Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 37

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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 other important letter was one sent to Duke Icard by Olivia Bonnet Rivien.
‘Olivia is… well, let me explain.’
She was Duke Icard’s aunt—the only remaining elder relative he had left.
In her youth, she had married Count Rivien, a great nobleman of the southeastern territories.
Now widowed, she remained in Rivien with her son, who had inherited the countdom. Yet she never forgot that Icard blood flowed through her veins. She despised being called “the Countess of Rivien” by those at Duke Icard’s Mansion and insisted on being addressed only as “Olivia.” Her formidable temperament meant no one dared point out the impropriety of her demands.
Because she was so fierce, there was no one who could correct her on matters of etiquette.
‘She appeared in the original story too…’
Though she was old enough to be my grandmother, she was not someone from whom one could expect kindness.
‘A truly formidable villainess!’
In the original work where Princess Elani was the protagonist, Olivia played the role of antagonist. She constantly interfered with the princess’s love—something even Evan paid little attention to.
There was only one reason.
“I cannot allow the last remaining blood of House Icard to suffer such humiliation!”
She loved the House of Icard dearly.
She didn’t seem to have particularly cherished Evan. A wicked woman who had caused trouble in her youth, she had genuinely tormented Princess Elani in the most disagreeable ways.
The moment Duke Icard received her letter, he pressed his hand to his forehead.
“Ah…”
His expression was one of considerable exasperation.
“She says she will visit in person.”
Worse still, she had scheduled her visit for the period when Evan would be away at the Academy for the sword tournament.
Olivia was the one person Duke Icard could not handle arbitrarily. This was because she had practically raised him after he lost his parents at an early age.
So on the day Olivia was to arrive at Duke Icard’s Mansion, all the servants were on edge. Even Lisa, who was usually composed, swallowed hard and adjusted my hair multiple times.
“We mustn’t give her any grounds for criticism… Don’t you think having it draped to one side like this looks a bit more classical?”
“Is my hairstyle really such a critical variable?”
“Of course it is.”
Lisa held various ornaments against my hair as she spoke.
“Olivia detests anything that lacks proper decorum.”
That was true, and when I first saw Olivia, my jaw dropped.
‘Wow. She’s absolutely radiant…’
Her white hair was neatly pinned up, and she wore a large hat. Her makeup was bold. The glittering jewelry and the intricately crafted dress were dazzling to behold.
‘I want to age like that.’
I swallowed hard as I thought this.
‘I want to become a grandmother who exudes wealth with every step.’
Olivia’s crimson eyes passed over Duke Icard and lingered briefly on me, standing beside him.
“Aunt, it has been a long time.”
The moment Duke Icard finished his greeting, I quickly offered my respects with proper courtesy.
“Good day to you, Great-Aunt. It is an honor to meet you. I am Laria Rose Icard.”
Olivia acknowledged the greeting with barely a glance and clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
“You’ve brought someone who looks just like my late wife.”
She spoke with a mocking tone and snapped open her fan with a flourish.
‘Wow, that’s quite something….’
A tiger with bared fangs was embroidered large across the fan. It was clearly no ordinary accessory.
‘Something that feels like I’d need to bring along when going to demand a refund….’
“Like some pathetic squirrel.”
A pathetic squirrel? He’s talking about me, isn’t he?
“Your words seem rather harsh, if I may say so.”
At Duke Icard’s remark, Olivia’s red eyes widened sharply.
“Harsh? You’re the one being harsh! Have you lost your mind?”
Her tone was sharp enough to cut like frost.
“And now you’re bringing in a sickly girl as Evan’s match? Do you want both of them to grow old as widowers together?”
Only then did I understand why Olivia had come to the Duke’s Mansion. She must have rushed over after hearing rumors of my recuperation, utterly exasperated. Given that the marriage was already hastily arranged, she would naturally be displeased to learn I was also in poor health.
“I was baffled from the very beginning.”
She folded her fan and pointed at me as she spoke.
“Not even a proper wedding ceremony, and you bring home the daughter of a fallen noble house? Have you gone mad?”
Duke Icard fell silent for a moment, his eyes distant in thought, before muttering.
“Now that I think about it, I suppose I was rather careless.”
