The Villain’s Daughter-in-law is Inherently Powerful – Chapter 7

Author: isuzuuy

“Family Head, please listen!”

“No, I mean…… Young Master says he intends to take that albino beastkin as his daughter-in-law, doesn’t he?”

“Now that Lady Ariadne is no longer here, the Young Master does have the authority to bring in a daughter-in-law. But…….”

So this means we’re at the point in the original story after Ariadne’s death.

‘What a shame. If possible, I wanted to see her in person.’

Ariadne was only a villainess from the perspective of the Holy Empire. From the perspective of the Magic Empire, she was an extraordinary talent.

Kiraxus’s older sister and a genius among geniuses, born with dominant pheromones.

Originally, only men could become the head of the Driblyane family, but Ariadne was the person who spectacularly shattered every single one of those unwritten rules.

Politics, business, swordsmanship. There was nothing she lacked in, and apparently, in some ways, she was even superior to Kiraxus.

She completely destroyed the era of male family heads that had continued under the name of tradition, and rather than being chosen by a husband, she chose the person she wanted to marry herself…….

But she died.

‘Honestly, she wasn’t someone who should have gone out like that.’

The prevailing theory in the genre was that the author had simply deleted the character of Ariadne so that everyone would fall for Rahin in the latter half of the original story.

In the end, it was a dark and miserable story, so the Driblyane family had to completely collapse. But if someone like Ariadne were alive, there was no way they could fall apart, right?

“Enough.”

That was when it happened.

At the family head’s humorless words, everyone fell silent once again.

“You wouldn’t have caused all this without thinking. Did that demon you supposedly made a contract with tell you to bring that child here?”

“If that is what you wish to believe, then let’s leave it at that.”

Kiraxus shrugged.

At that, the elders, whose reason had completely snapped, shot to their feet and began shouting at the top of their lungs.

“That, that cute and adorable little thing!!!”

“That lovely, beautiful, well-raised little puppy!”

“She’s so adorable, I just want to give her belly fur a good wraaaalalala!”

But something was strange. Harsh tones were pouring out, yet the words themselves weren’t harsh at all. I had covered my ears because I didn’t want to hear them yelling, but now I slowly lowered my front paws, wondering what on earth was going on.

Could it be black magic?

“You’re using vulgar language in front of a young child. She’ll hear it and learn from you.”

Kiraxus clicked his tongue briefly. Then he took me out from inside his vest and plopped me down on the table.

“I understand perfectly that you don’t like the fact that the child I brought, with no questionable connections behind her, is becoming your daughter-in-law rather than a candidate with whom you share strong ties through school, hometown, or bribery.”

No, no, that’s not it.

Hey, I’m a spy. If we’re talking about having shady connections, aren’t I the worst possible choice?

“In short, you’re saying that as long as this child is exceptionally capable, that should be enough.”

“Th-That…….”

“Isn’t that right? Since all of you care so deeply about the family, I trust you will surely put ability first and acknowledge her.”

Kiraxus rested his chin on his clasped hands, his eyes curving into a smile. But it felt completely different from the way he smiled at me. I couldn’t explain it exactly, but somehow…… it felt dangerous.

Perhaps the other side felt the same thing, because they flinched and stepped back.

“If I take this child I brought as my daughter-in-law, I will inherit the position of heir today.”

“!”

“She possesses the ability to make me abandon my stubbornness and take the position of heir. Isn’t that truly remarkable?”

Wow, this was such complete and utter bullshit that it didn’t even make sense.

I listened quietly, my mouth hanging open.

“What do you think, Father?”

Kiraxus smiled sweetly as he turned toward the family head. It was truly the most shameless threat imaginable.

‘Ah, so this is how…… it happened…… in the original story.’

I was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Kiraxus had completely crushed the elders who had tried to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen their own power by stubbornly forcing just anyone into the position of daughter-in-law.

Ariadne, who had been the absolute authority within the family all this time, was gone. Kiraxus had kept his distance from family affairs until now, so from the elders’ perspective, this must have seemed like the perfect time to run wild.

Kiraxus had absolutely no intention of allowing that.

And in that case…… I, who was clearly from the Holy Empire, happened to be the perfect daughter-in-law candidate for their tastes.

At the very least, I wouldn’t have any connections with the people sitting here.

“And…… this is a warning.”

Swoosh.

Kiraxus’s pheromones began to spread throughout the room. What was flowing now, like a waterfall, seemed to have been hidden in moderation until just moments ago. It was so ferocious that it felt capable of tearing apart and trampling everything in front of it.

“Never again raise your voices carelessly in front of the family head.”

“……!”

“If you get arrogant just because my sister is gone…… I promise you. It won’t be fun.”

The faces of the elders who had been shouting so confidently gradually turned pale.

They clutched their throats as though their airways were being squeezed, choking and gasping, until one by one they lowered their heads and surrendered.

‘Seeing Grandfather Family Head just quietly watching this, I guess it really is okay for him to do this.’

Taking advantage of the opportunity, I sneaked a peek at the man who might perhaps become my future father-in-law’s father…… only for our eyes to meet.

“My son seems to care for you quite a lot.”

Eek! He talked to me!

The boss…… no, the chairman! The chairman talked to me!

