I'm Going to Change my Husband with a Predatory Marriage

Ludwig was ecstatic as he led the imperial knights. It was symbolic in many ways for him to lead the Imperial Knights, even though he was only a subordinate. It felt as if he was a real prince. Plus, chasing after his man and woman who have been driving him crazy all week.

 

‘I won’t leave you alone this time, Arpad!’

 

He had a huge inferiority complex towards his older cousin, who was superior to him in every way. But he had his bride stolen on her wedding day by his cousin. This was enough to shatter Ludwig’s high but fragile pride like glass. Leading the elite knights at his back was a good opportunity to heal his wounded pride.

 

‘The pure victim this time is me! Even if he dies by my hand, Arpad has nothing to say!’

 

Filled with inferiority complex and murderous intent, he followed the information brought by Evangeline. After running for a while, he finally saw a long, trailing cloud of dust in the distance. Arpad and his party were shamelessly passing through the main road of Artanoa Plain, the largest granary on the continent.

 

Also leisurely. It almost looks like a dignified wedding procession rather than a group of ruthless men who robbed the bride. Ludwig rode his horse at the head of the knights. Naturally, he did not follow his winding path. Because it was a waste of time.

 

Doo doo doo!!

 

His horse’s hooves trampled the newly sprouted wheat fields of the Artanoa Plain as he ran. 

The place where the knights led by Ludwig passed was literally devastated. However, neither Ludwig nor the knights paid attention to this. Not long after, Ludwig was able to catch up with Hylia and the others. The few carriage guards could not stop the Imperial Knights. The imperial knights stood in front of the white carriage with the imperial family’s emblem on it. Approaching the carriage that had no choice but to stop, Ludwig drew his sword and opened the carriage door.

 

“Gotcha, Hylia…!”

 

Ludwig’s eyes widened in shock.

 

* * *

 

Sitting across from her mother in the imperial palace, Evangeline bit her lip in her nervousness and anxiety.

 

‘Will Ludwig do well?’

 

She knew why she was anxious. This was because something like this never happened in the ‘original work.’ Arpad and Hylia were characters with little contact.

 

‘What a predatory spirit!’

 

By marrying Ludwig, Hylia handed over everything to the House of Delphine to him and she had to die. If this continues, it would be impossible for Ludwig to inherit the Delphine duchy. 

By taking over Ludwig, it became impossible for her to have everything in her hands. Her plan based on her original work has gone terribly wrong!

 

‘Besides, why Arpad?’

 

When she read the original in passing before being possessed, cursed at it, and then forgot about it, she didn’t think much of the character of Arpad. Even though he appeared only a few times, most readers were angry and asked why he wasn’t the male protagonist. But wasn’t he a character in a novel anyway? She wasn’t particularly interested in a character who dies without being a sub-male protagonist, let alone a male protagonist.

 

‘In the first place, I was angry and asked why neither the female lead nor the male lead were so attractive…’

 

Of course, she didn’t like the female protagonist, Hyllia, who was obedient and couldn’t do anything other than cry all the time. The male protagonist, Ludwig, was also not very attractive. Readers would hold on to the keyword ‘regret’ and say they would see the male lead regret, but she wasn’t like that either. Even when she read novels without thinking, out of habit. And to her surprise, she didn’t even know when she became a character in the novel.

 

‘Arpad…’

 

In fact, in this world, there was a man named Arpad who has seen with his own eyes, heard voices with his ears, and smelled scents… She never thought it would be this fascinating…  

However, even to her, Arpad was like a picture in a book that she could not have.

 

‘Because he is going to go crazy and die anyway. Even in the original work, there was a way to slow down the madness, but there was no way to eliminate it.’

 

It was impossible for even her, a possessor, to keep Arpad from going crazy. She couldn’t want him until she knew that. Especially knowing that Ludwig was the original male protagonist and would become the emperor. But, still… When she thought that Arpad might be someone’s husband, her heart felt tight. No, it was as if she had swallowed burning coals and his heart was burning inside. Evangeline didn’t even notice that her lips were bleeding. It wasn’t until the Empress Isabelle reached out and stopped her that she realized.

 

“Stop it, Eva. Your pretty lips are all ruined.”

 

“…mother. It’ll be okay, right?”

 

Unlike Evangeline, the Empress was calm.

 

“What are you so worried about? In any case, both Delphine’s daughter and Arpad will have to be killed.”

 

The Empress was extremely calm.

 

“Besides, thanks to the rumors we’ve been spreading, the reputation of these two is already at its worst. No one will recognize these two as a couple. Not even His Majesty would allow it.”

 

“…Yes, mother.”

 

“Don’t forget, Eva. I will make sure that your mother becomes the true empress of the empire.”

