She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 60
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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 60. Fake Jewel
“If I return to my bedroom at this hour, it would look suspicious instead.”
“…So you’re saying you’ll sleep here?”
“Yes.”
Cecilia was momentarily speechless at his overly nonchalant answer.
“Then what about me? Where am I supposed to sleep?”
“Here.”
Rainer lightly lifted one side of the blanket.
“What?”
Cecilia looked bewildered.
Seeing this, Rainer chuckled softly.
“It’s not the first time, so why act so surprised? Didn’t we share the same bed at the estate too?”
“That’s true, but…”
“And you’re not going back on your word about sleeping together when I have nightmares, are you?”
Well, that was just something she said to comfort him.
But Cecilia was left speechless by Rainer’s logic.
Eventually, she carefully climbed onto the opposite side of the bed.
Cecilia lay still and looked up at the ceiling.
When the lights went out, she became unnecessarily conscious of their breathing.
Then, she heard Rainer’s voice from beside her.
“Are you having a hard time because of The Princess?”
“Huh? Oh, not at all. It’s actually enjoyable. I’ve never been close with girls my age like this before.”
“Really? Are you more lacking in social skills than you appear?”
“Oh my goodness―!”
Cecilia quickly turned her head at his teasing words, then froze.
Rainer’s face, bathed in moonlight, was looking straight at her.
“…”
Cecilia was at a loss for words in that moment.
Moonlight flowed through the window, softly illuminating Rainer’s features.
Under the night’s glow, he had a different impression than during the day.
His deeply set eyes, shrouded in shadow, appeared even more profound.
His high nose bridge gleamed softly.
Even his firmly closed lips seemed mysteriously gentle.
He looked like a mythical war god who transforms into a different form at night.
‘Isn’t it unfair to be that handsome every single moment?’
Cecilia’s cheeks gradually grew warm.
Of course, she already knew well that he was handsome.
To the point where it would be tiresome to say it twice.
Yet he seemed new to her every time.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Cecilia, who had been unconsciously staring at Rainer, hurriedly turned her gaze away.
Her heart raced as if her inner thoughts had been discovered.
Rainer let out a short breath and lay back down on his back again.
Cecilia, who had been rolling her eyes around awkwardly, quietly spoke up again.
“I had many conversations with The Princess today.”
Rainer still had his eyes closed.
But he nodded slightly, signaling that he was listening.
“I thought the Crown Prince couple would be perfect in every way. But they’re no different from any other couple.”
“Indeed.”
Rainer let out a small sigh.
Even on the battlefield, Nicholas sent letters declaring his love to Mary every single day.
He was anxious that she might forget him.
And it was always Rainer’s job to endure that anxiety.
“I wish they were a bit different instead.”
Cecilia burst into quiet laughter at Rainer’s complaint-filled grumbling.
Her face showed that the tension from earlier had completely melted away.
“Still, those two definitely seem to really like each other.”
“Well, I wonder about The Princess’s side.”
“I can guarantee it as a fellow woman.”
Even while Nicholas grumbled about being tired.
Mary would smile bashfully from time to time.
She was unmistakably the image of a shy woman in love.
“The Princess really loves The Prince too.”
“If I had to go through that kind of love twice, I’d wither away and die.”
“You have it rough.”
Cecilia’s eyes, which had been laughing playfully, quietly settled.
Would this man before her also someday welcome a real wife and live bickering so childishly like that?
While others couldn’t even imagine it, Cecilia could easily picture it.
Him looking at his wife with loving eyes and speaking to her playfully.
And that person wouldn’t be her.
“Rainer.”
Cecilia unconsciously opened her mouth.
When she called him, Rainer immediately turned to look at her.
“What is it?”
“…Nothing. I just called your name.”
After looking at his face for a moment, she soon shook her head.
What had she wanted to say when she called him?
It must have been because it was late at night and she was caught up in useless sentimentality.
“Let’s sleep now. It’s already too late.”
Cecilia turned over and lay down.
