Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 17

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

* * *
Having ventured into the city, I squandered both the morning and afternoon hours.
So it wasn’t until late at night that I managed to evade Lisa’s watchful eye and consume the Occlasia Fruit.
I slipped out of my room, ate the fruit, hastily washed up, and was mid-yawn when Evan entered.
“Evan?”
I spoke while rubbing my drowsy eyes.
“Why are you so late?”
Evan looked at me, paused for a moment, then sighed and asked.
“…Were you waiting for me?”
Not exactly, but I couldn’t very well admit I’d been awake sneaking tree fruit. So I forced my heavy eyelids open and nodded.
“Of course. How could I sleep alone when you hadn’t come home?”
If I was going to lie, I might as well do it convincingly and milk it for sympathy.
“Did training at the Order go well? You’ve been training all day?”
“Yeah.”
Evan unfastened his vest buttons without meeting my gaze.
“Don’t wait for me from now on. Just sleep. I’ll be coming home late.”
Really? Then what.
“We won’t be able to have breakfast together either. Keep that in mind.”
“So you’re leaving at dawn?”
“Yeah.”
Wow… he’s acting like he’s going to conquer the world with swordsmanship. In an era without war, is there really a need to train so desperately?
In any case, I quickly slipped into bed. It seemed like from now on, he’d be heading to the training grounds at the crack of dawn and returning late into the night.
‘So much for getting to know him better.’
Now I understood why Evan and Laria in the original story lived together for years yet remained distant. His love for the sword apparently surpassed his love for his wife. I’d hoped we might get along better, but I felt a twinge of disappointment.
“What is this?”
As I was drifting in and out of sleep, I heard Evan’s voice from after he’d washed up.
I answered without even opening my eyes, half-asleep.
“Oh… ganache. I bought it in the city for you. You like sweet things… or rather, you eat them well.”
It was clear he liked sweets, but whenever I said something similar, he’d respond with things like “you’re not a child,” so I quickly corrected myself.
“That’s why I sent Lisa to suggest tea time, but you apparently refused.”
“…Huh?”
“After training all day, aren’t you famished? Eat and rest. It’s delicious. Father and I had some earlier.”
Of course, I didn’t want to stay too long, so I ate quickly and left coughing, but even in haste, the flavor was extraordinary. There was clearly a reason why people lined up to buy it.
“I waited in line for an hour to get it….”
Not that I actually stood in line myself.
My body, still not fully recovered from illness, felt the strain and sagged with exhaustion. This body’s stamina was pathetically weak. I couldn’t believe a simple trip to the city would drain me like this.
‘Oh, I should mention there’s also a gift on the table.’
But I was too drowsy to hear what Evan was muttering about. Since I thought I might not see him today anyway, I’d even written a card, so there was no need for me to explain.
Moments later, I heard the sound of Evan picking up the book on the table.
[Evan! Did you learn swordsmanship well today? I won a lot of money at the racetrack, so I wanted to buy gifts for the family and went into the city today.]
I am Laria Rose Icard. Though I remain weakened by illness and lack any notable background, I am far from helpless! I am equipped with artifice, cunning, and acting prowess.
I manage to charm Duke Icard, who awaits my death, quite masterfully—so handling my dear husband Evan is nothing. Besides, Evan reminds me of my childhood in ways that have made me genuinely fond of him.
[Since you love books, I went to the bookstore and bought you some. But you seemed to only read difficult ones, so I got you easier books instead. Picture fairy tales—aren’t they beautiful? Later, when you’re about to sleep, I’ll read them to you.]
He must be wearing an incredibly moved expression right now.
[Reading fairy tales until bedtime at night.]
It doesn’t look that long, so I’ll actually have to read it to him later. Duke Icard looked quite moved too earlier. He’s probably regretting the suspicious look he gave me this morning when he woke with an axe-sharp gaze.
I lay back down and fell asleep, but when I stirred awake near dawn, Evan wasn’t in bed—he was sitting motionless at the table like a painting.
‘What’s this?’
Evan sat at the table holding my card, completely still, reading it over and over again.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
I blinked and drifted back to sleep, wondering.
