Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 97

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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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Evan was inwardly cursing himself.
‘Am I really going insane from frustration?’
Just because their bodies happened to brush against each other, was his mind really turning this white? No matter what Laria said, he couldn’t hear her properly—only fragments of words penetrated through the surging tide of imagination.
Laria had clearly been oblivious to make that bet about recognizing each other first at the masquerade.
There was no way he could fail to recognize her just because he wore a mask and changed his hair color. He could identify her from a single gesture, one step, even a single finger.
As he carried her out of the garden, he spoke in a low voice.
“Go fetch Serena right away.”
“Huh? What?”
“Her ankle. Have her examine it immediately.”
“But… it looks fine, doesn’t it? It’ll probably feel better after a night’s rest. Why call Serena out at this hour when she doesn’t even stay at the Count’s Manor? We can have her look at it tomorrow morning.”
“What am I paying you for? This qualifies as an emergency.”
Laria offered no further argument.
By the time he reached the carriage with Laria in his arms, she had already fallen asleep. He laid her across his lap and ordered the driver to depart for the Count’s Manor. Only then did he remove his mask.
“Hah…”
All the blood in his face seemed to have rushed somewhere.
“A woman you want to hold… like a lover. Do you like me that much?”
A woman he wanted to hold? It’s far more than that. If you could peer into my mind right now, you’d flee in terror.
‘I’m losing my mind like a beast just from our bodies brushing together by accident.’
But Evan couldn’t say such things aloud.
If he spoke the truth now, Laria would inevitably think of her duty as the Duke’s consort to produce an heir. He had already made a public declaration to every servant in the Count’s Manor: “If anyone so much as mentions the succession, I won’t let them off easy.” They had come of age, and the pressure was beginning to mount. So Evan had no choice but to lie.
“No. I’ve never once thought of holding you that way.”
How fortunate that this was during the masquerade. He didn’t have to worry about his twisted expression being exposed.
Actually, it wasn’t just then—his composure had crumbled the entire time they lay on the grass field. The mask had proven to be an enormous advantage: he could gaze at her to his heart’s content without consequence.
He had been able to find Laria the moment the ball began, but he pretended not to recognize her so he could feast his eyes on her longer. Though it bothered him to see Elani pestering her, he didn’t follow when the two of them went somewhere secluded. It seemed Laria wouldn’t want her private conversation overheard.
Of course, Elani wasn’t the only one who irritated him. Simor, wearing a white butterfly mask like some slippery eel, was clearly searching for Laria, glancing around with an unmistakable air of ‘looking for Laria.’
He despised Simor. When he saw his letter at Borotna’s Villa, he disliked even his handwriting. And the man was handsome, to boot.
Unlike himself with his sharp features, Simor possessed a gentle, round-faced appearance—something Evan reluctant to admit, but which resembled Laria’s.
Golden hair like sunlight and fresh green eyes. Moreover, he’d heard that Simor had accumulated considerable wealth through successive business ventures and successful investments. Confidence from his success radiated from his bright expression. In contrast, Evan was perpetually anxious, always emanating a damp, murky aura.
His anxiety wasn’t limited to Simor’s existence.
He worried that Laria might suffer more pain, that she might feel lonely in that distant villa, or that she might adapt too well to the villa and find the Count’s Manor uncomfortable, or that she might be blown away like a feather in the wind, or that sunlight might hurt her eyes…
So naturally, his only wish was ‘let things stay exactly as they are now.’
When the knights’ procession began, Laria abandoned even Elani and frantically looked around. She was no longer a child, and she’d overcome her trauma, but he found it endearing that she worried about him. However, he’d revealed himself precisely because he was afraid she might collide with people or fall while dashing about so recklessly.
Though it pained him that Laria’s ankle was injured in the end, the masquerade had been like a dream to him. Even though they hadn’t danced once. Even though they hadn’t removed their masks and gazed properly into each other’s eyes. Even though they hadn’t boldly held hands before everyone and flaunted their love.
Regardless, he had been with Laria.
Though he disliked it, Serena was apparently skilled—Laria now showed no sign of pain whatsoever. Yet he remained perpetually anxious.
In his childhood, even though Calaudin had told him it was merely a mild lung condition, he’d often had nightmares of losing her. In matters of love, no institution was more binding than marriage.
As long as she didn’t leave this world, that was enough.
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“So, I gathered my courage and spoke my true feelings, just as the fortune teller instructed.”
Elani was chatting away beside Simor, her cheeks flushed with color.
[This will be an opportunity to deepen my bond with someone I’ve always wanted to grow closer to.]
That someone was naturally Laria.
[Try opening up about your hesitations. I’m sure you’ll receive understanding and support.]
