I Ended Up in a Shotgun Marriage with the Male Lead

Chapter 1

A small general store in the village.

“Emilia, have you finished cleaning up?”

“Cough Yes!”

A brown-haired young woman peeked her head out from the back of the storage room.

“I’m almost done!”

“Then finish that up and head home.”

Mrs. Anderson said as she looked over the account book.

“Really? Is that okay?”

Emilia’s face lit up. It was much earlier than her usual time to leave work.

“Of course. There aren’t many customers anyway. Besides…”

Mrs. Anderson frowned slightly before continuing,

“Isn’t today the day Cedric’s exam results are being announced?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Emilia nodded brightly.

Seeing her expression, Mrs. Anderson shook her head as if she couldn’t understand.

“I seriously don’t know what you see in that boy. All he ever does is make you suffer.”

“Well, passing that exam isn’t exactly easy.”

“Even so, he ought to pass already for your sake! How many years have you been supporting him now?”

Emilia let out an awkward laugh.

“Anyway, if he fails again this time, give him a good kick in the rear and dump him. Got it?”

“Mm… I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t just think about it—actually do it! You’re such a smart girl, except when it comes to things like this…”

“Okay, okay. Then I’ll put my thoughts into action and head home now.”

Before Mrs. Anderson could continue scolding her, Emilia quickly untied her apron.

“Oh, honestly. Fine, fine. Off you go.”

Mrs. Anderson waved her away impatiently.

Jingle.

Leaving the general store, Emilia headed straight for the grocery shop.

Before long, however, her cheerful expression faded.

Although she had joked around with Mrs. Anderson, she had been nervous the entire time.

What if he fails again?

To be honest, she was worried.

Her fiancé, Cedric, had spent the past several years taking the Level Five Administrative Officer Examination.

Anyone from a family of baron rank or higher could apply, and passing it meant earning a position at the Imperial Palace.

The competition was fierce, and the exam was notoriously difficult.

Most applicants hired private tutors to prepare.

But Cedric came from a fallen noble family that struggled financially and lived with his widowed mother.

Because of that, Emilia had taken full responsibility for both his education and financial support.

Of course, she was only a commoner living in the countryside.

The only reason she could manage it was because she possessed memories of her previous life.

Well… the fact that this world is inside a novel is pretty unusual too.

Still, someone like her, living in a tiny rural village, had nothing to do with the story itself.

The only thing that mattered now…

…was whether Cedric had passed.

At least today, I’ll make something extra nice for dinner.

Rubbing her sore shoulders, Emilia continued toward the grocery store.

* * *

“Mother, I’m home.”

“Come in.”

“Is Cedric still not back?”

After entering the house, Emilia looked around.

“If he were home, do you think I’d still be sitting here like this?”

Mrs. Romans snapped without even looking at her.

“I suppose you’re right. Sorry for asking.”

Emilia smiled gently in apology.

It seemed Mrs. Romans had been anxiously waiting ever since Cedric left.

If that was the case, Cedric was probably standing at the entrance to the village.

Waiting for the mail carrier, who came only once a week.

The letter he was waiting for…

…was the examination result sent from the Imperial Palace.

“Emilia.”

“Yes?”

“Even if Cedric failed, don’t you dare look disappointed. Understand?”

Mrs. Romans fixed her with a stern glare.

“Of course. I know.”

Emilia nodded calmly.

In truth, the one who always failed to remain composed was Mrs. Romans herself.

But Emilia didn’t point that out.

A moment later—

The front door flew open with hurried footsteps.

“Cedric?”

Emilia turned around.

But something about Cedric’s expression seemed… blank.

Looking down, she noticed the crumpled letter in his hand.

No way…

Quickly suppressing her disappointment, Emilia forced a smile.

“It’s okay, Cedric. Even if it wasn’t this time, you can always try again next year—”

Before her hand could touch his shoulder, Cedric suddenly raised his head.

“I did it…”

“Huh?”

“I DID IT! This Cedric Romans has become a Level Five Imperial Official!”

Mrs. Romans, who had been standing there anxiously, opened her eyes wide in disbelief.

“Really? Is it true?”

“If you don’t believe me, read it yourself!”

His excited voice trembled as he thrust the letter toward her.

Mrs. Romans snatched it from his hand and quickly read its contents.

“My goodness!”

Overcome with emotion, she threw her arms around Cedric.

“My son! My son! I knew you could do it! Well done! Well done! Now your mother can die without regrets!”

“What are you talking about? From now on you’ll finally be able to live comfortably!”

Cedric shouted excitedly.

“That’s right! A genius like me was bound to be accepted! I was just unlucky until now!”

“Exactly! Exactly!”

While Mrs. Romans enthusiastically agreed—

Emilia quietly picked up the acceptance letter that had fallen onto the floor.

Cedric’s name was clearly written on it.

Along with the words confirming that he had passed.

He really did it…

The strength left Emilia’s legs, and she sank to the floor.

It all felt unreal.

At the same time, the hardships of the past several years flashed through her mind like a panorama.

From morning until sunset, she worked at the store to earn money.

Every remaining hour…

…was devoted to Cedric.

She cooked dinner for both Cedric and Mrs. Romans every day.

She studied administrative and legal textbooks herself and even created mock exam questions for him.

Doing everything she could to make use of the experience she’d gained from passing the civil service examination in her previous life.

To say she hadn’t grown exhausted over the years…

…would have been a lie.

“Hey. Why are you crying?”

Seeing Emilia’s shoulders trembling slightly, Cedric grumbled.

“That’s right. It’s a happy day. Why are you making such a fuss?”

“I’m just… so happy.”

Embarrassed, Emilia hurriedly wiped away her tears.

Then she smiled brightly at the two people who would soon become her family.

Never imagining what Cedric would say…

…after he returned from the capital following his appointment ceremony.

* * *

One month later.

Looking at the calendar with a date circled in red, worry filled Emilia’s face.

“Why hasn’t he come back yet?”

The day Cedric was supposed to return had long since passed.

Even if the appointment ceremony had taken longer than expected…

…this was far too late.

Did something happen?

The real problem was that he hadn’t sent a single message.

Since Emilia had no idea where Cedric was staying, there was no way for her to find out unless he contacted her first.

After staring at the calendar for quite some time, she suddenly stood up.

This won’t do. I’ll go ask Mrs. Romans.

* * *

Knock. Knock.

Standing outside the house, Emilia waited for Mrs. Romans to answer.

But no one came.

Is she not home?

Light was clearly shining through the window.

She could even hear voices inside.

Just as she was about to knock again—

The door suddenly swung open.

“…Cedric?”

Emilia froze in surprise.

The person standing before her…

…was the one she’d been waiting for all this time.

“Uh…?”

“What? If you’d come back, you should’ve told me right away! Do you know how worried I’ve been?”

A hint of hurt crept into her voice.

He had returned home…

…yet never bothered to let her know.

Still, she immediately looked him over from head to toe.

At least he doesn’t seem hurt.

If anything, he looked healthier than before, as though life in the capital had agreed with him.

Emilia decided to be relieved that he was safe.

But…

Something about Cedric felt strange.

After avoiding her gaze awkwardly for a moment…

…he quietly pulled his arm away from her hand.

What’s wrong?

Just then—

A young woman peeked out from behind Cedric.

Emilia’s eyes naturally shifted toward her.

“…Who is she?”