Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 43

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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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While inspecting half of the Hanua Estate he had purchased, Simor discovered that a major construction project was underway at the nearby Borotna Estate.
“Ah, I hear the Icard Nobleman will be arriving soon for recuperation.”
Now that he had become Baron Litshia, he could easily pick up the rumors circulating in that region.
“Recuperation? Why?”
“Who knows. It seems her health isn’t quite right. Though they say it’s nothing fatal. Just a mild case of pneumonia, I believe.”
“Why would she come all the way out here for that?”
“Well, the rumor is that Duke Icard is quite fond of his daughter-in-law. They say he even brought her in personally after she became an orphan.”
Simor narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the massive construction site.
The servant relaying the gossip added with a chuckle.
“Everyone’s speculating whether she’s making a fuss over nothing, really.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s why they’re completely renovating the villa like that.”
“Hmm.”
“They say they’ll hold a grand banquet once she arrives, so the tailors in this area have been incredibly busy lately.”
“A banquet, you say….”
“Even so, she’s the daughter of a fallen count’s family… many people mock her, but the banquet itself should be quite lavish. After all, she is the Icard Nobleman.”
“Even though we’re far from the Capital, rumors are already spreading. It seems the social circle here is no trivial matter.”
“Well, remote and small places do tend to spread gossip faster, don’t they?”
Simor’s eyes gleamed as he smiled. Yes, that was true. He had been wanting to meet the Icard Nobleman anyway. There were so many things he wanted to ask her about.
“Weren’t you planning to head back to the Capital soon? It would be difficult for you to attend, wouldn’t it? After all, it would just be a formal greeting.”
At the servant’s words, Simor immediately shook his head.
“No, I absolutely must attend.”
A banquet was far too perfect an opportunity to approach her naturally.
“I’m a resident of this region now, after all.”
He had planned to stay a bit longer since he had business in this area anyway. There was no reason he couldn’t wait until he met Laria. In a way, the timing worked out perfectly. Thinking that things were going smoothly, Simor smiled to himself.
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The Bestian Dark Information Guild.
“Sven, this is our chance,” Serena said, filing her nails.
“We can finally meet Laria.”
Sven had been watching for an opportunity to meet Laria. However, it was difficult for Laria to leave the Count’s Manor, and it wasn’t easy for him to visit there either. Redian, who had made contact with Laria last time, had barely escaped with his sanity intact.
But after that, something very strange had happened. Following Laria’s instructions, they had obtained ten of Redian’s paintings, and as Redian’s reputation quietly rose, the paintings’ value began to multiply several times over. He heard that after being introduced at several salons, the number of people seeking his work suddenly increased.
“Have you mentioned the paintings to Laria?”
Sven had been surprised and had Serena inquire about Laria’s opinion.
Serena slowly nodded and answered.
“But… she said it’s not the right time yet, and to wait a bit longer.”
“As expected, it’s worth continuing to observe.”
“But Sven, did you find out why that painter is causing such a stir? He was unknown for so long, and then suddenly….”
“That’s….”
“That’s…”
Sven’s brow furrowed sharply.
“…Simor Litshia was working behind the scenes.”
“Pardon?”
Serena startled at the unexpected name, then clicked her tongue in irritation as she muttered.
“Ugh, that stalker really needs to back off….”
“Somehow he heard that Laria discovered Redian, and now he’s been dragging him around to various salons.”
“How did Laria end up with such a nuisance attached to her?”
Serena shook her head and clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
“Anyway, we need to speak with Laria. It looks like we’ll finally get the chance.”
Even if she went to Borotna for recuperation, she brought along all manner of servants and hired hands, so we had to move cautiously. Duke Icard was not an opponent to be taken lightly. But a very good opportunity awaited us.
“According to our expectations, they’re planning to hold a banquet there.”
A great noble of Duke Icard’s stature would not refuse to hold a banquet for his only consort—doing so would make her easy prey for the social circles. The grander the banquet, the more influence the Icard Nobleman’s voice would naturally carry in that region.
“A banquet would be perfect for making contact away from prying eyes.”
Serena lifted the black cat resting on Sven’s lap as she spoke.
“That would be the perfect moment to present our long-cherished wish.”
Sven laughed with satisfaction.
“We can only hope that Laria will accept it without reservation.”
