Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 50

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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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“….”
I swallowed hard, waiting for Lisa to continue.
“But people like that won’t come. I heard he’s planning to head to the Capital soon.”
Perhaps because of my guilty conscience, I had no desire to encounter Simor. Honestly, I just wanted to avoid him as much as possible and slip away unnoticed.
‘I kept meddling in his affairs….’
I had no idea how to repay my debt of apology to the male lead.
“I see. It’s fine if he doesn’t come.”
So I decided not to repay it.
“If you send out invitations, you may need to receive guests before the banquet for a while.”
“Guests?”
“There are often people who wish to visit to build connections in advance or to probe the situation.”
Duke Icard seemed concerned about territorial disputes, and so did Lisa.
Lisa spoke about various related matters before sighing. Though she spoke indirectly, there were two things she was worried about.
First, my family had completely fallen into ruin, and second, the reputation of House of Icard lately was not particularly good.
As Duke Icard continued to expand his power, whispers of him being “obsessed with authority” were beginning to circulate.
Because of my status as a duchess, they wouldn’t dare treat me rudely, but Lisa continued to worry that they could subtly irritate me.
“Don’t worry too much.”
I answered calmly, but Lisa’s expression didn’t brighten.
“Matilda was always subjected to such treatment in the Social Circle.”
“But I’m not Matilda.”
“You’re similarly kind and gentle. No matter how much instruction Olivia gave you, would your nature change so quickly?”
Lisa sighed worriedly once more and brought up the next topic.
“And the second piece of news is that the banquet date has been set, and the Duke is also departing to match it.”
“I see.”
“He sent his luggage ahead, and it just arrived. It’s being organized now—would you like to go take a look?”
Since I had nothing else to do, I followed Lisa to the room where Evan would be staying.
Because I had chosen the room with the best view at the Villa, my own room was rather small, so I couldn’t share a room with Evan.
The servants were unpacking the luggage, so I looked around briefly before discovering a clothing trunk.
“Hmm? Wasn’t this sent by mistake?”
“It does seem that way. It’s certainly strange.”
Lisa nodded slowly as she looked at the trunk I was pointing to.
“Why did he choose cravats only in red….”
They were nearly all the same shade of red, so at first glance, people would think he wore the same cravat every day.
“But there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s already here.”
Since it wouldn’t be me who’d be criticized for wearing the same cravat every day, I nodded indifferently and let it pass.
* * *
At Duke Icard’s Mansion, I spent my time idling with nothing much to do, but here I was quite busy. In Borotna, I was the person who represented House of Icard after all.
So I began writing and sending out invitations one by one, just as Lisa had suggested.
“Here is the family tree of the southwestern regional nobility.”
True to her nature as a capable maid, Lisa brought out the materials smoothly without my even asking.
“This is a history of the major houses. It should help with your conversations.”
“Thank you, Lisa. I’ll study it carefully.”
I answered with a bright smile.
Just as Lisa was about to leave with a satisfied expression, Serena entered, saying she’d come for a medical examination.
“…That doesn’t appear to be appropriate attire for a medical examination.”
Serena was wearing a one-piece dress overflowing with frills, elaborate hair ornaments, and large earrings. When Lisa expressed her disapproval, Serena shrugged her shoulders.
“Isn’t it pretty? Everyone was raving about how beautiful it is. Drop the preconception that medical examination attire needs to be plain.”
“Then what does flashy clothing have to do with a medical examination?”
“It’s good for your eye health, Laria. It’s always better to look at something beautiful, isn’t it?”
Lisa was a composed and capable maid, but she couldn’t overcome Serena’s shamelessness.
“The medical equipment is also inadequate… It seems like you bring the same things every day. Are you actually treating her properly?”
“True masters never blame their tools.”
Since my condition was genuinely continuing to improve, Lisa couldn’t really offer a rebuttal.
I had drastically reduced my coughing up blood, my emaciated body was gradually gaining weight, and most importantly, my cheeks had filled out and regained their color.
After dismissing Lisa lightly, Serena winked at me when we were alone and handed over a document.
“Here’s the material you requested, Laria.”
“Thank you.”
The material Serena gave me was also information about the southwestern nobility. However, it had a different character from the official documents Lisa provided.
“The guild members did their best.”
It was a report densely packed with messy scandals, rumors, and relationship networks. After all, to dominate high society, one had to be thoroughly versed in gossip.
“Good.”
I nodded, marking asterisks next to the messiest entries.
“This is exactly what I wanted.”
Comparing it with the material Lisa provided, the current state of high society in this unfamiliar region suddenly became crystal clear to me.
“But Laria.”
Serena tilted her head and asked.
“Is there a reason you’re working so hard? What could you possibly be lacking?”
“Don’t be silly.”
At my firm response, Serena blinked.
“If the fictional person called Kail Dart Labonis keeps disappearing, people will start to find it strange.”
If my disappearance were ever traced back, Duke Icard could take the opportunity to quietly eliminate me in secret. The dead tell no tales, after all. So I had to stay completely hidden.
“Ah… That’s true.”
“So from now on, I need to lay the groundwork step by step.”
I explained my plans to Serena in detail. After hearing my scheme, Serena sighed and nodded.
“That’s quite the grand design, isn’t it? I’m starting to want to call you Master Painter Laria.”
“Well, once you actually see my paintings, you’ll find it hard to say that.”
I simply rejected the title of master painter.
“And besides… it’s not just that.”
“Yes?”
“It’s just fun.”
“Fun…?”
“Being the real power behind the scenes somewhere.”
I rested my chin on my hand and smiled wryly.
“I enjoy orchestrating the board and watching events unfold according to my strategy. It suits my temperament.”
The social circle of the southwestern region would soon be pacified by Laria, who embodied ambition itself.
* * *
Past midnight, light still seeped from the windows of Duke Icard’s Mansion in the Capital.
While it was common knowledge that Calaudin’s study lamp never went dark, lately even Evan’s room remained brightly lit well into the night.
“Young Master… wouldn’t it be wise to stop here for today?”
“I believe I said I would finish this book by next week.”
Recently, Evan had not been sending his tutors home.
“That is, well, by next week….”
“So let’s finish it all today.”
The lessons continued well past midnight, yet Evan showed no signs of fatigue. Each tutor he reduced to exhaustion would be replaced the next day by another who remained late into the night. After dismissing today’s tutor following their late session, Evan picked up his pen.
[Laria, are you doing well? Is the banquet preparation progressing smoothly?]
Up to this point was always easy.
[I think I’ll depart a bit sooner than expected.]
The problem came next.
[My tutors finished the curriculum early, saying my comprehension is excellent.]
Evan stared slowly at his own handwriting, then sighed and crumpled the paper.
It sounded too boastful.
Beginning again with fresh paper, Evan stopped once more at the third line.
[The heir’s lessons progressed faster than expected, so I have some free time.]
After reading that sentence again for a while, Evan crumpled the paper once more.
Written this way, there was a risk she might think the heir’s lessons were trivial. In fact, his tutors had often praised his learning ability, but the problem was how to convey this without sounding conceited.
[It seems my hard work at the Academy paid off—the heir’s lessons finished rather quickly.]
It meant ‘I ranked first at the Academy, so the heir’s lessons are easy,’ but wasn’t it too implicit?
Evan agonized over it all night and finally completed the letter in the early dawn.

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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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