I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 117

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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 117

 

On the way back, Rohan spoke to me.

 

His voice carried a hint of anger and worry.

 

“But why did you approach Count Tilim?”

 

“I told you. There was something I needed to find out from him.”

 

“Was it necessary to get that close?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Would it be a bit heartless to say I didn’t want Rohan to hear?

 

Since Rohan had helped me this far, I spoke in a roundabout way.

 

“Since he was drunk, I thought he wouldn’t hear my voice from far away. Besides, I never expected him to raise his hand.”

 

“You knew the rumors that he has bad drinking habits and is insolent, didn’t you?”

 

“Well, that’s true, but.”

 

Somehow I found myself making excuses, and I was at a loss for words.

 

“I didn’t know he would have such thoughts about me.”

 

“…”

 

It was a casual excuse I threw out, but Rohan’s reaction was unusual.

 

His footsteps toward the castle stopped.

 

Thanks to that, I, who was inside his cloak, also had to stop.

 

“When approaching men closely, caution is necessary.”

 

And he spoke in a serious tone as if he had become a school teacher.

 

“I know that the Grand Duchess is a remarkable person. But for your safety, please refrain from being alone with men as much as possible.”

 

Since this was something I had told children dozens of times, hearing it now felt strange.

 

If it had been someone else, I would have laughed it off and told them not to worry, but since Rohan was serious about everything, it wasn’t easy to do so.

 

Besides, telling me not to be alone with men.

 

“We’re alone together right now.”

 

What about this current situation where we’re stuck close together inside the cloak?

 

At my question, Rohan seemed to lose his words and closed his mouth.

 

And after moving his lips for a long time, he soon muttered with a sigh.

 

“I’m… fine.”

 

“Rohan, you’re a man too, aren’t you?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

At this point, I became genuinely curious about this man’s reasoning.

 

I glanced up at his face, which I couldn’t see clearly.

 

“Ah, is it because you have someone you like? So you’re safe?”

 

“…Are you asking when you already know?”

 

“I don’t know who it is though.”

 

But judging by his reaction, my guess seemed to be half right.

 

Well, since he’s a man in his prime, he’d probably have at least one person he admires.

 

For me, romance and marriage were out of the question, but it wouldn’t be strange for Rohan to have a fiancée.

 

…Or he might already be a married man.

 

‘If I make a fuss about this, I’ll look pathetic.’

 

While other people’s love stories are interesting, prying too much would be a nuisance.

 

I cleared my throat briefly and patted Rohan’s shoulder.

 

“Anyway, I’ll gratefully take your advice.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

There was no guarantee that guards would always be by my side when such things happened, so being careful was right.

 

I praised Rohan, saying it was fortunate to have such a reliable guard, but somehow his reaction wasn’t very good.

 

I comforted him as he kept his mouth tightly shut and moved on.

 

Returning to the Annex Building, I finished the meeting and welcomed Nata.

 

He returned with an expression as if his heart was completely at ease, and when I asked if he had experienced any injustice at the Knights’ Quarters.

 

“It was an enjoyable experience.”

 

He answered cheerfully.

 

“Weren’t you called in because of opening the Castle Gate?”

 

“That’s correct. But since there was confusion in the orders, they judged it wasn’t a big problem.”

 

What he meant was, the order to prohibit Chloe’s entry was only given to the people of the Main Castle, so they concluded it had nothing to do with Nata, who was my knight.

 

Nata had opened the Castle Gate because he happened to have business Outside, and Chloe just took advantage of that opportunity to enter… and they even fabricated the record.

 

“…Does that make sense?”

 

“It seems there was probably a hint from above to wrap things up appropriately.”

 

“By above, you mean Mikhail?”

 

It couldn’t be Helene, so the only one left was Mikhail.

 

“I didn’t hear the name either. However, from the circumstances, it seemed to be the Duke’s instruction.”

 

‘That would be right. Besides, Mikhail has command authority over the Knights.’

 

I couldn’t figure out what Mikhail was thinking at all.

 

Judging by how he left the Business to Helene, he didn’t seem to intend to take my side, yet at times like this, he helps again.

 

Anyway, it was a good thing.

 

If Nata hadn’t continued to return, I was just considering whether I should turn the Castle upside down once.

 

“But what’s this about an enjoyable experience? From what I heard, there seemed to be Knights requesting Sparring.”

 

“Literally, I sparred the entire time I was there. They seemed curious about my skills, as requests kept coming.”

 

Nata had never interacted with the Castle’s Knights.

 

At most, he exchanged brief greetings a few times when I went to the Castle.

 

However, Nata’s skills had quietly gained a reputation, as Soldiers patrolling around the Annex Building saw Nata’s Swordsmanship and spread rumors that he was a remarkable expert.

 

The young Knights of the Main Castle, curious about those rumors, made successive Sparring requests to Nata.

