Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 88

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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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If we’re talking about my mother, she was someone who became a Deposed Empress and met her end on a remote island. Naturally, anything belonging to a Deposed Empress had to be kept secret. If the Emperor learned that Elani had recovered items belonging to her biological mother, the Deposed Empress, he would surely fly into a rage.
“Ronald must have thought it was valuable, so he secretly removed it and put it up for auction.”
“I see…”
The Imperial Family’s circumstances were quite the melodramatic saga in their own right.
Originally, between the Emperor and Empress stood a beautiful and intelligent daughter named Elani. And as time went on, the Emperor began to systematically torment the Empress in increasingly creative ways.
To what extent, you ask? One day, a woman suddenly entered the Imperial Palace holding a young boy’s hand and declared, “This child is actually your son.” As it turned out, that boy, Ronald, who was a year younger than Elani, was the Emperor’s illegitimate child.
Upon learning this truth, the Empress raged that she could never forgive an illegitimate child.
Of course, the Emperor shamelessly painted the Empress as a tiresome and merciless woman. The Empress thought, “I can’t even bear to look at that man’s face. I’d rather live alone. But the only way I can live alone is if that man dies,” and eventually, one day, she attempted to strangle the Emperor.
Thus, the Empress was deposed on the grounds of attempting to assassinate the Emperor. And not long after her deposition, she passed away.
After that, Ronald’s mother ascended to the position of Empress, but she was currently in poor health and languishing in illness.
Ronald was acknowledged as an Imperial Prince, but his succession rank fell behind Elani, who was of legitimate birth and older in age. However, since the current Emperor was exceptionally healthy and quite young, Elani’s ascension to the throne could be considered a very distant future.
Still, Elani was always called “the future of the Imperial Family” and, being brilliant and skilled in navigating court politics, she consistently received the Emperor’s favor.
“You’ll keep this secret… won’t you?”
“Yes.”
I nodded readily. I felt a bit guilty, actually.
‘If I’d known about such circumstances, I wouldn’t have quoted six times the price so shamelessly.’
I would have stopped at around five and a half times instead.
“Then I’ll deliver that music box to you next time we meet. I didn’t bring it today.”
“Good, that works. Are you planning to attend the masquerade ball?”
“Yes, I’m planning to attend.”
“Will you deliver it to me then?”
Elani spoke with an earnest expression.
“It’s just that His Majesty tends to monitor my every move.”
“Yes, I’ll deliver it to you discreetly then.”
“My mask will be a white butterfly.”
When I answered respectfully that I understood, Elani let out a sigh of relief.
“I’m really glad.”
“Pardon?”
“We happened to form a connection in Abonitar, you see. If we hadn’t even had that chance encounter, I would have been far more nervous about making this request.”
“Yes…”
“We’re destined to meet.”
“…Well, that…”
“I should pay upfront for something like this. Let me give you cash right now.”
“It does seem like a fateful encounter. I’ll do my best.”
“Right?”
Elani even showed her generosity by immediately writing me a check.
I accepted the check and fell into thought for a moment. What could I possibly gain by receiving payment without even seeing the item first?
“Trust me with this. I’ll take responsibility and ensure it’s delivered.”
Well, at best, my enthusiasm, dedication, and loyalty regarding delivery?
“Seeing how you fabricated an excuse about a necklace puts my mind at ease. Despite your appearance suggesting you might have gaps in your armor, you’re quite capable.”
Well, my business here is finished.
“Thank you. Then I’ll take my leave….”
I was already fidgeting in my seat, eager to leave.
“Laria.”
“Yes?”
“I’m bored, so could you stay and chat with me a bit longer?”
Had I lost my mind? No matter how bored I was, I had no intention of making small talk with my husband’s future wife.
“I apologize, Your Highness. I’m not particularly skilled at conversation, so I wouldn’t be a good companion.”
“Is that so? Then shall we play a game of chess instead? If you’d rather not talk.”
I was about to refuse outright.
“Let’s make a wager. Two gold, what do you say?”
