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

A masked man was sitting inside the carriage.

Eyes that had changed color through magic to become plain brown were staring at me. It was amazing that even though the color changed, the intensity of the eyes remained the same. It was surprising that even the shape of the pupil had changed.

His hair color was also black, but it’s probably not dyed. Since he would have to go back and forth between blonde and black from time to time, it must be something magical.

I said cheerfully as I entered the carriage and closed the door.

“Thank you for accepting my request, Mercenary King Gerald.”

“…”

Even though he was wearing a mask, it was clearly visible that his expression was wrinkled. Yes. The conversation I had with Arpad in the office earlier wasn’t just to emphasize that we have a good relationship. Rather, this was closer to the main point. I whispered softly in his ear.

“It’s a request, mercenary King Gerald.”

And Arpad, just as I wanted, disguised himself as Gerald without anyone knowing and waited for me in the carriage.

Arpad sighed softly and then said coldly:

“I’m a little disappointed in you.”

This was also an expected reaction.

I asked, sitting across from him and clasping my hands calmly.

“Why are you disappointed? Oh, but you know what? That we can expect disappointment? Why were you expecting so much from me?”

“…”

“Why don’t you tell me? If you tell me what you were expecting, I can do my best to meet you.”

Arpad turned his head and closed his mouth. I grinned and pointed at him before he could express his disappointment.

“Are you so disappointed that I asked His Highness the Crown Prince to help me because I couldn’t handle any of my household chores on my own?”

“…”

“It’s not that I don’t know.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“That’s because it’s so obvious. It’s not like you’re testing me in one or two ways.”

It was similar to what the Emperor did to the two of us. Although they don’t get along well, they are father and son who have many similarities.

There was no need to mention monitoring how I treated the maid I had appointed. Besides that, even my smallest actions would be observed. What kind of person was I? Was I a human worth the price he paid? Etc.

But when it came to such an important matter, I suddenly said, ‘Help me!’ He could have been disappointed.

‘Of course I can’t let you be disappointed. Anyone can do whatever they want without even getting my permission, so I’m disappointed!’

He smiled and began speaking.

“By the way, of course the Black Mercenaries must have moved too, right?”

The Black Mercenaries was the name of the mercenary group led by Gerald.

“Since I was talking to the mercenary king Gerald, I placed a standby order near Delphine.”

“Good job. Be nice.”

I patted Arpad’s head, no, now the mercenary king Gerald. Then the man wrinkled his face even more and avoided my touch.

He had the attitude of a picky cat.

“When His Highness Crown Prince Arpad says he is disappointed in me, I will reply that there is no need for him to be so.”

“In some aspects?”

“Well, I didn’t ask His Highness the Crown Prince to help me.”

The person in front of me was not Crown Prince Arpad, but the Mercenary King Gerald.

“I just asked a mercenary to do it. But is there any reason for the Crown Prince to be disappointed?”

“You know it’s a play on words, right?”

I laughed and said, ‘Heh!’

“What a joke. Someone who knows how important it is to fight for a cause…”

I added one crucial thing to that.

“Besides, aren’t Mercenary King Gerald and the Black Mercenaries less active these days? If we don’t have any results for this long, we’ll be in trouble.”

“…”

As far as I knew, competition in the mercenary industry was also fierce. Naturally, if the Black Mercenaries were to remain number one in the industry, they would need continuous performance. There were limits to what his subordinates could do on their own.

‘It is easier to maintain the value of one’s name if the leader stands out and does something that becomes a hot topic.’

So, my ‘request’ this time was absolutely not a loss from the perspective of Gerald the Mercenary King. There was no answer from Arpad, but I could be sure.

This could not have been any other answer than affirmative.

“So, let’s help each other. Hylia Delphine personally hires a mercenary group to deal with the family’s internal strife.”

“And while you’re at it, are you using this as an opportunity to showcase Gerald, the mercenary king who hasn’t been seen in a while?”

“As expected, we communicate well. This is why I like you.”

Arpad’s expression noticeably softened at my words.

“It’s not entirely wrong. Crown Prince Arpad and the Mercenary King are different people.”

“Yes. Of course he’s a different person.”

I breathed a sigh of relief without showing it. I, too, didn’t want to hear that I was only able to control my family by whispering to the Crown Prince and borrowing the Imperial Knights.

That would never help my reputation.

‘Rather than that, it would be better to personally hire a mercenary group to deal with it.’

In fact, hiring mercenaries to deal with my family’s knights was a disgrace. This meant that the house was not properly organized.

