Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 90

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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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At first, I had planned to feign illness even in front of Duke Icard.
But the moment I heard whispers of my condition being critical, I quickly changed my approach. If any competent physician examined me, they would immediately discover that I was in perfect health.
The moment I returned to the Count’s Manor, I summoned Serena and gave her a secret order.
“A mine? Development, you say?”
“Here on the map, here, and here. It shouldn’t take long at all.”
As I pointed to the map, Serena’s mouth fell open in bewilderment.
“So suddenly?”
“Yes.”
Originally, the iron ore mine would be discovered in about two months through Simor’s chance discovery, but I had already been preparing to unearth it earlier. I needed to pull as much liquid capital as possible before my disappearance. I had planned to begin development immediately after the masquerade, but I’ve simply moved up the timeline by a few days.
“You understand that the construction begins under the name of Kail Dart Labonis, yes?”
“Yes. But will something actually be found?”
“Iron ore, most likely. Then immediately file the claim and put the entire yield up for auction.”
With iron ore supplies drastically reduced now, I could certainly sell it at a premium price. And…
‘At least this will ease the Emperor’s constant pressure on Duke Icard.’
Though I hadn’t given him anything substantial, the Emperor’s displeasure stemmed from more than just that.
“Laria… I’m not sure what you’ll think, but I heard that Rostri Count was quite the libertine.”
Elani’s words carried an oddly lingering weight.
“Well, I suppose… I simply developed a certain kinship upon learning that fact.”
In other words, I chose to side with a man who spent his lifetime yearning for someone, even in death, rather than a man who touched every woman he could. Well, what was moving up the development of an iron ore mine by a few days anyway?
“There’s one more thing…”
To supply sufficient iron ore quickly, Kail-Hanua alone would be slightly insufficient.
“I need to meet with Simor. I believe he’s also come to the Capital for the masquerade.”
If I simply ordered mine development without explanation, he would likely ignore it. I needed to meet him in person and convince him. And I had to collude on prices beforehand to prevent losses from competition.
“Ah… yes. How should I convey the message?”
“In three days, I’ll be going into the city to have my mask fitted. Tell him to meet me then.”
“I believe you’re scheduled to go with the Young Duke.”
“Well, yes, but…”
I found myself thinking of Evan, who seemed to have grown distant at some point. I couldn’t remember exactly when he had changed. It was because we had met so sporadically over six years.
What was certain was that we were kind and gentle to each other, yet we both harbored secrets. In my case, it was my escape plan, but…
‘Evan’s distance is probably just his natural indifference.’
He treated me well because of fond childhood memories, but there was a definite distance between us. Yet no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t recall ever wronging him. So I could only conclude it was due to the original character’s nature.
I answered calmly.
“I think I can manage to slip away alone with a suitable excuse.”
In childhood, I would have insisted on doing everything together, but with Evan as he is now, I sensed he would simply end the conversation with “I understand.” And that proved to be true.
That evening, I went to Evan’s room to finish sorting through my belongings. The room we once shared together was now neatly organized with his things. Of course, my new room was much larger and more luxurious, but I couldn’t help feeling a sense of loss.
“You don’t need to move them yourself. Just attach name tags.”
Evan sat at a table by the window, reviewing a mountain of documents. He had been quite busy lately, taking on work delegated by the Duke.
“Then I can just have the servants transport them.”
“Right, so you just need to attach name tags to my things?”
I filled numerous scraps of paper with “Laria” and stacked them in one corner of the room before beginning to attach them one by one with tape.
“Listen, Evan.”
And I broached the subject with him.
“You know how we go to the city to find each other?”
“Yeah.”
“What if we each went separately?”
“Why?”
“It would be fun to search for each other that day without knowing who we are.”
I affixed a name tag to my doll as I spoke.
“Let’s make a wager. What do you think?”
“What kind of wager?”
“Whoever finds the other person first gets a wish granted.”
I giggled to myself as I said it.
‘Granting a wish’ was typically bait used between close companions. It seemed like something substantial was at stake, but in reality, the closeness of our relationship meant neither of us could demand anything truly significant if we won.
