The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 37

#37.

Okay, so Zerachiel is a bit… eccentric, let’s say, and maybe not playing with a full deck. But at least he’s never turned his fangs on me.

Besides, having the Black Lion family as backup is a pretty sweet deal, right?

Until I can get my pheromones under control, finding another protector like him won’t be easy.

‘What’s the big deal with marriage anyway?’

Seeing Bianco drop the innocent act and show his true colors, it’s clear that getting a noble title is a huge deal.

After all, the heroine, Ella, didn’t get the Page name.

So, why pass up this chance? We’re already bonded, so escaping Zerachiel at this point is pretty much impossible!

That’s why I decided to accept Zerachiel’s proposal without any more stalling. I asked Isla,

“Where’s Zerachiel?”

“He should be at the training grounds.”

“Really? Do you think he’d mind if I went to see him?”

I asked because he might not appreciate being interrupted during training. Isla blinked.

“Mind? Everyone will probably be thrilled.”

Everyone?

Are there multiple Zerachiels running around?

That question was answered the moment I arrived at the training grounds.

“Huh.”

I stared, dumbfounded, at the pile of lions sprawled on the ground. They were all slumped over, like they’d been beaten to a pulp.

How exhausted must they be to revert to their original forms and be panting for breath like that?

“Chi Chi?”

Zerachiel, sensing Chi Chi’s pheromones, turned his head. Unlike the exhausted lions, Zerachiel didn’t have a single bead of sweat on him.

I distinctly heard they were sparring. How come only one side got completely wrecked?

Anyone would think he was the referee.

I tried to figure out what was going on here.

‘Ever since he came back from Hebel, Lord Zerachiel has been beating up the lions under the guise of training.’

‘……Why?’

‘Who knows? I never know what sets him off… He never used to spar with us, but now he’s committing assault disguised as sparring, so the lions’ moans never stop.’

So, those strange cries I’ve been hearing every day were coming from the training grounds?

‘Basically, everyone will be grateful if Chi Chi shows up. You’re the only one who can drag Zerachiel out of Zabis City, Chi Chi.’

So, the point is that the lions in the training grounds would be happy if I came. Not necessarily Zerachiel.

‘Could he be acting like this because I haven’t given him an answer yet?’

A cold sweat trickled down my back. It seemed like something Zerachiel would definitely do.

‘What am I going to do with this crazy lion?’

Zerachiel, who had already sheathed his sword, walked over to me.

“What brings you here?”

Zerachiel’s expression was as calm as usual. If I hadn’t seen the pile of lions behind him, I would have thought Isla was exaggerating.

I muttered, unable to tear my eyes away from the lions rolling around on the ground.

“I have something to say.”

“Something to say?”

“I came to give you my answer……”

Should I do it here?

Seeing my troubled expression, Zerachiel ran a hand over his mouth. He seemed a little excited at the word ‘answer’.

Yeah, this place is way too depressing for a proposal acceptance. A field of lions is definitely not as good as a flower garden…

“Let’s go somewhere else to talk.”

Zerachiel seemed to be thinking the same thing. As soon as he said that, the tails of the lions behind him shot up.

Seeing the lions perform a dance of joy gave me whiplash.

What am I even looking at?

I was dumbfounded that I had caused such a scene, but to them, I was a hero.

Zerachiel ordered Isla.

“Clean up here.”

“Yes.”

Then he took off his dusty gloves and took my hand without a moment’s hesitation. I quietly looked down at his bare hand. A familiar warmth spread through my hand.

“Let’s go.”

Zerachiel led me to a quiet place.

As if responding to the lions’ enthusiastic send-off, Zerachiel stopped in a flower garden filled with blooming roses. We really came to a flower garden.

“So, what’s your answer?”

Zerachiel asked quietly. Judging by how he was getting straight to the point, he seemed pretty anxious.

Was beating up the lions in the training grounds just a tantrum after all?

I fiddled with the roses and muttered.

“Well, um… Okay, I will.”

“What? I can’t hear you.”

“……Yes, I’ll marry you.”

I was so embarrassed to give him an answer that my voice was naturally muffled. I wish he could understand perfectly even if I spoke vaguely.

Zerachiel frowned as if he didn’t understand, then suddenly grabbed both of my cheeks and made me look at him.

“Say it again.”

“No, if I’m this close……”

“If you’re what?”

I’m too embarrassed.

I couldn’t bring myself to say the words and just moved my lips. But it didn’t seem like he would let me go until I answered.

Okay, embarrassment is only temporary!

I grabbed Zerachiel’s wrists with a determined look. After taking a deep breath, I shouted so loudly that it echoed through the flower garden.

“Marry me!”

“……”

“Let’s get married, damn it!”

I was surprised that my voice came out so loud when I shouted so boldly, and my eyes widened.

After a moment, his shoulders seemed to heave, and then he burst into laughter.

“Ahahaha!”

“Wh, what?”

There’s a man who laughs when I say let’s get married?

I forgot my embarrassment at the absurd reaction and glared at Zerachiel.

I’m doing you a favor by accepting you as my husband, so what’s with this reaction?

“You’re really… Keu.”

Zerachiel couldn’t finish his words and took several deep breaths. He finally regained his composure.

“You’re really funny.”

“……”

“That’s why I can’t take my eyes off you.”

Zerachiel smiled languidly. His sparkling golden eyes were full of amusement.

Because he was holding my cheeks, his face was too close.

Th, this is a little dangerous.

I tried to back away from Zerachiel, who was smiling brightly, and moved my butt back. As only my body moved away in an awkward posture, Zerachiel tilted his head.

“What are you doing?”

“Move away a little.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then don’t smile like that.”

I’m afraid I’ll get attached!

My heart was pounding for no reason when I saw that smile. It wasn’t just because the word ‘funny’ came out of his mouth.

This was a bit of an irresistible force. How could I resist when a handsome man was launching a smile attack as if he was determined to do so?

I was trying to calm my pounding heart.

“Chi Chi.”

“……”

“Your face is red.”

Before I knew it, my hand shot out when he tilted his head and said that so innocently.

“No, it’s not!”

“Ugh.”

“Gasp!”

Zerachiel was unexpectedly hit in the chin and stumbled back. I was just as embarrassed because I didn’t expect him to not dodge it and get hit.

“Why, why didn’t you dodge?!”

“What am I supposed to say when you hit me and then ask me why I didn’t dodge?”

Zerachiel smirked, touching his chin as if he was dumbfounded.

I had nothing to say because it was true, but I couldn’t stop my mouth from rambling in confusion.

“Still, you could have dodged!”

There was no way a guy who beats up a pack of lions couldn’t block a white ferret’s fluffy fist.

I knew it was an absurd thing to say, but I was so flustered that I just said anything. Hearing this, Zerachiel gave an even more absurd answer.

“Why would I dodge that?”

“……”

“I don’t intend to miss anything you give me.”