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

Dragon’s Blessing? Could there be such a thing? Of course, this was made up to persuade the emperor and make a justification. But she wasn’t really worried. This was because important truths were mixed in what she said before the emperor.

 

‘I can save Arpad from madness. This is true.’

 

So she was confident! The gazes of the Emperor and Arpad looking at her were so hot that they almost burned her. For a long time, the throne room was dead quiet.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

This time it was the emperor who broke the long silence. He asked her in a low voice.

 

“…Are you telling me to believe that?”

 

“I didn’t lie, Your Majesty.”

 

Of course, she didn’t forget to apply saliva well to her lips.

 

The Emperor clicked his tongue.

 

“Is it possible to swear through a sacred statement that it is true in the presence of a priest? Risking your life?”

 

Of course not. Because it’s a blatant lie. But she answered without wavering at all.

 

“There is no need to do that. Because Artanus made a promise to me.”

 

“Promise?”

 

“Yes. He said he would show me the evidence in person.”

 

The emperor’s face, as if he was looking at a liar, was colored with confusion. Since she said it so confidently, it seemed like they were confused as to whether it was true or not.

 

“…What evidence?”

 

Good. Now that these words have come out of the emperor’s mouth, it was no different from half a success. She calmly and boldly asked for one more thing.

 

“Exactly one month and seven days later, please give Artanus Hall to me and His Highness the Crown Prince for the wedding reception.”

 

“…what?”

 

The emperor was dumbfounded and asked again.

 

“Artanus Hall? Are you saying you know where it is?”

 

“How could an imperial citizen not know? This is the hall where His Majesty’s coronation ceremony was held.”

 

To be more precise, the Artanus Hall was a hall used only during the coronation of the emperor. As you can see from the fact that it was named after the progenitor dragon, it was also the most important and beautiful hall. Even if you are the crown prince, should you set it up as a wedding reception? This makes no sense.

 

‘But does it make sense to return three times?’

 

And if it wasn’t to that extent, it would have been difficult to publicly announce that the emperor had given permission for this marriage. Of course, not only that, but there was also a reason why that hall was the best place for the performance scheduled to be shown at the reception.

 

‘It’s possible elsewhere, but the symbolism and meaning are the best there.’

 

Cold sweat soaked through her clenched hands. But she couldn’t show that she was this nervous through her facial expression or attitude. She pretended not to lift an eyebrow and pretended that everything she said was true. The emperor looked down at her in silence for a while and then waved his hand.

 

“Come closer.”

 

This was so unexpected that she almost stumbled. Fortunately, she maintained her composure and slowly climbed the throne stairs to stand right in front of the emperor. Then, a powerful magical power was felt coming out and surrounding the emperor.

 

“This…?”

 

“It’s a light barrier. All it does is prevent the sound inside from leaking out.”

 

Ah, it looked like they were going to have a conversation that couldn’t be heard. Arpad must have noticed this and was seen below, crossing his arms in dissatisfaction. At that time, the emperor’s distraught voice rang in her ears.

 

“What on earth are you thinking?”

 

“I have no other plans. As I said, I am simply following the great dragon’s will.”

 

“…”

 

The emperor’s red eyes looked exactly like his son’s, as they were related by blood. It means that it is filled with suspicion and distrust.

 

“Do you think I would believe something like that?”

 

“Whether you believe it or not, the result does not change.”

 

The most important thing was that she could stop Arpad’s madness. Thanks to this, her voice overflowed with confidence. The emperor must have sensed this, and his expression was even more confused. In the emperor’s red eyes, shaken by fatigue, anxiety, and doubt, she recognized an alien emotion.

 

‘…hope.’

 

She knew the Emperor wanted to hold on to hope. Because she knew his true feelings.

 

“In the end, I never served as a proper father to that child.”

 

She remembered the emperor’s expression as he spoke regretful words. That’s why she was able to say this. It pointed out the emperor’s sincerity, which no one would have known.

 

“Your majesty. Your Majesty cherishes and loves His Highness Arpad more than anyone else as his only son.”

 

The emperor’s eyes widened in astonishment.

 

“…What do you mean suddenly?”

 

The emperor’s voice feigned calm, but he could not hide his trembling. This was the reaction of someone who was caught off guard and caught in the crosshairs.

 

She asked, smiling softly.

 

“I know very well that His Majesty actually wants to save his son more than anyone else.”

 

Because she remembered his cry that made him vomit blood.

 

“Is there any father in the world who would want to kill his only son?”

 

She dared to reach out. While holding the Emperor’s hand, which was rough and rough with various scars, she looked up at him and smiled.

 

“Just give me one chance. Then I will prove that I can save Your Majesty’s precious son.”

 

* * *

 

Emperor Walter Istrid felt speechless. His most secret feelings, which have never been revealed since his wife’s death, were revealed. And that too from a young woman who was having a proper conversation for the first time. 

 

Holding the emperor’s wrinkled hand with her thin and delicate hand. Hylia smiled brightly. Her smile was reminiscent of sunlight shining through dark clouds. It was a smile that reminded him of his dead wife. And for the first time in a long time, he returned not as an emperor but as just a human being. As a person named Walter Istrid.

