Marked as the Tyrant's Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 3

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A year ago, in the village of Galnem.

“Morning, uncle. By any chance, have you had dinner?”

In response to my question, Uncle Zimmer shook his head with a pitiful look in his eyes.

Just seeing that expression made me imagine a whimpering sound.

“Well then, please have dinner at my house. I have leftover deer meat, and I wanted to try making tomato stew.”

Before dying, my mom left me with the request to take good care of Uncle Zimmer.

To be honest, it was an unreasonable request. To ask a seven-year-old daughter to take care of a grown man.

My mum said my deceased father and Uncle Zimmer had been close, but it still didn’t make sense.

“Are you sure it’s okay, Arinel?”

“Of course. It’s better for two people to eat than just me.”

If Uncle Zimmer hadn’t been a good person, I wouldn’t have followed my mom’s request.

However, Uncle Zimmer, whom I happened to become close with, was honest and innocent, and he was a fairly decent person with skills like hunting (though I didn’t know how he managed to catch animals with his athletic abilities).

And…….

“Arinel is really a good kid.”

The sight of a big man excited about getting dinner from a little girl was somewhat sad.

Considering the daily injuries he brought home, I thought Uncle Zimmer might be a bit lacking.

Even in the modern era, there are people like that. They don’t harm others, but due to their innocence, it’s challenging for them to navigate social life.

Perhaps my mom had the same thoughts, which is why she left a request for me to take care of him.

“Well, today I get to see Arinel’s cooking skills. It’s the best day of my life!”

Uncle Zimmer spoke with a truly happy voice.

And he genuinely enjoyed the stew I made.

“The aroma of the spices is unique and delicious. How did you cook this?”

“I just added alcohol to remove the gamey smell and crushed turmeric leaves.”

“Tumeric leaves? You create this fragrance with turmeric leaves?”

Tumeric leaves are common, but when dried and ground, they produce a scent similar to pepper.

“Yes, they are plentiful in the village. I developed this.”

“As expected, Arinel is truly talented.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Surely I must be more talented than most ten-year-olds.

Actually….. considering it’s my second life, having talents is quite essential.

The reincarnated characters I read about in fantasy novels often become significant figures like princesses or saintly maidens and use the information from the book to navigate their lives impressively.

However, I, who got reincarnated into an ordinary commoner in an empire doomed by the tyrant Parmes Aslet, had no choice but to survive by diligently cultivating beets.

“Uncle…….”

“Yes, Arinel.”

As I recalled the dark original story, I looked at Uncle Zimmer for a moment, feeling a bit gloomy.

Lately, my mind was filled with scenarios preparing for the disaster that would occur when the cruel tyrant Parmes Aslet ascended to the throne.

“When you’re hungry…”

While lost in thought, I locked eyes with Uncle Zimmer.

Without realizing that there was stew still smeared around his mouth, Uncle Zimmer, who was warmly smiling, made me sure.

“When you’re hungry, feel free to come to my house anytime.”

Uncle Zimmer, not understanding the meaning, stared at me with wide, round eyes.

Letting out a small sigh, I continued speaking.

“Because no matter what happens, I promise I’ll feed you!”

His eyes widened as he paused at my words.

“……Arinel”

I already have enough red beets in storage to keep me alive for years.

With three more years until the famine, if I work hard to make and make more of them, I’ll have enough to feed Uncle Zimmer.

“…….”

I genuinely don’t want poor Uncle Zimmer to starve during the famine.

While others may manage to create food by learning my recipes, Uncle Zimmer, who lacks both athletic reflexes and cooking skills, was my responsibility.

Also, there was my mom’s request.

“This is a secret between you and me, Uncle. Don’t tell anyone else.”

I brought my index finger to my lips, motioning him to be quiet, and emphasized in a slightly lowered voice.

“…….”

Uncle Zimmer stared at me for a while without answering, looking at my small figure compared to his own body.

