I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 114

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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 114

 

“…You’re not being serious, are you?”

 

“About half.”

 

Like the threat I had made to Helene, it was half a joke.

 

“…So you mean half of it is serious?”

 

Baroness Metokan muttered as if she couldn’t believe it.

 

I handed them the documents I had prepared.

 

It was a document that organized the information Rohan had gathered in an easy-to-understand way.

 

The Baroness and Baroness Metokan, who looked through it, read a certain part and simultaneously frowned.

 

“Black Hand? You’re saying an assassination organization is behind the Count?”

 

“Rather than being behind him, it’s more accurate to say they’re doing business together.”

 

I didn’t know how they were helping each other, but it was clear that their relationship was close.

 

As if something came to mind from my words, the Baroness leaned her cheek against her hand and muttered.

 

“Then the Count’s reputation makes sense. If he’s as arrogant as Lady Chloe said, it wouldn’t be easy for rumors not to spread…”

 

“Are you saying Black Hand is manipulating rumors?”

 

“No, controlling tongues in High Society isn’t that easy. It means they used information to only target nobles who wouldn’t spread rumors. An organization of this level would have one or two weaknesses of nobles in their possession.”

 

“Ah…”

 

In other words, he targeted Noble Ladies from families that seemed easy to handle.

 

Edwin’s evaluation fell even further.

 

“But before becoming an adopted son-in-law, he was just a bastard son of a Baronet Family, right? I don’t understand how he managed to join hands with an organization like Black Hand.”

 

I was curious about that reason too, but what was important now wasn’t the past.

 

Baroness Metokan, who had quickly read through the documents, nodded as if she finally understood.

 

“So that’s why you said it would be an artificial assassination plot. You’re planning to pin all of this on Black Hand?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

I hadn’t even explained the purpose yet, but Baroness Metokan had figured out my plan just from the information.

 

“Well, even if there’s no physical evidence, with this level of connection, it would be worth pinning on them.”

 

Of course, I hadn’t actually thought about real assassination.

 

It was a threat to moderately scare him and warn him that I knew about his hidden side.

 

‘Though he might get hurt somewhere in the process.’

 

It was a way to drive out Black Hand while simultaneously causing damage to Edwin.

 

‘But it can’t be a fundamental solution. He doesn’t seem like the type to apologize just because he was threatened a bit.’

 

As I was about to mention the next plan, I felt Baroness Metokan and the Baroness looking at me with strange expressions.

 

“Is there something on my face?”

 

“…No, it’s nothing.”

 

Ahem, Baroness Metokan cleared her throat briefly and placed the documents on the table.

 

“Next is family downfall and stripping Edwin of his Count title… Aren’t these the same thing?”

 

“They’re different. Family downfall literally means bringing down the Count Family’s power. The latter means targeting only Edwin.”

 

“Is that possible? No matter how weak the in-law family’s influence is, it’s still a Count Family.”

 

Since they can’t freely use the ducal house’s name, it won’t be easy to attack a family as high-ranking as a count.

 

But that’s only common sense.

 

“We can scheme against them. Actually, though it wasn’t written in those documents, Black Hand is already in a state where it can’t function properly. They can no longer help him.”

 

Slander and intrigue.

 

Though I spoke of it as if it were something grand, it was as natural as breathing in political circles.

 

Even in this place with different culture, one law that applied just like in modern times was that the method to bring down influential people was the pen, not the fist.

 

‘There are quite a few corners to dig into.’

 

The malicious gossip and discrimination the retainers showed toward Kaine mother and daughter, the circumstances of confining Chloe, the scandals with women Edwin had involved himself with, and so on—once we caught one thread, there were countless clues that could be connected.

 

Of course, they weren’t rumors grand enough to bring down a count’s family, but they were at least enough to light the fuse.

 

For example.

 

‘Something like attempting to assassinate the duke.’

 

Where there’s no fire, there’s no smoke.

 

Though it wasn’t my favorite saying, there was no better material for swaying the public.

 

Even without physical evidence, if such conspiracy theories came rushing in along with subtle rumors of connections to Black Hand, even a count’s family would find it hard to remain unscathed.

 

If necessary, there was also the method of exposing Black Hand’s communication post.

 

To avoid that suspicion, they would undergo a massive investigation, and then more sordid and concrete evidence than what we had gathered would emerge.

 

‘First create controversy. Then find the rotten parts through search and seizure… It’s familiar work.’

 

I briefly explained the scheming plan to the two of them.

