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

Following the servant’s guidance, Seira headed towards the living room.

“I knew the Count Winder’s household was wealthy, but this is beyond my imagination.”

She had visited many noble estates before, but this was the first time she could feel the overwhelming scent of wealth in the air.

Each step revealed grand artworks lining the hallways.

The Benden Marquess family was also wealthy, but they didn’t spend money so extravagantly…

Despite being a count, the Winder family had a firm grip on the manufacturing industry, making their wealth comparable to the imperial family. That wasn’t just an exaggeration.

After a short wait, a man with silver hair walked into the room.

It was none other than the head of the household, Jeremyon Winder.

Since he rarely appeared unless it was for important business matters, seeing him up close was quite a rare occasion.

‘…He looks even more handsome than I remembered.’

Seira couldn’t help but stick out her tongue in awe as she gazed at him.

Despite his sharp and severe impression, Jeremyon was considered one of the most handsome men in the empire.

With a nose and jawline as finely sculpted as a marble statue, the only joke about his appearance was that he was too perfect, to the point of lacking human warmth.

This was the man who sincerely liked Lilliana.

‘Yeah. No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense.’

Just as she reaffirmed her own thoughts and smiled slightly, Jeremyon spoke in a disinterested tone.

“What business brings Lady Benden here?”

She hadn’t expected a warm welcome, but the stiffness of his response was still surprising.

However, Seira smiled calmly, showing no sign of being flustered. She was confident that his attitude would soon change.

“It’s been a while, Count Winder. Thank you for meeting me on such short notice. I came because I have a proposal for you.”

Jeremyon motioned with his chin as if to say, “Go ahead.” His arrogance didn’t bother Seira; in fact, she liked it. A man like that would be more satisfying to conquer.

“My proposal is simple. Marry me.”

“…Marry?”

Jeremyon looked down at her, confused.

Seira thought to herself.

‘Hmm, it seems he didn’t receive the marriage proposal. If he had, there’s no way he would have rejected it outright.’

When she sent the proposal, Seira was sure Jeremyon would accept it immediately. After all, she was the only woman who could give him what he needed most right now.

But when she received a rejection, she suspected that Vanessa Windor, who held considerable influence in the household, had interfered. Her guess seemed to be right.

“You probably didn’t receive the proposal directly, did you? Let me be clear. Marry me.”

At the word marriage, his eyes narrowed.

“If you have eyes and ears, you should know that now’s not the time for that.”

“Hehe, of course. With all the gossip about your breakup going around, how could I not know? But… does it really matter? It’s not like you’re heartbroken over it. It was a contractual relationship, wasn’t it?”

“A…contractual relationship?”

His tone was incredulous, but Seira continued calmly.

“Yes. I don’t know exactly what went on between you two, but it didn’t start out of love, did it? At least, that’s what I think… and I believe my assumption is correct.”

“Hah.”

“So let me say it clearly again: marry me. I don’t expect romance. What I want is an alliance between our families and for you to publicly show respect for me.”

Seira smiled confidently.

However…

“Lady Benden, you’re seriously mistaken.”

His voice turned icy.

“Even putting aside your absurd assumptions, where does your confidence come from that I would agree to this contract?”

Hmm, so that’s how you want to play it. But this was within Seira’s expectations. She shrugged her shoulders.

“Where, you ask? I know you can’t refuse. Because I carry royal blood.”

Yes, that was the reason Seira had come to him so boldly.

Not only was she the precious daughter of the Benden family, but her mother was also a member of the royal family. This gave her confidence.

Jeremyon, despite being an adopted commoner, had risen to become the head of the Count Winder family.

And she believed she could cover up the one flaw that had always held him back.

“In the end, if you can’t have Lilliana, I’m your only option.”

There were only two noblewomen of marriageable age who could meet Jeremyon’s standards.

And since he had publicly ended things with the other, Seira was the only one left.

‘So, there’s no way he can refuse me,’ she thought as she waited, her chin held high.

Finally, Jeremyon made his decision and spoke.

At the same time, in front of the Winder mansion’s entrance…

The maid was visibly troubled by the arrival of an unexpected guest.

“You’ve come all this way, but what should I do? I’m sorry, but the lady of the house is out at the moment.”

The visitor’s true identity was none other than Lilliana Locke.

On any other day, the maid would have immediately led her to Vanessa, but today, she couldn’t do that, leaving the maid at a loss.

“Oh, I came to see Jeremyon today…”

“Ah, I see! Could you please wait for a moment? There’s another guest here already.”

The maid, visibly relieved, guided Lilliana to a different reception room.

Lilliana followed with a gentle smile, but inside, her mind was racing.

‘A guest who arrived first…’

Considering Jeremyon’s busy schedule, it wasn’t surprising. Still, she felt uneasy, and it was all because of the carriage parked outside.

‘That crest on the carriage… it definitely belonged to the House of Benden, right?’

The family of Seira, with whom she had a long-standing feud.

Seeing that carriage unsettled Lilliana. She couldn’t help but think that the person Jeremyon was meeting might be Seira.

‘…No, I shouldn’t worry unnecessarily.’

She shook her head. It was more likely that Jeremyon was meeting Seira’s father, the Marquis of Benden, rather than Seira herself.

About ten minutes passed while she calmed her confused mind.

Click, click. The sound of a woman’s heels echoed down the hallway.

‘…It can’t be her.’

A sense of foreboding washed over Lilliana. She stood up and looked down the hallway.

And then—

“Oh my, Lilliana. We meet again?”

“Ah…”

Seira greeted her with a relaxed smile. Having just finished her conversation with Jeremyon, her expression was rather bright.

“I didn’t expect to see you here of all places. Well… I suppose it makes sense. There must still be some loose ends after the breakup.”

“Uh, yeah… that’s right.”

An unexpected encounter. Lilliana, whose mind went blank, struggled to respond.

“Yeah, that happens. But, as a friend, let me give you some advice… Don’t you think it’s better to be cautious from now on?”

“Cautious… about what?”

“Well, how do you think the Count’s reputation would fare if word spread that his ex-girlfriend was coming and going from his estate?”

“…”

Lilliana couldn’t say anything in response. As much as she wanted to deny it, Seira’s words were true.

“Coming and going to visit his mother… It might have been uncomfortable for Jeremyon.”

Why was I so thoughtless? I thought I had changed, but nothing was different.

Lilliana lowered her head in embarrassment. She wanted to flee right then and there, but there was something she needed to confirm first.

“…Why are you here?”

Seira shrugged, as if she had anticipated the question.

“Oh, I’m here to submit a marriage proposal. I stopped by to say hello beforehand.”

At the mention of the marriage proposal, Lilliana’s heart sank.

“Oh, but I suppose this is a bit awkward for you? I’m sorry. It was my father’s decision, so I couldn’t do much. I did want to ask you first, but… you turned down my invitations to tea three times. I was really worried about you.”

Seira’s voice was dripping with mock concern, but Lilliana wasn’t really listening.

‘Could it be… Jeremyon is going to marry Seira?’

She had known, deep down.

After the breakup, Jeremyon would eventually find someone new.

That was the reason she broke up with him in the first place. She didn’t want to stand in the way of his plans.

Yes, that was the reason, but…

‘What should I do?’

I’m the one who wanted to break up… So why does my heart hurt so much?

Lilliana forced a smile to hide her feelings, but her trembling fingertips betrayed her.