She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 1

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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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Chapter 1. Prologue

Year 562 of the Ristea Empire.

Rosena Osburn was looking around the banquet hall of the Hays Ducal Mansion with eyes filled with emotion.

The sparkling lights of the magnificent chandelier seemed to bless her future.

Today was the day her husband, Evan, would be officially recognized as a member of the Hays Ducal Family.

It had only been a few days since it was revealed that Evan, who had lived as an orphan his entire life without even knowing his parents’ faces, was the hidden son of the late Duke of Hays.

Rainer Hays, the younger brother of the late duke and current duke, found Evan and adopted him, completely turning his life around.

He was no longer the commoner businessman Evan Machi, but Evan Hays, heir to the ducal family.

‘It feels like a dream.’

Rosena savored this ecstatic moment while watching Evan naturally mingle with the high nobles.

Just a few months ago, the people who were here had pointed fingers at her and Evan.

‘A dirty man who committed adultery with his fiancée’s friend.’

‘A wicked woman who coveted her friend’s fiancé.’

People whispered about him and Rosena like this.

‘Cecilia, that damn bitch caused such a scene…’

Recalling the past humiliation, Rosena unconsciously bit her lips tightly.

When Cecilia publicly exposed Rosena and Evan’s affair, the relationship between the two who had grown up like sisters became irreparable.

At that time, she was carrying Evan’s child in her womb, so Rosena had no way to handle the situation.

Because of that incident, she spent the entire pregnancy hiding in her house to avoid people’s stares, and couldn’t even have a proper wedding ceremony, having to settle for simple vows at a church.

Her son Jeremy, born under such circumstances, once felt like a seed of misfortune rather than a blessing.

‘But now it’s different.’

Rosena lifted her chin with a triumphant expression.

Evan had become the heir to the Hays Ducal Family, a branch of the imperial bloodline, and she too had risen to the center of Ristea’s social circles.

Jeremy would now be treated as legitimate blood of the ducal family.

There was no one left to look down on them.

“Madam.”

Noble ladies gathered around Rosena, who was smiling triumphantly.

“You’ll soon become the Duchess of Hays. Congratulations.”

“Oh my, Duchess? It’s still too early for that. The current Duke is still so young.”

“I heard you gave birth recently? Congratulations. And yet you look so beautiful, I’m truly envious. Ho ho ho.”

“You flatter me. I’m more grateful that you see me that way.”

At the noble ladies’ flattering chatter, Rosena covered her mouth with a fan and laughed shyly.

These were the same people who had pointed fingers at her scandal just days ago, but Rosena decided not to hold it against them.

Her mind was already busy with other thoughts anyway.

‘The current Duke of Hays also promised to pass the title to Evan.’

Strictly speaking, Evan was the true legitimate heir of the Hays Ducal Family.

His father, the late duke, had been the eldest son of the family.

Before finding Evan, when the late duke sadly passed away, his younger brother Rainer had temporarily inherited the ducal title.

Ultimately, it was only natural for Evan to ascend to that position.

‘Duchess of Hays… There’s no one who would suit that title better than me.’

Rosena firmly believed that reaching that dream-like position was only a matter of time.

Thinking this way, Cecilia abandoning Evan and leaving had actually been an opportunity.

‘Should I thank her next time we meet?’

Cecilia had disappeared without a trace and had been out of contact for months.

She must be hiding somewhere, ashamed of having her fiancé stolen.

‘Once I enter the ducal family, I should track down Cecilia’s whereabouts. There will be many capable servants there.’

Thinking of the humiliation she suffered because of Cecilia, she almost wished the girl had just died.

How refreshing it would be to confirm that with her own eyes.

“Rosie.”

Just then, Evan approached her.

When he bowed his head and kissed Rosena’s cheek, envious sighs flowed from the surroundings.

Rosena smiled coyly as she looked up at her man.

“Congratulations on becoming a young duke, Evan Hays.”

“What, this is just the beginning. Rosena Hays, together with you.”

Rosena Hays.

What a wonderful name!

Rosena smiled with satisfaction and clinked glasses with Evan in celebration.

It seemed like only glory and happiness lay ahead for the two of them.

“Duke Hays is entering.”

At the servant’s loud announcement, the banquet hall fell quiet.

As if by agreement, everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance.

A man of tall stature and solid build, dressed in impeccable formal wear, entered the banquet hall.

It was Rainer Hays, the only duke of the Ristea Empire.

Beneath his ebony-dark hair, his face held a cool dignity.

