The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 145

Ian’s eyes softened into a gentle smile.

“If you find these clothes comfortable… this whole swimsuit idea could revolutionize the coming era.”

He mused that after a war, people crave leisure and enjoyment.

And who doesn’t love a day at the beach?

While noblemen might occasionally indulge in eccentricities like stripping off their shirts and diving into lakes, women didn’t have that freedom, and noble society remained largely conservative.

Ian intended to shake things up.

With swimsuits.

“I want to make swimsuits a must-have fashion item, something only the most forward-thinking nobles would dare to wear.”

“Exactly! The older generation wouldn’t dream of it. You’re targeting the young and fashionable.”

“Precisely. And I need your help to make it happen.”

“Of course!” Florin beamed.

Ian could sense her excitement bubbling, solidifying his conviction.

Florin would embrace these changes more than anyone.

That’s why he felt comfortable sharing another, even grander vision, something he desperately wanted to achieve if he ever became head of the family.

“Beyond this, Florin, there’s something else I want to create.”

“What is it?”

“I haven’t named it yet, but it’s a way for commoners to travel easily between villages without needing horses… something like that. Not a carriage, though. It wouldn’t use horses.”

A spark of understanding flashed in Florin’s eyes, surprising Ian.

Could she possibly be envisioning what he was?

“Imagine a carriage where the driver simply steers, designed to carry up to twelve people at once.”

“That’s a lot of people!”

“And I want to connect them… so people can travel all over the country with ease.”

Ian realized he was more animated than usual.

His heart raced.

Just sharing this ambitious dream with someone made him feel exhilarated.

“What if you connected multiple compartments, each seating twelve people?”

Florin’s suggestion was earnest and insightful.

“Moving with magic, comfortable carriages, and horses are all luxuries reserved for the nobility.”

“You understand, Florin.”

“Ian wants to change that. He wants to make travel accessible and convenient for everyone.”

Florin’s eyes shone with admiration.

Ian clenched his fist, his resolve hardening.

He loathed the insular nature of noble society, the way they hoarded every advantage for themselves.

The Magic Tower, even after all this time, still prioritized weapon development.

If he became the head of 드리블랴네 [Dribblyane, likely a family name or territory], he would redirect that focus.

Changing the course of a powerful river was no easy feat, but success would propel the country forward.

“The economy would get a huge boost. If people can travel cheaply, they’ll see more, learn more.”

And the nobles would undoubtedly disapprove.

They generally disliked ‘overly educated commoners.’

But what if Florin became the public face of this initiative?

Unlike him, she possessed impeccable status and a universally appealing personality.

Once she began advocating for it, Florin would become a social trendsetter.

If Florin championed it as something fun and exciting, there was a good chance his innovations would be embraced.

‘…But all of this hinges on becoming the head of the family.’

Absolute power.

Without it, these ideas were just fantasies.

Even if the head of 드리블랴네 [Dribblyane] proposed it, he’d initially face ridicule and skepticism. Who would listen to a half-baked nobody like him?

Ian understood his position perfectly.

‘Besides, how would I establish the stations?’

Starting with a trial run connecting territories owned by 드리블랴네 [Dribblyane] was the safest approach.

Then, expanding to vassal families, and eventually to friendly territories.

Considering the inevitable resistance, connecting the entire country would take… roughly twenty years.

By the time he and Florin were in their forties, the world would be transformed.

Ian wanted to create that transformation alongside Florin.

* * *

‘Ian is trying to drag this world from the Middle Ages into the modern era.’

Later that night, after a delightful swim, I relaxed in the bathtub.

Twisting my wet hair, I pondered.

‘What Ian is planning is a train.’

Building a train is incredibly expensive. Laying the railroad alone requires a massive investment.

드리블랴네 [Dribblyane] is wealthy, but it couldn’t shoulder the entire burden alone.

The process would be arduous.

‘But if a train system is established, the economy will inevitably boom. It’s a true paradigm shift.’

The older, more conservative nobles would likely resist.

But the younger generation would find it novel and exciting.

That’s human nature.

‘The biggest challenge is convincing 유리 [Yuri, likely a name]… But if I simply express my desire for a new era, 유리 [Yuri] will make it happen.’

Even without my direct involvement, this is a unique opportunity to usher in a new age.

A head of a great family with such innovative ideas.

The emperor from that great family.

The Duchess of 아르칼리크 [Arkarlik, likely a place or title], the perfect advocate for these new concepts.

Such a powerful combination is rare.

‘The problem is… the train itself won’t be very profitable. How do I sell that idea?’

Since commoners will be the primary users, fares can’t be exorbitant.

Especially in the beginning, they’d have to be very low.

It would take at least five years to get people accustomed to the train….

During those five years, the changes would be gradual.

But the quick returns that investing nobles crave would be nonexistent.

‘I can’t rely too heavily on imperial funds either. That would ultimately burden the people with taxes.’

Adulthood is complicated.

I should consult Father when he returns.

Since the Magic Tower will be involved in building the train anyway.

‘Is this why Father favored Ian?’

단테 [Dante, likely a name] was a knight. Knights represent the Middle Ages.

He’s admirable, but he doesn’t quite fit into this era of change.

‘…I have to support Ian as the head of the family.’

Ah, today marks the end of my long and difficult 고민 [gomin, Korean for “worry” or “deliberation”].

I felt a strange mix of relief and happiness.

‘Yes. I’ll choose Ian.’

I repeated the decision in my heart, reinforcing it.

The prospect of being with Ian in the future filled me with excitement.

I’ll be more than just a wife to Ian.

Couldn’t I be a colleague, a unique partner, sharing a common vision and moving forward together?

Because I already understand the potential of the train.

Ian will need me.

‘How fulfilling would that be? To look back after achieving so much, knowing we shaped our era.’

The bathwater had grown cold from my prolonged soak.

I wrapped a large towel around myself and began drying my hair with a smaller one.

But it was uncomfortable to dress while still damp.

“Ian! Are you there?”

I called out cautiously, but received no response.

I cracked open the bathroom door and peeked out.

Thankfully, his red hair wasn’t visible; he must be upstairs.

“Ugh, it’s hot. Ian! Please don’t come down for a moment!”

Just then…

Creak.

Like a mischievous fairy’s prank, the front door opened at that precise moment. The exact moment I opened the bathroom door and was sneaking out.

“!!!”

I locked eyes with Ian and froze. He was equally surprised, his movements momentarily stiffening.

“I thought you were upstairs!”

I stammered in my surprise, trying to explain.

This looks like… I was waiting on purpose! I wasn’t!

“…I went for a run on the beach.”

Clack.

The sound of the door closing echoed loudly.

Ian, unable to break eye contact, slowly averted his gaze. He nervously ran a hand through his hair as I swallowed hard.

‘It’s because this house is too small!’

This was bound to happen with the entrance, living room, and bathroom so close together.

It’s not like I was completely naked, but I was only wearing a large towel, which wasn’t much different.

I retreated with a pained expression.

The only solution seemed to be to retreat back into the bathroom. And never emerge.

I wouldn’t even mind being sucked down the bathtub drain.

‘Who knew you’d gone for a run!’

You went out without saying a word.

I blamed Ian, even though it was clearly my fault.

At that moment, Ian clicked his tongue softly and called out to me.

“I’m sorry. Don’t be so embarrassed, baby.”