The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 4

‘A daughter-in-law…? Suddenly? And such a prestigious position for me?’

I thought I was going to die, but this absurd proposal flustered me.

Dribljane has a very unique tradition, which can be summarized as follows:

1. A child destined to be the next head’s partner is brought into the family in advance. Essentially, the future mistress is appointed.

2. From a young age, this appointed future mistress grows up with the ‘Heirs of Dribljane.’

3. Upon reaching adulthood, she is bound to the ‘Heir of Dribljane’ who awakens superior pheromones and rises to the alpha rank. Only an alpha can become the head.

So, while the specific heir she will marry remains unknown, the future Duchess is chosen first, and then the Duke.

‘But problems usually arise in this third step.’

Only one alpha is needed to qualify as the head.

Historically, Dribljane has had two to four individuals awaken superior pheromones. If multiple alphas emerge, the mistress has the sole right to choose the head.

‘Therefore, the daughter-in-law of Dribljane wields considerable power from a young age.’

For someone seeking an ordinary life, this position is a trap. Duchesses of Dribljane have historically faced kidnappings, imprisonment, or threats since childhood.

‘But I…’

I want it, even if I have to get it by hook or by crook. I honestly covet that luxurious position!

However, accepting too readily might make me seem foolish.

Besides, unsure if this is a trap, I asked like a child.

Knowing that the other person was Kiraxus Dribljane from the original work, my body trembled, but I tried to appear composed.

“If I become a daughter-in-law, what are the benefits?”

“You can eat well and live well,” Kiraxus replied languidly, as if amused by my question.

‘Yes, that’s right. I’ll eat well and live well.’

I won’t live like the characters in the original work. I won’t die unhappily and alone.

Let Lahin handle the romance. Meanwhile, I’ll take the money and power and live luxuriously.

“Then… why me?”

“I need a kind child with no backing.”

Oh… that sounds like he needs someone easily disposable. Am I mishearing things?

“I was wondering where to find a child of the right age, uninfluenced by the elders… well, that’s convenient. Saves me the trouble of looking.”

“I’m a spy…?”

“Are you going to sell information about Dribljane to the Holy Empire?”

“N-No!”

Am I crazy?

I immediately became serious.

Living here as a daughter-in-law would be far better than any value the Holy Empire could offer for information!

Kiraxus chuckled.

“Then that’s settled. Anything else?”

“Um… then… am I a contract daughter-in-law?”

Only useful to Kiraxus for a few years? I need to save as much money as possible while I’m here.

It’s a common trope in novels for powerful people to seek out children with no backing for easy control, right?

As long as they don’t betray you, a spy is the most desirable type of person in a powerful family.

Even if they kill you, there are no repercussions, they know nothing, and there’s no family to cause a fuss…?

Because they are literally ‘clean’ children.

However, Kiraxus didn’t answer my question about being a contract daughter-in-law. Instead, he stopped abruptly and tried to hand me over to a maid.

“Master, what is that round thing?”

“A spy.”

“I see.”

*Swish.* The maid drew twin swords from behind her back upon hearing the word spy.

Gyaak!

‘He’s toying with me! As expected of a villain!’

I’m definitely going to die!

On the verge of a heart attack, I grabbed his collar and clung to him to avoid the maid. Kiraxus chuckled, his throat vibrating, as if satisfied.

“But she is my daughter-in-law now. Treat her with care. I will introduce her formally at the family meeting tomorrow.”

“Understood. Then, what is the young lady’s name…?”

“For now, call her Dambi. Wash her and give her something to eat.”

I wish this crazy bastard had said that from the beginning!

He gave a simple order and disappeared. The remaining maid picked me up and made a serious expression.

“I am Nina, a cheetah beast-person. I will serve you with all my heart, Young Lady Dambi.”

Heh.

A cheetah?

“Ah, y-yes…”

“You don’t have to use honorifics with me. Please speak comfortably.”

Nina, who looked to be in her mid-20s, was quite cute. She had braided her auburn hair, and her face was small, befitting a cheetah.

