The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 17

#17.

The accommodations utilized space compression magic, dividing them into several rooms. Ivan had already retired to his own room, and naturally, I was to share a room with Jerarkiel.

Jerarkiel washed up and went straight to bed upon arriving at the lodgings. Despite his attempts to appear unaffected, it was clear his body was strained.

Normally, he would have started by teasing me, but instead of that, Jerarkiel covered me with the blanket and said,

“It’s best to rest today. You should go to sleep too.”

I’m not sleepy.

It was still midday outside. It would be nice to nap, but wouldn’t I be unable to sleep at night then?

It was amazing how everyone was staggering around like animals that had been given anesthesia. I, on the other hand, felt as energetic as if tiger energy [a surge of vitality] was coursing through me as soon as I arrived here.

With my current condition, I felt like I could easily run around Hebel once.

After a while, Jerarkiel’s breathing deepened and became even. He had fallen asleep.

“Chi?”

Are you asleep?

Even with my soft call, Jerarkiel remained silent. It was a distinctly different reaction from his usual sensitivity to even the smallest sounds.

I observed the situation a little longer before quietly getting out of bed and heading to the window. I hadn’t been able to properly see Hebel because I had been stuck with Jerarkiel.

I pressed close to the window and looked outside. The towering temple beyond the thick fog had a dreamy atmosphere, like a world in a fairy tale.

The sunlight shining through the fog looked brilliant and magnificent, reminiscent of the advent of a god.

I quietly observed the busy priests of Hebel passing by. No one paid attention to the weasel stuck to the window, as they were busy welcoming guests.

Should I go out?

It seemed like it would take a while for Jerarkiel to wake up anyway.

Worried that he might wake up while I was gone, I dipped my paw in ink and pressed it firmly on the paper.

Since I couldn’t write, I thought I’d leave a paw print before leaving.

Afterward, I mustered up the courage and slid the window open. Fresh air filled my lungs.

It was already as warm as spring here. I took a running start and jumped out of the window.

* * *

After swinging my sword once in the training grounds, my body felt much lighter.

Hebel was always a disturbing place. The feeling of having my most powerful weapon, pheromones, restricted was unpleasant for a beast.

Hearthcliff, who had arrived in Hebel a week ago, had already adapted to the energy of this place.

He was on his way back to the lodgings from the training grounds when suddenly, Heathcliff’s vision caught a suspicious movement.

“A weasel?”

Hearthcliff stopped abruptly, spotting a white weasel jumping out of the window.

It happened to be that white weasel he had seen earlier. The white weasel landed on the grass, seemingly unafraid of beasts, and began to move somewhere.

He had just arrived, so he should be strained, but he was so fearless.

But it was too reckless. Even Jerarkiel would be asleep for half a day right now.

Hearthcliff became anxious at the thought that he might be harassed by a nasty beast in the meantime. He gave the sword at his waist to Rudy and said,

“Go in first, Rudy.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll take a walk and then go.”

With those words, Heathcliff began walking in the direction where the white weasel had disappeared.

* * *

Sniff, sniff. Is this heaven?

All sorts of smells stimulated my nose. How long has it been since I smelled flowers?

I buried myself in the flowers in a field full of wildflowers, sniffing.

The fragrant flowers seemed to refresh my mind. It felt very good coming to a place full of grass scents after only smelling snow every day.

It was true that spring came to Hebel first. I was rolling around in the flowers when suddenly a shadow fell over me.

Surprised, I looked up and Heathcliff was staring at me.

“Chu?”

“So, you were here.”

Hearthcliff chuckled and bent his knees to look at me.

“I’m not used to smelling pheromones in Hebel. I’ve been looking for you for a while.”

He muttered, keeping a reasonable distance from me. It was a very different attitude from the cold atmosphere I had seen earlier.

‘Was it because he was in front of Jerarkiel?’

Since the two families were on bad terms, he must have been more nervous than usual to avoid being careless.

Anyway, it was unexpected that he was looking for me. I was clearly taught not to get involved with the Javis family.

In any case, since we knew each other, I raised my front paw and waved it.

“Hello.”

Hearthcliff smiled in response to my greeting. It was a reaction with less wariness.

A beautiful boy smiling with the sunlight behind him.

I had no choice but to rub my eyes because they were so dazzling. As expected of the male lead, his beauty was amazing.

“I was wondering where you were going alone.”

Hearthcliff swept across the field. His gaze turned to the wildflowers I was chewing, sucking, and smelling.

I was so excited to see the flowers after a long time that my body was covered in petals.

“Do you like flowers?”

Nod, nod.

“Still, it’s dangerous to come out alone. Even if it’s Hebel, it’s a dangerous place for a small beast like you. Especially in that state.”

Hearthcliff lightly scolded me. Now that I saw it, it seemed like he had followed me because he was worried about me.

As expected of the male lead, his sense of justice was amazing. I shrugged as if to say there was no need to worry about me.

It was said that using pheromones here would strain my body.

So, no beast would bother to attack a small wild animal like me, even if it meant straining themselves.

But Heathcliff seemed to think differently. He plucked the petals off my body and said,

“Your body smells like that guy.”

That guy?

“I’m talking about Jerarkiel Rune Javis.”

Ah.

Well, I’m with him every day, so there’s no way I wouldn’t smell like him. Rather, I was determined to hide my pheromones and cover myself with his.

But to Heathcliff, who didn’t know this, it seemed to mean something else.

Usually, beasts only rubbed each other’s pheromones on their lovers, so it was understandable that he misunderstood. Jerarkiel doesn’t think of me as anything more than a pet, though.

“So, you’re lovers.”

No!

I was startled and jumped up. Heathcliff’s eyes widened as I growled fiercely and shook my head. Unfortunately, it seemed like I was protesting too much.

“Ah, it’s a secret.”

It’s not!

“Don’t worry. I don’t talk about other people’s business.”

Hey, I think he’s a little clueless.

He interpreted it as he pleased and carefully removed the petals from my body one by one. It was very funny how careful he was not to touch my body.

I glared at him with dissatisfaction, as he couldn’t understand me at all, and shook my body to get rid of the remaining petals. Heathcliff tilted his head at my violent behavior.

“Are you upset?”

Of course.

“Or are you embarrassed?”

…Why is he like this?

I looked at Heathcliff with an absurd look.

I don’t know if he’s pure or pretending to be innocent. Why does he keep interpreting it that way even though I’m showing such a strong rejection?

Since Jerarkiel wasn’t next to me, he seemed to have more questions and curiosity than before.

A little annoying.

I moved away from him and focused on the flowers. As I wandered around, he quietly followed me.

He muffled his footsteps, as solemn as if he were about to hunt. Of course, he wasn’t very threatening in human form.

“You don’t seem to be having a hard time.”

Hearthcliff continued, as I didn’t answer and chewed on the flowers. He was persistent, not getting tired of the consistent ignoring.

“Usually, beasts struggle here.”