The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 34

“Thank you, Florin. I feel a little relieved now.”

Ian interlocked fingers with the brightly smiling Florin, returning an equally affectionate smile.

However, the moment Florin turned and pressed her small nose against the window, the smile that had graced Ian’s lips vanished without a trace.

‘What to do with those little bugs? They’ll definitely stick around and buzz annoyingly.’

Ian’s eyes narrowed as he imagined what would happen at today’s banquet.

The rumor that the Lord had given Florin the right to choose had already circulated around the Heir Apparent’s circle several times. Half of them might survive, but the other half would be stripped of their qualifications as heirs, so wouldn’t that be a bolt from the blue?

He had been worried because there were a few guys who would do anything to remain in the position of heir, but fortunately, Sir Idaho returned at just the right time.

‘It seems Sir Idaho has been providing close protection for days.’

Florin’s safety couldn’t be guaranteed until the promised deadline at the end of the month. Of course, he could faintly sense mana from Florin, so it seemed his uncle had placed a protective spell on the jewel pin attached to that ribbon, but…….

‘Still, it’s a relief that Uncle cares about Florin more than I thought.’

Ian could see the waves of the protective magic.

He didn’t know when he had started seeing such things. He had been ‘good at seeing’ things since he was born.

Of course, Ian had never mentioned this ability of his to anyone. And he had no intention of ever revealing it.

Showing all your cards is something only idiots do.

“My jewel pin, isn’t it cute?”

Florin smiled bashfully, wiggling her feet, as if she had noticed him staring at it for a while.

Her innocence was so overwhelmingly adorable that Ian buried his face in his hands.

‘Ha… she really doesn’t know anything.’

Today, Florin was wearing a white dress with lots of golden lace and the cutest shoes in the world. The wing-shaped decorations on the shoes looked like they would send Florin flying into the sky any moment.

With her hair adorned with a golden ribbon and wearing gloves with gold thread embroidery, Florin looked like a golden apple to Ian.

A luscious fruit of the gods.

Something everyone would covet.

Even his half-brothers, who were not currently at the mansion, would be tempted by Florin if they saw her.

‘Ah, I hate it.’

The smile on Ian’s lips deepened as he continued to think.

‘I hate it so, so much. What to do?’

His half-brothers would be on a different level from the riffraff staying at the mansion.

Ian didn’t have many memories of his mother, but he knew one thing clearly.

His mother was stronger than the Lord.

When he heard that his mother had died on the battlefield, he honestly didn’t believe it. He still doesn’t believe it.

He would rather believe that she had become tired of being the Lord and had thrown everything away, faking her death and hiding herself.

Anyway, Ian was certain that his special ability was inherited from his mother. So, wouldn’t his half-brothers also have some special power different from others?

If those kids wanted to marry Florin…….

“Ian?”

Florin tilted her head.

Ian, calming the dark thoughts that were rising, put on a kind expression.

“Hey, Florin. Can I take you to your bedroom today?”

“I’d love that, but wouldn’t you be tired, Ian?”

“No, not at all. I’m two years older than Florin.”

It was a life where he tried not to give his side to anyone. So he closed the door of his heart. Like a person who lived but was not alive, who existed but did not exist… he just wanted to disappear.

But once he accepted living, once he accepted Florin, everything changed after that.

Florin is unique to Ian. It couldn’t be helped that she had become so precious that she couldn’t be compared to anything. Because he only has Florin.

Ian deliberately idolized Florin within himself. Then he had a meaning and reason to live. He couldn’t understand the psychology of those who believed in religion, but now Ian could understand that too.

“Ah, we’re here!”

Ian politely extended his hand to Florin, who was smiling brightly with anticipation.

“Shall we get off?”

“Yes!”

Ian’s temple is very small and narrow, so only one believer can enter.

So, he wished all the other heirs would disappear.

Ian smiled gently as he wished so.

If Florin wanted, he could be a kind boy forever.

Only on the surface.

* * *

In the vast manor of Driblianne, there was a separate building used only for banquets. It was built about 300 years ago, and the reason for its construction was remarkable.

“When important events such as weddings or funerals are held, lower-ranking nobles who want to make an impression line up, so they had no choice but to build it.”

