I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 39

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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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#.39

Edith had to learn dozens of imperial palace etiquette rules within a month, study the Empire’s history and culture, and prepare for the wedding whenever she had spare time.

Emilia was so busy with her research that she could only show her face briefly once every few days at most.

Given this situation, it was natural that Regina, who had relatively more free time, would take charge of Lilliana.

It was for this reason that the maids reported the children’s quarrel to Regina instead of Edith.

“You brat!”

“R-Regina!”

Lilliana flinched her shoulders upon seeing Regina.

Swoosh.

Lilliana hid behind Edgar and blatantly avoided Regina who was trying to check on her.

“Are you okay? You weren’t hit anywhere, were you?”

“Mm-hmm. I wasn’t hit… I’m fine.”

Regina quickly checked on both children.

Lilliana’s hair was disheveled, but she didn’t seem to have any injuries.

On the other hand, Edgar’s cheek was covered with scratch marks.

Edgar, who was pouting as if something greatly displeased him, grumbled.

“What good does it do if only you’re fine? My face stings.”

“Then why did you butt in? I could have played with Oliver for the first time in a while.”

“How ridiculous. You can’t even fight properly. If it weren’t for me, you would have collapsed again by now, wouldn’t you?”

“That’s not true! Have you ever seen me fight? I’m good at fighting!”

“Lies. What kind of fighting is that with those weak punches?”

Just as the two children began bickering, a noblewoman with elegantly pinned-up red hair approached Regina.

“Miss Berchio?”

“Who might you be?”

“I am Countess Sofia Eldridge. I’m Helene’s mother, the one who fought with your sister. Do you have a moment?”

“Ah, yes. Lilliana, stay here quietly. Don’t fight, you two. Understood?”

“Mm-hmm…”

The dejected Lilliana nodded obediently.

Regina followed Countess Eldridge to move to another spot.

There, Leopold, who had likewise just arrived after hearing the news, was waiting.

“Ah…”

Both let out exclamations without anyone going first.

But they couldn’t get lost in their private moment.

Countess Eldridge explained the situation with a heavy expression.

“I happened to come to pick up my daughter and witnessed the quarrel, so I separated the children. I scolded Helene, the little duke, and Miss Berchio, but I hope you won’t take too much offense.”

“Not at all. Is your daughter alright? I hope she wasn’t hurt too badly.”

“Helene is fine. However, I’m worried there might be scars on the little duke’s face.”

Before Countess Eldridge could apologize to Leopold, he drew the line.

“It’s a matter between children. Children grow up fighting, so please don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you for saying that. And Miss Berchio, I should have paid attention to the child, but I was busy with work and left Helene with her grandparents without checking on her. Because of that, she heard strange rumors and hurt Miss Berchio’s feelings. I’ll make sure to have Helene apologize later.”

“Yes. Please do that.”

“Very well. Then I’ll take my leave now.”

After Countess Eldridge politely bid farewell, she left first with her daughter.

Then only Regina and Leopold remained alone.

To greet each other casually would obviously look like acting.

But to run away while revealing their awkwardness would be difficult given how many days they’d have to see each other in the future.

Surprisingly, it was Leopold, not Regina, who spoke first.

He forced himself to come up with conversation topics with his limited speaking skills, worried that Regina might feel awkward.

“I’m sorry that Lilliana seems to be suffering emotionally because the adults are lacking.”

“Not at all. It’s not because of you, Leopold… I caught a glimpse earlier and Edgar’s face was covered with scratch marks, so I’m worried.”

“Please don’t worry. Edgar is a strong child.”

Leopold quietly observed Regina. She seemed a bit thinner. She looked depressed too.

His desire for her to suffer because of him clashed with his wish for her to always be happy no matter what.

Seeing her face made his longing fade and made him want to cling to Regina.

‘If I act unreasonably, it will only make things difficult for her.’

So he must endure. They said love was a momentary emotion, so he just had to hold out until his feelings subsided.

“Then I’ll take Edgar and go first.”

Leopold clenched his molars tightly, bowed silently, and passed by Regina.

Those few steps were so difficult that he truly wanted to just cry.

* * *

Edith had to undergo an interrogation that wasn’t quite an interrogation due to a summons she received from the council.

“It’s unthinkable for the Empire’s empress not to believe in the state religion. It would be better to choose whether to convert or return to Trobancha!”

Dealing with pirates or invaders was simple. If they didn’t surrender, you just had to subdue them with force.

