I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 110

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

I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 110

 

That night, Chloe dreamed of the past.

 

The dream began from the time when her father, Zerba Tilim, was still alive.

 

Zerba was a passionate and stubborn man.

 

In his youth, he rejected the fiancée his family had arranged and left to wander the Western Region, declaring he would find his own love.

 

The woman he met then was Kaine.

 

Zerba fell in love at first sight with Kaine, who worked shearing sheep wool at a farm, and held their wedding ceremony despite fierce opposition from his retainers.

 

According to what she heard later, he gathered his retainers, drew his sword, and shouted:

 

‘If there are those who oppose this, come and face me! A duel under the sun should leave no complaints!’

 

Even the conservative retainers couldn’t stop Zerba as he rampaged, invoking the old traditions of the Empire.

 

Though Tilrim County was greatly shaken by his marriage to Kaine, they managed to overcome the crisis thanks to Zerba’s outstanding talent.

 

Ignoring the rumors in high society and the checks from other nobles, he silently led the business forward.

 

Even the retainers who had complaints about Kaine eventually gave up and followed him.

 

Fortunately, thanks to Zerba’s efforts, Tilim rose to an unrivaled position in the dye market.

 

‘Didn’t I tell you I would succeed! Hahaha!’

 

It seemed as though peace had returned to the family.

 

Kaine was still looked down upon by the retainers, and the Tilim Family could hardly show their faces in high society, but they were able to maintain family harmony.

 

That was the happiest time Chloe remembered.

 

…But after Zerba died, everything changed.

 

‘What? You’re saying he didn’t leave behind the dye production secret? The capital is currently trending with new fashions. If we can’t keep up, we’ll be left behind.’

 

‘More importantly, what about a successor? There’s only one young miss.’

 

‘As expected, we should have chosen the bride ourselves. In the end, she couldn’t even bear a son…’

 

Though it was a grand funeral, the attending retainers were busy cursing Kaine instead of praying for the deceased.

 

It wasn’t Kaine’s fault that Zerba died without establishing a successor, but such facts didn’t matter to them.

 

‘This is why commoners are…’

 

They needed someone to blame for this situation, and Kaine, being of commoner origin, was perfect for that role.

 

She had no connections or influence in high society.

 

This was because Zerba had handled all family affairs himself.

 

It was incompetence brought about by Zerba’s devoted love, believing she needed protection because she was a commoner.

 

The retainers used that incompetence as an excuse to disparage Kaine.

 

There was also a twisted desire mixed in, believing they could control the family, but no one was there to point that out.

 

…Even though it was a dream, Kaine’s face as she stared intently at the coffin was vivid.

 

It was such an unforgettable memory.

 

‘Mother, are you alright?’

 

Kaine gave no response to Chloe’s question.

 

As if she hadn’t noticed the presence of her daughter beside her, she just stood there as if her soul had left her body.

 

Harsh arrows of criticism pierced her back, but she couldn’t give any response.

 

Chloe tightly grasped Kaine’s hand, which was cold as a dead person’s.

 

However, Kaine didn’t squeeze back.

 

* * *

 

“…Ah.”

 

When she opened her eyes, the sound of heavy rain was echoing in her ears.

 

Chloe covered her throbbing forehead with her hand and got up from her position.

 

‘What time is it?’

 

She looked at the clock with blurry eyes.

 

The time was 3 PM, an unimaginably late hour for her usual routine.

 

She looked at the empty bed.

 

Edwin seemed to have already gone outside.

 

Perhaps due to the alcohol she drank yesterday, she felt nauseous.

 

She slowly got out of bed and drank some water.

 

Her steps were unsteady due to fatigue and hangover.

 

‘Let’s not… call for an attendant.’

 

Since she didn’t want to show this state to anyone, she washed her face alone and then changed her clothes.

 

And when she stepped outside, she came face to face with Kaine who was standing in front of the door.

 

“Mother?”

 

“Oh my, you’re awake.”

 

Somehow Kaine approached with an unusually bright complexion.

 

While answering that she was fine, a sudden suspicion arose.

 

‘Surely… she wasn’t waiting the whole time, was she?’

 

Chloe shook her head, thinking that couldn’t be it.