I had worried that Laria might resist the radical divorce laws, but she had shown enthusiasm instead.
“I’m really glad I did it. I got the understanding and support I needed.”
She murmured as if entranced.
“It was truly the perfect masquerade ball, except for the coincidence of wearing the same mask as you.”
Then she sighed deeply and added,
“It’s such a shame she had to leave because of family matters. We desperately need mass production of Laria.”
“So you discussed the divorce laws with Laria?”
“Yes.”
Though he was a commoner who had purchased his baronial title, Simor Gold Litshia proved to be quite a useful talent. I had come to know him through several chance encounters, and it felt almost like fate.
When he learned that Elani wanted to establish divorce-related laws, he was deeply moved and promised to help in every way possible.
“Currently, marriages among the nobility have rather abnormal aspects.”
Simor spoke with great passion despite never having married himself.
“How can it be called marriage when parents simply submit documents without the consent of those involved?”
“Hmm… but marriages among the nobility are typically based on political maneuvering, so it’s unavoidable.”
“That’s not normal. Shouldn’t adults at least have the right to separate if they wish to?”
Elani observed Simor and thought, ‘He does get excited easily.’ While she had always wished, watching her parents, that divorce laws existed for her mother’s sake, Simor wasn’t even in that situation.
So she also thought, ‘How terrible—thinking about divorce before even marrying. He’s handsome, but a bit odd. Nothing more than a pretty source of funds.’
“Anyway, my heart is still racing.”
Elani took a deep breath and spoke.
Six years ago at the National Foundation Festival, when I saw Laria trembling as she spoke about preferring her father-in-law, who couldn’t forget his late wife from fourteen years ago, to her reckless father, I decided I wanted to be her friend. Because I harbored the same thoughts.
Many people mocked Duke Icard for not forgetting his wife and refusing to remarry.
Duke Icard was still young and handsome, and the Duke’s wealth was immense. So despite having a clear heir, many women coveted the position of Duchess. Judging from his recent years of conduct, his desire for power seemed tremendous, yet he didn’t even consider a politically advantageous remarriage… how strange.
But secretly, Elani thought Duke Icard was far superior to the Emperor. Coming from the same philandering father, she felt she could become good friends with Laria.
And Elani had always loved cute things. When I first met her in Abonitar, I thought she was remarkably cute despite being the same age as me.
On top of that, with her constant coughing, my protective instincts surged, and I eagerly gave her a necklace. She even shared similar growth experiences with me, seemed to share my values, and was intelligent besides.
“She said she wanted to commission a new emerald necklace for the next National Foundation Festival, but suddenly remembered that necklace from six years ago and wanted the same design, so she called for me.”
I prided myself on my eye for people. Though she wasn’t noticed due to her illness, she gave off the feeling of a hidden master. Watching her play chess, her intelligence was clearly exceptional. I hoped her health would improve soon.
‘So she would stay in the capital continuously rather than remain in the southwest.’
Then the two of us could control not just the Capital Social Circle but the political sphere as well.
“Since I received support, I’m really going to work hard.”
Elani’s eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together.
“I need to recruit more noble factions… I’ll have to make an effort.”
“Yes, do you perhaps need additional funds?”
“I’m comfortable for now, but I’ll let you know if I need anything.”
“Please feel free to ask without hesitation.”
The handsome source of funds, Simor, spoke with complete determination.
“I’ve managed to rake in quite a substantial sum today as well.”
“Today? Did you conduct some sort of business venture?”
“Yes. With the masquerade ball underway… thanks to my partner, I’ve made an absolute fortune.”
Elani refrained from inquiring about this ‘partner.’ She had once asked and been subjected to an exhausting barrage of enthusiastic praise—how they thought exactly alike, how discussing matters together made her feel supported, how rare it was to meet someone so perfectly compatible… The memory alone drained her.
“Well, that’s fortunate then. Spare me the details. I have no interest.”
Elani responded dismissively to the money-lender’s update and rose from her seat.
“Then farewell. I should make a round of the masquerade to ensure nothing amiss has occurred.”
During that circuit, I witnessed a sight so utterly astonishing it nearly made me faint. A woman was parading about with a parrot, subjecting it to the most abominable pranks.
“Please, help me. This Black Mage has transformed me into a parrot.”
Observing the parrot speak, it was clear this was no hasty, impulsive mistake born of momentary excitement—this had been deliberately orchestrated and meticulously prepared. Black Magic was strictly regulated by the state. Spells capable of affecting people could plunge the world into chaos.
“How absurd. Even if one jests, there are limits. How dare she dress as a Black Mage so brazenly when the nation forbids it? This is nothing short of deception against the Empire itself.”
Elani resolved to tear off the woman’s mask immediately and expose her to public humiliation.

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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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