This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 85

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 85

“Let’s only play until here. The kids are chaotic, and the puppet show is boring.”

“Really?”

Raven immediately brought a cool drink and placed it in front of Baron, nodding his head.

“Forcing yourself to watch something you don’t want to see is torture. Let’s head back soon.”

‘Isn’t calling it torture a bit much?’

I looked at the children again. Several kids clapped along with cheers.

Everyone looked happy, so I had no choice but to ask Baron for the reason.

“What’s the story about?”

“The Northern Gate fairy tale.”

“…Huh?”

For a moment, I remembered the fairy tale I had read to Baron before.

“Oh, that fairy tale? It’s a good performance, so why isn’t it fun?”

“What! They’re performing that fairy tale with the wrong ending? Good thing we didn’t watch it.”

Ben and I said this at the same time.

“Hmm? The ending is wrong? Miss, what do you mean by that?”

“It’s even a recommended book at the Academy, you know? I heard it’s on the first-year exams too.”

Ben and Susan, seeing my reaction, asked with truly puzzled faces.

Listening to their stories, it seemed that fairy tale had become such a huge hit among children that it was being used as basic Empire language teaching material at the Academy, turned into minstrel songs, and performed in various forms. They were even making and selling the warrior’s outfit and sword as toys.

‘Wait.’

The more I heard, the more nervous I became.

‘What if I say the wrong thing and completely ruin our relationship?’

Then Raven tilted his head.

“But it seems Lady Hailey thinks differently.”

“Ah, ahaha. I didn’t know it was such a famous fairy tale. I think I was being rude.”

As I awkwardly smiled and stepped back, Raven gently asked.

“Not at all. I’m just curious about the reason you came to think differently.”

When I unconsciously looked around, Ben and Susan nodded.

“Hey, no need to be nervous. We’re just curious about why Miss thought it was strange.”

“That’s right. Don’t worry about it. It’s just a fairy tale anyway.”

“Ah, well then.”

I carefully spoke about what I felt when I saw the fairy tale.

“From my perspective, it seems like a book written with His Majesty the Emperor as the protagonist.”

I calmly explained why I thought the fairy tale’s ending was wrong.

“Ah, so that’s why.”

I could feel Raven’s expression gradually softening. A pleased smile spread across his face.

“I see. That makes a lot of sense.”

Everyone sitting around the table, including Ben and Susan, nodded.

“That’s right. Now that I hear it, Miss is correct.”

“Even though it’s a fairy tale, I feel sorry for the warrior. Ah, why didn’t I notice that?”

Ben and Susan looked rather embarrassed instead. And Cosette and Potter agreed too.

“Hailey is right.”

“Come to think of it, that’s really strange. Why is that Academy teaching material?”

“In my opinion.”

Carter, who had started to speak but then looked around, lowered his voice.

“Isn’t that level seditious literature? If it’s really a book written with His Majesty the Emperor as the protagonist, it’s definitely seditious. Then shouldn’t it all be burned?”

“Seditious literature. Pfft!”

Then Baron’s laughter burst out softly. At the same time, Raven’s expression also brightened considerably. Everyone looked happy, which was fortunate.

Then Peter came running over.

“Baron, what are you doing here? Come on, let’s go play some more.”

“I’m done playing.”

“What do we do if the prince leaves? We absolutely need a prince. We just picked a leader earlier, and now it’s time for bubble gum blowing contests and hide-and-seek.”

Baron put the paper crown on the pestering Peter.

“Then you can be the prince.”

“Ah.”

Peter’s face turned red. At that reaction, Baron’s lips curved up.

“Why? Don’t you want to be prince?”

“N-no. That’s not it.”

Peter took off the paper crown from his head and gave it back to Baron.

“There are rules. We have to follow the rules.”

“What rules? I want to stop playing and go home.”

Baron glanced at me. His eyes, as if seeking advice, clearly showed he didn’t want to do it.

It would be nice if he made many friends, but it seems too early still. I can’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to do.

Having reached a conclusion, I came up with my own idea.

“Peter, isn’t there a rule about passing the prince position through succession?”

“Su-succession?”

