She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 33

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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 33. Counter-Fire Set by the Enemy (2)

 

“Now, Jeremy. Look over there. A bird is flying around.”

 

A peaceful afternoon.

 

Cecilia was holding Jeremy as they looked out the window together.

 

The child who had grown quite a bit could now roll over by himself, and his curiosity had increased considerably.

 

“Kyaaah!”

 

Seeing the bird flying past the window, Jeremy waved his small clenched fists in delight.

 

As the baby rubbed his soft, squishy cheeks all around, Cecilia smiled along with him.

 

However, that was only for a moment.

 

Her expression soon became serious.

 

‘…Information about Lady Mariana’s death is hardly coming together.’

 

Yesterday she had sent Wendy to an information broker, but they couldn’t obtain any useful information.

 

‘My lady, I looked into the Duke’s Villa fire incident. At that time, there was a major investigation ordered by Duke Kenneth Hays himself. But it was concluded to be just an accident due to carelessness in not extinguishing candles.’

 

‘That’s all?’

 

‘Yes, no matter how much more money I offered, they waved their hands saying they really didn’t know anything more.’

 

‘That’s strange. That can’t be right…’

 

That information broker was the same place that had negotiated with Elise about Mariana’s death in her previous life.

 

This time, Cecilia had planned to get the information they discovered into her hands first.

 

‘Is it not time yet?’

 

Cecilia let out a dissatisfied groan through her teeth.

 

Somehow she felt she had no face to show Rainer.

 

He was silently enduring the world’s gossip after adopting Evan.

 

Wouldn’t this not have happened if not for his contract with her?

 

So Cecilia wanted to be of help to Rainer in some way as well.

 

‘If Duke Kenneth himself was directly involved in the investigation at the time but not a single clue emerged… the truth was covered up very meticulously.’

 

Only one person came to mind who could do such a thing.

 

Elise.

 

Cecilia’s conviction wasn’t based solely on circumstantial evidence.

 

Elise’s face turning pale after reading the information broker’s letter was still vivid before her eyes.

 

That day too, Cecilia had been receiving a scolding about child matters, so that memory was even clearer.

 

‘Back then, I definitely checked the mansion’s records room first…’

 

It seemed she would have to enter Elise’s lair directly.

 

She was thinking she should bring up the matter with Rainer when—

 

“So you were here.”

 

Just then, a low, firm voice came from the doorway.

 

Rainer stood there in a light shirt with his arms crossed.

 

When their eyes met, he nodded lightly and approached.

 

Now his hand naturally touched Cecilia’s cheek.

 

“Rainer?”

 

“Has the swelling gone down much?”

 

“Ah, the swelling.”

 

Cecilia blushed awkwardly.

 

Ever since she had slapped herself in front of the Osburn Viscounty, Rainer checked her face whenever he saw her.

 

His fingertips gently stroked down Cecilia’s cheek.

 

“Don’t do such things because of the likes of Osburn anymore. Rather, tell me.”

 

She didn’t regret hitting herself with such force, but Rainer caring this much was embarrassing.

 

Since it was a lady’s face, he must be concerned about it too.

 

“It’s really fine now. Actually, I didn’t hit that hard.”

 

“…”

 

Instead of answering, Rainer slightly furrowed his brow.

 

Whether she hit hard or not wasn’t the important thing.

 

Rainer carefully took Jeremy from Cecilia’s arms.

 

“Jeremy Hays.”

 

A playful smile appeared on Rainer’s lips as he called the child.

 

“I can’t agree with your stubborn grandmother’s words. What do you think?”

 

“G-grandmother?”

 

Cecilia’s eyes widened.

 

Rainer couldn’t help but let out a low laugh at that reaction.

 

“Isn’t that right? Since Evan Hays became our son, Jeremy, who is that son’s child, is our grandson.”

 

“That’s… true, but.”

 

Since it was correct when she thought about it, Cecilia made a small “hmm” sound.

 

She had never even been a mother in her two lifetimes, yet now she was suddenly a grandmother.

 

“Kyaah!”

 

Jeremy, who couldn’t know Cecilia’s feelings, just smiled brightly in Rainer’s arms.

