Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 111

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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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16. Escape
“Oh my.”
The moment I arrived at the ballroom, my eyes widened and I couldn’t hide my astonishment. It was truly magnificent beyond words. Far more beautiful and far more spectacular than I had imagined.
“It’s truly stunning…”
While I was distracted by looking around, Evan quietly murmured something to himself.
“Your gaze lingered longest on the chandelier in the fourth row, second column, then on the Olinyapf sculpture, and then on the stained glass ceiling.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking ahead about the Count’s Manor interior design for next season.”
Evan gave a casual response before offering me a gentle smile and continuing.
“Laria, the first dance will begin soon. Will you dance it with me?”
“Why are you asking all of a sudden? It’s customary for husband and wife to dance the first dance together.”
I looked at Evan’s face and burst into laughter.
“First dance requests are only important to unmarried noble heirs whose hearts waver like reeds. There’s no need for us to make a fuss about it.”
After saying that, I looked around once more and added with a smile.
“But this place is so magnificent… The first dance has always been with you, but I think I’ll be even more thrilled than usual.”
It wasn’t Evan who answered. It was Princess Elani, who had arrived at some point without my noticing.
“The Imperial Palace Ballroom is certainly magnificent. Thank you for the kind words, Laria.”
“Oh my, it’s an honor to meet the Star of the Empire, Princess Elani.”
I quickly offered a respectful bow, and Elani waved her hand dismissively.
“What need is there for such stiff formality between us?”
I bowed even more respectfully.
‘Between us? What does she mean…’
Even if it doesn’t work out, she’s still the woman who will remarry my husband! While it’s true we’re entangled in various ways, I had no desire to become closer than necessary.
“Let me tell you a secret, Laria.”
Seeing my expression as if I had nothing more to say, Elani whispered mysteriously.
“This is something only a select few know, but the Imperial Palace Ballroom was actually blessed with the breath of ancient fairies.”
Elani continued speaking as she affectionately adjusted my clothing.
“To amplify all manner of emotions. Banquets are events where young blood causes the most incidents and accidents, after all.”
“Then wouldn’t amplifying emotions be counterproductive?”
“Well, fairies are the sort of creatures who believe that a successful banquet must generate all sorts of stories and gossip.”
Elani smiled at me with an enchanting expression. She had dressed herself lavishly for the banquet and was truly beautiful, her already remarkable beauty shining even more brilliantly.
“So be careful, Laria. As the Imperial Palace Banquet progresses, people lose half their reason. That’s why we don’t accept minors.”
Evan interjected bluntly.
“What is your purpose in revealing a truth known only to such a select few?”
Anyone would have heard the curt tone in his voice. Of course, Elani didn’t even glance at Evan.
“I want to build a bond with you, that’s all. You’re kind, Laria, but you’re subtly difficult to get close to.”
“Ahaha…”
I laughed awkwardly.
I was wondering how to end this conversation when Elani continued speaking.
“You mustn’t forget that emotions will only intensify more and more. Otherwise, you’ll cause an accident. If you’re discerning like me and always keep that fact in mind, you must always remain composed.”
Princess Elani approached me subtly and gave me a knowing smile.
“So here’s the thing—I’ll have to dance the first song with my husband, of course, but if you’d join me for refreshments during the second song, I could tell you more detailed stories about the fairies….”
“I’m sorry, but.”
Evan spoke with irritation.
“Would you please stop hitting on my wife?”
“Hitting on? That’s a bit harsh.”
Princess Elani scoffed and crossed her arms.
“I’m seducing her.”
“My apologies.”
I bowed respectfully to Princess Elani once more.
“I’m not feeling well, so I’m unaware of what happened before this song. Since I don’t know when I’ll need to leave, I’m afraid I cannot promise you anything regarding the next dance. I do hope you’ll understand.”
“Oh, alright then!”
I thought I’d gotten off easy, but Princess Elani smiled slyly and said,
“Then I’ll come back once the first song ends.”
Why was she so subtly obsessive?
I briefly wondered if Princess Elani had been this fixated on Simor as well. As I watched her fluttering figure disappear, Evan gripped my hand tighter and whispered.
“Princess Elani seems odd. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“….”
One thing was certain: Princess Elani and Evan already didn’t care much for each other. In any case, the first song began to play, and I started dancing with Evan.
“My goodness.”
Dancing was mechanical, of course, but the atmosphere was absolutely wonderful.
“The decorations on the ceiling are so beautiful—it’s like the Milky Way is spread out before us. You’ve never seen it, have you?”
“….”
“And the music resonates so beautifully that when I dance, I feel like I’m the protagonist of the story. You’ve never heard it, have you?”
There was a reason Olivia had boasted about this place to her young niece-in-law earlier.
It truly looked like something from a fairy tale, as if the fairies themselves had created it. I could see Princess Elani dancing her first dance with Simor in the distance. A princess inviting a commoner-born viscount and dancing with him first—it was quite the narrative.
