She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 47

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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 47. Wariness (2)

 

‘Even the Crown Princess, who was like ice to me, fell for him at first sight.’

 

Rainer thought the Crown Prince hadn’t been exaggerating.

 

“Today’s performance was truly magnificent. I even forgot to breathe during the final scene.”

 

When Cecilia praised Michel from beside him, Rainer’s eyes narrowed slightly.

 

But Cecilia continued her friendly words, unaware of his feelings.

 

“I heard you’re from Peloux.”

 

“Ah, yes! To be precise, I was born and raised in Listea, but my father was from Peloux.”

 

Michel smiled brightly.

 

Since people from Peloux had a reputation for being handsome and beautiful in Listea, Michel revealed his origins for promotional purposes.

 

Of course, he thoroughly hid everything else about himself.

 

Cecilia also continued the conversation while pretending not to know.

 

“My mother came from there too. That’s why I feel even more pleased to meet you.”

 

“Oh, what a coincidence.”

 

A gentle smile spread across Michel’s face.

 

“Women from Peloux are all tall and beautiful. Now I understand why the Duchess is so dazzling.”

 

“My, your compliments are quite skillful.”

 

The conversation between the two people who found common ground became even more harmonious.

 

Rainer tugged at his cravat for no reason, but Cecilia paid no attention.

 

Instead, she casually threw out a probing remark.

 

She needed to check if he knew anything about her father’s accident.

 

“My mother came to Listea after meeting my father. I heard that due to difficult circumstances at the time, she only brought one coachman with her from Peloux.”

 

“…What?”

 

For a moment, Michel’s hand froze.

 

Cecilia didn’t miss the wavering in his eyes.

 

“Ah.”

 

Michel stepped back with an expression as if he had belatedly realized something.

 

His attitude instantly turned cold and wariness filled his eyes.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Cecilia asked with confusion, but Michel had already backed away considerably.

 

“I’m sorry, but I have urgent business… I must excuse myself.”

 

Michel hurriedly turned around and disappeared among the people.

 

“…”

 

Cecilia silently watched his retreating figure.

 

Then Rainer approached and placed his hand on her shoulder.

 

“What a rude fellow. I suppose all those who paint their faces are like that.”

 

But satisfaction was evident in his voice.

 

He had been waiting for an opportunity to interrupt Cecilia and Michel’s conversation anyway.

 

Rainer naturally wrapped his arm around Cecilia’s shoulder and gently led her.

 

“Let’s go back now.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Cecilia looked back one last time.

 

The backstage area was still bustling with people coming and going, but Michel was nowhere to be seen.

 

‘As I thought.’

 

Cecilia’s eyes narrowed.

 

‘Michel knows something. I’m certain of it.’

 

* * *

 

“Hey, Michel. I heard you greeted the Duke and Duchess of Hays? You’re a complete superstar now?”

 

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

 

A colleague actor poked Michel’s ribs with his elbow.

 

Michel brushed him off annoyedly and slumped down in front of the mirror.

 

He picked up a cloth and slowly removed his makeup while reflecting on what had just happened.

 

‘I heard that due to difficult circumstances at the time, she only brought one coachman with her from Peloux.’

 

Who would have thought the Duchess would be the daughter of Count and Countess Penning, who died in his father’s accident.

 

Living frantically as a commoner crawling up from the bottom to become an actor, he was always a step behind on social circle news.

 

Though he hadn’t realized the price would be this high.

 

‘Damn it, why did she appear before me now?’

 

Michel crumpled the cloth tightly in his fist.

 

The past that still wouldn’t fade came to strangle him once again.

 

His father had been a sincere man.

 

He did his best at his work and even followed the young lady he served to the foreign land of Listea.

 

But a single stroke of misfortune brought everything crashing down.

 

‘Count and Countess Penning are dead! It was a carriage accident!’

 

‘The coachman must have deliberately broken the wheel.’

 

‘Isn’t this the murder of nobles?’

 

The carriage his father was driving overturned, and unfortunately both the Count and Countess lost their lives.

 

People whispered that he had harbored resentment and deliberately harmed the two.

 

In the end, didn’t his father also acknowledge his guilt and mount the execution platform?