“Judging by how he’s protecting you so that you alone aren’t affected, it seems difficult to break my son’s stubbornness. What am I to do about this?”

The expectant look in his eyes was quite burdensome.

My vision seemed to spin, and I let out a little groan, but I still forced myself to come to my senses.

‘From this moment on, I have to sell myself.’
Otherwise known as the <Let’s Eat Well and Live Well as the Driblyane Daughter-in-Law Plan!>

“Ahem.”

After giving a short cough, I pointed toward the large movable blackboard behind the family head’s seat.
More precisely, at the map hanging on it.

“I have abilitee.”

“Oh?”

At the mention of an ability, Grandfather Family Head’s eyes lit up.

To make myself look as trustworthy as possible, I smoothed down my chest fur until it was neat, then straightened my back and stood tall.

“All right, what kind of ability do you have?”

“That is…….”

First, I let my voice trail off to build up some tension and anticipation.

When I realized that everyone’s eyes were focused on me, I shouted as loudly and clearly as I could.

“Believe me and buy land!”

Buy land…… buy land…… buy land…….

My voice rang loudly throughout the now-silent meeting hall.

It sounded suspicious, like I was some kind of cultish multi-level marketing salesman, but this was something that actually happened in the original story.

“Hmm, buy land?”

“Yes……!”

Perhaps my unexpected statement had caught him off guard, because Grandfather Family Head raised an eyebrow.

I clenched my teeth so I wouldn’t laugh at the sight of that hot-pink shirt and tried to negotiate.

“If you buy my land too at the same time, I’ll tell you why you need to buy it.”

“Oh. Not only can you speak, but you’re even recommending real estate investments. What a remarkable little creature. Fine, where should I buy it?”

The moment the family head asked that, Laphiren took the map down and placed it in front of me.

I hesitated for a moment before scampering across it and tapping one particular spot.

He hadn’t actually said he would buy the land for me yet, but I hadn’t said it because I truly expected him to. It was a provocation meant to make him more interested in me.

“Here.”

“The Luxoria Territory? This is completely inland. It is a vast stretch of flatland, though. Wheat used to grow abundantly here.”

In other words, it was essentially useless land now that farming was impossible. But that will change in the future.

“Laphiren. Is there anything unusual about Luxoria?”

“The previous count died, and a major dispute broke out among the siblings who inherited the territory. There are three siblings, but all of them are addicted to gambling, and I hear their current circumstances are extremely dire.”

“I see. Then, child, can you tell me why you want us to buy this place?”

Slowly. Grandfather Family Head’s pitch-black eyes turned toward me. Perhaps Kiraxus’s beautiful turquoise eyes had been inherited from his mother.

‘I could tell him the answer right away, but looking good in front of the family head is more important.’

After thinking for a moment, I toddled over and stood in front of Grandfather Family Head. Then, toward the large, sturdy fist that looked capable of smashing a desk with a single blow……!

Poof. I wrapped my soft belly around it. It was my own way of acting cute.

“Family Head! Marten whispers in your ear. I tell only the Family Head.”
When I grinned and said it once again, Grandfather Family Head laughed heartily and raised his fist.

“You’ve got some nerve. All right, fine. Go on, whisper it to me.”

I think I earned some points for attitude, right?

I had worried he might think hugging his fist was disrespectful, but he was apparently such a broad-minded person that he didn’t seem to mind. If anything, he seemed to like it.

“Spring is coming soon. Knowing that is my ability.”

I neatly folded my front paws and chattered into his ear.

I thought I had a rough idea of where we were in the original story at this point.

The spring stolen by Saint Rahin. The moment it began to return was right now, around the middle of the original story.

The period when Rahin was sealed away.

The time when the supporting characters could finally start moving a little.

In the Magic Empire, spring began in the Luxoria and quickly spread throughout the entire empire. It also meant that the long, long war would soon come to an end and everyone would be able to return to their farmland.

“That’s a lie. There’s no way that child could know what spring is.”

“Exactly. She looks very young, so she must have been born after the Saint’s rampage.”

The elders, who were close enough that they couldn’t help but hear what I said, immediately began objecting.

Long ago, it had been natural for this world to have four seasons as well. But after the Saint’s rampage in the year 986, children born afterward had only ever seen and known winter. Only in winter.

So naturally, they scoffed at what I said.

“No! Flowews will bloom. If you buy that place now, they say you’ll make sooo much money. I can even bet today’s cookie on it!”

But I continued insisting until the very end.

The family head was already listening to me. To the Driblyanes, the money needed to buy the land in Luxoria was pocket change. There was absolutely no harm in investing it as though they were throwing it away.

The problem was, he was going to ask me why. What was I supposed to say then?

“How can you be so certain?”

“That’s because…….”

What should I do? I hadn’t thought about that.

I rolled my eyes around before looking at Kiraxus.

‘Help me!’

I’m pretty useful, aren’t I? Even if you brought someone else here, they wouldn’t be able to do what I can!

I widened my eyes as much as I could.

Kiraxus gave a small laugh as if he couldn’t help it, then gracefully rose from his seat.

“It makes sense that she would have precognition. This child is a saint, after all.”

That’s right! A sa……int?

‘……What?’