She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 106

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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 106. Elise’s Obsession

“What you said last time?”

The memory of her last encounter with Rainer flashed through Cecilia’s mind.

During that second kiss that made her heart race.

Hadn’t he made that suggestion?

‘Then perhaps the referee should punish the player who committed a foul.’

‘…Punishment?’

‘Yes, for example, a penalty of living together for life.’

“Ah.”

Cecilia’s face turned red.

Still held in Rainer’s embrace, she caught her breath for a moment and lowered her gaze.

“…It would be a lie to say I haven’t thought about it.”

Cecilia said quietly.

Rainer’s arms tightened slightly around her, but he didn’t rush her.

As always, he simply waited quietly for her words.

“To be honest… I was scared.”

Cecilia continued slowly.

Rainer probably didn’t know.

But she had been married to Evan for five years.

If you included the time they spent as lovers before that.

Evan had been the man who occupied half of her life.

And during that time, there had been happy moments too.

Because Evan had treated her with genuine feelings, even if only briefly.

That’s what made it hurt more.

More than the betrayal, it was the happy memories that reminded her of that betrayal.

“I’m truly happy when I’m with you, Rainer. I mean that sincerely.”

“…”

“But… I’m afraid this happiness might hurt me again later.”

Her words trailed off.

Cecilia lowered her head.

If this current happiness would one day turn sharp and torment her.

She felt she truly wouldn’t be able to bear it then.

“…”

Rainer looked down at her silently.

Then he tightened his arms around her.

“Cecilia.”

His voice was careful.

“I’m scared too.”

“…You are too?”

“Yes, that you might leave me like this.”

His hand slowly stroked down her back.

It was a careful touch, trying not to startle her.

“At some point, I started thinking this way. Whether I could bear moments without you by my side.”

“…”

“At first, it was just unfamiliar. I had never felt such emotions before.”

Rainer bit his lip slightly.

This woman had appeared at some point and completely shaken his life.

It wasn’t just about taking Gilbert’s ducal title for him.

At some point, she had seeped into his heart.

The woman who had completely claimed him.

“So I thought maybe I shouldn’t have held your hand.”

“…”

“But it was a foolish thought.”

Rainer slowly found and took Cecilia’s hand.

The sound of someone’s heartbeat pounded loudly nearby.

“I know I’m being selfish, pushing like this even after hearing about your wounds.”

Rainer said, catching his breath.

“But still, I want to be with you. Every moment I imagine letting go of this hand again, I can’t breathe.”

“Rainer…”

“So Cecilia, I—”

Rainer’s face turned red.

He spoke as if struggling to confess.

“I love you.”

The moment those words fell.

Cecilia felt like she couldn’t breathe.

Her mind went blank.

Something deep in her chest thudded.

“…”

For a while, she could only look at him without saying anything.

Rainer smiled softly.

“Honestly, I can’t promise that we’ll be happy forever without any pain. But—”

He lifted their joined hands.

“No matter what moment comes, I won’t let go of this hand. I won’t run away or turn away.”

“Rainer…”

“So, will you stay with me from now on?”

It was different from his previous playful confessions.

Rainer’s eyes showed no wavering.

“What should I do.”

Cecilia caught her breath and moved her lips.

“I decided never to believe such sweet words from a man again.”

But I keep wanting to believe them again.

Rainer smiled softly at Cecilia’s honest confession.

“Then shall we write another contract? With the condition that if I don’t fulfill the contract, I’ll transfer all of Hays’ assets to you.”

“Ahaha.”

Cecilia smiled, her heart feeling a little lighter at Rainer’s joke.

She wiped away the tears that had slightly formed at the corners of her eyes and looked up at him.

“Such a contract.”

She returned Rainer’s words from not long ago right back to him.

A smile spread across his lips.

Cecilia smiled and stroked his cheek.

“Let’s not write one this time.”

What the heck, let’s be a fool one more time.

Cecilia gladly pressed her lips to his with a joyful heart.

At the sudden contact, Rainer’s eyes widened in surprise at first.

But soon he pulled her close and responded.

“…”

The candlelight flickered.

The shadows of the two people reflected on the wall also swayed together.

A kiss between two people with no contract, no conditions.

Within it remained only the promise to be together.

* * *

A week later.

A guest room in the Imperial Palace.

Elise sat alone, leaning her back against the wall.

The room was filled with luxurious furniture and decorations.

On the surface, it appeared the Royal Court was treating their guest with full courtesy.

But the strict guards outside the door clearly showed that she was, in fact, being confined.

“Haah….”

Elise was visibly exhausted from two days of continuous interrogation.

Considering the Dowager Duchess’s status, the knights maintained their courtesy to the end.

But the essence of dealing with a murder suspect remained unchanged.

And this was an unbearable humiliation for her.

Creak

Just then, the door opened and a man entered.

It was the ambassador from Elise’s homeland, the Kingdom of Herdwin.

“Lady Elise.”

He bowed his head respectfully.

But his expression was heavily sunken.

He too had been spending frantic days trying to clean up the mess Elise had created.

“I heard you kept the evidence yourself.”

“….”

“Why didn’t you dispose of it sooner?”

At the reproachful question, Elise pressed her lips tightly shut.

She wasn’t unaware that the evidence should have been destroyed.

But she couldn’t give up the opportunity to push that hateful woman’s son into the abyss of hell.

In the end, she couldn’t abandon it.

“Never mind. The cup has already been spilled, so dwelling on blame would be meaningless.”

The ambassador pulled out an envelope from inside his coat.

The envelope bore the clear seal of the Herdwin Royal Family.

“While you were being interrogated, we received correspondence from Herdwin. The courier rode day and night to bring it.”

“From Herdwin?”

Elise’s eyebrows twitched at news from her maternal home.

The King of Herdwin was her nephew by relation.

He was someone who wouldn’t hesitate to make small sacrifices for national interests.

Such a person would never show mercy to Elise.

“Yes, the Herdwin Royal Family has decided not to take an official position on this matter.”

“…Ha.”

Elise gasped for breath.

Even her maternal home had abandoned her.

For the reason of staining noble blood with the stigma of murder.

“Didn’t I say it was false accusations! Couldn’t they at least hire a lawyer!”

“Well, the evidence is too clear for that.”

The ambassador shook his head.

A lawyer, indeed.

Would there be anyone willing to take on a case with no chance of winning?

Even if Elise was the Dowager Duchess of Hays.

Her opponent was also the Duke of Hays.

“Anyway, my role ends here.”

The ambassador rose from his seat.

“I don’t think we’ll meet in official capacity again. Please take care.”

It was a clear declaration that Herdwin could no longer serve as Elise’s shield.

One of the pillars supporting her had completely collapsed.

Elise clutched her hair with both hands.

Like this… was it really the end?

“No!”

Her scream echoed throughout the room.

But the ambassador had already left.

And no one came in to check on her well-being.

Realizing the reality, Elise breathed roughly.

“Is Hays all I have left now?”

She muttered toward the empty air.

“I can’t end it like this. Not like this….”

At least the name of Hays, which remained last.

She could never give that up.

“There’s still a chance left.”

Though she had given up on Evan.

Jeremy, who inherited her blood, remained.

The fact that he was Rosena’s child was displeasing.

But he was still a young child untainted by anything.

She just needed to thoroughly shape him into a perfect Hays under her own hands.

‘Since it’s come to this, I’ll see it through to the end.’

Elise clenched her wrinkled hands tightly.

The candlelight flickered unsteadily.

And her shadow reflected on the wall also swayed persistently.

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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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