But the nobles before her were different. If she threw punches at them, it would likely escalate into a national problem.

These were the foxes in the yard that Edith would have to tame over the next ten years.

So it was better to reduce unnecessary conflicts.

“I will convert.”

The Trobancha people believed in the same god, only the name of the religion was different.

Still, the reason for accommodating them was that she didn’t want to be constantly harassed for the next ten years over this issue.

The nobles attending the council hadn’t expected Edith to readily accept the proposal, so they were flustered and only exchanged glances.

Then Count Ruman cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“Any heir born between His Majesty and Miss Edith should be kept away from Trobancha culture. Can you promise this as well?”

“Yes. I promise.”

Marius and she had no intention of having children.

Their contract was to live as a show-window couple for ten years. So the probability of a child being born between them approached zero.

When Edith remained unwavering, Count Ruman seemed to get irritated and hardened his expression.

Finally, Duke Berg stepped forward.

“Can you prove those words?”

Duke Berg, whose beard had turned white, gave off the distinct smell of worn political strife, unlike Count Ruman.

Edith instinctively realized he was no easy opponent.

“How would you like me to prove it?”

“Make a soul oath.”

“A soul oath?”

“Yes. Through that, we’ll restrict your abilities. So that you use your abilities only for the Empire.”

For the first time, Edith’s face, which had been relaxed until now, contorted.

* * *

Max, who served as both executive secretary and chief aide, delivered the news of the hearing that had just come in to Marius.

“The demand to seal her abilities is growing strong.”

“The situation is taking an interesting turn.”

Unlike Marius, who only smiled as if amused and remained a bystander, Francois frowned slightly.

As soon as Max left, he cast security magic throughout the entire office and asked.

“Are you going to leave it like that? Even if it’s a contract marriage, she’s going to be your wife.”

“Her abilities should be sealed. With such a powerful ability user staying in the imperial palace, that level of restriction should be imposed.”

“Wow. So this is how vicious someone has to be to become emperor. Making such a contract and then… Well, you’ve always been like that. You didn’t hesitate to wage war for what you wanted, so what’s a contract wife to you.”

“That’s not something you should say, considering you confined Rebecca Marchione to the tower and brought young Lilliana as a prisoner.”

When Marius shot back coldly, Francois shrugged his shoulders.

The two had been connected by bad blood since their previous lives.

Though they faced each other because they needed one another, they preferred to avoid meeting if possible.

“Are you still angry about that incident? You went to the underground prison to get revenge on Edgar, but it’s fine since you didn’t kill him, right?”

“Do you call that speaking? You, who made a child who was only fifteen rescue Lilliana and flee? I heard you even fed poison to that child.”

“That was because I was afraid Lilliana would run away. Edgar was able to spirit Lilliana away because he knew it wasn’t real poison.”

At Francois’s answer, Marius didn’t hide his contempt.

Though he knew Francois had needed Lilliana, both then and now Lilliana was far too young a child.

The Mage Tower master who would use such a child seemed nothing but disgusting.

“You’re just the same. How desperate must that kid who was only fifteen have been to try to stop his older brother.”

“Right. I must have looked quite ridiculous then. I became a complete fool because of that love potion.”

“Ha! It’s been over four months since you turned back time, and you still believe Edgar betrayed you?”

Francois confirmed Marius’s bewildered expression and burst into laughter.

How many times in one’s life could you see the Blood Lord looking so foolish?

‘Did you think Edgar blocked you without any thought?’

Edgar at fifteen had been an innocent boy suffering from the fever of first love, but at the same time, he was a noble born in the imperial family and raised cleverly.

Such a child wouldn’t risk his life simply for love alone.

‘It was all because he wanted to stop you.’

Leopold, who met Regina Berchio, realized that his love for Rebecca was false.

When he felt true love, the effects of the love potion were broken.

But she was a citizen of the country he had trampled and the sister of Alicia Berchio, whom he had killed.

Leopold chose suicide, frustrated by the overwhelming guilt and a love that could never be fulfilled.

Edgar, who watched this, wanted more than anyone to prevent his only remaining brother’s rampage.

‘So he must have pleaded for it to end with just him.’

Though it was such a desperate heart, the Emperor still couldn’t understand those feelings.

The experience of being constantly betrayed since childhood had clouded his eyes from seeing sincerity.

Since he had no intention of telling the truth to an Emperor who was both selfish and cowardly, Francois gave a bitter smile.

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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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