She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 26

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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 26. Before the Expedition

“This is a contract stating that the Hays Ducal House will pay off your debts on your behalf.”

“Pardon?”

Evan’s eyes widened in surprise.

He had momentarily forgotten, but he was still burdened with a massive debt.

Of course, since he had entered the Duke’s family, he thought he could pay it off someday.

But for Rainer to offer to pay it off directly was more welcome than anything.

‘Wow, the treatment for blood relatives is generous? Or does this Duke like me?’

Then, Rainer added.

“However, there’s a condition.”

He leaned back leisurely against his chair.

With his long legs crossed and both hands resting on his knees, his dignity was evident.

In contrast, Evan was hunched over pathetically, constantly nodding his head.

“What kind of condition? I’ll do anything.”

“I’d like you to become my son.”

“Of course I can do that… Pardon?”

Evan, who had been ready to prostrate himself and even lick shoes, opened his mouth wide in shock.

He opened it so wide that his uvula was clearly visible.

At that unpleasant sight, Rainer briefly frowned, but showed no other reaction.

“S-son, you said?”

Evan asked back with a stupid expression.

Of course, Rainer was his uncle, but there was only a four-year age difference!

But Rainer continued speaking calmly as if it were nothing.

“I want to bring you into the Main Residence as soon as possible, but the procedures are too cumbersome.”

Rainer carefully explained the processes of proving Gilbert’s paternity, registration documents, and qualification statements for ducal succession.

Even listening roughly, it was very complicated and headache-inducing work.

“It would be much cleaner to adopt you as my son instead. I’m planning to pass the ducal title to you soon anyway.”

Rainer casually threw out the last statement.

Instantly, Evan’s pupils dilated, and even his nostrils flared.

“What? The d-ducal title? Ahem, I-I’m fine with it, haha…”

Evan shook his head pretending to be modest, but his mind was already filled with the word ‘duke.’

As the vague expectations he had harbored approached reality, his greed grew uncontrollably.

“…”

Rainer also didn’t miss the greed that appeared in Evan’s eyes.

He tapped the documents on the table with his long fingers.

“Well, if you’re uncomfortable with it, let’s forget this conversation—”

“W-wait a moment!”

Just as Rainer was about to withdraw the documents, Evan urgently pressed them down with his palm.

He was so desperate that his upper body was completely sprawled over the table.

A triumphant smile briefly crossed Rainer’s lips before disappearing.

Evan looked up at Rainer with a shameless grin.

“What’s the difference between uncle and father anyway? I’ll be serving and respecting you either way.”

Worried that Rainer might change his mind, Evan quickly pulled the documents toward himself.

Then he looked around for a quill pen.

“Here.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Rainer took out a quill pen from his coat and handed it over.

Evan scribbled his name in the signature section without properly reading the contents.

His desire to enter the Main Residence as soon as possible took precedence.

As soon as he finished signing, Rainer extended his hand.

“Then I look forward to working with you, my son.”

* * *

‘Harry is my person who works for me. I hope you won’t treat him carelessly again.’

On the way back to the Main Residence after finishing the adoption discussion with Evan.

Rainer’s words from earlier echoed in Harry’s mind like a refrain.

It had already been five years since he worked by his side.

But words like those just now were a first.

Harry’s emotion couldn’t help but be overwhelming.

“Your Grace.”

Rainer suddenly looked down at an unfamiliar sensation touching his hand.

Harry was firmly grasping his hand.

He looked up at Rainer with sparkling eyes.

“You know I was incredibly moved just now? Now I understand why women fall for Your Grace.”

“What?”

At the sudden nonsense, Rainer frowned.

But Harry paid no attention.

“Someone who seemed like they wouldn’t bleed a drop even if stabbed, how can you appear so coolly at crucial moments?”

Throughout their walk, Harry rambled on about serving loyally for life.

Unable to listen anymore, Rainer pulled his hand away with force, showing a disgusted expression.

“Seeing you talk nonsense, you must be idle.”

“Pardon?”

“Send letters to all the Hays retainers immediately. That Evan Machi has officially been registered into the family. Write them by hand yourself.”

“All of them? Now? Me?”

“Yes, all of them. Right now. You.”

Harry’s mouth fell open.

There weren’t just one or two retainers, and he had to write all of them by hand.

“Good heavens. That’s too much…”

Harry trudged away dejectedly.

Rainer watched his retreating figure indifferently before turning his steps.

Evan’s appearance from earlier came to mind.

‘I didn’t expect him to be that pathetic.’

Knowing the rumors circulating and what he had done.

He had no expectations that Evan would be a decent person from the start.

But facing him directly, something stirred hotly somewhere in his chest.

Did Cecilia really love such a man sincerely, even if only for a time?

Past events he didn’t know kept unwillingly forming in his mind.

“…”

When the image of Evan and Cecilia being affectionate in the past came to mind, Rainer stopped walking.

At the far end of the corridor was Cecilia’s Music Room.

Piano melodies flowing from there quietly echoed through the corridor.

Rainer looked down at Evan’s adoption papers in his hand.

He should inform Cecilia that things went well.

‘But…’

Right now, he didn’t have the confidence to face her.

Not knowing why he was so angry made him even more confused.

“Sigh…”

After pondering for a moment, Rainer eventually turned his steps.

With this state of mind, he felt he couldn’t see Cecilia.

Cecilia’s maid was named Wendy, wasn’t it?

After calming down a bit, he thought he should call that maid to convey the message instead.

Rainer headed to his study.

But even as he walked, his ears were still following Cecilia’s performance.

* * *

A few days later, late at night.

“Every day they only look for expensive dishes, jewelers, tailors… it’s just chaos.”

Wendy grumbled while brushing Cecilia’s hair.

Several days had passed since Rosena and Evan moved into the annex.

Since it wasn’t the main residence and there was no one to be mindful of, the two were indulging in an extravagant lifestyle as they pleased.

“Since His Grace even paid off their debts, they seem to think the world belongs to them.”

“Mm.”

According to the maids who go in and out of the annex, they’re already acting like they’re the Duke and Duchess.”

“I see.”

“My lady, it’s not just ‘I see.'”

Wendy pouted at Cecilia’s indifferent reaction.

She seemed too calm despite having the traitors so close by.

‘Even bringing that child into this house, my lady has been taking such good care of him.’

Wendy recalled the items Cecilia had sent to Jeremy.

How could she be so kind-hearted!

Not knowing the feelings Cecilia had for Jeremy at all, Wendy couldn’t understand her.

With the hope that she would at least care less, Wendy whispered.

“His Grace must be angry at those people too. Even when he asked me to run errands with documents before, his face was stern.”

“Hmm…”

When Rainer’s name came up, Cecilia finally shrugged her shoulders slightly.

Since Evan’s arrival, Rainer’s attitude had changed in a subtle way.

He still had breakfast with her as usual and nothing seemed different on the surface, but something was subtly off.

She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was either.

‘Did Evan and Rosena do something rude as Wendy said?’

Even if they had, it wouldn’t be surprising.

That’s just the kind of people they were originally.

However, Rainer being upset was a different matter.

“Anyway, they don’t know their place. But the real Duchess is you, my lady, so you must never be discouraged!”

Wendy finished her gossip and put down the brush.

Cecilia chuckled softly, finding the grumbling maid cute.

‘Of course Wendy would dislike Rosena. She’d want to kick her out right away.’

Of course, Cecilia’s tolerance wasn’t because she was generous.

It was quite the opposite.

She was holding her breath and quietly waiting for the right moment.

The more those fools who couldn’t see an inch ahead became accustomed to their current luxury.

The greater their despair would be when it was taken away.

“…”

Cecilia looked out the window.

Beyond the garden, she could see the lit annex.

Before long, Evan and Rosena would move into the main residence.

‘We’ll be living in the same house again. And in the same place as my past life.’

Of course, this life would be completely different.

Cecilia looked at the annex with determined eyes.

She had been hiding underwater and preparing for a long time just for this day.

Now the time was approaching to reveal herself before them.

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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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