I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 40

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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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#.40

“Lilliana. You know you’re supposed to get along well with your friends, don’t you?”

“They weren’t my friends. Edgar is my friend.”

“So you think you did well? Look at Edgar’s bruised face because of you, Lilliana. Following the last time… Sigh.”

When Edith gave me a stern look, I linked arms with Edgar who was beside me.

I felt like I needed to prove how close we were for bringing out Oliver’s hammer fist to be considered justified.

As if reading my mind, Edgar stepped forward.

“Using fists was bad, but she’s weak. If she doesn’t do that much, she’ll just get beaten up.”

As expected of Edgar! I should appoint Edgar as my partner from now on.

Edith let out a deep sigh and ruffled both our heads with her hands.

“Ugh, seriously. What am I going to do with you two.”

“Just this once, Lilliana. You can’t punch people just because you’re angry. Promise me.”

“Yes. I promise.”

“Good. Now go change your clothes.”

At Edith’s gesture, the palace maids brought custom-made clothes.

Edgar and I were to serve as flower children at Edith and Marius’s royal wedding in a few weeks.

Originally, other noble children were also supposed to be flower children, but due to our big fight with them recently, only we two were designated.

“Lady Lilliana. Please come this way.”

I followed the maid sisters into the dressing room and changed into a dress.

The dress with puffy sleeves, small frills on the neckline, and a pink ribbon tied at the back looked like a princess dress from a fairy tale.

I was happily changing clothes when I heard the maids talking outside the door.

“I heard rumors that Lady Edith’s ability will be restricted during this royal wedding. Is it true?”

“The Council is pushing hard for it, so it seems likely to happen.”

“Lady Lilliana is inside, so watch your words. Do you want to get in trouble like the gardener?”

The conversation ended shortly with someone’s warning, but I had already heard everything.

My heart sank and I didn’t feel good even standing in front of the dressing room mirror.

Unlike Liliana whose ability isn’t comfortable, Edith is someone who handles her ability as naturally as breathing.

Restricting the ability of such a gifted person is like asking a thirsty person to drink water without using their mouth.

‘What should I do? Edith must be having a hard time…’

Why on earth is Edith marrying someone like Marius?

Although Marius is handsome, rich, and has no flaws, Edith is the strongest person in this world.

When I returned to Edith feeling dejected, Edgar was there, having changed clothes first.

“Edgar. Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

“It’s comfortable.”

“Edith!”

I ran up to Edith and hugged her waist tightly.

I’m against this marriage…

I didn’t voice my opposition since it wouldn’t cancel the wedding anyway.

Then I heard a maid’s voice from outside.

“Lady Edith. His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

“Tell him to come in.”

I quickly went to Edgar and linked arms with him to show I was on his side.

Even though I was upset about Edith’s situation, Edgar was my priority right now.

‘Look how tense his face is.’

How much must he be suffering because of Marius that just hearing his name darkens his expression?

Mean Marius. I already don’t like that he’s marrying our Edith, but to make Edgar’s life miserable too…! I won’t let this slide!

“Oh. My youngest sister-in-law is here too. Edgar’s here as well… Have you been well?”

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Edgar. I told you that you don’t need to be so formal with your brother.”

“No. You’re His Majesty before you’re my brother.”

I glanced back and forth between Edgar and Marius.

I don’t know specifically what happened, but it’s definitely a very awkward situation.

Marius seemed to be thinking about what to say, but eventually kept his mouth shut.

It was because Edgar was visibly uncomfortable.

Unable to watch any longer, Edith stepped in.

“What brings you here?”

“Ah. I was curious about how the wedding preparations are going. Seems like good timing. I get to see our youngest sister-in-law and Edgar in their flower children outfits. Edgar, Lilliana. You can do well as flower children at the wedding, right?”

When Marius bent down to meet our eye level, Edgar subtly avoided his gaze.

I see, this is another situation where I need to step in?

“Why are you being like that to our Edgar?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t pressure Edgar. Even without you saying that, Edgar does everything well. He runs better than me and eats spinach well too. And.”

“And?”

“I’m not your sister-in-law yet. So please call me Lilliana.”

Hmph.

I turned my head away sharply as the finishing touch.

With this much said, Marius should understand that I’m trying to draw a line, right?

Marius should know that his future sister-in-law is difficult.

