Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 115

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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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“What are you saying, Father?”
Evan interjected seriously.
“Laria must live. Didn’t you say it wasn’t a fatal illness?”
“That is….”
I quickly cut off Duke Icard’s words.
“Se, se, Serena—you don’t trust Serena? Father, what are you saying! Even if I truly had a fatal illness, you shouldn’t speak such things here!”
My emotions had flared, but my reason hadn’t completely died, so Duke Icard fell silent. Evan couldn’t ask further because Elani had butted in with great fanfare.
“What, you’re saying the physician assigned by House of Icard is inadequate? You should have said so earlier. The Imperial Palace’s finest medical staff….”
“Are you now insulting House of Icard? We have the power to mobilize the Imperial Palace’s medical personnel as well!”
Olivia interjected and raised her voice again.
“Why is someone from the Imperial Family meddling in House of Icard’s affairs? This is our family’s matter!”
“By that logic, your surname is Rivien, isn’t it?”
“I’m your godmother! Your godmother!”
Everything was in chaos. Literally a state of confusion, disaster, and despair. But one thing was certain: if a physician other than Serena examined me, my seven years of feigning illness would crumble.
“Come here! Duke Icard, why are you over there! We need another drink!”
The Emperor called out to Duke Icard from a distant table.
“This is the historic day when the Duke finally joins me for drinks!”
The Emperor seemed in excellent spirits, apparently quite pleased with drinking alongside Duke Icard.
“Yes, Father. Please go for now. We younger folk will sort this out.”
I gently pushed Duke Icard away.
“Hmph.”
He chuckled irritably and suddenly dropped a bombshell.
“Why would I eagerly go to someone who was demanding I dig beside my wife’s grave just to confirm loyalty without any real justification?”
Silence fell over the Banquet Hall once more. Everyone froze at the Duke’s words. I too was so shocked I could barely breathe.
Elani, despite being royalty, was a sensible person who let things pass as long as she wasn’t harmed.
So even when she and Olivia threw things at each other while fighting, nothing major could happen beyond their relationship remaining extremely poor.
Especially since Olivia was from Rivien and had little connection to politics. But Duke Icard and the Emperor were different. He was essentially the head of the Nobility. And the Emperor was a brat.
‘This matter will absolutely not be overlooked.’
And then I finally understood what Medor had done. No matter how much the fairy’s breath had inflamed Duke Icard’s emotions, he wasn’t foolish enough to curse at the Emperor.
That opened medicine bottle must have contained that damned Truth Serum that Evan and I had seen at the Magic Tower.
Originally it was a drug mixed with dark magic that shouldn’t leave the Magic Tower…. But thinking of that Mage who had said “The Mansion Garden is fine, customer,” he surely sold it for money without hesitation.
“The target is random?”
“Well… since it’s a dark magic-based drug, it’s 100 percent effective against people whose wavelengths match dark magic, but such people are extremely rare.”
After Evan inhaled that smoke, he experienced the side effect of randomly speaking the truth. But thinking about it, the target was me.
And I was connected to dark magic in some way. It was just that I hadn’t tried to investigate it seriously—whether it was a blessing that hadn’t taken effect or something Neo reacted to, there was plenty of evidence.
‘I see. In any case, just inhaling the smoke is enough.’
I had thought that with a smoke-form drug, the person who prepared it would also inhale it, making it ineffective at putting the target in a difficult position. Since both the target and timing were random, I figured it wouldn’t be commercialized.
‘But Medor doesn’t care if he speaks the truth. He can just leave.’
The puzzle pieces clicked into place one after another, and I swallowed hard. Duke Orlando certainly wouldn’t have known the drug would react 100 percent to me, but it didn’t matter anyway.
‘Random target, random timing—it doesn’t matter. It’s a gamble either way. And with the fairy’s breath working as well….’
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, the Emperor hadn’t heard Duke Icard’s words and had already collapsed onto the table, snoring loudly.
‘But the moment the Emperor regains consciousness, those words will go straight into his ears.’
I quickly grabbed Evan’s arm.
“Evan, Father seems quite intoxicated. Let’s take him to the balcony for some fresh air.”
Duke Icard himself seemed stunned by his own words, his expression blank with shock.
“…Laria, what about you?”
“I need to show my ankle to Serena. If anything goes wrong, I’ll go to the Count’s Manor first. I’ll go with Olivia, so don’t worry.”
Understanding the implications of this situation, Evan’s mind seemed to be working rapidly as well.
It wouldn’t be wise for everyone from House of Icard to leave their seats.
