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

It was a time-honored tradition to steal someone from a dance hosted by a social rival. The situation had expanded on a somewhat larger scale this time.

Now, the noble ladies of the capital’s society were faced with a choice.

‘Are you going to participate in my party while being overlooked by the Empress, the master of the inner palace, and Evangeline, who already reigns as the flower of society?’

Maybe not.

‘Will you ignore me, who has not yet been officially recognized as the Crown Princess, and follow the Empress and Evangeline, who have vested interests?’

Everyone was probably a little worried. The conclusion was as if it had already been decided.

‘Of course I will side with the Empress and Evangeline.’

I didn’t know if I had established myself in the social world or not. I was just confined to Delphine. Aside from receiving the Artanus Scepter from the Emperor, I had never demonstrated my abilities. So who would trust me and take a risk?

‘…I have to make them believe it!’

The way to make them believe this was simple.

“…So I don’t know if it would be good. I don’t have anyone close to me, and I can’t ask the Empress for help.”

After letting out a sigh full of worry, Viscountess Philerne took my hand in hers with a pitiful expression as she exhaled and expressed her anxiety.

“How! Have pity, Your Highness. You actually couldn’t hold the wedding properly, but the reception banquet must be a success.”

She pretended to care about me.

“I will try to encourage people around me to attend as much as possible. If you give me an invitation, I will try my best!”

“Oh, thank you, ma’am! After all, you are my true friend.”

I held back my disgust and held her hand. In fact, this was nothing short of an oblique mockery. It was the wedding reception of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. It was also held at the Artanus Hall, the most prestigious place where coronation ceremonies were held.

What would happen if a noblewoman as humble as Viscountess Philern begged for participation in such an event?

‘Of course, the quality of the banquet will be lowered. It’s also like bragging to everyone that there aren’t enough people to participate.’

That was why Viscountess Philern now said she would do so. To degrade my banquet and promote the fact that no one would participate. And this news would reach the ears of the Empress and Evangeline.

‘I rather like it.’

I had my maid bring me an invitation with the Crown Princess’ seal.

“Please give it to as many people as possible.”

Viscountess Philern, who had accepted her invitation and was delighted, asked in a low voice:

“By the way, has His Majesty the Emperor given permission to use the Crown Princess’s seal?”

I shook my head.

“No. But he gave it to me for His Royal Highness to use.”

I didn’t forget to imitate the delight in my husband’s affection by blushing slightly on my cheeks.

I saw Viscountess Philern eating the rice cake I gave her very well. There I sprinkled a very decisive bait.

“And, I came up with a clever idea, right? Why don’t you tell her what her wife will think when she hears it?”

Madame Philerne’s eyes brightened.

“What kind of clever idea do you have?”

* * *

Viscountess Philern secretly changed her clothes and went to see Evangeline. She told her all the information she had gathered in one day. She held up an invitation with the Crown Princess’ seal and Evangeline snorted at her.

“You used the crown princess’s seal as you please. This could be quite a problem.”

“It seemed like he didn’t even know that. Well, she says the crown prince gave her permission…”

Then, Evangeline’s expression darkened.

“Then what do you do! Only His Majesty the Emperor grants permission to use the imperial family’s seal!”

“That’s right! Yes! I guess that stupid woman doesn’t even know!”

To appease Evangeline’s temper, Mrs. Philerne whispered the most important piece of information she had brought her.

“It looks like they are extremely scared that no one will attend the banquet in about a month, and are trying to do unreasonable things.”

“Unreasonable? What kind of unreasonable things?”

Evangeline’s green eyes shone.

“Well. I was planning to spread a rumor that His Majesty the Emperor might attend the banquet that day!”

“What?”

Evangeline’s eyes widened. This was definitely great information.

“Really? That idiot said he was going to spread false rumors?”

“Yes, if the banquet at Artanus Hall is ruined, it will be difficult for her to actually be recognized as the Crown Princess, right? So it looks like she is trying to gather people by force.”

“Of course.”

Moreover, the Empress and Evangeline had already declared that if he attended the banquet that day, he would be banned from society. However, she had the courage to say that there was no noble lady to attend the banquet at Artanus Hall that day. And there was no way that a banquet without noble ladies would be crowded with only men.

No matter what anyone said, social activities mainly took place among noble ladies. That was why the salon was also held by the hostess.

“No matter how urgent it is. You’re trying to recruit people by selling out His Majesty with lies.”

“The woman said that if she spread a rumor that the Emperor had specially granted her access to Artanus Hall and that she would attend the banquet, everyone would believe it.”

She wasn’t wrong. It was unusual for the emperor to give down the Artanus Scepter to that extent.

“She used her brain in her own way.”

Even though it’s in the palm of her hand, she thought.

A wicked smile appeared on Evangeline’s lips. She muttered as she tore the invitation with the Crown Princess’ seal into pieces.

“It will end up like this soon anyway.”

Still, to err on the side of caution, Evangeline checked with her mother. She wondered if the Emperor would really step into Artanus Hall that day. And she was told by the Empress that she had no intention of attending in person.

“It looks like he will decide whether to recognize that woman as the crown princess based on whether or not the banquet is successful that day.”

If so, the result was already decided.

* * *

Soon, contradictory rumors began to circulate in social circles.

“I heard that Her Majesty the Emperor is planning to attend a banquet at Artanus Hall in a few days to recognize her son and his wife?”

“I heard no. Princess Delphine created a false rumor to attract attendees.”

“Shall we spread false rumors about His Majesty the Emperor?”

“I was anxious because I felt like I wouldn’t be recognized by anyone.”

“But… What a shame it would be if the famous Artanus Hall were empty.”

It was more plausible that Hylia was lying, rather than saying that the Emperor would personally step up for her daughter-in-law who had suddenly come down with her predatory spirit. There was no noble lady who did not know how ruthless the Emperor was. Besides, wasn’t this a more provocative and interesting story?

Some even made bets over this fact.

“Will His Majesty the Emperor really attend Artanus Hall that day? I’ll bet my new horse that he won’t!”

“I’m betting my new attire on the fact that he is not coming, either!”

“Wait a minute, then you can’t bet. No one is betting that the Emperor is coming!”

There was mocking conversation about this topic everywhere. In the meantime, fatal news arrived to Hilia, who was already feeling like she had lost.

“Marquis Quinibel suddenly declared that she was going to have a ball that day?”

Hylia heard the news through Viscountess Philern.

“Yes, Your Highness! The Marchioness Quinibel is one of Her Majesty’s closest friends. Moreover, this time she had the honor of being allowed to use the second largest hall of the Empress’s palace as a banquet hall!”

Hylia’s complexion turned pale. This meant that the Empress practically declared that she would ruin Hylia’s banquet by putting Lady Quinibel in the spotlight.

“This is ridiculous! And then… If the banquet ends up being inferior even to the Marchioness Quinibel…!”

Then no one would recognize Hylia as the true Crown Princess. Even the Emperor.

* * *

I giggled as I watched Viscountess Philerne walk through the garden through the glass window.

“Ah, the bait moved harder than I thought.”

Thanks to this, the board got bigger. It’s definitely better for me.

“Ah, I’m looking forward to it.”

I was proceeding step by step with the necessary preparations, and Viscountess Philerne was playing her part very well.

 

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