‘But if the mercenary I hire is the famous mercenary king Gerald, then the problem is different.’

The Mercenary King was not called the Mercenary King for nothing. It was not easy for any noble family, or even the royal family, to hire a group of black mercenaries. But Gerald came forward in person? That alone would become a hot topic.

Everyone would see my abilities with different eyes. Arpad put down his attitude and expression as a crown prince, crossed his long legs, and asked.

“Then let me ask the client a question.”

The tone of speech changed.

“However much.”

“How do you plan to pay a commission worthy of the name of the Mercenary King?”

With a repentant smile on my face, I whispered in Arpad’s ear. I didn’t miss the momentary way his eyes widened in surprise.

Arpad frowned and tackled.

“…Haven’t the words changed? That doesn’t mean much to the mercenary king Gerald.”

“But it is very good for Crown Prince Arpad.”

In fact, living a double life was advantageous when it came to treating the same person as different people.

“And there is nothing bad from the mercenary king’s perspective.”

“I don’t see how this is a good thing for a mercenary king.”

“You become a commoner who directly carries out the downfall of Archduke Ludwig. And you won’t be punished at all.”

I would make it happen.

“That alone will greatly increase the status of Mercenary King Gerald.”

“That’s only if it succeeds. Is it really possible for Gerald, a commoner, to touch Ludwig and not be punished?”

“That is correct.”

I answered Arpad in a carefree tone. The only way to do this is for the mercenary king Gerald to personally swear loyalty to the emperor and receive a pardon. Mercenary King Gerald was one of the few sword masters on the continent who could handle Aura.

Arpad, no, Gerald struck the bow.

“I have no intention of swearing allegiance to the emperor.”

“I know. I won’t do it. “It’s only meaningful to have a monopoly on a mercenary king’s level.”

A slight smile appeared on Gerald’s lips.

“It sounds like you want to monopolize me?”

“…”

This person must have interpreted it that way on purpose, but it wasn’t an entirely wrong interpretation.

I said with emphasis.

“Of course, if you could exclusively hire the mercenary king Gerald, anyone would want it.”

I thought I heard Arpad click his tongue.

In the meantime, I changed my mind.

“You don’t have to worry about being punished for kicking or kicking Ludwig out. Perhaps by tomorrow no one will care about such trivial matters?”

“Trivial?”

I smiled confidently.

“Rather than that, Ludwig and Evangeline’s scandals will make a lot of noise.”

He whispered in a low voice.

“The question of who touched Ludwig in the process will become very trivial.”

My teeth were shaking, but I lived as Ludwig’s wife three times. Thanks to that, I knew him very well.

‘Ludwig can’t be sane in this situation.’

This was especially so because it had not been long since he had been insulted by Arpa, who was the cause of his inferiority complex.

‘It’s best if you’re consumed by alcohol, but even if you’re not… doesn’t matter.’

Because I would make him so drunk that he would have no choice but to make mistakes. And that… In effect, it would be a political death sentence for Ludwig.

I grabbed Arpad’s hands with both of my hands. Fortunately, I didn’t shake it off or avoid it. Thanks to this, the man was able to raise the bottoms of both hands toward the sky. I then touched Arpad’s right hand with one of my fingers.

“Prince Arpad can achieve the downfall of his political opponents without lifting a finger.”

Like a fisherman holding a bait and shaking it. Make it so tempting that you want to grab it right away. Then I placed my other hand on his left hand and tickled it slightly.

“In addition, the mercenary king Gerald will be able to obtain the saga that even the royal family bowed to his knees.”

After tickling this man’s palm as if I was testing his liver, I suddenly grabbed both of his hands.

“!”

Arpad looked slightly surprised. I felt good because I rarely succeeded in catching this man off guard.

“I put flowers in both your hands.”

I raised the corners of my mouth and concluded.

“It’s up to you whether to hold it or not.”

I brought my face closer to him and whispered. So close that my breath touches his skin.

“Choose.”

“…”

The silence continued for a moment.

However, in the end, Arpad smiled and showed his teeth. And then a rough hand grabbed both of my hands.

‘Good! it’s okay!’

Although I thought Arpad would have no choice but to accept,I was quite nervous. My legs almost gave out from relief.

At the same time, the carriage arrived at Delphine and stopped. Thanks to this, I, who had been standing passionately trying to persuade Arpad, fell forward. Of course, Arpad was underneath where I fell.

Arpad took me as if it was natural for me to collapse in his arms. Thanks to this, I ended up being completely embraced by Arpad. And I only realized this fact when I fell on Arpad’s overly firm and wide chest.

