She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 113

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

Chapter 113. Evan’s True Intentions (1)
Those who read the notice shook their heads in disapproval.
“Osburn again? First the father, now the daughter—both murderers.”
“That’s why blood never lies, they say.”
The tragedy of the Hays Ducal House spread across Brisen in mere moments.
From the drawing rooms of nobility to the town square, from the rowdy taverns to every corner.
Rosena’s name was on everyone’s lips.
“So where exactly did that woman go?”
“I heard the bounty is a thousand crowns.”
People speculated endlessly about when Rosena would be captured.
Some wagered money on the date.
Some laughed with glee, already certain of her execution.
Yet amid all this clamorous chaos, there was one person who could not laugh.
“Sigh…”
Evan sat crammed into a corner of the tavern, draining cup after cup.
The laughter from the adjacent table never ceased—all directed at Rosena.
Thanks to the title “Young Countess” clearly printed on the wanted notice.
The Young Count of Hays had become a target of ridicule as well.
‘Damn it. Wasn’t being the murderer’s son-in-law enough? Now I’m the murderer’s husband?’
He set down his cup with a sharp clink.
Rosena was still, legally speaking, his wife.
That fact drove him to madness.
‘How did my life go so wrong from the start?’
Evan ran his hand roughly through his hair.
There was no trace of mourning for his grandmother, Elise.
He only resented his life, ruined because of Rosena.
‘I should never have gotten involved with her in the first place.’
At first, he had simply enjoyed her lightness and provocative charm—so different from Cecilia.
The thrill and tension of secret meetings had been entertaining.
But now all that remained was bitter regret.
‘If it weren’t for Rosena, I would have married Lia…’
The image of Cecilia, now perfectly established as the Duchess, came to mind.
Evan clicked his tongue in frustration.
But it was spilled milk now.
All he could do was empty his glass.
“Young Count, aren’t you drinking a bit too much?”
Katarina approached and naturally took the seat beside him.
She gently grasped his arm.
“Leave me alone. I’m not in the mood to stay sober right now.”
But Evan answered curtly and pulled his arm away.
He smiled bitterly.
“I’m already the laughingstock of society, and now they call me the husband of a murderer.”
“Young Count, please don’t despair. That woman fled anyway. A divorce suit will settle the matter.”
“Ha, as if it were that simple.”
Evan exhaled heavily.
The time a lawsuit would consume was one problem.
But he didn’t even have the money to hire a lawyer right now.
All that remained for him was the debt he still owed to Cecilia.
“If I’d known it would come to this, I never would have entered the House of Hays….”
I thought everything would change once I became a Young Count.
I believed a glorious position, a solid foundation, and a recognized future awaited me.
But reality was the opposite.
My business collapsed.
I fell out of favor with the Imperial Palace and even served hard labor.
Now, wherever I go, I’m followed by pointing fingers and whispers.
“It’s all finished. I’ll spend the rest of my life being mocked.”
“Young Count, please don’t despair so.”
Katarina glanced briefly around the surroundings.
Then she leaned closer to Evan.
“But this isn’t the time to sit here like this. Don’t you have something to do?”
“What, prepare Grandmother’s funeral?”
Evan let out a scoff.
“The Duke and Cecilia will handle everything anyway. What would I have to do there?”
He shook his head dismissively.
He’d never felt any particular affection for Elise anyway.
He had no desire to concern himself with the funeral.
“No, that’s not what I mean.”
But Katarina’s expression was one of exasperation.
She pressed herself closer and whispered near Evan’s ear.
“The Dowager Duchess’s inheritance. You’re a legitimate heir, Young Count. Are you truly content to sit idle and do nothing?”
“…!”
Evan’s eyes, dulled by alcohol, suddenly widened.
Now that she mentioned it, there was an inheritance.
The substantial dowry Elise had brought when she married into the family.
And the wealth the House of Hays had controlled and wielded for decades.
It was impossible that all of it had vanished overnight.
“Ah, how could I have forgotten that….”
