She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 91

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 91. A Night for Women

“I told you I have nothing to say.”

Cecilia tried to pass by him.

“But I do.”

However, Rainer grabbed her arm.

Afraid she might reject him again, he hurriedly continued speaking.

“That woman Tira had nothing to lose, didn’t she.”

“….”

“I needed to stop her for sure. If I hadn’t, she would have tried to harm you.”

So all of that was for my sake?

Something surged up from within Cecilia’s chest.

Who was worrying about whom here.

“Does that mean you absolutely had to take that medicine?”

Cecilia asked sharply.

“As you said, what if what that woman with nothing to lose prepared was poison? What if you had drunk that?”

“Cecilia, as you can see, I’m perfectly fine right now. So in the end—”

Thud.

With a dull sound, Rainer’s shoulder jerked backward.

Cecilia had struck his chest with her fist.

“In the end?”

Her voice trembled.

“If the result is good, then the process can all be ignored?”

“Cecilia.”

“Do you even know what I was thinking, what emotions I felt?”

When she first saw him collapsed.

It felt like the ground was caving in beneath her.

She was terrified that Rainer might never open his eyes again.

It was an emotion she never, truly never wanted to experience again.

“How much I….”

Cecilia couldn’t continue and clenched her fists tightly.

Her nails dug into her palms.

She took a deep breath and steadied herself.

“…Never mind.”

She turned around.

If she stayed any longer, her emotions would overwhelm her and she’d pour everything out.

Turning away, she added coldly.

“I was angry because I was worried our contractual relationship might be compromised.”

“….”

“So I hope you’ll be more careful in the future. Well then, I’ll be going now.”

She moved her feet without waiting for an answer.

She could sense Rainer trying to call out to her from behind.

But Cecilia never looked back.

“….”

After she left so coldly.

Rainer stood there for a long time.

Only heavy silence remained in the corridor.

* * *

“How long has it been? I think this is almost the first time since the birthday banquet.”

A few days later.

Mary invited Cecilia to the Imperial Palace.

Since there had been various incidents at the Duke’s Mansion.

The purpose was for the women to gather and catch up.

“I’ve really wanted to have this kind of time with the Duchess.”

Mary smiled with her eyes crinkling.

“I’ve secretly had this romantic notion about socializing privately with a lady my age.”

She had harbored goodwill toward Cecilia from the moment she first saw her.

Unlike other people who approached her calculatingly because of her status as Crown Princess.

Cecilia had shown genuine fondness for Mary herself from the beginning.

“I’m honored that you invited me.”

Cecilia smiled sweetly.

Though she held the noble position of Crown Princess.

Mary was truly an adorable woman who was honest about her feelings.

She approached a cabinet and rummaged around inside, pulling something out.

“Ta-da! Look at this.”

Mary held up a bottle.

Just from the label, it was clearly wine from a premium region.

“This came to the Imperial Palace recently, and His Majesty the Emperor gave it to me. Let’s have some fun with this.”

Mary’s voice was already excited.

She skillfully removed the cork and poured wine into glasses.

As the red liquid filled the glasses, a subtle fragrance spread.

“Tonight you’re staying up all night talking with me. Understood?”

“Haha.”

Cecilia laughed lightly at Mary’s playful words.

Talking all night.

Well, that didn’t sound too bad.

“I’m not joking. I absolutely won’t let you go today.”

Mary even rolled up her sleeves.

Seeing that, Cecilia smiled.

But something nagged at a corner of her mind.

‘Rainer doesn’t know yet.’

He probably heard that she went to meet Mary.

But he wouldn’t dream that she’d be staying the night here.

Cecilia pondered for a moment, then shook her head.

‘…Hmph, what does it matter.’

Someone would inform him when the time came.

That man needed to feel a bit anxious too.

Just like she had recently.

“Well then.”

Meanwhile, Mary, having filled the glasses, held up her wine glass with a bright expression.

“To tonight, and to friendship between women!”

The two glasses clinked together with a cheerful sound.

* * *

After emptying several glasses, the night had grown deep.

Beside the crackling fireplace, the two sat side by side on the sofa, chatting.

“So you see, The Prince is….”

Mary mumbled as she complained about her husband Nicholas.

“He really tries to establish so many unnecessary rules.”

Like having to hold hands and brush their teeth together every morning.

Or having to hug and make up exactly one hour after fighting.

These were cute episodes of marital bickering between the couple.

“Really, now that he’s the father of the Crown Prince, I wish he would mature a bit.”

“Ahaha.”

Cecilia laughed as if amused.

But on the other hand, she envied Mary for having a husband who always looked after her.

It felt like the complete opposite of someone else.

“How about you? My lady?”

Mary looked at Cecilia with wide eyes.

“The Duke doesn’t act childish like that, does he?”

“Ah…”

Cecilia awkwardly turned her glass.

Things with Rainer were still cold.

Even when he tried to talk to her, she was avoiding him.

Every time she saw him, her heart somehow felt like it was sinking.

‘This is all Rainer’s fault.’

Cecilia tried hard to think that way.

That her startled heart still hadn’t calmed down because of that.

“Always the same. Well.”

Cecilia shrugged her shoulders.

“But The Prince is always by The Princess’s side, so you must have nothing to worry about.”

“Ugh, that’s what I’m worried about.”

Mary shook her head with a disgusted expression.

But Cecilia’s words were sincere.

Rainer Hays, that man, the moment she looked away even a little.

Wouldn’t he scheme things on his own without her knowing?

It would be better to be a bit bothersome like Nicholas than to make his wife anxious.

‘That man has no right to treat The Crown Prince like a fool…’

Cecilia grumbled inwardly and took another sip.

As she lowered her glass, her vision became slightly blurred.

“Mm…”

Cecilia realized belatedly.

That she was particularly weak with alcohol.

Well, she’d never had a chance to test her drinking capacity anyway.

She didn’t usually enjoy drinking.

And in her past life, Evan had stopped her, saying women shouldn’t drink.

‘As expected, nothing good ever came from listening to that bastard Evan…’

Cecilia blinked her eyes.

She already felt like she’d crossed her limit.

Her whole body felt warm, and the strength slowly drained from her shoulders.

The sofa she was sitting on was so soft and cozy.

It felt like her whole body was slowly sinking into the sofa.

“My lady? Are you alright?”

“Yes? Oh, yes. I’m fine.”

Cecilia brought the back of her hand to her cheek and smiled reassuringly.

But her eyelids kept drooping.

“Mmm…”

Her head slowly tilted to the side.

She tried to hold on with her last bit of willpower.

But her body no longer obeyed her.

“My lady?”

Mary’s eyes widened.

Cecilia had already closed her eyes and was sleeping soundly.

“Oh my.”

Mary put down her glass and carefully examined her.

Cecilia was breathing evenly, fast asleep.

“She has much less tolerance than she looks.”

It was disappointing.

But it seemed better to end tonight here.

“My lady, please wake up.”

Mary approached and gently shook her shoulder.

“You need to go to bed and sleep. Okay?”

But there was no movement at all.

Mary wondered if she should support and move her herself.

“The Princess.”

Just then, she heard a maid calling from outside.

“Duke of Hays has come to see you.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————