She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 108. A New Temptation
“What?”
Evan lifted his head irritably, the alcohol warming his senses.
Then, the moment he registered who stood before him.
His movements froze.
Long black hair with a lustrous sheen.
Lips painted a deep crimson.
A woman whose elegant attire stood starkly out of place in this humble tavern.
“…!”
Evan instinctively straightened his posture.
When was the last time he’d felt the tension that only an attractive woman could inspire?
In that moment, the woman pulled her chair closer and sat down.
“You seem to have been pushing yourself quite hard.”
Her voice was low and gentle.
A refined fragrance—utterly incongruous with this place—brushed against his nostrils.
“Who are you to speak to me like that?”
“Ah, it’s our first meeting. I’m Katarina, from Herdwin.”
As the woman tilted her head slightly.
An emerald earring glimmered between the strands of hair that fell across her face.
It was a jewel of considerable worth.
“I run a modest business there.”
“A business?”
“Yes, a clothing shop for ladies. I’m currently exploring the possibility of opening a branch in Listea.”
“Ah.”
Another accomplished woman, then.
Evan turned his head away with a dismissive sound.
But Katarina did not avert her gaze.
“Forgive me, but you are the Young Count of Hays, are you not?”
“…!”
Evan’s eyes widened.
A foreign woman he’d never met before recognized him.
“How did you know that?”
“You’re quite famous in Herdwin. They say you have exceptional business acumen for your age.”
“Ah….”
It seemed word of his enterprise’s collapse hadn’t yet reached them.
Evan smiled bitterly and raised his glass.
“Oh, do let me join you for a drink.”
Katarina quickly lifted her own glass and clinked it against his with a cheerful sound.
Then she downed the contents in one swift motion.
Her unaffected manner caused Evan’s gaze to shift with newfound interest.
“Hmm.”
Katarina’s face twisted at the bitter taste of the alcohol, and she gazed down at the empty glass.
“This isn’t very good. Would it be alright if I bought you something else?”
“S-something else?”
“Yes. Look, give us your most expensive drink here.”
Evan’s eyes widened at her unrestrained ordering.
In a cheap tavern like this, the most expensive drink available
wouldn’t cost that much anyway.
But for Evan as he was now, it was an unimaginable expense.
‘This woman… she seems to have more money than I thought.’
A gleam flashed across Evan’s eyes.
“Come on, have a drink with me today.”
In the meantime,
Katarina smiled seductively and handed Evan a fresh glass.
A warm and pleasant atmosphere continued for a while.
Thanks to Katarina guiding the conversation with such joy.
Evan was able to forget reality for the first time in a long while.
“Actually, the truth is….”
Then suddenly, Katarina broached the subject carefully.
“When I arrived here, I saw news about the Young Marquess’s family in the papers. I was truly shocked.”
“Ah….”
Evan’s body shifted slightly at the uncomfortable topic.
“Ahem, that subject is a bit―”
“The daughter of a murderer is a Young Marquess’s wife. Doesn’t that sound absurd?”
What?
Evan’s eyes narrowed at words that defied his expectations.
Katarina was gazing at him with half-lidded eyes.
“I didn’t mean anything else by what I said.”
But contrary to her words, her hand grasped Evan’s arm.
“I’m just… so disappointed that the Young Marquess I’ve just met is already married.”
“…Ha.”
Evan laughed softly.
His wariness had already melted away like snow by then.
“There’s no need to be disappointed.”
He said, raising his glass.
His other arm had already naturally wrapped around Katarina’s shoulders.
“I’ll be single again soon.”
“My goodness.”
Katarina laughed softly.
Her head leaned against Evan’s shoulder.
“Then there will be far more women dreaming of marrying the Young Duke.”
“Ha ha. Of course.”
“In that case… might I reserve that position now?”
“Hm?”
At Katarina’s bold words, Evan looked down at her in his arms.
She gazed up at him with luminous eyes.
“I’ll show you that I’m a trustworthy companion.”
Katarina’s lips curved upward slowly.
Her gaze gleamed with meaningful intent.
“I’m referring to the branch of my shop being prepared in Listea. I’d like to… operate it together with the Young Duke.”
* * *
Cecilia found her way to Michelle’s House.
They had been consumed with the final stages of the lawsuit, making this their first meeting in quite some time.
“Duchess!”
Sandy, spotting Cecilia, rushed out ahead of her brother.
With a radiant smile, she threw her arms around Cecilia’s waist in a tight embrace.
