I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 146

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#.146

Chris held out a book with trembling hands, forgetting to breathe.

“P-p-please sign this for me.”

【The Correlation Between Abilities and Magic Through Rare Diseases】

Emilia smiled softly at the flustered Chris.

“You’re Chris, right?”

“Yes? Yes! I’m Chris! I’ve read all of Emilia’s papers, but I love this book the most! Through newly reported rare diseases and their treatments, you found the connection between magic and abilities—”

“How’s Gabriella doing?”

“You know our teacher?”

“Of course. We used to be colleagues. And I know you well too.”

“Huh! How do you know me… Oh, is it because of our teacher?”

“You’re Lilliana’s friend.”

“Ah.”

Chris’s eyes sparkled so brightly while looking at her idol that tears seemed ready to spill.

[Study hard and become a wonderful mage.]

When Emilia wrote an encouraging message along with her signature, Chris covered her mouth in joy.

She could proudly say she’d used up all her lifetime’s luck by coincidentally meeting Emilia while taking the research assistant and preliminary trainee exam at the Magic Tower after school.

“This is such an honor…”

“I’m affiliated with the Trobancha Research Institute, so I’ll be presenting at a conference soon. I’ll let you know the location and date, so come if you’re interested.”

“Yes, yes! Of course! I’ll definitely come!”

Chris held the book like a priest holding a sacred relic.

Having finished her business, Emilia left the Magic Tower.

Then Francois suddenly appeared at the entrance.

“What brings you here? I thought you were taking the day off.”

“I came because I missed you.”

Francois smiled smoothly.

His clothes were more crisply pressed than usual, and he’d paid attention to his hair.

He’d also applied plenty of Emilia’s favorite perfume and had perfectly planned a date course just in case.

He wanted to win back her heart somehow.

‘Life without Emilia has no meaning at all.’

He’d rather give his body to Lazarus than lose her.

“I was planning to go straight to Regina’s house because I’m tired…”

“Then let me at least go with you that far.”

Emilia bit her lip as if troubled.

He swallowed quietly and intertwined his fingers with Emilia’s.

Though his insides were burning and his mind was half in panic, he didn’t show it at all.

Throughout the carriage ride back, Francois talked to Emilia about various things.

“Lilliana still seems awkward with Leopold and Marius. I understand it logically, but watching it makes even me feel hurt.”

“That’s understandable. How much did those two cherish their youngest? Especially Edgar—no, Marius—raised her like his own daughter, so he must be quite distressed.”

Though the conversation continued as usual, Francois could feel it.

The subtle distance and hesitation he sensed from Emilia.

Her lukewarm voice and gaze directed out the window tore at him every moment.

‘I shouldn’t have brought up that topic…’

He wanted to beat up his past self.

Meanwhile, the carriage stopped in front of the Waldrafen Estate.

Emilia waved from beyond the gate.

“Well, get home safely.”

“Emilia.”

“Yes?”

Francois’s eyes were filled entirely with Emilia.

Her blonde hair grown past her shoulders, her intelligent eyes, her lips that curved softly when she smiled. And her characteristic warm gaze.

Do you love me now? Not as a holy maiden, but as a woman?

Countless questions formed on the tip of his tongue, but the words Francois could utter were limited.

“I love you.”

“What? How bland.”

Emilia smiled mysteriously, waved her hand, and went inside the house.

Francois closed his eyes tightly, feeling pathetic.

If this relationship ended, what would become of his life?

He couldn’t find an answer.

* * *

“You’re back early.”

“I just came to look for some materials.”

Emilia collapsed onto the drawing room sofa as soon as she entered.

“Play in the garden after you finish eating. Don’t go outside the house again and worry the adults. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Filippo. Answer.”

“I understand.”

Regina warned the twins, then sat by Emilia’s head.

Emilia looked clearly exhausted.

“Are you okay?”

“Even if I’m not okay, I have to be. That’s the kind of problem this is.”

“Emilia. How about just being honest with Francois? I think that’s the right thing to do.”

