The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 112

The summer night breeze held a magical quality, stirring hearts, soothing sorrows, and creating a strangely optimistic mood.

That must be why Ian brought me out here.

“You look like you’ve sorted things out,” Ian said as I finished my sandwich.

“You’re thinking of leaving earlier than planned, aren’t you, Florin?”

“That’s…”

How did he know? Could he read my mind?

Ian chuckled, his shoulders shaking, as I stared at him, wide-eyed. “I know what you’re thinking. I know you better than you know yourself, Florin.”

“I’ve been found out. Yes, I’m thinking of leaving a little earlier. But it’s not because of you, Ian.”

I didn’t want him to feel burdened.

Ian had a habit of thinking and carrying things on his own. If I told him I was going to Arkalik early because I was worried about him… he would definitely blame himself.

I continued in as bright a voice as possible, “I’ll be back when I come of age, so I want to stay by Dad’s side a little longer.”

“Such a filial daughter.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

Ian smiled quietly.

Looking at his face, which seemed to be humoring my excuse, made me feel like a child.

Ian was always more mature than me. It was strange; I felt like he could see right through me whenever I stood in front of him.

Dante was so easy to fool, though.

“I’ll definitely come back when I’m an adult. I’ll be working hard to become someone worthy of you by then.”

“Don’t worry! Of course, you have to come back.”

“I’ll be waiting, growing into someone who suits you.”

Ian gently stroked my hair.

His thicker wrists and the veins starting to stand out on his forearms felt a little unfamiliar. We were all kids together, but it felt like Ian was growing up all on his own.

Hesitantly, I subtly averted my gaze from Ian’s golden eyes. Then, I awkwardly grabbed the rope.

“I almost forgot I had something to give you! I’ll go down to my room and be right back.”

“Be careful. You’ll get hurt.”

“Hey, what’s dangerous about this little bit?”

I replied lightly, grabbed the rope, and jumped down, slipping through my bedroom window.

‘My treasure box.’

The treasure box I hadn’t taken out in a long time was covered in dust. No maid had touched it, following my strict orders.

I struggled to pull it out, blew off the dust, and opened the box.

There were many precious things inside, but the most important was…

‘I think it’s time to give this.’

Six months ago, Head of the Family Grandfather called me and handed me three golden locket necklaces.

These lockets opened with a click to reveal my portrait inside, and their meaning was significant.

“Think carefully, and when you’re about to leave, give these to only three of the heirs.”

“Including 유리 [Yuri]?”

“Yes. After you leave, the ones who receive these will study to become the Head of the Family, and the ones who don’t will be assigned to practical positions to help the family.”

“…And… if they receive this, but don’t become the Head of the Family…”

“That one will have to go to the frontier. What can you do? Well, 유리 is the Crown Prince, so he’ll be an exception and stay in the Imperial Palace.”

유리 had nothing to lose even if he didn’t become the Head of the Family. But the others did.

Perhaps some of them might never see each other again…

At that moment, Head of the Family Grandfather stared at me with deep eyes and warned me.

“Don’t hesitate, Florin. We are a family of fierce beasts. Isn’t it natural for the one who loses the competition for the position of leader in a territory to leave the pack?”

“…Yes.”

“Do you think they won’t challenge because they’re afraid of leaving? Even that timid 시온 [Sion] would jump at the chance if given the opportunity.”

My indecisiveness was insulting to the heirs who were seriously committed.

I knew that clearly, and I had been pondering for a long time about who to give these necklaces to.

I consulted with Dad and secretly asked Stepmother, but the answer was still-

“This one is for Ian.”

Soon, I went back up to the roof and placed the necklace in Ian’s hand.

Clink.

The necklace chain stretched across Ian’s fingers.

But Ian remained still, as if frozen.

“Locket, necklace.”

“Yes. You know what it means, right?”

I smiled brightly at Ian, who was muttering in a low voice as if his throat was choked.

“It’s a secret who I gave the others to. The Head of the Family will tell you after I leave for Arkalik.”

I had to deliver the remaining two this week.

A brief separation is a step towards a longer reunion, so it’s not painful. It’s the farewell that’s agonizing.

‘But accepting even that farewell is the fate of the 드리블랴네 [Driblyane]…’

I stared endlessly at Ian’s reddish hair.

I slowly scanned his jawline and slender eyes, which had become sharper as the last of his baby fat disappeared.

Then, I saw Ian scanning me with his eyes, engraving me one by one.

“Ah, there’s a petal on you.”

Perhaps a petal had flown from somewhere and landed on my hair.

Ian reached out and gently brushed my forehead. Then, he covered my forehead and eyes with his large hand.

