Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 34

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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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“Then, allow me to introduce the Priests to you.”
The High Priest, who had ultimately refused Duke Icard’s request, began introducing the Priests standing behind him. Since they had renounced the secular world, they possessed only names, no family names.
“I am Marcel.”
The Priest with silver hair and black eyes, upon whom I had been fixing my gaze, offered a gentle greeting in the middle of the introduction. A pure gold ring gleamed on his fourth finger.
“I shall bestow my blessing upon you, with utmost dedication.”
Duke Icard spoke with a slight frown.
“Are you not accustomed to the Imperial tongue?”
“It remains difficult for me, the Imperial language.”
Marcel nodded as he spoke.
“I studied abroad in Carobantes. I am not yet proficient in the Imperial language.”
Carobantes was a sacred nation situated at the edge of the continent and the only country that used the ancient tongue. To have studied abroad there as a Priest meant he had followed the most elite path of the clergy. At present, Marcel appeared to be speaking in the word order of the ancient language.
“To rank among the top twenty Priests in divine power at such a young age—your spiritual strength must be formidable. Is it because of your studies in Carobantes?”
Duke Icard murmured with evident interest.
“I myself visited Carobantes briefly during my childhood.”
The High Priest added with a chuckle.
“He ranks within the top twenty only because of his youth; he is a boy of truly extraordinary divine power. In a few more years, he may well become my closest aide.”
“Thank you for the praise.”
Marcel laughed quietly, as if embarrassed.
“Then shall we partake of the prepared meal first?”
Eating now, at this moment?
As I tilted my head in curiosity, Duke Icard spoke softly.
“When I’m extracting such a sum, the least I can do is provide a meal.”
As the one whose existence served as the pretext for this extraction, I found myself worried whether I could eat without becoming ill.
‘But this is an opportunity.’
The Temple’s dining hall was laid with quite luxurious fare. Duke Icard whispered something to the servant who had followed him, his expression indifferent.
The servant immediately opened the box he had been holding, and to everyone’s astonishment, it contained wine. The Priests all gasped at the clearly expensive appearance of the bottles.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
In the Nobility, it was customary to bring wine when invited to a meal. The Temple apparently followed the same custom, as all the Priests’ eyes gleamed in unison.
“This is wine that I personally procured from the Olord region.”
Duke Icard spoke with a hint of mockery.
“Should you require a clear mind for the blessing, simply refuse it.”
“Not at all.”
The High Priest began toying with a wine glass as he spoke.
“When the spirit is in a suitably pleasant state, the blessing’s efficacy becomes all the more maximized. Spare us such remarks. Refuse, you say?”
“Indeed, who would dare refuse me?”
“Hahahahahaha!”
“Ahahahahaha!”
The table erupted into chaos.
The High Priest even clapped his hands, threw his head back with laughter, and wiped tears from his eyes as he clutched his belly. Thus it became certain: the Temple was also rotten.
The Duke’s humor had the effect of litmus paper—it was perfectly suited for distinguishing between those who spoke sincerely and those who did not.
“Hehe, hahaha….”
I laughed along with them, but inwardly I clicked my tongue thinking, ‘Well, I suppose the monsters of capitalism are quite impressive.’ Perhaps the Priests were also thinking, ‘That daughter-in-law’s job is quite extreme too.’
“Indeed, indeed, you are remarkable! I had heard the rumors, but to make such witty jokes!”
It seemed every curse under the sun was circulating behind closed doors.
At the same time, I felt the Duke Icard’s tremendous wealth and power. Ah, so when a person prospers, they truly can live surrounded by so many jingling sounds like this.
Watching the atmosphere while surrounded by giggling laughter, I quickly interjected the moment the mood settled slightly.
“Father, then would it be alright if I poured wine for the Priests?”
“You, Laria?”
“Yes. These are people who prepared such a banquet for me, and I would like to show my sincerity directly.”
Traditionally, it was proper etiquette for a guest to pour the prepared wine themselves. Since I also bore the name of Icard, it was not improper conduct.
I smiled brightly and continued speaking.
“It’s just… thinking that this gathering itself exists for me, I feel so moved.”
“…But you are still a minor, and having you pour alcohol….”
“To you as well, I feel… apologetic anew….”
“What?”
“I want to express my gratitude by doing even these small things, Father.”
Duke Icard’s expression remained stiff, so I tilted my head slightly with a sorrowful face.
“Is it not allowed?”
“Laria?”
“Am I perhaps overstepping my bounds right now?”
“….”
“Is my action too excessive for my position?”
“No, no. Laria, do as you wish.”
Before my sorrowful words even finished, Duke Icard handed me the wine bottle.
“I’m fine.”
I tried to pour wine into his glass first, but he stopped me.
“I don’t drink alcohol originally.”
“Pardon?”
To my question, the High Priest gently interjected.
“The Duke is extremely weak with alcohol. That is why he never drinks it. He is famous for refusing even when the Emperor himself offers.”
If even the High Priest knew this fact, it seemed to be known to absolutely everyone. So I carefully poured wine for each of the Priests, excluding the Duke. And finally, as I approached Marcel to pour his wine….
“Oh my, that’s right! Priest, you are a minor!”
I suddenly cried out in feigned surprise and withdrew the wine bottle, pouring it all over his white priestly robes.
Marcel jumped up in startled alarm.
“Oh no!”
“Oh my, what do I do! Oh my, I’m sorry!”
As I fussed about helplessly, he said it was fine.
“It’s alright. I’ll go now, to the Restroom, to clean it.”
After Marcel brushed off his robes and left the dining hall, I set down the wine bottle and made an expression of bewilderment.
“What should I do? He seems quite upset….”
“Why would I be upset?”
Duke Icard spoke with indifference.
“It’s possible.”
“But….”
“A little wine won’t kill you. Don’t worry about it.”
No, don’t worry about it? That’s something the victim says out of courtesy, not something the one at fault should say.
I shook my head as if I couldn’t agree.
“I can’t let this go. I need to chase after him and apologize once more.”
At those words, the High Priest also laughed with a good-natured smile.
“It’s quite alright, Your Highness. There’s no need to do such a thing.”
“No, but…. Ah… why did I make such a foolish mistake?”
“It’s fine. Sit down. You’re too kind for your own good. What’s the fuss over a mere priest….”
Yet when he was praised for being in the top twenty in divine power, where was that sentiment then?
“It’s nothing worth mentioning. Why chase after him to apologize? You’re ill—don’t strain yourself unnecessarily.”
Hmm. Why is Duke Icard being so firm about this?
‘This is throwing my plan off course.’
Then in the end….
“*Cough*.”
“Laria?”
“C-*cough*. I, *cough*, need to visit the restroom for a moment.”
I put on a restless expression, sighed once, and left the dining hall.
After leaving the dining hall, I glanced around and spotted Marcel heading toward the far end of the corridor.
“Priest Marcel!”
I quickly ran and stood before him.
“What is it?”
I glanced around—the empty temple corridor had no one else. Lowering my voice so it wouldn’t reach the dining hall, I spoke coldly.
“Hey.”
It was somewhat rude, but to catch the other person off guard, I needed to come in strong from the start. Especially when dealing with a fraud, seizing the initiative was crucial. Before Marcel could even furrow his brow, my words continued.
“You’re a fake, aren’t you?”
In that instant, Marcel’s dark eyes wavered.
“What, what are you talking about….”
Without hesitation, I grabbed his hand and pulled the pure gold ring from his fourth finger. His silver hair then shifted to blue.

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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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