Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 151

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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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* * *
“So, is this the list?”
“Yes.”
Evan frowned as he examined the documents Nathan had prepared.
“Only handle the people I mark with my pen. I’ll write down the methods for each.”
“Not all of them?”
“The rest… Laria will enjoy trampling them herself.”
Nathan’s report contained a list of people who were conspiring to obstruct Laria’s entry into the Capital Social Circle.
Evan was personally and ruthlessly eliminating only those he deemed dangerous. His criterion for “dangerous” was anyone plotting schemes that could possibly harm Laria.
“Besides, Laria can win any battle fought through strategy or intellect on her own.”
“Yes… well.”
Nathan nodded reluctantly.
Laria, who had spent so long convalescing in the Southwest, naturally had no foundation in the Capital Social Circle.
However, once news of Laria’s complete recovery spread and she fully returned to the Capital, the Capital Social Circle began to stir. Though her reputation was abysmal, she had Olivia—a woman of considerable power despite her notoriety—as her patroness, and she also enjoyed the friendship of Princess Elani.
“I have no standing in society either. I don’t get along well with anyone.”
Evan spoke bluntly.
“There was never any need to.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true…”
“So this is all I can do—help from the shadows.”
Evan had said he would make Laria into someone who didn’t need to get along with anyone, but she had drawn the line, saying she wouldn’t live like him.
“Now go.”
After sending Nathan away, Evan had no choice but to bury himself in the mountain of documents. His inauguration as Duke was also rapidly approaching.
Calaudin had already declared he would stay at Podeilin’s Villa. So before fully inheriting the dukedom, Evan and Laria had decided to take a short trip together.
Of course, it was called a short trip, but he had something he was secretly preparing. A letter suddenly fell from the documents he was reading.
[You said you’re going on a trip to Pornaju Beach? I’ve been wanting to see the sea too, so this works out perfectly. Not that I particularly want to see you two, but there’s no reason the servants at the villa should have to work twice, is there?]
Evan chuckled upon reading Olivia’s letter. He’d known this was coming. Calaudin had also quickly chimed in the moment he heard about Evan and Laria’s vacation plans.
“I can spare a day or so. The waves at Pornaju Beach are particularly beautiful this time of year, and I’d like to see them again after so long.”
Neither of them actually wanted to go on vacation with Evan—that much was obvious. They clearly wanted to spend time laughing and playing with Laria.
He chuckled to himself and muttered.
“I knew this would happen.”
It was worthwhile that he’d insisted on handling all the travel arrangements himself. A poorly planned trip like this could easily fall apart.
* * *
Evan and I decided to take a trip somewhat impulsively during a conversation.
And Evan seemed quite sincere about that impulsive decision. Because the place we arrived at was not Pornaju Beach, but Aranachid Beach.
“Everyone says Pornaju is prettier, and there is an Icard villa there too.”
Evan said as he led me to a luxury inn.
“But Aranachid is better for summer seas. And right now is the meteor shower festival season.”
“Oh, really? So that’s why there were quite a lot of people on the way here. But why is this inn so empty?”
“I rented it all out.”
Renting out an entire luxury inn during festival season must have cost an enormous amount of money.
“I was thinking of building a new villa, but there wasn’t time. If you like it, let’s start construction right away.”
I was grateful that I knew the Icard Ducal House’s budget. There was no need to be startled by such remarks.
After resting a bit and having dinner, the evening quickly grew dark. Since people typically enjoyed festivals by the coast to watch the meteor shower, we had arranged to leave around 8 p.m.
“I hope we don’t attract too much attention with so many people around.”
Lisa dressed me in a modest one-piece gown adorned with simple jewelry.
“There will be hardly anyone in the coastal town who recognizes high-ranking nobility from the Capital. The young duke seems to want to enjoy the evening as quietly as possible.”
Until that moment, I hadn’t thought much of it.
But when Evan didn’t appear even after all the preparations were complete, I had a premonition that something was afoot.
“The young duke is waiting at the plaza! I’ll escort you there with a few guards.”
Evan, who hated being apart even for a moment, was deliberately making plans to meet from a distance?
‘He must be preparing some kind of surprise.’
I caught on, but decided to play along as if I didn’t know.
After leaving the inn and arriving at the bustling plaza, I spotted Evan immediately. Though he wore modest clothing, his impressive bearing and handsome features drew the attention of those around us.
“Laria.”
Moreover, he was holding a large bouquet of roses.
“I realized we’ve never actually been on a date.”
Well… we had married at thirteen or fourteen, so that was only natural.
“Today, let’s date like ordinary lovers.”
Evan held out the bouquet to me with a sweet smile.
‘So that was it.’
Looking around, I noticed quite a few people giving flowers to their lovers.
And so I began enjoying the festival like any ordinary young couple in love, holding the large bouquet in one arm while grasping Evan’s hand with the other.
