I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 143

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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 143

After that, Samuel spilled everything without even being asked.

The man who had kidnapped Samuel, Rohanos, listened to his words and called his subordinate.

Then he gave orders to verify whether his words were true.

The subordinate returned surprisingly quickly.

“I contacted the trading company. Fortunately, there was a branch store nearby.”

“The result?”

“Samuel is indeed an employee of the Acorn Trading Company. He’s a 5-year employee, confirmed to be on assignment duty.”

Similarly, they obtained evidence that Wilhelmina had worked at the Acorn Trading Company.

Samuel’s testimony was all true.

The Acorn Trading Company was a problematic trading company where wage theft occurred frequently, Wilhelmina had indeed suffered wage theft in the past, and Samuel’s attempt to meet her was also because of wage issues.

The subordinate muttered with an incredulous expression, wondering how many times he had used the word “wages.”

“I heard that the capital’s trading company tax investigations have been extremely thorough recently. They even created a new position called investigators.”

“…That’s right.”

This was the influence of House Layton.

With the introduction of the position called investigators, the western region’s market faced new changes.

Theorne, who showed great interest in this, also created investigators under the Imperial Palace’s supervision and was stirring up the trading companies.

Then, Samuel, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, spoke up.

“Y-yes, that’s right. The investigator in charge of tax investigations said if they don’t pay the overdue wages to the person, they’d have to pay fines worth dozens of times that amount.”

“Even so, there wouldn’t be a need to meet face-to-face.”

“We wanted to do that too, but what could we do when everything got returned! The letter envelopes were returned without even being opened!”

‘…This is Lady Layton’s fault.’

I heard that invitations and letters directed to Wilhelmina had been censored at the main castle for a while.

They probably didn’t even bother reading letters from some unheard-of small trading company from the capital.

“So we had no choice but to visit in person! At first, we were going to just send workers or mercenaries, but they said that would be rude, that if she’s a Grand Duchess, she’s an incredibly high-ranking person, so we should at least show some sign of apology…”

“So that’s why you came?”

“I was the senior employee. Of course… not a good senior employee.”

There seemed to be no lie in Samuel’s tearful face.

Seeing such an expression on the face of Marquis Valtanas, who had been cold-blooded, was utterly unadaptable.

To summarize, Samuel was waiting here for Wilhelmina to deliver the overdue wages from the Acorn Trading Company.

When you think about it, since the Acorn Trading Company had exploited the Grand Duchess, they essentially sent him as a scapegoat.

It was a pathetic reason of ‘We’ll send you the senior who made your life miserable, so do as you please. But please forgive us.’

‘For a coincidence, it’s too convenient.’

I understood Samuel’s circumstances.

Though it was a complicated situation, when examined piece by piece, it wasn’t a story without basis.

“How did you know the Grand Duchess would come?”

“The news has already spread throughout the capital. The ones who pay closest attention when distinguished guests arrive are the merchants who anticipate their shopping. Needless to say when it comes to news of the Dukes from the eastern and western regions.”

“What’s the reason you chose this area?”

“This is the shortest route and… it’s safe. There are many soldiers at the checkpoint, so there won’t be any unnecessary trouble.”

Samuel glanced at Rohanos as if asking whether that was enough.

He had already realized that Rohanos hadn’t kidnapped him over unpaid wages.

So now he could be released, couldn’t he? That expectation arose in him.

“What should we do, Your Excellency?”

It was an ambiguous matter to erase his memory of their meeting.

But letting him go to the capital as is felt suspicious due to the overlapping coincidences.

Wilhelmina choosing to go to the capital, Black Hand starting to move, and a senior from a trading company he had connections with happening to be Marquis Valtanas’s illegitimate son.

‘Everything can’t possibly be connected… but it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.’

“I want to see the contents of the letter.”

“It’s in my pants pocket!”

A subordinate brought the letter from Samuel.

The letter containing information about depositing wages into the Capital Bank had no codes or devices to be found.

Nor did Samuel possess any assassin-like skills.

He was just an ordinary man who only resembled Marquis Valtanas in appearance.

In other words, he was harmless to Wilhelmina.

Rohanos ordered them to release him.

And he explained the circumstances that led to the kidnapping.

They were knights dispatched from the Imperial Palace, secretly providing guard duty to protect the Grand Duchess.

“Ah, yes yes. I can understand that. I also think I was suspicious.”

Samuel, not expecting such polite treatment, waved his hands saying he didn’t mind it much.

When they tried to apply medicine to his hands that had been tied with rope, Samuel said it wasn’t necessary and hurriedly left the room.

Rohanos watched as a subordinate outside guided him away, then spoke to his aide.

“Still, don’t take your eyes off him.”

“Understood. But will the Grand Duchess be alright? If she feels uncomfortable because of past connections…”

The subordinate seemed worried that Wilhelmina might be anxious about meeting Samuel.

