Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 27

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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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The next day, Evan’s successor training began.
Originally, it was planned to start in autumn, but Duke Icard commanded it to begin immediately. Since the classes started so abruptly, Evan had to spend the entire day in consultations with his tutors.
‘Ugh… Is this really the time to start successor training?’
Duke Icard’s conclusion was that ‘a young master who will inherit the dukedom shouldn’t be swayed by subordinates, so I must start his successor training right away.’
In the midst of my frustration, my room suddenly received a flood of gifts.
“What is all this?”
I asked in bewilderment, and Lisa answered carefully.
“The Duke sent them.”
“Huh?”
“Well… Since Lady Laria asked to watch the training and all of this became known, perhaps he’s sending them as a gesture?”
So it wasn’t something Duke Icard actually said, but rather Lisa’s speculation. Still, it was quite a plausible guess.
“He had everything from the jewelry shop where Lady Laria spent the most time delivered here.”
I was left speechless and sighed. To send such an enormous quantity of gifts without considering the recipient’s opinion or feelings at all….
“Let’s go thank him right away.”
My sincere gratitude.
After selecting my favorite accessory and placing it in my hair, I spoke, and Lisa made a troubled expression.
“That might be difficult right now.”
“Huh? Why?”
“He’s currently torturing someone directly in the prison….”
“…Ah.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to meet him later?”
I was planning to thank him while subtly nudging Evan with the right words.
“When do you think it might be possible?”
If I let time pass like this, it’ll become awkward to resolve the core issue!
“Well, perhaps in a few days?”
Lisa’s premonition was wrong.
I encountered Duke Icard that very night.
“Goodness, he’s torturing someone without even giving them a sip of water.”
Serena spoke with exaggeration.
“They’re even begging him to kill them, but he won’t.”
“Hmm, Serena.”
I tilted my head and asked.
“How do you know such things?”
Even though Serena had been given a room, she was fundamentally a physician who commuted in and out. Yet I was curious how she knew more about everything happening in the Count’s Manor than I did, living here.
“Ah.”
Serena smiled brightly as if it were nothing.
“I’ve become friendly with one of the servants who works in the prison….”
I didn’t even know where the prison was located, so I found it quite remarkable.
“They tell you such things just because you’re friendly?”
“Well, it’s… a friendship with a bit of affection behind it, so….”
Serena laughed awkwardly and deflected. Somehow, I didn’t think she’d consider it merely “a little affection.”
“Anyway, well….”
The full account of the incident that Serena relayed was truly bitter. Knight Captain Ludba had harbored an unrequited love for Matilda for a long time, and that was why he’d committed such an act.
“It wasn’t even Prince Evan’s fault. That man is just truly wicked and cowardly. What kind of person targets a child out of sheer boredom….”
“…Does Evan know all of this?”
“Yes. Since everyone in the Count’s Manor knows about it, the Prince would naturally know as well.”
Serena added worriedly.
“But it seems the Prince has developed some aftereffects.”
“Aftereffects?”
“Yes. When Mars, who became the new Knight Captain, wore a blue uniform like Ludba’s for convenience, the Prince apparently suffered breathing difficulties upon seeing him.”
“What?”
“After that, Prince Evan requested several experiments, and… whenever he encounters people wearing blue uniforms, he breaks into cold sweat and hyperventilates.”
“Oh my.”
I gasped and gripped my skirt tightly. Of course he’d developed trauma after what happened to him.
“So the Duke ordered that no one should wear a blue uniform in front of Prince Evan. Though really, only that strange-colored uniform belonged to Ludba anyway.”
Evan hadn’t mentioned any of this to me. I could guess why—he didn’t want to show weakness.
“But how did you hear such rumors? I’m his wife and I didn’t even know….”
“Well, I’m rather close with one of the knights, with a bit of… affection involved….”
It suddenly didn’t seem like Serena was merely a sub-guild master of the Information Guilds.
In any case, that night, Evan claimed he’d been meeting with tutors until very late and went straight to sword practice upon entering his room. It was the perfect opportunity for me to secretly eat the Occlasia Fruit.
