The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 30

#30.

“That’s because you provoked me first.”

*If* you weren’t such a troublemaker with a mouth that invites trouble, I wouldn’t have had to hit Zerachiel half as much. Of course, the remaining half is just because I felt like it.

Zerachiel is annoying just by existing!

“So, are you going to call me by my name or not?”

At my repeated urging, Zerachiel leaned in and whispered,

“Only call *me* by my name. Don’t call anyone else by their name.”

“What kind of ridiculous demand is that?”

Now, not only biting but also calling you by name is *only* for you?

It’s not like I have to only play with you in this world!

I felt like he needed to fix his possessive nature before I could decide whether to stay in the Jabishi manor or not. I put my hands on my hips and declared,

“No.”

“No?”

“Yeah, no.”

Zerachiel looked dumbfounded at my strong refusal. He looked like an owner witnessing a rebellion from his pet.

“What are you going to do if I don’t like it?”

I had nothing to say to that.

It’s ridiculous to assert myself when I’m living here rent-free.

But I also had the right to make my own decisions. Not wanting to back down, I shouted with a face flushed with anger, as if driving in a wedge,

“If you keep doing that, I’m going to run away!”

“!!”

The moment the word ‘run away’ came out of my mouth, Zerachiel’s face froze over.

“What did you say you were going to do?”

Instantly, the surrounding air seemed to freeze. I felt a pressure as if a chilling voice was gripping my neck.

“Say it again. What did you say you were going to do?”

Zerachiel smiled like an angel as he asked again. Why did his deepening smile look so terrifying?

It was a more extreme reaction than I expected. I didn’t realize my declaration to run away would have this much impact.

I didn’t even plan to run away for the time being. Tae-bi said it was safest inside the Black Lion’s den.

I just got upset because Zerachiel kept making unreasonable demands, and I blurted it out in a fit of pique. I lowered my gaze and muttered,

“I, I was just kidding.”

“It’s best not to say things like that, even as a joke.”

Zerachiel declared softly with a languid smile. I couldn’t imagine what would happen if I said it twice.

The obsession ingrained in his smile seemed to stick all over my body.

I know the family has a strong sense of ownership, but there’s no need to be so obsessed with a pet.

I rolled my eyes and pretended not to know. Then, Zerachiel’s gaze turned to my wrist, specifically the branded mark.

Only then did I remember the branding, and I held out my wrist and said,

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“Didn’t you already hear it from the hyena?”

“Because *you* didn’t tell me.”

I was so frustrated that I asked the male lead.

“Besides, I can’t run away because of this anyway.”

“That’s right.”

Zerachiel smiled contentedly. It was an arrogant face that said he knew it well, which left me speechless.

I was the one who lost words because he affirmed it so naturally. After a moment, Zerachiel said,

“I already got permission from Father about that.”

“What permission?”

“To formally register you in Jabishi.”

“Me? But I’m a ferret……”

Unlike other families, the Jabishi family was an exclusive group that was hostile to other races. Most of the servants were lion beastmen because of the fastidious nature of the direct line.

Even when I walked around Jabishi Castle, there were only lions who looked at me strangely.

But to formally register me in Jabishi…

A pet is one of his assets, so it doesn’t matter, but formal registration was a slightly different matter.

“There’s one way to register even if you’re not a lion.”

“What is it?”

I had never heard of such a thing. I was making a puzzled expression when Zerachiel dropped a bombshell with a nonchalant face.

“Marriage.”

“……What?”

“Father told me to take you as my official partner.”

Huh? What to do?

* * *

Isn’t this a bit much?

I stared blankly out the window. It had been almost a month since I came to Hebel.

Now, after the last banquet, everyone would return to their respective families.

But I wasn’t so happy about the approaching day to return to Jabishi. It was because of the conversation I had with Zerachiel last time.

‘When we return to Jabishi, we will formally prepare for the wedding.’

Is that real?

At first, I thought he was just saying it to tease me. But when I realized it wasn’t a lie, I felt like I was losing my mind.

Suddenly, my status was upgraded from pet to partner. I couldn’t even tell if I should welcome it or be horrified.

In the first place, what kind of crazy person would give me a seat next to him to register me? I felt it from the moment of branding, but is he really sane?

‘No. He hasn’t been sane since before.’

Right. It didn’t matter at all if I called a crazy person crazy. Only my insides were bursting because I was going to be next to that crazy person.

The problem was the elders of Jabishi. No matter how crazy Zerachiel was, would the elders be crazy too?

They would surely revolt from all directions as soon as the marriage was announced. I felt uneasy just imagining the commotion that would arise.

At that time, someone quietly whispered in my ear along with a presence. It was a playful voice at first glance.

“Little Madam.”

“Don’t tease me, Ivan.”

“Keu-heum. Ahem.”

Ivan pursed his lips as if clearing his throat. His cheeks, which were so full that they seemed about to burst, were annoying.

I glared at him and snapped,

“You knew this would happen, so you didn’t tell me about the branding, did you?”

“Of course not. I was also very surprised. ……Keek. Ahem.”

*Keek*?

Did you just laugh?

When I glared at him, Ivan glanced at the sky and pretended not to notice. As I grumbled, he continued,

“Isn’t it not a bad thing for Chi Chi-nim [term of endearment] anyway?”

“Not a bad thing?”

“It’s much more convenient to be a little mistress than a pet, with more authority. This is a huge rise in status.”

Are you even saying that?

I didn’t feel any value in refuting and glared at him.

Is marriage a joke!

I haven’t even dated yet, but now I’m going to be a married woman!

But in the world of beastmen, finding a partner was too natural. In particular, becoming the partner of a strong person was a great privilege.

As long as the strong person is by my side as my partner, no one will be able to treat me carelessly.

From Ivan’s point of view, my extreme reaction may not be understood.

If I had only remembered the life of a beastman, I would have thought it wasn’t so bad. The problem was that I had memories of living as a Korean.

“Do you dislike Zerachiel-nim that much?”

“It’s not a matter of liking or disliking…….”

“Our young master is a little crazy and sometimes acts like a thug, but he takes care of his people amazingly.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“Of course, it’s an insult.”

Ivan shrugged as if asking what kind of question that was. He was a loyal subject with extreme treason against his master.

“Anyway, it’s a great opportunity for Chi Chi-nim. You’re going to be on top of the Black Lion’s head instead of on the table, right?”

I’ve already done that.

I shuddered as I recalled my first meeting with Zerachiel. Yes, that’s when the problem started.

If I hadn’t done that damn warehouse robbery……!

I was about to bite my handkerchief with the resentment of that time. It seemed that someone, who was the culprit of the incident, was visible from the window.

I rubbed my eyes and looked again, thinking it was a mistake, but the result was the same. Bianco was really passing by.

“Huh.”

Why is he here?