She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 85

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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 85. Assistance

Just as Wendy had said, Michel really did enter the music room.

At the unbelievable sight, Cecilia looked at him for a moment before soon smiling gently.

“Welcome, Michel.”

“Ah, yes.”

Michel nodded with an awkward expression.

Though he had made up his mind to help the Duchess and come here.

The words wouldn’t come easily.

Sitting on the sofa at Cecilia’s invitation, he unnecessarily scanned the room once.

“Could you wait just a moment? I didn’t expect anyone to come, so I haven’t tidied up.”

“Yes, yes. Of course.”

The Duchess organized the sheet music that had been scattered messily on the table.

She showed not the slightest bit of confusion even in front of an unexpected guest.

Meanwhile, Michel himself was at a loss despite having come here of his own accord.

“…”

His gaze unconsciously lingered on Cecilia.

Her straight nose bridge and long eyelashes.

And beneath them, her sparkling green eyes were.

More beautiful than any jewel he had ever seen…

‘…No, what am I thinking right now!’

Michel, who had been spacing out, was startled.

He hastily averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

His heart was beating fast for no reason.

‘If you want one night, I’ll gladly give it to you.’

What state of mind was he in when he said such words back then!

His face burned hot belatedly.

“Michel, is there somewhere you feel uncomfortable?”

“What? Oh, no!”

When his eyes met Cecilia’s, Michel flinched and straightened his posture.

She smiled slightly and continued speaking.

“That’s a relief then. But before the tea comes out, may I ask why you came to see me?”

“Ah, well…”

Michel hesitated for a moment.

“I felt like I hadn’t properly thanked you for my sister’s matter.”

“Ah.”

“It was more effective than any medicine we’ve used so far.”

“That’s really fortunate.”

Cecilia smiled genuinely.

Ever since she first visited Michel’s house.

Sandy, who was nothing but skin and bones, had been weighing on her mind.

“If you need anything more, just tell me.”

“No, it’s fine. We’ve already received more than enough. But more than that…”

Michel, who had waved his hands dismissively, took a breath.

Then he opened his mouth in a low voice.

“There’s something I happened to overhear at the theater today. I felt I absolutely had to tell the Duchess about it.”

“A story?”

“Yes, today your business partner Ruth came to the theater. Along with a woman claiming to be his daughter.”

Cecilia’s hand stopped over the sheet music.

Michel paused for a moment before continuing.

“But those two aren’t really father and daughter. She was just pretending to be his daughter.”

Cecilia raised her head.

But her eyes held certainty rather than surprise.

“As I thought, that was it.”

“…You knew?”

“No, I was just speculating.”

From when the information broker first sent a letter until Tira left after staying at this house.

Cecilia had been feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.

Still, she had hoped against hope.

“Thanks to Michel today, I’m now certain.”

“Ah…”

Having neatly stacked the sheet music, she looked at Michel and smiled.

Michel, who had paused at that sight, opened his mouth again.

“From what I heard, that woman called Tira has joined hands with the Dowager Duchess of this place.”

“With the Dowager Duchess?”

“Yes, I clearly heard her bragging to Ruth about it.”

“As I thought…”

Michel’s eyes widened at Cecilia’s surprisingly calm reaction.

He had thought she would naturally be surprised when the Dowager Duchess’s name came up.

“…Aren’t you afraid, my lady?”

Michel asked carefully.

Though he had never met her directly, he too knew well the status of the Dowager Duchess of Hays.

Just hearing her name made his heart sink.

How could this person be so composed?

“Of course I’m afraid.”

Cecilia shrugged her shoulders lightly.

It would naturally be a lie if she said she wasn’t afraid of Elise.

Her influence was still strong enough to summon all the noblewomen of Brisen to one place with a single word, just like last time.

“That’s why I want to prepare even more thoroughly. I have no intention of avoiding it anyway.”

“Prepare?”

“Yes.”

Cecilia nodded with a determined expression.

There was already a card prepared on this side too.

To be played at the upcoming tea party.

A very certain and effective card.

“If you want, Michel can come and watch that day too. Think of it as me putting on a good performance this time.”

“Haha, a performance…”

Michel laughed at Cecilia’s own brand of humor.

“Unfortunately, Sandy has a medical appointment that day.”

Michel’s gaze quietly observed Cecilia.

All this time, he had considered the Duchess no different from other nobles.

Someone who would only cling to the wealth and honor of her family.

But that had been prejudice.

‘The Duchess is different.’

Cecilia was someone who pushed through with her convictions to the end.

Rather than immediate gain or fear, she had clear standards she had to protect.

‘…Maybe I can trust this person?’

Perhaps Cecilia could.

Make Count Osburn pay the appropriate price for the crime he committed.

Michel’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.

“Um, next time I have something to give you—”

It was when she was about to bring up the matter of Father’s diary.

“Cecilia.”

A low, calm voice came from the doorway.

When she turned her head, Rainer was standing there holding a tray.

On it were two steaming teacups neatly arranged.

Cecilia’s eyes widened as she rose from her seat.

“Oh my, Rainer. Did you bring the tea yourself?”

She approached Rainer with a pleased expression.

Michel stood up awkwardly.

“Wendy seemed busy.”

Rainer continued speaking nonchalantly while looking at Michel.

Of course, Wendy being busy was just an excuse.

He wanted to see with his own eyes who had come to visit Cecilia at this late hour.

‘So it was him.’

He knew that Michel was an important person to Cecilia.

But that didn’t make the situation of a young man visiting his wife without an appointment any more pleasant.

“So, are you finished with your conversation?”

“Ah! Actually, Mr. Michel just said he had something to tell me.”

When Cecilia turned to look this way, Michel hesitated.

In his eyes, the two of them looked like the perfect couple.

The Duke’s gaze toward the Duchess was full of warmth.

“Really? What about?”

But the moment that gaze reached Michel.

It immediately changed to one of wariness.

In this situation, his confidence to calmly discuss future matters disappeared.

“Oh, no, it wasn’t anything important.”

Michel quietly shook his head.

“Then I’ll take my leave now. Please rest well.”

“Mr. Michel?”

He left a brief farewell and exited the music room.

He could hear Cecilia calling from behind, but he didn’t look back.

Instead, he walked quickly down the corridor.

‘Maybe I should have told her anyway.’

If he had, Cecilia would have been happy.

But soon he shook his head.

‘No, the Duke has nothing to do with Father’s accident.’

Even if he was her husband.

He didn’t want to inform Rainer about Father’s affairs as well.

‘I can tell her next time. When we’re alone.’

There would be plenty of opportunities to meet the Duchess anyway.

Michel left the manor and turned to look up at the Duke’s Mansion.

Above the splendid building.

The image of the affectionate ducal couple from moments ago seemed to overlap.

* * *

A few days later.

Elise held a tea party at the Duke’s Mansion.

As Cecilia had expected, it was a gathering to celebrate Tira’s recovery as a guest.

“Dowager Duchess, thank you for inviting me!”

Tira appeared wearing a more glamorous dress than ever before.

Though she wasn’t nobility.

Thanks to her status as the daughter of the wealthiest businessman in the New Continent, she could be welcomed by the other noblewomen.

“Miss Ruth, it’s nice to meet you.”

“How about we meet like this more often in the future?”

Pleasant greetings were exchanged here and there.

Tira accepted that goodwill as if it were natural.

Then suddenly, her gaze turned toward the Duchess.

Cecilia was standing quietly, watching this way.

Tira smiled gently and approached Cecilia.

“I hope you’ve been well too, Your Grace?”

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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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