Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 60

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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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The banquet finally ended in the dead of night.
Princess Bieti and Viscount Bern had exchanged a few heated words before both leaving early, or so I heard.
‘How foolish, how foolish.’
One shouldn’t abandon their seat so carelessly at such gatherings—especially not when there’s an unfavorable issue brewing. It was as good as handing an opportunity to a contemptible rival to strut about freely.
And that contemptible rival was me.
‘In the end, it’s just a regional social circle….’
I mused while fanning myself with the fan Olivia had given me.
‘This much is child’s play, really.’
Of course, that child’s play had resulted in Kait being ostracized for quite some time.
I had already grown quite close to Kait. The moment Bieti and Bern disappeared, I deliberately went to Kait’s side and began conversing with him.
“I was originally close with Princess Bieti.”
Kait spoke quietly.
“But I think she came to believe I was receiving more attention than her. At some point, she began to view me with suspicion and started excluding me.”
Ostracism typically began with one’s closest friend. Bieti and Kait were just another common case of this.
“Even Viscount Bern, who she rejected, has now completely attached himself to Bieti.”
“She saw you as a threat, so she was being cautious.”
I spoke gently with a smile.
“Let’s make sure her caution was justified.”
What would be impossible for Kait alone was entirely achievable with me by his side.
“But for that, you’ll need to forgive those worth forgiving. Can you do that?”
I meant for him to accept most of the children who had ignored him while siding with Bieti. At my words, Kait sighed and nodded.
“I suppose I must. This social circle is quite small, after all.”
I carefully selected those whose enmity with Kait hadn’t become too entangled. Then, moving about with Kait, I began methodically winning them over one by one.
Drawing out appropriate common topics based on the information Serena had provided was effortless. With such a solid foundation laid, everything unfolded exactly as I’d planned. The latter half of the banquet was essentially Kait’s and my stage.
‘Once this banquet ends, the entire landscape of the social circle will transform completely.’
With everything accomplished, the banquet concluded as Evan and I saw the guests out.
As I exchanged brief farewells with each departing guest, it came Simor’s turn.
“Thank you for the invitation. I’ve had a wonderful time.”
And he continued while keeping his gaze fixed on me.
“I noticed the painting hanging in the corridor. I believe I stood gazing at it blankly for about an hour.”
At those words, Evan furrowed his brow and spoke in a low voice.
“Someone spent an entire hour looking at that painting? Their taste is dreadful.”
It seemed Evan still didn’t know of the southwestern tradition of the banquet host displaying a painting.
Simor responded with a slight smile.
“I heard that Laria painted it herself.”
“If one possessed any discernment at all, they ought to spend at least two hours admiring it.”
….
Pretending not to notice Evan’s quick reversal, I smiled warmly and spoke graciously.
“Thank you for the kind words. Farewell.”
“I look forward to seeing you again.”
Simor spoke leisurely before departing from the Banquet Hall.
After seeing off all the guests, I yawned from exhaustion when Evan spoke from beside me.
“You must be tired.”
“Hm? Yeah. You too. Having to answer all those questions. You were incredibly busy. You really are the idol of all the young swordsmen, aren’t you?”
Evan barely acknowledged my pleasantries before hesitating slightly and speaking.
“But Laria.”
“Yes?”
“When you saw off Baron Ritshwa earlier, you were kinder than I expected.”
“That’s just because we were parting ways…”
“But your expression seemed to soften at some point even during the Banquet Hall.”
The juvenile fencing tournament was quite a major event, so Evan had been surrounded by people the entire time. I thought he wouldn’t have time to pay attention to me, but it seemed he’d noticed even the most subtle shifts in my expression.
“Ah, we happened to have a conversation in the Garden earlier.”
I lied smoothly.
“The Garden?”
“Yes. I went out for some fresh air because my head was aching, and we just happened to run into each other.”
“By chance…”
“But we had misunderstood each other.”
I spoke with a gentle smile.
“He’s definitely not a stalker like Serena said. He doesn’t have romantic feelings for me either.”
“…Really? That’s hard to believe.”
“Really. I’m serious.”
Evan walked me to my room, but his expression remained displeased.
“He didn’t seem like a bad person.”
“Then what about all those drawings and books in his previous letters?”
“Our tastes just happened to align. That’s all. We simply misunderstood each other.”
“…I don’t like that person. And I didn’t like it when he said we were like siblings.”
“What’s wrong with being siblings?”
I reached up and brushed his hair.
“We’re family who cherish each other, regardless.”
