The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 50

The Dark Lion Family’s Strongest Daughter-in-Law (50)

#50

A lion beastman, who had been quietly training, cautiously raised a question.

“You’re more lenient than usual?”

“What’s up? Is he preparing a one-hit kill or something?”

“And what’s with that flower?”

“I don’t know. He’s been carrying it around like a part of him since the other day.”

The gazes of the whispering lion beastmen turned to the flower in Zerachiel’s front pocket.

It was a flower he had been carrying around for days. He must have used some trick, but the flower was still fresh. It was as if he had protected it from withering with a pheromone barrier.

It was a common wildflower that bloomed right next to the training grounds. They couldn’t believe that Zerachiel, of all people, was keeping such a flower so preciously.

“Let’s stop here for today.”

Contrary to their expectations, nothing happened, and when Zerachiel sheathed his sword, the lion beastmen, overwhelmed with emotion, shouted ‘Hooray!’ in unison. Even after seeing his smile, they couldn’t believe that the training had ended safely.

Just then, Ivan appeared.

“You’re taking it easy today?”

“Do you want me to spar with you, Ivan?”

“Ehey, why would you say such scary things? I’m sick and tired of sweaty training even in the family!”

Ivan waved his hand. Then, the flower in his hand fluttered.

“What’s that flower?”

“Ah? Didn’t you know? These days, whenever Lady Cherchia has a chance, she picks flowers and gives them to the servants as gifts. I took one for myself as well.”

“…What?”

“Ayla says she likes flowers. Isn’t it cute? Hehehe.”

Ivan chuckled and naturally distanced himself from Zerachiel. He was sure his master would growl, ‘Who do you think you are, calling my Cherchia cute?’

However, Zerachiel didn’t react at all. He just stared at the flower in Ivan’s hand.

“I wasn’t the only one who got it?”

He protectively wrapped the flower in his front pocket and murmured in disbelief.

‘What is this?’

‘Uh, a gift.’

‘Suddenly?’

‘I just thought the flower was pretty… If you don’t want it, never mind…’

‘Who said I don’t want it?’

He thought she was just embarrassed because she was unusually hesitant. He felt down when he thought that she had shown that side of her to everyone.

She was quite the weasel. To think that a single flower could make him feel so up and down.

Seeing this, Ivan’s playful side was triggered, and he started to tease him.

“Excuse me? …Ah, did you think Lady Cherchia only gave it to you, young master? Ehey, no way! My father was the very first one to receive it, you know?”

“…”

He wasn’t even the first.

Zerachiel was even more shocked and became speechless. Naturally, a chilling smile appeared on his face. Ivan, who didn’t notice his change, teased him again.

“Zachary got one too, and so did Rachel and Keira who came this time? These days, the scent of flowers is so strong whenever Lady Cherchia passes by, she looks so delicious!”

The more Ivan spoke, the darker and more sinister Zerachiel’s smile became. After a while, Zerachiel drew his sword again.

“Come to think of it, I don’t think I warmed up enough.”

“Y-Young master?”

The lions who were cleaning up behind him flinched and looked at Zerachiel with pity. At the same time, they glared at Ivan, who had spoken carelessly.

At this, Ivan jumped up.

“No, Zerachiel! If you suddenly change your mind, I’ll be in trouble…”

“There’s no need to be in trouble.”

“Yes?”

“Everyone except Ivan, leave.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Be gentle! But if possible, please hit that annoying mouth first!”

The quick-witted lions cheered and rushed out. Now, only Ivan and Zerachiel were left in the training ground.

“You’re not serious, are you?”

“I am.”

“You can’t be serious, right?”

Ivan took a step back. But there was nowhere to run. Zerachiel jumped up.

Kwaaaang!

“Aaaagh!”

The spot where Ivan had been standing was now deeply dented. Ivan drew the sword at his waist with a pale face. Then, Zerachiel increased his speed even more.

Kwakwakwakwang!

The sword blades collided, and pheromones scattered sharply. Ivan’s clothes were torn here and there, and blood splattered.

“Are you trying to kill meee!”

“Just die.”

Zerachiel replied curtly and struck Ivan’s head with the scabbard.

“Keuheok! Save meeee!”

Ivan’s scream echoed through the training ground. But no one came to help him. It was the end for someone who had spoken out of turn.

* * *

After being sacrificed to Rachel’s doll play, I sprawled on the bed, lazing around.

Rachel, who had begun to open her heart to me, boasted a bold and honest way of speaking, befitting her cool personality.

‘The mistress of Xabisi [a powerful family or clan] must first have a strong tongue. If you stay still, they’ll think you’re a pushover and try to take advantage of you. You have to bite off the heads of those who defy you from the start.’

The tips she gave me as the mistress of Xabisi were mostly like that.

Perhaps these were the things she had experienced countless times while living as the mistress of Xabisi.

‘It’s better to be feared than to be underestimated. Beastmen are honest with their instincts, so if they think you’re stronger than them, they’ll wag their tails and run away.’

‘But I’m a white weasel?’

‘…Strength isn’t proportional to size. Have pride. You’re a brave white weasel who commands a crazy black lion.’

‘Oh.’

‘You have enough potential. You’ll soon become a very strong weasel who dominates the continent.’

Rachel seemed to overestimate me a lot. Receiving Rachel’s expectations made me feel like I had become Ella.

‘Forget it, just beat them up first. Xabisi will take care of the rest. I’m here too.’

Of course, as time went on, I began to suspect that she was trying to raise her daughter-in-law to be a gangster…

In any case, Rachel’s advice was like this.

If someone stronger than me appeared, I should borrow the name of Xabisi and beat them up. I should always remember that there were terrifying black lions behind me.

In fact, I also know how terrifying the position of Xabisi’s mistress can be to them.

Wasn’t Bianco’s reaction, who forgot to pretend to be kind and revealed his true colors like a seizure, proof of that?

“Yeah. I’m not going to be a pushover anymore.”

The position of Xabisi’s mistress was perfect for me, who had decided to take advantage of others rather than being taken advantage of.

‘So, you must stay by Ricky’s side. Don’t regret it like I did.’

Rachel, who had passed on all her tips, looked very bitter. I wanted to stay by her side and comfort her.

So I couldn’t help but ask. The real reason why Rachel and Zachary divorced.

‘Do you regret getting divorced?’

‘It’s the most regrettable thing I’ve ever done among the rash actions I’ve taken.’

‘…’

‘Everyone thinks I dumped Zachary, but in fact, it’s the same as me being dumped.’

‘Dumped?’

‘Zachary told me to leave first! That bastard…!’

‘Calm down, Lady Rachel.’

‘Keuheum.’

Occasionally, when Rachel got heated up and tried to start a fight, Keira intervened in a timely manner to prevent the story from going off track. It wasn’t something she had done once or twice.

‘It’s true that I did it in a fit of anger without thinking about the consequences, but neither Zachary nor I wanted the divorce.’

‘Then you can come back now. From my point of view, it didn’t seem like Zachary didn’t have feelings for you. Besides, Lady Rachel, you have feelings too…’

‘If you can see it, do you think I wouldn’t know? Sometimes there are things you can’t do even if your hearts are connected.’

Rachel let out a short, hollow laugh and began to tell her story.

Zachary’s life, which I heard from Rachel, was also very unfortunate.

His symptoms of madness started the moment Zerachiel was born.