I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 146

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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 146

“No, this is the first time I’m meeting him.”

Sensing that the atmosphere between the two was quite tense, I didn’t want to interfere, so I pulled my hand away and stepped back.

This time, the Emperor also obediently let go of my arm.

Then the masked man, Duke Venice’s intensity also softened considerably.

Although it was a mask without eye holes, I could tell that Duke Venice was glaring fiercely at the Emperor.

‘Weren’t they close friends?’

The Emperor had ascended to the throne with support from the Eastern Region, and the Emperor also favored the Eastern Region.

So the public said their relationship was very intimate, but the actual atmosphere was as murderous as between mortal enemies.

Just as I was about to ask Jaina if something had happened between them, the Emperor spoke to Duke Venice first.

“Did you follow Wilhelmina? Come to the reception room with me. It would be good for us to greet each other while we’re at it.”

The Emperor pointed toward the back of the corridor with his characteristically shameless gesture.

But Duke Venice answered in a cold tone that felt devoid of any respect.

“I must decline.”

‘…Why does his voice sound like that?’

His voice was full of static.

Judging by the faint magic power I could sense every time he spoke, that mask seemed to modulate a person’s voice.

Duke Venice turned his head toward me. Even without eyes, I was certain he was looking at me.

‘Wait, the Emperor said tail, right? Could it be that he followed me?’

But I had never sensed anyone’s presence.

If someone had been behind me, Nata or Kenneth would have told me.

Just in case, I looked at Nata.

He was glaring at Duke Venice with a puzzled expression.

“Sir Nata?”

“Grand Madam, by any chance is that person…?”

Interrupting his words, the Emperor grabbed my hand with exaggerated movements as if dancing.

“Then it can’t be helped. Let’s go, just the two of us.”

“…It’s not just the two of us, Your Majesty.”

Billia and Jaina were clearly standing beside us.

Jaina opened her eyes drowsily.

“Your Majesty, please maintain your dignity.”

“No one’s watching, so what does it matter?”

“There are guests here besides the Grand Duchess.”

“Hm?”

Only then did the Emperor notice Billia.

Billia was so shocked that she had frozen like a statue, unable to even breathe.

When Jaina gently patted her back, she finally exhaled.

“I, I greet the Children of the Sun. I am Billia Kotona, wife of the Kotona Baronial House.”

“Kotona? Was that a family from the Southern Region?”

“Y-yes, Your Majesty. Though I’m from the humble Southern Region, thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, I received an invitation…”

The Emperor suddenly frowned with a cold expression.

“Humble? Don’t belittle your own origins. If you’re an Imperial noble, you should have proper pride.”

“Gasp! I-I’m sorry.”

“But for someone from the Southern Region, your hair… Ah, you dyed it?”

The Emperor let go of my hand and grabbed Billia’s hair.

He looked it over from various angles and let out an admiring sound.

“Hmm, this is the first time I’ve seen it long, but it turned out well. With this much, I’d believe you if you said you were Imperial Family.”

“Im-Imperial Family…”

‘Somehow the child is getting more and more broken.’

Billia’s stammering appearance was quite concerning.

Meeting the Emperor face-to-face was already a huge shock for a Baron House’s Noble Lady, but with the physical contact and even mentioning Imperial Family, she seemed unable to collect herself.

Thinking she might faint at this rate, I tried to separate her from the Emperor…

Watching the black tea and refreshments being prepared in an instant, I glanced at Kenneth and Nata who had followed me.

Nata stood behind me, and Kenneth, who had removed his helmet, stood behind the Emperor.

The Emperor and Kenneth didn’t exchange a single word, but it felt natural as if this was their usual arrangement.

“Well, it’s been months since we’ve had a conversation like this, hasn’t it? I wanted to see you at least once more before this, but there was no opportunity.”

“I heard Your Majesty has been extremely busy with official duties.”

“Then when I have some free time, may I come to see you?”

“Even an old person staying at home has things to do.”

I was busy too, so don’t say such nonsense.

“Haha, where else can you find an elderly person like you?”

“What does age matter? I have married children and grandchildren, so I’m just acting according to my station.”

I meant I wasn’t interested in politics like a proper old person staying at home. I had no intention of meddling either.

Perhaps my words were impressive, as the corners of the Emperor’s eyes curved as he leaned back leisurely in his chair.

“Every time I see you, I think you’re exactly like a noble who has been in high society for a long time.”

It was something I heard often.

Baroness Rollan often said the same thing.

But hearing it from the Emperor didn’t feel like a compliment.

“That aside… you must have heard from Sir Kenneth. The story about those who are targeting you.”

“Yes, I heard.”

‘This must be why he brought me to the reception room.’

The servants had already left their positions, as if they wouldn’t listen to the conversation.

Silence descended upon the reception room with only the Emperor, myself, and the guard knights remaining.