Rumors would spread uncontrollably, and damage control would become even more difficult. The superior strategy was to endure somehow, prevent open discussion, and minimize the incident. And I….
Amid the confusion and chaos, my mind finally settled into calm. It was only a fleeting moment, but countless emotions and thoughts rushed through me.
I was someone planning to escape within a week anyway. Yet when Medor approached Duke Icard, I instinctively screamed.
‘Ah.’
And now, as Duke Icard found himself in an extremely difficult situation….
‘I want to save him.’
My heart ached.
‘I see.’
Tears threatened to spill, but I held them back.
‘No matter how much I said otherwise, no matter how much I said I’d only think of myself.’
These people making such a fuss over my barely injured ankle, I….
‘I’ve already come to think of them as family.’
Until now, I had tried not to think deeply about it. Especially regarding Duke Icard—I remained vigilant to the end, thinking he could directly kill me. No matter how much affection I received, I hadn’t forgotten that I was ultimately a clam destined for the slaughterhouse.
‘Yet despite all that, I….’
The moment I learned that Duke Icard was in trouble because of the Iron Ore Mine, I immediately began mining operations. Even though it brought me no particular benefit.
I wasn’t only fond of Evan. I had already come to cherish the people of House of Icard. The fairy’s breath had only intensified my emotions, allowing reason to be overcome in an extreme situation and forcing me to acknowledge the truth.
‘I don’t know when it started.’
There were too many things I could recall. Perhaps it was because I had received so much. Even during the terrorist attack, I was grateful for their sincere concern for my safety amid the chaos.
I had simply tried to consciously ignore it all this time. I thought that no matter how much affection I received, I would ultimately be abandoned.
Even while receiving affection, I had been making comparisons on my own. And in those comparisons, I always lost. To Duke Icard, reviving Matilda was more precious than my life.
Moreover, no matter how much Evan cherished me, he would ultimately obey his father’s words. So I kept thinking defensively: ‘I’ll leave, I’ll abandon everything and leave.’ Like that.
But now, faced with this dead end, I realized that when you truly care for someone, you can’t engage in such calculations. Even if I’m not their first priority, I can make them my first priority.
‘…I’ll protect them.’
Once I made up my mind, I felt oddly lighter.
‘My family, I’ll protect them… and then I’ll leave.’
At least I’ll resolve this situation so they won’t face difficulties because of it.
“Evan, wait.”
I went to Evan’s side, stood on my tiptoes, and whispered in his ear.
“I think Father may have inhaled the fumes from that truth potion. The one you handled at the Magic Tower.”
“What? No, how did you….”
“It seems the phenomenon of truth-telling is happening to me right now… Just endure for thirty minutes. Then have another drinking session with His Majesty. Join him and do whatever you can to lift his spirits.”
“But this isn’t something that can be resolved simply by soothing your feelings. Even if we get through today, if tomorrow’s banquet loses its charm because of this….”
“We just need to get through today. Trust me and do as I say. Either way, what matters is that you stay in your seat until the banquet ends. Understood?”
I finished my whispered words and stepped away from Evan. Then, with a slight smile, I spoke with quiet confidence.
“I’ll handle the rest myself. Don’t worry too much.”
“Laria.”
Evan looked at me as though he were seeing an entirely different person. Of course he would. This was the first time he’d witnessed me grasping the situation so unilaterally and issuing commands.
‘Not just the first time—he probably couldn’t have even imagined it.’
Yet I could sense it instinctively. Evan was someone who would trust me and do as I asked, at least for now. Though he would certainly demand a full explanation later….
“Father.”
I stood before Evan and Duke Icard. The Duke’s face was clouded with confusion from the alcohol and medicine. Looking into his eyes, I spoke in soothing tones.
“It’s alright.”
And with a gentle smile, I grasped my skirts and curtsied.
“Everything will be fine. All of it, just as you wish, Father. I’ll make sure it happens.”
My eyes met Evan’s. His bewildered crimson eyes were searching, lost.
“Evan.”
I called his name softly.
It was late, but I was grateful to have realized it at all. A feeling that had been precious for so long, exceptional from the very beginning, yet one I’d failed to examine closely because of that very fact. Pouring all of that emotion into my words, I smiled and spoke.
“Thank you for everything.”
That single moment when our eyes met felt like an eternity.
“Take care of yourself.”
It was my farewell, offered in the beautiful banquet hall with all eyes upon us.
Perhaps sensing something amiss, Evan tried to say something to me. But I immediately turned away with Olivia.

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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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