She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 105

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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 105. The Dowager Duchess’s Turn (2)

“Your, Your Majesty….”

Elise felt as if her breath would stop.

Had he been listening to everything from behind the whole time?

To her own mouth directly boasting about committing murder?

“Good heavens. How could such a thing….”

The Emperor’s face was pale.

The Empress covered her mouth and couldn’t continue speaking.

“My, how fortunate that I didn’t bring Mary to this place. My wife has a tender heart, so the shock would have been great.”

The Crown Prince beside them shook his head and muttered.

Elise stood frozen in place, her face deathly pale.

Clack.

Her strength drained away and the fan fell to the floor.

The Emperor’s gaze turned directly toward Elise.

“The Duke said he had something urgent to discuss, so I came, but I didn’t expect this kind of situation.”

“…!”

So it was all Rainer’s scheme from the beginning!

When she turned her gaze, Rainer merely shrugged his shoulders.

Though anger surged at his provocative attitude.

Now was not the time to confront him about it.

“Your, Your Majesty! I!”

Elise urgently looked back at the Emperor.

Her lips trembled violently.

“That was… just words that came out in a fit of anger! Because of that lowly bastard, I momentarily lost my reason―”

“Enough.”

The Emperor raised his hand to stop the Dowager Duchess’s desperate excuses.

Elise looked to the Empress as if seeking help.

After all, hadn’t she gotten along reasonably well with the Empress all this time?

“….”

But the Empress also turned her head away, avoiding her gaze.

“Since everyone here has heard this, I cannot pretend to be unaware of this fact.”

The Emperor raised his hand.

Before they knew it, Imperial Knights were standing behind them.

“Escort the Dowager Duchess respectfully.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Your, Your Majesty! Just let me say more―!”

Elise urgently tried to grab the Emperor’s robes.

But the knights moved faster than she could.

When gauntleted hands grabbed her arms.

Elise’s body stiffened with a start.

“Don’t touch me! How dare you, do you know who I am!”

She twisted her body wildly in resistance.

Her struggle was so desperate.

Despite her being an elderly noblewoman, the knights were struggling.

“Dowager Duchess.”

Finally, the Emperor, unable to watch any longer, stepped forward again.

“Considering your status, the Imperial family is giving you one last chance.”

His voice was filled with anger.

Even at this moment, the Emperor was leaving room for her to preserve herself.

If she were an ordinary criminal, she would have been dragged to the wretched underground prison like Osburn long ago.

But to ignore such consideration and cause such a disturbance.

It was seen as disrespecting the authority of the Imperial family.

“Your, Your Majesty….”

“Or would you prefer to go to the underground prison like other criminals?”

“…!”

Elise’s eyes widened greatly.

The Emperor’s words now were not mere persuasion.

He truly had the intention to send Elise to prison if necessary.

“….”

Elise’s clenched fists trembled violently.

No matter how much of a great noble she was.

She could not oppose the Emperor, the supreme ruler of this kingdom.

The Emperor looked back at the knights again.

“Escort her away immediately.”

“Yes!”

Elise could no longer shake off the knights who approached her again.

In the end, she was powerlessly led out of the Audience Hall by them.

The Emperor and Empress also seemed to have no intention of staying longer.

They too quickly clicked their tongues and left the place.

Now only Rainer and Nicholas remained inside.

“Hmm….”

Nicholas awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

How could it be otherwise?

He had learned the secret of his closest friend and brother.

Nicholas kept his mouth shut as if choosing his words for a moment.

Then finally let out a low sigh.

“Duke, why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”

“Well. It just happened that way.”

Rainer, the person in question, had a calm expression.

Nicholas approached from the side and patted his shoulder.

“It’s going to get very noisy from now on.”

“I know.”

“People will try to tear you apart at every opportunity. Especially for someone in as high a position as you.”

“I’m prepared for that as well.”

Rainer nodded.

The label of being born a bastard would certainly be a major weakness.

But it was something he had already known when he started this.

He was prepared to give up the ducal title if necessary.

After all, it was a position he had obtained to push out the Dowager Duchess in the first place.

“Hah… You’re like a person with no ambition at all.”

