Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 89

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

* * *
Calaudin was forcibly suppressing his irritation at the moment.
“So… I was hoping you might develop a mine in Podeilin.”
No matter how diplomatically he refused, the Emperor remained persistent. Iron ore supplies were dwindling throughout the Empire, so mine development was necessary. Yet no matter how he thought about it, iron ore deposits seemed unlikely to exist in Podeilin.
“Your Majesty, as I mentioned, while Podeilin does border the Arollad Mountain Range, its geological composition is fundamentally different.”
He had no desire to disturb Matilda’s sanctuary over a venture with no real prospects.
“The Estia Domain would offer far greater potential, even if it’s somewhat farther away….”
“Then develop that one as well. If you work on both simultaneously, surely something will turn up, no?”
Calaudin cursed inwardly. Had it not been for his ambition to seize control of the political sphere, he would have simply ignored such a greedy and petty Emperor. The Icard Domain was wealthy enough without entanglement with the Royal Court.
‘But if I refuse any further, he’ll certainly take offense and seek retaliation….’
His reason—that he must now humble himself to use dark magic—clashed fiercely with his instinct that the area near Matilda’s grave must never be disturbed.
“Duke, I don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn. Can’t you do even that much for the Empire?”
It was precisely when Calaudin was about to respond with something chilling, true to his nature.
“Your Majesty, I beg your pardon, but Princess Elani has sent an urgent message.”
A maid entered with a knock, bearing unexpected news.
“The Icard Nobleman has suddenly taken a turn for the worse, and the attending physician says it’s a condition requiring immediate medical attention.”
“What? Critical condition? Now?”
Calaudin rose abruptly without thinking. His heart plummeted and his vision went white.
‘The physician said there was still some time left….’
In truth, even that statement felt unreal. Laria before his eyes appeared far too healthy. The gap between what the physician said and reality was so vast that her illness had never truly felt tangible to him.
‘And for the past few years, she hasn’t even been coughing. Now?’
Could it be that the hot-tempered Princess Elani had caused stress—the root of all ailments? His entire body trembled as his breathing grew ragged.
“Yes. The Princess said you should take her to the Count’s Manor as quickly as possible.”
Rumors of the Icard Nobleman’s frail health had circulated for years. That was why she hadn’t ventured into the Capital Social Circle and was said to be recuperating in the Southern Region.
The Emperor could not bring himself to tell Calaudin not to go, so visibly shaken was he.
“Go at once.”
The Emperor spoke while thinking that perhaps a curse afflicted that household, causing the women to die one after another.
“You must look after your daughter-in-law first. We can discuss this matter again soon enough.”
Yet his words carried the unmistakable message that he would never let this go.
“Thank you. I shall take my leave.”
Calaudin bowed and followed the maid, walking so quickly he was nearly running.
‘If I’d been even slightly later, I might have fallen out of favor with the Emperor….’
But that wasn’t what mattered. The carriage was too slow. If her condition proved serious, he decided he would have to ride a horse while carrying her.
“Laria!”
When he flung open the carriage door where Laria was supposed to be, she was sitting there calmly, contrary to his expectations.
“Oh… Father.”
With the same expression as when he’d left, she smiled awkwardly.
“You didn’t quarrel much with His Majesty, did you?”
“… You….”
Even seeing Laria perfectly fine, Calaudin stood dazed for a long moment, unable to believe it. Watching him, Laria spoke carefully.
“I’m just worried about her.”
Calaudin suddenly realized that the one truly worried was himself.
‘Why is that? She’ll be dead soon anyway.’
The physician had said so. I brought her knowing that. I came running because I knew she was in critical condition, and this situation would inevitably arrive someday. In the past, when that time seemed so distant, I could excuse my affection as mere fondness, but now I knew her death was right before my eyes.
“For now, perhaps we should buy some time. We never know what might happen in the meantime…”
“…Well done.”
Calaudin murmured without realizing it. It was an almost reflexive response.
“If it were a mistake made at a drinking gathering, there might be some way to cover it up… But he’s someone who won’t overlook even the slightest irritation in a perfectly composed setting like this…”
At those words, Laria smiled faintly.
“Even knowing that, Father must have continued saying irritating things, didn’t he?”
Suddenly, Calaudin felt something strange.
The daughter-in-law before him was actually small and fragile, playing no role in the social circle. So she was merely a child barely managing to survive under the protection of House Icard.
Yet, impossibly, he felt as though she had been protecting him somehow. Not just today with a simple display of wit, but from long, long ago.
“There have been times when crises that could have escalated simply passed smoothly, and situations that could have become more difficult were resolved easily.”
When Evan had said that, Calaudin had forced himself to dismiss it as ‘things just worked out well.’ He had no idea why that conversation suddenly came to mind when looking at Laria now.
“I wish I hadn’t been so late. You’re really sure everything is fine, aren’t you? I’m worried our relationship might be irreparably damaged.”
“Ah, what a kind heart…”
Calaudin sighed and sat across from her in the carriage, pressing his forehead with his hand. Not knowing she would soon die, Laria was now worrying about him.
Serena had been consistent from the beginning.
“She appears to have recovered, but in truth, nothing has been cured. She likely won’t make it past her early twenties.”
On the surface, Laria seemed perfectly fine. That alone forced him to acknowledge Serena as a brilliant physician. Yet he found it difficult to completely believe her words.
Whenever he saw the vigorous Laria, thoughts like ‘Could she possibly live longer despite looking so healthy?’ would cross his mind. So he had kept pushing deeper contemplation aside.
But the moment he heard she was gravely ill, all the emotions he had been holding back surged forth. His fingertips tingled as his insides began burning black. Now he couldn’t tell Laria ‘you’re dying soon,’ and it felt as though he had reached a dead end.
He thought he was afraid of time passing. He had thought too lightly of bringing one person into his life. He had taken too lightly the meaning of affection and fondness. He could only stand there, frozen and vacant.
* * *
“Will she be alright? I’m so worried…”
After sending Laria away, Princess Elani bit her nails and sighed deeply.
“She should be fine, right? Ah, I wanted to get closer to her… Wait. Don’t put that away.”
The maid’s hand, which had been reaching to clear away the chessboard that Elani and Laria had been using, froze.
Princess Elani gazed quietly at the chessboard, lost in thought for a moment. Earlier, she had been so eager to exchange more words with Laria that she hadn’t focused on the game…
“…Wow.”
After staring at the chessboard for a long time, she even clapped once.
“Is she insane? How does someone play chess like this?”
She herself had never lost at chess before. It wasn’t as though she had boldly proposed the wager without reason. But…
“If she had continued playing, Laria would have won?”
She caressed a chess piece and exhaled sharply.
“A brain as beautiful as her face—she has hidden charm! I love her so much. It’s thrilling, I’m smitten. She’s the best. What do I do.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————