 

Evangeline, the possessed person inside her, laughed at the Empress.

 

‘To the character in the book who doesn’t even notice that her precious daughter’s soul has changed.’

 

And, the insecurities of Evangeline soon took her form and assailed her.

 

“Your majesty! Your Majesty the Empress! It is said that His Highness Arpad and Princess Delphine have entered the palace!”

 

It was news they did not expect at all.

 

* * *

 

“What?”

 

Ludwig, who opened the carriage door with a sword in hand and a sinister look in his eyes, was embarrassed. The inside of the carriage was empty. He screamed and ran to the coach seat.

 

“What about Hylia? What about Arpad? Why is the carriage empty?!”

 

Apparently, according to the information given by the Empress, this carriage was heading from the Northern Villa to the Imperial Palace. Additionally, there was information that both Arpad and Hylia were seen riding in this carriage. Ludwig thrust the blade into the poor coachman’s throat and shouted:

 

“What happened?”

 

The coachman trembled and answered.

 

“You already separated from our group a while ago in the Noel region!”

 

Even if Noel ran at full speed, it would take him a full day. It’s too late to chase after him now. Besides, who knows where he might be by now? The testimony of the few other knights was also similar. This group was bait from the beginning.

 

“Shit!!”

 

And although it was meaningless to know now, there was no possibility from the beginning that he would prevent Hylia and Arpad from entering the imperial capital in advance. This was because there were more than one decoy party prepared by Arpad on the advice of Hylia.

 

* * *

 

She was standing in the square in front of the imperial palace that she left about a week ago. 

No, more precisely, she looked up at the main gate of the imperial palace while riding a horse with Arpad. This place was always crowded, so we were surrounded by people who recognized them. The sound of whispering from all directions echoes like a swarm of bees.

 

“Could it be the crown prince and princess who disappeared?”

 

“The bride whose wedding was canceled a week ago?”

 

“They say it’s a predatory marriage, but already…”

 

She ignored the sound. And she looked up at the main gate of the imperial palace, the ‘Gate of Glory’, with a complicated expression. This door was the largest entrance to the imperial palace and is only open to special people. A parade for the immediate royal family and a parade for heroes who saved the country. Now Arpad was riding a horse with her, proudly demanding the opening of the Gate of Glory.

 

“Hurry and open the door.”

 

The commander of the 2nd Imperial Knights under the Emperor, who was guarding the Gate of Glory, seemed embarrassed.

 

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince?”

 

“Fortunately, your eyesight is normal, so I don’t have to waste my words. Open it.”

 

“Where on earth have you been? Plus, the person next to you…!”

 

He was dripping with cold sweat out of frustration.

 

‘Now that I think about it, the author was the one who lined up the Empress and Ludwig.’

 

She leaned against Arpad as if showing off. Then, through the skin we touched, she felt him purring like a satisfied animal. Without realizing it, she became so nervous that all the hair on her body stood up. But she couldn’t show an unfamiliar side to him.

 

‘Anyway, we are already a married couple.’

 

There was a need to prove that fact in front of everyone. So that no one could deny this marriage. Arpad seemed to take her concerns away, and he naturally wrapped his arms around her waist. Then, with his head buried in her shoulder, he glared at the knight commander with sharp eyes and spoke again.

 

“Don’t make me say it three times. Move. How long are you going to disrupt the journey of the crown prince and his wife?”

 

The leader would have known. If he blocks it any longer, Arpad’s blade might come aiming for his neck. He eventually helplessly got out of the way.

 

Arpad’s large white horse proudly passed through the main gate of the imperial palace and entered the palace. Although there were only two people, it was clearly a parade.

 

* * *

 

“How is it? Are you satisfied?”

 

“Very much.”

 

Arpad smiled coolly at her answer. He was a man whose smile was truly extraordinary. She asked softly.

 

“How long are we going to keep riding horses?”

 

No one rides horses inside the imperial palace. Royal family members were allowed to ride carriages. The protagonist of the victory parade was often given the privilege of riding a horse in front of the emperor. Right now, they didn’t fit into either of those categories. But Arpad didn’t seem to have any intention of getting off his horse, as if he was deliberately showing off.

 

“Well. Until we reach the Crown Prince’s Palace? You need to show everyone what you want. Isn’t that why you’re not telling me to get off?”

 

‘They say you have the wit of a ghost.’

 

She was thinking that he was a mean man with nothing real to offer. She felt a very passionate gaze piercing them from a corner of the imperial palace. The look in his eyes as if he wanted to burn her if he could. It was someone she was familiar with and expected.

 

‘Evangeline!’

 

—————————————————————

Translator Note: