I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 113

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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 113

 

After Helene left, I half-lay on the sofa in the study and let out a sigh.

 

‘I’ve done it now.’

 

After hearing about Chloe’s situation, I was so furious that I properly started the mother-in-law conflict I had been avoiding all this time.

 

‘Still, there wasn’t anything… she could find fault with, right?’

 

The regret was brief, as I immediately recalled my conversation with Helene.

 

I had already known about the trade details between Layton and Tilim.

 

Helene seemed to want to hide it from me, but the fact that the ducal house had imported large quantities of wool, with Count Tilim’s family, who were dye artisans, lending a hand, was widely known information in the market.

 

There was no way such a major contract would include something like ‘prohibiting Chloe from entering the ducal house.’

 

‘Previously, Helene only said that the count’s family had suggested it and she had agreed… meaning it wasn’t a matter of agreement between the families.’

 

At that time, she had expressed it as her own consent, not Mikhail’s or the family’s decision.

 

Since Helene wasn’t someone who would be caught making such mistakes, I had to assume she had separated the family’s decision from her own.

 

I suspected there had been a promise to make Chloe withdraw from the reading club and turn a blind eye to subsequent events.

 

‘If, by any chance, something unfortunate happens because of this, she intends to say it was solely her decision.’

 

Such stubbornness was so very like Helene.

 

“…Haah.”

 

It was a complicated situation.

 

Helene pretending not to know about Chloe’s circumstances because of the contract, Edwin Tilim who even mobilized an assassination organization called Black Hand, and on top of that, Kaine Tilim who abandoned her daughter for her own safety…

 

‘They say even melodramas are based on reality.’

 

My childhood self, who used to wonder where in the world such frustrating families existed, seemed ridiculous now.

 

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

 

“Oh, Baroness.”

 

Just then, the Baroness entered, opening the door to the study.

 

Come to think of it, I hadn’t been able to pay attention to her because of my meeting with Helene.

 

“I knocked, but you didn’t seem to hear.”

 

“I’m sorry, I was distracted.”

 

“I understand.”

 

The Baroness gave a gentle smile and sat across from me.

 

“In the end, you’ve decided not to send Miss Chloe back.”

 

“Yes, how could I turn her away after seeing her like that.”

 

“Fufu, that’s so like you, Grand Duchess.”

 

My heart sank when I saw Chloe’s disheveled state. I had seen such a sight before in the past.

 

I remembered a child who had come to the empty academy, covered in bruises all over their body.

 

The face of someone driven into a corner was impossible to forget, no matter how hard you tried.

 

‘Should I have contacted her sooner?’

 

At least it was fortunate that Chloe had chosen the option of running away to me.

 

When suffering in a closed relationship, even the will to escape to the outside often gets broken.

 

I wanted to thank her for not making the worst choice.

 

The Baroness, who had been quietly watching me lost in thought, spoke softly.

 

“When Lady Chloe introduced herself, she didn’t call herself a Countess.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Lady Ilina was the same. Originally, she should have been addressed as Countess, but she always called her Lady Chloe. Because Lady Chloe liked it that way.”

 

“….”

 

“Lady Chloe was still living in the past. From before her marriage, when she was still a Noble Lady of the Count Family.”

 

All the members of the Reading Club called her Lady Chloe.

 

To us, that was a natural fact.

 

As if we understood her unspoken request to be called by her name rather than her family title.

 

“I believe the Grand Duchess’s choice was right. A choice to save someone cannot be wrong.”

 

It was an emotional statement, unlike the Baroness.

 

Surprised, I widened my eyes and observed her resolute expression.

 

“As a noble, I cannot oppose the Duchess, but… I wanted to tell you that I support the Grand Duchess.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

“Though an old woman’s encouragement may not be much.”

 

“No, it gives me great strength.”

 

She meant that since I made the right choice, I shouldn’t worry about it. Thanks to that, my complicated feelings became much more at ease.

 

I smiled and expressed my gratitude for the Baroness’s praise.

 

“If you need my help, please let me know anytime.”

 

“I understand. Ah, let’s have our meal first. Given the time…”

 

Just then, a knocking sound came from the Terrace side of the Study.

 

Knock knock, a sound that couldn’t be mistaken for rain.

 

The Baroness was startled, but I soon realized who the visitor was.

 

“Just a moment.”

 

I approached the Terrace and opened the Door wide.

 

The fierce sound of rain and wind rushed in, and in front of it stood a Man wearing a Robe.

 

I could hear the Baroness swallowing a scream.

 

“I’m sorry for visiting so suddenly.”

 

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I couldn’t contact you first. Come in.”

 

The Man’s identity was Rohan.

 

Today was the day Rohan was supposed to bring information.

