Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 164

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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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Olivia escalated the situation with her characteristic flair, turning a minor matter into something monumental in mere moments.
Cynthia grasped the hem of her dress with trembling hands and took a deep breath.
But it was undeniably credible gossip. Princess Bieti Ubinart from the southwest had spoken of it directly, and as the topic circulated endlessly, all the puzzle pieces fell into place.
“Doesn’t the timing when Baron Labonis departed for the Eastern Continent align with when the Duchess claimed to be ill and confined herself?”
“They say Baron Labonis visited that place frequently. He supposedly didn’t encounter anyone except the Eldspie Viscount’s Daughter?”
“The Eldspie Viscount’s Daughter was apparently a friend close enough to conceal an affair.”
“Around the time Baron Labonis left for the Eastern Continent, Duke Icard made a trip to the southwest, didn’t he? They say something happened then.”
“This is truly juicy information—they stopped sharing a room for a while, but recently they’ve been sharing one again, and now there’s a child.”
But Laria had no significant connections in the capital.
‘How could they possibly know about a conversation between us unless we hired an information guild? They must have simply overheard it somewhere vaguely.’
Cynthia, who had been struggling to maintain her composure, felt her entire body stiffen at Laria’s next words.
“The scandal involving myself and Baron Labonis. I understand the source to be Princess Ubinart, but that princess apparently doesn’t get along well with my friend, the Eldspie Viscount’s Daughter, so she’s been spreading false rumors from the start.”
Beyond that, Laria recited precisely the contents of what they had discussed. As she spoke of the rumors about herself with an innocent expression, the atmosphere grew increasingly grave.
“I was so wronged by it that I even received a letter from Baron Labonis on the Eastern Continent.”
Laria placed a letter on the table with a soft thud.
Olivia quickly unfolded the letter and began reading through it rapidly.
“To think such rumors circulate—how embarrassing for me. The truth is, the person I was in a romantic relationship with was Serena Moristo.”
Everyone let out a gasp.
“Since it’s become a burden to the Duchess, I have no choice but to reveal the truth. Serena’s fraudulent schemes were exposed, and we came to the Eastern Continent together.”
Olivia threw the letter down in anger.
“My dear niece! I went there so often to deliberately connect couples! And this is the gossip that spreads?”
Now all the pieces of the puzzle that had circulated through the salon began to fit together in a different direction. In other words, if the person who had caught someone’s eye wasn’t Laria but that pretty physician who was always by her side!
Cynthia bit her lower lip. If they knew this much, there had to be someone within her salon who was in league with Laria.
‘Still, it’s Icard! She’s switched her allegiance to the other side, hasn’t she?’
She probably thought it was better to maintain closer relations with Icard than with her salon. No matter how long they had been together, if their children’s affairs ever became entangled, people would inevitably cling to the current power holder.
‘Who is it? Who could it be? The Mild Marquise? The Servia Countess?’
Once she began suspecting, too many people came to mind. Of course, the salon members’ expressions all became peculiar, as if they were thinking the same thing. It seemed the time had come to be more careful with their words even within the salon.
‘But if the Icard Duchess is rational, she might give a roundabout warning, but she wouldn’t specifically mention which salon this is. This is an afternoon gathering, not her accusation chamber.’
However, while Laria might possess reason, there was one person who had already lost theirs.
“Which salon it is should be obvious! Cynthia, you’ve spent forty years insulting Icard’s women?”
Olivia stood up abruptly and hurled her teacup at Cynthia. Cynthia couldn’t even bring herself to deny it. As long as she was suspecting an internal spy, she couldn’t play dumb.
“You XX, XXX XXXXX, XX….”
Eventually, at Princess Elani’s signal, four maids came and dragged Olivia away while a torrent of curses echoed through the room.
In the silence that followed the outburst, Laria spoke coldly.
“You might think I’ve been inactive, but I do have some connections in the capital. Just look at how many letters flow in and out of Duke Icard’s residence.”
Indeed, judging by the quality of stationery she used, one could tell how much effort she devoted to correspondence.
Everyone seated there came to the realization that they mustn’t underestimate Laria. She knew the behind-the-scenes gossip of a salon with a long history and equally closed nature—not some ordinary gathering. No one could even guess where and what key personnel she had placed.
“By the way.”
Laria brushed back her hair with a bright smile, though something about it sent chills down one’s spine. Moreover, she had somehow already unfurled that terrifying tiger fan of Olivia’s.
“Everyone may not know this, but I’ve been receiving education on high society from my aunt since childhood.”
