The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 23

“Tch. What’s the big deal? How dare that thing ignore me, a prince!”

Deep inside the mansion, past a small path to the right, lies the Successor’s Hall.

Most children live with their parents until they are eight and then enter the Successor’s Hall between the ages of nine and ten. After a simple test, those who show exceptional talent in swordsmanship are often linked to the military academy.

In Gerde’s case, his swordsmanship was decent for his age, but he wasn’t aiming to become a knight, so he didn’t attend the military academy.

He wanted only one thing: to secure this family’s power.

And to give it to his parents back in his home country.

“Those insolent things.”

Gerde gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table.

His plan to gain the Lord’s favor was being meticulously prepared. But suddenly, some nobody he didn’t even know where they came from ruined his image. Since then, the other successors had subtly started to mock him.

“I am a prince! There is no one of higher status than me! How dare they!”

A man in traditional Lichenbaum clothing stood before him as he raged.

The man looked down at the young prince and smiled wryly.

“Then… shall we proceed with the plan?”

“Yes. We shall. You’ve prepared it secretly, haven’t you?”

“Of course. There will be no evidence that the prince was involved.”

The man was a subordinate secretly sent by the Queen of Lichenbaum. After receiving a letter detailing her son’s humiliation, she took immediate action.

Due to the long war with the Holy Empire, Lichenbaum had been manufacturing various weapon parts for many years. The man was specially trained in that area.

‘I will detonate a bomb. What banquet? This is all because that albino came into this family.’

Gerde had been secretly bringing materials from his home country and had them combined here to create a bomb.

“If this unsightly Successor’s Hall collapses, the prince will also appear to have been a victim, removing him from suspicion.”

“Yes.”

“But this is a time bomb, so you must get out first. It would be wise to say you went to the training grounds on a day like today when there is a banquet. Ensure many people see the prince there.”

“Don’t worry. Just make sure it goes off on time.”

Gerde nodded dismissively, putting on airs.

“Then I’ll be going now, so make sure it goes off on time.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“For Lichenbaum.”

‘Fortunately, that scary young Lord is away, so if I’m careful, I won’t get caught. In the first place, the Lord doesn’t even care about the Successor’s Hall.’

‘I’ll make them regret treating me like this.’

Gerde’s steps were triumphant.

* * *

“Aaaah, you’re so cute!”

“Please wear this sunflower cape just once! And next time, this daisy cape!”

“Kyaa, I’m dying!”

At that moment, while preparations for my welcome banquet were underway, I was extremely busy. Nina and Linda were happily putting this on my neck and then that, and it was already the 100th time.

“The sunflower is better, right?”

“The ribbon is more…”

“It’s hard to choose. If it’s a ribbon, there’s a red ribbon, and a pink polka dot ribbon too!”

“No, let’s go with the rose after all!”

In the end, Linda couldn’t resist and made me wear a cone hat, a ribbon around my neck, and a cape.

It was cumbersome, so I trembled, but I endured it stoically. If Linda was happy.

“You’re really the cutest and most adorable in the world… sniffle.”

Linda, who had wrapped a ribbon around my tail, buried her face in her hands as if she was going crazy.

‘At this rate, it feels like it won’t end even before the banquet starts….’

“Since you’re the star of the banquet, you must wear the cone hat and match it.”

In the end, it was only after the nanny came and tidied things up that the ordeal was resolved. A shiny golden cone hat with a red ribbon tied like a butterfly behind the neck!

After doing that, I became as limp as a cookie dipped in milk.

“My head is spinning….”

“Would you like to take a walk with Sir John for a while?”

“Okay, I will.”

I looked at the capes and ribbons scattered everywhere with weary eyes and quickly ran towards John.

John, who had been watching me with a pleased expression, willingly offered his shoulder.

“Do you know that it’s very warm when the little mistress leans on my shoulder?”

“Really?”

“Yes. Your gaze attacks are also warm.”

‘I don’t think so, John….’

John put me on his shoulder and stepped out proudly. Then, the guards stationed throughout the hallway all sent envious glances.

In fact, the guards were subordinates, so it ended at that level, but the knights of the same rank were different.