 

Originally, I should have waited for him in the Garden after the Reading Club ended.

 

But since Chloe came to visit, I couldn’t go out to meet him.

 

He could have just gone back without saying anything, but this diligent informant had come all the way here, even through the rain.

 

‘He couldn’t have entered through the Main Gate. Helene would be watching.’

 

I was newly impressed by Rohan’s Infiltration Skills. How well he managed to break through the guards and come here.

 

“Wait a moment, since there’s no Towel…”

 

I took out a Handkerchief from my pocket and wiped his cheek.

 

He must have bumped into Tree Branches while climbing up, as rain-soaked leaves were stuck to his cheek and hair.

 

“I’ll do it myself.”

 

“Stop it, stay still. Your hands are dirty too.”

 

She scolded me not to make more work and moved her hands.

 

I thought her body might be cold from the rain, but the area around her ears was warm, perhaps because she ran hot.

 

“Oh, and the Baroness is here.”

 

Since she was a Reading Club member anyway, I thought it wouldn’t matter to show her Rohan’s face and tried to introduce him.

 

“The Baroness?”

 

The Baroness had a strange expression on her face.

 

She wasn’t smiling, nor was she flustered, but looked like she desperately wanted to say something but was holding back…

 

‘I’ve seen that look somewhere before.’

 

While I was wondering where, the Baroness muttered.

 

“Finally…”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

She quickly corrected her expression and stood up abruptly from her seat.

 

“I’ll go to the Dining Hall first.”

 

“Oh, you could come with us…”

 

“No, I can’t interfere.”

 

Well, it was time for information exchange, so it would be uncomfortable with an outsider present.

 

But I hadn’t planned to ask her to leave, yet she walked out of the Study without looking back.

 

Bewildered by her sudden change, I absentmindedly wrung out the wet handkerchief and said.

 

“Why does she look so satisfied?”

 

“…”

 

Unlike me, Rohan seemed to have some idea, closing his eyes and letting out a long sigh.

 

‘Why does he look frustrated too?’

 

I couldn’t understand either of their feelings.

 

* * *

 

The next day, I requested a visit from Baron Metokan.

 

I asked Baroness Rollan, who had stayed overnight in the Annex Building, to spare just half a day more.

 

So Baron Metokan, Baroness Rollan, and I gathered in the Study.

 

“The reason I called you both here is, as you know, because of Chloe’s situation.”

 

Baron Metokan nodded as if she had expected this.

 

“Aren’t you calling the other Reading Club members?”

 

“The situation has become complicated.”

 

I couldn’t call Mabel, of course, nor Ilina who had burst into tears worrying about Chloe.

 

‘Since I’ve made an enemy of Helene, it’s not easy to ask Jane for help either.’

 

So these two were what remained.

 

Baron Metokan frowned and muttered.

 

“I don’t think I’ll be of much help.”

 

Though it seemed like a disgruntled attitude, she said it out of regret that she couldn’t be of help.

 

“Baroness Metokan’s insight is the best among anyone I know. She’ll definitely be of help.”

 

“…If that’s the case.”

 

Baroness Metokan nodded with a complicated expression.

 

“Then….”

 

Seeing that both were ready to listen, I briefly summarized what Chloe had experienced.

 

As the story progressed, the Baroness let out pained sighs with a distressed expression, while Baroness Metokan looked up at the ceiling with eyes filled with rage.

 

“There are times when being right makes you even angrier.”

 

Baroness Metokan, who had long ago seen through Edwin Tilim’s character, muttered in an irritated voice.

 

“To think such a man is popular in high society, the world never changes.”

 

I could tell who she was thinking of without her having to say it.

 

After calming her anger for a moment, the Baroness asked cautiously.

 

“Then what specifically do you want to do, Grand Duchess?”

 

“I’ll be honest. Nothing’s decided yet.”

 

I placed my clasped hands on the desk and let out a sigh.

 

“I have a few things in mind, but I haven’t made concrete plans yet.”

 

“We can help together. Miss Chloe is a precious friend to me as well.”

 

The Baroness gently covered my hands with hers.

 

Baroness Metokan also spoke with sharp eyes.

 

“After hearing the situation, I can’t ignore it either. I’d like to help.”

 

I smiled in gratitude.

 

While the Baroness was understandable, Baroness Metokan seemed to empathize more with Chloe’s situation because of past events.

 

“Shall we decide together then?”

 

“Yes, let’s.”

 

“So which would be more effective – stripping Edwin of his position or bringing down the Count family? If that doesn’t work, there’s always the option of a theatrical assassination.”

 

“Yes, stripping and bringing down… what did you say?”

 

Both of them gaped in shock.

 

Why are they so surprised?

 

If we’re going to make a big move anyway, the top priority should be making it irreversible for everyone involved.

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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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