A smile slowly spread across Evan’s lips.
“That mad woman Rosena had me so distracted I couldn’t think beyond her.”
It was already common knowledge that the Hays Ducal Family could purchase half the Empire if they so desired.
So if it was an inheritance left behind by Elise.
After repaying the seven thousand crowns owed to Cecilia, there would be no small sum falling into his hands.
‘Grandmother dying was actually more advantageous for me, wasn’t it?’
Evan’s eyes gleamed with calculation.
Numbers raced swiftly through his mind.
‘I’ll settle things with Rosena through the lawsuit, and with the remaining money, Katarina and I….’
A fresh start was entirely possible.
Evan straightened his posture.
And he lightly pressed his lips against Katarina’s beside him.
His face was full of a satisfied smile.
“Katarina, you really are my good fortune.”
“Oh, how embarrassing.”
Katarina playfully tapped Evan’s shoulder while pouting.
Evan pulled her close by the shoulders and spoke with triumphant confidence.
“Go to the Jewelry Shop and pick out whatever catches your eye. Once I claim my ‘rightful share,’ I’ll buy you everything.”
* * *
A few days later.
Elise’s funeral was held quietly.
She had been under investigation by the Imperial Palace on suspicion of murder.
And since this death too was an unseemly affair.
Cecilia and Rainer decided to conduct the funeral as discreetly as possible.
Inside the Brisen Chapel, only a simple coffin lay in place.
Her maternal family, the Herdwin Royal Family, had already declared severance.
And the Listea Imperial Family showed only the bare minimum of respect.
Had an outsider witnessed it, no one would have guessed it was the funeral of the Dowager Duchess of the Hays Ducal House.
“Tsk tsk, to end so miserably.”
“They say she was murdered by her granddaughter-in-law. Can someone really have such terrible luck in death?”
“It all comes back around. Haven’t you heard the rumors? The Dowager Duchess once….”
The mourners whispered gossip among themselves.
Though Elise’s murder charge was confidential.
The rumors had already spread to some degree through people’s mouths.
Of course, the fact that the victim was the Duke of Hays’s own mother had not yet been revealed.
“That’s why the Imperial Palace drew the line, they say.”
People clicked their tongues and shook their heads.
“….”
Behind them sat Margaret, her eyes hollow and vacant.
Normally, she would never have tolerated words that diminished the Dowager Duchess’s honor.
But today, she lacked even the strength for that.
As the flower offering began, Margaret staggered forward, clutching a single white lily.
Beside the coffin stood Cecilia in a black veil and Rainer in neat black formal attire.
Neither of their faces betrayed any emotion.
“Dowager Duchess…”
Margaret paid no attention to the two of them.
Her sorrowful gaze fixed upon the coffin.
The tears she had been holding back spilled down in streams.
“You cannot leave like this. How could we treat such a noble person so poorly…”
After setting down the flowers, she finally collapsed over the coffin, sobbing uncontrollably.
Between her cries, resentment toward the Hays Ducal Family poured forth.
Her displeasure at how they were treating Elise so shamefully.
Cecilia’s eyes, veiled behind her mourning veil, turned glacial.
‘We couldn’t even find Mariana’s body. This is more than generous.’
To voice complaints at a time like this, oblivious to her station.
Cecilia had no intention of allowing Margaret to continue.
She tilted her head slightly toward the back, and the Maids approached.
“Miss Margaret, you mustn’t do this here.”
“Let go! Release me!”
The Maids came forward and carefully attempted to pry Margaret away from the coffin.
Margaret twisted her body and cried out in protest.
But she was powerless against the hands of so many.
Just as when they had forcibly taken Cecilia away from the Estate before.
Margaret too was dragged out helplessly.
It was then.
“Oh my, Grandmother! How could you leave your grandson behind!”
A loud wail erupted from the Doorway.
All the mourners’ gazes turned at once.
Evan Machi entered with his face buried in both hands, weeping.
“Grandmother! Please open your eyes! If you leave like this, what am I to do!”
Seeing this, Margaret’s eyes widened.
‘Evan Machi, that shameless bastard!’

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