Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 109

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“I’d love to tell everyone in the kingdom about Laria’s excellence. I’m always moved when I see someone who does their work so well.”
It was a remark that made me understand why such a talented person as Morand remained in House of Icard.
I sighed and unfurled Olivia’s tiger fan. This fan had the effect of instantly transforming my weak image into something strong.
“That’s an order, Morand. Review the other documents as well, and since there’s still quite a bit of time left, don’t mention the deadline to anyone.”
Entrusting me with work that still had time remaining probably meant ‘just take a look at it when you have a chance.’ Of course, I intended to finish it well before the deadline.
“To entrust someone so outstanding with….”
“Ahem.”
When I tapped the fan once against my chest, Morand immediately fell silent. It seemed to have a similar effect to when Olivia wielded it.
“I want to add more perfection to it. If I think of a better method while working alone, I want to revise it, so just give me a bit more time for now.”
“But this alone is already excellent….”
Morand even began to fidget, but I furrowed my brow and drove the point home sternly.
“Since this is my first task, I really want to do it well. So tell them later, later.”
“…Yes, I understand. But those two will surely be amazed. Of course, so will I.”
I left Morand, who had begun to marvel again while looking at the documents, and yawned as I stood up.
“Well then, I’m going to bed. See you tomorrow, Morand.”
No matter how much Evan preferred to have his own room, I still needed to sleep. I couldn’t spend another night sleeping uncomfortably in the library.
Besides, tomorrow was the Imperial Palace banquet! It was essentially the last event before going into hiding, so I needed to get a good night’s sleep tonight if I wanted to enjoy it fully.
‘I really just need to sleep…. I won’t make things uncomfortable for you no matter what, Evan Icard.’
With that resolve, I left the library to share a room with Evan for the first time in a long while.
* * *
“Why are you so late?”
The moment I entered the room, Evan asked eagerly.
“Why did you go to the library? You don’t usually like books, do you?”
“I didn’t want to inconvenience you.”
I answered casually.
“It seemed like you wanted to have the room to yourself, so I came now just to sleep.”
“What are you talking about? If you strain yourself and hurt your body further, what then? You should have just kicked me out instead.”
“…This is your room anyway. I’m going to wash up first.”
After washing and changing into indoor clothes, I came out to find Evan standing with his back to me, gazing out the window.
‘Whose husband is this, really. He’s so impressive.’
I thought to myself while observing his tall frame, broad shoulders, and long legs.
‘Good looks are a talent too, but to dislike even skin contact with a woman while possessing such a physique—what a waste of talent in this world….’
Yet when I remembered how he didn’t seem to mind clinging to me when we visited the Magic Tower or at the masquerade, it seemed family was acceptable to him after all.
But looking more closely, Evan wasn’t being quiet. It seemed like he was singing something like a hymn….
“Evan, are you singing a hymn? The lyrics sound incredibly reverent and solemn.”
“It is a hymn.”
Since it was actually about emptiness of mind and enlightenment, I was at a loss for words.
“…It’s a bit strange to say this, but you haven’t even been baptized.”
“Yeah. So it’s not working, damn it.”
Evan rubbed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
“Are you alright from the nosebleed earlier? You look exhausted—you should get some rest.”
I went to his side and checked his complexion, noticing his ears were flushed red, so I carefully placed my hand on his forehead.
“Do you have a fever?”
“….”
“I promise I’ll sleep quietly, so you get some proper rest today. Tomorrow you’ll be busy reporting things to Father anyway. Actually, why don’t you ask him to reduce your workload?”
“…No. I’m fine.”
Evan slowly raised his hand and grasped mine that rested on his forehead. I felt our fingers intertwine as I continued speaking.
“No matter how grown up you are, you’re still young, and besides….”
Evan gently cut off my words, which had been about to criticize Duke Icard.
“At some point, I….”
Then he interlaced our joined hands and slowly lowered them from his forehead.
“I wanted to fulfill Father’s every wish.”
“…What?”
“Perhaps it’s because I can now understand Father’s sense of loss. I used to pity myself, but now Father’s suffering is incomparable to my own.”
