Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 51

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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 pondered which painting to hang before the corridor and finally reached a decision.
‘I put so much care into it, so failing to paint well would be the absolute worst….’
So I carelessly scrawled some lines across the canvas and called it done.
‘By refusing to do my best, I preserve my pride.’
It was similar logic to the thoughts one has while skipping study during exam season. Instead, I put my full effort into what I could do well. The invitations I sent out to various places were written with sincerity and proper etiquette.
After that, letters began arriving from all directions, just as Lisa had predicted. Serena was so eager to see them that I would open the letters together with her.
[Would you not consider visiting our Milaide Viscount’s Mansion before the banquet? I hope that through building connections with our siblings, you might become good friends during your stay here.]
The letter from Volleod Viscount Yeong was gentle and gentlemanly. As I prepared a brief acceptance letter, Serena hummed and interjected.
“Volleod Viscount Yeong… shall we get to know him?”
“Hm?”
Serena’s ‘get to know’ meant romantic involvement.
“A kind and sensible man is always good for a beginning, after all.”
“A be—beginning? Stop. I’m a married woman. What are you even talking about?”
Of course, not everyone sent letters as gentlemanly as Volleod Viscount Yeong. For instance, the reply from Rostri Count was as follows.
[Thank you for the invitation. The new Icard Villa appears quite impressive, though I must express regret over the tragedy that befell the House of Rostri.]
According to the conventions of high society, it was a subtly mocking letter.
I had already caught on well enough, but my brief lessons with Olivia had sharpened my skills further. In other words, the translation was: ‘Your husband’s family villa seems to have been polished with money, but didn’t your own family fall apart?’
I was rummaging through materials Serena had provided to craft a similarly mocking reply when Serena, who had been studying the letter for some time, asked cheerfully.
“Rostri Count? Shall we get to know him?”
“What? Why this rude fellow?”
“There’s a certain charm in watching a man who was once careless come to regret his past and grovel.”
“….”
[Thank you.]
There were also letters that were neither one thing nor another—utterly insincere.
Serena showed no interest whatsoever in the replies from women. However, she gave her full attention to the letters from men.
“Volleod Viscount Yeong… shall we get to know him?”
I asked in exasperation.
“He’s neither particularly kind nor particularly bad. Why him?”
“A cold man has his own charm in conquest. That thrill of him becoming flustered only for me!”
“….”
There was also a letter from the Temple. It was a response to my inquiry about why I felt pain when I received the blessing.
[I’m afraid I’m not well-versed in such matters. However, I shall investigate through various ancient texts.]
I chuckled upon reading the letter that had come to Marcel.
‘He still hasn’t abandoned that concept….’
In any case, it ultimately meant he didn’t know. A truly useless fake priest, exactly as I’d thought.
“The Priest… hmm. Shall we get to know him?”
“Serena.”
I answered seriously.
“That’s a dangerous thing to suggest even without considering the fact that I’m a married woman.”
“Why?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t know? Priests can’t marry. Obviously, they’re not supposed to have romantic relationships either.”
“I know. But forbidden love has a flavor all its own, doesn’t it?”
“….”
Even Serena, who had been constantly replying “Shall we get to know each other?” to letters from every man, including priests, had received one that made her recoil.
[Thank you for the invitation. I will certainly attend. Would it be possible for us to meet privately beforehand? I can visit the Icard Villa, or you’re welcome to come to my manor.]
It was a letter from Simor.
Serena clicked her tongue and muttered.
“Good heavens, he’s lost his mind. Look how pathetic this is.”
“Serena.”
I had no intention of meeting him privately anyway, but her expression of disgust was so amusing that I pretended not to notice and asked.
“Aren’t you going to get to know this one?”
“Eating anything indiscriminately just gives you indigestion.”
Serena pinched the edge of Simor’s letter between her thumb and forefinger and tossed it directly into the waste bin.
“You have to be careful with stalkers.”
I had corrupted the original work so thoroughly that I’d turned the male lead into a stalker….
But he was destined to end up with another woman anyway. Even if Serena cursed him, it wouldn’t change his fate with Princess Elani.
I quickly suppressed the fleeting pang of conscience and picked up my quill to write a rejection.
[I apologize, but my health hasn’t been very good lately. I hope to see you at the ball, if the opportunity arises.]
It was a rather blunt rejection, without even the courtesy of softening language.
‘Please, just lose interest in me….’
In the meantime, another letter arrived unexpectedly. It was from Evan.
[Laria, how are you doing? Are the preparations for the ball going well? I think I’ll be departing earlier than expected.]
There was no need for him to come so soon….
The date Evan had written for his departure was much earlier than I had anticipated.
[The heir’s lessons are progressing a bit faster because they overlap with what I studied at the Academy.]
Besides that, Evan’s letter briefly described what his heir lessons covered and how his sword training was progressing.
Serena furrowed her brow and tilted her head.
“The content is more detailed than I expected? It doesn’t seem like he’s saying anything particularly important.”
“I suppose.”
I unfolded a sheet of paper to write a reply and laughed.
“He probably wanted to brag again about coming first at the Academy.”
And so most of it was wrapped up with a laugh.
But when another letter arrived from Simor, even my expression hardened.
[I see your health isn’t very good. In that case, would it be alright if I visited you with the most famous health tonic in this region?]
What is this—he’s terrifying….
[I have a feeling that you and I share a kindred spirit. For instance, we both admire Redian Cares’ paintings.]
Serena bounced up and down while reading the letter.
“This stalker is really crossing the line!”
I held the letter for a moment and took time to reflect on whether it was really him who had crossed the line, or if it was me.
But now I couldn’t very well turn around and say, “I’m sorry. Truth is, I’m possessed, and I wanted to take a share of what’s yours. It’s because I’m a bit greedy with money.” So instead, I calmly composed a reply while Serena cursed behind me.
[I apologize, but my noble spirit is rather uncommunicative, I’m afraid. It’s far too particular and shrewd to engage in discourse with anyone.]
I hesitated for a moment before sending it, then added two more sentences.
[Furthermore, I find it burdensome when someone demands excessive familiarity simply because our tastes in paintings happen to align once. I am, after all, a married woman.]
And I deliberately delayed before sending the reply—so much time passed that by the time two days had gone by since I sent it, Evan arrived.

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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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