She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 128

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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 128. Recent Rumors (2)
Rainer soon appeared.
Dressed impeccably in a black suit, he was as composed as always, not a single detail out of place.
His mere presence seemed to transform the very air around him.
“It has been quite some time. To both of you.”
Rainer stopped before Nancy and Marquess Rummel’s Wife, who stood dumbfounded.
He placed one hand over his heart and bowed respectfully.
“D-Duke…”
Nancy kept her mouth firmly shut and lowered her head.
Marquess Rummel’s Wife turned away, fanning herself incessantly.
A faint smirk played at the corners of Rainer’s lips as he stood tall.
“Seeing the two of you together like this…”
Rainer’s lips curved ever so subtly upward.
“…brings back memories of the past.”
“Pardon? The past…?”
“The occasions when you each endeavored to humiliate my wife.”
Nancy’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
But Rainer paid it no mind.
“It was 62nd Street, was it not? Where my wife went to tutor Evan Machi when he was still a boy.”
His gaze swept coldly across both women.
“If I recall correctly, you gathered there with other ladies, intent on spreading vicious rumors about my wife.”
“That is… well…”
Nancy’s mouth fumbled for words.
But Rainer’s attention had already shifted to Marquess Rummel’s Wife.
“And you, Marquess, were present when the Dowager Duchess was disparaging my wife while praising some wealthy lover from the New Continent.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Marquess Rummel’s Wife also fell silent at his pointed accusation.
“I trust you will not repeat such mistakes with my wife in the future.”
Rainer concluded in an icy tone.
“After all, she is the sole Duchess of this Empire.”
“Y-yes, of course…”
Nancy and Marquess Rummel’s Wife reluctantly bowed their heads.
It was rare in High Society for a gentleman to so openly involve himself in the affairs of ladies.
The convention was typically to feign ignorance for the sake of propriety.
Yet strangely enough,
Rainer’s bearing did not appear to lose any dignity whatsoever.
If anything, his role as a husband protecting his wife shone all the more brilliantly.
“….”
An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment.
Then a staff member carefully interjected.
“Your Grace, I shall prepare the necklace you ordered.”
At those words, Nancy spun around abruptly.
‘What? The Duke of Hays purchased that?’
It was precisely the necklace she had coveted most.
While the attendant carefully retrieved the jewel from the display case,
Nancy could not tear her jealous gaze away.
‘How much could it possibly cost…?’
Yet Rainer seemed utterly indifferent to the price.
He merely nodded his head.
“Very well.”
The attendants carefully wrapped the jewel.
Rainer accepted it and walked out as though nothing had transpired.
‘Tch.’
Nancy felt a petty irritation rise within her and kicked the floor with a dull thud.
Here was a man who purchased jewels for his wife without even glancing at the price.
Yet her own husband remained ensnared by gambling even now.
“Hmph.”
At that moment, Marquess Rummel’s Wife snapped her fan shut beside her.
She too had been watching the direction Rainer departed with narrowed eyes.
“Now I understand.”
“Understand what, madam?”
“Why the Dowager Duchess despised her youngest son so—the one she would not harm even if he were placed in her very eyes.”
The fact that Rainer was illegitimate had not yet been revealed.
People merely assumed he had fallen into conflict with his mother, Elise, for some reason.
Marquess Rummel’s Wife held the same understanding.
“He lacks all propriety and is insufferably arrogant. When a house faces scandal, one should know to keep a low profile.”
Yet Rainer conducted himself with complete indifference and shameless confidence.
Brazenly purchasing expensive jewels as if to flaunt his defiance.
Marquess Rummel’s Wife’s displeasure deepened.
“Very well.”
The corners of her mouth twisted into a cruel smile.
She had no intention of letting today’s events pass without consequence.
“Is there not a ball coming soon?”
“Yes, madam, there is.”
“Then I shall ensure the Duchess receives a proper humiliation. That should teach that arrogant Duke a lesson in restraint.”
Rather than confront the gentlemen directly,
it would be far easier to torment Cecilia, who would be among the ladies.
It was a cowardly scheme, yet Nancy found it rather appealing.
“Oh, what a splendid idea!”
Nancy clasped her hands together in eager flattery.
