I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 123

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 123

 

“Black Hand? An assassination organization, what is this….”

 

Baroness Metokan walked out to the center of the courtroom just as Count Bildson had done.

 

Meanwhile, Count Bildson and Edwin, having heard the name Black Hand, turned pale and met each other’s gaze.

 

Count Bildson spoke to Edwin in a low voice.

 

“There was no mention of this! You said the assassination organization was Baron Romd’s nonsense!”

 

“It’s all lies! Trust my word!”

 

“Then are you saying they fabricated the evidence!”

 

“That, that’s….”

 

Edwin found himself stammering without realizing it.

 

Even though divorce trials tended to be conducted in a haphazard manner, the submission of evidence had to be truthful. This was because the authority of the Noble Court belonged to the Imperial Family.

 

In other words, fabricating evidence was tantamount to lying to the Emperor.

 

No matter how cornered Chloe was like a trapped mouse, she wasn’t foolish enough to bring fabricated evidence.

 

‘This is dangerous!’

 

Count Bildson broke out in a cold sweat as he watched the judge carefully reading through the documents.

 

The reason he, with his excellent speaking skills, was representing Edwin was because he had been promised a share in the dye business.

 

However, even if they won this trial, if Edwin was judged guilty, the promise would become meaningless.

 

Not only that, he would be branded as someone who defended Edwin, who had colluded with an assassination organization.

 

Edwin, noticing Count Bildson’s confusion, gritted his teeth.

 

‘If I leave him alone, he’ll try to back out.’

 

He didn’t know why the story about Black Hand had come from Baroness Metokan, but for now, it was important to block them from proving the facts.

 

“Listen to me for a moment. First….”

 

Count Bildson looked displeased at Edwin’s instructions, but soon agreed because of what was added next.

 

“You have debts, don’t you? I’ll pay them off for you.”

 

No matter how scandalous Edwin had become, he was still wealthy beyond Count Bildson’s reach.

 

Count Bildson, swayed by the carrot he dangled, stepped forward toward Baroness Metokan.

 

“This matter doesn’t seem appropriate to address in this trial. This is an issue that should be reported directly to His Majesty.”

 

“The recognition of evidence will be done by the judge, not you.”

 

“I don’t mean guilt or innocence, but rather that your motive for revealing this information in this trial is suspicious. Is this a denunciation for justice, or exaggerated evidence for divorce?”

 

Baroness Metokan raised her eyebrows as if impressed.

 

Without denying the crime while reminding them of the divorce trial’s subject—it was decent logic for quick thinking.

 

However, Baroness Metokan was not someone to be underestimated either.

 

“You’ve misinterpreted my words. This matter is already under investigation by House Layton. This isn’t the first disclosure.”

 

“I haven’t heard such news. In the first place, an investigation…”

 

“You used promissory notes for requests to the assassination organization, didn’t you? The Duke’s investigators traced their origin.”

 

Oh no!

 

Edwin swallowed a scream.

 

His trembling eyes turned toward the judge.

 

The judge could be seen nodding as if Baroness Metokan’s words were correct.

 

It meant that the promissory notes from the trading company he had issued had fallen into the investigators’ hands.

 

‘This is ridiculous. Could it be that evidence came from Black Hand?’

 

If so, there was no basis for rebuttal. How could he handle evidence that came from Black Hand?

 

‘Those guys got caught? We were exchanging contacts just last month… Wait, then was my last commission also exposed?’

 

The last commission where he had used promissory notes due to lack of cash flashed through his mind. The content of that commission was definitely…

 

“You commissioned the assassination of Baron Romd. Judge, being a fellow military veteran, you would know the name, wouldn’t you?”

 

“Yes, I’ve shared drinks with him at celebration banquets.”

 

The judge’s face turned cold.

 

His eyes that had sympathized with Chloe were now filled with disgust and contempt. It was needless to say who those eyes were directed at.

 

“No, that’s not true!”

 

He had tried to leave all testimony to Count Bildson, but he couldn’t stand by and watch this.