‘They really do seem to be getting along well. I suppose even if I interfered, the destined relationships from the original story still come to pass.’
By that logic, both Evan and I were merely supporting characters among supporting characters. Yet dancing together in such a beautiful place made me feel like the protagonist of a romantic tale.
“Evan, why are we dancing so slowly?”
“I’m worried your ankle might hurt.”
“It’s really fine.”
“No, it’s slightly slower than your usual walking pace. About two percent?”
It was undoubtedly a very slight difference that I hadn’t even noticed myself. Even the doctor said there would be no discomfort in my movements. And while his consideration—quantified and mechanical as it seemed—was a bit strange, I didn’t dislike it.
“It’s so beautiful. Now I understand why the Imperial Palace Ballroom is so famous.”
I would have regretted leaving without visiting the Imperial Palace Ballroom.
“Does Father not dance?”
“No.”
Evan glanced toward the table where Duke Icard was seated and said,
“I heard that after Mother passed away, he never dances anymore.”
“Ah….”
He was drinking with several middle-aged nobles of high rank.
‘Hmm? He’s drinking? He doesn’t usually drink much…’
Of course, Duke Orlando was also present—a quiet man, but one I inevitably crossed paths with at events like this.
‘The current political situation has Duke Icard firmly suppressing Duke Orlando. Ever since Evan came of age and entered politics, House Icard has become the most influential noble family.’
The Emperor naturally occupied the seat of honor.
The Emperor, looking satisfied, was pouring wine for Duke Icard.
‘Well, to smooth over the awkwardness that arose between them over the iron ore mines last time, sharing drinks is the only way.’
Still, Duke Icard drinking—it was clear he desperately wanted to be seen favorably by the Royal Court.
‘Of course… He must know he’s dying soon. To match Elani and Evan together, he needs to make a good impression starting now.’
Even knowing all this, I felt a bitter taste.
After the dance ended, Evan immediately seated me in a chair, saying he’d fetch me a glass of water, then disappeared into the crowd.
I sat at the table, watching Duke Icard and fell into thought.
‘If I were Duke Orlando, I’d accept that the noble house is already lost, but I’d try to widen the rift between myself and the Emperor.’
It was probably Duke Orlando who had encouraged the mine development on the land where Matilda’s grave lay.
‘Perhaps he intends to use this banquet as that opportunity…’
I naturally continued my thoughts, then consciously stopped myself.
‘What does it matter to me anymore?’
I’d be fleeing soon anyway—there was no need to concern myself with such things. Especially not when he was already preparing for my death by sharing drinks with the Emperor.
‘I’ll just quietly observe… Wait.’
As I waited for Evan to return with the water, I spotted someone and narrowed my eyes.
“Ah, just a moment. Why are you acting so high and mighty for a mere maid?”
A youth with a despicable expression was pestering a maid who was carrying food. It was Jerdi Viscount Yeong—the man I’d been grinding my teeth over ever since the Scroll Book showed me that illusion at the Magic Tower.
“You, are you looking down on me because my rank is low? Even if I look like this, Duke Orlando himself is backing me. You see me here, don’t you?”
I genuinely felt grateful. If one person were bad and the rest good, I’d feel uncomfortable tormenting him. But since he was thoroughly despicable in every way, I felt not a shred of guilt. And to think he was on Duke Orlando’s side—what a fantastically perfect arrangement.
‘I was actually bored, lacking anyone particularly worthy of tormenting at such a grand banquet. This works out perfectly.’
Wasn’t my specialty making someone disappear without revealing my own presence?
I’d already been thinking that the humiliation I gave him at the National Foundation Festival six years ago was somewhat insufficient. Had I known the specifics of his past then, I would never have settled for merely forcing him to his knees in apology.
“Laria.”
Just then, someone approached me before Evan could return.
“I came to pay my respects.”
It was Simor, who looked striking in his pristine white uniform. True to his role as the male lead, he had an impeccably refined and aristocratic appearance that gave no impression whatsoever of his commoner origins.
“Ah.”
For the first time, I was genuinely delighted to see him.
“Simor, you’ve arrived at just the right moment.”
I still had no close acquaintances in the Capital Social Circle.
“I have a favor to ask. I was hoping you’d grant it out of the friendship we’ve built as partners.”
“Of course. If it’s a request from you, Laria, I should naturally oblige.”
And Simor was the only card I could play while moving about this banquet hall.
“What would you like me to do?”
“First, could you call over that maid there? Some wretched fellow has attached himself to her, and she looks quite troubled.”
“What? That’s not difficult at all.”
“And one more thing.”
“Yes. Please, tell me anything.”
I smiled softly as I spoke.
“The second dance.”
After all, it was customary not to dance the second dance with the same partner as the first. Evan had already requested the second dance with Olivia.
I had decided to sit it out, having been told not to strain myself because of my ankle.
“Please request the second dance with me.”

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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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