This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 80

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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 80

Clearly, there had been nothing there just a little while ago.

There was a large platform that seemed to be woven from vines. But it wasn’t laid flat – it was placed vertically, leaning diagonally against the wall.

‘Did Raven’s household put this out?’

I looked up at Raven’s house. Through the window visible from the front, I could see Kyle and Kimarise sitting across from each other at a desk. It looked like Kimarise was teaching Kyle.

Kyle glanced down toward the window, spotted Baron and me, and waved with a grin.

“Kyle, study hard.”

Though he could probably only see my lip movements, I waved back and then knocked on the front door.

“Welcome, Lady Hailey.”

Soon Raven came out.

“Hello, Raven.”

“Yes, what brings you here?”

“Ah, I came because I have a favor to ask, but on my way here I became curious about something.”

I pointed at the platform.

“What is that?”

“Ah, that. It’s a platform for multiple people to sit and rest, and I received it as a prototype asking if I could distribute it. But after examining it, while the idea is good, it can’t be used for that purpose. So I put it out to dispose of it.”

“…What?”

Raven went to the platform and tapped the upper part.

“Look. It’s woven from vines. How could this support the weight of multiple people? There’s nowhere to use it either.”

I examined the platform closely. As Raven said, the platform’s surface was woven from vines and was quite thin. It would definitely be difficult to use for multiple people to sit on.

‘But this looks like.’

A large basket.

At that moment, I thought of my peppers that were modestly spread out drying.

My goodness! This is perfect for drying peppers!

I urgently asked Raven.

“Raven, c-could you sell this to me?”

“What? I can’t sell things here though.”

“Ah, right.”

“Do you have a use for it?”

“Ah, well…”

Then Baron, who had been watching from the side, said cheerfully.

“Oh? Now that I look at it, it looks similar to the baskets Nuna has been collecting lately?”

“Ah.”

Raven also clapped his hands lightly as if he understood.

“I heard you were upset recently because mold grew on the peppers you were drying?”

“Ah, did Baron tell you that?”

Feeling heat in my face, I rubbed my neck unnecessarily and muttered.

“Baron, why did you tell him such things? It’s embarrassing for Nuna.”

Baron opened his innocent eyes wide.

“Oh? Was that supposed to be a secret?”

“What secrets could there be with children?”

Raven, defending Baron, lifted the large platform easily.

“Where should I put this?”

“What?”

“The producer must have worked hard to make it, so it’s good if anyone uses it.”

Raven walked with big strides, looked around our house area, and set the platform down next to the baskets containing peppers.

“Th-thank you. Then I.”

While walking back to Raven’s house, I said I wanted to pay the person who made the prototype. But Raven waved his hand dismissively.

“No, it’s fine. I receive many proposals, but instead I don’t pay anything for prototypes below a certain price.”

“What?”

“If I do that, makers create all kinds of garbage and charge as high a price as possible.”

“…”

“Everyone agrees to this and sends prototypes, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

Since he said that, I had nothing more to say.

“From what I can see, it seems you’re using it to make new cooking ingredients, so I’d like to taste them when they’re finished.”

I nodded.

“Th-then I’ll use it gratefully.”

At the same time, I was so excited.

I had been struggling because the environment wasn’t very good for drying peppers.

It wasn’t impossible to dry large quantities at once. But to do that, I would have to give up all other work and focus only on drying peppers.

I had been making do by collecting baskets, but a large platform with ventilation like a basket.

With this, I could dry plenty of peppers not only for pepper paste but also for pepper powder.

‘Ah, this is so good.’

When the pepper paste and pepper powder are finished, I’ll have to make lots of delicious things for Raven.

“Good. It seems you had business to discuss, and I’m getting curious.”

“Ah, right. It’s because of this.”

Raven received the documents I handed him, looked them over, and smiled broadly.

“Oh, a recommendation letter for Academy admission.”

“Yes.”

