Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 65

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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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There was someone who was startled by the sudden emergence of Kail Dart Labonis into the public eye. It was Simor.
Until now, he had assumed that Baron Labonis was merely a figurehead. He had naturally suspected that the true owner of half-Hanua was Laria.
“He’s supposedly incredibly handsome.”
Indeed, rumors grew more elaborate as they passed through the lips of those who had glimpsed him through the windows.
“He apparently smiled so sweetly at the Icard Nobleman that honey dripped from the sky.”
“They say the two of them knew each other before marriage.”
“My goodness, my goodness. So that connection is being rekindled here?”
Everyone was too afraid of Kait and Laria to voice their suspicions outright, but they were already composing entire romance novels in their minds.
No one believed that love could exist in a political marriage at such a young age. People with such backgrounds typically indulged in secret affairs.
For now, since Laria was still young, nothing would happen. But who knew what the future might bring.
“Well.”
Simor muttered irritably to himself.
“The rumors must be exaggerated.”
He had come to dislike Kail.
Because of the flour business, Simor’s image among the territory’s residents was already poor. He had suddenly become wealthy enough to cause a stir, but there was an undeniable aftertaste of unease.
Yet Kail had never shown his face until now, appearing for half a day to manage the territory flawlessly before disappearing.
Since they had divided the territory of Hanua in half, they were inevitably compared to one another.
Kail had done nothing particularly impressive—he had simply appeared suddenly and managed the territory. But because Simor’s reputation was so poor, Kail’s image had improved by contrast.
“Unlike Lord Simor, who only cares about money, he must be nobility by birth. And they say he’s an exceptionally beautiful young man.”
“His clothing was refined too. It certainly doesn’t seem like he bought his title to become a noble.”
Hanua had never been particularly meaningful to Simor. It was merely one of many means to earn money. Yet his mood was far from pleasant.
“I think we could afford to be a bit more aggressive with our investments.”
That was probably why.
“As I mentioned before, the timing should be just before the Foundation Festival. When no one would expect Princess Elani to wear rubies.”
Watching Laria enthusiastically planning business ventures with him, Simor found himself disliking Kail even more for reasons he couldn’t quite explain.
“Ruby supplies are overflowing right now anyway. It would be even better if we could purchase from inland sources.”
He was currently meeting with Laria to discuss gem investments.
“Since people in the border regions wouldn’t be familiar with close-range combat situations, there shouldn’t be anyone else thinking like we do.”
Simor marveled inwardly.
Laria was truly his kindred spirit. She was picking out exactly those ideas he was contemplating but lacked the confidence to execute.
“So here’s the thing—I’m planning to head to Abonitar tomorrow. There’s a ruby auction on the 13th of this month, and I’m timing my arrival accordingly.”
Upon hearing Simor’s destination, Laria nodded slowly.
“I see. That’s where the ruby mining output is highest right now, isn’t it?”
After discussing the purchase dates, prices, ratios, and storage of rubies, Laria rose from her seat, saying she should take her leave.
She seemed to be very cautious of the House of Icard’s attention. For instance, this meeting itself had been arranged through Simor’s deception in organizing a tea time.
Originally, four people were supposed to attend, but two had suddenly found themselves unable to come. Of course, those circumstances had been carefully orchestrated by Simor’s side beforehand.
“If we spend too much time together, word will definitely get out.”
At those words, Simor found himself responding slowly, almost without thinking.
“Yet I heard that someone so afraid of gossip spent quite a long time alone having tea with Baron Labonis.”
“Kail and I have history from long ago. It was when we were very young, before my marriage.”
Kail… she didn’t even use an honorific with his name, suggesting how close they were. Yet she’d insisted I call her “Lady Laria.”
“He’s quite different from you, Simor. Besides, Evan doesn’t particularly care for you either.”
Laria’s expression was docile, as if asking what could possibly be the problem.
Despite this, Simor didn’t trust that innocent face.
Who could possibly know? That she looked so delicate and pretty, like a doll, yet possessed such keen insight into the flow of money—perhaps she was feigning ignorance while actually knowing everything.
“But Kail….”
“Cough, cough, cough, cough.”
Just as he was about to ask whether Evan knew of Kail’s existence, Laria suddenly began coughing as if she were suffocating.
“I really must see Serena right away. Cough, cough….”
“That philandering physician of yours?”
Rumors about Serena, Laria’s physician staying at the Icard Villa, had already spread throughout the Southwest.
When others asked her about medical knowledge, she’d cut them off sharply: “I’m employed by Lady Laria, so I don’t take on additional work.”
Yet to reasonably attractive men, she’d say things like: “In my spare time, I’d like to rest in fields other than medicine…. For instance, you as a field?” and such.
Of course, Simor didn’t fall into the category of “reasonably attractive men.” Strangely, whenever Serena saw Simor, she couldn’t hide her expression of disgust. He’d always been confident in his appearance, but it was rather wounding to his pride that he didn’t appeal to Laria or her physician.
‘According to rumor, Kail is supposedly quite elegantly handsome.’
So Laria had tea with Kail without any particular business, yet with him she only discussed money before disappearing.
“Cough, cough… I’ll see you later then.”
Laria quickly stood and left before he could stop her.
As for Evan, he was just a thirteen-year-old boy with a large frame and a gaunt face.
‘From what I can tell, he’s a typical young nobleman who only knows how to swing a sword.’
At the banquet hall, he hadn’t interacted much with peers of his age and lacked skill in human relations.
It was obvious he’d grown up hearing only hollow, unconditional praise from middle-class children at the Academy.
There was no way Laria, whose mental age was considerably mature, could genuinely like him. She was merely humoring him while secretly building slush funds behind Evan’s back.
Besides, it was extremely rare for feelings to develop in political marriages at that age.
If feelings were to develop, wouldn’t it be toward Kail instead? Since Kail was the one Laria had originally expected, Simor had disliked him from the start….
“He’s quite different from you, Simor.”
He seemed to dislike him even more now.

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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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