Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 174

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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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At Duke Icard’s Training Grounds, where Calaudin had departed first to attend to his duties, Evan was engaging Nathan in another sparring match. He still had energy to spare, he claimed.
“Young Master, please go easy on me… I’m not the Duke!”
Nathan, struggling to parry Evan’s blade, squeezed his eyes shut in anticipation of his imminent defeat. Yet no matter how long he waited, the relentless barrage of attacks never came.
Nathan cautiously opened his eyes at the sudden cessation and muttered with an expression bordering on shock.
“Young Master? Why on earth….”
Evan, who would normally never stop, had completely halted his aggressive momentum and sheathed his sword.
He was even standing upright, tidying his hair.
Seeing Nathan’s bewildered expression, Evan chuckled and spoke.
“Laria seems to be coming.”
“Ah.”
Nathan rolled his eyes and released a shallow sigh of relief. Rising onto his toes to peer into the distance, he could indeed see Laria with her bright pink hair fluttering toward them.
Though her figure was so small it required squinting to see, Evan had apparently noticed her even while sparring with Nathan.
“You really can sense her presence from so far away, Young Master?”
“We’ve been together since we could walk.”
“Since you could walk? But Laria is a year older than you, Young Master.”
“Still, it’s about the same. Her muscles developed slowly, mine quickly.”
“…Well, your facial muscles certainly did.”
Nathan, subtly emphasizing that Evan appeared older than Laria, gazed at him with amusement.
“Laria seems to be growing prettier by the day.”
Though Nathan thought it a rather lighthearted topic, Evan responded with an icy gaze.
“Don’t get any strange ideas about a child, Nathan. If you’re going to think like that, get your eyes in check, right now.”
“A child? But Laria is a year older than you, Young Master.”
“Regardless.”
Nathan quickly realized Evan had run out of words. He added playfully.
“Hmm, Young Master, do you perhaps like Laria?”
At that, Evan let out a scoff as if it were absurd. His expression said not to speak such nonsense.
“What are you talking about? We’ve been together since we could walk.”
Evan kept his gaze on Laria, who was waving from far away, as he spoke.
“It’s just that I know her better than anyone, and when I don’t see her for a while, I feel empty. We’re the kind of people who recognize each other no matter where we are.”
“Hmm….”
“Everyone thinks Laria is naive, but I know better than anyone that she’s absolutely not like that.”
It was true that Evan knew Laria well. Everyone saw her as meek and squirrel-like in impression, thinking her easy to underestimate, but in reality, Laria was remarkably clever.
It was simply that her older brother Fred had laid the groundwork for her in every situation within the children’s social circle, leaving her no opportunity to display her talents.
Evan, thinking of Fred, who lately shot him looks of wariness, clicked his tongue as if tired. Once upon a time, they had played together and gotten along quite well, but at some point, Fred had started inserting himself between Laria and him, constantly interrupting their conversations. From the lack of presence, it seemed Fred hadn’t come today, which was a great relief.
“Hmm.”
Nathan tilted his head.
“So you really don’t like her, then?”
“Of course not. It’s just that when she smiles, I feel a bit better because we’re close friends….”
Evan smiled softly as if merely imagining Laria’s laughter brought him joy, his expression naturally becoming wistful.
“Even when he smiles so brightly, there’s always a hint of melancholy beneath it. That’s what feels… strange to me.”
“Can someone feel sad while smiling?”
“He does. When he’s sad, he spends money while laughing. He says crying doesn’t solve anything. The more he hurts, the more expensive things he needs to lift his spirits.”
After that, Evan looked directly at Nathan and added firmly.
“So don’t say such ridiculous things. Liking her, what nonsense.”
“Ah, yes…”
Nathan scratched the back of his head and retreated. It was definitely time to tactfully excuse himself. For some time now, Evan had truly come to hate it when anyone intruded while he was with Laria. Even if that person was Nathan, his closest aide.
Far away, Laria was waving her hands broadly with a beaming smile. Evan tilted his head slightly and smiled softly.
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Laria had met Evan before arriving at the Training Grounds. Whether she had come to greet him or he had strode toward her, he approached her with long strides.
“The weather is lovely, Laria.”
Evan spoke as he looked at Laria before him.
“Should I have the maids prepare a picnic on the Rear Mountain? I’ve been practicing with my sword and I’m craving something sweet. Let’s go and have some candy.”
“Hm? A picnic?”
At Laria’s question, Evan shrugged and answered.