I shared the information Ben and Susan had told me with Raven.

“If the admission competition is high, having this prepared gives you priority in the acceptance ranking. If it’s alright with you, could I ask for a recommendation letter?”

Among the people I currently knew, Raven’s recommendation letter as a noble would probably be the most powerful.

“I’d be happy to cooperate. Baron is a child with a bright future. I also have some expertise in writing recommendation letters. I’ll write one so moving that the principal will welcome his admission the moment they see it.”

At his ready agreement, I bowed to Raven.

“Oh! Thank you so much!”

“Not at all. How many should I write for you? 10? 100? Just tell me how many you want. For our Baron, I wouldn’t mind staying up all night.”

Having always been so fond of Baron, Raven was as expected very actively offering to help. I was so happy that I couldn’t help but smile.

“Thank you so much for thinking of him that way!”

As I was bowing enthusiastically, I heard Baron’s displeased voice from behind.

“Ha, I wondered why you came here in the middle of writing documents… Don’t write such things. Why are you writing it?”

When I turned around, Baron was shaking his head firmly, even resolutely.

“…Huh?”

“I have nothing to learn at the Academy, it’ll just cost a lot in tuition for nothing.”

Baron crossed his arms and really looked disgusted. This made me conflicted.

Even though he’s only seven, he’s a person whose character should be respected. Moreover, Baron has good judgment.

‘But he’s only seven years old?’

Then Baron turned his gaze elsewhere and coldly drew a line.

“Besides, while Nuna protects me, you’re not my parent, right? You don’t have any obligation to work yourself to the bone earning money to send me to the Academy.”

Rumble!

For a moment, it felt like thunder was striking from all directions.

I looked around at the sky briefly. It was clear without a single cloud. Thanks to that, I was certain it wasn’t my imagination.

An atmosphere like a rebellious adolescent boy and words like a bolt from the blue.

I was shocked by Baron’s words.

“Well, that is, Baron. Uh…”

Still, Baron, I’m thinking of removing your Captain of the Knights death flag, you know? Or wouldn’t it be good for your bright future to build up school and regional connections as much as possible?

I think your future will be very brilliant.

I couldn’t mention the death flag, but school and regional connections were something I could talk about.

But my throat was completely blocked and no words came out.

‘Also, even though Nuna protects me, she’s not my parent, right? She doesn’t have any obligation to sacrifice her body to earn money and send me to school. Also, even though Nuna protects me, she’s not my parent, right? Also, Nuna isn’t my parent, right? She’s not my parent…’

Only Baron’s words kept spinning around in my head.

“Lady Hailey, are you alright?”

At Raven’s words, my dazed mind snapped back to attention.

“Huh?”

“You look pale. You seem to be quite shocked.”

Only then did Baron look up at me with surprised eyes.

“Huh? Nuna? Did you get shocked by what I said? What part was shocking exactly?”

“Oh, uh. I’m, I’m fine.”

Baron, who had been keenly observing my expression, began to break out in a cold sweat.

“You don’t look fine at all though?”

“No. I said I’m fine.”

It’s just something a seven-year-old said because he didn’t want to study. And in his own way, he was worried that I might be having a hard time. Baron is a mature child, after all.

So it’s strange that I’m so shocked by it. I should be fine.

“Let’s go inside for now. This doesn’t seem like a conversation to have while standing, and I think it would be good for you to calm your mind while having a cup of tea.”

Raven guided us to the reception room and served us lemon balm tea and chocolate. Then he opened the doors and windows wide to let the cool breeze flow through.

“Thank you, Raven.”

I began drinking the tea I was served.

However, my head was still full of what Baron had said.

I looked at Baron intently.

Such a clever and spirited child. But in reality, he’s a seven-year-old who has lost everything.

He’s getting by bravely, but it’s natural that he would have many wounds.

As a result, my worries naturally deepened.

I am acting as his guardian, but is this enough?

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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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