“About what? Marriage?”

It was true that they had different opinions about marriage.

She liked Francois and cherished him, but if asked whether she needed to be bound by the institution of marriage, she could only shake her head.

Since he’d already entered deep into her life, ceremonies and such were nothing but empty formalities.

“That too, but you’re hiding important facts. He’ll find out eventually, so how do you think Francois will feel then?”

“If I tell him I’m acting as bait to lure the ritualist, he’ll either oppose it desperately or try to stick to me 24 hours a day.”

It would be perfect if they could deal with Lazarus by forcibly invading Francois’s mind, but he could always be resurrected if there were collaborators.

Above all, Lazarus wanted to descend into this world himself.

Though Francois didn’t know because it was related to theology, one of the materials for descent was Emilia—her blood.

‘The holy maiden’s blood for descent and eliminating the adversary. Mine is more important of the two.’

So the ritualist would come for her first.

If she accelerated the invasion to deal Lazarus a fatal blow through backlash, she could handle Lazarus sufficiently even if he was dwelling within the ritualist.

The problem was that Francois, who was undergoing invasion, shouldn’t encounter black mages if possible.

‘Even if he’s maintaining his sanity, forced invasion is dangerous.’

Moreover, if Francois learned the secret she was hiding, he would throw all plans in the trash and seek other safe methods, let alone the invasion.

“Emilia. Isn’t this too dangerous?”

“If that bastard descends, that would be more dangerous. He brutally murdered our parents too.”

Honestly, it would be a lie to say there was no personal hatred.

Because of Lazarus, Emilia and her twin sister Regina lost their parents at the young age of 15.

Was that all? Her older brother’s body was torn to shreds, and even now that he’d recovered his health considerably, he hadn’t regained his former vitality.

The youngest, Lilliana, doesn’t even know their parents’ faces. Above all.

“There must be a reason I was given this power.”

She was a holy maiden.

Being a holy maiden wasn’t a status or position, but an innate nature. Therefore, the instinctive rejection toward demons was unavoidable.

“Why you were given such power—that’s not my concern. Emilia. What I want is your safety. You don’t know how much I worry about you every day.”

Emilia stared at her twin sister intently before forming a strange smile.

If Lazarus succeeds in descending, then even if Francois and Lilliana cling to her, there would be no way to help.

But she was different. She was the Holy Maiden, so blessings flowed through her body and soul.

If Lazarus entered her… then God would have no choice but to intervene.

‘I must never tell her about my resolve to swallow him and self-destruct.’

She made this vow to reassure Regina.

“I’ll never end up like our parents. Don’t worry.”

* * *

Even though I learned about Edgar’s circumstances, that didn’t mean we had become best friends like before.

Edgar’s wounds and my wounds were separate matters.

I was still hurt that he had ignored my letter, and he felt awkward.

“Helene. What’s going on?”

“Chris brought him along. It’s not my fault.”

While Antonio was being held by Luca and kicking the ball, I decided to go look around the nearby general store with Helene and Chris.

But Edgar had followed us there.

“Aren’t you going to talk to Edgar?”

“You’re not that close with Edgar either.”

“Are you and I the same? You two were best friends.”

“That was six years ago.”

I quickly slipped into the general store.

Since it was a shop in front of the school, the general store had all sorts of items from writing supplies to pins.

It was almost sad how I had already spent all my allowance for this month.

‘Th-this is for me!’

Among the countless items, a bracelet decorated with flowers sparkled brilliantly.

Hup. I unconsciously swallowed.

I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

Just then, Helene, who had been looking around the opposite corner, approached my side.

I touched the bracelet while grabbing Helene’s sleeve.

“Helene. Isn’t this so pretty? It’s a design they don’t have in Trobancha.”

After chattering away, something felt strange.

The weight transmitted through pulling the sleeve wasn’t as light as Helene’s.

Was it Chris?

When I quickly turned my head, Edgar was standing next to me, frozen like a stone with his eyes rolling around.

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