<CHAPTER 000>

Here’s the full translation of your chapter according to your rules, with HTML formatting for dialogues and inner thoughts, two line breaks between sentences, one sentence per line, and all names exactly as in your master list. I’ve also added the chapter title in English at the top.

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The Cost of Possession is Employment Fraud! 000

The sky was clear, and the sunlight blazed down.

“Rena, marry Brielle.”

Nonsense spewed out like sparks.

‘Good heavens, the Marchioness of Clayton.’

It was so absurd that I let out a bitter laugh.

I had spent my entire life growing up as the heir of Clayton, and now I was supposed to become the Marchioness instead of the head of the house?

And all this just to make the bloodless Brielle Hebner the Marchion of Clayton?

Grandfather’s nonsense continued.

“The engagement ceremony will be next month, and the wedding will be in half a year.”

“Ha ha.”

I let out a dry laugh, and Grandfather raised one eyebrow.

A look that clearly asked if I had any objections.

Of course I did.

I said calmly,

“I have someone I’m seeing.”

“What did you say?”

“Wait, Rena!”

Brielle Hebner, who had been sitting quietly the whole time, finally called out to me as if to stop me.

‘Does he really think I would obediently say yes?’

Grandfather’s gaze shifted between me and Brielle Hebner.

“Brielle, do you know her? Surely she’s not a palace official?”

“Palace… I heard we met at the palace…”

‘Ridiculous… That useless boyfriend can be dumped. It’s just a trivial branch family anyway.’

Brielle’s lips quivered slightly as he replied calmly.

I felt the commotion outside the door growing nearer, and I curled my lips in a smirk.

Whether Grandfather allowed it or not, he could no longer influence my life in any way.

Because—

“Rena Clayton. Marry Brielle! One day, you’ll thank me…”

Grandfather’s words were cut off as the door suddenly swung open.

Immediately, a man with a massive frame strode in.

Beneath jet-black hair, his piercing eyes were so dark and commanding that they alone could overwhelm.

“E-Your Majesty? What brings you here…”

This was the man I had been waiting for.

Grandfather froze in shock and hurriedly rose to greet him.

Brielle, also standing, glared at the Emperor with bloodshot eyes.

“Ah, Marchion. It’s nothing, just had some business to attend to.”

The Emperor sneered coldly at him and walked straight up to wrap his arms around my shoulders without hesitation.

When our eyes met, he smiled gently.

“I heard Rena Clayton has a boyfriend. Yet the family forces an arranged marriage.”

“That’s true, but it doesn’t concern Your Majesty…”

“Why doesn’t it? I am the lover of Rena who’s about to be forced to break up.”

Grandfather’s mouth fell open.

“So, I came to say that I won’t let you break up.”

‘Is he seriously thinking of opposing me?’

I just laughed at the Emperor’s boldness in cutting straight to the point.

The romance between the Emperor and a mere aide.

All of this began only half a year ago, at my appointment ceremonies