Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 141

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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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We began our conversation in a small villa in Podelin.
Duke Icard listened carefully to Evan’s and my explanations, then slowly nodded.
“Ah… yes, so that’s how it was.”
He murmured while rubbing his weary eyes.
“The world had already been turned back once.”
Like someone who had long prepared for dark magic, he was not particularly surprised.
“Though life was different, the fact that I made the same choice then as now suggests this was inevitable.”
That same choice ultimately meant not resurrecting Matilda.
“Since Matilda has been reborn and is living well, that’s enough for me.”
Duke Icard said he had never truly intended to die.
He believed that if rumors spread of his death near Matilda’s grave, I would emerge into the world. And he had planned to meet me by any means necessary and beg on his knees.
He said it was a decision made because if he truly died, then as I had said, Evan and I could never be at peace and happy.
‘I feel a bit deceived. But I’m genuinely relieved.’
I had naturally assumed Duke Icard had left those words with death in mind.
Long ago, Duke Icard had once told me where he would die.
“If I ever come to die, I will absolutely die beside Matilda.”
I thought he would surely remember Matilda’s memorial day and call me forth through his death after that day. In a way, it was similar to my plan to fake death and disappear, but it felt like I had been caught off guard.
“Laria.”
Duke Icard spoke with his eyes downcast.
“Will you forgive me?”
“…Forgive you for what?”
“For bringing you here knowing you had limited time, to use your death.”
He continued with difficulty, not hiding his exhaustion.
“I’m sorry for not telling you that fact all this time. But from a certain point on… I truly couldn’t bring myself to say it.”
It seemed he had suffered greatly in his heart all this while.
Well, I had some sense of it too, and I could tell he truly cared for me. I had wished for Matilda to be resurrected so the Duke Icard household could be happy, but now I’ve decided not to think that way anymore. Because such a world never existed in the first place.
A world without Evan’s existence was something I hated too.
“I’m… sorry for deceiving everyone as well.”
“I only realized it after you left.”
Duke Icard shook his head as he spoke.
“How much you protected us from behind. I’m grateful for that…”
Of course, much of it was for my own wellbeing, but still, I only ever did things that benefited Icard. That might have been my true heart.
“Father, as for me…”
Two men who had given me my life back were standing before my eyes.
They were the ones who had resurrected me without asking for any price, when I was sick and dying, unable to do anything.
Moreover, in this lifetime, everything became as I wished. I danced my first dance with Evan and attended a masquerade ball. I received plenty of affection from both Duke Icard and Olivia. Most importantly, I was able to prevent Ludba from abusing Evan from the very beginning.
‘Of course, there are still many things I haven’t done yet, but I can do those from now on.’
Standing before these two men who had gifted me a world where I could fulfill my will, I smiled brightly.
“Being able to become your daughter-in-law because I had limited time… I’m so grateful for that.”
It was all made possible because Duke Icard brought me here as his daughter-in-law.
The walls I had consciously built around my heart, always thinking of him as someone who would kill me, were crumbling away. So now, he was no longer Duke Icard—he was truly my father.
“Thank you, Father.”
The sunset was gradually descending. Fordillin was quiet and beautiful. I was grateful we didn’t have to destroy this small village by developing a mine that didn’t even exist here.
“Since we’ve come this far, let’s send a letter to my aunt and stay a bit longer. I’d like to properly greet my mother tomorrow as well.”
Everyone nodded at my words.
“When should we head back then?”
“When Nathan arrives.”
“Nathan?”
I answered Evan’s question kindly.
“Before we left, I left Nathan a note telling him to come to Fordillin with the finest carriage. I like expensive, quality things, so I don’t want to ride just any carriage.”
At that, both Evan and Father laughed.
One thing was certain: even if I stopped pretending to be good and foolish, these people would still love me. So I decided to love Icard freely as well.
“When we return.”
I clenched my fist again.
“Let’s crush Duke Orlando. How dare he cause Father trouble with illegal drugs.”
In truth, there were still many loose ends to tie up.
I felt a bit sorry for Princess Elani, who had been deceived by Evan’s despicable scheme and ended up traveling back in time without even realizing it, failing to pass the divorce law. Simor and Elani could have been good together originally, but because I interfered, Simor ended up with an unrequited love. I felt sorry for him too.
Moreover, my older brother would probably never forget his resentment at being kidnapped. But I was the type with a twisted personality who could put aside apologies for later, yet never forget a grudge.
“Let’s show them what happens when you go against Icard.”
