This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 78

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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 78

Based on Hailey’s tip from their encounter in Snorril, Nelloa hurriedly secured a carriage, rushed to the port to buy boarding tickets, and barely made it onto the ship after running until she was nearly breathless.

It had already been five days since she arrived at Aer Domain after thoroughly searching every corner of the ship with the orphanage director’s wife.

Seeing it in person, Aer Domain was much smaller in land area compared to Snorril Domain.

Although there was a sea, the water quickly became deep and the coastline was narrow, making it difficult for fishing to flourish.

The land wasn’t very fertile either. The forest was deep with wild beasts lurking along every path, so hunters had to be brought along when traveling by land.

Whether by land or sea routes, the overall trade passages were narrow, making it difficult to earn money, so the number of domain residents was also small. Naturally, it was difficult to collect much in taxes.

However, despite the domain’s situation, Baron Aer’s mansion was splendid. The room she was staying in was also magnificent.

Looking around at the expensive interior decorations anew, Nelloa convinced herself and nodded.

‘Right. To be able to enjoy things like this, he must have sold children without conscience to make money.’

Of course, she had no intention of defending Baron Aer’s crimes. But she had no intention of condemning them either.

The reason was simple.

The original work Nelloa had read, “This Princess Commits Financial Fraud,” was about Robena, a princess from a poor country, who commits financial fraud against Anna and runs away, then reconnects with Bloden.

Robena comes to Snorril looking for trade goods and frequently encounters Bloden, who happens to be investigating kidnapping cases. They then join forces to punish Baron Aer and open their hearts to each other.

If Baron Aer hadn’t committed crimes in the first place, Bloden would have stayed only at the Northern Gate or the Imperial Palace.

Having Bloden’s movements limited like that wasn’t good for Nelloa.

The Ilpein Empire was wealthy, and accordingly, the empire’s capital was full of noble young ladies adorned with all kinds of beautiful things and cultivated in refinement.

The longer Bloden stayed at the Imperial Palace, the more opportunities high-ranking noble young ladies would have to seduce him.

Not Robena or Nelloa!

‘At least thanks to reading the original work, I know that Anna is the villain and is in conflict with Bloden.’

If she hadn’t had information from the original work, if she couldn’t have used this to keep Anna as her backing.

Even if Nelloa had possessed a princess, she would have been busy watching the faces of Ilpein’s high-ranking nobility.

Even if her status was princess, to properly trade with the powerful empire Ilpein, she would inevitably need their power.

Thinking this far, Nelloa should rightfully praise Baron Aer for committing crimes and keeping Bloden away from the Imperial Palace.

Just then, a knock was heard from outside.

“Princess, did you sleep well?”

The one greeting her warmly was the wife of the orphanage director from Snorril Domain.

She had sent a telegram to her husband just before boarding the ship to Aer and had volunteered to be Nelloa’s maid.

“The Baroness asks if you would like to have tea together.”

“Alright.”

Nelloa headed to the reception room.

“Please come in, Princess.”

The Baroness waiting for her rubbed her hands together very obsequiously and treated Nelloa with utmost hospitality.

She had obtained information through her own channels that Nelloa had come to the Ilpein Empire’s Imperial Palace at Anna’s invitation, and that Anna was considering this princess as a potential spouse for the Emperor.

Nelloa leisurely drank a cup of tea, then calmly asked.

“How did it go? Is there any news about the person I’m looking for?”

“We searched thoroughly. But according to the information we’ve gathered so far.”

Duchess Aer tilted her head.

“Never mind such a person, if there had been two men of similar height, it would have been noticeable, but no one has ever seen them. However, we’re continuing to deploy people to search, so if they’re within the domain, they’ll be found.”

“Alright. I understand.”

When Nelloa nodded, the Baroness wanted to hear more stories about the Imperial Palace.

‘She’s trying to figure out how deep my actual connection with the Regent is.’

