She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 149

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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 149. In the Ashes of All Things (2)
“What? What did you say? A royal decree?”
Trisha doubted her own ears.
“That’s impossible….”
“Why is it impossible?”
The Guard chuckled mockingly at her frozen expression.
“Did you not know how close the Duchess is to the Princess? His Majesty himself issued the decree at the earnest plea of his daughter-in-law, who is already carrying her second child.”
“….”
“That’s why you shouldn’t have touched the House of Hays, who are members of the Imperial family. How presumptuous of a mere viscounty.”
The Guard’s mockery sounded distant and hollow to her ears.
Seeing Trisha’s vacant expression, the Guard clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
“So stay quiet. There are more than a few people who won’t let you off easy.”
The Guard turned his back.
The sound of the door closing rang out with unusual finality.
“….”
Trisha’s hand slipped from the bars and fell.
The ground beneath her feet seemed to crumble away.
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed where she stood.
“…A royal decree, they said.”
She muttered blankly.
The heavy weight of those words finally became real to her.
“Then… I really will spend twelve years like this….”
A reality more cruel than a death sentence suffocated her.
Trisha’s shoulders trembled violently.
“Rosie, what should your mother do…? Hmm?”
She wrapped her face in both hands.
Along with endless regret.
Weak sobs leaked through her lips.
But there was no one left to pity her or offer comfort.
* * *
Rosena’s final moments spread throughout Brisen in an instant.
Rainer had wanted to keep it as quiet as possible.
But he could not stop the rumors that spread from mouth to mouth among the people.
“She insisted until the very end that she was not at fault?”
“She even tried to drag the Duchess down with her to die together.”
“How could someone wear a human face and do such things?”
The people could not contain their anger at Rosena’s misdeeds that continued until her death.
Moreover, the fact that the Duchess had been bedridden for so long only fueled that rage.
Yet Rosena was already dead.
The target upon which to pour their anger had vanished.
Instead, people gathered in one place.
The Osburn Count Estate, where no one would ever live again.
“Shame upon Listea!”
“Filthy murderers! May you rot in hell!”
The walls were covered entirely in red lettering.
Through the shattered windows, scorch marks remained scattered throughout.
The manor that once boasted the proud dignity of an arrogant noble house
had become a ruin where not even a trace of its former glory could be found.
Yet even that devastating sight was woefully insufficient to quench the people’s fury.
“How many people have died and been injured because of this family?”
“Just hearing their name makes me sick!”
“My cousin worked here once, and she said the beatings were absolutely horrific!”
Today, as always, the people’s anger showed no signs of abating.
In the midst of it all, someone picked up a stone.
Thwack!
The stone flew and struck the crumbling wall.
And then—
Crash!
Boom!
As if signaled by the first, stones came flying in rapid succession.
Some spat, others hurled curses.
Thus the name Osburn ceased to be that of nobility, becoming instead shame and disgrace itself—forever etched into the Empire’s history.
* * *
Several days later.
Hays Estate, the Duchess’s Bedroom.
Sunlight filtered gently through the window.
“My lady, how are you feeling?”
Cecilia was undergoing an examination by the Imperial Physician.
He had been sent by Mary, who had heard news of her friend.
Mary had wanted to visit in person.
But with her pregnancy, a long carriage journey was impossible, so she had sent her husband instead.
Even from a distance, her friend’s warmth reached Cecilia and warmed her heart.
“I’m doing very well.”
Cecilia smiled gently.
Her recovery was indeed remarkably swift.
It was thanks to Rainer and Wendy’s devoted care.
‘There are still scratches here that haven’t fully healed. You mustn’t get out of bed until they’re completely closed.’
‘The Duke is right, my lady. You must rest properly while you can. Otherwise, you’ll suffer more later.’
Whenever she so much as reached out her hand, Rainer and Wendy rushed forward.
It was attentiveness bordering on excessive.
Though it did make me feel a bit embarrassed.
But I didn’t dislike it.
‘I’ve never received such treatment before.’
When I was at Osburn County, even when I fell ill, I had to attend to Rosena.
And when I first became Duchess in my past life, I couldn’t show weakness before Elise or Evan.
No one had ever worried about me when I was sick.
But now it was different.
The time where I didn’t have to do anything felt unfamiliar, yet sweet.
Thanks to it, both my body and heart were recovering rapidly.
“Yes, from what I can see, your recovery speed is quite remarkable.”
The Physician nodded with a satisfied expression.
And Rainer and Nicholas were watching from the Doorway.
Nicholas, leaning against the doorframe, shot Rainer a sidelong glance.
“You’re quite zealous when it comes to matters concerning your wife.”
Despite being the Imperial Physician brought directly by the Crown Prince himself.
Rainer had made him undergo a rigorous inspection before allowing him into the room.
“What becomes of my dignity if you act like that? Hmm?”
Despite Nicholas’s complaint, Rainer merely shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
“Be grateful I didn’t subject The Prince to an inspection as well. Come to think of it, The Prince was at the entrance….”
Rainer trailed off.
At the same moment, his gaze brushed across Nicholas’s waist.
Nicholas was wearing a sword engraved with the royal crest.
“Ahem! This is the formal regalia of the Crown Prince. One cannot simply carry it about anywhere.”
Nicholas added with a cough, as if making an excuse.
Even as he spoke, he subtly turned his body to hide the sword from view.
“Still, I’m relieved. That you’re both safe.”
Nicholas changed the subject, shaking his head.
“My cousin nearly ended up buried beneath a tombstone. And right before becoming a spring bridegroom, no less.”
“…?”
“I was worried that resentment might accumulate and turn him into a ghost.”
A spring bridegroom?
Rainer stared at Nicholas as if asking what he meant.
Nicholas released an exaggerated sigh, brushing his chest dramatically.
His expression, with the corners of his mouth twitching as he suppressed laughter, was somehow irritating.
Rainer’s brow furrowed.
“Oh dear, I’ve let it slip?”
Nicholas snickered.
Had he not been the Crown Prince, Rainer would have grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and thrown him out immediately.
But causing a commotion would only worry Cecilia.
Rainer pressed his lips firmly together.
Nicholas then became even more insufferable beside him.
“What should we do? Duke, aren’t you curious? Dying to know, aren’t you?”
“I doubt it.”
Rainer narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.
“It’s bound to be nothing but nonsense anyway.”
“Nonsense, you say!”
Nicholas bristled.
“Does the Duke really think I’m such a fool as to spout useless drivel even in a situation like this?”
“Now you understand?”
“…!”
Nicholas froze solid, finally confronted with his old friend’s true opinion of him.
“Listen, Duke! I, I—”
Just as he was about to protest belatedly.
“Rainer?”
Cecilia’s voice reached them.
“Is something the matter?”
She gazed at them with wide, curious eyes.
Rainer’s expression softened instantly.
“Nothing at all. Don’t concern yourself.”
“Hmph….”
Nicholas’s mouth twisted at the stark contrast in how Rainer treated him versus her.
But he had no intention of backing down.
He casually draped an arm across Rainer’s shoulder.
“Duke, just listen to what I have to say once.”
“I don’t need—”
“We’re planning to hold a wedding soon. I’m even thinking of spending nearly the entire Crown Prince’s Palace budget for this year on it.”
“A wedding? Whose wedding are you speaking of?”
“Whose else could it be?”
As if asking how he could possibly not understand after everything said so far.
Nicholas’s eyes widened.
“Obviously, your wedding as a couple!”

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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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