At those words, everyone exchanged meaningful glances. If the duchess before them was an refined version of Olivia, then the capital’s high society had every reason to be deeply anxious.
“Sigh.”
Elani exhaled and shook her head disapprovingly.
“Viscountess Daniac, just because your salon has closed and you’re an old gathering doesn’t mean you can operate like this. Spreading gossip that isn’t even true behind the scenes to make people look foolish—that’s unacceptable.”
Elani’s golden eyes flashed with displeasure.
Cynthia had no choice but to bow her head quickly. If things went wrong, the salon gathering itself could be dissolved.
How utterly humiliating that would be. Even if the gathering had become one where they could no longer trust each other, it couldn’t be disbanded so shamefully over something like this.
So Cynthia paused to think, deciding she should at least mention the salon’s positive functions.
“B-but Your Highness. It’s true that our salon has been caught up in misguided public opinion this time, but there are certainly ways we’ve been helpful.”
And she racked her brain earnestly. What could possibly connect Elani and her salon, even just a little, even just the tiniest bit….
‘That’s right, there was something!’
Cynthia quickly continued speaking.
“In our salon….”
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I wanted to prevent the Viscountess Daniac’s salon from speaking ill of the Duke Icard’s household any further.
‘In times like these, internal suspicion is more effective than external pressure.’
No matter how much Olivia overturned things, they would only unite around a common enemy.
So through Sven, I identified salon members who had connections to Princess Bieti Ubinart, and by any means possible, I created a point of contact and spread the rumors about Kail.
Honestly, I didn’t expect Bieti to remember such a light rumor from years ago. But seeing that it had even reached Evan meant she truly hadn’t forgotten it.
‘As always, mixing in just the right amount of truth increases credibility.’
Everything went exactly as I planned. Even to the point where Olivia amplified the matter. I felt satisfied watching Elani warn Cynthia.
‘Well, this is enough to achieve my goal.’
From now on, no one in any gathering would dare speak ill of me. Because they won’t be able to guess who my people are.
They’ll have clearly seen that the phantom-like Duchess Icard unexpectedly has tremendous information networks, and also the execution power to sufficiently disgrace an entire salon. Plus, the solid backing of Olivia, who proclaims me as ‘my granddaughter.’
“B-but Your Highness. It’s true that our salon has been caught up in misguided public opinion this time, but there are certainly ways we’ve been helpful.”
Even as Cynthia spoke earnestly to Elani, I was simply basking in the sense of victory, satisfied within myself. Everything had gone exactly as I planned. They’d probably explain the salon’s historical significance or something.
“We’ve invited Viscount Litshia, whom Your Highness cherishes, to our salon quite frequently!”
Wait, why is Simor’s name coming up here?
And with a face just as flustered as mine, Elani stammered.
“W-what?”
“Redian Kears and ‘Afternoon of Hanyua’—we’ve purchased them in large quantities at our salon.”
Simor had become a businessman operating at the continental level, not just within the empire’s borders. So these days, he rarely stayed in the capital.
“H-how does that have anything to do with me….”
“Don’t you cherish Viscount Litshia? You’ve danced the first dance with him at galas, and you’ve even visited his residence directly….”
“When was that?!”
Elani cried out shrilly, fidgeting nervously.
I blinked blankly, caught off guard by this unexpected turn. It was one thing that Cynthia brought up Simor’s name, but Elani’s extreme reaction was even more surprising.
“Th-the first dance was just because there was no one else to dance with at that time, and the visit to the viscount’s residence was, well, I mean, um… but it really didn’t mean anything like that.”
Elani rambled on before suddenly turning her head to look at Fred.
“Oh, don’t misunderstand. It’s really not like that.”
“…Your Highness?”
“It’s true, believe me. My first dance until now held no special meaning. And as for the Count, well, the Count never even invited me in the first place, so I waited and waited, and eventually my pride just….”
How delightful.
I blinked slowly. Fred’s ears had turned just as crimson as Elani’s cheeks.
It seemed Princess Elani preferred a handsome legal code far more than a handsome purse. While I hadn’t anticipated this, it did mean my family’s prospects were about to become considerably more impressive.
“In that case….”
Fred spoke with visible embarrassment.
“Since it appears people are harboring rather peculiar misunderstandings, I believe it would be best if you danced your first dance with another gentleman at the next soirée. I shall extend an invitation to the manor shortly.”
Watching my blood relative’s handiwork was entertaining, though rather difficult to endure. I had to suppress the urge to curl my fingers and toes in mortification.
And so that day, I demolished one salon and gained my footing in society, while Elani shattered Fred’s heart and gained love.

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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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