When ML finds MC he accompanies MC without trying to drag her back to the throne, which is MUCH more entertaining than other methods. Chapter 48 and we still haven't been brought to the throne, MC
stole was rewarded with an herb garden for saving an Earl so she's planting that and ML secretly commutes from their home to the palace using magic scrolls. I'm surprised by how self-sufficient MC is since she manages to live well anywhere. I'm okay with never transitioning to the marriage arc since this is fun, leave this 'on the run' for 50~ more chapters before exploding ML's identity please!
While enjoying their 'contract marriage life' ML is steadily making plans, he really likes MC so he slowly prods her to find out why she avoids the emperor, her answers made this man fall to the ground lol. He also made adjustments to make the Empress position more desirable using MC's feedback to fix what MC hates about the position. His actions are honestly adorable and the current emperor is far from the original obsessive villain, MC also reincarnated as a child so that has an impact too. He still gets jealous and plays matchmaker with the men 'too' close to MC tho... but I'll let it slide since he isn't ruining their lives, just redirecting them away to another woman. Overall, the Empire's opinion of him is a great, efficient, and righteous man, who cuts corrupt nobles cruelly.
MC has an interesting character too. At first, I wondered how thick her plot armor would be, but after reading about 20 chapters I really like her. Despite how dumb she seemed in the beginning, the author gives her enough intelligence to be interesting and she is surprisingly utilizing her knowledge of the novel's plot very well. The way she plots against the emperor 'loyally' is hilarious, especially since 'that' emperor is listening to her boast with a sort-of angry but also crying expression hahaha.
Oh I'll leave a spoiler containing that scene, there are many more scenes haha.
Spoiler
"If the empire's only two ducal houses and the Emperor joined hands, they could easily find me. So why haven't they found me yet?"
Dale began to ponder seriously.
He tapped the table with his hand as if trying to figure out the answer.
"It's overwork."
"... ?"
"The Emperor is too overwhelmed with work."
For a moment, Dale's eyes widened.
He looked at me, bewildered.
"Overwork... "
Dale's voice trailed off.
"I don't quite understand."
"Why do you think the Emperor is busy?"
"Because he must rectify the empire, which remains in chaos and disarray due to the sins of the previous emperor."
"Right. There are many places that need attention."
"That's true."
"But how could these misdeeds keep being uncovered?"
Dale squinted his eyes, looking at me.
He seemed not to fully grasp my point.
"The atrocities committed by the old nobility are vast. It would take decades just to uncover all their deeds, given the size of the empire."
"...."
"Under normal circumstances."
Dale's eyes gradually widened.
"But the Imperial Court has been quickly finding and punishing their crimes."
"No way....."
"That's right."
I proudly patted my chest.
"I kept prodding the Imperial Court."
"... !"
The Emperor must not rest even a bit.
Absolutely.
*****
"It's tax collection season at the Imperial Court now, so it must be busy... Ah! But there should be some breathing room before the knightly order's winter training, so it's time to insert more tasks."
I pulled out a notepad with a smile.
"Thank you! Now that I think of it, I should write it down in advance."
Thump.
A large hand covered the notepad.
Without realizing it, I scratched Dale's hand with my pen.
"Dale! Are you okay? Clean it quickly."
I vigorously wiped his hand with a wet handkerchief.
"The ink won't come off easily. Does it sting? What should we do?"
"I see... "
Dale's sigh filled the room.
"It was you all along."
[collapse]