So he should stop teasing me by calling me shorty, and stop trying to restrict Edith’s ability by being mindful of me and my sisters.

But contrary to my expectations, rather than being intimidated, Marius smiled softly and patted my head.

“Lilliana really likes Edgar a lot, doesn’t she?”

“Of course. Edgar is my friend and subordinate. So I’m on Edgar’s side!”

When I put strength into my linked arm, Edgar’s body flinched.

Edgar said with a slightly reddened face.

“Lady Edith. I’ll go change clothes and leave.”

“You could stay a little longer.”

“I’m tired. Well then, farewell.”

See? Edgar is running away because Marius makes him uncomfortable.

Marius lost more points in my mind.

If he keeps losing points like this, he’ll be on the same level as spinach.

After Edgar left, Marius rubbed his left arm and asked me.

“How does Edgar seem to you lately? As you probably know, Lilliana, uncle made Edgar angry.”

“I don’t know. Don’t ask me.”

“Lily. Didn’t I tell you not to be rude to adults?”

“…Tch.”

At Edith’s scolding, I pouted and tried to go to the dressing room to change clothes.

Then Marius stopped me.

“Little one. Will you play with uncle?”

“Now?”

“Anytime is fine. I want to play with Edgar and Lilliana together and become closer.”

“Hmm… I don’t know. I don’t really want to play with uncle.”

When my reaction was lukewarm, Marius quickly added.

“If you win at games, I’ll give you a present too.”

“Wh-what kind of present?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if you knew in advance. But it’ll be a very big, fun, and amazing present. You can look forward to it.”

Oh, what should I do? I’m so curious!

But if I play with Marius, it would be like betraying Edgar…

As I fell into contemplation, Edith helped from the side.

“Lily. Think carefully. If His Majesty the Emperor said it’s big, fun, and amazing, it must be a really wonderful present, right? Aren’t you curious what it is?”

“Uh-uh… Right. No, no! I’m not that curious. Of course, I’m a little, just a tiny bit curious… And I prefer wish vouchers over presents anyway.”

“You can get both presents and wish vouchers. I’ll grant you anything.”

“Hmm. If you want to play with me that badly, I guess I have no choice. I’m absolutely not doing this because I’m curious about the present, okay? I’m only doing this because you asked me to play.”

“Of course. Naturally.”

“I’ll go ask Edgar about it too.”

“It’s a really amazing present. Got it? It’ll be really fun.”

Marius kept emphasizing how amazing the present was until the very moment we parted, insisting we absolutely had to play together.

Ugh. A grown adult acting like that is really uncool.

* * *

I quickly changed clothes and chased after Edgar.

Edgar was in the palace corridor with Leopold.

I was about to call out to Edgar happily, but the atmosphere between the two seemed serious, so I instinctively hid behind a pillar.

“I think it would be better for you to stay at the ducal estate in many ways.”

“I don’t want to go to the ducal estate. I want to stay here.”

“Is staying at the Imperial Palace really better?”

Instead of answering, Edgar hung his head low.

“Aren’t you lonely here?”

“I am lonely.”

“Then let’s go home together.”

“…”

“I’ll have someone pack your things tomorrow.”

“Brother. I’m lonely wherever I go.”

I was so shocked by Edgar’s confession that I quickly covered my mouth.

My heart was pounding because it felt like I was hearing something I shouldn’t.

“Wherever I am, our parents aren’t there, and I’m just a bothersome burden to my brothers.”

“Edgar! Why would you think that—”

“You’re always busy and Brother Marius doesn’t like me! If it weren’t for the promise you made to Mother, you wouldn’t have taken me in. Honestly, even Brother Leo finds me annoying.”

“That’s not true. Edgar, I’ve never found you annoying. You’re my little brother. What kind of older brother finds his little brother annoying?”

If I had been alone, I would have burst into tears right then.

I had worried that my sisters might find me annoying too, just like Edgar.

“At least Lilliana is here. Lady Edith and Lady Regina are here too… So I’m less lonely.”

“Edgar…”

“When I’d rather be alone, then I’ll return to the ducal estate. Sorry, Brother.”

Edgar rushed past Leopold as if fleeing.

I crouched behind the wall and wiped my runny nose.

I couldn’t tell the hurt Edgar about Marius’s proposal.

But I had already promised to play, so I couldn’t break that promise either.

I only now realized that promises should be made carefully.

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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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