“Having tea time inside the Main Manor is too tedious. Someone always seems to intrude.”
“Ah, but I’ll pass on the picnic.”
Laria smiled and shook her head.
“I came to say hello and see your face, so I’ll head back to the Main Manor now. I actually came to have tea time with Mother and Matilda.”
“…Hm?”
“I was going to ask you to join us, but I didn’t know you found tea time boring. I’ll have a maid pass along some candy for you on my way. See you later!”
Since everyone in the Duke’s Mansion knew Evan loved sweets, such a request could be made to anyone.
As Laria turned away with a cheerful greeting, Evan hastily grabbed her wrist.
“Ah, no. Come with me. I’ve been finding tedium rather pleasant lately. It’s calming for both body and mind.”
“Really?”
“…I think I’d prefer cake to candy, actually.”
“Ah, then let’s do that. It’ll be nice to go together. Everyone will be happy.”
And so Evan and Laria headed toward the Main Manor to join Matilda and Esther’s tea time.
As they crossed through the Garden, Laria stretched and spoke.
“Should we take it slowly? You walk too fast.”
“Ah, really? But wasn’t it urgent?”
“Well… I did say I’d go right away. But shouldn’t we give Mother time to really open up to Matilda? Our parents fought quite a lot again yesterday.”
A slight shadow fell across Laria’s violet eyes.
Evan noticeably slowed his pace and quietly observed her profile. No matter how hard she tried to appear unbothered, that shadow that inevitably fell whenever she spoke like this was unavoidable.
Laria let out a shallow sigh and continued.
“You wouldn’t understand since your parents get along so well… but I’m having trouble adjusting to this.”
At those words, Evan gently pressed down on her pink hair.
“Why bother adjusting to unhappiness? Feel free to struggle and tell me everything so you can ease the burden even a little. Don’t hold it in. You’re still young…”
“Why are you suddenly treating me like a child?”
Laria laughed incredulously and looked up at Evan, whose height towered far above her own.
“You know as well as I do that even with this face of mine that stirs protective instincts, I’m not someone who loses to anyone.”
“That doesn’t mean there’s an age limit for throwing tantrums.”
“You don’t throw them, and I’m coming of age soon. It’s time for me to start a family.”
Laria waved her hand dismissively while meeting Evan’s crimson eyes.
“Don’t you know? Once I have my debutante ball and formally debut in society, proposal letters will come pouring in from that day forward. And there are quite a few people in society who consider that a significant indicator.”
Evan responded sulkily to her playful remark.
“Who has a debutante ball these days? That’s so outdated.”
“Mother said she’d throw the most spectacular debutante ball for me. That’s why I’m going to consult with Matilda right now.”
“Ah, I misspoke. Traditional events aren’t outdated at all.”
Laria smiled slightly, but she was still walking slowly. She even clasped her hands behind her back and admired the flowers in the garden.
Evan plucked a yellow wildflower where her gaze had lingered and handed it to her, clearing his throat.
“Of course, I’m not just looking forward to it. For some reason, I have a feeling Father won’t come that day… I’ve already given up hope that he’ll be devoted to family, but still, if he doesn’t show up at such an official event, people in society will talk about it.”
“What does that matter?”
“It might not matter to you, but it matters to me. I’m not even asking for an escort—just if he came late and stood somewhere in the background, that would be enough. That’s what worries me most.”
Laria tucked the wildflower Evan had given her into her bracelet as she spoke.
“Besides, even without Father, I’ll look absolutely stunning that day, so it won’t affect the flood of proposal letters I’ll receive.”
“…Well, you’re not seriously considering those proposal letters, are you? Any proposals sent to someone who just turned twenty would be garbage.”
“People arrange child marriages for political gain, so what’s wrong with twenty?”
“That makes no sense. Let’s exclude from discussion any trash who would propose child marriage to a child.”
“It’s common when there’s no guardian…”
“So you’re seriously considering the proposal letters?”
“Why are you so interested in proposal letters anyway? You can’t even send any since you’re still a minor.”
At those words, Evan’s pupils trembled greatly. It was an expression of someone encountering an unexpected variable they’d never considered, having always been comfortable with her as an equal friend.
“Do you understand now, Evan?”
Laria laughed playfully.
“Your older sister is entering the world of adults first. You just suck on candy and wait.”
Despite the obvious joke, Evan couldn’t bring himself to laugh.
He only gazed blankly at Laria’s back as she deliberately slowed her pace, her attention now on the butterflies fluttering about.

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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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