Just then, the shoulder strap of my indoor robe slipped down, and I hurriedly pulled it back up while asking.
“What do you mean? How did this….”
But instead of answering, he walked past me without hesitation toward the wardrobe.
“…Wait.”
He opened the wardrobe and roughly pulled out his own robe, then immediately wrapped it around me. His clothes were so large that I looked ridiculous, but he wrapped me up almost like I was being packaged in the robe, then laid me down on the bed and rolled me up once more in the blanket.
“Evan? It’s not even winter….”
“Sleep well, Laria.”
Forcing me to sleep in the middle of a conversation—was there ever such an absurd situation?
I asked in exasperation.
“What about you?”
“I’m going to exercise a bit before bed.”
“…Now?”
He didn’t answer and simply began doing push-ups.
‘…Is he insane? Has he been doing this every night? What kind of exercise addict is he?’
And his pace was fast.
Despite my exhaustion, I watched him perform his furious push-ups.
“Laria, aren’t you sleeping?”
“No. It’s just fun to watch.”
“What exactly is fun about it?”
“Your body is fun to watch.”
The way his muscles were defined was honestly the most entertaining thing I’d seen lately.
“….”
Evan got up with a start, saying he’d shower, and went into the bathroom. And remarkably, he kept at it all night long.
‘Is he an idiot? Why is he doing sit-ups after showering?’
Watching him cycle through hymn singing, frenzied exercising, and showering, I eventually grew bored and fell asleep.
‘Cherry blossoms bloom for only one season—no matter how beautiful, you can’t watch them all night….’
If Evan’s physique was maintained by such frenzied nightly exertion, then despite its aesthetic appeal, his body offered remarkably poor value for the effort invested.
The next morning, Olivia and Duke Icard burst in simultaneously. It seemed they had just arrived at the Count’s Manor in time for the evening banquet and had heard the servants’ report of the terrorist attack.
“Laria! A bomb went off in your room! Who dares commit such recklessness against my granddaughter?”
“Laria, are you hurt anywhere? You haven’t suffered severe emotional trauma, have you?”
Both of them rushed toward me and frantically examined my complexion.
“I… I’m perfectly fine…”
Olivia and Duke Icard glanced at Evan standing behind me, then exchanged looks with each other.
“Aunt, it seems we rushed over so hastily that we didn’t hear properly.”
“That’s right. We only heard up to ‘a bomb went off in Laria’s room…'”
Then he calmly looked at Evan and spoke.
“Were you in Laria’s room? So it was you who got hurt. Your face looks terrible.”
Olivia let out a soft sigh and added her thoughts.
“Well, if someone had to be injured, it’s better that it was my sturdy grandson rather than my delicate granddaughter. At least your limbs are intact—that’s fortunate.”
Duke Icard also furrowed his brow and interjected.
“Your complexion is far too poor. What did the doctor say? It seems you were injured quite severely.”
Indeed, Evan’s face was dark enough to invite such misunderstandings.
‘I never knew he’d engage in such masochistic behavior all night long. He’s definitely not entirely normal. Still, he’s my husband—I should keep his secret.’
So the secret behind this kind and entertaining man was the foolish exertion he performed every night.
“I’m fine. Please don’t worry.”
I turned my gaze away from Evan, who answered calmly while clicking his tongue in disapproval.
Then came a knock at the door.
“Miss Laria, you should begin preparing for the banquet soon… Oh my, everyone’s gathered here.”
Lisa entered and spoke solemnly before stopping in surprise.
“Ah, that’s right. We need to start getting ready now.”
Olivia straightened her posture as if just coming to her senses.
“Since I’ve confirmed everyone is safe, I’ll take my leave. I need to prepare myself.”
Duke Icard exchanged a few perfunctory words with Evan about business matters before departing. Not long after, Lisa returned with a bright smile, carrying dresses and jewels.
“Did you rest well, Miss Laria? It’s been so long since I’ve adorned you here! It brings back old memories.”
And so I had no choice but to begin preparing for the banquet in this rather bewildering situation.
After all, this was my final event with the House of Icard.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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