The pounding, steady sound of my heart was pounding in my ears.

‘Aaaah!’

I tried to get up with a silent scream, but my jaw got stuck in the middle of it. Because Arpad was holding me around my waist.

“…”

“…”

A moment of awkward silence filled the carriage. I was just about to say thank you for helping me and trying to control the situation.

Arpad let out a ridiculous nonsense.

“But isn’t it a bit wrong to take your legal husband with you to save your lover in danger? Doesn’t it prick your conscience?”

What kind of nonsense was he talking about?

I asked, dumbfounded.

“No matter how awkward the situation is and you try to change the subject, don’t you think it’s too random?”

“I’m not trying to divert the conversation, am I?”

Yes, yes. I guess so.

I corrected his nonsense by raising my fingers and folding them one by one.

“First of all, I came with the mercenary king Gerald, not my husband, Crown Prince Arpad.”

First of all, officially, Arpad should be in the Crown Prince’s womb right now, so that’s correct.

“And secondly, Lord Beltane is not my lover.”

And Arpad, no, Gerald the Mercenary King…

“Yes, I’m sure he is not, Client.”

It was not an attitude of belief at all.

At that time, I heard a sound outside announcing that I had arrived at Delphinger, and I couldn’t fire any more shots.

‘Ugh, what a waste!’

* * *

Meanwhile, Polman, the butler of the Delphine family, was now trembling with embarrassment and fear. This was because Ludwig was drunk and acting drunk, as Hylia predicted.

“Hey, Your Highness. His Majesty the Grand Duke. Come to your senses.”

“Ugh, how can this be…?!”

Ludwig’s tongue-twisted words spilled out onto the floor. Anyone could see that he was talking nonsense.

“You bastard! Do you also see me as a pathetic person who lost his wife?! You’re looking down on me too! You think I don’t know?!”

Ludwig got so angry that he lunged at Polman with the intention of pulling out all his beard.

“Oh my! Your Highness! Stop it!”

It was quite a rough time for Polman until Ludwig collapsed and fell asleep after going on a rampage. After enduring his hardships, the butler felt his dissatisfaction rising again.

‘You even ignored the young lady’s orders because of what you said yesterday. Is it okay for you to treat me like this?’

“Her Highness the Crown Princess asked me to bring Delphine’s maid, Annie, and the knight, Lord Beltane.”

The butler did not bring the palace servant into the mansion and serve him a cup of tea. This was a huge disrespect. The reason Polman was able to do that despite knowing it was simple. This was because Ludwig was alive and well and confidently gave orders yesterday.

“Crown princess? Don’t be funny! If she wants to take them with her, tell her to come directly!”

“Butler. I’m sure you’re not trying to get attached to Hylia now, are you? You must have already heard rumors that Hylia’s banquet was ruined before it even started. There is no chance that Hylia will be recognized as the crown princess.”

Evangeline also returned to Delphinger after a long time and sat next to Ludwig.

She blatantly threatened the butler.

“Okay. Even if you change your mind now and follow Hylia’s orders, that’s still possible. Anyway, the direct descendant of the Delphine family is Hylia.”

“Miss Evangeline!”

“Remember that instead. Neither I nor the Empress will accept someone who betrays me once.”

Evangeline warned, a cruel smile plastered on her beautiful face.

“Do whatever you want.”

It was said that if he didn’t want to die, he should never follow Hylia. And over the past three years, the butler had been more accustomed to listening to Ludwig and Evangeline than to Hylia.

It was thanks to Evangeline that he was able to become a butler in the first place. When the butler also suddenly died for unknown reasons shortly after the death of the previous duke, it was Ludwig who recommended the current butler to Hylia, who knew nothing at the time.

It went without saying that Evangeline was behind it.

Since then, he had earned his share by committing all kinds of petty corruption in the mansion under the protection of these two people. If he were to change ropes now, he would have to give up all of that. The butler composed himself again.

‘It’s okay. There’s no way that weak, indecisive girl, Hylia, would do anything to me, right? But Evangeline is different. She really might kill me.’

It’s only now that he was thinking about it, but he was starting to wonder if Evangeline may be behind the death of my former butler. The butler was focused on serving Ludwig, who was addicted to alcohol, and was met with an unexpected disaster.

“Butler! It’s here!”

“What? Who?”

“The miss! She is here!”

Evangeline had come back to see Ludwig, he thought.

As he pondered, the servant spat out a completely different name.

“Lady Hylia has arrived!”

“…!”

 

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Translator Note: