She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 25
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 25. Evan Becomes a Hays (2)
Evan mimicked aristocratic speech patterns as he acted arrogantly.
He even lifted his chin and put on airs, though it seemed somewhat clumsy.
Nevertheless, the servant didn’t change his expression one bit and bowed his head respectfully.
“His Grace is currently touring the estate. He said he would meet you immediately upon his return, so I will attend to you without any inconvenience until then.”
“Is, isn’t my aunt also here?”
“Her Grace is… still feeling unwell.”
The servant shrugged his shoulders as if troubled.
Evan belatedly realized and nodded his head.
Her illness was because of the velvet tea, and Evan wasn’t entirely without responsibility for it.
“Perhaps I could pay her a visit—”
“Her Grace wished to meet you when she’s in the best of health. Please understand.”
At the servant’s polite refusal, Evan momentarily shot him an irritated look.
Before he knew it, he was already viewing the servant as completely beneath him.
However, he soon shook his head inwardly.
‘Evan Hays, conduct yourself with dignity. You’re a great noble now.’
There was nothing good to be gained from causing a commotion at the annex on the first day.
He nodded with an air of dignity.
“I understand. I’ll wait.”
“Thank you. If you have any inconveniences, please ring the bell placed over there at any time.”
The servant left his final greeting and withdrew.
“Wow…”
Left alone, Evan slowly looked around the annex with his hands thrust into his pockets.
From the flooring to the ceiling, everything was decorated with high-quality materials, and each ornament looked expensive.
It was magnificent enough to be believed as an imperial palace.
‘If the annex is like this, just how grand must the main building be?’
The corners of Evan’s mouth naturally curled up.
He straightened his back with a triumphant attitude.
“Evan!”
Just then, Rosena came running out from inside the room.
Her face flushed red with excitement as she shouted toward Evan.
“What’s all this about? People brought me and Jeremy here! You’re from the Duke’s family? Huh? Is it really true?”
“Ha… Rosie.”
Evan spoke in an extremely arrogant voice.
“It’s just as you heard. I’m apparently the son of the late Duke of Hays.”
“Oh my goodness!”
Rosena covered her mouth with both hands.
A high-pitched scream leaked out between her fingers.
“Then we’re upper nobility now?”
“Upper nobility? Rosie, what on earth are you talking about?”
Evan grabbed the shoulders of Rosena, who was jumping up and down with joy.
Evan’s eyes flashed as he shook his head with a rather serious expression.
“We’re the highest nobility in the Empire! We are the Hays!”
“Kyaah!”
Evan lifted Rosena up like a princess.
Though the two had only been fighting just days ago, today they seemed more lovely to each other than ever.
Rosena swung her legs while wrapping her arms around Evan’s neck and rubbing her cheek against him.
‘As expected, I made the right choice with Evan!’
Rosena smiled brightly and clung even more to Evan.
It felt like her affection for Evan was coming back to life.
‘Cecilia, sorry, but I’m going to take all of this. Thank you so much for getting out of the way!’
Imagining Cecilia beating the ground in regret upon seeing the knight, Rosena felt completely refreshed.
She believed without a doubt.
That only a smooth path would unfold before her and Evan’s future.
* * *
“Ah, I’m so bored.”
The thin curtains of the Duke’s annex swayed in the wind that flew in through the window gaps.
Evan sat slouched in his chair with a bored expression, shaking his leg.
“When on earth is the Duke coming?”
Evan grumbled as he looked out the window.
Only a day had passed, but he was already anxious about not being able to meet the Duke.
“I’m dying of boredom too. Really.”
Rosena was equally bored.
She was lying diagonally on the sofa, fiddling with her fingernails.
An embroidery hoop was carelessly thrown at her feet.
Seeing this, Evan frowned.
“Are you just going to laze around without looking after the child?”
“There are maids, so why should I look after the child?”
“Really, and you call yourself a mother.”
Evan shook his head and supported the back of his head with his clasped hands.
But he wasn’t genuinely worried about his son either.
Since he was of ducal blood, the maids would take care of him with great attention anyway.
What was important to him was something else.
“When can we go to the main building, anyway.”
Both of them slouched in their chairs and grumbled simultaneously.
Just then, the door opened.
“Excuse me.”
“You…!”
Evan’s eyes widened upon seeing Harry, who cautiously entered.
Evan’s last encounter with him flashed through his mind.
‘If you act clingy one more time, His Grace will personally step in.’
He couldn’t forget Harry’s face sneering while refunding the large quantity of velvet tea.
That incident had been the signal of misfortune for Evan.
Evan sprang up from his seat and approached Harry.
“Well, well, look who it is. Come to think of it, you’re also someone the Duke’s family employs, aren’t you?”
Despite the sarcasm, Harry simply bowed his head silently.
Evan smiled viciously as he looked at the silent Harry.
“What should I do? From now on, you’ll have to bow your head before me and follow my orders.”
“…”
“Because I’m a Hays. I’m different from the likes of you, aren’t I?”
Evan poked Harry’s head with his finger.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Rosena approached.
“What’s this, Evan? Who is this?”
“Ah, this is the brat who was acting up until recently, thinking he was higher than me.”
At those words, Rosena giggled and mocked Harry.
That sound made Evan even more conceited.
“You bastard.”
Evan suddenly grabbed Harry by the collar.
Then he brought his face close and spoke threateningly.
“When you were throwing away the velvet tea, you didn’t expect this, did you? Huh? I still haven’t forgotten. That arrogant expression of yours.”
“Th-this kind of behavior—!”
Just as Harry, unable to bear it any longer, was about to open his mouth.
“Stop.”
A low, firm voice echoed through the room.
When he turned his head, Rainer was standing in the doorway.
Evan’s eyes widened.
‘That person!’
Even without explanation, he could tell at once that this was the Duke of Hays.
Rainer approached Evan with quiet steps, his face stern.
Staring at Evan’s hand that was still gripping Harry’s collar.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“What? Oh, th-that is…”
Evan, overwhelmed by his presence, quietly released Harry.
Harry coughed softly and stepped behind Rainer.
“Th-this is, well—”
“This is the Hays Ducal House. My home.”
Rainer cut off Evan’s excuse and spoke firmly.
“Harry works for me. He’s my man. I’d prefer you not treat him carelessly again.”
“Ah, yes, I’m s-sorry…”
Overwhelmed by Rainer’s commanding presence, Evan instinctively bowed his head.
‘How pathetic.’
Contempt flashed in Rainer’s eyes as he looked down at the servile Evan.
He thought it was remarkable that Cecilia had even considered marrying such a man.
‘Wow…’
Meanwhile, Rosena was stealing glances at Rainer’s face from the side.
Who would have thought she’d get to see Rainer Hays this close, when she’d only seen him from afar?
Meeting him directly at close range, he was far more impressive than she’d heard.
“It’s a p-pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. I am—”
“Harry, bring what we prepared.”
Rosena stepped forward, but Rainer ignored her greeting and turned his head away.
The noble gentlemen of Listea would never treat a lady this way.
“…!”
Rosena’s face flushed red with shame at the blatant disregard.
But Rainer didn’t care.
Still not sparing Rosena a single glance, he only nodded slightly at Evan.
“Evan, I’d like to have a word between us men.”
“Ah, what? Yes! Of c-course!”
Evan, who had been standing dazed before belatedly catching Rainer’s meaning, nodded frantically.
Then he poked Rosena in the ribs.
“Come on, we men have important business to discuss, so you should go now. Go look after Jeremy too.”
“You…”
Rosena glared at Evan and bit her lips tightly.
Even though she’d been humiliated right in front of him, this so-called husband didn’t even think to say a word.
She wanted to scream at him, but she couldn’t dare do so since her opponent was the Duke of Hays.
In the end, Rosena forced herself to offer a greeting toward Rainer.
“Th-then I’ll be taking my leave—”
“Sit over there.”
But Rainer didn’t look back at Rosena until the end.
Rosena left the room, trembling with humiliation.
Meanwhile, Rainer and Evan sat facing each other at the table.
Evan glanced around, sizing up Rainer.
‘His face is as handsome as they say.’
Though he prided himself on having decent looks, Rainer was on a different level.
Of course, Evan didn’t want to admit that fact.
‘Well, maybe it’s because we share the same bloodline, he seems to resemble me a bit?’
While Evan was lost in pointless delusions, Rainer nodded lightly toward the back.
Then Harry immediately presented documents to Evan.
“What is this?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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