I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 120

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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 120

 

Helene did not hate Chloe. Rather, she was closer to pitying her.

 

‘What an unfortunate family.’

 

The previous family head who was competent but didn’t care for his subordinates, the Grand Duchess who lost her power as mistress of the house by relying on him, and the only daughter who had her position stolen by a son-in-law.

 

While struggling with the lack of an heir wasn’t uncommon among nobles, Chloe’s case was severe.

 

It was an environment with no way out, as if someone had deliberately put her in a predicament.

 

If Chloe hadn’t been the mistress of the Tilim family, if she had been a noble lady under Helene’s influence… she might have offered a word of comfort.

 

Of course, either way, she had no intention of helping.

 

‘It can’t be helped.’

 

For nobles, the family head’s orders were absolute.

 

She could support efforts to overcome unfortunate circumstances.

 

But if it meant disrupting the family’s rules, it couldn’t be justified.

 

Prioritizing the family’s success over personal happiness, the family’s glory over one’s own honor—that was what made a true noble.

 

Recently, more nobles had stopped following this obvious moral code, but Helene’s beliefs remained unchanged.

 

While she sympathized with Chloe’s misfortune, Count Tilim’s power was growing stronger by the day.

 

By Helene’s standards, Chloe’s unhappiness was at a level that was ‘rightfully to be endured.’

 

So Helene’s decision was thoroughly noble-like…

 

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

 

“…”

 

Just then, Wilhelmina’s words flashed through her mind.

 

To suppress the anger rising up her spine, Helene gritted her teeth.

 

It was provocation from someone who had lived in a different world than hers.

 

Even knowing there was no need to get angry over such things, her chest felt tight whenever she saw Wilhelmina’s face.

 

‘Being angry means I’m being influenced by her words.’

 

It was a story she didn’t want to acknowledge.

 

But Wilhelmina’s words always came with a piercing pain that seemed to stab her lungs.

 

She acted as if she had placed Helene’s heart in the palm of her hand.

 

Gently and sharply, she pointed out Helene’s contradictions and hypocrisy.

 

Yes, as if she were a real mother. That was unbearably… unpleasant.

 

“Lady.”

 

“…What is it?”

 

Just then, her butler approached.

 

“The Grand Madam has arrived.”

 

“…What time is it now?”

 

“It’s 3 PM.”

 

She hadn’t expected so much time to have passed.

 

Helene slowly rose from her seat.

 

Although unfinished work documents still crowded her desk, a more important matter had arrived.

 

“Escort them to the reception room.”

 

“What should I tell the master?”

 

“He probably already knows.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

It meant not to bother him unnecessarily.

 

Recently, Mikhail had been spending most of his days in the bedroom.

 

Since he still showed his face at important events, no rumors circulated, but the butler and all the senior attendants knew.

 

‘It must be because of the curse.’

 

Perhaps because it was a curse left by the Snow Queen, the symptoms grew worse as summer approached.

 

Usually, after recuperating for about a week in midsummer, he would recover completely, but this year was particularly severe.

 

It was probably because this was the first summer since the Late Duke’s death.

 

She had to be strong in Mikhail’s absence.

 

Helene steeled her resolve and headed to the reception room.

 

“It’s been a while, Helene.”

 

“Have you been well, Mother?”

 

After exchanging formal greetings, the two sat facing each other across the table.

 

A maid brought black tea and refreshments, but neither reached for them.

 

Normally they would have started conversation by exchanging pleasantries, but this time was different.

 

Both anticipated what kind of conversation they would have.

 

After a long silence, it was Wilhelmina who spoke first.

 

“It would be best to stop supporting Edwin Tilim.”

 

“That’s an unreasonable request.”

 

The answer was a firm refusal.

 

“House Layton is currently in collaboration with Tilrim County. Though we haven’t announced it yet, we plan to export large quantities of wool to the capital and eastern region soon. This is a business we’ve prepared for a long time. We cannot stop it over mere personal indiscretions.”

 

To prevent Wilhelmina from arguing back, she also explained the actual state of the business she hadn’t mentioned before.

 

“The wool business is the main industry of the southwest region.”

 

Due to the harsh weather, abundant wool was one of the western region’s important resources.

 

Until now, the Late Duke had restricted this wool to be distributed only within the western region.

 

Though there was steady demand since southwestern wool boasted the empire’s finest quality, it was rarely exported due to the Late Duke.

 

The reason the Late Duke implemented such exclusionary policies was simple. It was to suppress the power of nobles who possessed techniques and resources.

