Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 46

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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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Everyone in this room had already pieced together the situation through observation.
“Laria is too kind to get properly angry, and we can’t afford to treat her relatives poorly.”
“That, that is….”
Karen stammered out her words, her face drained of all color.
Duke Icard ran his fingers through his hair with an irritated sigh.
“Either you’ll be dragged down to the Underground Prison, or you’ll quietly put down the ‘Tear of New Growth’ and leave. Morand, appraise it just to be sure.”
“Yes.”
I hadn’t known that the butler Morand could even appraise jewelry.
After that, everything proceeded swiftly. The necklace Karen trembled as she removed was naturally confirmed as genuine ‘Tear of New Growth,’ and she was cast out immediately.
But there was something Evan and Duke Icard hadn’t noticed. Karen left without even finding the counterfeit she had originally brought.
Well, if she had said “then could you at least give me back my original necklace…” she would have genuinely risked being locked in prison.
The Icard father and son had never lived a life of deprivation, so they didn’t even think about the whereabouts of that counterfeit.
‘But for Karen, it must have been nearly her entire fortune.’
Or perhaps her house was mortgaged. She left without even breaking even. And now it was my turn to reach the climax.
“Ah….”
I hung my head with a vacant expression.
“I… believed her because she said she was family….”
“I didn’t say anything because she seemed unwelcome.”
Evan spoke bluntly.
“Actually, it’s common for blood relatives to take advantage of each other. Especially when they show up suddenly like that without any prior contact.”
It seemed both Evan and Duke Icard had seen through Karen’s intentions from the moment she appeared. They simply hadn’t said anything out of consideration for me.
“I… ah….”
I sighed and spoke.
“Father, by that measure, I didn’t have a single relative who treated me well even when I was struggling. From now on, if anyone claiming to be my relative comes looking for me, just turn them away. That’s my request.”
“Laria.”
“I seem to have been hurt by this incident….”
Silence fell over the drawing room for a moment. Even Morand looked at me with sympathetic eyes and murmured.
“That’s how one becomes an adult, Your Highness….”
Now, even if relatives swarmed like flies hoping for money, I could say “something like this happened before, so I don’t wish to meet them.” Duke Icard could also chase them away without much guilt on my behalf.
“It’s alright.”
Then Duke Icard placed his hand on my head and spoke.
“You said it yourself. That you’re happier here than at Rostri Manor. Don’t dwell too much on blood relations.”
“…Yes?”
“That’s right, Laria.”
Evan also spoke with a resolute expression.
“Don’t be so sad.”
I was slightly startled to see sincerity brimming in those crimson eyes.
“I’ll be a far better family to you than all your relatives combined.”
Hmm… what is this. I hadn’t expected this kind of response.
“I’ll do even better to make up for the hurt you’ve suffered.”
To be honest, I thought it was only natural that Karen would back away like that. Realistically, who would become my true family? Everyone only wanted to use me anyway. Of course, Duke Icard was no exception either….
“At least to me, you are far more precious than blood relatives. So please don’t worry too much.”
But hearing Evan’s words, my heart inexplicably soared.
‘What is this.’
His unexpectedly warm words made a corner of my heart tingle.
‘Am I actually moved by this?’
As I stood there dazed, Duke Icard sighed and spoke.
“Your heart must be deeply wounded. Especially when your health isn’t even good.”
“And having to go into recuperation means you’ll be separated from us….”
Evan grasped my hand with a sympathetic expression.
“On your journey away, I’ll fill the carriage so you won’t feel lonely. I can’t replace your family, but at least it might bring some comfort to your heart.”
“Evan, thank you….”
It was quite a good ending.
I received more gifts, the House of Icard wouldn’t have to be swept up in my relatives’ outrageous behavior anymore, and Lisa got a five-day vacation. And….
“Goodness, even if this is a counterfeit, it’s incredibly expensive! The scratches will disappear completely with just a few days of polishing. Goodness, I love it so much!”
Karen’s counterfeit necklace went to Serena. It was a reward for performing so excellently according to the script I had written from beginning to end.
* * *
On the day I departed, several carriages carrying my belongings followed in the procession.
That day, Marcel also came from the Temple. It was to bestow a blessing upon my departure. Seeing Marcel with his gleaming silver hair draped elegantly and his black eyes blinking gently, all the servants of the Count’s Manor gasped in admiration.