 

Rainer looked back and forth between the baby and Cecilia with gentle eyes.

 

After laying Jeremy back in the cradle, he spoke.

 

The playfulness was gone and his face had returned to being serious.

 

“Cecilia.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“We need to go to the Hays Estate. Elise says she’s holding a hunting festival for Evan.”

 

Rainer ran his hand through his hair with a reluctant expression.

 

“Normally I would ignore it and not send Evan either… but this time His Majesty personally sent a letter congratulating the young duke.”

 

“The Dowager Duchess used her head.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Rainer nodded with a displeased face.

 

But Cecilia actually raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

 

‘It’s a chance to examine the Dowager Duchess’s quarters.’

 

It was perfect timing.

 

Since a hunting festival was an outdoor event, there would be fewer eyes watching inside the mansion.

 

It was optimal conditions in many ways.

 

Cecilia smiled resolutely at Rainer.

 

“Don’t worry too much, Rainer. We had to go there sometime anyway.”

 

* * *

 

A few days later, on the day of departure for the Hays Estate.

 

Several carriages were lined up in the Duke’s Mansion garden.

 

“Why can’t I take Jeremy?”

 

In front of one of the carriages, Rosena in fancy outdoor attire was pressing Harry.

 

“This is a formal occasion to pay respects to the family elder. How does it make sense for Jeremy, a member of the Duke’s family, to be absent?”

 

From the moment she heard the news that Elise had invited them, Rosena had been counting down the days.

 

She considered it a golden opportunity to escape her humiliating married life.

 

‘I must somehow get into the Dowager Duchess’s good graces!’

 

For this, Jeremy was absolutely necessary.

 

If Elise recognized Jeremy as the heir to Hays.

 

Naturally, her position as his mother would become solid too.

 

However, Harry firmly shook his head.

 

“The young master isn’t even a year old yet. It takes a good three to four hours by carriage to reach the estate. It would still be too much for a young baby.”

 

“Ha! I’m that child’s mother, and you’re telling me to go leaving the child behind?”

 

“Then the young duke’s wife should remain here. I’ll speak to His Grace.”

 

“What? How dare you be so impudent to…!”

 

Just as Rosena was about to shout while gritting her teeth, a clear voice came from behind.

 

“Rosena.”

 

When Rosena whipped around, Cecilia was approaching her.

 

At those coldly glinting eyes, Rosena instinctively flinched and stepped back.

 

“No, I, I…”

 

“Jeremy’s matter was the attending physician’s recommendation, and my husband agreed to it as well. So what right do you have to keep being stubborn about it?”

 

“…”

 

At Cecilia’s firm tone, Rosena could only bite her lips tightly.

 

In fact, even by common sense, taking a newborn baby on a carriage journey was unreasonable.

 

However, Rosena was so busy pushing her own position that she didn’t even consider the child’s safety.

 

Cecilia looked down at Rosena with contemptuous eyes.

 

‘How can a person who calls herself a mother think of her child only as a tool like this?’

 

The reason Rosena wanted to take Jeremy along by force was obvious.

 

But even so, shouldn’t a mother prioritize her child’s safety above all else?

 

She herself had desperately longed for a child in her previous life.

 

That’s why she found Rosena’s current attitude even more intolerable.

 

“What will you do? If you continue making a fuss, I’ll leave you here. I can tell the Dowager Duchess that you’re still lacking in education and can’t be presented before her.”

 

“Th-that…!”

 

Rosena’s head shot up.

 

How could she give up this opportunity she’d been waiting for!

 

“I’ll, I’ll just go, no, I will go…”

 

In the end, Rosena bowed her head submissively.

 

She was the one who needed this, after all.

 

“Then get in the carriage now. The departure is being delayed because of you alone.”

 

Cecilia nodded to Harry, then turned and walked away.

 

“Ha!”

 

Rosena climbed into the carriage with stomping steps, her face unable to contain her anger.

 

Inside, Evan was sprawled out leisurely.

 

“That damn Cecilia, she really thinks the world revolves around her!”

 

“What? What is it this time?”

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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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