This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 49

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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 49

 

At the same time, she smiled toward Nelloa.

 

“Princess, is there perhaps something on my face?”

 

“No. Why?”

 

“You’re staring so intently that I’m feeling a bit embarrassed.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Nelloa crossed her arms and lifted one corner of her mouth in a smirk.

 

“Since I’m a princess, you see. I know how to speak my mind clearly, but I never learned how to speak in roundabout ways, so I hope you’ll understand.”

 

Huh? After the possession? Then she must be the original female lead.

 

Why does she feel different though?

 

Besides, those words are what you say before punishing an unjust opponent, right?

 

Does she think Baron and I are unjust people? Why? For what reason?

 

As I was quietly rolling my eyes while thinking about this and that, Nelloa was the first to part her lips.

 

“Actually, I was staring because I found it fascinating.”

 

“Fascinating?”

 

“Yes, I keep getting a sense of déjà vu. I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before. Haven’t you ever seen me?”

 

“Not at all. This is the first time I’m meeting you.”

 

I only saw her in text, this is really the first time seeing her in person.

 

Still, since Nelloa was staring intently, I added:

 

“You must have seen someone who resembles me somewhere. They say there are three people in the world who look exactly alike.”

 

“For that to be the case, you seem to have etiquette ingrained in your body. You also look similar in age to someone I know.”

 

Hearing that made me somewhat intrigued.

 

‘Should I try saying I have no memories?’

 

Perhaps Nelloa might have hints related to Hailey’s past.

 

However, I soon abandoned that thought.

 

“How could a commoner like me have met Your Highness somewhere?”

 

Even if the person Nelloa knew was indeed me, it didn’t seem like it would have been a good relationship. If it were a good relationship, she would have been delighted to see me right away.

 

“But I am curious about who this person Your Highness knows is and where they’re from. Are they from the Empire?”

 

“No.”

 

Nelloa leaned her body slightly forward and placed her hand gently under her chin while looking at me, her eyes narrowing. She seemed to be carefully observing my reaction.

 

Because of that, I felt inwardly tense.

 

What exactly is she trying to figure out by acting like that?

 

But the question that followed required no thought to answer.

 

“She was from the Kingdom of Meridon. Do you know of the Kingdom of Meridon?”

 

“No.”

 

I shook my head nonchalantly.

 

“I’ve never heard of it. So there was such a country.”

 

“I see. Then I must have been mistaken.”

 

Though she was clearly conversing with me, Nelloa muttered as if talking to herself, then raised her head.

 

“I heard you live in that house that looks like it’s about to collapse?”

 

“A house about to collapse…? Are you perhaps referring to the log cabin where we live?”

 

“That’s right. The house by the seaside construction site. I was checking on the children’s condition and unintentionally saw the interior because the entrance was broken.”

 

“Ah.”

 

I forced a smile. She probably didn’t see anything that looked like proper household goods.

 

Nelloa seemed to find it unbelievable that people lived in such a place.

 

“The house is a bit shabby.”

 

“Not just a bit, it was seriously bad. When I saw children sleeping in such a house, I thought some beggar with a big nose for meddling but no sense of propriety lived there.”

 

“…”

 

Is she calling us beggars right now?

 

“There was a much younger woman and child living there than I expected.”

 

I forcibly maintained my trembling smile.

 

Her social skills are terrible, unlike a female lead.

 

No, why is she different from the original? Refreshing words and actions shouldn’t mean being arrogant, right?

 

Nelloa looked Baron and me up and down.

 

“Besides, you’re both dressed neatly. The level of the house and clothes are different, so I was puzzled.”

 

“Ah. These clothes?”

 

I touched the hem of my white dress and forced a smile.

 

“That’s right. Usually, as long as they weren’t torn, my clothes were no different from rags.”

 

Now, this is the final test.

 

“Duke Dillen donated these because he said we should dress properly since we were meeting Your Highness.”

 

“Duke Dillen… donated?”

 

“Yes. The clothes are pretty, aren’t they?”

 

If Nelloa was the female lead here, her answer was predetermined.

 

That they suited me well. Additionally, it would be perfect if she added praise about Raven’s character and etiquette.

 

But Nelloa snorted and touched the hem of her own dress.

