I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 85

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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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#.85

 

“Alicia, do you think that because you’re not setting a good example right now, my sister-in-law made that choice?”

 

“It’s a complete mess, isn’t it?”

 

“Exactly. You have homesickness, Lilliana has cultural differences, and my sister-in-law suddenly got married. But I’m not much different either.”

 

Marius dryly rubbed his forehead.

 

He had believed that if he could turn back time, everything would be perfect, but that wasn’t the case either.

 

If it weren’t for Lilliana, he wouldn’t have been able to resolve the misunderstanding with Edgar.

 

But Lilliana seems to remember something, and he’s trembling with fear that his terrible past might be discovered in front of that lovely child.

 

Whether in his previous life or this life, he’s still a coward and a pathetic human being.

 

‘I wanted to be a good brother-in-law to Lilliana…’

 

He had ruined everything himself. Both in the past and present.

 

“I don’t like Francois Cassel.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I thought a woman I used to like had feelings for that guy.”

 

“I didn’t know it was that kind of problem.”

 

“You want to know the truth? That woman didn’t like anyone. And my feelings weren’t love either.”

 

“Then what was it?”

 

“Obsession.”

 

Love potions fuel and incite powerful obsession.

 

Since the potion’s power didn’t work on Francois, Rebecca gave him the affection he needed.

 

It wasn’t affection for Francois himself, but for the power and authority he possessed, though to the obsessed Marius, it looked like love.

 

He was jealous of Francois and carried out the revenge she desired on her behalf.

 

Namely, starting a war with Trowance.

 

“I was very lonely after ascending to the throne. Even though Leopold was there, he’s not family, you know.”

 

There were often times when he felt like his heart would stop, crushed by the weight of his position.

 

For example, the moment he beheaded his uncle and younger brothers who had committed treason.

 

Putting aside affection and prioritizing cold reason is painful, no matter who you are.

 

That’s why he was more easily captivated by the power of the love potion than anyone else.

 

“That’s why I’m worried about you trying to handle everything alone. I know how painful it is to be alone.”

 

“Marius…”

 

“Even though we’re bound by contract, we’re also family in a way. We eat together, raise children… well, we’re friends too, and being colleagues is fine as well.”

 

He tried to speak calmly, but his voice was trembling terribly.

 

Marius scratched the back of his head, finding his own state ridiculous.

 

Had crossing the line always been this difficult? Rebecca was clear about what she wanted, so everything was easy.

 

When he gave her gifts, she would smile, and seeing that smile would momentarily resolve his obsession.

 

False emotions were that simple and pathetic. But Alicia Berchio was…

 

“It’s hard to pretend I don’t notice when you’re struggling.”

 

“…”

 

“It’s also because I want to get closer to you.”

 

Marius rubbed his face vigorously with his palms.

 

Unlike him, Alicia was strong, wonderful, and noble.

 

Because he was so pathetic, Alicia seemed all the more radiant to him.

 

He knew that trying to cross the line was presumptuous greed.

 

But it was hard to give up on the person called Alicia.

 

He thought it would be foolish to do nothing just because their relationship had a predetermined end.

 

So even if he would be miserably abandoned afterward, he wanted to pursue this feeling that couldn’t be compared to what the love potion provided.

 

“I know how cowardly it is to extend a hand to someone who’s struggling, but I’ve always lived this way.”

 

He reached out his hand to Alicia.

 

The earnestness dwelling in his blue eyes was an emotion born from pure affection.

 

Perhaps because of that, Alicia couldn’t look away from his gaze. It was too passionate to ignore and she had already caught it to turn away.

 

Like a demon, it seemed to whisper that if she took this hand, everything would become easy. Alicia hesitated before taking Marius’s hand.

 

But she hadn’t responded to him.

 

“Oh my.”

 

Alicia forcibly gathered Marius’s fingers to make him form a fist. Marius swallowed his breath with a face drained of color.

 

She smiled faintly and extended her hand to him. As if it was Marius’s role, not hers, to fall for the temptation.

 

Only then could he smile comfortably.

 

“…I’m persistent, so once a hand is extended, I never let it go.”

 

“How hard could it be to take care of someone like you?”

 

Marius placed his hand on hers without hesitation.

 

Though it was full of calluses for an empress’s hand, that made it feel all the more solid.

 

As Marius intertwined his fingers with hers, he thought.

 

If he had met Alicia before Rebecca in his previous life, all those tragedies wouldn’t have happened.

 

His helplessly racing heart was warm and sweet, unlike the obsession caused by the love potion.

 

* * *

 

Originally, we were supposed to have fun at Liliana’s house all weekend.

 

But because a bomb had exploded, we had to just eat outside and return home.

 

Liliana was completely drained and collapsed as soon as we arrived, so Leopold took care of us.

 

Then Monday morning came when we had to go to school.

 

“Leopold is strong and cool, so he could defeat Uncle Francois with just one punch.”

 

I whined the entire time Leopold was tying my hair, but it was no use.

 

“Lilliana. It’s a problem between Emilia and the adults, so there’s nothing we can do.”

 

“What do you mean? That uncle is no good, I tell you.”

 

No matter what I said, Leopold picked me up on the right and Edgar on the left, dangling us as he delivered us to the front of the carriage.

 

“You just need to go to school until today before the transfer procedures. Say goodbye to your friends properly.”

 

“School at such an important time? That’s ridiculous.”

 

When I lay down in front of the carriage, Leopold tickled me to make me get up.

 

“Kyahahaha!”