“S-Sandy! You must mind your manners! Let go at once!”
“No! I like the Duchess!”
Michel, following behind, flustered, tried to pry his sister away.
But Sandy only clung to Cecilia more tightly.
“It’s quite alright.”
Cecilia smiled warmly, gently stroking Sandy’s hair.
For a while, joyful laughter filled the house.
Soon after, the three of them gathered around the table to take tea.
“Michel, what are your plans for the future?”
“I’m thinking of visiting Peloux first. I’d like to meet my father’s brothers.”
There were still members of the family remaining in Peloux.
Of course, contact had been severed since the carriage accident.
They were people Michel had scarcely met before.
Yet he still wished to tell them directly that his family’s honor had been restored.
“And what of Sandy?”
“She must come with me, of course.”
Michel’s hand gently stroked Sandy’s hair.
“If possible, I’m thinking of having her properly trained in acting while in Peloux. I cannot leave Sandy behind, so I’ll bring her along.”
As befitted a land of beautiful men and women,
Peloux had a flourishing entertainment industry and performance culture.
It would certainly be a fine opportunity for Michel as well.
“That’s an excellent plan.”
Cecilia nodded in agreement.
She gazed into her teacup for a moment before adding with a smile,
“Now that I think about it, parting ways does feel a bit lonely.”
Even though I was living a second life.
Saying goodbye to people I’d grown fond of was still not easy.
Especially Michel and Sandy—we shared the bond of being victims of the same tragedy.
But if this choice was for their future happiness.
I wanted to send them off with a smile.
“Let me say goodbye first, Michel. Thank you for everything.”
Before leaving, Cecilia extended her hand first.
Michel stared at it for a moment before carefully taking it.
“Yes, I… was grateful as well, Duchess.”
I hope you’ll be happy going forward.
The final words that wouldn’t come out—Michel swallowed them down.
Instead, he simply shook the hand he held a few more times.
“…Ahem.”
Just then, a soft cough sounded from beside them.
It was Rainer, arriving right on time to pick up Cecilia.
“Sorry to interrupt, but it’s time for our reservation.”
“Oh my, where’s my head?”
Cecilia carefully withdrew her hand from Michel’s.
This afternoon, she had plans to go into the city with Rainer.
To the newly opened Coffee House that Cecilia had wanted to visit.
“….”
Michel quietly looked down at his own hand.
A lingering sense of longing remained at his fingertips.
But Cecilia had already returned to her husband’s embrace.
“Well then, Michel and Sandy.”
Cecilia turned to them both with a bright smile.
“Let’s meet again next time.”
“Yes, Duchess.”
Michel answered calmly.
But a bittersweet taste lingered in his mouth that he couldn’t explain.
Yet Cecilia was already nestled in Rainer’s arms.
And smiling more radiantly than ever.
* * *
Rainer and Cecilia sat together on the terrace, sipping coffee.
The warm afternoon sunlight bathed them both.
And a subtle coffee aroma enveloped the surroundings.
It was a peace that seemed to have no further troubles.
Save for one thing.
“Rainer, these biscuits are truly delicious, aren’t they?”
“Yes.”
“It pairs well with coffee too. I wonder how you baked it?”
“Yes.”
“Rainer?”
“Yes.”
“…?”
Answers were certainly coming back.
But something was subtly off.
When I lifted my head, he stood with his arms crossed, his gaze directed elsewhere.
His expression had also grown strangely rigid.
Seeing this, Cecilia tilted her head.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
Had something happened?
As Cecilia watched with concern.
Rainer spoke first.
“…Did you really need to hold hands?”
“Pardon? With whom?”
“That actor fellow.”
With Michel? When did I ever?
Cecilia was momentarily dazed.
Then, belatedly, the final handshake came to mind.
“Surely… you’re not upset about that handshake earlier?”
“….”
Rainer did not answer.
Good heavens, so it really was that.
“…Pfft.”
She finally could not help but laugh.
Then she reached out and gently took Rainer’s hand.
“So you’re this adorable, are you?”
“What nonsense.”
Despite his grumbling words.
I felt his fingers twitch beneath my hand.
Her laughter deepened at that response.
‘Really. Who would have imagined the Duke of Hays could be like this.’
The moment she turned her head with a soft chuckle.
“…Huh?”
Suddenly, she froze.
In the middle of the street in broad daylight.
A man walked with his arm wrapped around the waist of a woman dressed in gaudy finery.
Cecilia’s eyes narrowed.
“Evan…?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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