She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 140

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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 140. The Eye of the Storm
“I need to visit the Estate.”
“The Estate?”
So suddenly?
Cecilia’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Did something happen in the Capital?”
An uneasy feeling crept over me.
Not long ago, hadn’t Rainer exposed his own weakness?
Though far more people had sympathized and understood him.
There were certainly those who mocked and sought to attack that wound.
Of course, most had retreated powerlessly before the enduring prestige of House of Hays.
“Did someone say something to you―”
“No, it’s not that.”
Rainer shook his head with a faint smile.
“It’s time I stepped out from the Dowager Duchess’s shadow and put the Estate in order.”
Nominally, I was the lord of Hays Estate.
But in reality, Elise was the true ruler.
Having been under that woman’s influence for so long.
The Estate remained unsettled in the aftermath of the funeral.
I’d paid little attention to Estate matters while occupied with Capital affairs.
But now it was time to take action.
“You’re right, it is about time.”
Cecilia nodded in agreement.
As the lady of House of Hays, she too had duties to oversee both the household and its affairs.
Though her capable husband had already taken care of certain matters.
“I’ve already reorganized the Dowager Duchess’s people. Nearly all of them, so it’s essentially a complete turnover.”
“Oh my, that was supposed to be my responsibility.”
“Such matters are for me as your husband―”
“Harry must have worked so hard. I should thank him properly when I see him next.”
“….”
“Rainer? What were you about to say?”
“…Nothing at all.”
I averted my gaze and cleared my throat awkwardly.
It was true that Harry had worked hard.
And I hadn’t meant to take credit for it.
“Harry did work quite hard.”
My mouth felt inexplicably bitter.
“But since it was his job anyway, I don’t think thanks are particularly necessary.”
“It’s just a few words.”
Unaware of her husband’s true feelings, Cecilia laughed lightly.
And lifting Jeremy into her arms, she offered him a gentle smile.
‘How perfectly timed.’
The Capital remained as turbulent as ever.
Ever since Count Osburn’s execution.
All eyes and attention had turned toward the Hays Ducal Family.
Naturally, the whispers showed no sign of ceasing.
Of course, it mattered little that Rosena and her parents were the subject of pointed fingers.
But Jeremy, growing up in such an environment—that troubled her.
“….”
Cecilia gazed quietly down at the child.
The boy smiled brightly, blissfully unaware of anything amiss.
‘How deeply wounded would Jeremy be once he understood the sharp gazes of others?’
Even the maids of the manor did not regard him kindly.
Perhaps the grand manor at the Estate, with its fresh staff, would be far better.
There, Jeremy could live far more comfortably.
“The manor has so many curious things—Jeremy will surely enjoy it.”
Rainer seemed to share the same thought.
Drawing near, he playfully tousled the child’s hair.
“Eeee!”
Jeremy laughed with delight, his body wriggling with joy.
Cecilia, who had been watching them with quiet contentment, looked up at her husband.
“Thank you, Rainer.”
“For what?”
“For Jeremy.”
Holding the child even more tightly, Cecilia continued.
“When I think of Evan and Rosena… truthfully, I thought it would be inevitable if you didn’t welcome Jeremy.”
She understood it well.
That her attachment to Jeremy could only appear strange in others’ eyes.
He was, after all, the child of her enemies—Evan and Rosena.
And so, vicious rumors had circulated about her.
That she merely pretended to cherish the boy, while secretly venting her resentment upon him.
‘Though of course, that rumor didn’t last long.’
The count who had been most vocal about it had caught Rainer’s attention.
And since his business dealings were entangled with House of Hays through contract,
the moment the contract was severed, the count’s family crumbled entirely.
“I know you’re taking great care of him. That’s why I’m grateful.”
“Care? Hardly.”
Rainer sat beside Cecilia with an indifferent expression, merely shrugging his shoulders.
“What choice does a child have? One cannot select one’s parents before being born.”
He leaned his head back with leisurely ease, his eyes closed.
A breeze drifted through the window frame, gently brushing against his dark hair.
“It’s far more shameful to blame a child who can barely speak.”
“Rainer….”
Cecilia gazed at Rainer quietly.
Her expression was calm and composed.
Yet she understood where his words had come from.
Cecilia gently took his hand.
“…?”
Rainer’s eyes opened slightly.
His gaze lowered.
The moment he saw their intertwined hands, the corners of his mouth rose slowly into a smile.
“Were you moved by my words?”
“Only moved.”
Cecilia laughed softly, her response playful.
“I’ve fallen even deeper in love with your tender side.”
“That’s a welcome thing to hear.”
Rainer adjusted his posture, sitting up straighter.
He did not release her hand.
He leaned forward, drawing closer to her.
The playful atmosphere had transformed into something quiet and serious.
Their gazes naturally drew near to one another.
In the moment when their breath seemed to touch.
“Wait, just a moment.”
Cecilia, suddenly coming to her senses, placed her hand over his lips.
Jeremy was already sleeping peacefully in her arms.
“There’s a child here….”
“…Ah.”
Rainer pulled back, clicking his tongue softly in frustration.
In this moment, that small troublemaker was utterly exasperating.
“…You’re right. I can’t fault a child who can’t even speak yet.”
He murmured, echoing his own words from moments before.
The innocent child slept on, oblivious to everything.
Whether dreaming pleasant dreams or not, his lips babbled softly as he smiled.
Unaware of anyone’s true feelings.
“Harry and Jeremy—everyone around me is nothing but a rival.”
“Pardon? What did you say?”
Cecilia lifted her head belatedly.
She had missed his words while looking down at the child.
Rainer chuckled and shook his head.
“It’s nothing at all.”
“What, bland?”
Cecilia turned back to Jeremy and gently patted the baby.
Rainer gazed at the sight and quietly ran his fingers through her hair.
Warm sunlight quietly filled the Music Room.
It was a peaceful afternoon.
* * *
Meanwhile, several days later in the Royal Palace Underground Dungeon.
Rosena sat leaning against the wall.
She hadn’t eaten properly in days.
Her eyes were hollow and sunken, her lips parched.
She had been in this state ever since Count Osburn’s execution.
“…sigh.”
A hollow breath escaped between her cracked lips.
She was suffocating under the weight of her own wretched circumstances.
Her family, her wealth, her husband.
And even the pride of nobility.
She had lost everything.
Unlike anyone else.
‘Why did this happen only to me? Cecilia is perfectly fine.’
Rosena could not bear this fact.
‘If she had never become the Duchess, I would have lived happily….’
Her ruined life was entirely Cecilia’s fault.
If only she hadn’t stood in her way.
Rosena would have lived without any problems as the next mistress of the Duke’s Mansion.
‘Cecilia stole everything that was mine.’
Rage boiled up from deep within her chest.
She could not end it like this.
Venom slowly filled her eyes.
“It’s unfair that only I, who am innocent, suffer so miserably.”
Her lips twisted.
Cecilia Panning.
That foolish woman who had always been beneath her.
She deserved to suffer far more and crumble far more pathetically than Rosena.
‘But… how?’
Rosena was biting her lip in contemplation when it happened.
Click.
Suddenly the sound of a door opening echoed.
A guard entered.
“Hey there, Rosena. How are you feeling today?”
The guard with a manner of speech that grated on one’s nerves stepped inside.
As always, that unpleasant smile accompanied him.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have deigned to respond to such a dog of a man.
But the moment I caught sight of him—or more precisely, the bundle of keys hanging from his waist.
Rosena felt as though a light had ignited in her mind.
‘That’s it.’
The corners of her lips curved upward ever so slightly.
‘I can use this fool to my advantage.’

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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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