This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 48

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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 48

It was too late to regret it now.

“It seems Princess Kelite’s visit has influenced the Lord’s decision. And according to recent information…”

Baron’s mood sank as he listened to Raven’s report.

‘The Regent’s intelligence network might be more exceptional than I imagined.’

The person Duchess Beldenburo had summoned to the Imperial Palace was none other than Nelloa, and she had entered the palace the day after Raven left. And now Nelloa had appeared here.

Both Raven and Nelloa knew each other’s names, but their paths had crossed without either being able to identify the other’s face.

It was fortunate that Raven had received the situation report from Kimarise; otherwise, it would have been difficult to manage his expression when he saw Nelloa sitting alongside the Lord at the manor today.

“Only you and the spirits know that I’m here. Have you figured out Princess Kelite’s real purpose for visiting this region?”

“She said she was broadening her horizons. She probably doesn’t know about Your Majesty’s presence, though.”

Raven tilted his head.

“Just in case, it would be best not to let our guard down.”

Baron nodded.

* * *

Raven, Kimarise, Baron, and me.

The orphanage we revisited as a group of four, following the Lord’s instructions, was still as run-down as before. The only differences from before were that there were no children in the vegetable garden and the lock at the entrance had been opened.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I am the director of Snoril Orphanage, where I care for children with love.”

The director who welcomed us as if he were the most benevolent person in the world was a face I had seen before over the wall.

He was the very same man who had hurled abusive language at the children, calling them parasites who only wasted food instead of showing them any love.

“The Lord will arrive shortly. In the meantime, I’d like to give you a tour of the facility.”

We toured the first floor of the orphanage while listening to the director’s explanations as he rubbed his hands together obsequiously.

The first floor had the principal’s office, classrooms, kitchen, and dining hall. At the very end of the corridor was a room where children under two years old stayed, and girls who appeared to be in their early teens were taking care of the babies.

He explained that children who weren’t sponsored or adopted would care for young babies when they turned thirteen, and at fifteen they would start doing odd jobs in the village to contribute to the orphanage’s finances.

“Aren’t they not supposed to do such work until they become independent at twenty?”

The director broke into a cold sweat as he answered Kimarise’s question.

“That’s the rule, but this orphanage receives particularly little sponsorship.”

He said that if they followed the regulations, everyone would starve to death, so the children had no choice but to lend a hand.

“If this orphanage received more sponsorship from charitable people, the children would be much more comfortable.”

In the end, he was asking for donations.

“We’ll consider it.”

The director’s expression brightened at Raven’s response as he continued rubbing his hands together.

Meanwhile, my mood grew increasingly heavy as I toured the orphanage with Baron behind the others.

‘The internal facilities are in such a mess that they’re almost as bad as our house. At this level, it seems like there’s virtually no sponsorship at all.’

Just then, Baron tugged at my hand and whispered slyly.

“Nuna, looking at the inside, our house is much better.”

“Huh? Well, it is now.”

“No, I mean from the beginning.”

When I tilted my head at this incomprehensible statement, Baron giggled and whispered.

“At least our house doesn’t have that director.”

“Pfft!”

I burst into a short laugh and quickly covered my mouth with my hand because the director had turned to look at us.

The director, who raised one eyebrow slightly and didn’t hide his displeasure, focused his attention back on dealing with Raven.

“Shall we look at the second floor now?”

Just then, the wind chime attached to the first floor entrance rang. Looking back, I saw an obese middle-aged man who had just entered with a young man who appeared to be his aide and a woman with beautiful orange hair—that is, Nelloa.

‘Wow, I’m finally going to see the female lead in person.’

Even though I’m a commoner extra, I got slightly involved in this incident, so I should try to get along well with her.

‘If I’m lucky, I might even get to see Bloden, the male lead, in person.’

It’s best for extras not to get involved with the main characters, but it should be fine to just watch the male and female leads get together while keeping an appropriate distance, right?

“Oh my! Princess, my Lord, you’ve arrived!”

The director, who had turned toward the entrance, quickly ran over and bowed so deeply his head nearly touched the ground.

Meanwhile, Raven whispered to us that the woman was Princess Nelloa of Kelite.

“The corridor is narrow, so it’s rather inconvenient for this many people to have a conversation. Please come inside.”

Following the director’s guidance into the principal’s office, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The first floor interior was certainly not much different from our cottage, but the principal’s office alone was truly pristine.

The desk and nameplate made of solid wood were extremely luxurious. The L-shaped sofa was made of high-quality leather with soft cushions. Even the lights glowing on the walls and desk were magical stone lamps.

“It’s really nice here, different from the other places.”

The director smiled smugly at Baron’s muttering.

“This is where we receive our sponsors, so that’s why.”

The director assigned seats to each of us according to our status. Nelloa had the highest seat, while Baron and I had the lowest seats. It was a perfectly orthodox arrangement.

While the principal’s wife brought out cookies and tea, the director introduced us to the Lord and Nelloa. After receiving everyone’s greetings, Nelloa spoke elegantly.

“I’m Nelloa Kelite.”

As expected of a princess, she was beautiful and had dignity in every movement.

‘But I have a feeling she’s not the female lead I know?’

The female lead I knew was bright, cheerful, righteous, and kind, even though she did deceive the Emperor.

But the current Nelloa was looking down on us with an arrogant attitude. Moreover, she was staring intently at me in particular.

My intuition could be wrong, but my first impression was that she didn’t seem like a good person.

Having made that judgment, I became extremely curious about something I couldn’t ask Nelloa directly.

‘The original Nelloa is a book-possession female lead, so is the current Nelloa in a possessed state? Or is it before the possession?’

After pondering, I decided to just assume Nelloa was in her pre-possession state and observe her carefully.

If she were in a post-possession state, regardless of the original princess’s personality, it would change to match the original female lead. Since she would know she had possessed the main character, her characteristic refreshing words and actions would appear.

In the original work, Nelloa showed a characteristic pattern when she rendered unjust opponents speechless with words.

First, she would assert her princess status. This was to prevent the other party from easily refuting or talking back. Then she would lay the groundwork for her refreshing straight talk by saying she ‘knew how to speak refreshingly but didn’t know how to speak indirectly.’

‘I should be able to figure it out quickly if I observe a bit, right?’

Just then, the Lord, who had been making small talk with Raven, stood up.

“Since there are children on the second floor, go see them with the director.”

Raven, the director and his wife, and Kimarise stood up. The Lord also asked Nelloa.

“Will you go as well, Princess?”

“No, I’ll stay here.”

Her gaze turned to Baron and me as we were getting up from our seats.

“It might be a bit boring to just wait around, so I’d like the young lady and little friend in front to entertain me.”

Baron sat back down without saying anything. I also sat back down.

“Have a good trip.”

Raven nodded at my greeting and left the principal’s office.

Only the three of us remained inside, and Nelloa pressed her lips tightly together and narrowed her eyes. For some reason, Nelloa was carefully observing Baron and me.

“So, your names are Hailey and Baron?”

Her persistent gaze was quite unpleasant.

“Yes.”

Even as I answered, I watched Baron’s expression. His expression hadn’t been very good since we entered the principal’s office, but now it was openly stiff and hardened.

‘Is there something he doesn’t like?’

Then I remembered that Baron had rarely used formal speech with others until now. I wasn’t sure if he would do the same with a princess, but just in case, it seemed better to warn him beforehand.

I gently took Baron’s hand. Baron looked up at me.

I pretended not to notice Baron’s gaze while diligently writing with my finger on his palm.

[Baron, you can’t use informal speech.]

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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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