I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 148

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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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#.148

09. Snotty High Teen

“Brother-in-law~”

During the hectic morning before school, I targeted Leopold while avoiding my older brother.

Since my older brother had already made his move, Liliana refused, telling me to wait until I received next month’s allowance.

“Could you give me some allowance money?”

“I’m sure your brother already gave you some.”

“That! I spent it all on eating delicious food with new friends I made after coming to the Empire! I need to eat a lot to grow taller!”

Actually, I had grown as much as I could, but seeing Leopold’s eyes shake violently, it seemed like a good word choice.

“I get so hungry after school ends… If I don’t have money, I’ll be the only one who can’t hang out with friends…”

“W-well, then it can’t be helped. But keep it a secret.”

Leopold quietly slipped me a few gold coins.

As expected, the best in the family isn’t my sister or uncle, but my brother-in-law.

“Brother-in-law, thank you!”

Excited, I hugged Leopold tightly, then grabbed my bag and went downstairs.

At the front door, Antonio was waiting for me while glaring at Edgar.

“Hey, Lily. This guy says you called him.”

“I called him to help support you.”

“What? I can walk fine without anyone else’s help!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You were groaning in pain last night and we even had to call a doctor to put a cast on you!”

“That was…”

“And for the time being, Edgar is my servant. I’m going to work him to the bone, so keep that in mind.”

“Wow. That’s good news, isn’t it?”

Antonio slyly put his arm around my shoulder and threw his bag to Edgar.

“Servant. Carry my bag.”

However, thanks to Edgar turning his body, the bag fell to the floor with a thud.

Edgar grabbed Antonio and forcibly supported him with a face that was holding back irritation.

“I’m Lilliana’s servant, not yours. If you don’t want to get beaten up, behave yourself.”

“Behave myshelf.”

Antonio, who had been teasing Edgar since morning, finally got his head smacked.

It seemed like the two had become much closer since Antonio stayed at the Imperial Palace.

In the carriage on the way to school, Edgar cautiously spoke up.

“But talking about servants reminds me of when we were little.”

“When we were little?”

“You always said you wanted to become a hero. Do you… remember?”

When questions like that come up, it’s troublesome in many ways.

I don’t know how much ordinary people remember about before age 10, but I only have vague recollections of events, fleeting moments, and general impressions from that time.

That’s why when I visited the Imperial Palace to find Antonio, even Marius personally coming out to see me off made me uncomfortable.

‘He had such a wistful expression.’

His eyes were affectionate, like looking at a grown child.

“Lilliana. Come visit again. If there’s anything you want, just say so!”

He was eager to do anything for me but seemed to be holding himself back somehow.

“Hero… hmm.”

I pursed my lips instead of giving a proper answer.

* * *

Chris spent the entire lunch praising my youngest sister.

From how excellent the paper my sister published was to how much he looked forward to her future research.

To me, my youngest sister is the scary one who wields the stick rather than the carrot, so it was strange to see her so respected.

But listening to it continuously felt like my ears would start bleeding.

“Chris. You’re… quite unique, aren’t you?”

To think there was someone among my friends who was the same type as Uncle Francois and my youngest sister.

Antonio asked with a fed-up expression.

“Don’t tell me your math grade is over 70 points?”

“Could it be under 70 points?”

Chris seemed genuinely puzzled, and Antonio and I, who were dying in math, shut our mouths.

We unexpectedly got hit hard.

“Lilliana. Emilia said if you don’t mind, she’d like to see your ability. Would that be possible?”

“Hmm. My ability isn’t very noticeable, so it would be difficult.”

Just then, a classmate approached me and handed me a glass bottle containing a drink.

“Lilliana. Someone asked me to give this to you.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know who it was.”

“It’s not Noah Shu, is it?”

“Antonio. It’s Noah Ashtaff.”

“It wasn’t him. It was someone I didn’t know.”

It probably wasn’t Noah since I had clearly told him we should just be friends.

Then did some other kids give it to me?

That’s when Antonio snatched the drink from my hand.

“Why would you even think of accepting something like this? I’ll buy you one. Don’t drink it.”

“It came for me, so give it back.”

“I said don’t drink it. It seems suspicious.”

“What’s there to be suspicious about? You just don’t like it. Stop being jealous.”

I forcibly took the drink back from Antonio.

