It Turned Out to be a Useful Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 24

Eric maintained a calm expression.

“Because I didn’t know then, but now I do. If Prince Robert and my father truly conspired for treason, it was not ‘almost’ but ‘definitely’ treason, and if it was treason, they should be punished.”

“Wow… so this is how you are? Haha, this is so amusing. Really amusing. I guess I should forgive you for interrupting my time today.”

The Princess stared intently at Eric, then laughed and stood up. She didn’t pick up the documents. 

I asked the Princess cautiously. “Will you take these documents to His Majesty? Then, will His Majesty the Emperor conduct the investigation himself…?”

“No.”

The princess answered firmly. Her blue eyes resembled the deep sea, harboring secrets.

“If the Duke was bold enough to have these documents discovered, he likely already has an explanation for the empty treasury ready for His Majesty. He may have even received permission. In that situation, talking about treason and urging an investigation into the Duke, who is an ally of His Majesty, would backfire. First, we should gather more information about the Duke…”

“We don’t have time for that. By the morning after tomorrow, my father will have possession of the Mermaid’s Grave.”

Eric cut off the princess’s words.

The princess, who had been leisurely pouring wine into her glass, froze at Eric’s words.

“…?”

The Princess’s eyes widened, and she returned to her seat.

“The Mermaid’s Grave?!”

The Princess’s big eyes looked at me and Eric alternately.

Eric explained to the Princess that the Mermaid’s Grave, yet undiscovered, had been left to our family after the Viscount Wedgwood’s death. With each word Eric spoke, the Princess’s face flushed with increasing excitement.

“And that’s about to fall into the Duke’s hand? That’s unacceptable… totally unacceptable! Ah, how can I take that into my possession?”

The Princess thought hard, then suddenly pointed at me out of the blue.

“Shall I marry you?”

“Pardon?”

I frowned as I looked at the Princess’ fingers. Huh?

At that moment, I realized I had never heard rumors about the hot-tempered, socialite princess only being interested in men.

‘Haha…’

No matter how open-minded this continent might be, the idea of the Princess marrying me still seemed far-fetched…

“Do you think the Temple would approve? Besides, under continental law, a wife has inheritance rights to her husband’s assets, but a daughter-in-law doesn’t have inheritance rights.”

Eric gently lowered the Princess’ finger, looking pained.

Wait a minute… Are the issues here really the Temple’s approval and continental law? What about my opinion? What about my feelings?

The Princess smacked her lips regretfully.

“Ah, right. Those old-fashioned priests… and those old-fashioned congressmen. But do you think the Temple would approve your marriage? Considering your mother and father are engaged?” She alternately pointed her finger at me and Eric. 

Eric, with a resolute face, said to the princess, “If Your Highness issues a marriage license, the Temple will have no reason not to approve.”

“Well, a little extra money might help too?”

I interjected cautiously. Eric glared at me, speaking in a low voice, “Money? That’s blasphemy.”

“Priests love money, though.”

Honestly, what should we do with this innocent young master?

I was beginning to realize just how different Eric’s approach to problem-solving was from mine.

In reality, while a Duke’s marriage required the Emperor’s approval, for nobles without a title like Eric and me, the Emperor’s approval wasn’t necessary. It was enough for royalty like the Empress, Princess, or Prince to grant permission and have a priest from the Temple officiate the marriage.

The problem was–

The Emperor had already effectively given his approval for my mother’s marriage to the Duke, even if he hadn’t issued the official decree yet.

If the Princess interfered with a marriage that the Emperor had already publicly approved, it would cause significant problems for her standing. But what in the world was the naive Young Master Eric thinking, bringing us here…?

I glanced at the princess with a puzzled look. But the princess responded immediately.

“Fine. I’ll write the marriage license.”

…What? How is this happening…?

I turned to look at Eric.

Is this direct approach really working?

“Tell the attendant outside to bring a pen and paper, and Lady Emeline should change her dress and shoes. Your soon-to-be husband keeps glancing at you because your dress is soaked.”

I frowned at the Princess’s words. Eric’s eyebrows twitched.

