I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 158

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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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#.158

Though Lazarus returned to hell due to the contract’s backlash, no one thinks that’s the end of it.

Since the priests who worship him remain, Lazarus can cross over again at any time by possessing a dark mage’s body.

But this too will end before long.

Everyone involved in this incident is working to uproot Lazarus completely.

“Are you awake?”

Since her house was blown up, Emilia ended up staying at Francois’ mansion.

Right after the battle, she had been bedridden and unable to move at all.

It was only after several days that Emilia could finally kick off the blankets and get up.

“Hurry up and wash. I was preparing lunch.”

On the day he fought the Elder, Francois had proceeded with erosion as if to show off.

Though he nearly had his body stolen by Lazarus, he returned by his own power alone. And then he cried bitterly.

Because Emilia couldn’t trust him.

‘It wasn’t that I couldn’t trust you. I did it because I wanted to protect you.’

He was forcibly proceeding with erosion to deal with Lazarus. She didn’t want to burden Francois further.

“Let’s talk.”

“After we eat first.”

He, who hadn’t made eye contact with Emilia even once until now, turned his body away completely.

Since it didn’t seem like the right situation for conversation at least right now, she quickly washed up and sat down at the dining table.

Mealtime was extremely quiet.

Had we ever been this quiet in front of food before?

The heavy atmosphere pressed down on Emilia’s chest. After finishing the meal, Francois handed her medicine.

“Your fever went up to 40 degrees, it was very dangerous.”

“I don’t remember well.”

“Because you couldn’t come to your senses. While you were collapsed, I felt like I was suffocating to death.”

“….”

“If I could hurt in your place, I would gladly do so… I’m truly a useless man to you.”

“No. That’s not true. Why are you saying such things.”

Stroking his dry cheek with one hand, he looked exhausted.

His silver hair that once flowed with luster was now dull, and his golden eyes that once sparkled were deeply sunken.

“You should have told me, at least me, that your blood was the material for the descent.”

“That’s—”

“You’re more important to me than revenge or erosion! Dealing with Lazarus is a goal I must achieve, but you, you… were my dream.”

Francois bit his lip. His breathing was rough. He squeezed his eyes shut, desperately trying to suppress his surging emotions.

“You kept your distance because you might die, but I didn’t even know that and was just terrified you might leave! How stupid of me… Did you not trust me because I’m such a foolish idiot?”

“It wasn’t because I couldn’t trust you.”

“Then?”

“I didn’t want to tell you, who has fought dark magic your whole life, that I might become bait.”

“That kind of consideration isn’t for me! I don’t want that at all!”

Unable to overcome his surging emotions, Francois finally shouted.

“You’d devour Lazarus and die? For what exactly! What about the people left behind after you do that? What about me? Emilia, answer me. How do you think I would live for the remaining time if you became like that?”

“….”

“I’m no longer someone who needs to be protected! I want to be equal with you and support each other, I don’t want you to protect me or anything like that.”

As Francois confessed while fuming, Emilia’s eyes reddened and she apologized in an anguished voice.

“…I’m sorry. My thinking was short-sighted.”

Just as she had hidden her past life from Regina, she thought keeping it secret from Francois was the right choice for him.

Maybe he wouldn’t want such sacrifice… Emilia realized her selfishness had deeply wounded Francois.

“I guess you believed that was love.”

“That’s not love.”

Francois drew a line immediately.

Before she knew it, his voice was dampened with moisture.

His eyes had already been red and bloodshot for a long time.

“At least it’s not the love I wanted. You call yourself a Holy Maiden but you don’t know anything.”

“….”

“Emilia. I love you, but I have no idea what to do anymore.”

Because I love you, I’m so miserable.

The confession, almost like talking to himself, pierced Emilia’s heart.

She covered her bursting tears with her palm and thought.

Perhaps the end was approaching for them.

* * *

Antonio, who witnessed me crying my eyes out yesterday, repeated the same question all day long.

“There’s really nothing going on between you and him, right?”

“I told you there isn’t.”

“Then why were you crying yesterday. Explain it to me.”

“I said it’s a secret!”

Really, Antonio tries to share everything just because we’re best friends.

‘I don’t want to tell anyone.’

I wanted to keep the fact that Edgar liked me as my own secret.

Not because I was embarrassed or ashamed, but because it was so overwhelming that I wanted to look at it little by little each day and slowly savor it.

“Hey, Liliana. I’m hurt.”

“If you keep bothering me, I’ll be hurt too!”

After screaming, I left Antonio’s room.