“Hmm, Laria… But it won’t be easy. We could certainly impose a simple fine.”
Father spoke with a laugh as if it wasn’t particularly important.
“Honestly, I don’t even see a reason to compete for power anymore.”
No, I could find plenty of reasons to compete for power…
“Since my sense of purpose has disappeared, I don’t want to live such a tiring life.”
He looked at Evan.
“Soon I’ll hand over the dukedom and live in Fordillin.”
There was no awkwardness in the eyes of the father and son like before.
Evan too seemed to have healed from all his childhood wounds. Father hadn’t neglected Evan out of hatred—he had only wanted to give him a perfect family.
And because he truly cherished Evan, he even gave up Matilda and chose the world where Evan existed. Moreover, for his happiness, he ultimately brought me back to life.
Father added with a slight smile.
“I’ve been running for so long that I’m getting tired. Evan, you’ll do better than me.”
In the end, it was a story about the mastermind retiring.
“Ah.”
Evan spoke slowly.
“I was so busy I forgot, but that terror attack in Laria’s room seems to be Duke Orlando’s doing. I was trying to investigate further, but I stopped to pursue Laria.”
“It looks like this time I really do need to crush that bastard.”
The mastermind, who had been about to retire, spoke through gritted teeth.
“How dare he try to harm Laria?”
In truth, it couldn’t be said that he was targeting me, but I decided not to mention such things.
“Don’t worry, Father.”
I spoke quickly.
“I can handle Duke Orlando myself. Actually, I’ve already done some groundwork.”
I said with a smirk.
“Icard’s power is on the rise now. Let me finally put my talents to use.”
Yes, this was my true talent.
‘Not earning money, not using dark magic.’
It was the role of manipulating society and politics from behind the scenes.
“All this time I’ve only been thinking of my own safety, dealing with small-time pests, but finally!”
“Yes, Laria.”
Evan squeezed my hand with obvious delight.
“Don’t hide anymore. Use your talents freely. Icard will support you in whatever you need.”
I grasped Evan’s hand in return.
So our lives were only just beginning.
* * *
Duke Icard’s Mansion.
“Oh, Olivia.”
Morand watched Olivia ordering the servants to do strange things and asked in bewilderment.
“Why on earth are you doing such bizarre things right now…?”
What Olivia demanded were a powerful sleeping draught, rope, two loyal knights who would obey her orders over Evan’s, and the fastest horse and carriage to be kept on standby at all times.
“Sigh, Morand.”
Olivia spoke with a determined expression.
“You alone know of this. After all, you’re someone who received flowers from Laria.”
The fact that Morand had received flowers from Laria at the National Foundation Festival seven years ago had not been forgotten by anyone.
“If Evan drags Laria here and locks her up, I’m going to take her and flee.”
“Wh-wh-what?”
And Olivia was completely serious.
“The plan is this: drug Evan with the sleeping draught, bind him with rope, then take Laria and flee to Rivien.”
Morand was so dumbfounded that he lost all will to respond.
“You’ll help me.”
“I refuse.”
At Olivia’s words, Morand shook his head in horror.
“I wish to serve Lady Laria. Truly, I want to lead the Duke’s household together with her. Rivien? Absolutely not.”
“Didn’t you hear what Princess Elani said?”
Olivia glared as she spoke.
“She’s annoying, but clever in her own way. She was ranting about how Evan had locked Laria up. I think that’s probably what will happen.”
“Lady Olivia, this is truly too much.”
Morand spoke breathlessly.
“The Duke trusted you and entrusted you with the household’s affairs—how could you think of stabbing him in the back like this…?”
“The fool who entrusted it to me is the real idiot.”
Olivia let out a scoff.
“So my granddaughter and I are such a perfect match! All I need to do is provide her with some character education.”
“I… character education from you, Olivia?”
“That’s right. Laria needs to become a bit worse.”
“Olivia!”
Morand was left speechless, but someone quickly interjected.
“I will help.”
It was Lisa.
“Please take me to Rivien as well. I’ll stay by Laria’s side!”
Morand could no longer even hope for Evan to bring Laria back. Yet within mere hours, Morand became even more aghast. Strange rumors began spreading throughout the Capital—that Calaudin and Evan had tried to kill Laria, and she had fled.
The reason, they said, was to unite Evan and Princess Elani. It was called the final step for those who had become the heads of noble houses to seize control of the imperial family itself. And the source of that rumor was…
“I have all the evidence.”
Duke Orlando.

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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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