It was a concern he could have since he hadn’t met Wilhelmina directly.

Rohanos shook his head.

“No need to worry. If he’s someone she can communicate with, she’ll handle it well on her own.”

“…Handle?”

Somehow that word seemed a bit strange.

The subordinate asked back with a puzzled expression, but Rohanos didn’t answer.

Despite appearances, Wilhelmina had no qualms about using her status.

In other words, she wasn’t someone who would show mercy just because he was a former workplace colleague.

“…Head to the capital. And tell them to investigate the remnants of the Valtanas Marquis House.”

Even so, Rohanos didn’t let his guard down.

A strong intuition that all of this couldn’t be coincidence guided him.

And his intuition, after a long time had passed – was exactly right.

* * *

Samuel, having escaped from Rohanos, spotted a splendid carriage heading toward the checkpoint.

‘The Layton Family crest! It’s Wilhelmina!’

Finally, it was time to be freed from this tedious mission.

Having suffered through even being kidnapped, he hurriedly approached the carriage.

He wanted to quickly finish this mission and return to his cozy home.

“Stand back. Who are you?”

“I, I am called Samuel. I’m an employee of the Acorn Trading Company and…”

A knight blocked Samuel’s path.

His eyes widened momentarily at the knight’s tremendous appearance, but he tried to calmly continue his explanation.

The knight, who had initially frowned as if he couldn’t believe it, soon relaxed his expression at a voice heard from behind.

“It’s alright, Sir Nata. He’s someone I know.”

It was Wilhelmina.

She got down from the carriage and approached Samuel.

‘Something… her atmosphere has changed.’

The previous Wilhelmina had also been calm and gave off an intellectual atmosphere, but the current Wilhelmina exuded a distinctly noble feeling.

Just making eye contact with her made his head bow involuntarily.

It was similar to the feeling he had when he witnessed Marquis Valtanas in the past.

“Long time no see, senior. What brings you here?”

“Well…”

“Ah, perhaps.”

Wilhelmina cut off Samuel’s words as he was about to explain once more.

“Did you come to apologize? For forcing me to work overtime while you left work yourself? Or for blaming me for the supplies you bought wrong? There’s also the time you stamped your name on work I finished and stole the credit. Which one is it?”

“…”

Oh no, he thought.

If they were going to have a conversation, they should have done it somewhere they could be alone.

‘As expected, she’s still Wilhelmina.’

Even though her atmosphere had changed, Wilhelmina remained the same.

At her words, calmly holding grudges and stabbing with a dagger while pretending to be kind, Samuel felt like he might cry at any moment.

Clang-

It wasn’t because he was hurt by Wilhelmina’s words.

It was because of the knight’s sword placed at his neck.

“Shall I cut?”

Though there was no object, what he meant was clear.

At the knight’s words mixed with killing intent, Samuel looked at Wilhelmina with glistening eyes.

Wilhelmina quietly gazed at his eyes that contained a plea to spare his life just once.

“I’m joking. That level of injustice wasn’t anything special at the Acorn Trading Company.”

“R-right?”

“Then your business is… about wages?”

“Yes, yes! So if you could please remove this sword…”

“Is that your only business?”

When Wilhelmina waved her hand, the knight sheathed his sword. Then he took a step closer to Samuel.

At a close distance where expressions couldn’t be hidden, Wilhelmina spoke again with eyes that seemed to pierce through his soul.

“Really, is that all?”

“….”

She was still the same as ever.

Samuel was certain his face must be flushed red.

She had always been like this. Even when she already noticed what was in someone’s heart, she would force them to say it out loud.

That’s why in the past, he had also….

“I have something to tell you, Grand Duchess. Could we perhaps have a private conversation?”

“Very well.”

Wilhelmina turned toward the carriage as if she had already expected Samuel’s words.

The knight beside her tried to stop her, saying it was dangerous, but before boarding the carriage, she glanced at Samuel and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

“It’s fine, he’s not someone who has that kind of courage.”

‘…This junior of mine.’

It was a line that reminded him once again that he was a pathetic man who couldn’t confess to the end.

Samuel wiped his face with his sleeve and followed Wilhelmina into the carriage.

The great noble family’s carriage, which he had never ridden in his entire life, was incredibly spacious.

Sitting awkwardly at the edge, he cleared his throat while looking at Wilhelmina, who was comfortably leaning back on the opposite side.

“Ahem, thank you, Grand Duchess. For believing my words….”

“Enough of that, if you have something to say, say it now, senior. There’s no one watching, so don’t bother with formalities.”

“…Alright, understood.”

“That doesn’t mean I told you to speak casually either.”

“…Yes.”

You too, still haven’t let go of your grudges.

Unable to say it out loud, Samuel trembled and swallowed his anger.

It was his sin, so he had to accept it gracefully, but still, there was a difference in status, he thought as he composed himself.

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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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