Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 63

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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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Kaite sighed softly as she sorted through the endless invitations.
Just half a year ago, she hadn’t received a single tea time invitation. But everything changed dramatically after the banquet Laria hosted at the Icard Villa.
“Hello, Princess Kaite.”
I first met Laria before the banquet.
“I’m Laria Rose Icard, and I’ll be coming to receive instruction from the Viscount’s wife once every four days.”
When I heard her lovely greeting, I was indifferent. It was obvious she was being friendly now out of ignorance, but once she entered society, she would distance herself from me. If she remained close to me, she’d fall out with Bieti, and then I’d be isolated from the entire southwestern social circle.
Many friends who had been close to her had indeed turned their backs that way. But even after learning all the details, Laria showed no concern whatsoever.
“In the past, you were at the center of society alongside Princess Bieti. You’re even a Viscount’s daughter—you could suppress Bieti in an instant.”
“…Society isn’t something that gets resolved by one person suppressing it alone.”
“My, alone? But I’m here. By the way, what’s this? Why are these letters all crumpled and scattered about….”
“Ah. Those are letters that madman Bern keeps sending.”
After that, everything truly changed.
After the rift between Bern and Bieti at the banquet, things progressed rapidly. Laria uncannily gathered only those who seemed at a loss and hosted a tea time.
Though it seemed like arbitrary invitations, the composition displayed remarkable insight. Then she elevated Kaite and made her the center of attention.
Though I had been neglected, my family was incomparable in the southwestern region. But once rumors spread that I matched well with the Icard Nobleman, the impact became tremendous.
[We’ve been distant for a while. I’d like to invite you to a picnic as an apology.]
Eventually, Kaite took Bieti’s place not long after. Since she had originally been evaluated as one of the twin pillars of society alongside Bieti, adaptation was easy. Of course, she never forgot that all of this was thanks to Laria.
“It’s not thanks to me.”
Laria still came to the Viscount’s Mansion once every three days to receive lessons quietly.
“Princess Kaite simply found her rightful place.”
Everyone actually thought the same way.
After the banquet, Laria’s presence simply faded into the background. Even when she hosted tea times, all the attention went to Kaite.
Laria was frequently ill, and once she recovered, she would eventually go up to the Capital. Everyone thought that as long as they didn’t openly touch her like at the banquet, Laria would simply live like a painting.
“Regardless, Lady Laria is my good fortune.”
“I’ll accept that. It was the same during the horse races—I do tend to be rather lucky.”
Laria smiled beautifully and spoke with modesty.
“By that logic, Princess Kaite is also my good fortune. Thanks to you, I get by more easily too.”
Naturally, the solid friendship between Laria and Kaite was famous, so everyone treated Laria with respect. Whenever Bieti showed signs of stirring, oddly appropriate incidents would occur and interrupt her in the middle. That’s how Kaite continued to achieve one victory after another.
“By the way.”
Laria, who had come to the Viscount’s Mansion for her lessons, casually mentioned this as always while having tea with Kaite.
“I heard that the Olraid Viscount said something behind my back.”
“What did she say?”
“That if I died, Evan’s position as Nobleman would become vacant, and she asked if she wouldn’t be much better than me, who only had debts. She apparently laughed about it.”
“Is that so?”
“It sounds like gossip, I know….”
As Kaite’s eyes gleamed, Laria sighed as if troubled and continued.
“…Actually, it is gossip.”
“Don’t worry.”
Kaite nodded vigorously.
“I’ll humiliate her several times over at the upcoming picnic.”
With her round, cute features and obedient demeanor, adorned with lovely pink hair and a soft, gentle voice that never raised above a whisper, Kait always thought of Laria as a small animal—a rabbit or squirrel.
Yet this cute, protective creature dared to insult her?
As Kait exhaled sharply through her nose, Laria added subtly.
“I heard that she even confessed to Midod Count and was rejected… If you’d like, you could casually bring up that story and let it slip.”
“Really? That’s wonderful. Thank you.”
