Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 167

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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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To be honest, I had no major complaints about Evan eagerly sucking, licking, and nibbling on me.
No, if anything, I rather enjoyed it. But there was such a thing as moderation. Once he started, he didn’t know when to stop.
Eventually, I took the chastened Evan out into the streets and warned him repeatedly.
“No excessive displays of affection.”
“But this is our first trip alone together….”
“We’re not alone. Don’t you see all these people around us?”
“…Should I just tell them all to go home? I could give them some money.”
The problem was that his absurd suggestion actually seemed like it could become reality.
“Right, no. It’s fine.”
There were two unusual points here. One was that his ridiculous question was sincere, and the other was that I genuinely had to answer him seriously.
“If everyone leaves, we won’t be able to see the treasure. That’s why I timed our arrival for five o’clock.”
“The treasure of Aranachid?”
Evan asked uncertainly.
“Is that why you got angry at me earlier… because you wanted to see the treasure?”
That was only natural. It was being revealed for the first time in a hundred years—no matter how likely it was to be nothing special, I absolutely had to see it.
‘Besides, if I really wanted it, I could just buy it anyway.’
“Come on, let’s go.”
But I worried that Evan would be slightly hurt if I told him the truth, so I fumbled my words and led him by the hand.
The plaza was already crowded with people. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one interested in treasure.
The Lord of Aranachid stood with a large jeweled box placed on a table, holding an amplification crystal in his hand.
The clock tower bells rang five o’clock in the afternoon, and the Lord of Aranachid cleared his throat before beginning his speech.
“Good evening, and I sincerely thank you all for visiting Aranachid for this year’s meteor shower festival. What do you think? Isn’t it better than Pornaju, which only has a good reputation?”
It was the first time I’d ever seen the Lord address the public so courteously. I was moved and thought to myself.
‘This really is a town that lives off tourism.’
It seemed the Lord was genuinely committed to tourism revenue. Of course, he appeared to harbor some competitive spirit toward Pornaju, which was called the most beautiful beach….
“As you all know, today is the day we unveil the treasure that has slumbered in Aranachid Castle for a hundred years.”
Whistles and cheers erupted from various corners.
I was excited and thought to myself.
‘They’re really hamming it up. Must be the locals.’
The Lord wasn’t the only one genuinely committed to tourism revenue.
“But before that, I have one major announcement to make.”
Just as the cheers were winding down appropriately, the Lord continued smoothly.
“The reason Aranachid has been able to prosper like this is entirely thanks to our visitors. So, the true identity of this treasure is…!”
Even though I knew he was deliberately pausing for effect, I swallowed dryly. There were always things you already knew but let slide anyway.
“…Before I tell you, I must first address one more crucial fact.”
Ah… this Lord really knows how to run a show….
“Let me start by telling you about Melina Leridov Aranachid, who first brought this treasure into Aranachid Castle a hundred years ago.”
The Lord continued gently.
“Lady Melina is famous for marrying her lover after overcoming all manner of hardships.”
Everyone was hanging on the Lord’s every word as he spoke with the fluidity of water.
“The current era’s most melodramatic romance novel, ‘The Shocking Identity of the Lord’s Lover Is, In Fact, In Fact,’ was born from inspiration drawn from Melina’s romantic history.”
I made a mental note of that melodramatic romance novel’s title. The title was so intriguing that I was planning to ask Lisa to get me a copy.
‘As expected, this place takes promotion seriously….’
“So, to commemorate Melina’s tumultuous romantic history, I shall present this treasure to those among us currently experiencing the most dramatic romance. As a blessing for a safe marriage.”
The people who had been listening to the Lord’s words as if entranced began to stir.
“This place, which is incomparable to Pornaju and brimming with delightful stories, is none other than Aranachid!”
I marveled inwardly. It was truly a brilliant strategy.
By using the melodramatic love stories people adored most as bait, they were not only capturing all the tourists but also considering future word-of-mouth.
For a tourist destination, reputation and recognition were paramount. Because of this event, everyone would return to their hometowns and happily recount, ‘I heard this story at Aranachid Beach….’ Then they would establish the destination’s standing with questions like, ‘Aranachid Beach? Where is that? Is it prettier than Pornaju?’
“You can speak comfortably inside the booths we’ve prepared, so don’t worry about exposing your identity.”
In an instant, two booths large enough to comfortably fit two people were set up in front of the plaza stage.
“By the way, there’s a rumor that if you tell lies in Aranachid Square, love falls apart.”
The Lord chuckled as he spoke.
“So if your lover is truly precious, don’t let your eyes be dazzled by the treasure and spout lies carelessly. Don’t these old legends typically possess remarkable efficacy?”
I quietly calculated in my mind.
Honestly, that treasure didn’t seem worth as much as I’d initially thought. For one, they weren’t revealing its identity, and for another, they were conducting this quasi-event and suddenly offering it to just anyone. No matter how I thought about it, this seemed like nothing more than a simple event….
I was thinking I should just watch and leave when it happened.
As the Lord continued speaking, Evan’s body, which had been indifferent the entire time, flinched noticeably.
“If I give you a hint about the treasure, it’s something that might help with the pleasant nights of newlyweds soon to be married… ahem, let’s leave it at that.”
I looked up at Evan quietly. There was a distinct glimmer in his eyes, which usually remained calm and composed.
“Do you want it?”
“Well… it’s probably nothing special, but….”
He murmured slowly.
“I was certainly worried it might be too much for you, and I was wondering if it might actually help….”
“So you were worried it might be too much for me.”
I sighed as I spoke.
“…I never knew that throughout our entire trip.”
Couples whispering among the crowd began moving toward the back of the stage one by one.
Anonymity was guaranteed, couples could make wonderful memories together at the festival, and in any case, it was undoubtedly an entertaining event.
Separate from that, it wasn’t particularly a good event for us to participate in. They had clearly said it was a ‘gift given with the hope of a safe marriage,’ so it wouldn’t apply to married couples like us.
And no matter how much we loved each other while stirring up such tremendous upheaval that we could shake an entire world, we couldn’t tell such a story here.
Just to be safe, it was better not to mention anything that could become controversial for House Icard. Besides, with the ‘legend that love breaks if you lie,’ I didn’t particularly want to lie either.
But….
“Let’s go.”
I grabbed Evan’s wrist and pulled him along.
“Huh?”
“My husband wants it, so of course I have to get it for him.”
“…Laria.”
“If I remember correctly, this is the first time you’ve wanted something. I’m too wonderful a wife to let that slip by.”
Evan stood speechless for a moment, his face touched with emotion.
“Truth be told… I didn’t particularly need to have it, but the fact that you care for me this much….”
He nodded with resolute determination.
“…I’ll absolutely keep it as a memento and pass it down as an heirloom.”
Evan surely understood all the various factors I had considered.
Yet both Evan and I possessed the capacity to overlook such matters and move forward gracefully.
The moment we stepped backstage, a Manager quickly approached us.
“You’re the applicants, I see. Are you lovers?”
I answered with a bright smile.
“We’re planning to hold our wedding ceremony tomorrow.”
It wasn’t a lie. Of course, the Manager wouldn’t assume from those words that we were already married, but still.
Evan added awkwardly.
“Though it was cancelled once in the past due to unavoidable circumstances.”
That cancellation had happened spontaneously just this morning, though….
“Ah, I see.”
The Manager nodded while looking at Evan.
“You’re quite the tumultuous couple, I must say. This way, please.”
And so we participated in the event as treasure-blinded con artist couples… no, as fake lovers skilled in the art of deception… no, as exemplary tourists who never told lies.

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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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