 

“I’m sorry for sleeping in, Mother.”

 

“No, that can happen. Still, it seems like you’re getting along well with the Count, so Mother is relieved.”

 

“….”

 

It was something she couldn’t quite take as praise.

 

Instead of answering, Chloe gave a vague smile.

 

‘As expected, that’s what’s most important.’

 

Perhaps because she had dreamed of the past, seeing Kaine brighten up reminded her of when she had brought Edwin.

 

When the retainers were in the midst of discussing who would be good as a successor, Kaine suddenly appeared with Edwin.

 

‘He’s going to be my daughter’s groom.’

 

With his status as the second son of a baronet family and his past of graduating from the Academy with excellent grades, his background was impeccable.

 

However, at that time, several sons of retainers were included as engagement candidates.

 

The retainers strongly objected to Edwin’s sudden appearance, but fell silent after his subsequent achievements.

 

Despite his frivolous behavior, he solidified his position by succeeding in all sorts of businesses.

 

It was a strange thing.

 

A young man who seemed to have no business talent was succeeding in every business he touched.

 

He had multiplied the small amount of money that Kaine had invested dozens of times over, and pressured the retainers as if this position had always been his.

 

Kaine, who had been watching this with apparent satisfaction, said:

 

‘It’s alright now, Chloe. The Count will save us.’

 

The word “us” was inappropriate.

 

Edwin had only saved Kaine.

 

The more Edwin achieved, the more the stigma of being a mistress who couldn’t bear a son gradually faded.

 

Since Edwin also claimed to be Kaine’s backing, the retainers couldn’t carelessly speak ill of Kaine.

 

As Edwin became Count, the family was enjoying an unprecedented golden age, Kaine escaped criticism, and her reputation in high society also improved.

 

Everyone was heading toward a happy ending.

 

…If only Chloe would endure.

 

“Are you feeling alright?”

 

“I’m fine. I overslept because I drank alcohol.”

 

“…Oh, I see.”

 

For some reason, Kaine’s slightly disappointed expression seemed strange.

 

“You should eat lunch. Aren’t you hungry?”

 

“Yes, I was going to the dining hall.”

 

“I’ll tell the kitchen for you.”

 

“No, I’ll go by myself.”

 

Since she was planning to satisfy her hunger with soup instead of that strange food she usually ate, it was more convenient to speak directly.

 

When Chloe firmly refused, Kaine sighed and backed down, saying she understood.

 

“I’ll be in the study. Call me anytime if you need anything.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Kaine’s behavior like a servant pained her heart.

 

Even though her treatment had improved, a part of her heart still carried the burden of being a commoner.

 

Chloe saw her off with a bitter smile and headed to the dining hall.

 

She happened to spot a maid who was cleaning.

 

“I’m sorry for being late, but could you prepare a meal for me?”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

“And instead of that strange meat I usually eat… please make soup.”

 

“What? But surely that food was ordered by the Lady…”

 

Chloe’s eyes widened as she asked back.

 

“I ordered it?”

 

“Yes, our Kitchen Servants understood it that way. That’s why we excluded the Fruits you always enjoyed and brought you that meal.”

 

“That can’t be, I would never eat such fishy-smelling Meat…”

 

Come to think of it, the recent menu had been strange across the board.

 

Nuts she didn’t usually enjoy and dry Meat frequently appeared on the table, none of which were Ingredients that Chloe liked.

 

Recently, her mind had been troubled and she hadn’t paid attention to the Kitchen, but to think it was recorded as something she had ordered.

 

“Did you hear my order directly?”

 

“No, I heard it from the Butler.”

 

Since there was no reason to lie, she must have certainly heard the order.

 

At that moment, one speculation flashed through her mind.

 

“…Could it be that the Lady you’re referring to isn’t me, but the Grand Madam?”

 

“Ah!”

 

The small secret was easily revealed.

 

The Maid nodded her head thinking that could be possible.

 

“…!”

 

Soon she turned pale as a sheet.

 

With a face as if she had seen a ghost, Chloe approached her with concern.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

 

“N-no. It’s nothing, nothing at all! I just need to boil some Soup! Right away, I’ll go to the Kitchen right now!”