 

The baroness seemed to lose her words for a moment, moving her lips, then muttered with a sigh.

 

“Sometimes, Grand Duchess, you feel like someone who has experienced high society for decades.”

 

“Thank you for the compliment.”

 

It was a moment when the political dramas I had watched in modern times proved helpful.

 

Though it was an excellent strategy in that it wouldn’t dirty our hands, I wasn’t keen on it.

 

Too many people would get involved, and Chloe wouldn’t want this either.

 

So what remained last was the plan to remove Edwin from power.

 

“This plan requires two things as top priority. One is that Chloe and Edwin divorce. Since he’s a son-in-law who married into the family, he won’t be able to maintain legitimacy. And the second is…”

 

Baroness Metokan continued my words.

 

“Someone suitable to become the new count.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

A noble house without a head cannot exist.

 

Though there might be a grace period before the noble registry is updated, without even a candidate, it would be no different from the lineage being cut off.

 

“There’s a strong candidate among the retainers, but he doesn’t seem likely to be favorable toward Chloe, so he’s excluded. And bringing in a separate groom candidate would be problematic for reputation.”

 

“That’s right. They would misinterpret Miss Chloe’s intentions.”

 

As if already well aware of high society’s characteristics, Baroness Metokan muttered with an uncomfortable expression.

 

“Honestly speaking, there’s the method of becoming a female head like myself, but… it’s difficult.”

 

The birth of a female head was an extremely exceptional occurrence.

 

Baroness Metokan obtained that position because her techniques were core technology essential to the empire’s weapon business.

 

In other words, it meant it was impossible without such achievement.

 

“Still, looking at the most realistic option, it’s the last choice, but…”

 

“The future is the problem. How about winning over the retainers instead?”

 

“But Miss Chloe’s wishes…”

 

As our discussion among the three of us failed to find an answer, someone knocked on the study door.

 

When I told them to come in, a maid carefully entered.

 

“Grand Madam, they say it’s tonight.”

 

“Really? What time?”

 

“Starting from 5 o’clock.”

 

“…That’s early.”

 

Last night, I had made a request to Rohan.

 

I asked him to keep surveillance on the Tilrim County mansion and track Edwin’s whereabouts.

 

I thought he would spend about a day at the mansion, but it seemed that fellow headed to the banquet hall without getting tired.

 

That must mean he doesn’t consider Chloe’s escape to be a big deal.

 

“I’ll go out for a moment. I’m sorry, but could you wait here until I return? I need an alibi that I was with you.”

 

If those two remained here, Helene would also think I was in the annex building.

 

“Where are you going…”

 

“I’m going to meet Edwin Tilim directly.”

 

In any case, I wanted to have a proper conversation with him at least once.

 

Rather than expecting anything, I needed an opportunity to see with my own eyes just how much of trash he was, and I had several things I was curious about regarding him.

 

Baron Metokan and the Baroness sent worried glances my way.

 

“Are you going out secretly?”

 

“Yes, it would be troublesome if Helene found out.”

 

Helene was probably already monitoring my activities at the annex building, so I didn’t want to give her unnecessary justification.

 

The Baroness seemed to find it hard to believe that I could break through the Duke’s Estate security.

 

But I had something I could rely on.

 

“I’m planning to go with Rohan.”

 

“Ah…!”

 

The Baroness’s eyes sparkled as she nodded, saying “Of course.”

 

I didn’t know why she was so pleased, but anyway, with Rohan who used to come and go from the Duke’s Estate as if it were his own home, there was nothing to worry about.

 

“Rohan… who is this person?”

 

On the other hand, Baron Metokan didn’t know about Rohan.

 

While I was wondering how to explain, the Baroness quickly went to her side and whispered something.

 

Baron Metokan’s eyes widened, then she frowned and said.

 

“Isn’t it dangerous? A secret meeting alone with a man…”

 

“It’s fine. It’s not late evening, and it’s Rohan anyway.”

 

“A-anyway?”

 

Besides, this was going out, not a secret meeting.

 

What Baron Metokan was worried about would never happen.

 

As I was about to leave after saying goodbye, I heard the dejected voices of the two people behind me.

 

“…I’m starting to feel sorry for that man called Rohan.”

 

“Actually, even though she says that…”

 

They seemed to be having another strange misunderstanding, but I didn’t bother to correct them.

 

‘Nothing will really happen.’

 

I could be confident that Rohan wouldn’t think of me in that way either.

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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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