Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 9

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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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“So that girl is the daughter-in-law Duke Icard took in this time?”
“Yes. But she has many peculiar aspects.”
Duke Icard, Evan, and Laria drew everyone’s attention when they appeared at the Racetrack.
It was understandable, since no one had expected the Duke of Icard—who was rapidly expanding his power at a frightening pace—to show up at such a place.
Most people viewed Duke Icard as merely competent, but those who read the currents well all found him suspicious. As if he were manipulating the Empire from behind the scenes…
For reasons unknown, it was vaguely possible to sense that the scale of his schemes was far greater than expected.
All the Information Guilds analyzed that if things continued this way, within a few years only the Royal Court would be able to check him.
If his only son, Evan, had formed a marital bond with the Royal Court, there would have been no one left to stop Duke Icard.
“How strange.”
Sven Bestian, Head of the Bestian Dark Information Guild, tilted his head.
“Why did he take in that girl?”
Laria was hardly a suitable daughter-in-law for their purposes.
Rostri Count and his wife had died suddenly in a carriage accident, and they left their children no significant assets.
Yet Duke Icard had immediately made Laria his daughter-in-law simply because she had nowhere else to go.
It was merely a matter of submitting a marriage registration to the Royal Court.
Moreover, the Count’s house was burdened with debt, which Duke Icard paid off entirely. Of course, that sum was nothing compared to House of Icard’s wealth.
“It makes no sense. A man like Duke Icard wouldn’t move for such a human reason.”
Until now, most people who understood politics had their eyes on Princess Elani as Evan’s match.
Princess Elani was the right age for Evan and was the first in line to inherit the throne as the legitimate heir.
Though the current Emperor was quite young and it would take time, she would eventually become the master of the Empire.
Yet defying everyone’s expectations, he had married Evan to Laria instead, catching them all off guard.
“There must be a reason.”
While it was true that his rival factions had lost their justification, it was still inefficient to use his only son’s marriage card in this way.
Moreover, his son Evan had become a married man without even understanding why.
“And to make matters worse, he brazenly appears at the Racetrack with all three of them in a row…”
Sven clicked his tongue.
Everyone knew that Duke Icard raised his son Evan with benign neglect. Yet suddenly playing the part of a harmonious family was definitely strange.
“There’s definitely a reason.”
His gaze turned toward the girl with pink hair.
The way she walked with short steps was somewhat endearing, and her smiling face with rosy cheeks was like a sparrow—trivial yet eye-catching. A fourteen-year-old with no background, no distinguishing features.
“I need to keep watching.”
Sven’s gray hair fluttered slightly in the breeze.
“To read Duke Icard’s hand, I must understand Laria Rose Icard.”
Sven was a dark information broker who drew grand designs. For him, any fact he couldn’t grasp felt like an infuriating obstacle, regardless of its usefulness.
Whether he would sell that information later or not, he desperately wanted to know why Laria had been chosen as Evan’s match.
He quietly concealed his presence and slipped closer to Duke Icard’s group.
* * *
The special seating Ordi had arranged for us was absolutely excellent. It was a high vantage point where I could see the horses running at a glance.
Evan gazed thoughtfully at the odds sheet brought by a Racetrack official. While he seriously considered several possibilities, my concern was only one thing.
“Um, hey…”
I sighed and turned to Evan.
“Could you lend me some money?”
“What?”
“I want to place a bet for fun too, but I don’t have any cash.”
Casting aside all pride, I put on the most pitiful expression I could muster.
I’d assumed that when I came to the Racetrack, Duke Icard would at least give me some spending money out of goodwill.
But the Duke said nothing, leaving me no choice but to grovel pathetically before Evan, who was at least more approachable.
“I’ll win and pay you back.”
How pathetic could I be?
Being without money was truly a sorrowful thing. I swore to myself that I would never forget this moment, and that no matter how much money I had in the future, I would never spend it carelessly.
“You don’t have any cash on you?”
“Well…”
As I muttered in a dejected voice, Duke Icard interjected with his arms crossed.
“It seems the steward hasn’t allocated you a budget since you’re not yet of age.”
“Yes.”
I blinked and looked up at the Duke sitting beside me. And I spoke as pitifully as I could.
“Of course, I’m not inconvenienced, but still… I don’t have any cash…”
“Here.”
The Duke pulled a gold coin from his pocket and handed it to me.
A gold coin—I was startled, but quickly accepted it.
“Payment for the painting.”
The painting? Wasn’t he displeased with it?
“Thank you so much.”
Goodness. I was absolutely thrilled.
Seeing my grin spread wide, Evan spoke seriously.
“I should speak with the steward about allocating a budget. Even if you are a minor, you bear the name of House Icard—shouldn’t you have access to a reasonable amount of liquid funds?”
But the Duke gave no answer. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“I’m already giving you more than enough for paintings.”
“I’m sorry?”
“If you need spending money, paint.”
Did that mean… if I painted, he would pay me for it?
‘It didn’t even take ten minutes to scribble that. And I got a gold coin? The hourly rate is insane.’
In any case, he wasn’t going to allocate me a budget. Not that it mattered.
From this moment forward, I would never be short on cash!
I handed the gold coin to the Racetrack official. Though it was only one, it was the largest denomination of currency here, so it was quite a substantial amount.
“I’m betting it all.”
And without hesitation, I checked the betting slip the official handed me with my pen.
Seeing my betting slip, Evan, the official, and even Duke Icard—who had shown no interest until now—widened their eyes.
“Laria? You’re really betting all of it like this?”
Evan tilted his head and asked.
“Yeah, I’ll bet like this.”
“Isn’t that a bit careless with someone else’s money?”
The Duke chuckled softly and muttered.
“Well, it’s just child’s play anyway.”
Child’s play with a gold coin……
Not long after, the starting gunshot rang out and the racehorses began to run.
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At this racetrack today, Simor Litshia, the original novel’s protagonist, was present.
He was a commoner desperate to buy a title, willing to sell his soul to the devil just to become a nobleman.
‘A monster born of typical capitalism, one might say.’
And a man upon whom protagonist’s fortune rained down abundantly.
What was peculiar about the original work “The Great Transaction of the Empire” was that the protagonist’s actions were described in considerable detail.
So despite being a romance, there was an enjoyment in watching Simor accumulate wealth.
He managed territories and made various investments, and even tracked down one of only three ancient magical artifacts on the continent, earning astronomical sums of money.
In any case, what mattered was that Simor would make his first big fortune here.
‘Now he’s my role model.’
The episode that became the catalyst for him to lay the foundation for buying his title took place right here at this racetrack.
‘Sorry, Simor. Let’s share this… I’m in a bit of a bind too.’
By betting on a single horse with astronomical dividends.
At today’s racetrack, a horse no one expected would take first place. Already knowing how this would unfold, I checked the betting slip confidently without hesitation.
[First Place Horse – Black Horse]
A black horse that appeared without anyone’s attention, an unexpected first place, astronomical dividends.
Black Horse’s record wasn’t particularly impressive. It had even limited experience running as a racehorse.
‘But today, it will take first place.’
Simor happened to see Black Horse before the race and placed his bet with certainty. It meant that no matter how much interest Evan had in horses, the protagonist’s buff was unbeatable.
Everyone looked at me with eyes that said I’d thrown my money away, but I remained perfectly composed.
And then when the starting gun fired in earnest and the race ended… the racetrack descended into chaos.
The horse no one expected, Black Horse, took first place. The payout was a staggering 34,012 times.

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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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