The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 141

#141.

“The only one here who looks like a pumpkin is you.”

“How absurd.”

There was a time when he said I was the prettiest in the world.

Turns out, he was thinking of me as a pumpkin all along?

Chelsia was so taken aback by the sudden change in tone that she couldn’t even speak.

Watching this, Ivan muttered seriously.

“Oh dear, our young master. He’s become a princess in half a day.”

“Princess? What does that mean, Ivan Kali?”

“It means your words require special management.”

“Pfft.”

Chelsia understood Ivan’s words and burst into laughter. She realized that the princess he was referring to wasn’t a typical princess but a ‘mouth of terror’ [someone whose words are sharp and cutting].

Thanks to Ivan’s wordplay, her sinking mood improved a little.

To think she would hear Zerachiel’s harsh words.

And to think she would receive comfort from Ivan.

Chelsia folded her arms and smiled.

“Let’s just leave him be. I’m curious how he’ll react when he comes back to normal.”

* * *

Unfortunately, the antidote didn’t work on Zerachiel. Merina sent a letter to the Duke, saying she must have made a mistake in the preparation, but the reply was that there was no problem.

“It’s disgusting.”

Zerachiel frowned at the antidote, which was even more concentrated than before. Merina said with a tearful face.

“You still have to drink it.”

“Yes, young master. How much are you going to regret later if you keep this up?”

Ivan shook his head and chimed in with Merina.

It had already been a week since Zerachiel failed to recognize Chelsia.

In the meantime, Zerachiel had been diligently building up a narrative of regret – for her, at least.

For example, things like this:

‘The smell is so terrible that I can’t stand being near you. Do you even wash?’

‘It’s the scent you like. And I showered this morning.’

‘If you’re doing it on purpose, can you move away? I can’t concentrate because of the smell.’

‘Ha, should I hit you?’

As Chelsia trembled and clenched her fist, Ivan intervened.

‘Chelsia, please bear with it. The young master is… unwell. If you raise your fist like this, it might be difficult to stop Zerachiel.’

‘Looks like you’ve gained two lives while I wasn’t looking, Ivan.’

‘Ahahaha, that can’t be. Please just stay still, Zerachiel.’

‘Get out of the way, Ivan. I think Zerachiel is the one who has two lives.’

‘Why? Are you going to hit me?’

‘Ugh! Please! Both of you, stoooop!’

Zerachiel reacted sharply only to Chelsia.

It was the third time today that she had to be stopped from attacking Zerachiel.

Eventually, the two, who had been sleeping in separate rooms since that day, were in a state of cold war.

Fortunately, the Sarban side didn’t know that Zerachiel’s strange behavior was due to madness. [Referring to a magical or mental affliction.]

Thanks to this, they avoided unnecessary gossip, but there was another problem.

It was because Zerachiel had become strange in another sense since yesterday.

Just in time, Zerachiel asked Ivan while preparing to go out.

“Where’s the rabbit?”

“Well, probably with Chelsia? They’re always together.”

Zerachiel frowned as Ivan answered vaguely. Of course, it wasn’t because of Ivan’s attitude that he was annoyed.

“Come to think of it, she always keeps her by her side and uses her. If there’s something to do, she should do it herself.”

“Haa. I’m really confused, but has Zerachiel’s soul changed or something?”

“What are you talking about.”

“No, it’s just that you usually ask the opposite question. Besides, you usually disliked Ella very much, didn’t you? It hasn’t even been half a month since you said you didn’t like her eyes?”

“Get out of the way if you’re going to talk nonsense. I get annoyed just thinking about that white ferret.”

Zerachiel coldly retorted and adjusted his tie.

Ivan followed him closely behind, looking anxious, as if taking care of a child near a dangerous body of water.

It was understandable that Zerachiel didn’t recognize Chelsia, but it was a little strange that he had become so affectionate to Ella.

It was as if a person had changed overnight.

