Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 77

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 77
Two hours later.
“Of course. I’ve seen many children over the years, but I’ve never met a crown prince quite like him.”
“……That’s true enough.”
“The finest crown prince!”
I never imagined I’d end up flattering the Emperor with both thumbs raised in approval.
* * *
The one who opened the door was my mother-in-law.
I’d expected her to be angry that we’d left only a memo and gone out.
‘So her reason for going out was because of His Majesty the Emperor.’
The Emperor’s suspicion came faster than I’d anticipated.
And now I’d been forcibly dragged to the Imperial Audience Chamber by Imperial decree.
Just before the doors to the Audience Chamber opened, I took a deep breath.
“Hm.”
There was a reason meeting the Emperor made me this nervous.
It wasn’t just his paranoia in its terminal stage—it was this man’s twisted taste!
‘He wants to use the Lie-Detection Artifact to peer into the other person’s true thoughts.’
What made it even worse was that he didn’t force you to use it.
‘Want to, or not?’ He’d ask, and then watch to see if you hesitated.
‘Besides, I haven’t done anything wrong anyway!’
Except for possessing Carcel’s body as he’d mentioned, there was nothing weighing on my conscience.
It had all been coincidence.
“The Marquise of Rivandel presents herself!”
With those words, the imposingly vast doors to the Audience Chamber swung open.
I swallowed hard and quickly surveyed my surroundings.
Since it was a private audience chamber, the interior resembled a reception room.
I approached the man who appeared to be the Emperor and bowed with proper courtesy.
“Your Majesty, I am honored to be received.”
“Sit.”
Following the Emperor’s gesture, I saw Carcel seated nearby.
His expression was calmer than I’d expected.
‘Perhaps this isn’t as serious a matter as I thought?’
Relieved the moment I saw him, I bowed once more and took a seat beside Carcel.
Then he carefully reached out and squeezed my hand firmly.
When I turned to look at him, Carcel gave me a reassuring smile.
The warmth radiating from his clasped palm soothed my racing heartbeat.
“…….”
Meanwhile, the Emperor stared at me without a word for a long moment.
Feeling his gaze, I turned my eyes back to him and managed to hold a smile.
When our eyes met, the Emperor finally opened his mouth.
“Do you have any idea why I summoned the Marquise of Rivandel?”
“Is it because we proceeded with the marriage without seeking Your Majesty’s permission……?”
“That’s certainly part of it.”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he regarded me.
He had an intensity unlike Carcel’s.
I obediently lowered my head.
“I apologize. I myself didn’t expect the marriage to happen so suddenly.”
“Was it because of the child?”
“Yes! That’s right!”
Having decided to answer everything honestly, I nodded eagerly.
“Count Tabes.”
With that, the Emperor called to the elderly man standing behind him.
‘He appeared in the original work too. Count Keilup Tabes, the Emperor’s trusted aide and also the Crown Prince’s mentor.’
A loyal retainer who heeded only the Emperor’s words.
If Carcel was the sword of the Empire, Count Tabes was its mind.
A strategist who offered counsel to the Emperor.
The man who had previously thwarted assassination threats against Linea.
Count Tabes, upon receiving the Emperor’s command, approached and set a small case on the table.
Assuming it was meant for me, I withdrew my hand from Carcel’s and took the case.
“This is…….”
When I opened the small case, inside lay a delicate silver ring. Looking closer, I could see the imperial seal engraved upon it.
Could this be a confession-forcing artifact?
The Emperor made another gesture for me to put it on, watching my eyes blink nervously.
I swallowed once and reached resolutely for the ring.
The size fit my ring finger perfectly.
“Yes, it’s lovely.”
The Emperor tilted his head slightly as I spoke with a flattering smile.
“Do you understand what that means?”
“Yes!”
It’s the Lie-Detection Artifact, isn’t it!
Having answered thus, I received the Emperor’s next question.
“It’s not particularly significant, but does the Marquise harbor any thoughts of divorce?”
“Absolutely not.”
