Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 140

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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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“….”
“Today is your birthday.”
The original Laria hadn’t lived to see this day. That’s why I couldn’t celebrate Evan’s twenty-first birthday with him.
“I’ll skip the grand celebration with servants and a musical ensemble—I already did that for your fourteenth birthday.”
Though no one else seemed to notice, today was Evan’s birthday.
“…Thank you.”
Evan spoke slowly.
“What I want as a birthday gift is….”
“And whatever else you’re about to say—stop!”
I cut him off quickly.
If I kept indulging his requests, there was a very real chance I wouldn’t be leaving this room today either.
“What now?”
Reborn as a true Icard Noblewoman, I met my husband’s gaze as he stared at me intently, my fists clenching.
“Let’s take down Duke Orlando right now. How dare he touch anyone!”
“….”
“Since we’ve come this far, we need to show what happens to anyone who dares touch Icard. If you’ve come to your senses, let’s depart for the Capital immediately!”
Evan stared at me, then muttered quietly.
“Right…. We shouldn’t be greedy. We need to take it step by step, moving at a mad pace.”
But moving at a mad pace isn’t taking it step by step…. And we’ve already gone as far as we can go, so what more steps are there….
“Ah, speaking of the Count’s Manor reminds me.”
Evan suddenly remembered something and handed me a letter from the table.
“What is this?”
“My aunt asked me to give it to you when I saw you.”
In other words, it was a letter from Olivia.
The envelope bore large, hastily scrawled letters across its face.
[Evan, you must never look at this. The moment you open it, you’ll lose Laria and bring ruin upon our house.]
For someone who loved Icard, she certainly sounded desperate, even using the word “ruin.” I carefully extracted the letter and began reading.
[Laria, are you doing well? I had hoped you were embezzling the Count’s Manor budget and living comfortably, but from what Morand tells me, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for Icard. But even if that weren’t the case, you’re my grand-niece, so I will absolutely look after you.
Calaudin has gone to Podeilin where Matilda rests, deeply remorseful. Though the memorial day is still some time away. I don’t understand what he means about bringing you back.
So I’m at the Count’s Manor now, with full authority. So even if Evan coerces you and drags you here, don’t worry too much. I’ll find a way to get you out.
Living with me won’t be particularly pleasant for you, but it’s better than being imprisoned by that mad fool Evan with his eyes rolling back.
Just make the best of this opportunity and settle down in Rivien, living well. By the way, you can bring your lover too. I’ll kill him without anyone knowing.
I’m adding this just in case—Calaudin has done you great wrong, but I have not. Remember that clearly. If it seemed like I was backing away, I assure you I was not.]
I lifted my head sharply after reading Olivia’s letter.
“Evan, did you read this letter?”
“No, it’s yours. Why would I read it without permission? Especially look at the envelope.”
At Evan’s calm words, I spoke with a trembling voice.
“This isn’t the time for that.”
My mind raced as my gaze fixed on one particular passage of the letter.
“Laria?”
“Besides, today is your birthday.”
Evan, who normally attached no significance to birthdays, nodded as if to say it was nothing worth making a fuss over now.
And Evan’s birthday was the anniversary of Matilda’s death.
“Evan.”
Upon reaching a certain realization, I spoke in alarm.
“We need to leave for Podeilin right now.”
“Huh?”
“Your father. We need to go save your father.”
I thrust a letter into Evan’s hands, then sprang up and searched through the maps to determine the exact distance. Fortunately, Podeilin wasn’t far from here.
I immediately retrieved a teleportation scroll. I had used one before when traveling from the Count’s Manor to here, but I still had considerable distance remaining. If Evan and I traveled together, we should be able to reach near Podeilin with just enough power to spare.
I hastily scribbled a memo on the table so the people staying at the Viscount’s Manor wouldn’t be alarmed by our disappearance. I added a few additional instructions as well. Then, after Evan finished reading the letter, I firmly grasped his hand and tore the teleportation scroll.
