She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 62

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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 62. End of the Runaway Incident

 

“Yes, the scale was quite substantial, so it wasn’t an easy transaction for us either, but fortunately you provided valuable collateral, so we could proceed with confidence.”

 

The bank manager chuckled heartily.

 

But soon his expression became meaningful.

 

“However, the interest payment hasn’t been made yet…”

 

The bank manager trailed off while gauging Cecilia’s reaction.

 

In fact, this was the reason he had brought up the topic from the beginning.

 

Evan was frantically insisting that the family must never be informed.

 

But from the bank’s perspective, they couldn’t wait indefinitely without any guarantee.

 

“Interest?”

 

Meanwhile, Cecilia’s eyes widened at hearing this for the first time.

 

The bank manager quietly placed down the promissory note.

 

“Yes, the first payment date has already passed. At this rate, late fees will be added, and after a certain period, ownership of the collateral will transfer to us.”

 

“What kind of collateral is it?”

 

“He said it was a family treasure. It was a tiara with beautifully crafted peridot.”

 

“Peridot?”

 

Cecilia furrowed her brow.

 

She meticulously managed the House of Hays’ assets, and there wasn’t a single jewel she didn’t know about.

 

‘…Except for the Dowager Duchess’s.’

 

Elise must have given them something behind her back.

 

And foolish Evan seemed to have caused another incident with it.

 

‘I need to look into this.’

 

Cecilia slowly set down her teacup.

 

“Just to be sure, could I take a look at that collateral?”

 

“Yes, of course. Please wait just a moment.”

 

The bank manager readily granted Cecilia’s request.

 

Shortly after, he carefully opened a velvet box he had brought from the vault.

 

Inside, a tiara with a brilliant green glow sparkled.

 

“…”

 

Cecilia silently looked down at the tiara.

 

As expected, it wasn’t a jewel she recognized.

 

But seeing it suddenly reminded her of the conversation she had with Mary last time.

 

‘You must have peridot too, right?’

 

‘Pardon? Peridot?’

 

‘Yes. We should have the same jewels… but perhaps the Dowager Duchess hasn’t mentioned it yet.’

 

It was a conversation she had casually dismissed at the time.

 

She had no intention of receiving anything from Elise anyway.

 

But seeing this tiara now, she could immediately understand what had happened.

 

‘She gave it to Rosena.’

 

The intention was obvious.

 

She clearly wanted to declare in front of people that Evan was the true Hays she had chosen.

 

Such a shallow scheme was simply laughable.

 

‘She probably didn’t expect Evan to use this as collateral.’

 

It seemed Elise had greatly underestimated her grandson.

 

If it were her, she would never have entrusted this tiara to Evan’s hands.

 

Then a question suddenly occurred to her.

 

‘Does Rosena know about this?’

 

There was no way vain Rosena would have just stood by and watched this.

 

Evan must have caused this incident behind his wife’s back.

 

In that case, she should take this.

 

After looking down at the tiara for a moment, Cecilia raised her head.

 

“Bank Manager. I will settle the young duke’s debt.”

 

“Pardon? Really?”

 

“Yes, both the interest and principal in full.”

 

Cecilia added calmly.

 

The bank manager’s face brightened.

 

He had been troubled by the overdue interest on such a large amount.

 

But now the Duke’s wife was offering to resolve everything at once.

 

He could only welcome this with open arms.

 

“However, I have one request.”

 

“Please tell me anything.”

 

“I’d like to keep this matter confidential for now.”

 

“Pardon? Even from the young duke?”

 

“Yes. Just tell Evan that you’ve extended the repayment deadline.”

 

Cecilia briefly lowered her gaze before raising it again.

 

“I don’t want to hurt my son’s pride. I’d like to discuss it with him directly at an appropriate time.”

 

“Of course, absolutely.”

 

The bank manager nodded with a satisfied expression.

 

It wasn’t a difficult request anyway.

 

Thus, Cecilia signed the documents on the spot and settled all of Evan’s debts.

 

When she left the bank, the sunset was painting the streets red.

 

The tiara was nestled in her arms.

 

“How ridiculous.”

 

Cecilia let out a hollow laugh.

 

Even thinking about it again, it was truly absurd.

 

If only Evan hadn’t made such a foolish decision, this jewel would never have ended up in her possession.

 

Evan must truly be desperate to ruin himself.

 

* * *

 

Cecilia was returning to the Duke’s Mansion with Mary, whom she had met again.

 

Inside the carriage, only the gentle sounds of hoofbeats and wheels echoed.