 

For the first time since his wife died 13 years ago, he wanted to have hope. His wife’s will vividly replays in his mind once again.

 

“…Walter. Please, just that child, just my son… Don’t let him meet the same fate…”

 

Walter Istrid knew. He himself was an emperor. Whenever and wherever he must, he must think and act as an emperor. But he has already lived as emperor for 13 years. Killing himself as his father. It was very difficult and cruel work. Those painful years of doubting and keeping in check his only son, while also being truly afraid of losing him too. He knew this was irrational and impulsive. Still, he couldn’t help but give in to this impulse.

 

“Please save him…”

 

Maybe he was waiting for someone to push his back. Maybe he needed an excuse.

 

In the end, the emperor, no, the human being Walter Istrid had no choice but to admit it.

 

“Just give me one chance. Then he will prove that he can save your precious son.”

 

‘Those words touch upon the desire I have longed for so desperately.’

 

These were too hopeful words to reject. The very words he had been longing for so desperately. After a long period of silence, the emperor had no choice but to release the barrier and give an answer.

 

“Good night. I will open Artanus Hall in about a month. If you prove your words there, I will approve this marriage.”

 

It was surrender. Hylia smiled her triumphant smile.

 

* * *

 

‘I did it!’

 

The most difficult part of her plan was if the first step was executing a marauding marriage. The second was to persuade the emperor.

 

‘Honestly, I thought the second time would be harder…’

 

Fortunately, she did it. In fact, it would be considered that the emperor gave permission for their marriage simply by giving them the Artanus Scepter. And if she ‘proved’ it there, no one would be able to tackle her.

 

The third step was the proof, which took place about a month later.

 

‘I will definitely do it!’

 

As she tried to relax, her legs felt even more shaky. She leaned more heavily on Arpad. Arpad naturally supported her and asked in a low voice.

 

“What did you talk about with the emperor?”

 

His voice was full of displeasure and suspicion. He didn’t seem to like the idea of setting up a barrier in front of his eyes and having a secret conversation.

 

‘You yourself are also using a barrier to prevent my conversation from being heard.’

 

In fact, Arpad had been like this ever since he entered the throne room. Every time he whispered something to her. Every time he heard her answer.

 

‘This is exactly what a rich person looks like.’

 

Of course, the emperor loved and cherished his son without showing it, but the son freely refers to him as ‘emperor’ when talking to others.

 

She responded with a grin.

 

“It’s a secret.”

 

“…”

 

Arpad’s smooth brow twitched in dissatisfaction.

 

“For detailed questioning, we will return to the crown prince’s palace.”

 

Was she misunderstanding that it somehow sounds like a declaration of war to be prepared? Anyway, they were just about to leave.

 

The emperor unexpectedly issued an order.

 

“…Just leave Arpad for a moment.”

 

“You mean me?”

 

Arpad looked quite embarrassed.

 

“Yes. Have your wife wait outside for a while.”

 

“…!”

 

This was the emperor who had been calling her ‘Princess Delphine’ just a little while ago. This was the first time the expression ‘Arpad’s wife’ was used.

 

‘Good!’

 

Not wanting to waste time, she pushed Arpad on the back.

 

“I’ll be waiting quietly outside, so go talk to him.”

 

She was able to forget that her legs were shaking and walk out boldly.

 

Thud!

 

The door to the throne room closed behind her.

 

* * *

 

After the two of them were left alone in the throne room, there was an awkward silence for a moment. It was always like that. Even though they were father and son, they were rarely alone together. It has been about 10 years since the emperor first called him and left a message like this. It was a close-knit family when he was young, but…

 

It’s such an old memory now.

 

‘Do you feel like imitating father and son now?’

 

Arpad waited for his business with a sly smile on his face. And finally the emperor asked his son:

 

“Do you believe what that child says? So you committed this crazy act of predatory marriage?”

 

As expected, the father didn’t seem to believe the nonsense that Hylia said a moment ago. So how did Hylia obtain the Artanus Scepter? Was there some secret deal in their conversation that he couldn’t hear?

 

Arpad, feeling uncomfortable once again, answered without realizing it.

 

“I don’t know about that.”

 

“…Why do you do such an outrageous thing when you don’t trust her?”

 

Arpad recalled the night he met Hylia. The woman who came to visit him all the way to the catacombs with a stern expression on her face. She gave him a threat and a request that he could never refuse.

 

“I can help you ascend to the throne safely without your highness going crazy.”

 

Remembering those words, Arpad smiled and answered.

 

“I had this thought the moment I first met her.”

 

He paused for a moment to emphasize his point.

 

“If I stay around this woman, at least I won’t go crazy.”

 

“…”

 

“So she overextended herself.”

 

The emperor did not say any more words or questions to his son and sent him away. Arpad opened the door to the throne room in a slightly excited mood. He thought of the woman who would be waiting patiently in front of him. But when the door opened, the scene waiting for him was completely unexpected.

 

“Arpad!”

 

Ludwig was there, holding Hylia’s wrist.

 

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