Then he turned to look at me and said,
“I didn’t even ask for your consent before forgoing the ceremony. If you feel slighted, I’ll have a wedding dress made for you.”
A wedding dress? I really don’t need that….
Olivia’s eyes narrowed as she let out another sharp rebuke.
“And you haven’t even given her proper training as a noblewoman! Bringing an untamed filly who isn’t ready for marriage as Evan’s match!”
Duke Icard quietly nodded in agreement at her words.
“That’s true. She certainly wasn’t prepared for marriage.”
Then he turned to look at me and said,
“I’ve been thoughtless. When Evan returns, I’ll have him write a proposal letter himself.”
A proposal letter now? That was even less necessary than a wedding dress.
“And you haven’t even properly introduced her to society! Not only are you neglecting Evan, but you’re actually trying to make her a useless noblewoman?”
Duke Icard adopted a serious expression as if agreeing with her words.
“You’re right… I hadn’t thought that far. I completely failed to consider her social life with her peers.”
Then he turned to look at me and said,
“I should have wedding gifts sent immediately to the noble youths of your age in the Capital.”
Father, that’s not just pointless—it’s absolutely absurd!
Olivia let out an exasperated sigh, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
I couldn’t believe it either.
“I should have realized you were out of your mind from the moment you started making those ridiculous jokes!”
My jaw dropped.
Watching Olivia, I felt as though I were witnessing the last loyal subject to Duke Icard, and I offered her my silent applause.
“…It’s just that Aunt is getting on in years, but people these days all appreciate such things. Laria likes you too.”
Olivia scoffed derisively. Then, with eyes that seemed to comprehend everything, she spoke coldly.
“Seeing how you’ve bewitched Calaudin, it seems you’ve been quite the flirt.”
That is correct.
Flattery alone? She crawled on the ground and sold her very soul.
“From my experience, those types always stab you in the back.”
How did you know? You have excellent instincts?
I genuinely admired her insight.
“With that innocent face, it’s obvious she’ll be utterly useless to House of Icard!”
That was somewhat unfair. I wouldn’t be particularly helpful, but still… I wasn’t entirely useless either.
“How can you call yourself a proper Icard Nobleman with this? Hmm?”
That’s why I have no intention of staying long. Plan B is merely a dream, while Plan A is proceeding smoothly.
“Great-Aunt.”
I looked up at her with a pitiful expression.
“I know I’m lacking in many ways… I’m truly sorry for causing you concern.”
Then I adopted a dejected tone and a sorrowful expression. Surely the Duke would take my side with this….
“Look at this! Just look!”
…Without a moment’s pause, Olivia let out a sharp cry.
“This is why I had to come myself! You have no backbone whatsoever! You’re exactly like that unnecessarily kind Matilda!”
Duke Icard had no chance to interject.
“You!”
Olivia stared directly at me and shouted.
“Repeat after me! Right now!”
“What, what do you mean?”
She spoke harshly, her hands on her hips.
“‘Great-Aunt, what kind of nonsense is that? No matter how much you carry on, the fact that I am an Icard Nobleman doesn’t change.’ Go on, repeat it!”
“…Yes?”
“Don’t open your eyes so wide like that! Lift your chin up!”
“….”
“Not talking back? Hurry and say everything that’s on your mind!”
So I answered quickly, beginning to spill out my unfiltered thoughts.
“My eyes have just been round since birth… I apologize.”
“Do you have neither courage nor conviction? Is the word ‘sorry’ so easy for you?”
“I’ve lived without such things for quite some time now….”
“And then, what? You’ll carelessly leak secrets to the very person holding your life in their hands?”
“That’s right… you see very clearly.”
“You.”
Olivia beckoned to me with blazing eyes and spoke.
“This won’t do. There’s no need to go all the way to Borotna for recuperation.”
“Yes?”
Wait. This was rather problematic.
“Rivien is far enough south. You’re coming with me to receive proper education.”
Since Rivien was in the southeast while Hanua was in the southwest, they were quite distant from each other. Being dragged to Rivien meant all my plans would crumble to dust.
‘No matter how impressive Olivia is, this absolutely cannot happen!’
I screamed internally.

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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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