Peter, whose eyes had widened, left saying he’d go ask the kids.

A little later, Peter and the children came rushing over in a group.

“I’m the leader of this night market gathering.”

Among them, a somewhat bigger child spoke to Baron.

“You tried to give the prince position to someone else on your own? Are you making light of our rules?”

There was dissatisfaction in his voice. The children standing behind him also didn’t look very pleased.

‘Should I mediate?’

Then Baron crossed his arms and said.

“When you said it wasn’t allowed, I asked if there was a way to pass it through succession. If I was making light of it, I would have just gone home.”

At that moment, the children’s eyes widened. As if instantly convinced, a series of “Ah” sounds could be heard.

Baron, are you a genius?

“Th-then wait a moment.”

The children discussed among themselves briefly, then created a new rule and spoke to Baron again.

“There’s one way. That’s for you to become emperor and appoint a crown prince.”

“If I’m a prince, shouldn’t I become a king? Why become an emperor?”

“Huh?”

The children rolled their eyes, discussed again, then spoke to Baron.

“We just changed it. Since it’s an empire, you’re an imperial prince now.”

“Ah. Does the empire have a name?”

“Heh, of course. It’s the Empire of Heroes.”

At the leader boy’s words, Baron nodded lightly.

“Then how does one become emperor in the Empire of Heroes?”

The leader boy’s eyes flashed.

“That’s right. Heh.”

The adults around me and I, having heard the method to become emperor, were trying to hold back our laughter because the children were so cute.

And Baron, wearing the paper crown again, was chewing bubble gum with his face completely red.

“Sigh. In all my life.”

Then our eyes met.

“Baron, you said you’ve never blown bubble gum before. Do you think you can do it well?”

“You just put air in the gum and inflate it big.”

At my words, Baron let out a deep sigh.

“I have to do well to pass on the throne and go home. What should I do?”

Soon the girl chosen as the princess’s eyes sparkled brightly.

“Now, is everything ready?”

The leader boy stepped forward boldly.

Baron nodded while covering his mouth with his hand, looking embarrassed.

Raven, who had been watching this scene, smiled warmly.

“Lord Baron. Please achieve victory.”

The leader boy and Baron faced each other.

“Ready. Start!”

At the princess girl’s signal, the leader boy and Baron simultaneously began making balloons with the gum they were chewing.

Watching the competition, I was truly amazed. I thought they would pop right away, but the gradually growing balloons eventually became the size of fists.

But neither of their balloons popped!

‘Wow.’

When both had grown to about the size of two adult fists put together, tension filled the air.

Precariously, as if they might burst at any moment, the balloons continued to inflate.

The surroundings became quiet. Adults and children alike held their breath.

Then, when they became slightly smaller than regular balloons.

Pop!

The leader boy’s balloon burst first. And Baron’s balloon grew even larger.

Seeing this, the leader boy spoke as if frustrated.

“I, I lost! Since you beat me, you are now the Emperor of the Empire of Heroes.”

At the same time, all the children knelt down and pretended to bow to Baron in unison.

“Ooooh. Your Majesty.”

“Please give us your commands.”

Pop!

The moment Baron’s face turned as red as it could, the bubble gum burst.

“Ugh, this is so embarrassing I could die.”

Baron muttered while sweating profusely and took off the paper crown from his head.

“I appoint Peter as Crown Prince. Peter, come forward and receive the crown prince’s crown.”

Soon Peter walked forward briskly and bowed his head before Baron.

Baron placed the paper crown on Peter’s head and spoke in a solemn voice.

“Along with this crown prince’s crown, I place the fate of the Empire of Heroes upon your head, Peter. From now on, you must risk your life to protect your imperial citizens and…”

Watching this scene, I felt strange.

This was clearly the night market. I knew it was the night market, but I couldn’t understand why it felt like we were in the middle of the Imperial Palace.

I glanced around with my eyes. Children and adults alike were all watching the investiture ceremony Baron was performing as if spellbound.

Soon the brief investiture ceremony ended.

“Phew.”

Baron let out a small sigh of relief, then became puzzled as he noticed how quiet the surroundings had become.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————