Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 78

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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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Even inside the carriage heading toward the National Foundation Festival, we maintained an uncomfortable silence. Everything had gone according to plan, yet something felt off—Duke Icard’s expression was far too sorrowful.
Even Olivia kept glancing at Duke Icard’s face and sighing, then looking out the window and sighing again. So I had indeed taken a gamble.
No matter how much I recalled the original story, there was never any mention of an adopted daughter in House of Icard. But judging by the current situation, if nothing major happened, she would definitely be taken in as an adopted daughter. Or at the very least, it was clear they would break with convention and keep her as a guest at the manor indefinitely.
So why hadn’t such an important event been mentioned at all?
The only explanation was that an unexpected incident had occurred because I twisted the original story. And while I had orchestrated countless schemes, there was only one way I had fundamentally interfered with the original plot.
‘It was eliminating Medor, Duke Orlando’s closest and most trusted aide.’
Having severed the right arm of a key figure, his methods of operation would certainly change. With his most capable subordinate gone, he likely felt threatened and decided to respond to his rivals in a different way.
Without a talented operative who could handle matters quickly and efficiently, wouldn’t it make sense to deploy a spy who could gather core information slowly but reliably over a long period?
So I predicted that the person sent was Duke Orlando’s subordinate and cast out bait to catch them. If it were just some pyramid schemer after money, when Duke Orlando’s name came up, they would have simply said something like “Pardon? I’m not sure what you mean…” There was virtually no risk in that approach.
Naturally, the tailor was one of the members of the Bestian Dark Information Guild, and the moment they were discovered, they jumped out the window and hid in Serena’s Temporary Quarters on the floor below. No matter how much the servants searched, Serena would simply say, “There’s no one here. I’ve been here the whole time,” and turn them away.
I simply sold the “family’s final memory,” gathered Duke Icard, Olivia, and Evan together, and went to Rosalin’s Room when the time was right.
“If we stay gathered like this among ourselves, Rosalin will feel left out. Why don’t we all go together to see the dress I gifted to her?”
“Why on earth do we all have to rush over there…?”
“*Cough, cough! Cough!*”
By the time we arrived at Rosalin’s Room, the tailor had thrown out the bait at precisely the right moment. That way, everyone heard what Rosalin and the tailor were saying together.
Given the incredibly difficult condition that the appearance had to resemble Matilda, I had assumed they wouldn’t be a professional spy.
‘Especially since they stole my vase—they clearly weren’t that skilled.’
That’s why I could plan so easily. According to Olivia, Duke Icard himself seemed to sense something was odd…
“Just act like Matilda as trained, and Duke Icard will apparently give a blank stare and allow whatever I say.”
Shock therapy was the best way to snap someone back to reality.
“He laughs at jokes that don’t even sound like jokes, so he just goes along with it…”
It was literally “confrontation.”
“It’s rude to say, but sometimes he looks a bit foolish doing that.”
Making him witness with his own eyes and ears what was actually happening. All the while I had been pitying myself and catering to Rosalin’s preferences was for this dramatic moment. Of course, I had never intended to share anything of mine with Rosalin.
“Serena, once everything is done…”
“Yes!”
“Go to that room and gather the vase and put it back in its place. Oh, and the jewels I sent too. I suppose I’ll have to write off one dress as a loss, but there’s no helping it.”
It was truly a clean and refreshing conclusion.
I remained as a kind girl, hardly someone to be wary of, and her identity was “coincidentally” revealed. But why didn’t my heart feel entirely at ease?
It was probably because I could see Duke Icard in front of me suffering an internal shock. He was forcing himself to act cold and unbothered, but his insides must be in turmoil. After all, he had just confronted his fatal weakness.
Literally, the moment a child resembling Matilda appeared, he treated her with family affection in place of Evan and me.
Of course, that was a slight distortion of my wording, but that’s how the rumors spread.
‘His mental state looks completely shattered… I wonder if he can even receive a medal properly like that.’
There was no way his expression could be called joyful about receiving a medal. If he had been deceived, at least he could get angry, but since he had sensed something was wrong and still let it happen, of course he’d be experiencing a reality check…
At the same time, I felt like I was witnessing firsthand how weak a person could become when they lost someone they loved. It was foolish, as Olivia said, but it was the kind of foolishness you couldn’t bring yourself to curse…
“When Matilda died, I thought Calaudin would die too.”
