Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 162

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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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After enough time had passed for the salon members to develop considerable animosity toward one another, Olivia yawned and rose to her feet.
“I’ve made my decision. I’m leaving now.”
Everyone’s hearts raced as they watched her, their cheeks flushing with anticipation at the thought of becoming the next Duchess. The girls’ faces grew rosy with hope.
“You.”
Olivia pointed at a woman with the tip of her fan as she spoke.
“You’re not married, are you? No fiancé or anything like that?”
“…Me?”
Matilda, who had been conversing quietly with Mrs. Liji in the corner while chaos erupted around them, blinked in startled surprise.
“Yes, you.”
Matilda was so shocked that she froze, unable to form any response.
“If you graduated top of your Academy class, you must have a sharp mind for numbers. And you seem quite capable at your work.”
Everyone stared at Olivia in bewilderment.
“Coming from a provincial baronial house, you’d never presume to order Calaudin around, so there’s no troublesome family to deal with.”
Olivia’s voice rang out alone in the suddenly frigid atmosphere.
“And the fact that you don’t send money home tells me you won’t be a fool for your family’s sake.”
Shock gradually crossed everyone’s faces. Olivia was not joking.
“Besides, people gossip about you behind your back, but you pretend not to notice—that means your temperament differs from mine. Everything aligns perfectly with Calaudin’s conditions.”
Olivia smiled radiantly and clapped her hands together sharply.
“Isn’t this the perfect strategic marriage? Now, what’s your full name?”
“This is absurd!”
Viscountess Daniack stood up, striking the table.
“Not only did you choose such a pathetic girl while ignoring all these noble ladies, but if you already had someone in mind, why on earth have you waited until now….”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Olivia’s eyes flashed as she flared up in anger.
“Who said I liked her? I absolutely hate this scrawny, inarticulate girl. I never liked her from the start!”
Matilda rolled her blue eyes helplessly, unable to say anything.
“I told you—it’s a strategic marriage. She’s simply a woman who meets the conditions Calaudin wanted!”
Olivia snapped sharply, then smirked with a cruel smile.
“Of course, I enjoyed watching your pathetic little show of tears. That’s why I’ve been watching until now.”
Everyone was left utterly speechless.
“Cynthia Daniack.”
Olivia added casually, turning her gaze toward Cynthia.
“You excluded me from the salon roster back then, saying I was too lacking to meet your standards, didn’t you? I commend your self-awareness. You truly fall far short of my judgment.”
Since Cynthia could not protest—Olivia had merely repeated the very excuse they had used to exclude her from the salon—they had no further recourse.
And so, naturally, the criticism shifted to tearing down Matilda instead. After all, they dared not challenge Olivia.
“But she’s merely an assistant at the Clothing Shop, despite the grand title of consultant. Her family won’t be able to provide any real support, will it?”
“Do you truly believe Miss Matilda is suited to become the Duchess of Icard?”
“I’ve heard she’s always frail and in poor health. Icard has always struggled with the succession—are you certain this is acceptable?”
Amid the torrent of criticism, Matilda simply sat quietly, saying nothing.
However, only when Olivia pulled her away and they were alone did she finally speak.
“I didn’t say anything back there because I was worried it would trouble you, but I truly don’t think I’m suited to be the Icard Duchess.”
“I agree. You’re not suited for it.”
Olivia spoke casually.
“When have you ever seen me show consideration? I’ve already heard every insult imaginable, so you could’ve just refused outright.”
“Well… that’s not quite…”
Matilda was somewhat flustered by Olivia’s somewhat off-kilter words, but she continued speaking calmly.
“Surely there must be valid reasons behind what so many people have pointed out. Perhaps you should reconsider once more…”
“Then just think of it as taking a job. It’s not marriage, it’s an engagement—you can work at the Icard House for a while, and if you decide it’s not right, you can break the engagement and that’s that, right?”
“I beg your pardon?”
No matter how wise and composed one might be, as long as Matilda possessed a gentle and virtuous nature, she couldn’t overcome Olivia’s sheer obstinacy.
“A broken engagement with House Icard would actually increase your value.”
“That’s not the issue. Olivia, I simply lack too much to become part of such a prominent noble family…”
“You don’t lack anything.”
Olivia spoke coldly.