Nicholas let out a laugh mixed with a sigh.

After studying Rainer’s face for a moment, he spread his palm out flat.

“…What is it?”

“Payment for your hard work. It’s an advance.”

“Pardon?”

What kind of nonsense was this now?

Nicholas seriously furrowed his brow.

“I can’t stand to see my friend suffer. I’ll use all the Crown Prince’s authority to protect you. If necessary, I’m prepared to throw myself down before Father and even throw a tantrum.”

“Ah.”

“What? That’s your only reaction after hearing such a touching declaration?”

Rainer chuckled softly.

“I also don’t want my friend to be in trouble. I’ll gratefully accept just the sentiment.”

“Hey, at times like this you just need to say thank you and accept it.”

Nicholas grumbled and then paused.

“But… did the Duchess already know?”

“Yes.”

“What? Really?”

Nicholas’s mouth fell wide open.

“The Duchess knew your story that even I didn’t know?”

“She’s my wife. Isn’t that natural?”

“Well, that’s true, but…!”

Nicholas stared blankly at Rainer for a while, unable to continue speaking.

Of course, he understood it logically.

But he couldn’t help feeling strangely left out.

Nicholas’s lips jutted out in a pout.

“Fine, go quickly to that beloved wife of yours.”

“I was planning to do just that.”

“Really, so cold until the very end.”

Leaving the grumbling Nicholas behind.

Rainer headed straight for the door.

‘Tch, let’s see if I ever offer to help again.’

Nicholas frowned at his retreating figure.

“Still.”

Suddenly, Rainer stopped in front of the door.

He turned around with a slight smile.

“I’m grateful that Your Highness always looks out for me.”

“Huh?”

Nicholas blinked his eyes.

Rainer nodded lightly and left the audience hall.

Despite the shocking events from just moments before.

His steps somehow seemed lighter.

“He really has gotten a bit strange since getting married…”

Nicholas, left alone, scratched the back of his head again.

Even so, in a corner of his heart.

He felt secretly relieved that Rainer had gained a support system to lean on.

* * *

That night.

Cecilia was sitting on the edge of the bed.

The room was quiet with only a single candle lit.

Outside the window, tree leaves swayed quietly in the night breeze.

Across from her sat Rainer, holding a wet cloth.

“It will be a bit cold.”

“Mmm…”

Rainer carefully placed the wet cloth on Cecilia’s cheek.

Cecilia frowned slightly at the pain.

But soon coolness spread across her swollen cheek.

“Don’t move.”

Rainer held the cloth with one hand.

With his other hand, he gently supported her chin.

His touch was as careful as handling a fragile glass doll.

“Why do you keep getting slapped on the cheek?”

Rainer clicked his tongue.

“You should at least learn some basic self-defense.”

“Rainer, do you think I got hit because I can’t fight?”

“Huh?”

Rainer laughed incredulously at Cecilia’s question.

“Then if you’re good at fighting, why did you get hit?”

“To be precise, I let myself get hit.”

Cecilia shrugged proudly.

In truth, Elise’s attack was unexpected.

But the initiative afterward was definitely on her side.

“And the first time, I hit myself with my own hand.”

“Are you calling that an explanation?”

Rainer shook his head.

Then he removed the cloth and soaked it in water again.

“…Rainer.”

Cecilia, who had been quietly watching him, spoke softly.

“If you want to brag about your fighting skills, do it later.”

“That’s not what this is about.”

“Then what?”

“I’m just… grateful.”

Rainer looked up as if wondering what she was suddenly talking about.

Cecilia’s expression had become serious.

“My parents’ grave. I didn’t know you were taking care of it.”

“…Ah.”

As Cecilia’s voice trembled and her eyes reddened.

Rainer set down the cloth and wiped her eyes with his thumb.

“It’s nothing so remarkable. I simply did my duty as a son-in-law.”

“Sons-in-law who go that far aren’t common.”

“Then you’re blessed.”

“Really, you’re good with words.”

When Cecilia chuckled, Rainer smiled too.

His arm naturally pulled her into an embrace.

“Cecilia.”

His voice resonated softly.

“What I said last time… have you thought about it?”

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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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