I Became the Mother-in-law of the Regretful Female Lead

The next morning.

After a long wait, the servants finally brought me the news I had been waiting for.

“Madam, we’ve found Cedric.”

“Good. Where was he?”

“There’s a large bridge not far from Viscount Henry’s estate. He was found beneath it. However… there was one issue.”

“An issue?”

My eyes sharpened involuntarily, and the servant seemed to tense up slightly.

“Yes, the truth is…”

As if it were something that needed to be whispered, the servant came closer and began speaking in hushed tones near my ear.

Huh…

Listening to the report, which lasted for over two minutes, I let out a dry laugh.

It was so shocking that I immediately understood why it had been delivered so secretly.

The servant, having finished the report, cautiously observed my expression.

“…So, that’s what happened.”

“Yes, and we failed to capture him alive.”

To summarize the servant’s report: after a thorough search, they had found Cedric, but by the time they did, he was already dead, in a terrible state.

‘In this peaceful city, it’s unlikely he ran into a wild animal… which means someone else is responsible.’

After a brief moment of contemplation, I chuckled softly. I had a general idea of what had happened.

‘I thought he was weak… but it seems that seven years is indeed a long time.’

As I recalled someone in my mind, the servant grew increasingly tense, likely worried that I would lash out because they had failed to capture him alive.

There was no need for that. I had said from the start that it didn’t matter if he was dead or alive. Yet, the servant hastily added,

“Shall we find the culprit, Madam?”

I shook my head calmly.

“No, that won’t be necessary. I think I already know who it is.”

The servant tilted their head slightly, not understanding, but I didn’t bother explaining.

The person responsible would soon be visiting this mansion.

***

About half a day later.

“Mother, thank you for the past few days.”

“Yes, take good care of yourself when you return. Otherwise, I’ll make sure to punish you properly.”

“Hehe, of course. You know I always listen to you, right?”

Listening? Hardly. I sighed at Lilliana’s shameless attitude. Even at times like this, she still seemed endearing. Was I this hopeless?

“How’s your body? Not that I care, but if you’re sick, you won’t be of any use to me.”

“I’m fine! The bruise on my shoulder is almost… ouch!”

Lilliana, trying to show off how well she had recovered, raised her arm, only to wince in pain.

I shook my head, exasperated.

Then, I tidied up her disheveled clothing.

“You really are a handful. Don’t be reckless and take care of yourself when you get home.”

“Yes! I will. But… I already miss this place and don’t really want to leave yet.”

“I’ll formally invite you next time, so come again then.”

Lilliana smiled brightly, as if she was genuinely happy.

Today was the day she had promised to return home.

She had rested enough here and decided to focus on the remainder of her recovery at home. Thus, Tristan was coming to pick her up.

“Brother!”

Just in time, the carriage of the Locke family stopped right in front of her.

Lilliana stood at the door of the opening carriage and called out to her brother.

At last, he appeared.

“Are you feeling alright, Lily?”

“Yes, of course! I’m perfectly fine. I wasn’t even that hurt in the first place.”

Not hurt? What a lie. Even with the large bandage wrapped around her neck, Lilliana seemed to be telling a little white lie so that Tristan wouldn’t worry.

As I stepped back and watched them, Tristan shifted his gaze toward me.

“I heard you’ve been through a lot. Are you unharmed, Madam?”

“I’m fine. My problem is that I’m almost too unscathed. But here, take this.”

It was medicine to apply to wounds, given by a doctor.

“I’m sure the Locke family has excellent doctor, but I prepared this just in case.”

“Thank you for your thoughtful concern.”

As our short conversation ended, the two began to prepare to leave.

Tristan skillfully escorted Lilliana into the high carriage. Soon, he gave me a brief nod and seemed ready to leave.

But I stopped him. There was something I had to say.

“Your Grace, may I have a moment of your time?”

“What is it, Vanessa?”

Earlier, when Lilliana was beside him, he had called me Lady Winder, but now that we were alone, Tristan immediately switched to using my name.

Before speaking, I glanced back at the carriage once more, worried that Lilliana might be watching. Fortunately, she wasn’t.

I bowed my head deeply toward Tristan.

“Because of me, the young lady experienced something she shouldn’t have. I’m not sure how I can properly apologize for this…”

It had weighed on my mind. I had already discussed it with Lilliana, but I felt guilty, knowing that Tristan, who cherished his sister, must have been deeply worried as well.

But as I was apologizing, Tristan cut me off.

“Raise your head, Vanessa. Bowing like that doesn’t suit you.”

“No, it was my fault, so I—”

As I tried to apologize again, Tristan shook his head with a faint smile.

“I know. I know that because it was you, it ended this way. It was your handling that kept it under control. And more than anything… isn’t there someone else who should be bowing their head?”

I nodded quietly, then asked in a barely audible voice, only for Tristan to hear.

“…Are you talking about the one who’s already dead?”

“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”

Tristan chuckled slyly. Though he claimed ignorance with his words, his demeanor was oddly relaxed.

As expected, it seemed that Tristan had indeed been the one behind what happened to Cedric, just as I had suspected.

If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be laughing like that; he’d be asking me for more details in confusion.

‘He pretends not to know, but he never intended to hide it. That’s why he didn’t bother concealing the body.’

He must have known I would go searching for Cedric’s body.

“Well, I quite liked the way you handled things. You weren’t like that when you were younger, but it seems you’ve developed quite a bit of resolve since then.”

Indeed, that must be how he not only survived the brutal battlefield but also returned as a war hero.

It wasn’t a joke; I genuinely admired how he handled it.

I had wanted to make that man who dared to lay a hand on Lilliana experience a fate worse than prison. It seemed Tristan had taken care of it for me—and in quite a neat manner, too.

Although it was meant as a compliment, Tristan continued to feign ignorance.

“Haha, I still have no idea what you’re talking about.”

His blue eyes glimmered with a subtle undertone as he looked down at me.

“Now I see you’ve become quite the fox. Well, if you insist on pretending, I guess I’ll have to believe you.”

Tristan merely smiled again, without denying anything.

“Well then, I should be going now, Vanessa. I hope we’ll have another chance to chat at length next time—preferably just the two of us.”

“You didn’t need to add that last part.”

“That’s the most important part for me.”

Even in a moment like this, he couldn’t resist flirting, which made me sigh in exasperation.

Tristan’s shameless smile didn’t leave his face. He took my hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing a kiss on my glove.

Whether deliberately or not, he pulled away slowly, his eyes still fixed on me.

“Take care until then.”

With that final farewell, he climbed into the carriage.

The elegant carriage bearing the Locke family crest gradually faded from my sight.