“Looking at it this way, it seems the Young Master inherited his grandmother’s sharp mind, which is why he studied abroad in Tarand, isn’t it?”
“Hmph, nonsense.”
Yet the corners of the Duchess’s mouth had lifted slightly—she didn’t seem to dislike the compliment.
She spoke with a self-satisfied expression.
“In any case, let me show them this time. That High Society is not as accommodating as they think it is.”
* * *
At that very moment.
Cecilia was playing the piano in the Music Room.
Soft sunlight streamed through the window.
Her long, slender fingers moved slowly across the keys.
Clear notes filled the quiet Music Room.
But her expression was not bright.
‘Where on earth could Rosena be?’
I had been sending Wendy to the Guard Post repeatedly to check on the situation.
Yet there had been no results so far.
‘Surely nothing terrible has happened.’
Rosena had the pride of a noblewoman.
It would not be easy for her, accustomed to luxury, to endure life on the streets.
I worried that perhaps she had despaired of her circumstances and given up on life.
That was my first concern.
If Rosena were to die.
I could not complete my revenge entirely.
‘And Count Osburn’s execution still hasn’t been decided.’
Because his daughter-in-law Mary was pregnant.
The Emperor was delaying the execution further, lest he taint the Empire’s auspicious occasion.
“….”
My gaze turned briefly toward the window.
Although Evan and Elise were dead.
My revenge was still incomplete.
Neither a fugitive’s life nor a prisoner’s life.
Were sufficient for the House of Osburn.
‘What should I do going forward….’
It was as I pondered this briefly.
Knock, knock.
With the sound of knocking on the door.
“There you are.”
Rainer entered.
Upon seeing my husband’s face, my expression brightened.
“Rainer, when did you return?”
“Just now.”
Rainer approached while loosening his cravat.
In his other hand, he held out a bouquet of flowers.
White roses that appeared to have been freshly cut.
“My, what flowers are these?”
“Seeing them reminded me of you. Wasn’t the dress you’re wearing to the ball tonight white?”
“How on earth did you know that?”
Truly, there was no hiding anything from him.
Cecilia accepted the flowers with a soft laugh.
Rainer’s lips brushed lightly against her cheek and earlobe.
Cecilia inhaled the fragrance of the flowers, her face flushed.
Watching her, Rainer withdrew a small box from his pocket.
“Another gift? Is today my birthday?”
Cecilia jested lightly as she set the bouquet aside.
She opened the box at once.
Inside lay a transparent diamond necklace.
The jewel caught the light and sparkled beautifully.
“Goodness.”
Cecilia’s eyes widened in wonder.
A quiet smile played at the corners of Rainer’s lips.
“Do you like it?”
“Very much.”
“I’m glad.”
Satisfied, Rainer turned and moved behind her.
He fastened the necklace for her himself.
His fingertips brushed against her neck.
…
Cecilia’s cheeks flushed crimson.
Though she had grown accustomed to such contact,
her heart still raced at moments like these.
She worried he might hear it.
“…But then again.”
Unable to tear his gaze from the delicate curve of her neck,
Rainer spoke quietly.
“I encountered Marquess Rummel’s Wife and Countess Devlin at the Jewelry Shop today.”
“Really? Both of them?”
“Yes, they appeared to be preparing for the ball.”
Cecilia blinked, her expression puzzled.
In the meantime, the necklace clasp closed with a soft click.
Rainer continued, toying with the clasp.
“They whispered quite earnestly when they saw me.”
“You weren’t unkind to her, were you?”
“Perhaps a little.”
Cecilia let out a soft laugh at her husband’s playful response.
Rainer tidied her hair for her.
“Marquess Rummel’s Wife is a narrow-minded woman. We’ll likely encounter her at the upcoming ball, so I thought it best to warn you in advance.”
“I understand. Thank you for telling me.”
Cecilia gave a slight shrug.
Rainer had spoken out of concern that Cecilia might feel uncomfortable.
But her expression remained unbothered.
‘Such petty creatures. Let them come at me if they dare.’
The corners of Cecilia’s lips curved upward slightly.
After all, not only did I know Nancy,
but I also knew Marquess Rummel’s Wife’s greatest weakness.

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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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