“Because they can’t put all the unimportant guests in the main building?”

“Yes, that’s right. You’re smart, Florin. You figure it out quickly.”

“Ahem.”

I shrugged my shoulders at Ian’s compliment.

“Welcome, daughter.”

“Ah…! Mother!”

The splendid banquet hall had two entrances. One was for guests, and the other was directly connected to the head table, where family members entered.

When we arrived in front of the door with two giant saber-toothed tigers carved in relief, my stepmother was waiting. My stepmother was wearing a stunning uniform today, but it seemed to be a ceremonial uniform because it had much more embroidery and decorations than usual.

‘She’s really impressive.’

To be able to say that I am the daughter of such a person. Thinking about it again, it was a great fortune.

“It’s your daughter’s first banquet. Are you nervous?”

“I’m very nervous!”

But I’m not so scared that I’m trembling. Rather, I feel like my heart is full of anticipation.

“Then, shall we enter together?”

“Yes!”

Ian stood on my right, and my stepmother stood on my left.

“Ian Driblianne, Florin Driblianne, and Sir Salones Idaho are entering!”

The servant standing at the door announced our entrance in a loud voice. And the moment the three of us stepped into the hall, excited whispers arose from all over the banquet hall, which was decorated so magnificently that it hurt my eyes.

‘Wow, there are so many people.’

Hundreds of noble ladies wearing colorful dresses were gathered, so it was incredibly dazzling.

The old gentlemen straightened their mustaches, and it was difficult to find anyone among the young people who was not dressed up.

I rolled my eyes, looking at the people who came to my welcome banquet, and before long, Lord Grandfather and Inanna entered at the same time.

“Oh my, you two are wearing matching outfits, so cute.”

Inanna sparkled her eyes and enjoyed finding me and Ian.

“Oh my gosh, it’s the Duchess! Is this the first banquet you’ve attended since your seclusion?”

“The last time I saw you was… at the funeral.”

“You look a little better than then. I guess it’s because a new child has come into the family?”

I could hear the whispers here and there, so there’s no way Inanna couldn’t hear them.

But Inanna pretended not to notice very gracefully.

“The Duchess’s first banquet after breaking her long seclusion is your daughter’s welcome banquet. This has great significance in society.”

At that time, my stepmother, who was watching the situation, quietly told me.

“Everyone will be curious about your daughter. Who she talks to, who she seems closer to, who she entered with… and who she leaves with. They will be watching everything.”

It was advice that would become flesh and blood.

My stepmother scanned the surroundings with her unique indifferent gaze and stroked my head.

“But there’s nothing to worry about. If you came to the banquet with a guardian, it’s very rude to speak directly to the child without the guardian’s permission.”

“I’ll tell my mother if anyone says bad things!”

“That’s right. That’s all you have to do. I’m just telling you because it’s something you need to know. Just because everyone is watching doesn’t mean you have to be intimidated or be aware of their eyes at all.”

“Yes!”

“Then shall we see how many gifts are piling up?”

“Huh, there are gifts too?”

What kind of gifts are they?

‘A congratulatory gift for the Driblianne family taking in a daughter……?’

Is that what you usually receive?

“The gifts are over there, Florin. Near the entrance.”

“Heok!”

I inadvertently turned my head to where Ian told me and was surprised.

‘Wow, when did everyone buy the gifts?’

That’s not just a gift… it’s a tower of gift boxes piled up endlessly?

Toto dog [onomatopoeia for ‘amazing’].

I unknowingly grabbed the hem of my skirt and ran towards the gift tower as if possessed.

‘Ah, should I have acted arrogantly as if I’ve received a lot of these things and it’s nothing special?’

I think I look a little cheap right now.

I was a little upset, but it was difficult to stop my mouth from opening because I was so happy.

It’s a gift! That means it’s all mine!

“You can receive as many as you want because these gifts are sent by guests who want to become close to you.”

Um, we decided to call that a bribe.

But with my heart full, I struggled to swallow my words and looked back at Ian.

“When can I open them?”

“We will officially have time to open the gifts later.”

“I’m so glad I became the daughter-in-law of the Driblianne family…….”

The servants who were stacking the gifts they received from the guests burst into laughter, perhaps because they heard my mutterings.