I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 107

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 107

 

“…So, Count Tilim is receiving help from an organization called Black Hand?”

 

“I’m not sure what kind of help it is, but it seems certain.”

 

“Did you see the contents of the letter?”

 

“I couldn’t identify the client and target, but it contained details about compensation. Even if it can’t serve as evidence, the circumstances are clear.”

 

After hearing Rohan’s report, I leaned back against the bench under the garden wall and let out a long sigh.

 

Things had gotten thoroughly tangled up.

 

An assassination group getting involved was an unexpected turn of events.

 

‘Suddenly we’re back to fantasy territory.’

 

A mysterious organization that assassinates influential people… it was an unrealistic story.

 

Rohan evaluated Black Hand as just another criminal organization without much skill compared to their reputation, but the very fact that such an organization had set foot in the territory was shocking.

 

I often heard stories about the outside world from Jane the merchant and Nata who had experienced war, but I never dreamed that an organization that kills people would be infiltrating daily life.

 

Even though my childhood was poor, I had lived safely thanks to being within the noble circle.

 

‘I sometimes forget the environment of this world.’

 

I was reminded once again of how cruel and dangerous this world is.

 

“But… it’s strange. Count Tilim doesn’t seem like the type who would rise in status using assassination.”

 

His reputation was closer to that of a cheerful man.

 

Moreover, the Tilim family was a craftsman family famous for dyes, with no particular political enemies. It was hard to find any reason he would benefit from killing competitors.

 

Besides, I hadn’t heard any information about nobles dying under suspicious circumstances recently.

 

…Of course, it’s probably not ‘only’ nobles who died.

 

“Even if not assassination, there are many ways to utilize such criminal organizations.”

 

“That’s true, I suppose.”

 

In this world where security relies on magic and people, talented individuals with stealth abilities could be utilized in many ways.

 

“So what’s the current situation at that communication post?”

 

“The manager remains there. I think intercepting communications that come to him could serve as evidence.”

 

It was a reasonable choice.

 

If we immediately exposed the identity of the communication post, there was a high possibility of missing clues we could obtain in the future.

 

“There won’t be any more assassinations, will there?”

 

“They won’t have the luxury for that. Once we control the communication post…”

 

“You said they communicate using codes. We can’t identify the client and target either. There’s little room for us to interfere, isn’t there?”

 

“….”

 

‘Seeing him close his mouth, I can roughly guess the situation.’

 

I looked up at Rohan, who was standing beside the bench stubbornly maintaining his silence.

 

“You killed all the assassins in the territory, didn’t you?”

 

The report that there was only one person at the communication station was strange.

 

Yet he was confident there would be no assassinations… there were gaps in what he was reporting.

 

‘There’s no way there would be no casualties after attacking such a secret base.’

 

I sighed and asked.

 

“How many assassins were there?”

 

“Grand Duchess, you don’t need to concern yourself with…”

 

“Don’t beat around the bush.”

 

“…Five guards, three assassins, eight in total.”

 

“Guards aside, how did you find the assassins?”

 

“…I investigated the victims’ identities and reverse tracked the time of death. Since the assassins were communicating with each other, once I caught one, he easily spilled everything.”

 

He was leaving out the most important report.

 

I rested my chin on my hand and turned my gaze toward the garden.

 

I could see the gardener trimming branches and Nata watching us.

 

“How long did it take to catch them all?”

 

“Two days.”

 

“…”

 

I was shocked by the assassination group, and twice shocked by Rohan’s abilities.

 

I knew Rohan was strong, but to think he could deal with assassins hidden throughout this vast territory in just two days.

 

Perhaps he’s an even bigger figure than I thought.

 

“Good work. I’ll thank you on behalf of the ducal house.”

 

“…Aren’t you disgusted?”

 

“By what?”

 

“I killed them. The blood on my hands… is the same as theirs.”

 

What was he saying? I never expected him to harbor such guilt.

 

‘Is that why he hid it from me? Because he was afraid I’d fear him?’

 

Speechless at this unexpected side of him, I chose my words carefully and turned my head slightly so Nata couldn’t see.

 

“If that’s the case, am I an accomplice for commissioning you to gather information?”

 

“…No.”

 

“No? Then who gave you the reason to kill them?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Rohan couldn’t continue and closed his mouth.

 

“You think you’re the one who swung the sword, but I’m the one who put it in your hand. Don’t feel unnecessary guilt.”

 

I stood up from my seat and stretched. I extended my arms fully and faced Rohan.

 

“Yes, honestly speaking, the fact that people were killed doesn’t sit well with me. If there had been a way to resolve it without killing, I would have preferred that. But what’s done is done. In the end, you helped our territory. So don’t apologize for that.”

 

I looked straight into his invisible eyes as I spoke.

 

“I’m not rude enough to blame someone who drew their sword for my sake.”

 

I couldn’t even dare to imagine how much guilt killing someone would bring.

 

But if he had acted for my sake, I could at least provide enough excuses to ease that guilt.

 

I would offer common consolations like saying they were criminals anyway, or that I would have drawn my sword too if I were in his position.

 

“So there’s no reason for me to fear you.”

 

Of course, if that sword were turned toward me, it would be a different story, but right now he was an ally, so I had no worries.