Evan won a stuffed animal by tossing balls, and he bought the most delicious-looking street food and fed it to me.
“So this is why people go on dates.”
I smiled softly as I spoke.
“Even during dinner earlier, I thought it would have been nice if Father and Olivia had come, but having just the two of us is wonderful too.”
What was slightly odd was that neither Father nor Olivia had insisted on coming along. I had naturally assumed they would stay with us. I wasn’t sure if they were being considerate enough to give a young couple time together, but it seemed I would need to reassess them.
As we climbed the hill where the meteor shower could be seen best, Evan spoke tenderly.
“I’ll prepare breakfast myself tomorrow morning.”
“…Breakfast?”
“Yes, I’ve learned a few things from the head chef.”
I was somewhat surprised at the very idea of a nobleman cooking for himself.
“I’ll do everything for you that I can in this world.”
The man who had been so utterly miserable that even a demon was satisfied because of me was now smiling as if he were the happiest person in the world.
“In my past life, these are things I wanted to do but couldn’t. Just don’t get hurt. You only need to exist in this world.”
“I understand.”
I had no choice but to believe his words that my mere existence was enough to be grateful for. Because we shared such a grand narrative between us.
“I sometimes had nightmares… dreams of you dying. It must have been from my past life.”
“Ah…”
“So that it remains only a dream, that’s all you need to do for me.”
Upon reflection, it seemed I hadn’t entirely escaped the influence of my past life.
From the moment I first saw Evan, I felt an inexplicable affection for him, and I found myself saying strange things without realizing it. Looking back, they were words I had spoken in my past life. And now I was living a new time that I hadn’t lived in that previous existence.
The moment we climbed the hill hand in hand, a meteor shower began to fall as if we had made a promise. The splashing sound of waves, the beautiful falling meteors, the exclamations of delighted people—everything felt like a dreamlike moment.
I found myself murmuring softly.
“…I’m so glad to be alive.”
Though I had given up one world, and it might have been selfish to say so, I was simply overjoyed to be living right now.
“Thank you for saving me, Evan.”
Even though Evan had suffered greatly in saving me.
“Then…”
Evan looked down at me and smiled softly.
“…Will you marry me?”
Wondering what he was suddenly talking about, I looked up at him in speechless surprise.
“Even if Father hadn’t forced us together, even if we had simply dated normally like this, I think I would have wanted to marry you. So I want to propose to you too.”
This was truly unexpected. Where in the world could you find such a strange man who proposes while already married?
“Will you marry me, Laria?”
But I loved this strange man dearly. He even pulled out a large, glittering diamond ring.
I watched with a racing heart as he slowly slipped the ring onto my finger. Seeing how perfectly it fit my ring finger, it was clear he had gotten help from Lisa.
“…Gladly.”
My heart swelled with emotion, and I couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Let’s have a wedding ceremony just the two of us at a deserted beach at dawn tomorrow.”
Goodness, a wedding ceremony. We’d already been married for years, so who in the world would feel excited about such words from their husband?
“I love it so much, Evan.”
Right here. That was me.
Without caring about the eyes of those around us, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him.
“Let’s live well together. Happily, and even more happily.”
I was greedy. So though my beginning was different from others, I planned to live experiencing all the happiness that others enjoyed. Together with my family who had saved me.
* * *
At Icard’s villa located on Pornaju Beach, two unexpected people encountered each other.
“…What are you doing here?”
“Aunt, what brings you to this place?”
“Laria and Evan said they were coming on vacation, so I stopped by for a bit. Why did you come?”
“I, well, I just wanted to see the sea…”
Calaudin and Olivia’s eyes met. And in that moment, they both understood everything. Their hidden intentions to experience a family trip and thus inevitably join in were identical.
Evan and Laria weren’t at the villa. Deliberately avoiding mentioning coming together for fear Evan might dislike it and change their destination, they had moved secretly, yet it seemed their scheme had already been seen through.
“…It seems Evan has spirited Laria away.”
“That rascal.”
Olivia ground her teeth and exhaled sharply.
“Lisa definitely said they were going to Pornaju! He betrayed me!”
“Aunt.”
Calaudin sighed and spoke.
“You betrayed Icard once and sided with my aunt. Surely a second betrayal wouldn’t be difficult?”
It was certain that Lisa had also conspired with Evan, moving without informing Laria of their plans.
Olivia climbed back into the carriage and spoke.
“Honestly, I’m not fond of the sea anyway, so I’ll be taking my leave. I absolutely hate the salty wind.”
Calaudin immediately mounted his horse as well.
“I shall depart as well. I cannot leave the Count’s Manor unattended for long.”
“…I do hope the two of you are having a pleasant time together. It would be a shame if abandoning us went to waste.”
True to Olivia’s words, Evan and Laria were spending moments so sweet they bordered on saccharine. Though they had been married for years, their honeymoon was only just beginning.

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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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