“……Surely you’re not trying to tell me you harbor genuine affection for him.”
The Emperor sent me a suspicious look.
‘Why would I not? What’s wrong with Carcel!’
I shook my head and replied.
“We have genuine affection for each other.”
“Genuine affection? What on earth could you possibly like about such a gloomy man?”
“Well……, first of all, Carcel is extremely handsome!”
I tilted my head as if to say, wasn’t that obvious?
“And he has a kind heart, is affectionate, always considerate, and fulfills his duties and responsibilities faithfully—so I believe he makes an excellent husband and father.”
“A kind heart……, Marquis, what exactly does he do at home?”
This time the question was directed at Carcel.
Carcel answered with a pleased expression, his lips curving upward.
“I simply devote myself to my beloved wife.”
“What is wrong with that man? Has he lost his mind?”
At the Emperor’s bewildered exclamation, I looked back and forth between Carcel and the Emperor trying to understand.
‘Why does the Emperor sound like that.’
In the original work, he didn’t speak this way at all!
Carcel, regardless, spoke easily and at length.
“Asha initially had no intention of marrying me, but ultimately accepted my ardent courtship, did she not?”
“And this had nothing to do with coercion or some deal?”
“I genuinely love my wife.”
The Emperor shook his head slowly.
“In my lifetime, I never thought I’d see the day Kaisis’s son would say such things. And to hear that even the former Duchess agrees they’re both sincere—I thought it impossible.”
Carcel answered with evident pride.
“My mother also wished to take Asha and Linea from me, but she failed. They are my wife and daughter, after all.”
“So it seems.”
With those words, the Emperor’s eyes deepened suddenly.
“……What exactly have you done to make the Duchess, the Marquis of Rivandel, and even my son speak this way?”
“Is it not simply because Asha is such a lovable person?”
I turned toward Carcel in panic as he continued to heap praise on me before the Emperor.
He did not yield to my gaze and continued speaking of me.
“Asha was quite worried, as sudden Imperial Edicts from the Palace are not typically promising.”
“Yet even a wedding at the Grand Cathedral, where only imperial family marriages are held, causes such commotion.”
“Surely Your Majesty’s intentions were not purely benevolent?”
Could he really say such a thing?!
Frightened, I gripped Carcel’s hand tightly.
“……That much is true.”
Yet contrary to my expectations, the Emperor’s demeanor was mild.
I quickly moved closer to Carcel and whispered in his ear.
“Carcel, what is all this? Weren’t you summoned for interrogation?”
At my words, Carcel’s eyes widened before he shook his head.
This time Carcel whispered back to me.
“Would I allow myself to be interrogated? The misunderstandings have largely been cleared, and His Majesty is like a godfather to me—this is more akin to a formal meeting.”
“Then what about the ring? Isn’t this the Lie-Detection Artifact?”
“What?”
This time even Carcel looked quite startled.
“This is a Guard Ring, a gift directly from the Imperial Household. He simply wanted to verify the size fits.”
“Ah…….”
It wasn’t an interrogation at all.
When I let relief show plainly on my face, Carcel apologized.
“I realize I never explained the situation. I’m sorry.”
Carcel studied me with a concerned expression.
“Were you very frightened?”
To his tender inquiry, I only shook my head.
“I’m all right.”
“If it becomes too much, shall we leave together? Or if you feel faint or weak, you can lean on me.”
Carcel reached over and tucked my hair behind my ear.
I glanced nervously, aware the Emperor was present.
And rightly so—the Emperor’s expression had turned quite sour.
“I-I apologize!”
I pushed Carcel’s hand away and bowed my head to the Emperor in apology.
Yet the Emperor only muttered with an exasperated expression.
“That fool’s lost his mind.”
Count Tabes, in turn, nodded gravely in agreement.
Then the Emperor addressed me.
“The reason for the wedding at the Grand Cathedral is also connected to my son.”
“Ah…….”
“Did you know from the beginning that Lusian was the Crown Prince?”

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