Red liquid sloshed in the small glass bottle.

I quickly opened the cap first. Something felt strange, but I quickly brought it to my mouth in case Antonio would snatch it away.

And then.

“Lily!”

Antonio’s urgent voice pierced my ears.

* * *

Marius quietly watched the ship from Trowance dock at the port.

Since it was a sizable warship, it took quite some time, but he waited patiently.

Rather, he was so anxious that his mouth was parched with tension, and he couldn’t even think about being bored.

‘Has it been six years?’

Six years is definitely not a short time.

The girl who loved blueberries had become a teenager who cared about fashion, and the small boy had changed so much that thick calluses formed all over his hands from gripping a sword.

‘How has Edith been?’

What does Edith look like after six years… and will she still have that face soaked in betrayal when she sees me?

Marius thought of Lilliana, whom he had seen two days ago.

To him, the past of carrying her on his back and playing with her felt like yesterday, but to the young child, it seemed to feel like quite long ago.

‘I was disappointed that she seemed to find me unfamiliar. But…’

He thought it was fortunate that she had grown up healthy, bright, and loved.

Though he felt sorry that he wasn’t part of that child’s growth process, he was happier than he was disappointed to be able to meet her again.

“Your Majesty. It’s time.”

“Right. Let’s depart.”

Chief aide Max led the way ahead.

Marius confirmed the sight of the Trowance Maritime Police Security Bureau Chief coming down the gangway from the warship.

Among the inspectors following behind the Security Bureau Chief, there were quite a few familiar faces.

Marco, Dalia, Lorenzo… and Edith.

Marius momentarily forgot his own position and followed only Edith with his eyes.

Her tall height, straight posture, piercing cool gaze… everything was the same. No, she had become even more magnificent.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

Just seeing her from afar made his hands tremble.

He wanted to run to her right away and offer even a foolish greeting.

He felt like he might burst into tears. He wanted to grasp Edith’s calloused hands and never let go.

He thought he had become quite composed by now… Marius realized he had missed Edith more than he had ever imagined.

“I greet the Emperor of the Empire. I am Eva Russo, Chief of the Trowance Maritime Police Security Bureau.”

Marius forced himself to gather his composure and exchanged greetings with the Security Bureau Chief.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but have his attention drawn to Edith.

“This being our first joint training with the Empire, our expectations are beyond measure. I hope this training will help our two nations build an even smoother cooperative relationship.”

“Indeed. You must be tired from the long journey, so it would be best to rest well today.”

While shaking hands with the Security Bureau Chief, Marius glanced at Edith who was standing behind.

Unlike him, whose nerves felt explosively heated, Edith was calmly looking straight ahead.

As if she had completely forgotten all the time she spent with Marius, despite having once lived as Empress in the Empire.

‘Though she was the Empress, she’s a key figure on Trowance’s side, so it would be strange if she didn’t come.’

After Lazarus was defeated by Lilliana and stepped down, Edith went through divorce proceedings while pursuing Lazarus.

Judging by her furious momentum, it seemed she wouldn’t back down from pursuing Lazarus and dealing with the Order. But she suddenly returned to Trowance.

It had been only three months since the catastrophe occurred.

‘It probably wouldn’t look good for the Empress to remain in the Empire even after divorce.’

More likely, she found it uncomfortable to encounter Marius.

‘It seems I’m the only one with lingering feelings.’

A bitter taste spread throughout his mouth.

Marius passed by the Security Bureau Chief and approached Edith.

Still, they had once been husband and wife, so it would be strange to pretend not to know each other.

So at least a greeting… that much should be acceptable, shouldn’t it.

“Ed… *cough*.”

The fact that Edith existed right before his eyes was quite moving, causing his voice to catch.

Marius struggled desperately not to look like a fool.

But seeing her face up close made him feel like he couldn’t breathe.

“Edith.”

The bright blue eyes that had been staring straight ahead met his.

Seeing her hair tightly bound and swept back, and her round forehead, reminded him of when they first met.

Back then, he had no idea he would come to love Edith this much.

So he had taken marriage lightly and couldn’t properly reflect on the wrongs he had committed.

Looking back now, it had been such foolish thinking that he wanted to beat his past self.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Good day to you.”

Edith offered a businesslike greeting.

“You’re still as magnificent as ever.”

Marius smiled as if about to cry.

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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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