Something was troubling Evan. Otherwise, a thirteen-year-old child wouldn’t be losing sleep and sitting there like a statue.
Even if I tried to ignore it… when he held my card so preciously like that, my heart softened.
‘Did something happen during sword training today?’
The only thing different from yesterday was that he’d started training. Something felt off. I decided I needed to watch him carefully.
* * *
Thanks to diligently consuming the Occlasia Fruit, my condition improved rapidly.
When I first possessed this body, I was constantly dizzy, couldn’t eat properly, and my vision spun—but lately, that wasn’t the case anymore.
The medical arts on the Eastern Continent were undoubtedly far advanced. The Empire’s medical Academy should be ashamed for not knowing such a simple remedy.
I’d also noticeably reduced my blood coughing, though I staged a few forced coughing fits in the bathroom just in case Lisa caught on.
I was still pondering what had suddenly troubled Evan when a knock sounded and the door opened.
“Lisa? What is it?”
Lisa entered with several maids.
Their determined expressions made me pause for a moment.
“The Duke has ordered us to purchase everything you showed interest in yesterday, Miss.”
“What?”
“Since clothes and accessories must fit properly… we’ve come to take your measurements before ordering from the City.”
What is this about?
While I stood there bewildered, the maids swarmed around me and began taking my measurements.
“Why would Father do this?”
“He says that picking up and putting down items reflects poorly on the House of Icard’s reputation.”
I sighed inwardly. I should have visited more expensive shops and touched more expensive items.
At the same time, I realized Lisa was indeed my watchdog. Otherwise, Duke Icard would have no way of knowing I’d been browsing various items.
“Oh my.”
If I was going to touch things anyway, I should have handled a large diamond necklace instead of some child’s small ruby pendant.
“Father is so kind…”
Make sure to convey this well to the Duke, Lisa.
“It’s touching. When the items arrive, I’ll wear whichever suits me best and go thank him properly.”
I’d just say some flattering words, and if things got awkward or I heard an uncomfortable joke, I’d excuse myself with a cough.
“Actually, I mentioned to His Grace that you went to the City but didn’t buy anything for yourself—only gifts for the family… and he seemed quite moved by that.”
Why on earth would Lisa say something like that so openly? What a waste of breath.
“I see….”
Of course, I didn’t let my guard down, but I had to admit I was genuinely moved. Even a frozen heart tends to soften before expensive gifts.
‘Am I really this easy when it comes to money…?’
But perhaps all my desperate acting had caused the Duke to open his heart to me just a little?
As a capable puppet master, couldn’t I control the Royal Court through other means? If so, couldn’t we just live together as a happy family like this for the rest of our lives?
I didn’t understand why Duke Icard wanted to control the Royal Court so badly, but if I could just solve whatever he wanted….
‘Is Plan B really possible?’
While I was thinking such things, Lisa smiled brightly and spoke.
“Oh, and Young Lady.”
“Yes?”
“The Duke is planning to assign a personal physician exclusively for you, as he’s concerned about your illness.”
I smiled even wider, trying not to show my displeasure to Lisa.
“Really? Truly?”
“Yes. The announcement has already been made, and we’re looking for someone who will care for you alone. Once hired, they will see to you every day.”
My mind suddenly cleared.
‘I almost sold my soul for a few gifts.’
Duke Icard was moving exactly as the original story dictated.
Perhaps he disliked feeling indebted because of my gifts, so he was repaying me extravagantly? Since I was going to die anyway, was he pitying me in advance? It was like giving premium feed to cattle before slaughter….
“Hmm… I’m truly grateful. But if possible, could you hire a woman instead?”
I asked with a pitiful expression.
“A male physician would be rather difficult… I’d be embarrassed to discuss my symptoms.”
“I’ll mention it.”
“Please. I find adult men other than Father rather frightening.”
“My, that’s usually the opposite.”
Lisa laughed as if amused.
“Most children aren’t afraid of other adults, but they’re terrified of the Duke. Yet that characteristic stern expression of his doesn’t frighten you, does it, Laria?”
“He’s handsome, so it’s fine.”
Make sure to tell him everything.
I smiled brightly at Lisa.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————