 

“Is that supposed to be pretty? This kind of thing is basic for me.”

 

“Ah, your dress is pretty too.”

 

While answering halfheartedly, I mentally confirmed Nelloa’s position.

 

Nelloa, eliminated as female lead.

 

My original female lead wasn’t like that!

 

Was it because it was a novel, so the author only highlighted the female lead’s beautiful aspects?

 

In reality, she was the type I wouldn’t want even as an acquaintance. I really didn’t like that such a girl would end up with the male lead.

 

Though I had no intention of getting involved between them.

 

Whether they fight or get along, the Empire’s citizens in the original novel only have a happy ending under a wise ruler anyway. I’m just citizen number one, so I should just pretend not to know anything and stay far away.

 

As I was making that resolution, Baron looked at me with sparkling eyes and smiled brightly.

 

“What do clothes matter? Whatever you wear, Nuna is the prettiest in the world.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

“The clothes you usually wore were prettier than the Princess’s, you know? But these current clothes make you look like a goddess.”

 

Huh? There’s a real princess right in front of us? Besides, I already said the clothes I usually wore were no different from rags.

 

And he’s saying those were like a princess’s?

 

‘Could this be indirect criticism? Or direct criticism?’

 

Honestly, I didn’t think Baron calculated all that when he spoke. Though he’s smart, he’s still a young child.

 

That innocent expression showing he knew nothing was proof of that.

 

But regardless of Baron’s intention, it certainly seemed to result in criticizing Nelloa.

 

Seeing how Nelloa’s complexion completely changed and even her pupils were shaking wildly, it seemed the mental damage was quite significant.

 

“Oh, Baron. That can’t be true. Ahaha.”

 

I forced a laugh and looked at Nelloa to change the subject.

 

“I heard from Kimarise. He said you were very generous and broad-minded toward the thoughtless children, taking care of many things. You’re like a saint.”

 

Of course, Kimarise never said such things, but what I listed was one of Nelloa’s protagonist-like characteristics I saw in the original.

 

‘Now, if you touch our Baron from here on, you’ll be overturning everything I just said, won’t you?’

 

Nelloa’s mouth fell open blankly at the frame I had set.

 

Eventually, she picked up her teacup and brought it to her lips. She seemed to be buying time while thinking of words to counter with while not deviating from my praise.

 

“Mmph.”

 

Though she seemed to frown at the taste and was about to spit it out discreetly.

 

I glanced down at the refreshments in front of me.

 

The light brown tea and cookies actually smelled terrible from the start. We hadn’t touched them because they looked like they would taste awful.

 

I recalled the tea fragrance Raven brought the day before yesterday.

 

‘Ah, that was really delicious. The dessert was really good too.’

 

I felt regretful about the dessert I had abandoned.

 

When I make a lot of money later, I’ll eat to my heart’s content. Even if it’s supposedly only for nobles, if I ask Raven to buy some, I should be able to enjoy a little bit.

 

Nelloa, who had composed her expression while pretending to drink tea, smiled elegantly at us.

 

“The tea is delicious. You should have a cup too.”

 

I know it all tastes terrible.

 

It seemed Nelloa couldn’t find anything to say back to us, and didn’t want to suffer the taste torture alone.

 

I smiled politely.

 

“I have adverse reactions when I drink tea.”

 

Baron frowned and stuck out his tongue.

 

“I don’t drink tea. Tea tastes bad. Yuck.”

 

Yet he drank the good tea Raven brought just fine.

 

Before Nelloa could say anything more, I wrapped my hand around Baron’s shoulder and pulled him close.

 

“That’s right. Baron is young so he can’t drink tea yet.”

 

I’ll handle all the protection for our kid.

 

Just then the door opened and the orphanage director couple, The Lord, Raven, and Kimarise entered.

 

“We’ve looked around thoroughly. We’ll carefully review what you mentioned.”

 

Hearing Raven’s words, it seemed they were also wrapping up their visit, so I stood up happily.

 

I bowed to the director, The Lord, and Nelloa and was about to turn around when I heard a voice from behind.

 

“Today was impressive. If the opportunity arises, let’s meet again next time.”

 

Since it was a statement forecasting future trouble, I smiled sweetly.

 

I’ll make sure you can never come near us again.

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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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