The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 14

#14.

Rahel’s sudden visit unfolded as naturally as if the Jabez family received guests every day.

Having met Zachary at the conference recently, they had already suspected she might come seeking retribution.

However, one thing exceeded their expectations—

“Here, try some of this.”

Rahel stayed close to Chi Chi, offering him cherry tomatoes. Chi Chi, who had been obediently eating, covered his mouth and protested that he couldn’t eat any more.

“Are you full after eating just that much?”

Rahel popped a cherry tomato into her mouth and spoke matter-of-factly.

The Jabez family was quite surprised by this scene. Rahel’s purpose wasn’t revenge, but rather ‘her son’s peculiar amusement’.

Because of this, Zachary had long retreated to his study, looking dejected. Rahel’s attention was entirely focused on the ferret.

“I wondered what won my son’s favor, but my goodness, you’re even cuter in person!”

Rahel poked Chi Chi’s chubby belly and exclaimed. Each time, Chi Chi covered his mouth as if he were about to throw up, looking distressed.

It looked more like torment than play.

‘I, I can’t take it anymore!’

Seized by the fear that his stomach might burst, Chi Chi could only think about escaping.

The problem was that huge, tightly closed door.

If only the door would open, he would bolt.

Just as he was thinking that, as if by fate, the door began to open, and Chi Chi started running towards it with all his might.

“Oh! Look at him.”

Rahel didn’t even consider chasing after the waddling ferret and burst into laughter. She looked as calm as if she were watching a rat in a trap.

On the other hand, Chi Chi was running desperately, as if his survival depended on it.

‘Do you think this is the first time I’ve escaped from this house?’

Chi Chi, who arrived at the door in an instant, despaired as liberation was in sight.

“Did he come to greet Master?”

It just had to be Zerachiel trying to enter through the door.

Zerachiel stared at Chi Chi in front of him. Chi Chi was frozen like a statue with his mouth wide open, as if he hadn’t expected Zerachiel to appear.

There was fruit juice smeared all over his mouth. Zerachiel bent his knee and wiped Chi Chi’s mouth with his hand, then licked his hand. A sweet taste lingered on his tongue.

“Tomato.”

“Chi, Chi.”

Chi Chi finally came to his senses at those words and backed away creakily. But when Chi Chi saw Rahel behind him, he came forward again.

Seeing him scratching his pants, it seemed he had suffered quite a bit in a short time. The corners of Zerachiel’s lips slowly rose as he saw Chi Chi relying on him.

“Come here.”

Zerachiel familiarly held out his palm, and Chi Chi obediently settled on it.

Rahel, who had been watching all of this, had eyes as big as saucers.

From the moment Zerachiel wiped the tomato juice from Chi Chi’s mouth, Rahel had been in shock. Normally, he wouldn’t even let anyone come near him because he would find it disgusting.

‘It was true.’

Rahel hadn’t believed Keira’s words the entire way to the Jabez territory. The fact that Zerachiel was interested in something was too absurd.

That child was so indifferent that even on the day his parents divorced, he calmly said, ‘Is that so? Goodbye,’ and went to the training ground.

It was because of that cold-heartedness that Rahel abandoned her son and suddenly went back to her parents’ home alone.

“It’s been a while.”

Then Zerachiel greeted Rahel while holding Chi Chi in his arms. Rahel stared intently at Chi Chi, who was gnawing on Zerachiel’s finger. Still unable to believe it, Rahel murmured dreamily.

“The rumors were true.”

“Rumors?”

“That you’re raising a pet.”

“As you can see.”

Zerachiel casually flicked Chi Chi’s tail as if it were nothing. In response, Chi Chi hid his tail tightly in his arms and bristled.

“Do you know which family’s child he is?”

“Does it matter? He’s an abandoned child anyway.”

Chi Chi flinched at the word ‘abandoned’. Zerachiel, who keenly noticed the reaction, added.

“I picked him up, so he’s mine now.”

Rahel let out a hollow laugh at the possessive attitude. This was truly unexpected.

“Maybe he’s a lost child?”

“What kind of parents would let their beast-kin [a person with animalistic features] child, who can’t even transform into a human, rob the Jabez family’s warehouse?”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

Rahel nodded, relieved that the concern had been resolved. It would be a disaster if a custody dispute arose later.

She hoped that her son’s newfound hobby would last a long time. She was quite looking forward to what kind of changes it would bring.

“Could it be that you came to confirm that?”

“I also came to see your father’s pathetic life.”

Rahel replied indifferently and crossed her legs. Her gaze turned to the window.

Judging by the dark circles under Zachary’s eyes, his condition seemed to have worsened. Recalling when his madness first started, she involuntarily closed her eyes tightly. What more could be said after that.

‘……What did you just say?’

‘I told you to go back to Illangbore. You won’t see anything good here.’

Just one word asking her to stay by his side would have been enough. On that day when he stubbornly brought up divorce, Rahel smashed the bed and returned to her hometown.

That was the end. It was so easy for two people who had been so affectionate to become strangers overnight.

“I should go.”

Rahel snapped out of her thoughts and stood up. Then she said to Zerachiel.

“Ricky.”

“Yes.”

“Please don’t let go first like your father did. He’s already been abandoned once, hasn’t he?”

“That won’t happen.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

Rahel burst into a clear laugh, then lowered her head towards Chi Chi and whispered softly. The words were too small to reach Zerachiel.

Rahel left the room after saying those words.

* * *

I blankly recalled Rahel, who had come and gone so suddenly. Unlike how she came with such vigor, she left as if she had quickly lost interest, and after saying something so unsettling.

‘Don’t get too attached. The Jabez are fickle. I’m saying this because you’re cute.’

What does it mean?

No matter how much I think about it, I don’t understand. Is it a warning to stay away from her son? Or was it really advice because I’m cute?

Whatever it is, it’s an unnecessary worry. Me, getting attached to a villain? Never.

I was just gathering momentum to escape in the spring. It was completely unexpected that I found out about my pheromones.

‘If I succeed in transforming into a human, I’ll bolt.’

That was my changed thought recently.

Until then, I was planning to continue freeloading at the Jabez family….

For some reason, despite Marina’s bold statement, I still couldn’t transform into a human.

Moreover, after hearing about my constitution, Zerachiel tried not to leave me alone for even a moment.

He was even about to take me to events.

Zachary glared at me resentfully, with only my face sticking out from Zerachiel’s pocket.

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of taking that thing with you too?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you think this event is a joke? Leave him behind right now.”

Zachary ordered in a testy voice. But Zerachiel was unmoved.

“I don’t want to.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I just have a feeling I shouldn’t leave him behind.”

Zerachiel smiled languidly and looked down at me. His golden eyes were full of wariness.

What an observant guy.

I felt guilty for no reason and lowered my eyes. It seemed he had noticed that I was planning to run away.

At this rate, it seemed difficult to escape from Zerachiel’s eyes for the time being.

I guess I’ll have to live as this guy’s pet for a while.

I raised my head again, met Zerachiel’s eyes, and grinned, as if to show that I was a harmless animal.