The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 62

The Royvayam mansion was the epitome of splendor.

Every family must have had a hard time during the long winter, but this place… As soon as I stepped inside, I was shocked to see flowers everywhere.

The scarlet carpet lay in the pure white hallway, bathed in sunlight streaming through the large glass windows.

Passing by exotic decorations, I arrived at the backyard, where white and scarlet roses were in full bloom.

‘Wow, they must be really rich.’

How much would the water, manpower, and fertilizer cost to grow all these roses?

I hate that I’m thinking about things like this… Considering that spring had only just arrived, I couldn’t help but calculate the enormous investment that went into this garden.

‘They’re definitely trying to establish dominance.’

The other families invited here today will have no choice but to feel intimidated.

How many families can do this?

‘It seems like only the Imperial Palace or Royvayam could pull this off….’

Because the Dribryane family can be seen as a group of extreme pragmatists and rationalists.

So, if there’s space to grow flowers, they produce food… If there’s space for artwork, they display armor and weapons instead.

‘This is really the aristocratic family that everyone imagines.’

Hmm. But I like it more than I thought?

‘Yeah. If you’re going to do it, it’s better to do it properly. A strategy of inviting guests when the roses are in full bloom, very good.’

Selina knows how to use her head.

Selina seemed like someone who knew how to make the most of what she had. She’s greedy, boastful, and probably cheerful and lively?

‘Maybe we’ll get along really well.’

The pendulum that had been leaning towards the negative swung back towards the positive.

“This way.”

Following the butler’s guidance, Dante and I crossed the backyard, and soon I spotted a garden arch richly entwined with roses.

Behind it, girls in colorful dresses were sitting around, and even the chairs and tables were luxurious for children to use.

“Oh! You’re finally here!”

And sitting at the head of the table was Selina Royvayam, as I had heard, the eldest daughter.

She had the orange hair that symbolized this family.

“Welcome! I’m Selina. I’m so glad you accepted my invitation!”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Florin Dribryane. It’s my first time meeting you all.”

The Dribryane manor was enormous, so it took a long time just to get out of there. So, it wasn’t intentional, but I seemed to be the last to arrive.

“When my father told me about you, I really wanted to meet you. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we became friends?”

Selina, with her curly hair, had dreamy, scarlet eyes.

She was dressed as lavishly as this mansion, and she was pretty enough to pull it all off.

An unforgettable child.

That was my first impression of Selina.

“Oh, the person who came with you is…!”

“Let me introduce you. This is Dante Dribryane, who escorted me today.”

“Lady Florin’s fiancé!”

Selina clasped her hands together and exclaimed happily.

But I couldn’t help but pause.

‘Lady Florin?’

Why am I Lady Florin?

Of course, I wasn’t old enough to be called ‘Madam.’ There was no need for children my age to call me ‘Madam Florin.’

Even so, Selina shouldn’t have called me ‘Lady Florin.’ That’s what superiors call subordinates in the Magic Empire’s social circles.

‘How rude.’

Unless she had been granted permission to use my first name or a nickname, she should have called me ‘Lady Dribryane.’ Even if I was young and it seemed strange, that was the etiquette.

Even the Emperor should call me Lady Dribryane, so who are you to call me Lady Florin?

“Is the Duke the one who entered the military academy?”

“Oh, how wonderful.”

“I’m so jealous that you’re being escorted by someone like that.”

The young ladies gathered around, giggling and whispering.

A vein popped out on my forehead, but I decided to hold back for now and turned to Dante. Dante noticed my signal and immediately pulled out a chair for me to sit down.

“Then have fun, Florin. I’ll step out for a bit.”

Dante smiled at me.

But as Dante seemed like he was really about to leave, the young ladies expressed their disappointment in unison.

“Oh, please stay a little longer.”

“That’s right. We can just ask for another chair, right?”

“Tell us about the military academy!”

The rudeness was slowly crossing the line.

At first glance, it seemed like they were just purely interested in Dante.

