She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 64

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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 64. Fake Jewel (1)

 

Cecilia was dumbfounded by Rosena’s blatant provocation.

 

To think she was acting so triumphant without even knowing what she wore on her head was fake.

 

‘Really, that stupidity is truly astounding.’

 

She shook her head inwardly.

 

Meanwhile, thinking she had shown off enough, Rosena very carefully removed the tiara.

 

Holding the tiara with both hands as if cradling it, she gestured to call a maid.

 

“Move it carefully. It’s a very precious jewel.”

 

“Yes, Young Duchess.”

 

“How extremely devoted.”

 

Unable to watch any longer, Cecilia threw out a comment.

 

“If only you paid even half as much attention to Jeremy as you do doting on jewels.”

 

“What?”

 

Rosena, who couldn’t take her eyes off the tiara, whipped her head around.

 

Her eyes flashed.

 

“What did you just say?”

 

Instead of answering, Cecilia elegantly took a sip of her pre-meal tea.

 

At that attitude, Rosena’s insides boiled even more.

 

“Jeremy is being personally cared for by Grandmother’s maids. What do you know to say such things? You who haven’t even managed to bear a single child yet.”

 

“…”

 

“Enough, Cecilia. You’re just jealous because you didn’t receive any jewels, aren’t you? Acting like that won’t get you jewels or children.”

 

Rosena smiled coldly.

 

No matter how she looked at it, there was nothing about her that was inferior to Cecilia.

 

Of course, there had been several unpleasant incidents along the way.

 

But Elise’s status backing her was still solid.

 

And she had a child, didn’t she.

 

Even though Evan wandered around outside, Jeremy was his only heir.

 

‘And if I just catch everyone’s attention at this banquet…’

 

She thought regaining her status as the future duchess would be no problem at all.

 

“The Dowager Duchess has arrived.”

 

Just then, Elise, the source of Rosena’s confidence, returned.

 

“Oh my, already? I must hurry out to greet her!”

 

The spiteful expression from moments before disappeared without a trace.

 

Rosena jumped up from her seat and noisily arranged her skirt.

 

“You don’t need to come out. Grandmother wouldn’t particularly welcome you anyway.”

 

After glaring at Cecilia once from the doorway.

 

Rosena hurriedly rushed out of the dining hall.

 

“Oh my, Grandmother! Welcome. Wasn’t the morning air too cold?”

 

Through the closed door came a voice full of coquettish charm.

 

Elise’s slow footsteps mixed with Rosena’s exaggerated laughter.

 

“…Madam.”

 

The maids who had been watching the commotion carefully gauged Cecilia’s mood.

 

“Are you alright? About today’s incident, should we tell the Duke—”

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

Though Rosena’s attitude was insufferably arrogant enough for the maids to carefully suggest telling on her.

 

Cecilia quietly raised her hand to stop them.

 

“I’ll discipline the Young Duchess soon enough, so don’t worry too much.”

 

“If you say so, Madam…”

 

The maids cleared the meal with awkward expressions.

 

Cecilia quietly lowered her gaze to the plate on the table.

 

What she had just said wasn’t empty words meant to appease them.

 

‘How thoughtful of her. Spilling hints with her own mouth like that.’

 

Cecilia slowly cut her meat and put it in her mouth.

 

Rosena must think she had definitely gotten one over on her today.

 

But thanks to today’s conversation, Cecilia had already finished calculating everything she needed to do going forward.

 

Outside, Rosena was still raising her voice as if for Cecilia to hear.

 

Cecilia chuckled softly.

 

‘Enjoy it to your heart’s content until then, Rosena. The greater your delusion, the more it will hurt when you fall.’

 

* * *

 

Finally, the day of Crown Princess Mary’s birthday banquet.

 

For the anniversary of a member of the royal family, the banquet hall was decorated more splendidly than ever.

 

Light pouring from the chandeliers reflected off the golden decorations inside and sparkled.

 

Among the elegant music, the refined laughter of nobles mixed and flowed.

 

“The Duke and Duchess of Hays have arrived.”

 

At the servant’s voice, everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance in unison.

 

Cecilia entered while being escorted by Rainer.

