Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 157

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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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Laria arrived at Rostri Manor and fell into a moment of wistfulness.
It had been an eternity since she’d set foot in Rostri Manor itself. She hadn’t returned since the day Duke Icard had taken her away. She’d only heard rumors that creditors had divided up the shares and sold it to someone, but it seemed Fred had reclaimed it somehow.
“Here.”
Fred first showed her the room she’d used as a child.
“This is your room.”
“Why is my room here?”
“The next room is the nursery.”
“…Brother. This is so unnecessary….”
“I filled it with only the finest things. Want to take a look?”
“Is it on the left or the right?”
The nursery Fred had decorated was truly beautiful, and Laria had Lisa, who followed behind her, gather a few items she particularly liked.
While taking tea in the garden, Fred spoke matter-of-factly.
“You saw I prepared everything for you, right? If that fool ever acts crazy again, come back anytime.”
“Come back? Haven’t you heard the rumors? I’m the real power behind the Icard Ducal House.”
“Still.”
Fred shook his head.
“Since our parents passed, I’m the head of this house. I’m sorry for putting you in a situation where, at fourteen, you had no choice but to follow after a person you’d never met before.”
“It’s not your fault, brother.”
“You were so adorable…and to that little thief-looking brat….”
“Watch your mouth.”
Laria placed her hand on her still-flat belly and gave him a sharp look.
“My nephew might look exactly like that little thief, so be careful what you say.”
“….”
“And I know you’re deliberately being like this because you’re still upset that Evan used you.”
“…You caught me.”
“I heard you accepted both his apology and his gifts, but there’s no way you truly forgave him.”
“Of course not. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.”
“Even so.”
Laria looked around and smiled wryly.
“It’s not bad for our baby to have this much of a maternal family. I heard you became Princess Elani’s closest confidant.”
“Yes. I’m her closest confidant, but she said I shouldn’t live like a pauper, so she provided me with the foundation to find a manor like this.”
Ultimately, that foundation meant money…and Elani’s money came from Simor. In the end, all of this meant it was Simor’s money.
While Laria was apologizing to Simor for the hundredth time, Fred pushed his glasses up and smiled beautifully.
“Five years.”
“Hmm?”
“Within five years, I’ll raise the Rostri Count’s House to the ranks of high nobility.”
“Yes, fighting spirit.”
Laria genuinely cheered Fred on, thinking it would be wonderful for the baby to have a powerful uncle on the maternal side.
“I’m planning to support Princess Elani as well.”
Laria became remarkably lenient toward Elani simply because she hadn’t entangled herself with her husband.
It couldn’t be helped. Laria was never the type to separate public and private matters clearly.
“Within five years, I’ll diminish the Emperor’s influence and strengthen Princess Elani’s position. To do that, I’ll have to break down Prince Ronald even more than he is now.”
“Sure, fighting spirit.”
It seemed Fred would draw the bigger picture well enough without Laria having to work particularly hard.
In any case, Fred had more than made up for the older brother duties he’d neglected all this time. After all, he’d prepared a system and sanctuary where I could return anytime.
With such satisfaction, Laria carefully selected only the luxury items she liked from among the things Fred had purchased.
After that, returning to Duke Icard’s Mansion at a reasonable hour….
“Laria, you’re back?”
The moment Laria stepped down from the carriage, she ran into Evan.
“Have you been waiting here the whole time?”
“No, I was taking a walk in the garden.”
“…Sure, let’s say that’s true.”
“I missed you.”
Evan wrapped his arms around Laria from behind and whispered.
‘Good grief, my husband clings to me like this just because I went to visit my family home for an afternoon. Really….’
Laria laughed slightly awkwardly and took Evan’s hand.
“I missed you too. Let’s go inside.”
‘He’s really so adorable.’
She added with a bright smile.
“My husband is this cute… so why did everyone treat him like he was insane.”
“Insane?”
“When you came to capture me. Olivia and Nathan both thought you were going to kidnap and imprison me.”
“Ah….”
Of course, Evan’s appearance had been terrifying back then, but even so, Laria was the only one who found Evan endearing.
“To be honest, if anyone has the capacity to kidnap and imprison someone, it would be me.”
At those words, Evan froze slightly, and Laria was taken aback.
‘That was too harsh for a joke…. Though, if it were me, I could actually do something like that without others noticing, intellectually speaking.’
Just as Laria was about to add that it was just a joke and he shouldn’t be scared….
“So… when and where will you imprison me? Should I just lose consciousness obediently when Lisa hits me on the head from behind one day?”
“Huh?”
“I’m always welcome to it. Oh, should I buy you a remote estate somewhere in a corner of the continent? We can decorate it slowly to your taste.”
At Evan’s serious words, Laria found herself at a loss for words.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“…You’re serious.”
From now on, she resolved to be a bit more humble about her ability to judge people. There was always a reason why everyone treated him like he was insane. And Laria noticed that Calaudin and Evan hadn’t grown distant even after the divorce law passage incident.
“It seems Father and Evan have grown closer while I was away visiting my family home.”
She said this proudly to Lisa.
“Father even made a joke.”
Calaudin had stopped making jokes at some point. It was a reflection of his heavy heart. The fact that he had started joking again meant that the Duke’s Mansion had become somewhat more at ease than before.
“I asked for a blanket, and she said this fire is too hot to use… Sorry, Lisa. I shouldn’t have passed that along.”
“It’s fine, Laria. I’m a model maid, so I can endure this much.”
Thanks to that, Laria was able to wait for the child with a completely lightened heart.

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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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