Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 66

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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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After finishing tea with the Eldspie Viscountess, I emerged to find Kait waiting for me.
“Laria, will we really not see each other for a whole month?”
“Yes, unfortunately it can’t be helped.”
I sat with Kait in the garden, enjoying the cool autumn breeze as we chatted about this and that.
“I’m planning to attend the Founding Festival this time.”
The Founding Festival happened to fall right after Evan’s birthday.
I was insisting that my health had improved enough to attend without fail. I desperately wanted to see with my own eyes whether Princess Elani was wearing the ruby jewelry well.
‘Just how much have I invested in this already….’
“The Founding Festival? I heard it’s not particularly entertaining….”
“That’s why only Capital nobility usually attend, but the Duke of Icard’s house is Capital nobility after all.”
“The Capital….”
Kait murmured softly before asking carefully.
“Will you perhaps meet Baron Labonis there?”
“Pardon?”
“Orian mentioned that Baron Labonis’s territory is here, but he spends almost all his time in the Capital.”
All the rumors about Kail Dart Labonis had originated from me. But the rumors had spread so far that their source had become untraceable. Of course, people from the Bestian Information Guild had also been spreading word while pretending to work at the Baron’s Manor.
“We’re not particularly close… so there’s no reason to go out of my way to meet him. But why do you ask?”
I looked at Kait with a confused expression.
Kait hesitated for a moment before sighing and speaking.
“Well… so many people saw the two of you together that rumors have started spreading, even though it’s nothing really.”
“Pardon?”
“The truth is, Baron Labonis has been looking at you with such tender eyes.”
He was probably looking at the donation envelope with tender eyes, not me.
“Rumors…?”
When I asked in a trembling voice, Kait quickly shook her head.
“Just baseless gossip. But there are so many people here who love to fabricate stories.”
The rumors Kait described were even more exaggerated than I’d imagined. There were even claims that we had originally liked each other in the Capital, but I had no choice but to go to the Duke’s house because of my father’s debts.
“Especially Biety is amplifying those rumors.”
I made an expression of near shock, but inwardly I laughed. I hadn’t completely crushed Biety precisely for this role. She was the perfect pawn to manipulate Kait.
No matter how much Kait liked me, a common enemy always strengthened bonds.
“What should I do? This is so unfair. If the Duke finds out, I….”
As I fidgeted with my fingers while speaking, Kait snorted.
“That Biety is truly vicious. I was once caught up in strange rumors myself. It seems she’s trying to stir things up again, but we can’t let that happen.”
“Then… what should we do?”
“I should say I’ve met Baron Labonis once too.”
That’s exactly it.
I hid my internal triumph and put on a worried expression.
“I’ll say I invited him to the Eldspie Viscount’s Residence and the two of you met there. If the problem is that you met alone, then since you met with me as well, there’s nothing more to say.”
“Oh my, really?”
“Yes. Once I’ve met them in person and say they’re absolutely not that kind of relationship, who would dare contradict me?”
I grasped Kait’s hand eagerly.
“Thank you so much, Kait. I really mean it.”
“It’s nothing to thank me for….”
Kait blushed and gently patted my hand.
“I only regained this level of influence thanks to the banquet Laria hosted. And ever since, she’s been hosting tea times at just the right moments….”
And I had researched extensively to ensure those moments were perfectly timed.
But Kait’s efforts were worthwhile—she possessed a bold yet aloof charm that made her exactly the kind of person Biety, with her keen instincts, would befriend before suddenly turning on her and swiftly moving to counter her. Kait was formidable.
I merely opened the floodgates slightly, and she began manipulating her peer social circle with remarkable ease.
Of course, I simply had to remain comfortably in her shadow, subtly suggesting what I wanted through indirect remarks. In that sense, I was the true supreme power in this southwestern social sphere.
“Go to the Capital without any worries.”
Kait spoke with a bright smile.
“I’ll handle everything as if I’ve been meeting with Baron Labonis.”
“I’m truly grateful, Kait.”
“If it weren’t for Laria, I’d still be isolated, never invited to any tea times. So there’s no need to thank me for something like this.”
