Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 15

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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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“Let’s exchange one answer for each question.”
I crossed my arms and lifted my chin.
“Very well, Laria. What would you like to know?”
“I want to know about the late lady of the house.”
In the original work, there wasn’t detailed information about Duke Icard’s wife.
Since Duke Icard was the hidden mastermind in the novel and ultimately a supporting character, the background explanations weren’t thorough—all I knew was that she had given birth to Evan and passed away.
‘There were only hints that something happened, but I never saw the side story….’
“You mean Matilda Larilashu Icard, yes?”
Sven scratched his chin.
“Just like you, Laria, she had a political marriage with Duke Icard in her childhood. However, because she was such a warm and bright person, they had an excellent relationship.”
“Really?”
Was Duke Icard truly capable of getting along well with someone?
I tilted my head in confusion.
“Matilda herself was truly a lovable person. She was so kind and pure-hearted. Everyone couldn’t help but adore her.”
Sven continued.
“Matilda was particularly fond of Duke Icard’s humor, and it’s said that laughter never ceased within the Count’s Manor.”
I sighed respectfully. I had to acknowledge this.
‘That’s true love, genuine love.’
It was even more genuine than what Simor and Elani shared.
“At that time, Duke Icard is known to have attended only the minimum state affairs and spent happy moments with his wife.”
I tilted my head again in confusion. I couldn’t possibly imagine Duke Icard spending happy time with his wife.
‘He was always expressionless and taciturn….’
My heart grew a bit heavier.
“His obsession was quite severe, and he couldn’t function without his wife. He always needed to keep Matilda in his sight, wanted to do everything together, and absolutely despised her meeting other men….”
“…Hmm?”
“Once, Matilda went into the city with Ludba, who was the vice-captain of the knights at the time and wore a blue uniform, and it’s said the Duke raged for several days.”
“Ludba in the blue uniform?”
“That’s a nickname he earned because he only wears a blue uniform. The blue uniform of the Icard Knights is apparently quite unfashionable, and no one wears it, but he alone did.”
“Ah. Why would he have such strange aesthetic taste?”
“Some say it’s because Matilda’s eyes were blue, but it’s impossible to know for certain. Anyway, at that time, Duke Icard supposedly threatened to gouge out Ludba’s eyes.”
His obsession and jealousy were far from ordinary.
I really needed to hear Matilda’s perspective to confirm whether they truly spent happy times together.
“Well, so many people adored Matilda that I can understand his feelings.”
“I see.”
I nodded.
“She had a delicate constitution, and when she became pregnant with Prince Evan, she grew extremely frail.”
“Ah, she had a weak body?”
“So the Duke was extremely anxious throughout her pregnancy. In the end, she passed away during childbirth.”
I suddenly wondered if Evan’s heart would only grow more bitter hearing such a story.
‘No, perhaps I already know enough about all of it.’
“You should be careful as well, Laria.”
“Hmm? Why?”
“Because Young Master Evan resembles the Duke in absolutely everything.”
“I see.”
Certainly, their appearances were identical, as if carved from the same mold. But Sven’s implication seemed to mean something deeper than that.
“He may be very affectionate, but if something ever goes wrong between you, there’s no telling how his eyes might turn. It would likely be beyond imagination.”
‘Well… In the original story, Evan was truly indifferent no matter what his wife did.’
I blinked and fell into thought.
Even when his first wife died and his second wife was unfaithful, Evan suffered no emotional blow.
Certainly, he was cute even now, but he didn’t seem to understand affection well, and his eyes didn’t appear likely to turn cold.
“I suspect the reason the Duke sent the Young Master to the Academy was precisely because he resembled the Duke so much… Since there wasn’t a single trait resembling Matilda, it must have been difficult for him to develop affection.”
Beyond that, Sven provided me with more information about Matilda, but there was nothing particularly noteworthy.
Ultimately, everything concluded with the assessment that Matilda was a warm and wonderful person who comforted others’ wounds well.
“Well then, Laria, now it’s my turn to ask you a question.”
“Go ahead.”
Sven’s question was quite unexpected.
“What do you think of Duke Icard?”
“…”
I paused to think. Should I answer casually with ‘He’s a good man!’ or speak the truth?
Sven was a capable dark guild master, and setting him on my side would be invaluable regardless of money. So I spoke carefully.
“I think he’s someone with the potential to eventually control and shake even the Royal Court itself.”
Sven’s eyes fixed on me intently. He seemed to think that single statement was sufficient, as he asked no follow-up questions. Well, the implications contained in those words were certainly tremendous.
‘I think I answered well.’
At least now, the next time Sven met me, he would certainly not regard me as some ignorant youngster.
“I think I should be going now.”
Less than an hour had passed, but it seemed best to end things here for today.
I extended my hand and spoke.
“So then, ten gold coins.”
I hadn’t forgotten.
Honestly, I had planned to pretend I couldn’t refuse if he said ‘Well, since I promised to give you 100 gold anyway, please take this check back’ and handed me the refunded check again.
But Sven simply laughed heartily, counted out ten gold coins, and handed them over, which disappointed me slightly.
“Then I’ll see you next time.”
“Don’t forget the personal physician.”
I drove the point home once more and quickly slipped out of the café.
* * *
“Did you get everything?”
I stood in front of the dessert shop with my arms crossed, waiting, and broke into a broad smile when I saw Lisa and the guard hurrying back with ganache in hand.
“Wow, thank you.”
And I gave each of them a single flower from the shop across the street.
“Thank you for waiting in line for so long. This is a gift for you.”
They accepted the flowers with somewhat bewildered expressions. There was no particular significance to giving them flowers. I simply felt happy whenever I saw beautiful, well-maintained flowers, and I wanted to share that joy with them.
‘But why are they reacting like this?’
Strangely, they all accepted the flowers and wore the same peculiar expression.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like flowers?”
“No, no. Thank you, Laria.”
“Then let’s head back now.”
“But Laria.”
Lisa spoke while gazing at the envelope in my hand.
“What is that?”
“Oh, this.”
I hugged the envelope tightly and smiled mysteriously.
“It’s a secret.”
In truth, the shop’s name was clearly visible on the envelope, but I wanted the dramatic effect.
Thus, we concluded our brief outing through the city. It seemed perfect timing to return and have tea time immediately.
Apart from the quite unexpected fact that Sven, the Dark Guild Master, seemed to have more interest in me than I had anticipated, everything about this outing was satisfactory.

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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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