 

“Edgar. Go and finish things well with your friends, and don’t call them stupid just because they’re not good at studying. Even if you weren’t close, they’re still your classmates.”

 

“It’s not just my fault – they were mean to me too. So please stop nagging.”

 

Edgar shook his head saying he was fed up and got into the carriage.

 

Just before the carriage departed, Leopold patted our heads and said goodbye.

 

“Both of you have a good day.”

 

“You have a good day too, hyung.”

 

“Leopold. I’ll miss you. Bye-bye.”

 

As the carriage moved and Leopold grew distant, I swung my feet under the seat and told Edgar about my secret plan.

 

“I’m going to chase Uncle Francois away from being Emilia’s husband. I’ll put beans in his bread and shoot him with a slingshot whenever he’s not looking.”

 

“Francois Cassel is the Mage Tower Lord. And he’s our brother-in-law now.”

 

“You said you’d help me defeat the demon king!”

 

“He’s a demon king, but he’s family. And didn’t you hear this morning? We’re all meeting together this weekend. They’re trying to get along, so how can you do that?”

 

That’s right.

 

Since they had already signed the marriage contract, unless they divorced, Emilia was legally a married woman.

 

So the adults decided to meet again for dinner this weekend to welcome the new family member.

 

‘I’m sure there’s something between Emilia and Francois…’

 

Nobody tells me anything because I’m a child. That makes me even more upset.

 

“Nobody listens to what I say.”

 

When I lay down on the carriage seat, Edgar pulled me up.

 

“It’s dangerous. Sit up properly.”

 

“I understand.”

 

After getting off the carriage, we held hands tightly and walked to school together.

 

Before entering our respective classrooms in the hallway, I gave Edgar some dignified advice.

 

“Edgar. Get along well with your friends. Got it?”

 

“You too?”

 

I ended up getting flicked on the forehead and went into my classroom.

 

* * *

 

The last class in first grade before skipping grades was physical education.

 

During PE class, they had running races with five people at a time.

 

Edgar stood at the last position at the starting line and listened to the other kids whispering.

 

“Luca. You can’t lose to Edgar.”

 

“I won’t lose to you guys.”

 

Edgar stuck his tongue out at his classmates and got into position with one knee down as the teacher had taught him.

 

Three, two, one!

 

As soon as the signal dropped, Edgar started running frantically.

 

The distance between him and his friends widened instantly.

 

Being taller than his peers and having good athletic ability, Edgar often took first place during PE class.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Ah!”

 

Luca tripped and fell to the ground.

 

When Edgar glanced back, he saw Luca holding his knee and sniffling.

 

The other friends passed Luca with all their might like Edgar.

 

Luca pouted as he watched the widening distance.

 

‘Ah…’

 

I’m an idiot.

 

Edgar turned around and started running in the opposite direction.

 

Looking closer, Luca was bleeding not only from his knee but also from his hands.

 

Edgar sighed and grabbed Luca’s arm to support him.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“E, Edgar?”

 

“We need to finish quickly and go to the nurse’s office.”

 

Edgar, supporting Luca, matched his pace with the limping Luca and went to the finish line together.

 

Then he got permission from the teacher and went to the nurse’s office.

 

“I, I’ve been mean to you all this time…”

 

Actually, Luca was the kid who had been cold toward Edgar ever since teasing Chris on the first day of school.

 

“Anyway, today’s the last day in first grade, so it doesn’t matter if I help you a little.”

 

His pride wasn’t hurt by helping Luca. So he was just a little awkward but not embarrassed.

 

On the other hand, Luca’s face turned bright red and he only looked at the floor all the way back to the classroom after treatment.

 

Then, just before opening the classroom door, he greeted Edgar.

 

“Thank you. And I’m sorry. I apologize for being mean.”

 

“Make sure to apologize to Chris too.”

 

“Mm-hmm. I will. Congratulations on going up a grade by yourself.”

 

“It’s called skipping a grade.”

 

“Yeah. Congratulations on that.”

 

“…I’m sorry for calling you an idiot too.”

 

Luca smiled slightly at Edgar’s apology. Then dimples appeared on his chubby cheeks.

 

‘I thought he would never apologize, but I guess I misunderstood.’

 

If they were going to reconcile this easily, he had gotten worked up for nothing all this time.

 

Although teasing Chris was wrong, Luca seemed like a better kid than he thought.

 

When he realized he had been alone, engaging in meaningless battles with such a guy, his face suddenly felt hot.

 

“Luca. Next time… play soccer with me.”

 

“Huh, huh?”

 

“Chris doesn’t really like playing soccer. But you play with the ball every break time.”

 

“Great! We’ll do it together even when we’re in different grades!”

 

Chris, who made a promise with Luca, even finished saying goodbye to his classmates with the teacher’s help.

 

On the way home from school with Lilliana, Edgar had a much lighter expression than when he went to school.

 

On the other hand, Lilliana’s eyes were swollen from crying because she was sad to say goodbye to her friends.

 

“Crybaby.”

 

“I’m not a crybaby!”

 

When Lilliana got angry and raised her voice, Edgar giggled.

 

“Let’s stop by the library before going home.”

 

“Why the library?”

 

“There’s an article I want to look up.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“There’s something like that.”

 

The report he had snatched from the Marquis’s cabinet was written by Coachman Max.

 

He wanted to know why Marius and the Marquis were keeping an eye on someone named Rebecca Berchio.

 

Because it was a matter that involved none other than Lilliana.

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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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