The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 79

The Villain’s Daughter-in-Law Is Destined for Power- Episode 79 (79/173)

Chapter 6. Let’s Go to the Biggest Jewelry Festival in the Country!

A month had passed since the spring banquet at the Imperial Palace, a time filled with both excitement and challenges, had concluded.

The weather was gradually warming up during the day, so I switched to lighter fabrics for my everyday clothes, and my bedtime negligee became sleeveless.

People excitedly chattered about the arrival of spring and the approaching summer. As if to confirm their words, a gentle drizzle began to fall today.

[I’ve never experienced rain before. I’m curious about it.]

I replied silently, watching the words form in the air.

‘Let’s do everything you want to do as soon as you’re free.’

[Really?]

‘Yeah, really.’

I don’t know how he reads my mind, but I nodded emphatically.

I haven’t seen Yuri since that day. I don’t even know how I got to where he was, or how I returned.

I wasn’t in my right mind when I moved as if controlled, so retracing my steps was impossible. Going back was out of the question.

When I told Father about it, he simply said it wasn’t the right time yet.

Of course, I didn’t think it made sense to remain idle, so I immediately protested.

“We could use the family’s influence to pressure the Imperial Family to release Yuri from that tank. But if we do that, it will appear as if… the Imperial Family is being controlled by the Driblianes.”

“Why does it have to be like that?! Yuri shouldn’t have to endure that in the first place!”

“Yes, but the deed is already done, and the Empress is royalty. If we give the impression that the Empress is being pushed around by the Driblianes, that will give her a reason to consolidate her power and target Yuri in the future.”

“…I don’t understand. Why does it have to be like that…”

I felt frustrated and uneasy.

So, Father is saying that even if I get Yuri out now, it will become a weapon used against him later.

There must be other reasons why he believes maintaining the current situation is best. But-

“Can’t Father stop it…?”

“We are Suin [protected individuals]. How can someone who is only protected exert control?”

“Still… still…”

“I won’t deny that Yuri is being used as a scapegoat. The balance of power is maintained because Yuri is in the Empress’s grasp. He’s like a hostage.”

“What is that…”

As I mumbled, feeling defeated, Father gave me a pitying look.

“But Yuri will become the Crown Prince and eventually the Emperor. He will have many opportunities to repay the humiliation he is suffering now.”

That doesn’t mean Yuri isn’t unhappy right now. Wearing the Emperor’s crown won’t automatically make him happy.

It was today, when I was so dejected that nothing seemed to work, that Yuri sent me a message.

[If you just stay by my side, I don’t mind being trapped in the tank a little longer. I’ll wait as long as it takes.]

‘You’re such an idiot. You’re such a kind idiot.’

I watched the message disappear and worried about whether Yuri would be able to take care of himself when he finally came out of that tank.

He’s so innocent… what should I do?

“Young Madam, Lady Roybaium has arrived!”

“Oh, I have to go downstairs. She’s an hour early!”

Linda interrupted my thoughts with the news as I was frowning, wondering what to do.

Belladi, who I was supposed to meet around two o’clock today, had already arrived.

Did she come early because she was worried about the rain?

“Welcome, Belladi!”

“F, Florin…”

“Good afternoon. You’re early!”

“Yes. I… I was having a hard time waiting… I’ll be quiet if you’re busy…”

Belladi, wearing a light peach-colored dress, looked like the cutest stuffed doll imaginable.

I had already met Belladi four times since the banquet, and Duke Roybaium surprisingly didn’t interfere with these meetings.

Rather, according to Belladi, he said, ‘She has to have some use.’

‘Well, I guess he’s trying to gather information about our side through Belladi.’

Or maybe it’s insurance in case Selena becomes useless.

Either way, I didn’t care.

I’m grateful that he’s giving me the opportunity to become friends with Belladi.

“I’m not busy at all. Are you going to draw again today?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll do a puzzle!”

Our meetings were a little different from those of ordinary noble young ladies.