It was well known that madness could cause a strong backlash against a partner, but it was the first time that the opposite had happened.

It was even more so because it seemed like he had developed an obsession with Ella. Usually, it was common to be obsessed with a partner, but this was strange.

Just then, Ella, who was coming out of Chelsia’s room, frowned when she saw Zerachiel.

“Ugh.”

She clearly didn’t want to run into him. Chelsia followed her out of the room. Judging by her attire, she was going out.

Zerachiel blocked their path and asked.

“Where are you going?”

“Just out front for a bit……”

“I was asking her, not you.”

Chelsia stopped talking. Ella, who was next to her, looked disgusted.

“What does it matter to the Young Master where I go?”

“Well, you can’t run away since you’re carrying poison.”

“I never intended to run away in the first place……!”

Chelsia stopped Ella from getting angry.

“It’s okay. Don’t get angry at someone who is unwell.”

Zerachiel frowned as Chelsia openly treated him like a sick beast. However, he only took a defensive stance because he had seen that his pheromones didn’t work on her before.

Regardless, Chelsia passed him and said.

“We’re going to the market because it’s open. Come if you have time.”

“Why would I go there……”

“Never mind then.”

Chelsia wrinkled her nose as if she was just saying it out of courtesy and walked away with Ella.

* * *

“Are you just going to let it go?”

As soon as she got into the carriage, Ella complained. Her face was full of worry, perhaps because she had been suffering from Zerachiel since yesterday.

Well, how creepy would it be if the person who had tormented her in the past suddenly started a crackdown?

She looked like she had gone back to before the regression, and her face looked half its size in a day.

I patted Ella on the shoulder.

“What can we do? He’s not in his right mind right now.”

“Why is he suddenly doing this to me?”

“It must be stage 2. You know, stage 2 is about being obsessed with a specific target.”

“So why is he doing it to me? Usually, it’s done to a partner.”

“I don’t know.”

I stared out the window, lost in thought.

I was also embarrassed by Zerachiel’s actions, which deviated from everyone’s expectations.

Zerachiel’s madness was progressing faster than expected. Stage 2 started in just a week.

Moreover, the situation was serious because the antidote didn’t work. At this rate, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before it progressed to stage 4.

Suddenly, I remembered Zerachiel running wild in my dream, and my head throbbed.

Can I stop Zerachiel in time?

Thinking about that made me feel depressed.

“I want to know the reason too.”

“I’m sorry. I said something unnecessary.”

“No, it’s because you’re uncomfortable too.”

Silence followed after those words. The carriage stopped at the market.

“We’ll go from here alone.”

“But……”

Ella said as the escort attached by the Sarban family looked around.

“I’m enough as an escort.”

“You’re just a rabbit, aren’t you?”

“What did you say?”

Ella flared up at the blatant disregard. I stood between the two who were confronting each other and said.

“If we bring a string of escorts, we won’t be able to enjoy it properly.”

“Still……”

Seeing that the escort had no intention of backing down, I sighed deeply and said coldly.

“Does Sarban have no hierarchy?”

“Yes?”

“Since when did an escort ignore the master’s words and offer opinions?”

“That’s……”

“Or are you ignoring me because I’m a bastard?”

The escort turned pale and apologized profusely at my questioning words.

“That, that’s not what I meant. I’m sorry, Young Master.”

“Then wait here. Don’t bother me anymore.”

The escort kept silent at my firm words and saluted in front of the carriage.

I have to threaten them to get them to understand.

I shook my head and walked around with Ella, pretending to look around as if sightseeing. It was to shake off any possible tail.

After that, we subtly moved to the meeting place.

Then Heathcliff, who had been hiding in the dark, appeared. I couldn’t recognize him right away because he was wearing a hood.

“You’re late.”

“It took a while to shake off the escort.”

Hearthcliff’s eyes narrowed at my words. After a while, he said.

“Are you sure you shook them off?”

“Huh?”

“Someone is following you. Very secretly.”