The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 63

Being someone who took social etiquette classes, I was already well aware of the power dynamics within the Imperial Palace.

Yuri was born to the current Emperor, Shangguion Terrandrus Helicoprion, and Ariadne. Since then, the Emperor had taken an Empress, but she had yet to produce an heir.

Naturally, Yuri *should* be the Crown Prince, but there were an overwhelming number of people who opposed it because Ariadne was not the official Empress.

Of course, the underlying reason was, ‘The Dribryane family should not gain more power than they already have.’

The main force of opposition would be Roybaium, so what’s with this Crown Princess?

‘Or could Selina really believe she can marry the Empress’s son and become the Crown Princess?’

Even if the Empress were to have a child this year, the age difference would be well over ten years…?

‘No, if she really believes that, is she actually naive? What a clever fool?’

How does she even *know* if the Empress will have a son or a daughter?

‘Before that, the Empress isn’t even pregnant right now.’

I recalled the conversation I had with my adoptive mother.

“My dear, the current Empress is experiencing a phantom pregnancy [a false pregnancy where a woman believes she is pregnant and may even experience some pregnancy symptoms]. Everyone is keeping it quiet… but it will be revealed someday.”

“A phantom pregnancy?”

“Yes. She hasn’t actually conceived, but she imagines that she has.”

“Ah…”

“And the Empress is using her power to punish those who say she is not pregnant.”

“I see…”

“You must be careful. If you meet the Empress, never talk about pregnancy. If the Empress strokes her belly or pretends to have morning sickness, don’t tell the truth, just play along.”

“Yes.”

“Either way, Yuri will become the Crown Prince. It’s a battle with a predetermined victory. But the Empress is not acknowledging it.”

The rumor of the Empress’s phantom pregnancy hadn’t spread widely because the Emperor was covering for her.

But if someone adds fuel to the fire, it will blaze up.

‘Do these children even know that a single word from them could endanger their families?’

I clicked my tongue inwardly, my eyes clouded.

Until now, the issue of succession hadn’t come to the forefront because of the war.

The Empress faction, hoping for an imperial grandchild from the Empress someday.

The Emperor faction, supporting only the Emperor.

And the Dribryane faction, supporting Yuri, the Emperor’s only child.

The political power of the Magic Empire is divided into these three.

And now Roybaium is joining in, siding with the Empress faction.

‘Using her daughter to stir up the young ladies and attach them to the Empress faction early on.’

If this was instructed by the Duchess of Roybaium, it was quite a clever tactic.

‘In the future, if the words spoken by their daughters tighten the noose around their families’ necks, some nobles may have no choice but to join the Empress faction…’

Certainly, the current Dribryane family, with Inanna in seclusion and having lost Ariadne, has lost much influence in social circles.

They are still strong in the military industry, but if this continues, Roybaium, with its strong political power, might one day overcome Dribryane.

‘Ah, is this being recorded somewhere right now?’

I became highly suspicious and thought I should be more careful with my words.

“Florin, please don’t misinterpret Catherine’s words.”

It was then.

Selina, who had been watching the conversation, put down her teacup and opened her mouth as if whispering.

“Were you perhaps uncomfortable with me setting the rules? Actually, Florin doesn’t know much about social circles. I have many friends and often host tea parties. So, I naturally came to lead the young ladies. Don’t feel too bad.”

Ah, it’s all my ‘misinterpretation.’

Her skill in belittling me and praising herself, then blaming it all on my feelings and narrow-mindedness, was considerable.

‘What should I do about this?’

The girls huddled around the table were all focusing on the conversation between Selina and me.

If I back down here, I’ll be included in Selina’s group, and if I confront her, I’ll be pushed out.

‘And they’ll all join in to criticize me.’

Recalling my adoptive mother’s words to become a definite enemy if I were to become one, I smiled brightly.

“Uncomfortable? ‘Unmarried young ladies’ have their own rules. I’m already married into the family, so why would I be uncomfortable?”