“Your discernment and information gathering are more than sufficient—enough to call me Olivia instead of Lady Rivien. Of course, if you don’t want to, I won’t take you with me…”
Matilda, unable to do anything about those innocent blue eyes, simply clutched the hem of her white dress tightly.
“At least meet Calaudin once before deciding. He’s perfectly sane, so it’ll be far better than working while looking at Mrs. Liji’s face.”
What ultimately moved Matilda was a spark of curiosity, for she too had often heard at the Clothing Shop that the young Duke of Icard was quite handsome.
And so Matilda found herself heading to House Icard with Olivia right then and there.
The moment Olivia arrived at the Count’s Manor, she dragged Matilda straight to Calaudin.
“She’s exactly what you’re looking for. A penniless noble’s daughter who worked at the Clothing Shop, but she’s got some ability and good instincts. She graduated top of her class from the Academy.”
Matilda was startled to see the boy Calaudin, who was far more handsome than she’d imagined, and was so bewildered by Olivia’s rambling explanation that she couldn’t even greet him properly.
“But she seems burdened by the engagement.”
“Is that so?”
Calaudin spoke flatly. Then, looking at Matilda, he made a calm proposal.
“Then how about you stay as my aunt’s representative for now? You’ll be going down to Rivien frequently anyway, so you could help with my aunt’s affairs in exchange. I’ll pay you more than the Clothing Shop.”
Matilda had no reason to refuse—she’d only worked at the Clothing Shop for money anyway.
“If I come to like you during that time, then we can become engaged. I’ll give you three months.”
“Hmm… is there no possibility that you might not come to like me, Duke?”
“Any woman with the ability and patience to endure my aunt for three months will definitely win my heart.”
And so their strange pre-engagement employment relationship began.
Everything that followed proceeded smoothly.
The clever Matilda handled Olivia’s affairs quickly and competently, and the people of the Count’s Manor soon fell for her kindness and wisdom. Honestly, things had changed so much compared to when Olivia served as the lady of the house.
Because Matilda handled everything so well, Olivia’s stays in Rivien grew longer, and consequently Calaudin and Matilda spent more time together. Especially Matilda…
‘Good heavens, he’s truly perfect. Just looking at him brings joy…’
Regardless of whether House Icard felt burdensome, she’d been completely captivated by Calaudin’s face.
“My hometown is famous for its water mist. Sometimes I miss seeing it.”
“Well, I don’t want to show it to you here.”
“Ahahahahaha!”
“…I haven’t even started the joke yet. I was going to say that throwing dogs in water isn’t my style. I actually like dogs.”
“Ahahaha, I just find it amusing watching your face as you prepare to tell a joke. Since I know it’ll be entertaining anyway, I’m laughing in advance.”
Though the emphasis fell slightly more on ‘your face’ than on ‘preparing to tell a joke,’ Matilda’s laughter was genuine nonetheless.
They became engaged less than three months after I had predicted it would happen. Outwardly, of course, it was known as a straightforward political marriage.
“The ranks don’t match. How am I supposed to accept this?”
“She endured three months under Rivien’s villainess. It’s a political marriage made with sufficient consideration.”
“Well, I suppose I’ll have to accept it.”
Like everyone else, Olivia herself grumbled about it despite being the one who had arranged the match.
“That docile nature doesn’t suit Icard. There’s something about her subtle frailty that bothers me.”
As news of their engagement spread, the Capital’s social circles began circulating all manner of vicious rumors about Matilda.
Some said she had deliberately targeted Olivia, others claimed the marriage wouldn’t last, and still others whispered that Icard had been bewitched by a lowborn woman who catered to Olivia’s whims, bringing ruin upon the Duke….
Even after the wedding, when Matilda’s health deteriorated rapidly and the physician’s diagnosis confirmed that pregnancy would be difficult, there were many who gloated behind closed doors.
“See? Icard is finished now.”
“The Duke of Icard cherishes that fox-like woman so dearly that he has no intention of fathering a bastard. The villainess of Rivien has shot herself in the foot. The Icard line will end.”
“But what if… what if the Duchess were to die?”
“Then there would be a long line of noble houses waiting to remarry him.”
All those malicious rumors primarily spread from Viscountess Daniack’s Salon.
Olivia had visited several times to shut it down, but after Matilda’s death, she stopped going altogether.
Matilda’s death had grieved Olivia so deeply that all those rumors became meaningless.

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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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