Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 158

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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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Lisa thought that if she refused here, her recognition as “Laria’s closest confidant” would be revoked.
With Serena absent lately, she had been quite proud to be the servant closest to Laria within the Duke’s household….
‘If I fail to meet their expectations, the Young Duke might secretly wonder if Serena was actually my closest confidant, not me….’
In the Capital, rumors about the Duke’s household’s fraudulent physician had once spread.
She heard that Duke Orlando’s house had also been quite affected by it. But Lisa had suspected that Serena wasn’t a con artist who came with premeditation, but simply Laria’s person. She merely possessed enough tact not to ask the details.
‘If Serena is called back by any chance, I’ll be completely pushed out from Laria’s closest confidant position!’
Laria had already left with only Serena before. Therefore, it was a rather urgent matter for Lisa.
After worrying all day, she even consulted with a few people she was close with at the manor, but couldn’t find any particular solution.
Rather, the more she talked, the less common ground there was, leaving her only frustrated. Eventually, she decided to go out to the streets and search through items herself.
It was when Lisa had been wandering aimlessly for exactly two hours, only worrying. Someone approached her from the side and spoke casually.
“Why, is it difficult to choose a gift for Laria?”
Lisa was startled and nearly collapsed on the spot.
A strange woman with short brown hair wearing a gray robe was grinning beside Lisa.
But the voice was so familiar that she could recognize her immediately. Looking carefully, her facial features hadn’t changed after all.
“W-w-what…. A-are you disguised?”
“Who knows.”
Serena giggled with amusement.
“The appearance Lisa knew might be the disguised one.”
Then she sighed and added.
“I do like the red hair, but it would be troublesome if Duke Orlando found out, so I have no choice.”
In Lisa’s life so far, the only deviation had been taking Olivia’s side once.
For Lisa, the model servant among the maids, the very thought of living a life being hunted made her body tremble.
“A-a-are you alright?”
“Well, the number of people hunting me just increased from eight to nine? It’s nothing.”
Lisa immediately understood why she and Serena didn’t get along. Their life trajectories were far too different.
“Anyway, shouldn’t you hurry and choose a gift? You need to find it before the birth.”
“…How did you know that? That I’m out searching for a birth gift on the Young Duke’s orders?”
“Some people I inquired about at the Duke’s household told me.”
“….”
Lisa quickly tried to narrow down which of the servants she had consulted about this matter had blabbed to Serena, but it was difficult to determine.
“Doesn’t Laria order whatever she wants herself in the first place?”
Serena spoke carefully, furrowing her brow.
Lisa couldn’t help but nod in agreement. It was true that she liked expensive and luxurious things, but there were hardly any people who could afford such things as freely as the mistress of House Icard. So even the value as a special gift had disappeared.
“It’s quite difficult, isn’t it.”
Serena muttered with a sigh, and Lisa found herself nodding along.
“That’s right. A gift should be something you want to have but wouldn’t buy with your own money….”
Serena answered promptly to Lisa’s words.
“Laria would never hesitate to spend money on herself.”
Lisa nearly jumped up in an instant. This kind of empathy had been difficult when sharing worries with other servants.
“Of course, the Young Duke will pretend to like whatever gift he receives with his excellent acting skills… but.”
“The Young Duke will see through it regardless.”
Lisa felt a sense of relief wash over her. It seemed she finally had someone to confide in.
But just as she realized her pride as Laria’s closest aide had been slightly wounded and was about to make a hasty farewell, something stopped her.
“Speaking of which, about the Young Duke’s closest aide.”
Serena subtly changed the subject.
“Nathan? Did he get a girlfriend?”
“What? No.”
“Oh, thank goodness.”
“…Perhaps.”
“He was the last man who didn’t fall for me, so my pride was hurt. But I suppose he’s just someone who doesn’t care much for women.”
“Well… I’d say that’s exactly the kind of person who can become the Young Duke’s closest aide. But if you’re disappointed…”
“What?”
Serena shrugged her shoulders.
“It doesn’t matter anyway since I won’t be returning to Duke Icard’s Mansion.”