I spoke kindly, but the underlying meaning was, ‘That’s your business, not mine.’ At the same time, I emphasized that I was in a position equivalent to a noblewoman.

Then, before Selina could open her mouth, I added in a light tone.

“I’m going to meet the former Emperor in a few days.”

“!”

“I’m glad I heard many interesting stories today. I’ll have a lot to tell His Majesty.”

*Don’t you dare wag your tongues about who will become a member of the Imperial Family, who will become the Crown Prince. You shouldn’t do that. I’ll go to the Emperor and expose everything?*

“You’re meeting the Emperor… directly?”

Even though I don’t remember her name, one of the young ladies, who seemed to have some sense, trembled and asked.

I still smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I’m going to be the 20th Duchess of Dribryane, you know. I have to pay my respects. I’ve arranged a private audience before the banquet starts.”

“A private audience…”

I wondered what the Emperor really thought of Yuri. But there was no need to ask.

Have you ever heard of [Eo.Hwang.Yu.]? [A made-up word meaning ‘Eventually, in the original story, the Crown Prince is Yuri.’]

It’s a word I just made up, short for ‘Eventually, in the original story, the Crown Prince is Yuri.’

No matter how much the Empress makes a fuss, as far as I remember, she never had a child in the end. And Yuri became the Crown Prince as soon as he came of age.

Perhaps the Emperor was just waiting for Yuri to come of age. If no more imperial grandchildren are born even after so much time has passed, Yuri will have no choice but to become the Crown Prince, unless he wants the imperial line to be cut off.

“Honestly, it’s not easy to meet the Emperor alone at this age, is it?”

“T-That’s right.”

“So, I’m looking forward to it. I was wondering what I should say when I meet him…”

I deliberately trailed off and stopped.

Then, the surroundings suddenly became silent.

‘Well, the kids sitting here are all *something*.’

That’s why they were directly invited to Selina’s tea party.

In other words, they are not foolish. They must have understood the meaningful warning in my words.

“By the way… you said you were curious about the traditions of Dribryane, right?”

The conversation at the table just now clearly crossed the line.

At the very least, Catherine shouldn’t have answered when I asked ‘Who will become the Crown Prince.’

I turned to Selina, whose expression had hardened, and Catherine, who was starting to turn pale, and wore an even thicker smile.

“Until I come of age and make my choice, Prince Yuri is practically engaged to me. That’s the case for all Dribryane heirs.”

“Even the Prince?”

“Of course. That’s why he’s Yuri Yerevan Helicoprion ‘Dribryane.'”

If the Emperor wanted to completely isolate Yuri, he wouldn’t have allowed him to use both surnames.

He would have made him use only the Imperial surname or sent him to the Dribryane family without acknowledging him as a Prince.

But the Emperor’s choice was clear.

He doesn’t immediately support Yuri, but Yuri’s name includes Dribryane. That ultimately means that Dribryane has no choice but to protect Yuri.

“I haven’t met Prince Yuri yet, but I’m curious about what kind of person he is. I might choose Prince Yuri.”

The designated mistress of Dribryane chooses the Prince. If that happens, Yuri will wield several times more power than he does now.

‘Because it would be a combination of the Duchy and the Imperial Family.’

In reality, the Empress faction, which has no children, would become like a dog chasing after a chicken [an idiom meaning to pursue something unattainable], and would have no choice but to watch Yuri rise beyond the Crown Prince position and onto the throne.

On a larger scale, that’s how it is, and on a smaller scale-

‘Selina will completely lose her current power.’

The expressions of the girls, who realized this fact a beat late, changed completely.

Having watched them quietly until now, only Catherine is truly loyal to Selina out of the eight.

The rest… well.

“Ah! I’ll host a tea party later. I’ll tell you what I talked about with the Emperor then, would you like to come?”

I clapped my hands and shouted innocently.

“I’d love to!”

“I’ll go too. If you invite me.”

The flow had changed. The young ladies sitting at the end of the table began to respond to my words.

I turned to those young ladies and asked for their names again.

“You’re welcome. But what are your names?”