The moon hung bright in the dead of night. I slipped out and headed toward the Mansion Garden. After quickly picking the Occlasia Fruit and stuffing my mouth full of it, I was about to return to my room when I spotted Duke Icard’s figure in the distance.
‘Hm? That’s….’
It was toward the Rose Garden—the place the Duke absolutely never visited.
‘Why is he alone at this hour?’
I hesitated for a moment. Should I peacefully overcome my curiosity, return to my room, and sleep? Or should I sneak a look at what was happening?
‘What if I can’t resist my curiosity, follow the Duke secretly, and get caught?’
I’d heard the Duke was skilled in swordsmanship—there was no way he wouldn’t notice my footsteps.
‘But….’
After a moment of deliberation, I chose a third path.
“Father!”
Duke Icard, who had been heading toward the Rose Garden, turned to me slowly.
“Laria?”
“Where are you going? At this hour of the night?”
“What are you doing awake at this hour?”
“I woke up and Evan wasn’t there.”
I sidled up next to Duke Icard with a bright smile.
“I couldn’t fall back asleep, so I came out to look for Evan, and that’s when I saw you, Father! How wonderful!”
“What’s with the sudden….”
“Aren’t you happy to see me, Father?”
Mustering every ounce of spirit I could, I chattered away with a giggle.
“Seeing you in the evening light, you really are handsome! If Evan takes after you, that would be wonderful!”
Once I started flattering, I never did it half-heartedly. I had already sold my endorphins, so there was no reason I couldn’t speak objective truths. At my natural words, Duke Icard’s facial muscles began to relax gradually.
“I received the gift you sent with great appreciation. Thank you so much.”
“What.”
“But why didn’t you send something to Evan as well?”
“Evan already has plenty of money he can use. Your situations are different.”
“But still….”
“If you seem concerned about it, I’ll raise your budget limit a bit more.”
The conversation was oddly off-target. Money wasn’t the issue right now.
“I’ve heard rumors that he falls into a panic in front of people wearing blue uniforms… It seems he’s developed quite a significant trauma, and I’m worried about him.”
“That’s why I told everyone not to wear blue uniforms in front of Evan.”
Duke Icard spoke matter-of-factly.
“The only knight order wearing blue uniforms in the capital is the Allia Count’s Knight Order, and I sent them a letter to change their uniforms as well.”
This wasn’t proper trauma treatment at all—it was just burying the problem through sheer authority… Duke Icard, noticing my uncomfortable expression, added:
“Of course, we paid for it.”
That wasn’t the issue….
It seemed our conversation wasn’t going to connect properly. I gave up on further persuasion and simply changed the subject.
“Father, but this place….”
“It’s a place Matilda used to like.”
Duke Icard sighed quietly.
“Today, I’ve been thinking of Matilda more often.”
I stared at him and spoke.
“Evan… is carrying too much guilt.”
“Still, he’s growing up well enough, isn’t he?”
Duke Icard answered indifferently.
“He’s doing well at the Academy, his swordsmanship is excellent, and I hear he’s receiving his successor education properly.”
“But that’s not what growing up well means. He’s living with a wounded heart.”
I countered immediately.
‘The child is emotionally unstable, so he’s clinging to me.’
With the meaning that he should try to get along better with his own son, I continued:
“Evan thinks the Count’s Manor was ruined because of him. But that’s not Evan’s fault. It’s not a problem with successor education, and if things continue like this, it won’t be good….”
“I know.”
If you know, then you shouldn’t be doing this!
“I know that I’ve wronged Evan, and that I’m still wronging him.”
He muttered in a desolate voice.
“… If I could go back, I wish I could be a very good father to Evan from the beginning.”
There was genuine sincerity in that voice, so I quickly interjected.
“Then right now….”
Duke Icard cut off my words and continued.
“It’s not something that can be resolved with a few comforting words. We’ve already come too far.”
That was a fair point.
“But still, there are moments when I think it’s too late, well, it is late, but….”
“Anyway, all those problems will eventually be resolved.”
“Pardon?”
“If I do better, I can undo everything.”
He seemed to be speaking to himself rather than to me.
“Both Evan and I will eventually find happiness. Through a different, more fundamental solution.”

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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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