 

Then she tried to hurriedly walk away, but her foot caught on the Chair and she fell over.

 

Chloe helped her up from the Floor with a startled expression.

 

“It’s hardly nothing, why are you so surprised?”

 

At her caring words, the Maid’s expression grew even more troubled.

 

She looked like she might burst into tears at any moment, so Chloe stroked the Maid’s shoulder.

 

“Has there been some bullying? If you’re okay with me, I’ll listen.”

 

“L-Lady.”

 

The Maid hung her head low and muttered in a tearful voice.

 

“How could they do this to such a kind person…”

 

“Hm?”

 

After pondering for a long while, the Maid grasped Chloe’s hand and earnestly pleaded.

 

“Lady. Please listen calmly.”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

“That Food seems to have been ordered by the Grand Madam.”

 

That wasn’t surprising.

 

Since it’s the Butler or Attendants who hear orders directly, it was understandable that the Maid could make a mistake.

 

As if pitying Chloe who still didn’t understand what this meant, the Maid continued in a low voice.

 

“And those Ingredients are good for pregnancy.”

 

“…What?”

 

The word she had been trying so hard to avoid all this time came from her mouth.

 

“Walnuts and Almonds, Tomatoes and Round Steak… these are Food Ingredients my Mother-in-law taught me when I got married. There’s also a theory that cooking methods with heat are good for pregnancy. So, the reason the Grand Madam ordered this is…”

 

Chloe shot up from her seat.

 

The maid looked at her with pitying eyes as she trembled with her hand covering her mouth.

 

“That can’t be true.”

 

“Lady!”

 

Chloe left the Dining Hall with quick steps.

 

Her destination was the Third Floor, the Study where Kaine was.

 

Behind her, the maid was desperately calling out to her, but it didn’t reach Chloe’s ears.

 

The higher she climbed the Stairs, the faster her pace became.

 

She ran up the Stairs and sprinted through the Corridor.

 

The Servants who spotted her around the area widened their eyes in surprise.

 

The Butler tried to ask what was wrong, but Chloe’s hand had already reached the Study’s Door Handle.

 

She flung the Door open and went inside.

 

“Hm? Chloe?”

 

She found Kaine reading a Book while wearing Glasses.

 

It was still the same kind face overflowing with love and concern.

 

Every time she stood before that gentleness, Chloe hid her true feelings.

 

Wearing the Mask of a good child, she extended her hands and feet to Mother’s Chain.

 

But this time, she couldn’t bear it.

 

“Mother.”

 

“Did you eat? Why are you breathing so…”

 

“The Meal Plan in the Kitchen – did Mother make that?”

 

Kaine, who was about to take off her Glasses, froze in place.

 

Chloe approached her as she blinked in surprise and asked in a trembling voice.

 

“It’s a lie, isn’t it? You know that I… hate being with Edwin.”

 

Knowing how much she was avoiding him.

 

She had hated sleeping with him more than death. Because of that, she had clung to Mother countless times in tears.

 

Each time, how gently Mother had comforted her…

 

“The reason you fed me that Food was…”

 

“Could it be that your body is showing signs?”

 

Color returned to Kaine’s face.

 

Seeing Mother’s bright smile for the first time since childhood, Chloe was left speechless.

 

It seemed like Chloe’s desperation could no longer reach her.

 

“Since you just realized it now, your body must be showing signs! That’s why you thought it was thanks to the meal!”

 

Kaine got up from her Chair and approached Chloe.

 

Feeling like a ghost was approaching, Chloe tried to step back, but… Kaine caught her.

 

She placed her hand on Chloe’s abdomen and stroked it gently, lovingly.

 

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

 

“Ah-”

 

“It’s a son, isn’t it? It must be a son. Because Mother studied hard. So that this time, I wouldn’t fail.”

 

“I am…”

 

Kaine’s wrinkled hands moved continuously over her abdomen, as if searching for something.

 

Chloe couldn’t bring herself to continue speaking, and with trembling eyes, she looked at Kaine’s hands, at her own belly.

 

“What a relief. Yes, now peace will finally come to our household.”

 

The one and only mother in the world was wishing for my unhappiness.

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