 

Mary silently watched the scenery passing by outside the window.

 

In her hands was the cookie box from earlier.

 

‘I need to send this to the Crown Prince today.’

 

Mary thought as she gazed down at it.

 

But she still couldn’t bring herself to say she should return to the Imperial Palace.

 

She felt hurt that Nicholas showed no reaction even though she had been away for so long.

 

If she bowed her head first and returned in this situation, it would feel like losing.

 

But she couldn’t stay at the Duke’s Mansion forever.

 

“My lady.”

 

Mary, who had been contemplating, spoke up.

 

“My brother returns from hunting tomorrow. I’m thinking of moving to my maternal home then.”

 

“Pardon? You’re not staying here longer?”

 

“How could I?”

 

Mary smiled awkwardly.

 

“I feel like I’m being too much of a burden now.”

 

“Please don’t say that. You can stay comfortably as long as you’d like.”

 

But despite Cecilia’s invitation, Mary smiled softly and shook her head.

 

Meanwhile, the carriage arrived at the Duke’s Mansion and slowly began to decelerate.

 

“…Hmm?”

 

Cecilia, who had been casually watching outside the window, slightly tilted her head.

 

The front of the mansion was strangely bustling.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

As the carriage stopped, Cecilia and Mary got out side by side.

 

The atmosphere felt distinctly different from usual.

 

People were gathered in front of the mansion.

 

Servants, guard knights… and.

 

“Ah.”

 

Mary caught her breath.

 

Among the people stood Crown Prince Nicholas.

 

Nicholas, who had been pacing beside Rainer, turned his gaze this way.

 

“Mary!”

 

As soon as he spotted his wife, he immediately ran over.

 

His attitude showed no concern whatsoever for the Crown Prince’s dignity.

 

“Y-Your Highness?”

 

Before Mary could even be surprised.

 

Nicholas, who had approached closely, knelt down on one knee.

 

“Mary, are you still very angry with me?”

 

“I, I am…”

 

“This may not be enough, but please find it in your heart to forgive me.”

 

What he held out was a large bouquet of flowers.

 

Colorful flowers bloomed abundantly.

 

“Mary, please come back to me—”

 

“Oh, oh my. Good heavens!”

 

But before Nicholas could finish speaking.

 

Mary screamed and rushed past her husband’s side.

 

Where she headed, the Crown Prince’s nanny was standing.

 

And in her arms was the Crown Prince wrapped in swaddling clothes.

 

“Oh, my baby!”

 

Mary, who had rushed over urgently, took her son into her arms.

 

Mary, who had been patting the baby, glared sharply at her husband.

 

“Your Highness, how could you bring the young Crown Prince all the way out here!”

 

“Th-that’s…”

 

“The sun is about to set, what if the newborn catches a cold outside!”

 

Though she scolded him with her words.

 

Mary couldn’t take her eyes off her son.

 

The small body warmth was transmitted into her arms.

 

The child’s hand firmly grasped Mary’s sleeve.

 

“My baby…”

 

At the soft warmth, Mary bit her lips tightly.

 

Guilt washed over her at the fact that she had left the Imperial Palace, abandoning such a young baby.

 

Meanwhile, Nicholas approached.

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

He said in a low voice.

 

“I was too thoughtless all this time. I didn’t even think about Your Highness’s discomfort. I only put my own feelings first.”

 

“Your Highness…”

 

“Please, just come back now. The Imperial Palace without my princess suffocates me.”

 

A moment of silence passed.

 

During that time, the Crown Prince babbled softly again in Mary’s arms.

 

At that sight, Mary’s heart also melted away like snow.

 

“That’s cheating. Really. Bringing our son here.”

 

“I felt like I had to resort to such cheating to change your mind.”

 

Nicholas, who had come closer, embraced his wife and child in his arms.

 

Mary, though pleased, tried to hide her feelings and silently nestled into his embrace.

 

“This is just this once. There won’t be a second time.”

 

“Yes, yes.”

 

Relief spread across Nicholas’s face.

 

Rainer, who had been watching this scene from a little distance, shook his head.

 

“I don’t understand why they’re doing this at someone else’s house.”

 

“Still, it’s nice to see.”

 

Cecilia let out a small laugh at Rainer’s grumbling.

 

“Nice to see? His Highness the Crown Prince has thrown all his dignity to the ground—”

 

“Ah, Duke. We’ve been quite rude this time.”

 

Just then, Nicholas approached this way with his arm tightly around Mary’s shoulder.

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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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