I nodded with a moved expression. By the time I returned from the Capital, the image of Kail Dart Labonis would undoubtedly become more concrete.
Who would doubt the very existence of someone when Kait, currently wielding the most formidable influence, claimed to have met him?
If I repeated this operation with slight variations over several years…, when I eventually disappeared, no one would ever suspect that Kail Dart Labonis was my alias.
Even Simor, who seemed to have harbored suspicions that Kail was me after seeing the real person, appeared completely convinced now.
Thus, I set off toward the Capital with a remarkably light heart.
“Laria!”
However, something unexpected occurred on the way to the Capital.
“I just heard the most incredible news!”
Serena exclaimed in amazement after receiving an urgent message from a guild member.
“Duke Icard is receiving the Emperor’s Medal of Honor this year!”
Sitting in the carriage heading to the Capital, I was utterly dumbfounded.
“The Medal of…Honor?”
“Yes, it will be personally bestowed during the Foundation Festival this year.”
The Medal of Honor, personally granted by the Emperor once every ten years, was given to those who had rendered great service to the Empire.
‘The original work contained no mention of Duke Icard receiving the Medal of Honor.’
“Father…did? Why on earth?”
It was genuinely unexpected—he wasn’t someone who did anything particularly for the Empire.
“Well….”
Serena spoke with a bewildered expression.
“He donated an enormous collection of academic materials to the Academy….”
This couldn’t be.
My mouth fell slightly open.
Those books would be discovered through Simor years later. And since the Medal was awarded on a ten-year cycle, it was naturally impossible for him to receive it at the timeline of the original work.
‘So those materials were significant enough to warrant the Medal of Honor….’
The Medal of Honor signified considerable recognition from the Royal Court.
“Wasn’t that part of Laria’s plan? Did she anticipate things would go this far?”
“No, of course not. How could I possibly know what His Majesty the Emperor was thinking?”
I folded my arms and fell into thought.
“Once we return to the Capital, the Duke will surely cherish Laria even more. An Honor Medal, no less—it’s the first time something like this has come from House Icard!”
“That’s probably true.”
I nodded slowly at Serena’s excitement.
“He’ll adore me tremendously….”
That was certainly correct.
Especially Olivia, who adores House Icard, would probably want to shower me with kisses.
“But why don’t you look very happy about it?”
It was because the original story had deviated from what I knew.
‘Originally, by now Duke Icard would have taken me as his daughter-in-law, which would have slightly eased Duke Orlando’s vigilance as a rival faction.’
But receiving an Honor Medal would likely invite his full scrutiny.
Duke Orlando was a cruel and despicable man who wouldn’t hesitate to employ violent and cunning tactics to check House Icard.
It wasn’t for nothing that Duke Icard had avoided a direct confrontation with Duke Orlando and taken me in as a smokescreen.
‘He must be sharpening his blades. And I’m undoubtedly at the center of his attention.’
Since I was the origin of all these events, a red warning light had essentially been lit for my near future.
‘Duke Orlando constantly sends his subordinates after anyone who annoys him, and he does it quickly and cleanly!’
Right now, I would be extremely irritating to him. Especially since from the moment of marriage itself, I’ve been a mystery that even Sven couldn’t unravel!
His subordinate, Medor, was exceptionally cunning and thorough in cleaning up. Given Duke Orlando’s nature, he certainly wouldn’t let this slide, and if he wanted to kidnap or attack me, now would be the perfect time. After all, during travel there are fewer eyes watching and security tends to be lax.
And he was someone who handled all matters swiftly. He’d try to deal with me before I grew older and could properly exercise the influence of a true Icard noblewoman.
‘My current situation is… my family has fallen, I have no standing in the Capital’s social circles, and Evan is still young, so there’s no burden in dealing with me carelessly.’
Of course, I was quite good at self-reflection. Since I’d stolen all the achievements that should have belonged to others, I naturally had to pay the price for it. So I thought calmly.
‘Whether unexpected trials come or not, I’ll accept them humbly…like hell. Anyone who touches me won’t get away with it.’
I spoke seriously.
“Serena, there’s something I need you to do right 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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