“…Still.”
“Evan.”
I spoke playfully with an amused smile.
“Are you jealous?”
“Jealous, my foot.”
He grumbled and turned his gaze away.
“We’re already married, and some baron isn’t worth worrying about.”
“That’s right, Evan. Exactly. You understand well.”
“Which is why I simply want to erase him from this world.”
“…”
“Is this jealousy? What do you think?”
“Well, I… I’m not sure.”
“Just looking at his face makes me want to draw my sword. I haven’t felt this urge since Ludba.”
It was an unexpected reaction—when Princess Elani, who was to become his second wife, had an affair with Simor, he’d been utterly indifferent.
‘So it all comes back to Ludba.’
I maintained my smile while thinking this.
‘That wretched man destroyed everything.’
It wasn’t jealousy but a murderous impulse—certainly not within the bounds of normalcy.
Evan entered my room and leaned against the window, saying he’d wait with me until Lisa arrived to help me wash. I gazed quietly at his profile.
‘He looks so lonely.’
The affection the Duke’s household held for Matilda was absolute. Once they learned that Duke Icard’s true objective was Matilda, they immediately surrendered, concluding that no amount of effort on their part could ever change that.
Even I felt a slight pang at this reality, so I couldn’t imagine how devastated Evan must be inside. Even if he tried his hardest, it would be difficult for him to fill the void Matilda left behind.
He was only thirteen. Far too young.
Despite his large frame, he was just a child who crumbled at a few words that touched the Knight Captain’s trauma.
“Regardless, I… I really hate him.”
“But Evan, even though I’m your wife, you can’t avoid doing things you dislike entirely.”
Still, I couldn’t refrain from speaking my mind. It was necessary to give him some frank advice now.
“I know, but…”
“He’s a nobleman living in this area, and we actually got along better than expected. Asking us not to speak at all just because of a misunderstanding seems unreasonable, doesn’t it?”
“…Yes, you’re right.”
“What happened with Ludba was shocking, but that doesn’t mean I can avoid interacting with all men.”
“Right. Actually, everything you’re saying makes sense.”
Evan answered readily.
“I instinctively dislike it, but I can’t control your relationships either.”
The conversation was going well!
I smiled with satisfaction.
“Yes. So I’d like you to trust me and not worry about which men I associate with going forward. There’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“…Understood.”
Evan added while gazing at me intently.
“I won’t ask you to do anything you dislike. I trust you.”
Despite his appearance, he was indeed a good boy who would listen if you spoke to him gently.
“Right, let’s not fight over things like this.”
I ended the conversation there and spoke with a quiet smile.
“Evan, when are you returning to the Count’s Manor?”
“I’m planning to leave within four days.”
“Still…”
I asked hesitantly.
“Is it still difficult for you to see people in blue uniforms?”
“…How did you find out?”
“I just happened to discover it somehow.”
“Hmm…”
Evan answered while looking down.
“Truth is, for someone who wields a sword, having such a trauma is quite a weakness.”
“Yeah…”
“I once asked one of the knights to try wearing a blue uniform, and he was fine until he picked up a sword.”
“And then?”
“When he held the sword, his limbs went rigid.”
His voice was calm, but it was clear the trauma had left deep scars. Just thinking about his limbs going rigid made my heart ache.
“Evan…”
“It’s rather embarrassing.”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about?”
But Evan’s face was slightly contorted. Realizing this was something he didn’t even want to mention, I felt a slight regret. Then again, I wouldn’t like it either if someone kept asking about my weaknesses.
‘Pretending not to know would be the best thing for Evan.’
So I stopped mentioning that matter and instead spoke impulsively.
“Go and live well.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t dwell too much on thoughts of ruining yourself.”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“Just…”
Looking at Evan’s crimson eyes, I murmured as if enchanted.
“I just…”
“You?”
“I want you to be happy.”
It seemed Evan’s happiness was never depicted even once in the original work. It was a groundless statement, but Evan stared at me with a serious expression.
“We should be happy together.”
He answered slowly.
“We’re family, after all.”
“Yeah. Honestly, I didn’t need you, but I’m grateful you came to see me anyway. Now that I think about it, this was the first time we danced together.”
I turned my gaze toward the window and smiled softly. Spring blossoms were blooming abundantly.
“Every time I see flower petals, I think I’ll remember that first dance.”
Then, there came a knock at the door.
“Miss Laria, it’s Lisa. I’ve come to attend to you.”
And so our conversation ended.

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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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