However, Nina’s pheromones were potent.

‘Even the maid has pheromones of a higher rank than me…! You can’t let your guard down in a villainous family.’

I want to run away, but I wasn’t confident I could outrun a cheetah.

‘Yeah, give up on running away.’

Better to become a daughter-in-law and figure out how to live happily.

‘But I’m an albino. Is that okay?’

I can’t even do a proper human transformation, and my pheromones are recessive.

Why did I become the daughter-in-law instead of the original character?

“Kyahaha! Belly tickles!”

While I was worrying, Nina kept rubbing bubbles on my stomach.

I couldn’t stand the tickling and flipped over in the small silver basin, bursting into laughter. Soapy water covered me, but it felt good because it was the first time I had washed in a long time.

“…You’re even cuter when you smile. You’re like a cream puff, I want to gobble you up…”

“…!”

“I won’t. I’m sorry.”

Nina’s face was expressionless, but her touch was calm and delicate, which made me feel good. Besides, I was glad she didn’t look contemptuous even though I was an albino.

“Now, let me wipe you off.”

“Thank you.”

“You have to dry thoroughly so you don’t catch a cold.”

After being scrubbed clean, I shuddered as I looked at the silver basin I had come out of.

It’s so black! But now I’m a little cleaner, right?

While Nina dried me with a fluffy cloth, I stared blankly at the darkening outside and then at my reflection in the glass window.

Snow-white fur. Cherry red eyes. Round ears and a cute, twitching nose. It was a lovely sight.

But unfortunately, I can’t transform into a human. Even after escaping from the cage, I’m still just an animal.

The power that beast-people need to transform from animal form to human form is called *Lingqi* [spiritual energy]. This *Lingqi* was the purest form of natural power that could be manifested as swordsmanship, mana, elemental magic, etc., after growing up.

But albinos have too little innate *Lingqi*. Almost none.

You can forcibly fill *Lingqi* from the outside by eating Dice [a rare and powerful magical artifact], but… how can I get and even eat that great divine object?

“Lady Dambi, you speak well even in your Dambi form, and you must be very smart.”

Did I look a little depressed?

Nina suddenly praised me.

I, squeezing the water out of my tail, perked up my ears, feeling good at that one word.

“Really? Is a talking Dambi… rare?”

I hope so. This might become my weapon.

“I guess so. I’ve never seen a beast-person who can speak in animal form before. Usually, they can’t speak when they transform into animals. Their oral structure is different.”

“Then I already have one use!”

I smiled brightly because I was genuinely happy. But Nina’s expression was a little strange as she looked at me.

“Babies don’t talk about usefulness.”

“Really…?”

“Yes, that’s right. So, don’t have scary thoughts tonight and sleep well, Lady Dambi.”

“Okay.”

“But if you’re scared, pull that string to call me. I’m confident I can run to you in 1 second no matter where I am.”

That’s right. Because she’s a cheetah.

Even if I run away, she’ll catch me in 1 second.

I nodded and sent Nina away.

‘But surely this isn’t Kiraxus’s bedroom, is it?’

The overall blue, majestic interior was suspicious, but fortunately, the villain didn’t come in. I was a little nervous, but I soon smiled at the fluffy pillow that was my bed.

‘This is so nice…!’

The burning firewood in the fireplace gives off warmth. The milk with honey I drank before bed was sweet and delicious, helping me forget my anxiety.

Buried in the wool blanket Nina covered me with, I curled up.

‘Whatever happens, I survived. Let’s live a long, long time this time.’

Since possessing the book, I haven’t been comfortable for a moment.

Honestly, every day I wanted to die and then I wanted to live again. I didn’t want to die unfairly, and I just didn’t want to live.

In the end, I lived to die well. It was too unfair to die to live.

‘I’m a little… tired. This nomadic life of possession.’

Can I settle down here?

Can I… become an adult again? No, can I at least live past 3 months?

‘I have to diligently sell the information about the Holy Empire from the original work.’

So that Kiraxus will want to keep me alive.