After taking a sip of black tea, the Emperor slowly opened his mouth.

“Actually, they are an assassination organization called Black Hand. You must have heard of them.”

I frowned as I was about to lift my teacup.

Black Hand – I didn’t expect their name to pop up here.

“Why are they targeting me?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet. It could be bad blood with Edwin, or they might be targeting House Layton.”

‘Those guys went to the Acorn Trading Company?’

Somehow the clues weren’t connecting at all.

Samuel, with his excellent survival instincts and intuition, said he didn’t sense any bad intentions from the person investigating my background.

But if the culprits were Black Hand, regardless of intentions, weren’t they murderers?

‘Did Samuel misjudge? Or maybe they’re their underlings… I don’t know.’

When I remained silent, the Emperor shrugged and continued speaking.

“So I want to make you a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Black Hand are villains that the Empire wants to root out. But they move so secretly, and my subjects are too busy with other matters to have enough hands for tracking them. So I’d like you to help.”

“I don’t have that kind of power, Your Majesty.”

“You don’t need to actually do anything. Just… be visible.”

“…”

I quietly stared into the Emperor’s blue eyes.

Don’t stand out… It was a resolution I had kept repeating to myself since coming to the Imperial Palace.

On the other hand, the Emperor wanted conspicuous activity.

The reason was obvious.

‘This bastard intends to use me as bait.’

To catch the tail of Black Hand, he meant to dangle me as bait.

Though his expression held a hint of amusement, the Emperor’s eyes didn’t even twitch.

Those dry eyes that showed no emotion were quite different from Helene’s.

“…This doesn’t seem like a proposal that offers me any merit, Your Majesty.”

“Even though it’s for the Empire’s justice?”

“I destroyed their branch office with my own hands. I think that’s sufficient achievement for an old woman staying at home. Also, whether they target me or not, I don’t care.”

I said while looking down at the cooling teacup.

“Once the celebration ends, I’ll never leave the Western Region for the rest of my life. As long as Mikhail is well, I’m one of the safest people in the west.”

“You trust Duke Layton greatly.”

“If I don’t trust my son, who else would I trust?”

“Such strong family bonds. Very enviable. But what to do, I need you.”

The Emperor picked up tea and refreshments from the plate. It was a chocolate-topped cookie, which he put in his mouth and chewed in one bite.

Then he swallowed it without even savoring the taste.

“Can’t be helped. If volunteering won’t work, let’s make a deal.”

“You wanted to make a deal from the beginning, didn’t you?”

“You’re testing me too much.”

Without denying my suspicion, he finished eating the sweets and spoke with a much brighter complexion.

“If you capture the criminal organization called Black Hand, I’ll give you two benefits. First, I’ll give you the opportunity to meet with me.”

‘What’s this about an opportunity?’

When I sent him a look asking for more explanation, the Emperor smiled and continued.

“If you wish, you can stay in the Imperial Palace anytime and have conversations with me. Yes, it would be something like an advisor role. Incidentally, there would be time for just the two of us alone, which would be good for me too.”

Originally, this was a duty that Elder Nobles would handle. It was an unnecessary position for me.

I was about to decline it as excessive favor, when he mentioned the second benefit.

“Second, I’ll overlook your crimes.”

“…Crimes?”

“You must have noticed it well enough. The ugly secret of the Layton Family.”

“…”

I couldn’t speak carelessly.

The Emperor’s cunning gaze coiled around me like a snake.

I could feel a persistence as if he intended to capture every single change in my expression.

“Helene, I’m saying I’ll personally turn a blind eye to my sister’s crime of murdering her ancestor.”

“…!”

At that moment, I gritted my teeth to avoid showing shock.

But there was no way the Emperor wouldn’t notice that small change.

He spoke in a gentle voice.

“Of course, I’ll guarantee your safety. The finest knights including Sir Kenneth will protect you. If you get hurt, I’ll compensate you with all my honor at stake.”

“…What if I refuse?”

“Then I’ll have no choice but to summon Helene here.”

The Main Palace has not only the office, but also the Noble Supreme Court. The place where Edwin was said to have been judged.

If I wanted to protect my family, it was a proposal with no other choice.

I quietly closed my mouth and met his gaze.

The Emperor was relaxed, like someone holding a sword hilt.

“A wise person like you would know what choice to make. You must be thinking the same thing as I am.”

“Do you think His Majesty can read my mind?”

“Yes.”

Just then, the sunset began to set outside the window.

Brushing back his hair that resembled the color outside the window, the Emperor smiled.

And he spoke in Theorne’s tone, not the Emperor’s.

“Those quick with calculations clearly read the line between sacrifice and benefit. Wilhelmina, you think Helene’s honor is more important than your own safety, don’t you?”

This damn bastard.

I swallowed the curse I couldn’t bring myself to say out loud.

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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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