I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 112

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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 112

 

Chloe headed straight to the bedroom. Perhaps due to her weakened state, she had even started developing a fever while washing.

 

Wilhelmina laid her on the bed and placed a wet towel on her forehead.

 

The attendants offered to take care of her themselves, but Wilhelmina firmly refused.

 

‘It’s better for me to be by her side right now. I need to hear her story too.’

 

She tried giving her honey water several times, but Chloe kept spitting it out as if her stomach couldn’t accept it.

 

Instead, she reached out asking Wilhelmina to stay by her side, so Wilhelmina quietly held her hand and listened to her story.

 

In the dark bedroom, against the backdrop of heavy rain and occasional thunder, a conversation between just the two of them began.

 

“Actually, Mother might not have had any malicious intent.”

 

Since no lights were on, they couldn’t see each other’s faces.

 

Perhaps finding this more comfortable, Chloe gazed at the ceiling with clouded eyes and confessed her circumstances.

 

“Mother… needed an heir. That was more important than my wishes.”

 

Since the Late Count Zerva’s death until now, the humiliation Kaine had endured was beyond description.

 

If it had been an ordinary noble family, they would have brought in a son-in-law long ago.

 

However, due to the nature of the craftsman family that inherited unique techniques, it wasn’t easy to bring in a suitable son-in-law.

 

The Count Tilim Family without a family head saw its authority and honor decline as time passed.

 

And all the arrows were aimed at Kaine.

 

The sin of not bearing an heir. The audacity of a mere commoner acting as the lady of the house.

 

Chloe, who was still young at the time, couldn’t shield her from those arrows.

 

“She wanted to pass the role of lady of the house to me. If I had children, the retainers would have no room to interfere.”

 

Edwin excellently fulfilled the role of family head. Under his leadership, the Count Tilim Family enjoyed a new golden age.

 

Since the son-in-law she brought in was doing his part, she must have thought only her daughter remained.

 

“If I just bore an heir, everything would be perfect.”

 

That was the final step in Kaine’s vision of a happy family.

 

“Since we’re nobles, I can understand. For us, marriage is for bearing heirs. But still… shouldn’t Mother be on my side?”

 

“…”

 

“Mother always called me a good child. She said Chloe listens well, and she was grateful that I was always on Mama’s side. But why isn’t she on my side?”

 

Chloe moved the towel from her forehead to her eyes. It seemed tears were about to pour out again.

 

“She called me a good child. She said I’d be happy someday. But… where is my happiness?”

 

Wilhelmina silently listened to her words.

 

After a long time, all the stories came to an end.

 

Chloe closed her eyes as drowsiness overwhelmed her and murmured.

 

“I know I shouldn’t have come. I know it’s a burden… but.”

 

“…”

 

“…Please help me.”

 

As if answering that plea, Wilhelmina squeezed Chloe’s hand tightly.

 

Feeling the warm touch so different from Kaine’s, Chloe fell asleep.

 

Rumble-

 

Thunder roared loudly outside.

 

Spring was coming to an end.

 

* * *

 

Time passed, and night fell.

 

Anna stood in front of the bedroom door and swallowed nervously.

 

She would have liked to wait until Wilhelmina came out, but she could no longer delay.

 

Right now, on the first floor of the annex building, there was a guest the servants couldn’t ignore.

 

“It will be fine.”

 

Baroness Rollan, who was standing behind her, gently patted Anna’s back.

 

Most of the reading club members had returned home, but the Baroness had stayed.

 

Since Wilhelmina was absent, she had helped organize the confused annex building in her place.

 

Encouraged by the Baroness, Anna nodded with a determined expression and knocked.

 

Knock knock-

 

Wilhelmina’s low voice came from inside.

 

“Come in.”

 

It was her usual calm voice.

 

Anna sighed in relief as if a weight had been lifted, and opened the door.

 

Then she was overwhelmed by the atmosphere in the room and froze in the position of having taken just one step inside.

 

The room was dark with no lights on. Though the fireplace in the corner was giving off light, the area near the bed was pitch black as if someone had painted it black.

 

With her back to that bed, Wilhelmina stood in front of the window.

 

Since she was blocking the faint moonlight, the darkness spread throughout the bedroom originated from her shadow.

 

She seemed to be wearing a massive black dress that covered the room.

 

‘She’s angry.’

 

Wilhelmina’s anger could be felt in the cold, still air of the room.

 

This was Wilhelmina who had never shown such anger even when disrespected by servants or when Jace caused a disturbance.

 

Feeling her master’s anger for the first time, Anna couldn’t even breathe carelessly.

 

“Grand Duchess.”

 

Thankfully, the Baroness broke the silence instead. She took a deep breath and stepped in front of Anna.

 

“A guest has arrived. What should we do?”

 

Normally, Wilhelmina would have shown discomfort at the Baroness’s polite attitude, but this time she responded naturally.

 

She seemed to have already guessed the guest’s identity.

