The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 81

#81.

“Anyway, I’m glad you two made up.”

“Trying to act like an adult when you’re so tiny.”

Rahel turned her head and scratched her cheek. Cersia distanced herself from Rahel for no reason. She was avoiding a potential head-flick, but it seemed like an overreaction.

Rahel kept fanning herself as if embarrassed, then suddenly changed the subject.

“By the way, why haven’t you gone back yet? Zerachiel and Zachariah left.”

“Ah, I have a separate favor to ask.”

Cersia hesitated at that. Zerachiel had asked her to go with them yesterday, but she had insisted on staying until Rahel woke up.

Zachariah looked somewhat out of it, so he seemed to have forgotten to take care of her and bring her along. Thanks to that, she had time to talk to Rahel alone.

“A favor?”

“I heard that a merchant guild from one of the families regularly trades with Hebel.”

“That’s right.”

The west was a resource-rich area thanks to its fertile land. One family, representing that region, regularly supplied goods to Hebel.

‘I can’t shake the feeling that Hebel’s been too quiet.’

It wouldn’t have been strange if an invitation had arrived long ago, but it was too quiet. It was clear that Zachariah or Zerachiel were secretly intercepting them.

‘I hate going to Hebel more than death, but… at this rate, I might actually die.’

As someone whose life was on the line due to stopping the rampage last time, she needed to go to Hebel as soon as possible. If she returned to Zabishee Castle as is, it would be even more difficult to go to Hebel.

Since Illangbore and Hebel were nearby, it was worth a quick trip.

The reason she was going in person wasn’t just because of the relic.

Cersia recalled Ella, whom she had glimpsed on her wedding day.

Ella was definitely wearing Hebel’s priestly robes. She needed to find out why Ella was staying in Hebel instead of with the Paige family.

Since this was the world of the original story, there must be a reason for her unusual behavior.

Cersia steeled her resolve and said,

“Please take me to Hebel.”

“What?”

Rahel’s mouth fell open at the unexpected request. She had never dreamed that Cersia would go to Hebel herself.

Rahel had heard rumors that Hebel wanted to meet Cersia. It was because she had summoned a guardian at the wedding.

A guardian was a divine creature that protected relics, and summoning it meant she was born with the qualities of a saintess.

Because she had become Zabishee’s partner, they couldn’t claim her for Hebel, but they seemed to want to create a connection.

She had heard that Zabishee was blocking them, causing them trouble.

Rahel could only open and close her mouth, not expecting Cersia herself to say she would go.

After a moment, she said with a firm face.

“I can’t allow it. Hebel is trying so hard to get you there; why would you go there willingly?”

“Hiding in Zabishee Castle like this won’t solve anything anyway.”

“No. Zachariah won’t allow it. Zerachiel won’t want it either.”

“If those two stop me, does that mean I can’t do anything?”

Rahel hesitated at Cersia’s firm question. Noticing the momentary hesitation, Cersia continued.

“I didn’t marry Zerachiel just to be protected. I thought you would understand, Mother, but I guess not?”

Rahel couldn’t refute the pointed words. She had felt the same way while being Zabishee’s mistress.

Zachariah was always pushing her away under the guise of protecting her. That’s why she ran away.

Ironically, she was doing the same thing to Cersia, telling her not to do things.

Rahel belatedly realized her contradictory behavior and sighed softly.

As Cersia said, things wouldn’t be resolved by just keeping quiet.

It would be better to take a proactive approach. Rahel ruffled Cersia’s hair as if she couldn’t win.

“So that’s why you’re able to control Ricky.”

“You’ll take me, right?”

“Yes. But not alone. Let’s go together.”

“Of course. I’m scared to go alone!”

Rahel burst out laughing at her sulky expression, as if she had thought she would send her alone. Then Cersia smiled brightly and shook their joined hands.

Where did such spirit come from such a small and insignificant being?

When she first saw her, she was worried that Zerachiel would devour her.

Now, she felt more anticipation than worry. Cersia might be able to change Zabishee’s passive and closed-off atmosphere in one go.

So Rahel clenched her fist with a determined face.

“Let’s go right away while we’re at it.”

“Yes?”

Cersia flinched at such bulldozer-like behavior, but no one could stop Rahel. Keira said dryly.

“I will prepare.”

* * *

Zerachiel clenched his fist as he looked at the empty reception room.

He never thought this would happen when his father suddenly barged in this morning.

‘Where’s Chichi [Cersia’s nickname]?’

‘Ah.’

‘Don’t tell me you left her behind?’

‘I just assumed she was seeing us off naturally.’

His father, looking somewhat dazed, didn’t bring Cersia from Zabishee Castle.

Cersia, whom he expected to be waiting quietly, was nowhere to be seen, and only a trembling servant was there.

Seeing that Rahel and Keira were also gone, it seemed they had left the mansion together.

Zerachiel couldn’t help but smile coldly at his mother, who had stolen Cersia away from him, leaving him out.

Zerachiel, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, tilted his head and muttered coldly.

“So, where’s Chichi?”

“T-that is…”

The servant, overwhelmed by his aura, trembled and handed him a note.

Zerachiel’s pupils shrank. He had a bad feeling. Zerachiel quickly read the note.

[I’m going to Hebel.

Follow me if you’re worried.]

It was still bad handwriting, but Zerachiel immediately understood and distorted his face.

“Huh?”

Zerachiel couldn’t think straight at the unexpected destination.

His heart was pounding. He had been planning to overturn Hebel because letters were coming every day.

But the white ferret he had been protecting so dearly was walking into Hebel on her own.

Zerachiel read the note several times as if denying reality, then raised his head and asked.

“What time did she leave?”

“S-she left almost half a day ago.”

“Damn it!”

Then she would have already arrived in Hebel. Hebel was quite close from Illangbore.

Ivan, sensing the seriousness of the situation, said,

“I will report to Lord Zachariah and follow behind.”

“Tell them to station troops in case there’s bloodshed.”

“Yes.”

Ivan answered seriously, unlike his usual self, and quickly disappeared. Zerachiel frowned deeply and ruffled his hair, then carefully kept the note Cersia had left in his inner pocket and ran out.

Whoosh—

A chilling silence fell over the place where the commotion had passed.

After a moment, the servant collapsed with a thud.

“I-I thought I was going to die.”

The servant, who had turned pale in a few minutes, clasped his trembling hands together and swallowed his tears.

Judging by the expression of Zabishee’s young master, he looked ready to declare war on Hebel. The servant teared up as he recalled Keira’s advice.

‘Lord Zerachiel will definitely come and cause a ruckus, so just hand over the note and get out of there quickly.’

He should have listened to that.

The servant, who had been captivated by Zerachiel’s beauty and experienced unnecessary fear, shed tears and couldn’t get up from his seat for a while.