I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 124

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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 124

 

The Peon Empire regarded platinum hair as a symbol of the imperial family.

 

The First Emperor was a man with platinum hair that resembled the light of the sun, so his descendants, the emperors, had maintained platinum hair for generations.

 

Thanks to this, there were even rumors that the more noble an aristocrat was, the more likely they were to be born with platinum hair.

 

This applied to both the eastern and western regions without exception, and it was also the reason why House Layton, a family of blondes, came to be regarded as nobles close to the imperial family.

 

Thus, blonde hair was an object of admiration for the people of the Empire, but no one tried to imitate it.

 

‘If you clumsily imitate it, you’d be perfect for hearing accusations of insulting the imperial family.’

 

Most importantly, there was no means to dye hair into perfect platinum blonde.

 

The luxury of using precious magic for dyeing was impossible even for great nobles, and the hair dyes circulating in the market could only produce murky colors.

 

Blonde hair made using corrosive solutions or lye water was mixed with red or lost its luster, making the color dull, and it wasn’t good for the scalp either.

 

There were often cases of people suffering from serious skin diseases due to improper use of hair dye.

 

Thus, platinum hair remained a symbol of the imperial family for a long time.

 

‘There were several such cases in world history too. White skin, unusual bone structure… They’re just parts of the human body, yet people who assign meaning to them.’

 

And there was no way the current Emperor would look favorably upon such traditions and prejudices.

 

Theorne Lu Peon.

 

The first emperor with crimson hair, and an illegitimate successor who had driven out his brother and seized the throne.

 

For him, platinum hair would have been an object of envy rather than admiration.

 

There were already many nobles gossiping behind his back that the Emperor had less imperial blood flowing in him.

 

Before such an Emperor, Chloe appeared.

 

To be precise, Chloe’s bleaching chemical, which she had accidentally created while researching dyes at home.

 

The appearance of a hair dye that could create colors more beautiful than the imperial family’s hair was enough to bring the value of that symbol crashing down.

 

‘I never knew that color changes caused by peroxide could be utilized like this. With this, we can apply it not only to hair but to all kinds of wool fabric business. It’s a revolutionary technique. From today, the Empire’s fabric and clothing business will evolve to the next level.’

 

To Baroness Metokan, who was excitedly pouring out her professional knowledge to me, I firmly instructed her to develop hair bleaching agent first.

 

When she shot back asking why I was obsessing over hair, saying this was a tremendous technique like her own invention, I briefly explained the reason.

 

‘The Emperor will want to diminish the value of platinum hair. He’s different from all the previous emperors.’

 

An Emperor with crimson hair due to being born from a woman from the Southern Region.

 

For him, bleaching agent would be a decent propaganda tool.

 

Moreover, if he’s a clever Emperor, he would devise the countless businesses that could be done with this chemical on his own, without us having to tell him.

 

‘Keep the unit price as low as possible. Low enough that even wealthy commoners can buy it.’

 

‘But if we monopolize this technology, we could get our hands on tremendous wealth.’

 

‘We need honor, not wealth. Oh, and…’

 

I pointed to the last part of the proposal with my finger and spoke.

 

‘Please include an advertising slogan as well. The content should be… ‘Hair of the sun, no longer the exclusive privilege of royalty’ would be good.’

 

To anyone watching, it seemed like a phrase that disrespected the Emperor, but I was confident he would welcome this with open arms.

 

‘The Emperor is quite a lunatic himself.’

 

A crazy bastard who wore military uniform to give congratulatory speeches and hit on other men’s Grand Duchesses wouldn’t care about morality.

 

And my prediction was spot on.

 

The Emperor sent a response faster than news of the divorce trial.

 

It was a long and tedious letter, but the content could be summarized in one line.

 

[I will permit the Count investiture on the condition that technical partnership is limited to the Imperial Palace.]

 

Chloe agreed without question, and I requested that the title be bestowed on the day of the divorce trial for dramatic effect.

 

The Emperor readily accepted the proposal and sent Captain Kenneth, his most cherished subordinate.

 

Years of Chloe’s research achievements, the accomplishment that made her the ‘successor of Tilim,’ had now come to find her.

 

‘Though I never expected him to experiment with bleaching agent on his own subordinate.’

 

I glanced at Kenneth, who was awkwardly running his fingers through his platinum-colored hair.

 

In any case, the shock was more than I had hoped for.

 

“Imperial decree! Citizens of the Empire, kneel and receive the words of His Imperial Majesty!”

 

At Kenneth’s shout, everyone without exception knelt and bowed their heads.

 

Kenneth opened the imperial decree he had been carrying and recited the imperial command.

 

“Emperor Theorne Lu Peon…”

 

A long passage followed.

 

But due to my earlier statement, everyone in the courtroom would be anticipating the final words.

 

“…taking care of the Tilim family’s circumstances, I hereby ennoble Chloe Tilim to the rank of Count. That is all.”

 

Snap-!

 

Kenneth folded the imperial decree.

 

People slowly raised their heads.

 

The judge wore an expression of disbelief and shock, while Chloe looked at me with complex eyes whose meaning I couldn’t fathom.

 

“This is impossible.”

 

Edwin, who had turned so pale his skin could no longer be called human, opened his mouth.

 

“Th-that can’t be right. Such an incompetent woman who can’t even speak properly taking my position… I am Count Tilim!”

 

“It’s no use telling me. I’m merely a messenger, so if you have something to say, formally…”

 

“There can’t be two family heads in the first place!”

 

“Ah, was that your question?”

 

Kenneth put the imperial decree back in his coat and answered nonchalantly.

 

“His Majesty no longer considers you a Count.”

 

“What does that…”

 

“The proposal included an accusation document against you. Currently, legal officers at the Imperial Palace have begun investigating your crimes. You’ll probably face noble trial within a month.”