Then I ran into Edgar in the corridor. Of all things, staying on the same floor!

‘This is driving me crazy.’

I had received a confession that wasn’t quite a confession from Edgar and cried like an idiot.

Of course it was about the past, but it was a bit embarrassing to face each other under the same roof.

Plus, since Edgar doesn’t know why I cried, he must think I’m strange for suddenly bursting into tears.

And it wasn’t just crying, I even hugged him.

“Oh, hello.”

Hello? We even had breakfast together earlier.

I almost sighed because I sounded so stupid even to myself.

“Mm. Good morning. …Want to take a walk in the garden?”

“Sorry. I don’t really feel like going out today.”

Actually, being alone together made me uncomfortable. Edgar was on my mind and I was so conscious of him that my head felt like it would explode.

“Then—”

“I should go see Liliana.”

Before Edgar could finish speaking, I hurried down the stairs.

The twins were playing with Edgar in the playroom, so I decided to go find Liliana.

“Liliana.”

Liliana was sitting side by side with Leopold, chatting and knitting.

“Lilliana. Come here.”

“Leopold. Didn’t you go to work today?”

“I worked for three weeks without a day off, so I got a vacation today.”

“Leopold, who sticks with Liliana instead of taking a nap on his only day off, is cool.”

At the joke that wasn’t quite a joke, Leopold proudly raised the corners of his mouth.

“Oh right. I heard you got confessed to at school last time, how did that turn out?”

“Oh, that, I rejected him.”

“Why? Noah Ashtaff’s uncle is in the Knight Order, and he seemed like a handsome, well-mannered kid.”

“That’s true, but Antonio really can’t stand him.”

If I had to choose between Antonio and Noah Shu, whom I barely know, it would definitely be Antonio.

I lay down sideways on the sofa across from them and stretched out my legs.

“I have no intention of meeting someone he dislikes. Besides, hanging out with friends is the most fun anyway.”

“Antonio seems to have incredibly high standards. Our Liliana might never get to date at this rate.”

“It’s fine. I’m not that popular. Lots of kids want to be friends, but only a few have confessed to me.”

Liliana and Leopold exchanged glances.

What? What is it? What’s going on? There’s definitely a secret they know that I don’t.

“Why?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Liliana shook her head vigorously.

I pestered them to explain what they meant, but even Leopold kept his mouth firmly shut.

“But is Liliana okay? I haven’t seen her or uncle lately either.”

“Both your eldest sister-in-law and Francois are perfectly fine, so don’t worry.”

“I’ve been thinking, won’t this matter be resolved while we’re in the Empire?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because I’ll be next after Liliana.”

I may forget everything else, but I remember everything clearly when it comes to Lazarus.

The moment he rushed at me to kill me in the Imperial Palace, the situation where Marius and Edith fought against him because of me, the instant Edgar made me escape alone…

‘He always made me evacuate alone.’

Even though he was young too.

He must have been terribly scared, though I wouldn’t know for sure. Eleven-year-old Edgar didn’t even know how to hold a sword.

I felt strange emotions. Sorry, grateful, and warm and fuzzy.

I feel an indescribable tenderness toward Edgar.

‘His feelings must have run very deep.’

He liked me in my previous life too, and in this life, he risked his life when he was only eleven years old.

I can’t even begin to fathom that affection.

‘Does he still like me now?’

Just a little bit, I found myself hoping he did.

I know how selfish it is to have such desires when I don’t even like Edgar myself.

But this belatedly realized affection makes my heart swell every time I think about it, making me want to keep holding onto it.

“Lilliana. Don’t worry. The adults will protect you.”

I know the adults are doing their best, but Lazarus and I are bound by a bitter fate that will inevitably clash once.

If only one of us can survive, it will probably be me.

Because I’m surrounded by people who believe in and love me.

‘This time, I’ll be the one to protect them.’

I continued the conversation while repeatedly clenching and unclenching my hands.

* * *

After the sudden divorce, the Emperor seemed to be living with a screw loose somewhere.

But today was the worst state I’d ever seen him in.

‘When it’s so obvious he likes her, why did he stamp the divorce papers…’

Six years have passed, yet after seeing her face just a few times, he’s acting like a dog that needs to poop.

“Max. Are we not there yet?”

“We’ll arrive soon.”

“Hurry up.”

“Yes, sir.”

It would be better if he were openly angry, but the heavy, sunken mood made the tension even more piercing, making it hell for Max.

Because he wanted to be freed from Marius as quickly as possible, he urged the coachman to speed up.

In the distance, the Training Grounds could be seen faintly.

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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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