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

‘Jeremyon, really… Now that I see it, I didn’t need to worry about him being dumped.’

Watching Jeremyon and Lilliana from afar, I smiled contentedly.

Just a few minutes ago, the ballroom had been abuzz with people speculating about the relationship between Seira and Jeremyon. But as if none of that had happened, the brief commotion had long since faded away.

‘Yes, no one would dare spread rumors after seeing this scene.’

Among the numerous noble couples dancing together, Lilliana and Jeremyon stood out distinctly.

Under the grand chandelier, the two of them looked like a beautiful painting.

They suited each other so well. It struck me anew that they were the original male and female lead.

And it seemed I wasn’t the only one who thought that way.

With a satisfied grin, I sipped my wine, focusing my ears on the murmurs of the nobles around me.

“How happy they look… So, the talk of a breakup must have just been a lovers’ quarrel.”

“That’s typical at such a spirited age. Oh, look at that expression! Even the famously cold Count Winder has a gentle side. Such sweet eyes…”

“I would feel the same. And Lady Lovke—how beautiful she is! Perhaps Count Winder realized it before the rest of us.”

Everyone who had once dismissed Lilliana was now busy singing her praises.

‘Hmph. I thought they were blind, but I guess not entirely.’

Their sudden change of attitude was irritating, yet also a relief. As planned, it seemed today would completely transform Lilliana’s reputation in society.

And this change wasn’t limited to her alone.

Looking around, I spotted Seira Bendon in the corner with her followers.

Far from her title as the “flower of society,” she now looked utterly miserable.

“By the way, what happened to Lady Benden? They were all talking so boldly about her engagement. She was so confident, I actually thought it might be true!”

“Isn’t it obvious? The Benden family misread the situation. It seems Count Winder had no such intentions.”

Seira could no doubt hear these hurtful remarks, yet the gossip around her continued unabated.

Her body trembled with indignation, but she didn’t dare respond. It seemed she knew it would only make her look worse.

People openly sneered at her.

Except for a few of her followers, the attitudes of everyone around her had reversed in an instant, with mocking laughter echoing throughout the ballroom.

‘People really are fickle…’

Seeing her reputation crumble like a sandcastle left me with mixed feelings.

But that didn’t mean I felt any sympathy for Seira.

In truth, this was simply karma catching up with her.

‘In fact, she got off easy. Considering all that she’s done to Lilliana…’

Seira herself would likely see things differently, though. If anything, she was probably clenching her teeth in resentment.

Based on both the original story and my own research, she didn’t seem like someone who knew the meaning of remorse.

Just then.

Unable to endure any longer, Seira half-covered her face and tried to leave the ballroom. Some of her followers attempted to follow her, but she shook them off.

The look on her face was unsettling. She seemed to be plotting something… her malice was palpable.

‘Hm, that’s concerning.’

Out of caution, I decided to follow her.

At that moment, I didn’t yet know that I would soon encounter an unexpected figure.

The mood of the ball continued to deepen.

The lively tune had softened into a gentle melody.

And a perfectly matched couple was dancing in harmony to the music.

People admired the romantic sight with voices of envy, though those in question couldn’t hear them. They were too engrossed in each other.

Jeremyon’s gazed down at Lilliana in front of him, his eyes filled with tender affection.

They held hands, one hand on each other’s shoulder, moving in sync with the music’s rhythm.

This was the dance they had repeated countless times when they were still in their contract relationship.

But in this moment, it felt unusually special. Suddenly, Jeremyon’s was gripped by fear.

Could this be a dream? He had a vague worry that maybe it wasn’t real, because this moment was that precious to him.

‘Or perhaps it truly is a dream. I can’t believe Lilliana accepted so willingly.’

He had suggested she be his dance partner in front of everyone as if he were calm, but in reality, Jeremyon hadn’t expected things to go this way.

After all, his purpose in approaching Lilliana had initially been to show everyone that he’d been rejected in public.

This decision had been made on the day Seira had visited him.

—

“Who knows? Perhaps in my anger, I might expose the truth about our contract relationship.”

—

That day, Seira had threatened to spread disgraceful rumors if he didn’t dance with her at the victory banquet.

To most, her threat might sound absurd, but honestly, it was quite serious to Jeremyon.

‘Seira Benden is even craftier than I thought.’

There was a reason she acted so confidently. In truth, he once thought similarly to her.

Jeremyon had once needed someone like Seira, so he’d felt he had no choice but to comply with her demands.

But all of that was a thing of the past.

The person who occupied his every thought now was someone else entirely.

‘…Lilliana, she didn’t look well the other day. I wonder if she’s alright now.’

On the day Seira visited his estate, Lilliana had happened to be there too.

The moment he learned of this, he went straight to find her, but as soon as their eyes met, she had left as though she was fleeing.

And her expression back then…

Recalling her eyes, filled with shame and confusion, made his heart ache. It had seemed painful for her just to be in his presence.

Since then, he had tried contacting her a few times, hoping to meet even briefly out of concern… but all she did was turn him down each time.

‘Did she hear something when she ran into Seira? Or maybe…’

After he announced their breakup, vicious rumors about her began circulating.

In truth, it was him who’d been rejected, not her. Yet, people who didn’t know the truth painted her as a tragic woman who’d been cast aside.

Maybe that was why Lilliana had that look in her eyes. After all, it wouldn’t be easy to look kindly on the man responsible for such hurtful rumors.

‘If things continue like this, it’ll only get worse.’

Jeremyon didn’t like this thought. Whatever it took, he didn’t want that shadow on Lilliana’s face to deepen.

So, even though he knew he’d look foolish, he’d made this decision.

To show everyone his rejection in public.

An unsophisticated but effective method.

By doing so, people would stop spreading lies about her. And even if SEI attempted to spread rumors about their contract relationship… it wouldn’t attract much attention.

‘People would be more drawn to the story of Jeremyon Winder being rejected than the rumor of us having a contract relationship.’

Yes, this was Jeremyon’s plan.

He had done all he could; all that remained was for Lilliana to reject him.

But for some reason, she… accepted him with a bright smile, like sunlight, the very smile that had made him fall in love.

‘Lilliana, as expected, I can’t…’

I can’t let go.

The feelings he had tried to suppress countless times. But now, he could no longer contain them.

Just then, she looked up at him. Her clear blue eyes were endlessly lovely.

The warmth of her hand in his seemed to tickle his heart.