Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 55

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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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Despite being only thirteen, Evan could look genuinely unsettling when he deliberately adopted that expressionless face. He was still slightly shorter than Simor, but his frame was impressively broad regardless.
“Let me make this clear right now. Don’t send any more unpleasant letters to Laria in the future.”
Unlike Simor’s soft, delicate features, Evan possessed sharp, angular looks that suited his expressionless demeanor perfectly.
“Ah, so you read that letter.”
Simor showed no sign of alarm, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
“I hope you weren’t offended. It is true that both of you married at such a young age, after all.”
I leaned against Evan with a slight smile, though I remained acutely aware of our surroundings.
As expected, everyone in the Banquet Hall had their attention subtly fixed on us. Biety, Bern, and their circle were watching us with keen interest.
Fundamentally, since we were the hosts, we were bound to be the center of attention.
Moreover, Simor Litshia had recently begun making a name for himself in the southwestern region, thanks to his distinctively refined appearance and the remarkably rapid accumulation of capital.
“Still….”
Simor continued slowly, his gaze fixed on Evan and me.
“You seem more like siblings than an actual married couple.”
Wow, and just a mere Baron at that—he really knows how to overstep.
As I entertained this thought, I inwardly realized I had already adapted perfectly to this world’s peerage system. There was a time when I even reprimanded Evan for dismissing Redian as a commoner….
‘I was originally a democratic citizen who believed in the equality of all people!’
Once someone had tasted a position of high status, they adapted to the system far too easily.
‘But being someone of high standing is really quite convenient….’
I was rotten.
‘When in Rome, follow Rome’s laws…. Especially when it benefits me like this, there’s no reason not to.’
In any case, Simor was the male lead who showed the audacity to seize the Princess from Evan. Perhaps that’s why he showed no intimidation whatsoever in Evan’s presence.
‘Actually, we probably do seem like siblings….’
Just as I was about to clear my throat again to ease the awkward atmosphere—
“Well.”
Evan responded in a tone dripping with cold menace.
“You keep bringing up age, so should we have a child for you to consider us a married couple?”
What? What is he saying right now? Why is he bringing up children?
My eyes widened to the size of plates, and everyone watching us froze in shock.
Simor was equally flustered.
“…Pardon?”
“We almost made one by accident a few times, but I’ve been careful… Mmph!”
I immediately covered Evan’s mouth.
“Don’t worry. As long as we don’t hold hands while sleeping, we won’t have a child. Sure, there was that one time I almost accidentally held his hand in my sleep, but I’ll be more careful, so trust me.”
Regardless of what Evan was thinking, everyone else would certainly not interpret it the same way.
Besides, even if Evan was cute on the inside, his face value was considerably high.
‘Evan, you’ve just added another embarrassing memory to your record.’
Evan was the one who created this dark history, so why was I the one feeling ashamed….
“Anyway.”
I laughed awkwardly.
“Dancing seems a bit difficult right now. We should excuse ourselves to greet the other guests first.”
Simor regarded Evan with a reluctant expression, then turned back to me with an unhurried smile.
“I understand.”
Right, let’s not get tangled up unnecessarily. Agreed?
“However, should Miss Laria happen to take up jewelry as her next hobby…”
I swallowed dryly.
‘Jewelry…’
It was certainly the field I’d been planning to slip into next. Naturally, the time was approaching when Simor would begin to find amusement in gems.
“I believe we could have a most pleasant conversation today.”
Ah, what am I to do?
Now the male lead had reached the point of inferring my actions based on his own.
‘Jewelry is off the table, then.’
I needed to strike moderately and withdraw quickly from everything.
‘Fine, you handle all of that yourself.’
With tears barely held back, I cleanly abandoned my next plan.
When I turned around, ready to draw my sword at any moment with Evan at my side, I spotted a girl standing alone with dignified composure in the corner of the Banquet Hall.
‘There she is.’
Since arriving at the Banquet Hall, no one had spoken to her. A feline-like girl my age with violet hair and blue eyes.
‘Kaite Rin Eldspie.’
I already had an acquaintance with her, having attended lessons at the Eldspie Viscount Family’s mansion. And I had specifically asked her to attend this banquet.
She was the next generation queen of the southwestern region I had chosen as Biety’s replacement.
As for me, I didn’t know when I’d go to the Capital, and above all, I needed to disappear at the appropriate time, so it was difficult for me to take center stage. The role of a hidden power behind the queen suited me perfectly.
Duke Icard was the Empire’s greatest puppet master. Naturally, he would have scattered his agents everywhere.
After I disappeared, he might develop the resolve to find me and ensure my death.
To never be discovered then, I too needed to prepare thoroughly and for a long time. If I fled carelessly, I would obviously be caught immediately.
‘I must be absolutely meticulous.’