His gaze seemed unexpectedly complicated, not fitting a simple man, and somehow appeared both sad and happy.

Wondering what he might be thinking, I started to feel frustrated. Then, he opened his mouth.

“Arinel is truly…”

His voice was somewhat subdued as if locked away, and I frowned since I couldn’t hear the rest.

After a moment, Uncle Zimmer spoke again.

“If that’s the case, let’s create a signal, Arinel.”

“A signal?”

“Yes. A signal that only we can understand.”

Without delay, Uncle Zimmer clenched his fist and tapped the table where the stew was placed.

Tap-tap-tap-tap.

The rhythmic sound resonated, causing the stew in the bowl to ripple slightly.

I clenched my small, round fist and attempted to mimic the signal Uncle Zimmer had just created.

When I followed the signal, he brightened with a smile.

“I’m glad, Arinel. We have our own signal now.”

Any complexity he briefly showed earlier seemed to be a lie, and now Uncle Zimmer’s eyes shone as innocently as a young man from the countryside.

And the next day, he was gone.

☁⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ ▫ ┈ㆍ🌱ㆍ┈ ▫ ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹☁

Tap-tap-tap-tap.

The impact was delayed by one beat like thunder following a lightning strike, but it was intense.

Kugugwang-!

It felt as if my heart dropped.

Emperor Parmes Aslet.

The male protagonist of the original novel called <I will no longer be the tyrant’s lover>.

The corpses he killed piled up like mountains, and the people’s wails formed a river.

That bloodthirsty emperor…… is Uncle Zimmer in front of me now?

No. It can’t be. Uncle Zimmer is innocent, a bit lacking… He’s my precious neighbor!

“Dear daughter-in-law.”

Caught up in fear and shock, I was momentarily stunned by Uncle Zimmer’s unexpected words.

In other words, there was a moment that caused me to perceive him as a person who was a bit lacking.

“…….”

Emperor Parmes Aslet, the one who identified himself as such, took something out from the lightweight armor on his upper body.

The cold gaze of his red eyes held a mysterious light.

No way… Is that…?!

“It’s better not to think about running away.”

He slowly unfolded the crumpled paper with his long fingers and showed it to me.

Watching my pupils shake, he said.

“Here is the marriage contract, which you did have signed.”

I stood there frozen, staring at the rough scribbles I had made when I was eight years old.

[Arinel Mailirilia-]

The innocent face of the man folding the paper with my name scribbled on it as if it were precious, overlaps with the figure of the man standing before me wearing a crown.

“Wait a moment. Uncle Zimmer, that’s…!”

As I stammered in confusion, someone came up behind me. And when they reached my side, they stopped and looked at me.

I froze at this ridiculous turn of events and slowly turned to face the person.

A boy my age who appears to be about half an inch taller than me.

The boy had the same pure white silver hair as uncle and blue eyes as vivid as jewels.

There is no need to explain how incredibly handsome he is. It’s like a race from another universe. It’s dazzling!

When the boy looked at me and smiled slightly, I was startled and took a step back.

I don’t know who this kid is who just appeared out of nowhere and is smiling at me, but I don’t care who it is.

Someone clear up this ridiculous situation!

At that moment, the boy wearing white gloves extended his hand toward me, and a gentle voice flowed from his lips.

“Finally, we meet, my lady.”

The boy smiled gracefully and held my small and slightly rough hand with his gloved hand.

How can a person’s appearance sparkle so brightly?

If I was an insignificant weed on a country road, the boy in front of me felt like a blue rose fit for a grand imperial garden.

A literal fairy-tale prince, and in the modern world, with a face like that, he would undoubtedly win the jackpot as an idol.

But this kid, what did he just say to me……?

“…No, no way…”

Denying the sudden possibility that came to mind, I looked up at Zimmer, no, Parmes.

And Parmes answered me with a satisfied look as if he had just achieved something remarkable.

“Briton Sein Aslet.”

“…….”

“He is my son, and as of today, he is your fiancé, Arinel.”