 

Edwin hastily began his self-defense.

 

“Trying to assassinate Baron Romd, that’s a misunderstanding! Even though he spoke ill of me, would I really commission an assassination over that?”

 

“Do you admit to the fact that you dealt with Black Hand?”

 

“That, that is…”

 

If he answered no, it would mean he had given false testimony.

 

Moreover, judging by Baroness Metokan’s expression, she clearly had more evidence.

 

When Edwin couldn’t continue speaking, Baroness Metokan answered instead.

 

“You’ll have no choice but to admit it. This is evidence directly written and certified by the Duke’s investigators.”

 

Baroness Metokan passed by Count Bildson and approached Edwin.

 

“Edwin Tilim, you became a son-in-law through Kaine Tilim’s recommendation. Thanks to recognition of your business achievements. Is that correct?”

 

“Use proper titles, Baron!”

 

“What’s the point when it’s a position that will disappear once the marriage is nullified?”

 

“That kind of…”

 

Edwin, unable to contain his anger, trembled as if he would rush off the platform at any moment.

 

Seeing this, Baroness Metokan sneered and turned her gaze to the judge.

 

“Judge, let me say it again. This man is a fraud and was false merchandise.”

 

The judge, having read all the documents, frowned tiredly and sighed.

 

“Your words go too far, Baroness Metokan. There has never been a case of marriage nullification in the Empire’s history.”

 

“That’s because marriage is promised to proceed under mutually truthful conditions. But Edwin Tilim is a man whose entire history is false.”

 

She began explaining Edwin’s wrongdoings one by one.

 

He betrayed business partners and embezzled investment funds, used Black Hand to interfere with competing trading companies.

 

The rumor that he accumulated wealth through the dye business was also proven by investigators to be manipulation through stock price manipulation.

 

The explanation was that Edwin’s entire career was fabricated.

 

‘This is insane…’

 

Edwin swallowed his curses at the growing list of his crimes.

 

Count Bildson had already stepped back as if it wasn’t his business.

 

“The son-in-law system is a transaction that weighs a man’s conditions against the family’s status. What part of this fraud do you think suits Tilrim County?”

 

“The one to judge that is not me but the Count’s Grand Madam…”

 

“No.”

 

Baroness Metokan firmly cut off the judge’s words.

 

“The decision to marry is not up to the mother or the retainers. It’s up to Chloe Tilim herself.”

 

“…To advocate for free marriage, that’s quite an un-noble statement, Baroness Metokan.”

 

“If it had been a free marriage, she wouldn’t have chosen such a defective man in the first place. This is a mistake by the Count’s Grand Madam who failed to recognize false goods. Since she made the mistake, the victim Chloe Tilim should correct it herself.”

 

“Huh…”

 

The judge sighed at Baroness Metokan’s ruthless statement.

 

While her words weren’t wrong, it was logic he couldn’t easily affirm either.

 

That logic was tantamount to denying the entire son-in-law system.

 

“Of course, I know that the Empire’s son-in-law system is excessively favorable to men… but still, nullifying a marriage is difficult. We must not forget that law comes with tradition.”

 

The good news for Edwin was that the judge showed reluctance toward the strategy of marriage nullification.

 

He wouldn’t want to set such a precedent in a mere divorce trial.

 

‘Right, let’s just get through this crisis first.’

 

Joining hands with an assassination organization was a serious enough crime to lose his territory, but marriage nullification would be such a big deal that he’d lose his status entirely.

 

He had to give flesh to take bone. He recalled what his advisor had said.

 

‘That’s right! I can say that guy instigated the Black Hand matter too. After all, wasn’t it that man who connected me to Black Hand in the first place?’

 

A plan to overcome this crisis began to form methodically in his mind.

 

And he struggled to erase the ugly excuse that none of this would have happened if he had just accepted the divorce from the beginning.

 

“Your Honor!”

 

Having finished his calculations, Edwin quickly stood before the judge’s platform. He bowed deeply and began his emotional plea.