 

‘I can’t live like this! I can’t live as a murderer’s family!’

 

His mother couldn’t endure this situation and abandoned her two young children, leaving Brisen.

 

The remaining Michel and his younger sister had to live as if being chased, even after changing their names to a distant relative’s surname.

 

‘I thought it would be okay now since so much time has passed…’

 

Who would have thought Count Penning’s daughter would appear before him again.

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

Michel quietly muttered while looking at himself in the mirror.

 

“That woman is a noble anyway. She must be living well, eating well in a good house. …Unlike our family who are still unhappy.”

 

A life of wearing the finest dresses and jewels, leisurely enjoying performances with her husband.

 

A life of naturally enjoying luxury and wealth, so she probably doesn’t even think about the past.

 

Michel concluded as such.

 

“Still, just in case, I should never get involved with that woman.”

 

Michel said as if making a vow and stood up from his seat.

 

He didn’t want to think about that terrible past anymore.

 

If he could just bury it without anyone knowing and continue living as he was now, that would be enough for him.

 

* * *

 

“You know, so the new dress trend these days is…”

 

A while later.

 

Rosena had invited Nancy Devlin over for tea.

 

If it were before, she would have been mindful of Cecilia, but now she invited guests as she pleased.

 

“Oh my, the tea fragrance is so refined. This must also be the Young Duchess’s good taste, right?”

 

Nancy put down her teacup and made a fuss.

 

Ever since Rosena appeared with Elise at the salon, she had been noticeably acting friendly and clinging to her.

 

Rosena also had no reason to keep her distance from Nancy.

 

They had been somewhat close even before marriage.

 

And the two had something in common.

 

“More importantly…”

 

Nancy looked around and leaned forward slightly, asking in a small voice.

 

“How is that woman Cecilia doing these days?”

 

“Well, she’s living flat on her belly. What can she do when the Dowager Duchess is here?”

 

“Oh my, that’s really satisfying to hear.”

 

That common point was that they both disliked Cecilia.

 

Nancy had never looked favorably upon Cecilia to begin with, but her anger had deepened even more after being openly humiliated at the salon.

 

Ninety percent of her reason for visiting Rosena today was to spread malicious gossip.

 

“By any chance, have you heard that story?”

 

“What story?”

 

“You know that handsome actor we saw at Her Highness the Crown Princess’s salon recently? I heard the Duchess has been visiting the theater to meet that actor, even making donations to the Grand Theater.”

 

Nancy launched into her story as if she had been waiting for this moment.

 

In fact, she had rushed to find Rosena as soon as she heard this tale.

 

“Is that really true?”

 

“Yes, you left early that day so you didn’t see, right? At the salon, that woman was standing alone in the back, pretending to be uninterested and acting all haughty. But it turns out it was all an act.”

 

“Ha, that’s just her nature.”

 

Rosena snorted.

 

Just thinking of Cecilia acting all superior and aloof by herself was irritating enough.

 

But the part about her visiting a handsome actor was somewhat unexpected.

 

The Cecilia she had observed so far hadn’t shown any particular interest in men.

 

She had only been with Evan, and hadn’t she only looked at him?

 

‘Did her heart change after becoming a duchess?’

 

Well, they say position makes the person.

 

Now that she had money and honor, maybe she had belatedly awakened to the opposite sex.

 

“Anyway, I could never do something like that, even if it meant embarrassment.”

 

Nancy clicked her tongue.

 

In reality, she was the one who rushed to the theater first whenever tickets became available to see Michel.

 

That’s why jealousy boiled up uncontrollably at the fact that Cecilia had actually met and conversed with Michel.

 

She wanted to do the same, but couldn’t afford such luxuries due to all the financial troubles her husband had caused.

 

“It seems like the Duke is gradually getting tired of the Duchess. You know how women who don’t receive their husband’s love turn their eyes elsewhere.”

 

Nancy’s jealousy was directed in a strange direction.

 

It was baseless disparagement, but Rosena nodded along.

 

Anyway, any gossip about Cecilia sounded sweet to her ears.

 

Seeing Rosena’s agreement, Nancy became even more excited and continued chattering.

 

“But you’re different, Young Duchess. Right? I heard the Young Duke is completely smitten with you.”

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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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