Rainer, who had been watching quietly for a moment, pulled the blanket up to cover Cecilia’s shoulders.
“Sleep well.”
With a brief goodnight, he also closed his eyes.
Darkness settled over the room, and soon Rainer’s steady breathing could be heard.
But Cecilia couldn’t fall asleep easily.
Even with her eyes closed, the image of Rainer standing beside another woman kept coming to mind.
Cecilia found herself ridiculous for having such thoughts.
‘You were the one who set the three-year limit in the first place, Cecilia.’
She pulled the blanket closer.
Don’t be swayed by unnecessary emotions.
She comforted herself by repeating the promise she had made initially.
* * *
Mary’s words about hearing footsteps outside the window were not a mistake.
At that time, someone had secretly left the Hays Ducal House.
It was Evan.
“Phew… I hope no one noticed, right?”
After looking around, he headed straight into an alley.
At the end of the alley shrouded in thick darkness, only one house had its lights on.
The door of the lit house slowly opened.
“You’ve arrived, Young Duke. I’ve been waiting for you.”
The one who opened the door was a white-haired old man.
He was the jeweler who had made Rosena’s fake wedding ring.
Rosena still hadn’t noticed that the ring was fake.
The old man’s skill had already been proven to that extent.
“So, is it finished?”
Evan asked impatiently.
The craftsman silently pulled out a small jewelry box from under the table.
Click.
As the lid opened, a green light could be seen sparkling.
A color similar to the original.
Even the intricate patterns woven with gold and silver.
It looked exactly like the tiara Elise had handed to Rosena not long ago.
Evan’s eyes gleamed.
“Wow, you’re amazing as always.”
“I did my best. Unless someone looks very closely, it will be difficult to distinguish. However…”
The craftsman looked around once and then lowered his voice.
“Young Duke, this is only for deception. Since it’s not real gems, it’s vulnerable to impact. Please be especially careful not to scratch or bump it.”
“I know, I know. Who would do such a thing unless they were crazy?”
Evan waved his hand dismissively.
The craftsman’s advice was just annoying nagging to him.
“I don’t plan to deceive forever either. Just for a moment will be enough.”
He pushed the jewelry box deep into his chest and stood up.
“Good work. I’ll send the promised payment tomorrow.”
“Oh my, thank you as always.”
The craftsman bowed repeatedly.
With his farewell, Evan emerged from the alley.
He couldn’t hide his excited mood and grinned.
‘Just wait and see. Soon I’ll become the richest person in Brisen.’
* * *
The next day.
Rosena was standing in front of the mirror.
Her satisfied gaze turned to the tiara placed on her head.
“As expected.”
She raised the corners of her mouth with satisfaction.
The green gem in the center held a deep and clear light.
Just wearing this made her feel like she had become the most noble woman in the Empire.
“The Crown Princess will have no choice but to speak to me when she sees this.”
Mary was still staying at the Duke’s Mansion, but Rosena couldn’t approach her easily.
Whenever she got close, Cecilia would try to bring up the incident on 62nd Street.
‘Hmph, let’s see how long that arrogant attitude lasts.’
Imagining herself making a glamorous entrance at the banquet hall again, Rosena turned her body this way and that to admire herself.
While doing so, she unconsciously stroked the wedding ring on her left ring finger.
“I may not know about other things, but when it comes to jewelry, I’m superior to Cecilia. Right, Evan?”
“Uh, huh?”
Evan, who had been sprawled blankly on the sofa nearby, felt his heart sink.
He quickly straightened his posture.
“Y-yes, that’s right. Rosie, you’re the best.”
Cold sweat formed on his palms.
Unaware of anything, Rosena adjusted her tiara and looked at Evan with a triumphant face.
“Evan, how do I look?”
“Uh, it, it suits you well.”
Evan slightly avoided Rosena’s gaze.
His throat felt parched.
Already in a good mood, Rosena didn’t ask further and looked back at the mirror.
Glancing at her humming, Evan patted his chest.
‘Phew, I thought I was caught.’
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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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