 

“Is it Helene?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Let’s go down.”

 

Wilhelmina moved away from the window and headed toward the bedroom entrance.

 

Her navy blue eyes in the darkness were colder and heavier than usual.

 

Anna unconsciously stepped backward.

 

“Anna.”

 

“Y-yes!”

 

“Tell them not to let anyone into the room until Chloe wakes up.”

 

“Understood!”

 

“And Sir Nata… no, I need to handle this myself.”

 

Then she slowly walked toward the first-floor lobby.

 

Anna conveyed Wilhelmina’s message to another attendant who was waiting, then followed her.

 

‘The Lady of the castle has come to visit…’

 

Since the Late Duke’s death, Helene had never once visited the annex building.

 

Anna had thought it was disrespectful treatment toward Wilhelmina, but it also meant this matter was serious enough to break that pattern.

 

Anna pressed her anxiously pounding heart with her hand.

 

Eventually, Wilhelmina stood on the stairs overlooking the first-floor lobby.

 

“It’s been a while, Helene. The first time since the last reading club?”

 

“…Have you been well, Mother?”

 

Helene was waiting for Wilhelmina, standing in the middle of the lobby in front of the annex building’s entrance.

 

Wilhelmina didn’t go down the stairs but remained above, quietly looking down at Helene.

 

“Let’s go to the reception room.”

 

“That’s fine. This place is sufficient.”

 

“It won’t be a short conversation.”

 

“It’s a conversation that can end short enough.”

 

“…I see.”

 

In this tense situation, Anna bit her cheek to maintain a calm expression.

 

“You must know why I’ve come.”

 

“It must be about Chloe.”

 

“That’s right. Mother, I clearly told you at the previous reading club. She would never be able to set foot in the Duke Layton Family again.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Then, why did you allow her to enter the annex building?”

 

At Helene’s dry question, devoid of emotion, Wilhelmina tilted her head and answered.

 

“I didn’t allow it. I invited her.”

 

“….”

 

As if she hadn’t expected Wilhelmina to defend Chloe so strongly, Helene’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“In the past, I told Chloe she could visit anytime. That was before her access was prohibited. So my invitation came before the prohibition.”

 

“The timing doesn’t matter. This was the Count’s House’s request, and I made the decision.”

 

“So, are you saying my words carry less authority than that decision?”

 

“…Please don’t twist my meaning.”

 

“I can’t even joke around.”

 

“That wasn’t meant as a joke.”

 

It was a remarkable sight.

 

Helene was the lady of the house of the Duke’s Estate, second only to Duke Mikhail in authority over the servants.

 

No servant could remain calm in her presence, and the same was true even for nobles.

 

Yet Wilhelmina was treating such a Helene like a real daughter-in-law.

 

“I accepted Chloe. She’s a guest at my gathering, and that child’s circumstances are truly pitiful.”

 

“Every family has their circumstances. It’s not our place to get involved.”

 

“This wasn’t officially specified in your deal with the Count’s House, was it?”

 

At the word “deal,” Helene’s brow twitched slightly.

 

However, she didn’t ask the foolish question of how she knew about the contract details.

 

“…Even so, one shouldn’t interfere with the family’s will based on mere emotions. She must follow the Count’s House’s rules.”

 

Wilhelmina crossed her arms and quietly looked down at Helene.

 

In the brief silence, Anna covered her mouth with her hand, afraid the sound of swallowing might be heard.

 

“Helene, I’ve granted all your requests until now. Being confined to the annex building, attending unwelcome celebration parties, even giving a congratulatory speech before His Imperial Majesty.”

 

“Are you saying you need compensation?”

 

“No, I want to ask if all those requests were always the Duke’s Estate’s will.”

 

“….”

 

“Can you be certain that you’ve never wielded power based on mere emotions?”

 

Of course not. Every servant watching thought so.

 

The main house’s treatment of Wilhelmina had never improved until now.

 

“I know this way of speaking is cowardly. This topic and your sincerity are separate matters. But….”

 

Wilhelmina slowly descended the stairs.

 

Click-clack, with each echoing footstep, the atmosphere in the lobby grew increasingly cold.

 

“I want you to know that I too am someone who can act on mere emotions.”

 

“That sounds like a threat.”

 

“About half of it is.”

 

Wilhelmina stood before Helene.

 

“You people put me in this position. I can play the role of a figurehead as much as you want.”

 

But, she added.

 

“I cannot overlook rudeness toward my people.”

 

“…If this matter harms the family, even you, Mother, won’t be able to escape responsibility.”

 

“If it’s a fitting punishment, then by all means. However….”

 

The corners of Wilhelmina’s eyes curved gently, showing a kind mother’s smile.

 

“Until the family’s decision is made, don’t lay a hand on the guests in my annex building. Unless you want to create a messy disturbance.”

 

Even under her daughter-in-law’s coldly frozen gaze, the mother-in-law’s attitude remained firm.

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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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