* * *
Calaudin stood silently before Matilda’s grave. When Matilda first became pregnant with Evan, the doctors’ opinions were divided. Half said it would be dangerous, and half said it would be fine. But as the pregnancy progressed into its later stages, that even split gradually tilted to one side.
Nearly all of them cautiously said it would be difficult.
“I’m going to have this child no matter what.”
Matilda firmly dismissed the suggestions from several doctors who proposed she take medication to terminate the pregnancy.
“I’ve made my choice, and I hope you’ll respect it.”
Matilda had a gentle nature and her convictions were usually not strong, but in this matter alone, she was absolutely resolute.
So Calaudin had no choice but to honor her wishes, clinging instead to the few doctors who spoke of hope, saying it might just be alright.
“Calaudin, I’m asking you.”
Matilda spoke to him earnestly at the end of her life.
“Please raise Evan to be happy… to be truly happy.”
When the child was born, his cries seemed distant and faint.
Calaudin desperately wanted to honor her dying wish, but first he himself couldn’t muster the courage to continue living in this world.
Only after Matilda passed did he realize he had never been prepared to let her go. He had clung to the words of those few doctors who spoke of possibility. At that time, he had no confidence in raising Evan to be happy. Not without Matilda.
So he had tried to turn back time. He thought he could raise Evan well if he had Matilda with him. That’s why he clung to dark magic.
“Matilda.”
Calaudin murmured in a broken voice.
“I’m sorry.”
Podeilin, a quiet rural village, was peaceful and beautiful. With wildflowers laid before the modest grave, Calaudin continued speaking slowly.
“It seems it’s already too late to destroy this world and bring you back to life.”
Even though Laria had wished for it and disappeared for that reason.
“Because Evan’s happiness no longer seems to come from us alone.”
If I turned back time to resurrect Matilda and raise Evan, I was confident I could do better.
But whether Evan’s happiness would be greater than it is now was uncertain. Because he knew how much of a blessing it was to love one person deeply.
If he raised him again with Matilda, Evan wouldn’t even meet Laria in the first place. This current life where Evan and Laria met might be more meaningful to Evan. So he believed that helping them reunite was the true path to Evan’s happiness.
“And… Laria has brought us so much joy.”
He didn’t know exactly how circumstances had unfolded, but he could infer that there was a high likelihood Laria would be healthy. If he turned back time and lived a different life, Laria might continue to suffer.
“I don’t want to destroy the world where that child lives. It seems she hasn’t even properly bloomed her talents yet.”
Matilda’s Grave had become overgrown with weeds.
Calaudin continued in a desolate tone.
“So Matilda, let’s just meet again in the next life. For the sake of our son and daughter-in-law….”
He drew a deep breath and spoke very slowly.
“…I’m going to give up now.”
And just as he slowly drew his sword.
“Give up? What are you giving up on!”
Though there had been no sign of anyone, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.
“Father, you can’t!”
Laria was running toward him from a distance. But Evan was faster than Laria. Evan simply snatched the sword from Calaudin and threw it far away.
“Thank goodness.”
Laria muttered breathlessly.
“We made it in time….”
“Laria?”
Calaudin spoke in shock, dumbfounded.
“How did you suddenly come here….”
“Father, how could you think such a terrible thing!”
Laria cried out in anger.
“Why would you throw your life away for us! Of course, if you were to pass away, I would find a way to crawl back out from hiding.”
Calaudin was somewhat taken aback seeing her speak so firmly for the first time.
“I learned that you’ve even given up dark magic, so I’m not such a terrible daughter-in-law as to skip your funeral.”
She continued indignantly.
“But how could Evan and I ever be happy without you! That’s not doing it for us!”
Evan also nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
“Father, how could you think such a thing….”
Calaudin muttered sheepishly.
“…No, I was… not giving up my life, just dark magic….”
“What?”
Laria furrowed her brow.
“Then how were you planning to bring me back….”
“Actually, I was going to spread the rumor that I was dead.”
Evan also asked in bewilderment, looking at the sword he had thrown away.
“Then why the sword….”
“The weeds on the grave have been bothering me since earlier, so I was just trying to clean them up right now….”
….
….
….
A brief silence fell between the three of them.

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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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