Lisa felt completely at ease. Even with some help, she seemed confident she could maintain her position as Laria’s closest aide at Duke Icard’s Mansion.
“In any case, so… Laria might not even realize what she truly desires, and finding that is difficult.”
“Hmm.”
“I can’t quite remember when Laria genuinely enjoys herself, except when she’s looking at expensive things…”
“Ah!”
Serena clapped her hands once.
“She loves writing letters to people in high society.”
“Does she? I didn’t know that.”
“It was kept secret. Actually, Laria enjoys toying with people through their correspondence.”
Until now, Lisa had thought Laria merely replied to all those letters out of courtesy and formality. But thinking about it now, that didn’t seem quite right.
“I found the answer.”
Lisa murmured blankly.
“Extremely expensive stationery would be perfect. After all, Laria doesn’t use expensive materials for things she gives away rather than keeps for herself.”
Lisa wanted to embrace Serena.
Since the recipient was Laria, she had shifted her thinking from “something she wants to have but finds wasteful” to “something she wants to give but finds wasteful.”
“But she absolutely loves showing off and displaying such things to others!”
At Lisa’s words, Serena nodded with an approving expression and spoke.
“Laria would love using expensive stationery to convey the message ‘I spend money so freely!’ But no matter how expensive the stationery is…”
“All the accessories of the nobility have premium lines with astronomical price tags. They’re simply unknown to the general public.”
“Really? I had no idea.”
“Such knowledge can only be possessed by a capable maid of a noble household.”
Lisa spoke with confidence.
“When the young master is born, there will surely be an avalanche of congratulatory letters. She can use this stationery when sending her replies!”
And so Lisa immediately sought out a master craftsman of handmade paper and placed a large order for stationery. She entrusted the design to Redian Kears, who commanded the highest price these days, and had it embellished with gold and silver leaf. Evan was greatly satisfied, and Lisa inwardly resolved to stop disliking Serena. After preparing all the gifts for Laria, not long after, Lisa was summoned by Laria.
Evan was very satisfied, and Lisa inwardly resolved to stop disliking Serena. After they finished preparing all the gifts for Laria, Lisa was soon summoned by Laria.
“Ah, Lisa.”
Laria stroked her swollen belly as she spoke, her body heavy with the weight of impending motherhood.
The child could arrive at any moment now.
“It’s just that… I’d like to give Evan a gift for the birth.”
“…Pardon? For the Young Duke?”
“Yes. Honestly, watching him struggle so hard taking care of me throughout this pregnancy has been quite moving.”
Lisa felt the world darken before her eyes.
Finding an appropriate gift for Evan was genuinely difficult. After all, there was nothing he particularly cared for besides Laria.
But before Lisa could truly begin worrying, Laria spoke with deliberate clarity.
“Buy a secluded hill somewhere on a remote continent and build a small manor there.”
“Pardon? A villa? Then perhaps among the tourist destinations…?”
“No, not a tourist destination. Somewhere obscure and unpopulated. The more remote, the better.”
“Ah… um… yes. Should I purchase it under the Young Duke’s name?”
“No, it must be under my name. Absolutely.”
“But you said it was a gift, didn’t you?”
“Right. That’s why I’m telling you to put it under my name. And let Evan find out about the purchase somehow. Order handcuffs and chains too, or whatever.”
“…Who are you kidnapping, Laria?”
“To be precise…”
Laria murmured seriously, her eyes distant in thought.
“I think I need to give him hope that someday he might actually get to kidnap and confine someone…”
“Pardon?”
“Evan will end up handling all the childcare himself. It’ll surely be exhausting, but shouldn’t he at least have the anticipation that his wish might come true one day?”
Lisa, being a capable maid, immediately grasped Laria’s meaning. It seemed Evan’s wish was to be kidnapped by Laria.
Well, it wasn’t particularly surprising. And Lisa, being a discerning maid, refrained from asking further questions. She had noticed that Laria felt slightly embarrassed even as she spoke.
“Very well. I shall make the arrangements.”
As Lisa bowed and withdrew, she couldn’t help but conclude that Laria was far more comfortable to serve as a mistress than Evan was.

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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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