“I haven’t been glancing that much.”

“Alright, you glanced about five times. Satisfied?”

✵ ✵ ✵

After Emeline Wedgwood left to change her clothes, the Princess and Eric were left alone in the room. The Princess began writing the marriage license.

The license had to be written in the official royal language, which borrowed many words from ancient languages. While Robert still stuttered through writing it, Ella effortlessly wrote it down.

Ella folded the completed license neatly and slipped it into silk reserved only for royal use. Just before handing it to Prince Eric, she asked, “Do you know why I’m allowing this marriage?”

“Because of the Mermaid’s Grave…”

“I don’t believe in such legends. Even if something like that were taken away, I don’t think that stupid Robert could really steal my throne. I’m far too capable for that.”

Ella spoke arrogantly, gazing at Eric. Eric had already suspected that Ella didn’t fully believe everything he said.

But the handwriting on the secret chamber’s wall, which matched his mother’s, the certainty Emeline had given him, and the strange atmosphere Eric felt from his father—these were not things he could easily convey to Ella.

Seeing that Eric gave no reply, Ella continued, “Are you aware that even in a fraudulent marriage, the couple must still consummate it for the union to be valid?”

At Ella’s sudden remark, Eric started coughing, clearly taken aback. Ella giggled at his flustered expression.

“Is this funny to you?”

“Not at all. I’m genuinely advising you. I thought you might have forgotten.”

Creak–

At that time, the door to the resting room opened, and Emeline, now dressed in the Princess’s navy blue gown, cautiously entered. The princess’ eyes lit up as she watched Eric’s eyes were drawn to Emeline as she stepped inside.

She had definitely noticed those same glances directed toward Emeline earlier at the ‘Roses that Bloom at Night’.

People often assume that flirts don’t understand true emotions, but that’s far from the truth. In fact, flirts tend to be more sensitive to the sincerity of others’ feelings than most—they just choose to exploit them.

Ella smirked, glancing at the glass slippers Emeline was wearing. They reminded her of an amusing story.

A story about a high-ranking noble falling in love with a commoner so much that they overcame the differences in status to marry.

If used well, this marriage license Ella had just written could make her look like the noble who stopped the Duke’s marriage and united two fated lovers—at least in appearance.

‘I could even name her like this. Cinderella. In ancient language, it means ‘Ella’s lover’.’

In Ella’s mind, the Emperor wasn’t someone who followed legends like the Mermaid’s Grave—he was someone who created legends.

Besides, who cared about magic stone mines? They already had electricity lighting up the night as bright as the day, making such things outdated.

More than anything else, love stories are much more entertaining. Especially a great love story that overcame differences in status.

“This fraudulent marriage indeed benefits many, isn’t it?”

✵ ✵ ✵

Following the Princess’ order to change clothes, I glanced down at the glass slippers the attendant had brought.

“Young Master Eric mentioned that he had a pair of shoes prepared for you.”

Glass shoes. So Eric had brought these along—the shoes I had left in my hotel room.

I laughed out loud when I thought of the Young Master Eric wearing a jacket with all the gold buttons missing, roughly smoothing his tangled hair, and then coming out with the shoes I was wearing. Even in the midst of all that chaos, he had the sense not to throw away someone else’s belongings.

The more I looked at Eric Orleans, the stranger he seemed. He told me not to run because he was worried about me escaping, and instead of threatening me after I threatened him, he trusted me.

…And now, despite this being a fraudulent marriage, he had even prepared a ring.

I slipped on the glass slippers and stood in front of the mirror. The ring on my finger gleamed.

“Of course, this is technically a fraudulent marriage, but I believe that marriage is sacred, and no marriage is complete without a proposal.”

I recalled the foolish words Eric had stammered.

I couldn’t possibly live as morally as that man, but there was one thing I intended to uphold. Once we were family, even if through a fraudulent marriage– 

“Family protects each other, Emeline.”

I fiddled with the ring.

Now that I wore this ring, Eric was my accomplice. Even villains protect their accomplices.

I would also protect you.

In whatever way I could.