7. Blood and Family
“This is the latest fashion, apparently. If I request that diamonds be set along the neckline, it would look absolutely stunning.”
Lisa enthusiastically stacked catalogs before me as she explained.
“And the tiara would look like this….”
“The tiara seems a bit gauche. If we’re going to put something in the hair, wouldn’t this ornament be better?”
Serena, who had somehow joined in looking at the catalogs, received a glare from Lisa.
“Could the physician please stick to her own duties?”
Hmm, was Lisa always like this…?
She had always seemed quite composed and competent, but in front of Serena, she became subtly irritable.
“This is the dress for my first banquet as Laria’s consort, after all.”
Lisa spoke with a sharp exhale.
“There’s bound to be local prejudice…. I need to wear the most expensive, elaborate, and fashionable dress from the Capital to completely suppress their arrogance.”
Her eyes flashed fiercely.
“This is an important occasion, so don’t interfere. What possible justification does a physician have for getting involved?”
“Well, if it’s such an important event, then naturally I must be involved for Laria’s mental health.”
Lisa and Serena’s opinions clashed at every turn, and ultimately I had no choice but to mediate. Peace finally came once we agreed that Lisa would choose the dress and Serena would choose the accessories.
“Laria, do you have any other opinions? Anything you feel is lacking…?”
I would have preferred to choose myself, but since I had never attended a banquet before, I didn’t know the beauty standards of this world.
“As for me… I’m pleased with everything.”
“The Duke specifically mentioned not to worry about the budget at all. He said to spare no expense and not even consult with the steward.”
Really? Then I possessed tastes far exceeding any beauty standard in this world.
“Let’s add more jewels to the dress. The finest diamonds.”
A taste that was remarkably standardized and uniform—price itself.
“Apply it carefully, even to places that aren’t easily visible.”
“Then….”
Lisa fell into contemplation, then clapped her hands together as she spoke.
“I think I should speak with the butler and ask him to connect us with a jeweler. The costume department has its limitations when it comes to jewelry.”
“Ah, Lisa… you’d go that far? If things escalate like this, I….”
I sighed as I answered.
“I’m getting far too excited….”
However, there was one thing I had overlooked—when Duke Icard said ‘spend money without restraint,’ the scale of things inevitably became far grander than my expectations.
Not long after Lisa asked the butler to connect her with a jeweler, three of the Capital’s most renowned jewelers were summoned to the Count’s Manor. And those jewelers had laid out every famous gem imaginable across the reception room.
“This is a green diamond necklace called ‘Tears of New Verdure,’ a piece that hasn’t appeared on the market for nearly three hundred years.”
I picked it up lightly, thinking it was just some glittering emerald, and an avalanche of explanation poured forth.
“Everything available on the market is a counterfeit made of emerald, but even the counterfeits are quite expensive. For people unfamiliar with jewelry, we sometimes recommend them over mediocre stones.”
That was when it happened.
“Excuse me, a guest has arrived urgently.”
With terrible timing, someone burst in abruptly.
Butler Morand spoke with an awkward expression.
“They said they came before you departed and apologize for not contacting you first.”
Was there someone who would rush here desperately before my departure?
“Laria! Good heavens, Laria!”
Before I could even reason it out, someone rushed into the reception room and pulled me into an embrace.
“I’m sorry, showing up now! I’m truly sorry!”
Yet I noticed with lightning-quick perception that this person’s gaze went first and foremost to the jewels spread across the table.
“I should have taken care of it, but I only just heard the news!”
“W-who….”
“Oh, Laria. It’s your aunt, your aunt! Didn’t your father ever mention me?”
As far as I knew, Father had no sisters.
“I’m Karen Maria Rostri, your father’s cousin. You saw me once when you were three years old!”
Karen appeared to be in her mid-thirties and had arrived adorned with quite fine clothing and numerous accessories.
Her blue eyes glistened with tears. Though the color had faded slightly, she possessed pink hair similar to mine. The interesting thing was that she wore a necklace identical to the ‘Tears of New Verdure.’
After my parents passed away together in a carriage accident, not a single relative from Father’s side came to the funeral. Everyone knew that Father had left behind only debts.
Of course, everyone also knew of my existence with nowhere to go. In other words, Father’s cousin, whom I had seen only once at age three, was essentially a stranger in this situation.

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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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