Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 171

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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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Special Side Story 3. Roleplay
It was a beautiful autumn day.
As I lounged about leisurely, my eyes widened upon reading the contents of a letter that had arrived unexpectedly.
“Oh my.”
As I let out a small exclamation, Lisa, who had been attending to me nearby, looked up in surprise and asked.
“Is something the matter, Laria?”
“Mm.”
I couldn’t suppress a sly smile as I answered.
“It’s about the venture in the Kingdom of Elando that I invested in with the Sevinette Trading Company. Apparently it’s doing wonderfully!”
“My goodness, congratulations!”
Lisa clapped her hands with a bright smile.
Watching her, I thought once again that Lisa was truly a veteran among maids.
After all, compared to the scale of the House of Icard’s wealth, one successful investment was nothing to speak of. So there was no real need for such enthusiastic congratulations.
Yet regardless, I couldn’t help but feel immensely satisfied. After all, it proved that my judgment had been correct.
Moreover, beyond the money itself, word of my success would spread through the social circle, which would only strengthen my standing.
To be honest, the shadow cast by the House of Icard had been so overwhelming that my own accomplishments rarely stood out.
Now that even the House of Orlando had fallen, the House of Icard’s prestige was unmatched among the nobility.
‘This is all because Father has been playing the role of puppet master so masterfully for so long. Well, of course, it was my doing that brought down the House of Orlando… but no one knows that.’
In any case, it was good news. Honestly, the money gained from this business investment wasn’t strictly necessary for the House of Icard, but precisely because of that, I could plan something else.
“Since I’ve earned a substantial sum, I should spend it generously too, shouldn’t I?”
I said excitedly to Lisa.
“Tell Evan to keep his evening free. Since Father and Olivia are here, I think we can have a proper date without worrying about the children.”
Evan had been through quite a bit of emotional turmoil just days ago, and given how much I’d received from him, I wanted to do something for him this time.
The timing was also quite fortunate. Olivia and Father had come up because they wanted to see the children.
The children adored Olivia and Father so much that they wouldn’t even look for us when the two were around.
“Yes, understood.”
Lisa smiled and nodded.
Thus, the time for our sudden date—a surprise event I had planned—was decided.
* * *
Evan, suddenly dragged along, wore an expression of delighted anticipation. And the place I brought him to was a clothing shop.
“Short-collared coats like this are in fashion this winter, and with jewels set in like this…”
“Yes, that’s lovely. Evan, go try it on!”
I selected clothes for Evan with practiced ease alongside the shop’s proprietress.
Evan emerged looking bewildered in the outfits I had chosen.
In truth, Evan had little interest in clothing, so he had an exclusive contract with the shop to have custom garments tailored each season, from which he simply picked at random. Of course, with his exceptional bearing and handsome face, even his careless selections always looked impressive.
“And this is a newly released shirt with velvet-decorated buttons…”
“Good, good. Let’s try this one too.”
I flipped through the pamphlet briskly, picking out anything that seemed promising, and after trying on several outfits, Evan spoke with a serious expression.
“Laria, be honest with me.”
“Hmm?”
“Am I walking around dressed like a beggar? Are you indirectly expressing your displeasure with my appearance?”
“No!”
At Evan’s reasonable suspicion, I laughed brightly and waved my hand dismissively.
“I just want to try doing what I feel like doing.”
“…What is it?”
I jumped to my feet and tapped Evan’s shoulders lightly, speaking with considerable seriousness.
“My Evan, with such a beautiful face and body, everything looks good on you. It would be such a waste to choose just one outfit.”
Then, with a smirk, I declared boldly to the Madam.
“I’ll take everything from here to there.”
I pointed with my fingers at all the clothes Evan had tried on, then added with a smile.
“My investment turned out well.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I was so impressed with myself. The dialogue, the expression—everything was perfect.
Honestly, it was an enormous expression of love for me. To sweep through an entire selection without even glancing at the price tags.
Evan, who had been watching me, laughed in disbelief and whispered softly.
“…Did you want to do a roleplay?”
A roleplay, you say….