 

He looked at me quietly in silence, as if pondering my words.

 

After a long while, just as Nata was about to intervene thinking Rohan and I were fighting, Rohan murmured quietly.

 

“…Just like back then, after all.”

 

“What?”

 

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

He shook his head briefly and said.

 

“Then, I’ll continue to keep surveillance on Black Hand. What the Grand Duchess is worried about will absolutely never happen.”

 

‘No, I wasn’t worried about it.’

 

If Rohan guaranteed it, then assassinations wouldn’t happen anymore.

 

I was worried that the Black Hand organization outside the territory might notice, but I had an intuition that Rohan would handle it well.

 

Whether he knew of my trust or not, he politely greeted me and then left the garden.

 

“Next time I’ll bring more valuable information.”

 

I found myself waving at his retreating figure that even seemed resolute.

 

Nata, who had approached my side at some point, glanced at Rohan and quietly asked.

 

“Did something happen?”

 

“I should say nothing happened.”

 

Or should I say it was just Rohan alone.

 

I crossed my arms and quietly gazed at the garden entrance.

 

‘I should look into Rohan as well.’

 

I thought I didn’t need to know until now, but if he shows this kind of reaction several times, I can’t help but notice.

 

He was definitely someone connected to me.

 

‘When was our connection? Academy? Or when we were young?’

 

No matter how much I searched my memories, I couldn’t figure it out. Seeing me lost in thought, Nata carefully said.

 

“Um… Anna is staring with quite the look.”

 

“…She’ll misunderstand again. Let’s go back.”

 

I didn’t want to show this kind of situation in front of Anna, whose hobby was reading romance novels.

 

Since I had other things to do right away, I decided to postpone the matter about Rohan for later.

 

I headed to the annex building with Nata.

 

* * *

 

Having received hints from Wilhelmina, Ilina wrote a letter to Chloe as soon as the reading club ended.

 

She filled it with everything that had happened and how worried she was about not being able to meet, sending the thick letter envelope to Count Tilim’s family.

 

Since the two had often exchanged letters of greeting before, she firmly believed a reply would come back quickly.

 

But contrary to her expectations, Chloe remained silent even after a week had passed.

 

Even after writing and sending several more letters, it was the same – no reply came back.

 

‘I can’t just stay like this.’

 

Though she didn’t say it, Wilhelmina was surely moving to help Chloe as well.

 

Ilina was certain that Wilhelmina wouldn’t abandon Chloe.

 

Not mentioning Chloe at the reading club was probably to prevent the members from worrying.

 

Understanding that consideration, Ilina decided to take action herself. She couldn’t leave it all to Wilhelmina.

 

‘It’s the Grand Duchess’s request. I must convey those words to Miss Chloe.’

 

With firm determination, Ilina immediately called for a carriage and headed to Count Tilim’s family.

 

The etiquette of contacting them in advance had long been set aside.

 

First, the thought that she needed to meet and talk filled her mind completely.

 

Having gotten off in front of the mansion, she spoke confidently to the flustered guards.

 

“I’ve come to see Miss Chloe. I’m Ilina Millize.”

 

However, the guards seemed to have already received some instructions and politely declined.

 

“We apologize, but the master is currently away, so if you could contact us in advance next time…”

 

“But you won’t accept contact anyway. No replies to letters either. Please tell her I’m here. Miss Chloe is inside, isn’t she?”

 

“Even if you say that…”

 

“Miss Chloe wouldn’t turn me away. Just deliver the message, please?”

 

Though she was being unreasonable, the guards couldn’t be firm either, perhaps because they knew Chloe and Ilina were close friends.

 

While they were struggling to restrain Chloe, who seemed ready to force the door open.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

A familiar voice came from the mansion.

 

“Miss Chloe!”

 

Ilina approached the barred gate and called out happily.

 

From the other side, Chloe was walking over, wearing a bright red dress that didn’t suit the spring day.

 

‘Huh? Did Miss Chloe like that kind of clothing?’

 

Chloe preferred neat and tidy clothes.

 

She wondered if her taste had changed, but that wasn’t what was important right now.

 

“Miss Chloe! I came to see you directly since there was no reply. Could we talk…”

 

“No, we can’t meet. Miss Ilina.”

 

“What?”

 

But an unexpected answer came back.

 

Chloe, who she expected would be happy to see her, looked down with a dark expression and said.

 

“I can’t open that door with my own strength.”

 

“What do you mean…”

 

Ilina turned her head to look at the door handle. It was an ordinary door that even Ilina could open.

 

Then what Chloe meant was…

 

“Excuse me, you people. Don’t tell me you’re confining Miss Chloe?”

 

“…”

 

The guards avoided her gaze without saying anything.

 

Confining Chloe, who was the mistress of Count Tilim’s household and the Late Count’s only child?

 

Ilina’s lips trembled at this incomprehensible situation.

 

“So please go back, Miss Ilina. The place I can walk to is… only up to here.”

 

Even though it was called a mansion, the grounds were ridiculously small compared to the street.

 

That splendid but unfree area was Chloe’s only range of movement.

 

Suddenly, she had the illusion that the barred gate at the mansion’s entrance had become a prison door.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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