Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 44

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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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Karen’s arrival threw the Count’s Manor into complete disarray.
“The marriage is already done, so there’s no way to undo it, is there?”
Karen spoke while half-embracing me.
“But Laria is only fourteen.”
“And?”
Duke Icard spoke in a calm voice.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying I can’t leave her alone in a manor full of strangers.”
I remained silent, leaving her arm around my shoulders as I pondered her words.
If I hadn’t seen her eyes light up at the jewels the merchants displayed, I might have believed her to some extent.
‘But her gaze was far too sincere.’
Those of the same kind recognized each other.
‘That look in her eyes—it wasn’t directed at me, but at the jewels.’
I had an instinctive feeling that Karen hadn’t rushed to see me just because she’d heard the news.
“Surely this poor child should have at least one blood relative she can rely on here?”
Hmm. It didn’t seem like she’d come seeking only a one-time payment. Besides, if she’d wanted a small sum, she would have approached Duke Icard when I married, claiming my father owed him a debt. And Duke Icard had given her everything she asked for back then.
“Could it be….”
Still, just to be sure, I probed gently.
“You don’t need money, or have some debt my father never repaid you?”
“Of course not! Look at how I’m dressed.”
Karen vehemently denied it.
“I lack for nothing. I came purely out of concern for you. How could I leave you alone when you’re still so young?”
So it wasn’t a one-time thing after all.
‘If she doesn’t want money right now….’
I thought quietly.
‘Then she must be after larger sums in the future.’
Karen embraced me once more with a saccharine voice.
“Isn’t that right, Laria? You must have been so lonely staying here by yourself….”
I was the only one who could speak frankly to Karen here. Duke Icard and Evan couldn’t possibly treat my only blood relative who had come to visit me with disrespect.
So I answered with an innocent expression.
“I wasn’t lonely at all. Because Father and Evan have been so kind to me. I’m much happier here than I was at Rostri Manor.”
At my words, Duke Icard’s jaw dropped and he let out a stifled cough. Evan’s neck flushed red as he pressed his lips together tightly, trying not to laugh.
Duke Icard and Evan could simply feel proud of my words, but I felt quite conflicted. It seemed rumors were spreading that I was being treated quite well here, probably because Duke Icard had the entire Villa renovated for me.
‘Well. There’s bound to be at least one troublesome relative hanging around hoping to get some scraps.’
At least it was just one.
‘I suppose it would be normal for me to share what I have out of family affection.’
I thought quietly.
‘But I’m not someone with a spirit of consideration and generosity.’
And there was one more thing that bothered me.
I can’t bother Duke Icard too much. He’s already spent considerable money because of me.
If I let Karen have her way here, she might very well track down every distant relative imaginable.
Initially, Duke Icard might grudgingly hand over a few coins out of annoyance, but if it became a pattern, he might decide it was faster to simply kill me.
I need to create a situation now that will prevent all these presumptuous relatives who want to leech off us from ever showing their faces again.
The problem was that I had no particular reason or justification to throw her out. So then….
“Cough, cough cough, cough!”
I nestled into Karen’s arms and suddenly began coughing.
Just as I thought.
The new fabric smell wafting from her clothes made it clear she’d bought them specifically for this visit. And the counterfeit “Tears of New Verdure” was, as the jeweler had said earlier, a safe accessory chosen by people without discerning taste. She’d definitely decked herself out trying to look impressive.
“Oh, oh my?”
“Cough, cough! Cooooough!”
I had only one weapon that set me apart from others.
No wealth, no reputation—all I could do was cough….
But I was someone who could apply that single weapon of coughing with extraordinary versatility.
“L-Laria? What’s wrong?”
“K-K-Karen, cough! Please support me…. I need to see Serena.”
Karen had no choice but to help me up from the reception room. After all, she’d made such a fuss about needing family nearby—she couldn’t very well refuse.
“And… Father…. Cough!”
I spoke in a wistful voice.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to see jewels anymore… but the ‘Tears of New Verdure’ was so beautiful. Cough, cough! Just that one piece would be enough for me…. Cough!”
“Understood. I’ll purchase it immediately and have Lisa send it.”
Duke Icard responded quickly, and I left the reception room with Karen.
As Karen supported me, she asked casually.
“I heard you’re going to recuperate… Are you very ill? They said it wasn’t anything serious though.”
“I’m fine, Karen. But as you said, I do need family. After all, blood relations are the most reliable support.”
Since she’d come seeking to be that reliable support, I intended to show her just how much I would depend on her from now on.
The moment I arrived at my room leaning on her, Lisa rushed to greet me in surprise.
“Lady Laria! Are you alright? You seem to be coughing quite a lot.”
“Lisa.”
I spoke gently while clinging closely to Karen.
“How about taking about five days off?”
“Yes? Why?”
“This is Karen Maria Rostri, my father’s cousin.”
“Oh my, how do you do.”
Before Lisa could even finish her hurried greeting, I smiled gently and spoke.
“She’ll be staying at the Count’s Manor for my sake… but even if she’s a fallen noble, I couldn’t possibly use her as a maid, could I?”
“Laria? A maid? What do you mean right now….”
“So then….”
I opened my eyes wide innocently and asked.
“How can we all live together?”
“Huh?”
“If you’re not a maid… surely you weren’t trying to become a duchess here?”
It was just something I said in jest, but Karen turned her head away, looking slightly flustered.
“…Well, I did think it wouldn’t be so bad to stay with you for a long time…”
Good heavens.
‘No, even if you’re greedy, there are limits.’
I knew she’d come after seeing the promise of future wealth, but I never expected her to be this shameless.
“Cough, cough, cough cough cough!”
I nestled back into Karen’s arms and coughed profusely. I couldn’t let this pass without some protest, even if only through this.
The problem was that the situation wasn’t particularly favorable. I only had suspicions, not enough to openly say “You came after my money!” and drive her away. And besides, Karen seemed intent on doing her utmost to please me. But I couldn’t throw a tantrum and chase her off either, not when I’d built up such a gentle and virtuous image here…
Yet I was someone who always found a way forward, even in unfavorable circumstances.
“Call Serena for me… cough!”
If my plan worked out, I would now appear to the people of House of Icard as a pitiable orphan abandoned by the world, but it couldn’t be helped.
‘Perhaps they’ll pity me even more.’
It wasn’t as if appearing pathetic and wretched was something new to me.
“Oh, and…”
I suddenly spoke to Lisa as if remembering something.
“Father said he’s gifting me an authentic Tear of New Leaves. He said to pass it on to you, so put it in the first drawer of my Console.”
“My, is that so? How surprising that an authentic one has come to market. It would be best to keep it safe and wear it for the first time at the banquet.”
As a capable maid, Lisa immediately recognized from the name alone that the Tear of New Leaves was something precious. Of course, she wasn’t the only one who noticed.

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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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