 

By Mikhail’s generation, most exclusionary policies had been abolished, and the wool business was also liberated.

 

“In other words, this is the first wool trade in decades. Do you understand its importance?”

 

“….”

 

After the long explanation ended, Wilhelmina quietly tilted her head.

 

Throughout her listening, there was no change in her expression.

 

“Helene, you are greatly mistaken.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I don’t mean to halt dealings with Tilrim County. I only said not to support Edwin Tilim.”

 

It was the same thing.

 

Because the head of the family is the family itself.

 

Helene frowned as if she couldn’t understand, but Wilhelmina calmly moistened her throat with the completely cold black tea.

 

“You can continue dealing with Count Tilim Family as you have been. It’s just that your counterpart won’t be Edwin Tilim.”

 

“…Don’t tell me you’re planning to put forward another family head?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“That’s overstepping your authority. Appointments above the rank of Baron are His Imperial Majesty’s prerogative.”

 

Helene was exasperated by Wilhelmina’s recklessness.

 

She had expected Wilhelmina to interfere with her, but she never thought she would attempt such a foolish method.

 

“I understand that Count Tilim’s true nature is ugly, contrary to his reputation. But you can’t strip him of his title over something like that. In the first place, the man who married Chloe Tilim is…”

 

At that moment, Helene realized what Wilhelmina was aiming for.

 

Wilhelmina, who cherished Chloe, wouldn’t bring in another son-in-law.

 

The retainers who had ignored mother and daughter Kaine and Chloe were also out of the question.

 

Then the remaining candidate was…

 

“Don’t tell me you mean to make Chloe Tilim the family head?”

 

Wilhelmina answered with silence instead of words.

 

Helene stared at her with an expression of disbelief.

 

‘A woman as family head?’

 

To think she would bring up the birth of a female family head, something that could be counted on one hand even in the Empire.

 

As Helene fell silent, at a loss for words, Wilhelmina spoke in a soothing tone.

 

“I couldn’t say it before because I wasn’t prepared enough. Chloe becoming the head of Count Tilim Family won’t have any impact on your business, so don’t worry. If you maintain the contract as is…”

 

“Women cannot become family heads.”

 

“…There are exceptions. Chloe will also become family head through legal means, so wait.”

 

“No, there’s no need to wait. She cannot become family head.”

 

“What?”

 

At Helene’s definitive words, Wilhelmina narrowed her eyes.

 

“Since Baroness Metokan, there has never been a single instance of a female family head being recognized. She’s even the mistress of a Count’s house, a position incomparable to a mere Baron’s title. No matter how much Mother supports her, it’s impossible.”

 

“…You speak as if you hope it’s impossible.”

 

“I’m merely stating facts.”

 

This was a fact proven by the Empire’s history.

 

A woman as Count, not Baron or even Baroness?

 

Not only would the Emperor never allow such eccentricity, but noble society wouldn’t accept it either.

 

She could guarantee this fact more than anyone else.

 

‘Child, you don’t have the qualifications. What suits you is-‘

 

Because she was the very person who had fled from that prejudice.

 

“I’ll say it again, even if Chloe becomes Count, it won’t be a problem for this business.”

 

“I don’t conduct business based on impossible premises.”

 

“Once Edwin Tilim falls from grace, you’ll be the one in trouble.”

 

“That’s the story after his downfall. According to Imperial law, Edwin Tilim is still the head of the family.”

 

“…Chloe has the talent to become a family head.”

 

“Even if she was born with some ability, the fact that it’s impossible doesn’t change.”

 

Helene firmly refuted Wilhelmina’s logic.

 

She had no intention of indulging the baseless hope that Chloe would become the family head.

 

But she didn’t realize that she herself was presenting contradictory logic.

 

She was simply repeating opposition for the sake of opposition, just to deny Wilhelmina’s words.

 

Wilhelmina frowned at Helene’s unusually emotional response.

 

“Helene, what are you saying right now?”

 

“Mother was the one who brought up this reckless talk in the first place…”

 

“In this situation, who are you thinking of? What you’re saying now doesn’t seem to be directed at Chloe.”

 

“…!”

 

Again.

 

Once more, Wilhelmina casually read Helene’s psychology.

 

As if she knew what troubles she was having, she walked into her heart with caring familiarity.

 

Rudely and affectionately, as if she were truly her mother.

 

‘…How terrible.’

 

She felt disgusted thinking she could see her own distorted face reflected in those calm eyes.

 

More than the humiliation of having her inner thoughts read by Wilhelmina, the fact that she had identified herself with Chloe was so ugly and infuriating.

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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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