“Don’t forget today.”

I felt Ian leaning down.

Kiss.

He clearly kissed the back of his hand so that it wouldn’t touch me directly, but why…

‘Is it so embarrassing?’

Ian disappeared before I opened my closed eyes.

But the warmth of Ian’s hand lingered on me for a long time. So, I couldn’t help but blush.

* * *

A few days later.

On the day I finally left for Arkalik, Ian didn’t come to see me off. But I wasn’t disappointed because my heart felt warm.

“Have a safe trip, daughter.”

“Yes, Mother.”

First, Stepmother, who was 멋지게 [meotjige – stylishly] dressed in her uniform today, hugged me tightly.

Then came Head of the Family Grandfather and 이난나 [Inanna].

“I expected you to give the necklaces.”

“I wonder what your choice will be when you return in a few years. Until then, you must live happily in Arkalik.”

Both of them were still healthy, but by the time I became an adult… they would be frail.

I hugged them both once and then quietly took their hands.

“You must stay healthy.”

“Don’t worry.”

Head of the Family Grandfather laughed heartily and stroked my hair.

“I’m glad you can know the beauty of spring, the brilliance of summer, and the tranquility of autumn. Send me letters often about what the seasons are like there.”

“Yes, Grandfather. I will.”

존 [John]’s eyes were swollen, probably from crying secretly, and the maids were still sobbing.

It’s not like I’m never coming back.

“Hey, 동글 [Donggeul – round one, a nickname].”

Finally, Dante approached me slyly and handed me a frame, sniffling.

“It’s my portrait. Put it on your desk in your room.”

“What?”

“You gave me one, so I’m giving you one too. And show it to anyone who hits on you.”

I was so dumbfounded that my tears disappeared and I burst out laughing.

After laughing for a while, I finally accepted the frame.

“Okay, I will.”

“Don’t get too attached to that place.”

Dante had disliked me going to Arkalik from the beginning and consistently disliked it even now.

I patted Dante’s shoulder and put the frame in my luggage.

“Let’s go now, Father!”

The person taking me to Arkalik was, of course, Father. No one but Father had enough magic to pilot the airship.

“Are you sure you don’t want to cry and fuss anymore?”

“Oh, come on! I’m not a baby.”

“For someone who isn’t, you sound a little nasal, 미트볼 [Mitbol – Meatball, a nickname].”

Father, 멋지게 [meotjige – stylishly] dressed in a red suit, tapped my nose.

I glared at him, sniffed, and then turned around with a bright smile.

“Goodbye, everyone! See you later!”

What kind of adult will I grow up to be?

How much will everyone have grown when I return?

If I had the power to see the future, I would walk over and peek.

* * *

Four seasons swept through the world once each.

New buds sprouted, flowers bloomed, the verdure turned green, and the sky became high. After that, a period of rest came, and the whole world was surrounded by white snow…

New buds sprouted again.

As the seasons turned, the Magic Empire achieved brilliant development, and the Holy Empire stagnated.

Realizing the technological advancements of the Magic Empire, the nobles of the Holy Empire became anxious and insisted that the Saintess, 라흰 [Raheen], should be awakened.

Of course, 라흰 had committed the heinous act of summoning winter, but spring had come again, hadn’t it?

The scriptures said to forgive sinners if they repented, so they raised their voices, saying that 라흰’s sins should be forgiven.

However, there were still many who did not feel threatened by the Magic Empire, and 라흰 was the greatest sinner in the history of the Holy Empire, so she could not be easily released from her seal.

Thus, the issue of 라흰’s seal remained stagnant, and another season passed, and time flowed.

In 1002, the Principality of Arkalik and the Magic Empire became allies.

In 1003, a group of fanatics emerged within the Holy Empire, demanding that 라흰 be released.

In 1004, the Papal Palace of the Holy Empire was attacked by fanatics. An emergency meeting was convened, attended by the Emperor and high-ranking nobles and priests.

And as the year changed to 1005.

라흰 was released from her seal. It had been nearly 20 years by 햇수 [haetssu – counting years in Korean age].

On the day that Florin, the princess of Arkalik, who was suspected to be the new Saintess, returned to the 드리블랴네 [Driblyane] family of the Magic Empire.

In the Holy Empire, 라흰 opened her eyes.

Her time had stopped while sealed, and she hadn’t aged at all, still retaining the vivacity of that time.

And after being briefed on what had happened during her sealing, 라흰 said this:

“I’ll borrow the third …… Give me …… and me …… Can you do it?”

Unfortunately, no one understood the meaning of those words.