He was living with the sole determination to resurrect that beloved person.
I too became somewhat melancholic and fell into thought.
Could I ever receive such love? Even if I repeated several lives through possession and reincarnation, it didn’t seem like I could ever receive love of that magnitude. In this life too, I was just a quiet extra being used by that tremendous love…
‘It’s just my fate. My previous life was miserable enough as it was.’
Once again, I confirmed that no matter how hard I tried, I could never truly remain in House of Icard forever.
‘That’s why I shouldn’t give my heart away. They say the Duke will save Matilda’s life even in the afterlife, but I have to look after my own life no matter what.’
I could never compete with Matilda.
It was nearly impossible to treasure anything more than memories of someone already gone from this world. Without substance, there was nothing to scheme against or manipulate. Since she never changed, I couldn’t strip away the beautified parts of her. No matter how hard I tried, there was no way to contend with a dead person’s legacy.
“Well, she’s just the type to do things to be liked, and she does get liked. The girl knows her place well and clings desperately, plus she reads the mood perfectly. She doesn’t seem like much of a threat, and honestly, she’s quite kind and easy to handle.”
Even the spy evaluated me so positively, so there was no way the people of House of Icard wouldn’t adore me.
I wasn’t foolish enough not to realize I was being cherished in House of Icard right now.
But in the Count’s Manor where long nights had descended after Matilda’s passing, I was like the moon. Shining brilliantly and beautifully at night, but immediately overshadowed the moment the sun rose.
I was receiving affection now, but my presence would fade before Matilda.
In truth, even that affection wasn’t my own light—it came from Matilda. Everyone saw her kindness and warmth reflected in me.
No one waits for morning just because the moon is bright. Night doesn’t disappear until the sun rises.
So I had resolved not to give my heart away, but seeing the Duke make that expression made my heart ache a little. The thought of running away from these people and hiding alone made me feel somewhat melancholy.
‘But I can’t just forget about Matilda and suggest we live cozily together on our own, since Father’s plans will fall apart anyway.’
Watching all of the Duke’s plans crumble to nothing because of Simor and Elani’s love while I hide away in secret didn’t seem like it would feel good.
Of course it would be sad. But even if I’m sad alone like that… it seemed better to be sad while cutting steak than to be sad while eating corn porridge.
Even if I reminisce about times spent with everyone and indulge in regret, wouldn’t it be better to do so in a spacious manor than in a cramped rented room? Therefore…
“Wow, Evan.”
My heart was restless, but money was money.
“She’s so beautiful…”
Sitting in the front row, closer to Princess Elani than anyone else, I clasped my hands tightly and murmured.
A large ruby necklace sparkled against the simple design of her dress. Her golden eyes gazed confidently at the crowd, crinkling warmly at the corners. Though Princess Elani was the same age as me, her striking features and slender frame made her look like a full-grown woman.
‘The visual balance really does work well with old-faced Evan.’
She had such overwhelming beauty that anyone would want to wear that striking ruby necklace.
“She’s beautiful, really…”
Definitely a worthwhile investment. It was obvious that ruby jewelry orders would skyrocket from now on.
‘I can do more repairs inside the manor and fill it with luxury furniture.’
The more beautiful Elani was, the more beautiful my wealth became, so I was absolutely enchanted.
Evan, watching me like that, said something.
“What, is she pretty? Will you buy me a ruby necklace?”
Yes, this was the typical reaction of an ordinary person. Thinking that conversations like this must be happening all over the place, I felt nothing but pride.
“No, it’s just… Princess Elani is simply beautiful. Don’t you think? She’s incredibly pretty. She looks like someone sparkling and shining. She has such commanding presence and style. Just looking at her feels mesmerizing.”
“I guess.”
Evan rested his chin on his hand indifferently.
“It’s just… whatever.”
To show such indifference while witnessing that absolute beauty—truly, the original heroine must receive treatment worse than a scrapped car…
Then, as Elani slowly turned her head here and there, greeting people, her gaze reached me. And she gave me a soft eye-smile.
I blinked and found myself smiling back at her. And the brief shape of my lips that followed clearly said, ‘I’m glad to see you.’

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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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