I wanted to deny it, but looking at it again, it seemed to fit perfectly. Besides, for Evan, buying several outfits at a clothing shop was such a trivial expense that it barely registered as spending money.
Before I could even answer, Evan pulled me into a tight embrace and lifted me off my feet.
“Thank you, Laria. I love this so much.”
He even spun around while holding me, and with such a difference in build, I dangled like a child and easily rotated several times.
“I’ll treasure and wear them well. Having a capable wife like you makes me so happy to indulge in luxuries like this.”
It was a response that played along perfectly. His crimson eyes gleamed playfully.
Fortunately, the Madam at the clothing shop was professional enough to pretend she hadn’t heard our conversation.
The Madam quickly prepared the receipt and handed it to me along with a pen. I signed it gracefully and winked at Evan.
“Tell me if there’s anything else you want.”
It meant I was going to do this roleplay properly.
Evan answered obediently.
“Okay. Let me think about it.”
Normally, Evan would have said seriously that my mere presence by his side was enough, but now he wore an expression of pure delight. Honestly, since Evan lacked nothing, his answer was truly tailored to the roleplay.
However, the moment we got into the carriage after leaving the clothing shop, I heard his answer.
“Laria, there’s something else I want.”
“Huh? What is it?”
Thinking we were still in the roleplay, I answered readily.
“Tell me anything. I’ll be generous today.”
Evan smiled and leaned in, pressing his lips to my forehead.
“From here…”
His voice was slightly husky and his eyes were murky—he was deliberately seducing me.
He slowly pulled his body back and lifted my skirt slightly. Then, kissing the top of my foot once more, he whispered.
“To here.”
He looked down at me like a predatory animal. Then, with his crimson lips, he drew a playful arc and added teasingly.
“Give me all of it.”
I gazed down at him quietly before finally bursting into laughter.
As the carriage traveled to our next destination, I had no choice but to repay Evan’s favor as promised.
* * *
While Evan and Laria were enjoying their date, Lisa found herself in a most unexpected predicament.
“D-did you call for me, former Duke?”
Calaudin had summoned her with an unusually grave expression. He sat staring at her intently, his hands clasped together, his face deadly serious.
“Everyone says you have the keenest insight in this manor.”
“Ah… yes, somewhat.”
Lisa started to demur but stopped herself, nodding slightly instead. She still harbored resentment over losing the position of “Laria’s closest confidant” to Serena when she had been too modest to assert herself back then.
Had she anticipated Serena’s arrival, she would have emphasized it to Laria countless times.
That she was a model maid, competent in all things, and therefore trustworthy to employ in this manor. That Calaudin himself had actively recommended her to the head maid and attached himself to Laria as the most capable girl in every respect.
But Lisa had valued the virtue of humility and never spoke of her qualifications until the day Laria fled.
She continued to regret that had she firmly asserted her worth then, she might have been taken along.
From that day forward, Lisa abandoned modesty and became a maid who did not hide her strengths.
So she continued speaking to Calaudin carefully.
“I have a thorough understanding of the household’s operations, keen observation skills, and quick situational awareness… so the head maid has already marked me as her successor.”
“I see.”
Calaudin nodded with a satisfied expression.
Lisa swallowed dryly and bit her lower lip slightly. No matter how much he had retired from his position and lived leisurely in the countryside, the chill that still emanated from him had a way of making people shrink back.
“Then I have just one question for you.”
“Yes?”
“Actually, I asked the children’s governess first, but she trembled and said she didn’t know. When I pressed further, she looked ready to submit her resignation, so I simply backed off.”
Lisa took a deep breath to compose herself.
Arienne and Setnin’s governess was a woman of considerable backbone and impressive experience.
Since Evan had personally conducted her interview, she was already accustomed to dealing with rather unsettling individuals. But just how troubling a question could it be to provoke such a reaction from the governess?
Lisa waited tensely for Calaudin’s next words.
“Why exactly… why on earth….”
Calaudin could not hide his anguished expression, his voice taking on a pitiful tone.
“…why do the children like their aunt more than me?”

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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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