 

“And I won them all.”

 

“…I, I see.”

 

While no executive-level Knights appeared, he apparently beat down every Knight who doubted his skills.

 

He said he couldn’t bring shame to my honor, so he brought perfect victory from start to finish.

 

“But don’t you feel bad? There were so many people who doubted Sir Nata’s skills.”

 

“It doesn’t matter. Since you came forward fair and square instead of talking behind my back.”

 

I recalled the Margrave’s knights who had backed out of sparring.

 

Well, compared to those who didn’t even have the courage to hold a sword without wearing masks, this reckless young knight might have been easier to deal with.

 

‘At least he didn’t dispute the outcome, so that’s fortunate.’

 

After happily listening to what Nata had experienced, I also briefly explained the events that had happened so far.

 

Nata, who had been listening quietly, frowned when I got to the part about meeting Edwin.

 

“…So Rohan brought down that man.”

 

“Yeah. You can’t imagine how shocked I was.”

 

“Rohan did wrong.”

 

“Right, I meant for him to just threaten moderately, but to leave him in such a half-dead state…”

 

“If it were me, I would have used my sword instead of my hands.”

 

“…What?”

 

Wondering if I had misheard, I tilted my head, and he continued with a crooked smile.

 

“If I had cleanly cut his throat right there, Grand Madam wouldn’t have been shocked, and there would have been no need for a second intervention.”

 

“…”

 

I sometimes forget that Nata is a knight who has experienced war.

 

I deliberately avoided Nata’s gaze that held a chilling aura.

 

If Nata had been there instead, Edwin might not be among the living by now.

 

“Ahem, anyway, after that, Sir Nata returned.”

 

“So what happens from now on? Which direction will you proceed among those three options?”

 

“Ah, I didn’t mention that.”

 

Right after meeting Edwin, the Baroness and Baroness Metokan saw the bruised marks on my wrist and made their decision.

 

‘Let’s do all three.’

 

The Count’s House’s downfall. Edwin’s stripping of his count title. And… assassination.

 

The two women’s diagnosis was that all three were necessary to teach him a proper lesson.

 

* * *

 

After coming to Wilhelmina’s Annex Building, Chloe had no nightmares.

 

Kaine pressuring her with a smiling face, Edwin making her serve alcohol every night, servants giving her pitying looks… When they stopped appearing in her dreams, Chloe’s insomnia naturally disappeared as well.

 

She slept more and her appetite returned.

 

The Annex Building’s cooks, who knew Chloe’s tastes, prepared meals with sincere care.

 

While spending days only sleeping and eating could be boring at times, guests would visit whenever that happened.

 

Young pages bringing fairy tale books they thought she’d like, Ilina bringing cake from famous pastry shops, Jane visiting during breaks from work, and so on – different guests comforted her every day.

 

Of course, Wilhelmina was among them too.

 

“Chloe, you said you graduated from the Academy in the Western Region, right?”

 

“Yes, that’s right. Grand Duchess, you went to the one in the Capital, right?”

 

“Yeah, though unlike you, Chloe, I always skipped lessons.”

 

As opportunities for private conversations increased, Chloe learned more details about Wilhelmina.

 

After Chloe confessed her circumstances, Wilhelmina never once asked her about it.

 

She didn’t even mention Edwin’s name, and also hid the conflict between Count Tilim’s family and House Layton from Chloe.

 

‘Really, how kind of her.’

 

It wasn’t a problem that would be solved even if she turned away from it.

 

Even knowing this, Wilhelmina didn’t speak of it.

 

As if she could wait forever.

 

‘…I can’t run away.’

 

But she was the one who had asked for help.

 

She had said that family honor and such didn’t matter, just please save her.

 

While staying in this comfortable Annex Building was pleasant, she had to face the truth for a better life.

 

“Grand Duchess.”

 

“Yes?”

 

While sharing the dessert Anna had brought, Chloe put down her tableware and looked at Wilhelmina.

 

After taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth.

 

“I’m okay now.”

 

“…”

 

“I can go out.”

 

Whether returning to the Count’s house, or facing Edwin.

 

She had finally gained the resolve to no longer just hide in Wilhelmina’s embrace.

 

Wilhelmina quietly gazed at Chloe.

 

As if trying to gauge whether it was sincere or bravado, she maintained silence for a long while.

 

“In that case.”

 

Finally, she spoke with a voice tinged with amusement.

 

“Are you prepared to become a Count?”

 

“…What?”

 

But what came back was an unexpected question.

 

As the bewildered Chloe blinked, Wilhelmina raised the corners of her mouth.

 

“Chloe, you’re a more remarkable person than you think. Much more so than that Edwin.”

 

It was fortunate that she had gained resolve.

 

Wilhelmina explained the future plans to Chloe, who would become the Western Region’s first female Count.

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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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