“I accept.”
And so a chessboard was laid out before us.
“Laria… I’m not sure what you’ll think, but…”
With the chessboard before her, Elani moved a pawn and spoke with a slight sigh.
“I heard that Rostri Count was quite the libertine.”
Hmm…. Why was my father being brought up here?
“Yes… that’s true.”
“Well, I just wanted to say that I’ve developed a certain sense of kinship with that fact.”
It was difficult to know how to respond. If I agreed here, it would amount to insulting the Emperor. But I thought I understood what Elani was getting at.
‘Ah, so that’s it.’
Suddenly, the events of the National Foundation Festival six years ago flashed through my mind.
“I… actually prefer Father far more than my own father, who was such a scoundrel. I never thought of him that way. I mean it sincerely.”
I remembered how Elani had looked at me with a strange expression when I said that.
“After the Duchess passed away, they say Duke Icard’s office never goes dark, no matter what. It’s a famous story throughout the Empire.”
While I moved my knight, Elani spoke with a somewhat melancholic expression.
“Even if he might seem like a bad person to others, I wish I had a father with such devotion.”
“Hmm… I don’t think Evan would see it that way.”
I answered seriously, looking at the chessboard.
“But I understand what you’re saying.”
So that was the face of someone who shared the misfortune of having a reckless father.
The Emperor was a typical libertine who loved alcohol and women, bringing scandal in his wake. Well, the Empire managed to function somehow, but he could never be called a virtuous ruler.
He favored those who flattered him at drinking gatherings, and women-related scandals never ceased. In other words, the fact that Duke Icard, who couldn’t even drink well, held his current position was extraordinary. In many ways, the Emperor was someone I disliked.
Even setting aside Elani’s circumstances, for example….
“I’m not pleased about being ordered to develop a mine that may or may not yield anything.”
By now, Duke Icard must be facing unwanted pressure from the Emperor.
Duke Icard would never back down regarding Matilda’s matter and would continue to refuse… and the longer he showed his displeasure, the more distant he would become from the Emperor.
The Emperor was someone with a terrible grudge, so once distance began to form, he would subtly begin to torment. It was no coincidence that Elani was secretly searching for her mother’s belongings.
‘Why should I care? Why worry about someone who might kill me? It’s not like I have two lives.’
I sat quietly playing chess with Elani, lost in thought.
‘But since I’ve possessed this body, living twice is only fair.’
It seemed nearly my entire soul was fixated on the meeting between Duke Icard and the Emperor.
“So, I… ah, this is a bit embarrassing, but I was thinking that perhaps I might get along well with you, Laria…”
Elani seemed to say something more, but I answered halfheartedly and let it go in one ear and out the other. Even for me, it was difficult to concentrate on conversation while thinking of other matters and playing chess simultaneously.
‘With high probability, I’ll disappear in two months anyway, so it’s none of my concern.’
The thought continued immediately.
‘But that’s something two months away, after all.’
Once I recalled Duke Icard, I realized I had been worrying about him all this time.
‘The very man who will soon kill me! What on earth have I received from him that I’m worrying like this?’
I gripped the hem of my skirt tightly.
‘The truth is, I’ve received quite a lot…’
My rationalization completed in an instant, and I immediately began coughing.
“Cough!”
“…Laria?”
“Cough, cough, cough cough!”
“Laria!”
Elani, who had once seen me coughing as though my life was slipping away in Abonitar, was startled and grabbed my shoulders.
“Quickly, call the Imperial physician…”
“No.”
I quickly grasped Elani’s arm and spoke.
“It’s not urgent, so I should see my personal physician. My physician knows my condition best.”
“Oh, is that so? Then quickly call the carriage…”
“But Father should come with me… cough, cough, cough!”
“Father? Duke Icard?”
“It doesn’t seem like an urgent matter anyway… cough! In any case, shouldn’t Father return to the Count’s Manor quickly with me? Cough!”
“Understood! Don’t you dare die, Laria!”
Elani frantically called for her maid.

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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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