Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 13
I smiled brightly at the child, whose tension was written plainly across her face.
That said, I had no intention of forcing Linea against her will.
I simply waited for her to step out of the room on her own terms.
Linea hesitated, her lips moving soundlessly as she deliberated.
Rather than press her, I waited with a steady smile.
“…….”
Linea drew a small, quiet breath. Then, as if finally resolved, she slipped from the room and closed the door behind her.
I beamed at her—this child who had taken even a single step toward me—my pride in her unmistakable.
“Shall we go?”
With that, I rose to my feet and extended my hand toward her.
Linea’s gaze lingered briefly on my palm.
“Hmm?”
Seeing her hesitate, I tilted my head slightly.
At that, she belatedly reached out and grasped my hand firmly.
‘How small she is.’
While I wasn’t familiar with child development, I had noticed that Linea was rather small for a ten-year-old.
I held her hand carefully.
Though dry, her small palm was soft and yielding—unmistakably a child’s hand.
‘How adorable!’
Those chubby cheeks of hers were simply too endearing!
I gazed down at her and pressed my lips firmly together.
Had I been her true mother, I wouldn’t have been able to resist showering those cheeks with kisses.
If I did that now, I’d forfeit any chance of ever seeing her again.
“Today, let’s grab something delicious to eat, then go see your friends!”
“Friends…….”
“Hmm?”
“No, never mind.”
I caught the hesitation in her voice—she was clearly holding something back.
‘Linea has no friends.’
In the narrow world of Aristocratic Society, connections are forged from childhood. Guardians introduce their children and arrange friendships through a well-established system.
‘But Mother-in-law goes to parties purely for her own enjoyment, and she couldn’t care less what Linea does.’
Moreover, Linea had rarely attended events that weren’t strictly required for propriety’s sake.
Naturally, she’d had few opportunities to bond with children her own age.
The original story noted that even when she did attend, no one approached her—she cycled through the same three worn dresses, altered repeatedly, and no child wanted to befriend someone like that.
The ironic part was that the Delmore Countess House wasn’t even poor.
‘Money isn’t the measure of happiness, but at least basic living expenses should go to raising a child.’
If Mother-in-law simply cut her monthly luxury purchases in half, she could buy Linea ten decent dresses.
The current Linea bore the marks of neglect, and was consequently looked down upon by her peers.
Most viciously, she was snubbed by Jennis of the Atilini Marquis House.
From childhood, Jennis had shown little affection for Linea.
More precisely, the Atilini Marquis couple had carefully managed their daughter’s friendships from a young age.
‘That childhood antagonism carries forward, eventually turning them into rivals competing for the Crown Prince’s hand as adults.’
Of course, I harbored no wish for Linea to marry the Crown Prince.
And certainly not the Duke—the one with the age gap and the sinister rumors surrounding him!
‘When the time comes, if Linea meets someone good, fine. If she doesn’t want to marry, I’ll support her for life. That’s all that matters.’
Linea and I emerged onto the main street.
Normally around 2 PM, the carriage would have taken us to the Annexa Countess’s Residence, but not today.
“Here!”
I waved at the hired cab I’d summoned earlier, and Linea, thinking she should do the same, waved along with me.
“Ha.”
Her small white hand fluttered so charmingly that I let out a soft laugh, causing Linea to shy away and quickly lower her arm.
“That’s because you’re adorable! Come on, let’s go!”
We boarded the carriage that pulled up before us and departed for the heart of the Capital.
* * *
Lombardi—the largest commercial district in the Capital’s center.
This place was where the very latest fashions flourished.
And Boutique Talote, which I’d reserved in advance, was precisely where the young ladies of noble families currently flocked to purchase the season’s most coveted dresses and accessories.
“We have an 11 AM reservation under the Delmore Countess House.”
“Oh my, welcome! Please follow me to Room 2.”
The interior was decorated with marble and an elaborate chandelier—the very pinnacle of luxury.
Once we were seated in Room 2, a staff member spoke to me warmly.
“We’ve selected dresses in sizes appropriate for the young lady of the Delmore Countess House. Please give us a moment to bring them.”
“Understood.”
While the staff member went to gather dresses suited to Linea’s size, she seemed bewildered by the situation.
In her first visit to such an upscale boutique, Linea murmured softly.
“This place…….”
“I’ve earned good money lately, so I wanted to dress our Linea in something pretty.”
Linea looked up at me and suddenly shook her head in alarm.
“No, that’s not it!”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“I don’t need such a dress. I’m not someone meant to wear something like this.”
Even as she said it, her eyes drifted to the mannequin displaying a dress in the corner of the room.
I had to suppress a soft chuckle.
What child doesn’t love something glittering like a princess dress?
The longing in Linea’s eyes was unmistakable as she glanced at the pretty dresses she’d only ever watched her peers wear.
But accepting my purchase would feel like too much—a burden, even.
“Well, what am I to do? I’ve already paid the reservation fee and can’t get it back.”
“Is it… expensive?”
“Yes! So wouldn’t you try on a dress or two, just to make use of it?”
At that, Linea quietly nodded in agreement.
Her timid demeanor broke my heart, but I swore to myself—I would make Linea happy.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Dressing you in pretty things has been my wish. Thank you for letting me fulfill it?”
At those words, Linea’s pale, soft cheeks trembled slightly.
She was embarrassed, yet clearly not averse to this moment.
That was when it happened.
With a knock, the door opened and a staff member wheeled in a rolling rack laden with dozens of dresses.
She began taking Linea’s measurements and chattering away without pause.
“Our young customer here will look wonderful in any of these—just a minor alteration or two. My goodness, your daughter is absolutely beautiful!”
“I have to agree with you.”
I bragged about Linea’s charm without the slightest modesty, though she wasn’t even my biological child.
“Our Linea has nothing unattractive about her. Round and angelic and pretty, and on top of it all, she’s genuinely kind-hearted.”
“My, I can see exactly what you mean!”
Linea didn’t know what to do with all the compliments flying back and forth.
A rosy blush spread across her mochi-like cheeks.
She didn’t seem to dislike it, but her shyness was unmistakable.
“What color do you like best, Linea? I think with your blonde hair, sky blue or soft pink would suit you wonderfully.”
“Lace really suits our young customer!”
“Ribbons are adorable too!”
Linea silently changed in and out of dress after dress as the staff member and I conducted what amounted to a fashion show.
“This one! This is the dress for today’s tea party!”
I exclaimed with delight upon finding a soft pink dress that was made for Linea, and the staff member readily agreed.
“It’s truly beautiful!”
“I’ll take every dress we’ve seen today. Can you have them altered and delivered to the Delmore Countess House by 9 AM tomorrow?”
“Of course! They’ll arrive the moment 9 AM strikes!”
Having purchased multiple high-end dresses at once, the service naturally became impeccable.
I made one more request of the staff member.
“Do you have a dress in a similar style to the one Linea is wearing now—something in my size?”
At today’s tea party, I needed to show Linea that she now had a dependable new mother.
The staff member took my measurements and soon returned with several dresses.
I selected the most practical option. There was no need for anything extravagant.
“I’ll take this one. Can I wear it out of here now?”
“Of course, madam!”
I left the shop dressed in a soft pink dress that matched Linea’s, payment made and settled.
“It’s easy to get lost, so hold my hand!”

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