“Goodness, just looking at him feels purifying.”
“He looks so noble.”
He’s actually a con artist though….
“Thank you all. I am still lacking in many ways.”
“Hm? You don’t speak the Imperial language?”
At Serena’s innocent question, Marcel nodded.
“I studied abroad for a long time in Carobantes.”
At Marcel’s words, everyone stirred once more.
“My, what an impressive Priest you are.”
I realized why Marcel was pretending to be a Priest. He wore an extremely satisfied expression receiving such praise.
‘This con artist who loves being recognized….’
In any case, Marcel bestowed a blessing upon me, and once again a sharp pain spread through my entire body.
‘I’m certain now.’
I frowned in thought.
‘My body is incompatible with blessings.’
Marcel smiled and withdrew, and I gracefully bowed to him and spoke.
“You’ll visit Borotna occasionally, won’t you?”
“Ah… it’s quite far, that place….”
“You promised.”
As I handed over an envelope containing a donation, Marcel immediately nodded.
“Yes, for the sake of blessing the Young Countess, I will certainly visit often.”
Right now, pretending you can’t speak Imperial—that’s what you forgot in front of the envelope, isn’t it?
Half of that was supposed to go into Marcel’s pocket.
“I’ll send you letters with questions about theology from time to time. Please do answer them.”
I wondered why I was reacting this way to a blessing.
“Understood.”
Marcel nodded with a satisfied expression.
Claiming his schedule was busy, he returned to the Temple without watching my departure.
“Laria.”
The moment he left, Evan, who had been watching everything, spoke.
“Priests can’t marry.”
“Huh?”
“Of course, they can’t get close to women either.”
“I know. But why suddenly?”
“Just… keep it in mind.”
“…How dull.”
I let out a soft laugh and began preparing in earnest for departure.
The carriage I rode in was so luxurious that it was spacious, but designed to accommodate only two people, so Lisa and Serena had engaged in a prolonged battle of wills over the remaining seat.
Serena ultimately won, and the reason was that servants could be seen here and there with tears glistening in their eyes the moment they saw her.
Unable to bear the sight, Morand muttered, “I can’t create any more victims…” and reluctantly assigned her to my carriage.
The fact that when I first came to the Count’s Manor, he had asked if I could engage in romance at all—and it had caused this much of a result. This was more than just a little.
Evan held me back and continued to give me earnest reminders.
“Laria, you’re my wife. Even though we’re young.”
“Yes, I know.”
“I’ll visit often.”
“How much time is wasted going back and forth? Please refrain for the sake of time.”
“Laria, you don’t have to be so considerate of me.”
For a moment, I seriously considered asking Sven to destroy the bridge at the crossroads leading to Borotna.
Duke Icard, standing with his arms crossed in silence, spoke coldly.
“If anyone in Borotna’s social circle gives you any trouble, send me a letter without fail.”
“Yes?”
“Naive and soft-hearted children like you are perfect prey for society.”
If everyone in Borotna refuses to play with me and I write to him about it, will he send me friends?
“If you don’t adapt well, I’ll cut off the region’s finances entirely.”
Ah… truly a mastermind-class figure who can sever regional economic flows with a single word!
“Then buy friendships with money.”
“…”
Is this the kind of advice an adult gives to a child? Evan’s emotional instability wasn’t without reason.
“See you soon.”
Evan held my hand firmly without letting go until I climbed into the carriage.
“I’ll come to your welcome banquet.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Stay healthy.”
“Understood. You… well, just focus on fulfilling your duties.”
I added that firmly to make it clear he shouldn’t come visit.
“Study hard in your heir lessons, and keep up with your sword training consistently.”
“Then what will you give me?”
“…Praise?”
I answered, but it was truly a pathetically meager reward.
I was fortunate if Evan didn’t mock me for it.
“I’ll do my best, Laria.”
However, contrary to my expectations, Evan’s expression became remarkably resolute.
Serena, who had already seated herself naturally before me as if she absolutely could not let Lisa take her place, looked at Evan with a deeply worried expression.
Only after Serena warned us with a stern face that if we continued to waste time like this, my fatigue would become extremely severe, were we finally able to depart.

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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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