The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 132

#132.

“Grandpa, Grandfather?”

“Yes, I am your grandfather!”

The Sarvan Head, already with arms wide open, awaited the emotional reunion.

And then, Cersia, upon seeing her grandfather, kicked off from the table and ran to embrace him.

It was truly a perfect scene of a family reunion.

‘I didn’t expect her to go this far.’

Zachary felt awkward for no reason when suddenly, he heard the sound of cracking from the armrest of Zerachiel’s chair next to him. To be precise, it was the moment Cersia hugged the Sarvan Head.

‘Even in this situation, he’s jealous.’

Zerachiel’s eyes became fierce, as if he would tear the Sarvan Head apart. It seemed difficult to hide his displeasure, even though he knew it was all an act.

Thanks to that, it was perfect for deceiving Devvon.

At that moment, Cersia began to show off acting skills that rivaled those of an actress as she hugged her mother.

“Oh, Mother!”

“Ah.”

Eve Sarvan, Cersia’s mother, was taken aback by the enthusiastic momentum and stepped back.

Cersia rushed to her and hugged her, appearing extremely moved.

“To think I also had a mother! It’s like a dream!”

Eve’s eyes reddened at her tearful words.

The mother and daughter looked so alike.

Everyone present could not deny that they were family, as they were so alike.

Devvon, who was watching them with a satisfied expression, said,

“Well, I’m glad that I unintentionally reunited a separated family.”

Yeah, right.

To be precise, he was happy to be able to bring Cersia, the Saintess, under the control of the North. After all, wasn’t the title of Saintess a good title to take advantage of?

The North had a strong sense of solidarity among themselves. This was because they were prone to isolation unless they helped each other due to the harsh weather and steep terrain.

Therefore, it was common for the beastmen [humanoids with animalistic features] belonging to the North to help each other. The reason why it had been difficult to invade the North for the past three years was also due to the Northern Allied Forces that swarmed in like a pack of dogs.

Finding the Butterfly group while dealing with them all was that much more difficult.

If Cersia became affiliated with the North, she would have no choice but to follow the call of the Allied Forces. It was obvious that they would put her at the forefront to prevent Jabez from attacking rashly.

In the end, he meant to use Cersia as a shield to manipulate this cold war to his liking.

But it wouldn’t go as Devvon intended.

‘Hmph! Laugh all you want now.’

Zachary sneered inwardly.

Unfortunately, Devvon didn’t know Cersia well. She didn’t even listen to her father-in-law, so there was no way she would listen to a complete stranger like a hyena.

Cersia had always been like that. Rather than being intimidated by the unfavorable conditions in front of her, she found a way to survive.

Cersia was the first beastman of another race to adapt so well in Jabez Castle. Usually, they were overwhelmed by the gloomy and cold atmosphere and ran away.

The child, who had an amazing survival instinct, would not simply be dragged around by the shackles of the North.

Rather, seeing her scheming as soon as she found out that she was from a noble family in the North, he wasn’t too worried.

Devvon was about to lose out after trying to gain an advantage.

Devvon, who didn’t even dream of this, grinned and said,

“Although a paternity test is still needed, look at those mothers and daughters over there. Aren’t they just like a mold? It must be blood relation.”

“It seems so.”

Devvon didn’t care even though Zachary answered perfunctorily. It was pathetic to see him acting so friendly, which didn’t suit him at all.

“As you know, we are always open to those from the North. If Cersia Jabez is appointed as the successor of Sarvan and fulfills the obligations of the North as soon as the paternity test is done, we will freely allow Jabez to enter the North.”

“Well, as long as I’m free to enter and exit.”

Devvon tilted his head at Zachary’s more docile attitude than expected.

He thought that he would never agree because he had been hiding her for three years and cherishing her.

‘Wasn’t he cherishing her as much as I thought?’

Indeed. He had never seen Jabez cherish anyone. It was probably closer to keeping her around out of necessity, as she was the only beastman who had suppressed his rampage.

‘If I can win over that child at this opportunity, it won’t be difficult to find Jabez’s weakness.’

Devvon said, hiding his vile intentions.

“Then I’ll take it that you’ve agreed and proceed accordingly.”

* * *

Thanks to the emotional tearful reunion, the atmosphere between the South and the North was quite smooth throughout the negotiation.

“My dear.”

Even after the negotiation was over, the Sarvan Head did not let me go for a long time. He said with a face full of regret.

“I don’t know how happy I am to meet you again like this. Let’s arrange a dinner soon.”

“Yes, Grandfather!”

“That kid, too. She’s so brave.”

The Sarvan Head pretended to dab his dry eyes with a handkerchief and walked away. His mother, who was quietly following beside him, kept looking back as if she was anxious.

Rather than being suspicious of me suddenly acting so affectionately, she looked terrified that I might be used by the Sarvan Head.

From what I’ve seen throughout the negotiation, Eve seemed unable to raise her head in front of the Sarvan Head because she had been mentally abused for a long time.

Seeing that it was somewhat pitiful and frustrating, I guess I can’t just see Eve as a stranger either.

At that moment, Heathcliff quietly approached me, taking advantage of the commotion. I stared intently at Ella, who occupied his palm.

“What the heck happened?”

“It’s complicated to explain.”

Heathcliff looked around with a troubled face. At the same time, he tried to take Ella off, but she remained unmoved.

Now that I see it, it seemed like Ella was sticking to Heathcliff.

I secretly reached out to Ella.

“Come here.”

But Ella only shook her head and did not come over. She was saying something with her eyes, but I couldn’t understand at all.

It was strange that she was being so stubborn, risking danger like that, when she wasn’t usually like that.

‘Could it be that there’s something more to find out besides the Bible?’

If not, there was no reason for her to stick so close to her ex-boyfriend, whom she hated so much.

Then Heathcliff scratched his cheek and sighed.

“It’s no use. I’ve tried several times, but she won’t leave.”

It seemed like there was something he wanted to talk about with Heathcliff separately. I tactfully passed Ella over to Heathcliff.

“Why don’t you just keep her for a while?”

“What?”

“Maybe she’s trying to see if you’re someone she can trust. Ella is a bit suspicious.”

“…….”

After being silent for a while, Heathcliff reluctantly hugged Ella again as if he had no choice.

“Okay. But only for a while.”

* * *

Some time later, the paternity test results came out. As expected, I was Eve Sarvan’s daughter.

As the results came out clearly, the negotiations proceeded quickly.

All I had to do was agree to the documents for registering in the Sarvan family.

The rest was discussed and proceeded by Zachary and Devvon.

Having risen in status from an orphan to the one and only heir of a noble family, there were no major changes for me yet.

Of course, I would have to stay in the Sarvan family according to the customs of the North soon.

Currently, the Sarvan Head was also suffering from a genetic disease, so the family was on the verge of collapse.

Now, all I had to do was finish the banquet celebrating the successful negotiation and I would be able to go to the North.

At that moment, I heard footsteps outside the window. As I opened the window wide at the familiar signal, Ella slipped into the room.

“You came?”

As I greeted her happily, she belatedly transformed into a human and said,

“I’m sorry for acting unilaterally without saying anything. I didn’t have time to discuss it because I had to make a quick decision.”

“It’s okay. There must have been a good reason, right?”

“For now.”

Ella smiled faintly and handed me the Bible. I blinked my eyes as I received the Bible without realizing it.

“Don’t tell me you were sticking around to get this back?”

“That’s not all. Besides, that’s what you were supposed to give me if I answered the question.”

“Question? You didn’t say that at first.”

Ella hesitated and opened her mouth when she saw my expression of not knowing what was going on.

“That’s…….”