 

“It seems my misconduct has caused great worry to my wife. I am deeply ashamed.”

 

“You admit your guilt, Count Tilim.”

 

“That’s correct. I seem to have been blinded by the revival of my family house and my marriage to my wife.”

 

He admitted his guilt while changing his words to show he didn’t regret the marriage.

 

It meant his current wrongdoing was unavoidably committed for the sake of marriage.

 

He knew that given judges’ tendency to prefer maintaining the status quo over divorce, they would encourage reconciliation.

 

“No matter what anyone says, I love my wife. Even if she doesn’t accept me, I’m prepared to sacrifice myself for my family house and my wife.”

 

“Don’t you think your apology is too late?”

 

“I know. That’s why I beg for mercy. Please give me just one more chance. I will strive to become a husband more beloved by my wife, a family head who brings no shame.”

 

I have sinned. But my love for my wife and family house is not false!

 

It was exactly the exemplary dialogue the judge wanted to hear.

 

Making the exceptional ruling of marriage nullification would be burdensome for him too.

 

First, preventing the divorce and buying time was important.

 

Since Black Hand’s information had been exposed, he needed to quickly manipulate the information.

 

The judge frowned suspiciously at his completely changed attitude.

 

“And you know this too, Your Honor, don’t you? If I get divorced here or the marriage is nullified, it will only make my wife’s position more uncomfortable.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

This much was an undeniable fact.

 

If they divorced, Edwin would keep the count title as is, so she would be demoted to a woman without rank.

 

On the other hand, if the marriage was nullified, she would have to bring in another son-in-law.

 

Either choice was far from happiness.

 

‘So me repenting would be the most righteous ending.’

 

After all, this was an era where 90% of divorce trials ended with warnings.

 

Edwin’s strategy seemed effective to the judge.

 

…Only to the judge.

 

“Would you permit me to speak?”

 

“Grand Duchess?”

 

The woman in the gallery, Wilhelmina, slowly rose from her seat.

 

As she quietly looked around the courtroom, people unconsciously held their breath.

 

“I permit you to speak, Grand Duchess.”

 

“Thank you. I wanted to inform you that neither divorce nor annulment would have any effect on Chloe Tilim. In other words, Edwin Tilim’s concerns are irrelevant to the trial’s outcome.”

 

“…What do you mean?”

 

The judge frowned as if he didn’t understand.

 

Wilhelmina continued calmly.

 

“Because Chloe Tilim is scheduled to receive a new title from His Imperial Majesty.”

 

“…!”

 

The surprised judge’s eyes widened.

 

Edwin shouted with an expression of disbelief.

 

“N-no matter if you’re the Grand Duchess, to spout lies before the judge, are you in your right mind!”

 

“I did not lie.”

 

“Listen here, now…!”

 

“As proof, an esteemed person has come to the courtroom.”

 

She slowly looked toward the entrance of the courtroom. Everyone’s gaze followed hers.

 

Creak-

 

As if on cue, the door opened.

 

“You are…”

 

The person gripping the door handle was a young man in splendid armor.

 

Sun-tanned skin and burly muscles, sharp features, and something that didn’t match them at all… brilliant platinum hair.

 

The judge, recognizing the man’s identity, forgot his dignity and gaped.

 

“S-Sir Kenneth?”

 

Kenneth, Captain of the Imperial Guard Knights.

 

He entered with an awkward expression.

 

“W-why is your hair color…”

 

Originally, Kenneth had ordinary brown hair.

 

But now he displayed brilliant platinum hair as if he were royalty.

 

Unlike the flustered judge, Edwin noticed the identity of that color and was horrified.

 

Perfect platinum hair that seemed to mock the imperial family.

 

It wasn’t magic, nor illusion.

 

That was hair dye.

 

Then the owner of the hair dye that achieved that impossible color was…

 

‘Chloe Tilim!’

 

It was the appearance of a bleaching agent, something that shouldn’t exist in this era.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————