So if I firmly controlled the southwestern Social Circle from now on… all of this would become the foundation for making ‘Kail Dart Labonis’—a person who doesn’t exist in reality—actually exist.
Since it wasn’t a large-scale banquet, after several dance pieces, everyone naturally gathered in small groups and began conversing.
“Young Master, weren’t you first place in the recent youth swordsmanship tournament? I was observing it back then.”
“I still remember that final duel. How did you think to lower your stance like that?”
Particularly around Evan, aspiring knights interested in swordsmanship had gathered.
Even when Evan answered without much enthusiasm, they all marveled and poured out questions.
“Evan.”
I whispered softly to him.
“I’m going to use the restroom for a moment, then greet Miss Kaite and come back.”
“Kaite?”
“Yes. She’s the young lady of the Eldspie Viscount Family, and I’m taking lessons from her mother. If you come along, she’ll feel uncomfortable, so stay here.”
“…”
He seemed eager to follow me, but I quickly smiled.
“So many people want to converse with you about swordsmanship—you’re really amazing. I’m proud of you.”
Indeed, five or six aspiring knights were listening to Evan’s every word as if it were precious.
“I’m so proud of you. You look absolutely wonderful. My husband is the best.”
“Well, hmm.”
As expected, he began answering their questions again without hesitation. I stopped by the restroom briefly, then slipped out through the back door Serena had shown me.
“Laria! Over here!”
Serena, who had been waiting in the garden, waved at me.
I gathered up my dress and bounded toward Serena. We made our way to the Mansion Garden, which was situated in a rather secluded corner of the villa, where I found Sven dressed as a gardener, perched atop an Occlasia tree.
“It’s been a while, Laria.”
Sven jumped down from the tree with ease.
“There’s no one around. You don’t need to worry.”
“That’s true—all the villa’s servants have been mobilized for the banquet.”
I collapsed into a chair in the Mansion Garden.
On Sven’s shoulder sat the Black Cat I had seen before. To think he’d brought the cat all the way here from the Capital… I couldn’t help but think he was an exceptionally devoted butler.
“First, allow me to express my gratitude. All the guild members say they’ve been earning quite well thanks to you, Laria.”
He was referring to Madeline’s matter.
I chuckled and replied.
“Anyone listening would think I gave you free money. I received my commission just fine, so it’s a win-win. Let’s continue making good deals in the future.”
Then I crossed my arms and spoke decisively.
“I need to leave before Evan finds out. Just tell me what you came for.”
“Yes?”
“Why you’re actively helping me.”
When I spoke so bluntly, Sven laughed quietly.
“Don’t you think it’s simply a kindness I’m extending because I’ve taken a liking to you, Laria?”
“Of course not.”
Just then, the Black Cat on Sven’s shoulder leaped onto my lap.
“Meow.”
“This one seems to like me. It sat on my lap last time too.”
Serena, watching this, gasped in surprise and covered her mouth with both hands.
“My goodness, it really is true…”
Was it really such a remarkable thing for this cat to sit on my lap?
I stroked the cat’s jet-black fur and spoke to it.
“You seem quite particular, don’t you? It looks like you don’t warm up to most people.”
“Meow.”
Sven rubbed his chin and maintained a brief silence before respectfully sitting across from me.
“Laria.”
“Yes.”
“Since time is short as you said, let me get straight to the point. I came here because I wanted to be honest with you, Laria.”
“Good. Honesty is nice.”
I nodded readily.
Though that didn’t mean I intended to be honest myself.
“If I may be so bold as to judge your actions, Laria… you’re planning to leave House of Icard, aren’t you? That’s why you’re purchasing estates under assumed names and accumulating funds.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“Do I really need to explain?”
“Could it be related to Princess Elani?”
I stared at Sven without answering.
“Are you perhaps considering Princess Elani as a match for Evan?”
Sven continued, his expression like someone revealing their hand in a card game.
“Just as many people thought before.”
“…Yes.”
I answered with composure.
“Evan’s marriage to Princess Elani is the most crucial card for my father. And for him to play that card, I need to be gone.”
This man had come all the way to Borotna to find me. He seemed to have already guessed everything anyway, so there was no reason to hide it.
“I think my father might eliminate me at an opportune moment. So I’m trying to find my way to survival before that happens.”
“…How do you plan to leave?”
“Complete disappearance. I don’t want to die… just so Evan and Princess Elani can marry.”
Sven didn’t seem particularly surprised, as if he’d already anticipated this answer. Instead, he asked slowly.
“And after that?”
“Just… live in hiding, I suppose.”
“Won’t that be terribly boring?”
“Hmm, I suppose it might be.”
I answered halfheartedly, having only planned to endure until Evan and Elani divorced anyway.
“Perhaps….”
Sven asked carefully.
“Would you have any interest in world conquest as a hobby?”
“…What?”

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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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