I set aside the time I spent with Belladi as a break and did what I wanted to do. Belladi sat quietly, almost without breathing, and drew me.

Belladi seems to like abstract paintings, and I was curious about how she was portraying me, but she refused to show me, so I didn’t try to peek. I’m just a little curious.

“This is warm lemon tea. Lemon is good on rainy days like today.”

“Nanny, it doesn’t have ginger in it, does it…?”

“Of course not.”

“That’s a relief.”

The nanny brought me delicious lemon tea. If you add a lot of sweet honey to something sour, it couldn’t be more delicious than this. As long as it doesn’t have ginger in it.

“Florin… do you hate ginger…?”

“Are there people who like it?”

“I… I like it. Ginger is crunchy… and spicy…”

“…You don’t mean you ate raw ginger, do you?”

Belladi tilted her head at my horrified question. Then she started to demonstrate the shape of the bumpy ginger with her hands.

“It looks like this… sometimes, the kitchen maids give it to me…”

“…What?”

Those crazy people, what were they feeding her?

I was so angry that my hand holding the glass trembled.

“It’s delicious.”

“I see. But let’s drink lemon tea today instead of ginger. And have dinner before you go home.”

“Yes…”

Belladi smiled shyly and held the teacup with both hands. Looking at Belladi, who was as harmless, delicate, and small as a squirrel or a rabbit, I secretly felt sorry for her.

Ginger to such a fragile child?

Giiiinger?

If I had been there, I would have pulled out all the hair from the maids’ heads to their tails!

‘Our baby is so kind. What should I do?’

But there was nothing I could do about other families’ affairs. I just tried to feed her as much as possible whenever she came, and made sure she could sneak snacks home when she went back.

And the only help I could give was to keep encouraging her to enter the art competition and cheering her on.

Ultimately, if Selena is removed from power, Belladi’s status will rise, and then everything will be resolved. Everything.

Scritch, scritch.

Soon, Belladi picked up a pencil and started drawing something diligently. I was in front of her, deeply lost in thought, trying to match the pattern of the puzzle.

‘The head of the Sandrea family came in person to apologize for the rudeness [referring to Vivian’s actions]. He declared that he would leave the Empress’s faction, saying that he was grateful that we had generously forgiven him.’

Click.

A piece was put together.

‘There’s no way the Empress doesn’t know that Roybaium, whom she protected, is the culprit. That means she won’t stick with Roybaium anymore.’

That’s how the Driblianes gained the Sandrea family.

‘An article came out the other day that Bollis Reefman, who belongs to the Eastern Wave Knights, was found in the sewer after being beaten by common thugs. He suffered a 12-week injury and his leg was completely twisted, so he won’t be able to work as a knight in the future.’

In short, he’s going straight to being a cripple. I don’t know who ordered it, but he got what he deserved anyway.

‘Seeing him scolding Linda that day, he seemed like the type to abuse his position and create resentment here and there.’

Click, click.

I picked up two puzzle pieces and put them together at the same time.

‘There was a very small article below the newspaper article about Bollis Reefman that said that the imperial doctor committed suicide… I guess he was silenced.’

Politics are never clear. Some parts are gray and some parts are bloody. But in the end, those at the top will still be enjoying delicious meals and drinking tea today.

‘The Vivian Sandrea attempted murder case has been concluded like this.’

It was quietly covered up without any sensational articles.

Vivian survived with magic and didn’t even have a scar, but that didn’t mean she was okay. She went to recuperate with her mother, but it’s questionable whether she’ll be able to return to the center of society.

‘Ah, there are only three puzzles left now.’

One: To be able to use divine power.

Two: To meet the Empress and make a deal.

Three: To get Yuri out of that damn tank.

But the problem was that ‘curing the Empress’s curse’ and ‘the Empress removing Roybaium from power’ were equivalent exchanges. ‘Getting Yuri out of the tank right away’ was not included in the equation.

‘Father must have a plan… but when will that time come?’

Yuri is already nine years old. It’s not going to be when he’s nineteen, is it?