“You’ve made it, huh?”

“Little Mistress. Has this dull fellow done something wrong? If so, I’ll replace him!”

“No, me!”

“Please entrust me with the escort!”

A group of knights stopped when they saw us on their way to the training grounds.

Some poked John in the side, while others came to me and fussed over me, adjusting my scarf or putting a small fur hat back on.

“Little Mistress, your nose is red!”

“You idiot, ferrets’ noses are originally red!”

“Oh, is that so?”

“It means it’s like a tree fruit and cute. Wahaha!”

It was a bit chaotic, but I liked it because all the members of the Black Wheel Knights were kind.

After being thoroughly adored, I slumped on John’s shoulder and made an old man-like noise, “Hoo-uh.”

“You know, John.”

“Yes, Little Mistress.”

“Am I that cute?”

Subjectively, I am cute.

‘But am I objectively cute too?’

I stretched my cheeks once. In fact, there’s no way a young furry animal couldn’t be lovable, but….

“I can’t humanize [transform into a human]. I’m still amazed that you sincerely think I’m cute, without treating me like I’m lacking.”

“No, what are you saying? Of course, you’re cute.”

“Reawwy? Even though I can’t humanize?”

“Of course. You seem very concerned that you’re in animal form….”

“Uh-huh.”

“Why wouldn’t a beastkin [a person who can transform into an animal] find a baby in animal form cute? We also turn into animals if we abandon our human form right now.”

‘Ah, so what John is saying is—a beastkin finding an animal cute is the same as a human finding a human baby cute!’

‘Th, that’s right?’

When I think about it… isn’t that right?

“Besides, babies usually can’t humanize well, so they’re more often in animal form. Being able to perfectly control humanization from a young age is… actually only the monsters of this Driblja family.”

John lowered his voice and whispered.

“Humanization, other houses’ babies can’t do it well? Like me?”

“Yes. Usually. There aren’t many families teeming with monsters who are born as alpha elites from birth….”

“Thank you, John. I’m relieved.”

‘I’m a bit late, but I’m not that strange after all.’

Well, I’m still young. I don’t even know how old I am.

‘So maybe that’s why everyone is kinder to me. Maybe I’m really a baby.’

Feeling better, I perked up my round ears.

As I continued my walk, was the refreshing sound of thumping I heard a delusion created by the winter wind?

“John?”

“Shall we go see?”

“Do you know what’s going on?”

“Um… yes.”

After passing through the uninteresting garden, a small path appeared. The sound came from the thorny forest on the left side of the path. Still continuing.

“Uwaaaah!”

“Monster! That’s a mo, monster!”

It was then. Boys with bloody noses came running out of the dark forest.

‘Wh, what?’

Surprised, I froze. The beaten boys, not expecting us to be here, were also startled and avoided eye contact.

“…Young masters. Were you fighting again?”

“Ugh…!”

“You must know that there is a banquet welcoming the Little Mistress this evening… It would be best to go and prepare.”

‘Huh, John’s voice is very cold, unlike usual.’

‘A bit, like he’s very disdainful.’

I felt like he knew what was going on, but I chose to see it directly rather than ask.

“Oh, Little Mistress!”

I nimbly climbed down John’s shoulder and skillfully avoided the thorny branches, heading inside.

Led by curiosity, I was soon able to find other children lying on the frozen ground. I carefully looked to see if Gerde was among them, but unfortunately, he wasn’t.

After checking the victims, I raised my gaze.

“Wow.”

Pretty.

It was an exclamation that burst out unconsciously. Without measuring any schemes, it just popped out.

Milky white skin and long reddish-brown eyelashes. A slender face with delicately placed features.

The red hair suited the pretty face so well, and the golden eyes, devoid of any emotion, were as noble as the moon in the sky.

‘No lie, he’s really handsome and pretty. Is this what they call handsome-pretty?’

He looked about twelve years old, and if his beauty was already complete at that age, I couldn’t imagine what he would be like when he grew up.

‘He also has a subtly exotic feel.’

I thought.

If that child, sitting indifferently on a battered boy and wiping the blood splattered on his cheek, is a monster….

He would be the most beautiful monster in the world.