But I was the one who was invited, and Dante was just escorting me, yet the conversation was focused on Dante before we even finished our first greetings….

“Okay, everyone. Let’s let the Duke go.”

Then, Selina stepped in to resolve the situation.

“We’re here to become friends with Florin today. Oh, can I call you by your name? Florin.”

Selina asked with a smile on her face. Then, before I could answer, she immediately widened her eyes and added.

“You’re not upset that the young ladies are interested in the Duke, are you?”

Oh. So you want to play it like this?

I was a fool to think, even for a moment, that we could be friends.

I read the malice glistening deep in her scarlet eyes and raised the corners of my lips.

“Of course, Selina.”

“That’s a relief! Florin must be generous. I’ve heard a lot about Dribryane’s unique system, and I have many questions. Tell me everything today!”

Selina held my hand tightly.

I also took Selina’s hand and smiled brightly.

‘Well, it’s good that I know for sure.’

This is enemy territory. And a Dribryane’s daughter-in-law never backs down, even if it’s 8 to 1.

* * *

Selina was the type to subtly provoke people. She never openly acted mean, but she would always argue if her opinion differed, and she had to lead the conversation the way she wanted to be satisfied.

‘Tiring.’

For the first hour, it was outwardly amicable.

But soon I could recognize the pattern of this conversation.

For a simple example, when a young lady from a certain count family was talking about a newly opened dessert shop on the street, she said-

“I thought the blueberry pancakes were the best!”

“Really? I thought the one with apple compote was better?”

“As expected, Selina has a unique taste. Now that I think about it, I think the apple one was better too.”

Who cares what Selina likes?

But the conversation ended like that and naturally moved on to the next topic.

But this was something difficult to point out, and since these children hadn’t fully revealed their hostility towards me yet, I watched the situation and saved my words as much as possible.

It was a bit absurd and ridiculous, but what could I do if they were going to praise Selina on their own?

“I want to wear a dress with lots of frills to the upcoming Imperial Palace banquet. So I look like a small flower.”

“Me too, me too.”

Then finally, the topic of spring banquet dresses came up.

Selina held her teacup with a confident expression, and I indifferently picked up chocolates.

Then, the next moment.

“But since Selina is wearing a gold dress, everyone should choose a different color, right?”

What? Why?

I stopped eating and raised my eyebrows.

The one who spoke was the girl who had been siding with Selina the most since earlier. I think she was the daughter of a Marquis family.

Her name was Catherine.

“I believe everyone knows. We’ve decided to support Selina in becoming the flower of society in the future, right? As friends.”

She emphasized the word ‘friends’ and looked at me. It seemed that I was included in that ‘friend’ as well.

“Is that the rule among ‘unmarried young ladies’?”

She finally made me say something.

I quietly lifted the teacup filled with rosehip tea and curved my eyes.

In summary, it meant, ‘What does it matter to me what dress you wear?’

And as if she understood the hidden meaning, the young lady raised her voice a little.

“It’s not the rule of unmarried young ladies, Selina will be a member of the Imperial Family in the future. From now on, Selina will set the rules.”

“Really? But a member of the Imperial Family. Who is she marrying?”

“Why, the Crown Prince, of course!”

Catherine tried to lecture me as if I was frustrating, while Selina remained still.

Since it had come to this, I tilted my head and pretended to be genuinely ignorant with an innocent tone.

“Does that mean Yuri Yereban Helicoprion Dribryane is becoming the Crown Prince? Catherine knows so much!”

“Th, that’s!”

“It’s not? Then who is becoming the Crown Prince?”

“H, Her Majesty the Empress….”

“Has Her Majesty the Empress conceived a precious imperial grandchild without me knowing? Oh my, I’m so slow with the news.”

I covered my mouth and pretended to be surprised.

Then Catherine pressed her lips shut and turned her head away.

‘She won’t have anything more to say.’

Why? Because Yuri is the one and only bloodline of the current Imperial Family, and the Empress has never even been pregnant.