Looking at Laria’s delicate wrists, Kait felt her heart ache.
“Cough, cough.”
Whenever she coughed like that, Kait felt an overwhelming urge to do anything for her.
Despite her suffering, to hear such words behind her back. Laria was the one who had extended her hand when Kait was loneliest and most alone, and ultimately helped her reclaim the Queen’s position.
Kait resolved once more that she would not let Olraid Viscount off easy. Since Laria had even shown her the method, how difficult could it be?
“Oh, and…”
While Kait was mentally conjuring all manner of insults, Laria lightly changed the subject.
“Did you happen to receive an invitation?”
“An invitation? What invitation?”
“One sent by Viscount Kail Dart Labonis.”
At Laria’s words, Kait blinked in surprise.
Kail Dart Labonis was the new owner of half the Hanua Estate. He had purchased it long ago but left it completely neglected, never even showing his face. While Simor, the owner of the other half, had made a name for himself as a wealthy merchant in the southwest due to the Madeline incident, Kail had done nothing at all.
Even the Labonis Manor had only begun construction after Laria came down to recuperate. No one knew what sort of person he was, so people wondered if he even truly existed.
“He’s from the Capital, so perhaps that’s why he only sent it to me. He seems quite shy about initiating exchanges with just anyone.”
Laria spoke with a gentle smile.
“After I meet him, if he seems like a decent person, I’ll arrange a tea time with you as well. Or…”
She continued while sipping her tea.
“Would you like to casually pass by the Labonis Manor during tea time? Just to see what he looks like. You could even bring along a few friends who are bored these days.”
“That does sound amusing.”
Kait nodded without much thought.
* * *
“This is troublesome, being summoned like this repeatedly.”
Marcel complained the moment he arrived.
“Priests are usually only at the Temple.”
Indeed, even Duke Icard had called upon them with blessings, so coming all the way to Borotna was truly exceptional.
“It’s far, Borotna is. Very far.”
“Ugh, stop showing off.”
But as his continued grumbling went on, I finally spoke up.
“You came for the money anyway.”
“No, it’s showing off. This is the truth. I want to go back to the Temple.”
“Well, the High Priest must have given permission anyway.”
I answered with slight irritation, but Marcel didn’t stop.
“It’s difficult, that’s what it is. You’re being fierce, getting irritated like that.”
“…Fierce? You’re calling me fierce while looking at this cute, innocent face? Do your eyes even work properly?”
“I figured it out from the moment you tried to threaten me.”
His black eyes narrowed into sharp triangles.
No, this was troublesome. I’d be coming to Borotna frequently from now on, and if he behaved like this from the start, it would be quite inconvenient. It seemed I needed to thoroughly correct his manners.
“I’ll pay you everything we agreed upon, and this is already a settled matter. Stop whining about it.”
“But…”
“Apologize to me right now, politely, and promise you won’t do this again.”
“Why should I!”
Marcel began to protest with an expression unbecoming of a priest, but I quickly continued.
“Then I’ll give you double the promised donation.”
“I am truly sorry. My body is weak, and this is my first long journey, so I was excessively childish. I sincerely regret my rudeness and promise this will never happen again.”
It was a remarkably polite and eloquent response.
The doubled donation was painful to part with, but it was the best way to silence him.
“I don’t need your blessing.”
“Pardon? You called for me—why then?”
“Because I can manage fine without receiving it. But there was something I asked you about before.”
I spoke with composure.
“Is there such a thing as a body that repels blessings?”
“There is, and there could be. Well.”
“Don’t forget that answering my questions is part of the donation’s conditions.”
“I’ve researched this diligently.”
Marcel clasped his hands together and spoke fluently.
“It appears that blessings don’t take effect on those who defy the natural order of this world. This is quite a difficult matter, but according to the scriptures, humans may not live only in this world.”
I swallowed hard.
‘The natural order of this world…’
Then could the reason blessings don’t work on me be because of my possession?
‘Because I’m a being that defies the natural order of this place?’

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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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