Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 70

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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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“Since it’s late, go inside and rest quickly.”
“Yes!”
Upon entering the Count’s Manor, I was startled once again.
“What in the world…?”
The interior had been completely transformed, resembling Borotna’s Villa.
“I heard that Laria said she was quite fond of the villa’s interior.”
Morand explained kindly.
“We’ve renovated the Count’s Manor accordingly.”
I did recall mentioning something like that in my letter.
[The villa here is more wonderful the longer I stay. Everything suits my taste perfectly.]
But to actually remodel the Count’s Manor to match the villa…?
“All the decorative pieces you particularly favored have been replicated exactly.”
Every item I’d casually mentioned—”this vase is so beautiful”—was there. Lisa must have relayed everything.
“I also ordered replicas of all the dresses and jewelry you prefer to wear, since you couldn’t bring everything with you.”
No, Father… please don’t waste your scheming talents on this.
“So… these are mine as well?”
“Then whose would they be?”
Good heavens.
If he truly believed that throwing money at me like this would make me genuinely moved or pleased…
He’s absolutely right. I’m grateful you’re wasting money so inefficiently.
I’d always preferred the most expensive items, thinking expensive meant good, and I never expected that taste would prove so useful.
Even the rooms Evan and I used had been made similar to my room at the villa. When I saw one particular wall, I could only smile awkwardly.
My photograph from the Racetrack hung beside Evan’s photo from the youth fencing championship awards ceremony.
“Doesn’t it look nice?”
If he wanted to say such things, he should do so with some emotion, but Evan spoke flatly with his arms crossed.
“Though I do wish your photo wasn’t just a back shot.”
“Huh? Well, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Though I couldn’t exactly say Evan’s photo—where he wore a rather eerie expression at the awards ceremony—was better…
“It was published in a newspaper article, so we couldn’t control how it was taken.”
To my reasonable response, Evan answered without much change in tone.
“So I ordered a camera.”
“…What?”
I stared at him for a moment, utterly speechless.
In this world, cameras hadn’t been invented using the principles of light, but rather developed as highly complex magical artifacts.
Manufacturing alone took over a year, and obtaining permission from the Magic Tower took several more years. Naturally, they were extraordinarily expensive, bulky, and the process of taking and developing photographs was cumbersome.
So only newspapers and a few others possessed them…
“Seriously? Wouldn’t it take years before you could even use it?”
“They said five to six years after ordering.”
Evan spoke as casually as if he’d merely ordered a shirt.
“But we’ll live together for ten times that long. It’s worth ordering.”
Ten times? That meant sixty years.
I had been thinking of around six years, but I couldn’t bring myself to say such a thing.
“Fine, whatever.”
The price of a single camera was enough money for me to live comfortably for the rest of my life, but I tried not to think about it.
‘It’s not even my money, so I shouldn’t worry about it. No matter how much Evan spends, it won’t even make a dent in this household’s wealth.’
I clutched my aching chest and sighed when Evan changed the subject.
“You’ll stay to see the Foundation Festival, right?”
“Of course.”
The Foundation Festival held in the Capital would take place a week from now. Though there wasn’t much spectacular to see, all the high-ranking nobles in the Capital had to attend.
As someone who had married this year, it could be considered my first official social outing.
‘Anyway, the real protagonist is Princess Elani.’
A stifled laugh escaped me internally.
I felt delighted thinking about how ruby prices would skyrocket thanks to Princess Elani appearing in ruby jewelry.
‘The more attention Princess Elani receives, the better for me. Ruby prices will soar accordingly.’
In fact, after meeting Elani, I became even more certain.
‘She’s truly beautiful. This is a winning investment.’
Even if she wore garbage, her beauty would cause a sensation, and she had the backing of being a princess.
‘And Evan, who remained completely indifferent to that beautiful lady…’
I glanced at Evan’s expressionless face and nodded to myself secretly.
‘So he can’t even be a supporting character…’
I remembered how Evan, the indifferent and cold husband, always had comments like “divorce arc incoming” whenever he appeared in the story.
In any case, that’s all the Foundation Festival meant to me.
While I was thinking such things, Evan continued speaking.
“And also, Great-Aunt will be coming tomorrow.”
“Really?”
Olivia, true to her nature as a villainess with thorough self-interest, rarely came to the Count’s Manor, but it seemed she would still celebrate Evan’s birthday.
“There will be a grand party from the morning, so it’s best you get some early rest. You must be tired from the journey, so get some sleep soon.”
Evan said that and quietly sat at his desk, beginning to read a book.
‘A grand party? Well, Evan is Duke Icard’s only heir, so it’s only natural to hold it grandly.’
Before going to bed, I called Lisa and gave her several instructions, then slept soundly in the Count’s Manor bed, which I had returned to after a long time, without even dreaming.
* * *
Lisa was frantically busy from morning.
“You absolutely cannot wear a red dress this time!”
Since it was Evan’s birthday, one might expect her to defer to his opinion, but Lisa went so far as to chase him away.
“There are so many colors that suit you, yet you wear red every important day!”
“I was disappointed about that too. What about purple?”
Serena subtly interjected, and Lisa complained almost angrily.
“I won’t listen to anyone’s opinion except yours, Miss Laria!”
I answered quickly.
“Expensive ones. With lots of large gems. That’s my opinion.”
If I happened to please Duke Icard’s mood just right, he might say, ‘That suits you well, get another one.’ After all, a frugal person should always be prepared to receive the charity of the wealthy.
In the end, I was able to wear a pale yellow dress studded with diamonds.
“Laria, do you really have to carry that hideous fan everywhere? It’s such a hindrance to your lovely image.”
As I took Olivia’s fan, Lisa spoke regretfully. But I shook my head as if I absolutely could not compromise.
“Being loved is more important than being lovely. I’ll bring it to the Founding Festival too, so remember that.”
After being driven away by Lisa, I hadn’t been able to see Evan’s face.
Lisa had put so much effort into preparing me that I couldn’t leave my room until just before the party.
“Have you told the orchestra and the choir?”
“Yes, I’ve already given clear instructions for them to begin playing the moment you make your entrance.”
I had requested something like ‘any impressive and grand congratulatory piece.’ After all, I was now Evan’s wife, and I truly wanted to give him a wonderful birthday gift.
“I’m not confident in doing things by hand….”
“If embroidery feels burdensome, why not give a gift using what the young lord does best?”
From my conversation with the Eldspie Viscountess, I found my answer. I wasn’t confident in doing things by hand, but I was confident in doing things with my mouth. What I did best was flattery and packaging.
So I could just gloss over it with words for something trivial. And on top of that, I’d add a bonus gift I’d bought in Abonitar.
“Well then, let’s hurry.”
I urged Lisa forward while checking the time.
“We can’t be late.”
It was the birthday of Duke Icard’s only son, so no matter how indifferent the Duke was, it was natural for him to throw a grand party as a matter of form.
I left my room with a confident stride, personally carrying the gift for Evan, not knowing that I would soon be bewildered by an utterly unexpected turn of events.

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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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