The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 70

Was he really going to accuse a maid with close ties to the Imperial Palace? If she stood her ground, would he then suspect and punish her?

‘That scoundrel!’

My composure snapped.

Ian stepped in front of Linda and me, extending his arm protectively. He then addressed the knight sternly.

“Are you merely a knight? I wasn’t aware you possessed the authority to search a guest’s room without even informing the deputy commander. Who is your superior? I demand their name so I can lodge an immediate protest.”

“J-just a quick look at the room would suffice. But this maid is obstructing me! This is about my cousin’s shooting!”

“I fail to understand why you’re so quick to suspect the Dribblyane family. Have you apprehended the culprit? Recovered the weapon? Or perhaps the bullet had ‘Dribblyane’ engraved on it? Or… could you be the perpetrator?”

Ian’s questions were logical.

Volis, on the other hand, was flustered by the calm interrogation.

‘It’ll be easy since it’s just kids!’

Volis Lippman, nearing thirty, was simply a washed-up knight. Despite joining the Eastern Wave Knights, a division of the Imperial Palace guard, he languished at the bottom.

Consequently, his salary was pathetic, and his pockets were empty after a night of drinking with women.

He lacked the skill to join the Imperial Guard, the highest-paid knights. Nor did he want to endure the rigorous training.

The Northern Storm Knights and Western Foam Knights offered better pay than the Eastern Wave, but they demanded more menial tasks.

Since the Eastern Wave was the most stylish, Volis refused to leave. However… he desperately needed to supplement his income.

The proposition he received after leaving a bar was tempting.

‘That person,’ who contacted Volis, requested three things:

First, an incident would occur in the corridor he was guarding during the spring banquet, so he should leave his post before 8:30 PM.

Second, immediately after the incident, he should go to the Dribblyane family and demand a room search.

Third, the demand should be made between 9:00 and 10:00 PM, after which he should withdraw.

It was suspicious, but the upfront payment was substantial. The promised bonus equaled half a year’s salary.

Moreover, nothing in the request seemed dangerous. He would be away from the scene, smoking with other knights, making him an unlikely suspect.

Demanding a search of the Dribblyane’s room was risky, but he never intended to actually search it.

He wouldn’t enter even if he were crazy.

A maid or servant would block him, allowing him to simply shout at them.

Besides, the adults would be at the banquet until late, preventing serious repercussions. What could children do? Even if the Duchess of Dribblyane arrived, it would be after 10:00 PM.

‘But they didn’t mention my cousin being so severely injured! And… what is this? Why are these kids so sharp?’

He targeted the wrong people.

Volis, realizing this, tried to back out. But Vivian’s maid, oblivious to the scheme, complicated things.

“Sob, the doctor… removed the bullet! From our young lady’s body! I saw the Dribblyane family crest on it! Dribblyane is known for making guns!”

Loyalty is admirable, but this was foolish!

‘You have to say something plausible! Does making guns mean you shoot everyone!’

He amplified the absurd situation for money.

Dribblyane couldn’t be the culprit. Whoever shot Vivian would be protected.

That’s how the political world worked.

Someone would benefit from this incident. He didn’t know the victim would be Vivian… but now that it had happened, Volis had to seize any opportunities.

But—

‘Damn it. Why did you ask for my name? What if they report me? Should I claim I was overwhelmed with concern for Vivian and take leave?’

What to do?

He bit his hand, gnashed his teeth, and flinched under the golden gaze.

Behind the red-haired boy, still a child, a golden leopard bared its teeth, whimpering softly.

An oppressive force, like a huge moon judging his sins, surged toward him. The alpha pheromones [chemical signals used for communication], normally evenly distributed, focused and attacked him.

“Cough…!”

I… can’t breathe.

He wasn’t being strangled, but he was suffocating. Volis coughed and collapsed to his knees.

“Dribblyane is innocent. I have no time for absurd accusations.”

“But!”

“I’ll allow you to search, but how can I be sure you won’t plant a gun or bullet and then ‘discover’ it?”

“W-what are you implying? That I harmed Vivian?! How could I hurt our young lady!”

“Well, if the culprit remains unidentified, those nearby become suspects.”

Ian was annoyed by the tiresome argument. He was also grateful that he, not Dante, was at this Imperial Palace banquet.

‘What do they want? What does the mastermind want?’

Framing Dribblyane as the culprit was unlikely.

‘Florin, I, and the Duchess have been in the banquet hall. Many people can vouch for us.’

Then… Linda?

“Ah.”

Ian’s realization dawned, and he smiled faintly.

‘They’re trying to discredit Linda and warn Florin.’

That was truly malicious.

He knew how the planner’s family treated servants.

‘The culprit must be someone who clashed with Florin at the recent tea party.’

They concealed themselves, using others to set a trap. Their skills were decent. If it weren’t related to Florin, it would be amusing.

‘What should I do…?’

Allowing the search and proving our alibi with Pompom [likely a magical or technological device] would be best…

It would reveal the mastermind’s reach.

‘Florin will ultimately choose the family head, but demonstrating results increases her chances.’

Doing nothing while Dribblyane faced absurd accusations was the worst option. Intimidation was a low tactic.

The best approach was to swiftly clear the suspicion, recruit allies, and find the real culprit.

Ian, having calculated his moves, was about to speak, but Florin acted first.

“I’ll summon the head maid for fairness. You, fetch the head maid.”

The small girl, chin raised, commanded.

“Go to the banquet hall and bring the Duchess of Dribblyane. You’ll be rewarded for a good job.”

“Y-yes, I understand!”

She was burning with determination.

The girl he admired was calm and confident.

Ian involuntarily covered his mouth, watching her direct those around her.

‘You leave me no choice but to adore you.’

The fierce weasel held nothing back.

Ian glanced affectionately at Florin, who had reached the same conclusion, then turned to the wronged maid.

“I’ll explain this once. Since Dribblyane exclusively makes bullets, the crest is naturally on them.”

“Yes…? What does that mean…?”

“It means we don’t know who bought the bullet and shot your young lady. Instead of rushing here, you should be at her side.”

“……!”

“Does the seller bear responsibility for every gun incident? We can investigate morally to clear our name, but the family must do so formally. Don’t act rashly.”

Even after the explanation, the maid remained suspicious.

Her stupidity, simplicity, and temper reminded him of the dark-skinned idiot [referring to Dante] who was probably asleep.

Ian cursed Dante inwardly and smiled.

Just then, the head maid arrived.

It was time to end this absurdity.

“I’ll clear the suspicion. But I only authorize the investigation within this space where Florin and I are staying. The Duchess’s room is off-limits.”