at me with a startled expression.

 

“Were you very surprised? Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

“Ha, Raven. I thought you were polite and a good person, but you’ve disappointed me in an unexpected way. It seems it’ll be difficult to get along as good neighbors.”

 

Kyle looked back and forth between me and Baron with a bewildered expression, then soon let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Ah. I figured it was that.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Nuna at the Government Office can’t manage her expressions.”

 

Kyle trudged over and picked up a macaron that had fallen on the floor, brushing off the dust.

 

“Seeing that he brought something like this, that ajusshi must be a noble. Hmm. Even though it’s a bit dirty, maybe it’s because I haven’t had one in a while, but it’s delicious.”

 

Kyle casually popped the macaron into his mouth and chewed, then picked up and finished eating the remaining financier before letting out a deep sigh through his nose.

 

“I’m… wanted, aren’t I?”

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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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