Nelloa packaged the relationship between Anna and herself as very intimate and close.

The truth wasn’t important. It just needed to appear that way.

Even if the Baroness suspected Nelloa’s words and confirmed with Anna, she would hear the same answer anyway.

Even if Anna wasn’t close to Nelloa, they were in the same boat with the same purpose. So there was no worry.

“Listening to your stories, Princess, I’d like to see even the Imperial Palace gardens. I suppose there will be a day in my life when I can see them?”

“Of course. If I mention it to the Regent, she’ll send you an invitation.”

“Oh my, you don’t need to go that far.”

“Would just around the Imperial Palace be enough? Since I’m indebted to you, you should see the deep parts of the Imperial Palace as well.”

“Oh ho ho ho. If that were possible, it would truly be an honor for our family.”

Nelloa smiled warmly at the Baroness who was excited with anticipation and thought.

‘The Imperial Palace prison is also a deep part.’

* * *

After finishing tea time smoothly, Nelloa returned to her room with the Principal’s Wife.

When only the two of them remained, the Principal’s Wife carefully spoke up.

“Princess, I’ve been thinking this for several days now. Didn’t that damn thing lie?”

The Principal’s Wife was suspecting Hailey’s words.

Nelloa hadn’t not thought about that either. She was also having second thoughts about her suspicions. But Nelloa shook her head.

“Then she wouldn’t have known the physical characteristics. Besides, it’s ambiguous to call it a lie.”

Nelloa sighed.

“I hate to admit it, but that girl did say clearly. That they were wearing robes pulled down low, so she wasn’t certain if they were the people I was looking for. Plus she said she saw two people.”

That meant Raven was also there.

But since they had their robes pulled down low, the possibility that they weren’t Bloden and Raven couldn’t be ruled out.

It would have been difficult to properly identify them, and Hailey didn’t even tell her to board the ship. The choice to pursue was entirely her own decision.

That was certainly the case, yet something subtly bothered her.

‘What is it?’

Then the Principal’s Wife said.

“Even though she said that, among those who boarded, there wasn’t anyone close to 190cm, let alone that height. But that ship only traveled between Snorril and Aer. They couldn’t have gotten off anywhere else.”

“Ah, 190cm!”

“Yes?”

“Good heavens. One of them might not be that height, but I didn’t think of that.”

Nelloa hurriedly wrote a letter to send to the Imperial Palace. And she called Baron Aer and his wife to change the search target conditions.

“What? You want us to also look for a man with black hair and red eyes regardless of height?”

“That’s right. He just needs to be under 30 years old. How long will it take to confirm?”

Baron Aer, who asked back in bewilderment at Nelloa’s instructions, sighed.

He had been secretly searching for someone of unknown identity, mobilizing not only his personal forces but even information guilds within the domain. This cost considerable money, and Baron Aer had to bear the full amount.

‘My income has already dropped significantly since the child trafficking was greatly hindered.’

It had been quite some time since the Lord of Snorril sent a confirmation document because of the child kidnapping crimes.

The matter had also been reported to Anna at the Imperial Palace.

Of course, Anna didn’t forget the tributes she had received and remained loyal.

She only pretended to investigate the child kidnapping crimes moderately. Then she executed all the kidnappers who had been transported to the capital, saying it was a matter to be handled since all the criminals had been caught, and closed the case.

Thanks to this, they easily cut off the trail. However, considerable costs were incurred in bribing various places to dispel additional suspicions.

Due to these circumstances, it was a financially difficult time.

In the midst of this, Nelloa had come and was receiving utmost hospitality.

Considering the connection with Anna, it wasn’t money that couldn’t be spent. If he treated her well now and established ties with the future Empress, it would actually be a great benefit in the long term.

However, the costs for the search had been more than expected. Additional searches as Nelloa ordered would cost even more money.

‘Should I charge the Princess for the costs, noble dignity and all aside.’

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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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