 

Noble trials differed in procedure from the makeshift divorce trial, and if the matter was serious, the Emperor himself would wield the gavel.

 

Being referred there meant Edwin’s political activities were essentially over.

 

“No, I…”

 

Edwin clutched his head in despair.

 

He seemed unable to think of any way to turn the situation around.

 

At that moment, the judge cautiously asked Kenneth.

 

“Wait, please wait a moment. Do you mean His Imperial Majesty already knew about Edwin Tilim’s crimes?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“Then why… did you hold a divorce trial?”

 

If it was an accusation with perfectly prepared evidence, there was no need to choose such an inconvenient trial.

 

Edwin could have been brought down at any time.

 

But we deliberately hid that fact from the judge.

 

Because if he found out, it was obvious he would dismiss the divorce trial as pointless.

 

The reason we specifically held a divorce trial was none other than because of Chloe.

 

“That’s…”

 

Just as Kenneth was about to answer, Chloe walked forward to the front of the platform.

 

“I requested it.”

 

This wasn’t the Chloe of the past who always kept her head down in front of Edwin. She straightened her shoulders confidently with her gaze fixed straight ahead.

 

“Captain Kenneth, may I answer in your place?”

 

“Of course, Count Tilim.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Kenneth bowed respectfully and stepped back.

 

Chloe stood before Edwin and slowly opened her mouth.

 

“I wanted to let you know that I had defeated you. That’s why I held this divorce trial.”

 

“What, what?”

 

“If you were sent to a noble trial as things stand, I would participate as a witness. As a pitiful victim who suffered at the hands of a scoundrel. …I didn’t want that.”

 

A noble trial is, in modern terms, an extension of a criminal trial.

 

A black and white trial that determines guilt or innocence.

 

There was judgment, but no compensation for the victims.

 

Edwin receiving punishment for his crimes was only natural anyway.

 

But what Chloe needed to reclaim wasn’t such trivial judgment—it was compensation for the years lost.

 

“I needed proof that I had beaten you.”

 

Edwin held the key to unlock the chains that had bound her ankles for years.

 

Chloe wanted that.

 

“I wanted to show that you are a family head unworthy of the Tilim family. So I need to rightfully reclaim the position of family head from you.”

 

To reclaim it through proper and legal procedures rather than taking advantage of a vacant position, a trial was necessary.

 

If she won this trial, she could announce to the world that Edwin was inadequate both as a family head and as a husband.

 

“And lastly…”

 

Gulping down saliva, Chloe glared at Edwin’s contorting face as she continued.

 

“I wanted to prove that I never loved you, not even once.”

 

More important than a guilty verdict was proof that Chloe and Edwin were never truly husband and wife.

 

“For such a trivial reason… you lowly wench—!”

 

Edwin, consumed with rage, reached out his hand toward Chloe.

 

Just like before, he intended to grab her hair and scold his wife who wouldn’t obey him.

 

It was the ugly struggle of a man filled with anger and hatred, but Chloe didn’t move an inch.

 

“You have poor manners with your hands.”

 

Because Kenneth had already approached behind him.

 

“Ahhh…!”

 

Edwin, whose wrist was grabbed, weakly stepped back.

 

The tyrant of the Tilim Family was helplessly defeated by Kenneth’s grip.

 

For Kenneth it was a light grip, but Edwin, whose arm was twisted as if broken, screamed.

 

“How vulgar… Right now, despite being from a Baron’s House, you have nothing but disrespectful words for a Count.”

 

“I am, I am Count Tilim! How dare you call me a Baron! You bastard, you must have surely stolen your status through lowly methods!”

 

“Make those excuses at the Noble Trial. Also, you’re not even a Baron. When the Judge rules to nullify the marriage, you won’t be a noble anymore.”

 

The Judge shrank his shoulders under Chloe’s gaze.

 

The gavel already in his hand was no longer something he could wield by his own will.

 

“And let me tell you one more thing. Pretending to fall for your schemes, unraveling the evidence piece by piece… was because I wanted to see you suffer.”

 

Throughout the trial, Chloe had acted with a miserable expression.

 

While her true feelings were the complete opposite.

 

She clearly captured in her eyes the sight of Edwin being increasingly cornered each time his crimes were exposed.

 

“The way you apologized to the Judge saying you loved me and would do better in the future was… amusing. I have no intention of accepting your love, yet you hoped alone. That alone made holding this trial worthwhile.”

 

“You bitch…! Guhk!”

 

Kenneth grabbed the throat of Edwin, who was about to spout profanity that no noble should utter.

 

Chloe quietly watched Edwin’s face turn blue from being unable to breathe, then spoke to the Judge.

 

“Judge, it’s time for the verdict now.”

 

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

 

“Ugh, ughhh-!”

 

Perhaps flustered by the sudden change in the timid Chloe’s demeanor, the Judge cleared his throat and raised his gavel.

 

The sound of judgment echoed through the silent courtroom.

 

“Then, I will now announce the verdict for the divorce trial of the Count Tilim Family. The reason for the verdict is…”

 

He glanced at Edwin.

 

“Too lengthy, so I’ll organize it in a written document later. First, I dismiss the defendant’s remaining claims, and all subsequent administrative procedures will follow the Noble Trial and His Imperial Majesty’s judgment.”

 

Everyone’s attention focused.

 

Edwin desperately sent pleading looks, begging him not to do it.

 

Chloe closed her eyes for the moment of liberation that was to come.

 

“Order- The marriage between plaintiff Chloe Tilim and defendant Edwin is hereby nullified.”

 

Bang bang-

 

With the sound of the gavel, the iron chains that had bound Chloe’s ankles were released.

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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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