 

Madam Sabina’s dress, which minimized decorations and competed with the luxury of the material, made Cecilia even more elegant.

 

The pale peach-colored fabric highlighted her clear skin.

 

The design that boldly revealed her shoulder and necklines further emphasized the slender, delicate figure she inherited from her Peloux mother.

 

“Oh my, how truly beautiful.”

 

“I heard she’s not only beautiful but also truly remarkable in her abilities as the lady of the house.”

 

“I heard she’s been closest to The Princess recently?”

 

Both gentlemen and ladies looked at Cecilia with admiring gazes.

 

Rainer pulled her shoulder closer and whispered in her ear.

 

“Oh dear, everyone can’t take their eyes off my wife.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Of course. Look around. All those men look desperate to ask you for a dance.”

 

At those words, Cecilia glanced around.

 

Indeed, several young nobles were hesitating with glasses in hand, stealing glances this way.

 

“If someone asks, may I dance with them?”

 

“Absolutely not.”

 

Rainer laughed low and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her a little closer.

 

It was a blatant move conscious of the surrounding gazes.

 

Cecilia narrowed her eyes with a prim expression.

 

“It’s unreasonable to prevent a lady from dancing, Rainer.”

 

“Well, don’t you have something to do today? I just need to supervise that. As your contract partner, that is.”

 

Cecilia laughed as if incredulous.

 

Meanwhile, other nobles gathered around the two.

 

“Oh my, you two are so affectionate.”

 

“You seem like the most wonderful couple in the Empire.”

 

“To receive such passionate gazes from the Duke. Duchess, I’m truly envious.”

 

At the surrounding admiration, Cecilia and Rainer simply smiled gently.

 

Several shy noble young men finally turned their heads and retreated.

 

Confirming this, Rainer’s lips curved up even more.

 

“Did you see? Another one just gave up.”

 

“You know you’re really childish, don’t you?”

 

“I don’t mind being childish.”

 

Rainer said nonchalantly.

 

“I’m not stupid enough to stand by and watch my wife look at another man, even for a moment.”

 

What is he saying.

 

Cecilia lightly hit his arm once more at his silly joke.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“The Young Duke and Duchess of Hays have arrived.”

 

With the servant’s words, murmurs spread from the entrance of the banquet hall.

 

Cecilia also slowly raised her head at the commotion.

 

‘…They’re here.’

 

In the distance, she could see Evan, who still seemed awkward at such occasions.

 

And in contrast to him, Rosena was smiling brightly, enjoying the attention around her.

 

Rosena was wearing a dress so dazzlingly gorgeous it seemed she had made special preparations for today.

 

It was a dress with a bold design that revealed her figure, decorated excessively with ornaments.

 

And.

 

“Oh my, look at those jewels!”

 

At someone’s exclamation, all eyes turned to focus on Rosena’s head.

 

Where the gazes gathered, a beautiful tiara was shining brilliantly.

 

The tiara, catching the chandelier’s light, sparkled more dazzlingly than any other jewel in the banquet hall.

 

Low gasps of admiration flowed from here and there.

 

“That couldn’t be the Hays Ducal Family’s—”

 

“Isn’t that the jewel that was passed down from the Imperial Palace?”

 

Rosena tilted her head slightly with a satisfied expression and smiled.

 

As if all this attention was only natural.

 

‘Hmm…’

 

Rosena casually turned her head.

 

At the end of her gaze was Cecilia.

 

When their eyes met, the corners of her mouth slowly rose.

 

‘How about that, Cecilia? From now on, you’ll be pushed to the background. I’ll be the center of Brisen social circle.’

 

And at that moment.

 

“His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Crown Princess are entering.”

 

The servant’s voice echoed through the banquet hall once more.

 

As if they had completely forgotten their recent quarrel, the Crown Prince couple appeared holding hands tightly.

 

As if he had taken special care for this day, Nicholas’s chin was cleanly shaved.

 

And beside him, Mary was wearing a peridot necklace around her neck.

 

Mary looked around with a face full of joy.

 

“Oh my.”

 

The Crown Princess’s gaze settled on Rosena.

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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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