For instance, wouldn’t it seem pathetic to say, “Actually, my wish is just 1,000 gold”? Especially with someone like Evan who already possessed everything—it was merely an empty bait dressed in flashy clothing.
“Fine, whatever.”
Evan responded indifferently.
“What’s the penalty for breaking it?”
“…What?”
“When making a wager like this, you naturally need to consider clauses for breach of contract.”
“…”
Since turning twenty, Evan had been assisting Duke Icard with various political maneuvers.
I didn’t visit the Capital frequently enough to know the details, but he had begun his earnest leap toward becoming a man of power. He didn’t seem to particularly enjoy such things, yet he appeared to handle everything quite competently. Just as he’d said at thirteen—he would do whatever his father asked of him.
Well, it was the natural progression of the original story. Evan’s role had been significant in the House of Icard’s ever-increasing influence. By now, even the once-static Duke Orlando’s faction had become noticeably diminished. Perhaps because of this, he had become far too meticulous in his dealings.
“Well, I suppose. What would be good?”
I answered somewhat flustered, unable to have conceived of a breach clause even if I’d tried. Evan then closed his book without any change of expression and withdrew a piece of parchment, beginning to draft a contract with his quill in flowing strokes.
[Victory is defined as the first person to find and call out the other’s name after the masquerade begins.]
‘…Where did our sweet Evan go? When did he grow into such a cold-blooded person like Duke Icard?’
How could a simple wager about finding each other at the masquerade turn into something this elaborate?
[In the event of breach of contract, the loser agrees to fulfill all requests of the victor for one full day.]
I swallowed dryly upon reading the final clause.
You’ve grown ruthless, Evan Icard. You’ve expanded the one-wish limitation into a time constraint and made it unlimited.
“Sign it.”
Must it really go this far for a playful wager between spouses? When I hesitated slightly, Evan seemed taken aback and gauged my reaction.
“Ah, Laria. I’m sorry.”
Yes, no matter how much of a political marriage this is, must it be this rigid?
“I suppose I became nervous in front of you. It fell short.”
I was about to remark that it was truly inadequate behavior for a husband, but Evan picked up his quill again.
[The timing of that day shall be determined by the victor.]
“If it’s not specified precisely, room for dispute arises. I don’t usually make such mistakes, but since this is my first contract with you, I became nervous. I’m sorry.”
So it wasn’t that I was lacking—it was that the contract was lacking.
With an affectionate tone and a gentle smile plastered across his face, he extended the contract to me once more.
‘How meticulous….’
But since I had been the one to broach the subject first, I couldn’t say anything in protest, and I ultimately signed two copies of the identical contract.
‘Fine, you’ve gotten everything your way. You heartless creature.’
Now Evan and I had become the sort of people who couldn’t even share playful banter anymore.
‘Even with me, who got along well with him since childhood, he acts this rigidly, so naturally my married life with Elani will be even more miserable.’
Evan and I each took a copy of the contract, and we resumed our respective tasks. Evan reviewed the documents while I searched through every corner of the room for my belongings and attached name tags to them.
“I think I’ve labeled most of it.”
Feeling drowsy, I yawned and stood up after labeling a reasonable amount.
“Hmm? Isn’t this one of yours too?”
Evan pointed to the cushion I used to have.
“Oh, but it’s lost a lot of its fluff. I think I’ll buy a new one that’s a bit more expensive and better quality. I feel like there might be more of my things left, but… I’ll take care of the rest later.”
“All right, go get some sleep.”
“This one….”
I trailed off uncertainly while looking at my remaining name tags, and Evan responded casually.
“Leave them. I’ll have a servant tidy them up later.”
Honestly, I had no intention of cleaning them up myself, so I smiled and waved my hand.
“Yeah, sleep well, Evan. Sweet dreams.”
As I yawned repeatedly, I failed to notice Evan quietly rise and embrace my cushion, nor did I see him attach one of my scattered name tags to himself.

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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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