“My goodness, the rumors about him being Ristea’s greatest beauty don’t seem to be exaggerated.”

People held their breath in unison and watched Rainer as if by agreement.

Rainer approached Evan and Rosena with elegant steps, unshaken by the surrounding gazes.

“Congratulations, Evan.”

“Yes, Duke… no, Father.”

Evan grasped Rainer’s hand and nodded his head repeatedly.

At this sight, the corners of Rainer’s mouth subtly rose.

It was a smile closer to mockery than congratulation.

But Evan, busy bowing and scraping, failed to notice this.

“Father, with only a four-year age difference?”

Rainer raised his hand to adjust Evan’s collar.

As he said, they looked more like brothers than father and son.

“Among many options, adoption was simply the most convenient procedure. So there’s no need to think too hard about it.”

Rainer lightly patted Evan’s shoulder.

His gaze slowly swept over Evan and Rosena in turn.

A father and son with only a 4-year age difference, and his daughter-in-law.

An inexplicable tension flowed between these subtle relationships.

“Duke, will we finally be able to meet the Duchess today?”

It was Rosena who stepped forward to break the awkwardness.

The news that the Duke of Hays had secretly married had heated up social circles for a while.

But no information about the Duchess had been revealed, only increasing people’s curiosity and speculation.

“A secret marriage, we feel a sense of kinship too, don’t we? I guess fate runs in the family since you’re father and son.”

Rosena smiled charmingly, trying her best to win Rainer’s favor.

“Well, Miss Rosena.”

However, Rainer’s reaction was cold.

Rosena hesitated too.

She hadn’t expected to be treated as a daughter-in-law by a father-in-law only 4 years older.

But still, ‘Miss Rosena’?

She had formally exchanged marriage vows with Evan!

“I think my case is completely different from yours. At least I received people’s congratulations.”

Rosena’s face flushed hot at Rainer’s sarcasm.

His words were clearly mocking the past scandal.

She had thought that now that Evan had become a young duke, she wouldn’t have to endure such humiliation anymore.

“Ahaha, y-yes, that’s right. We were a bit immature in the past.”

Sensing the chilled atmosphere, Evan hurriedly stepped between the two.

He wasn’t pleased with Rainer’s words either, but after all, he was the one who had brought him into the ducal family.

Moreover, having distinguished himself in war and being on friendly terms with the Crown Prince, making an enemy from the start would only result in his own loss.

“In any case, we’re also very curious about the Duke’s wife. After all, she would be like a mother to me.”

“A mother…”

Rainer repeated Evan’s last words as if finding them interesting.

“An impressive expression. Make sure to show proper respect to your ‘mother.'”

“Of course.”

Evan nodded repeatedly in a flattering manner.

Rainer patted Evan’s shoulder with satisfaction.

“Just as Miss Rosena said, you’ll be able to meet her today.”

“Today?”

“Naturally. My wife has been looking forward to this day as well.”

“Ah, I see.”

Evan glanced at Rosena beside him and nodded.

It was a silent signal to ‘make a good impression since this is your first meeting with the Duke’s wife.’

“…”

However, Rosena still had a stiff expression from the derogatory nickname Rainer had used.

This humiliation wouldn’t fade easily.

“Rosie!”

“Ah, I understand. I get it!”

Only after Evan poked her waist with his finger did Rosena reluctantly nod.

At that moment, the Duke’s servant’s booming voice rang out once again.

“Duchess Hays is entering.”

The murmuring people fell silent and everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance.

Everyone held their breath to see the Duke’s wife.

Creak.

The heavy door opened, revealing a woman beyond it.

The moment they saw the woman walking in elegantly wearing a pure white dress.

Evan and Rosena felt as if they had been struck hard on the head.

“Huh…?”

The person who approached them with a dazzling smile was…

“Ce, Cecilia? Cecilia Fanning?”

“Th, that’s impossible. How could she…?”

Evan and Rosena muttered with wide eyes and dumbfounded expressions.

The two stared blankly at Rainer naturally taking Cecilia’s hand.

“You’re late. Every minute and second of waiting felt like a year.”

“Sorry, I was too nervous.”

Then, Cecilia’s gaze turned toward the two.

“Hello, we’re acquainted, aren’t we?”

Cecilia stood before the two who had turned pale.

She turned toward her former fiancé with a nonchalant expression.

“Please take care of me from now on, young master. And…”

Cecilia’s gaze slowly moved to Rosena.

Her lips curved into a gentle arc.

“My daughter-in-law, Miss Rosena.”

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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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