I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 148

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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 148

I stopped by a small cafe next to the dormitory with Billia.

The cafe, which had no guests, was filled with our companions.

I had only intended to call Billia, but for some reason Duke Venice followed us in as well.

‘They really don’t seem to have any relationship at all.’

I couldn’t sense any emotions from the atmosphere between the two.

My interest in possibly witnessing a romance between a duke and a baron’s noble lady, despite their status difference, quickly faded.

“The table is small, so we’re short on chairs.”

“I, I’ll go get them!”

Without even waiting for my answer, Billia rushed out to bring chairs.

Glancing at her figure, I spoke to Duke Venice.

“If it wasn’t a secret meeting, was it because of an interrogation?”

“…That’s right.”

From the circumstances, it seemed he was also gathering information about Black Hand, just like the Emperor.

Black Hand’s targets were me and Billia, who had become close to me. He must have suspected whether Billia might be Black Hand’s pawn.

“Have your suspicions been cleared?”

“For now.”

And it seemed Billia had passed that test.

‘Well, she’s not really in an appropriate position to be used as a pawn.’

It would be difficult to expect anything from a baron’s noble lady from the Southern Region.

Unless she had business at the Academy like I did.

Billia, Duke Venice, and I sat at a corner table in the cafe.

The cafe owner trembled as he took our orders.

Billia and I ordered tea, while Duke Venice said he didn’t need anything.

‘Isn’t that mask stuffy? Since he says it’s mourning clothes, it’s a bit awkward to ask.’

The mask had no breathing holes, so it looked extremely stuffy.

Moreover, his outfit was so dark that it didn’t match the cafe’s atmosphere. He seemed to be in a different world by himself.

As I was quietly observing Duke Venice’s appearance, Billia spoke with a determined expression.

“Grand Duchess, I apologize for my late greeting. Thank you so much for helping me at the Imperial Palace. And… I’m sorry for leaving without saying anything. Actually, my hiccups wouldn’t stop…”

I comforted Billia as she explained with a tearful expression.

I had already heard the circumstances from Jaina before leaving the Imperial Palace.

When I patted her shoulder, Billia repeatedly bowed her head, saying she was grateful again.

“Are you really that thankful?”

“Of course, how could I dare receive help from the Grand Duchess…”

“Then will you do me a favor?”

“Huh?”

Seeing her face instantly fill with anxiety, I smiled.

“Don’t be so nervous. It’s nothing major. I have business at the Academy, so I’d like your help.”

“I, I’m just an ordinary working student. Something that would help the Grand Duchess is….”

“No, no, surely I wouldn’t make Miss Billia do anything dangerous? I just want you to write a proposal to the Professor.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes, I want to hold a special lecture at the Academy.”

The Academy is similar to a modern university.

It has divided departments, department professors and research laboratories exist, and the connections and influence of graduates are also strong.

So successful graduates often visited the Academy to hold special lectures.

The topics are varied. Sometimes employment is the topic like in modern times, and there are also lectures on marriage, war experiences, or by scholars.

And the topic of the special lecture I want to hold is….

“I want to tell the Academy about the behind-the-scenes story of the marriage annulment lawsuit.”

That incident when Black Hand was causing trouble in Layton Territory.

I, who had destroyed their branch office, was planning to spread that story for all to see.

The marriage annulment lawsuit was an incident that became quite an issue not only in the Western Region but also in the Capital.

Just spreading some rumors would easily gather people.

‘Of course, I’ll have to tell the story without including Chloe’s part.’

I couldn’t cause trouble for Chloe and the Reading Club Members because of my circumstances.

What I would talk about was only the content of the lawsuit and Black Hand’s disgraceful acts in trying to interfere with it.

If I caused this much commotion, they wouldn’t be able to maintain their stealth either.

‘And if I recruit Billia, I’ll be able to know the internal atmosphere too.’

While I, as a Grand Duchess, could also write a proposal, inserting internal eyes would be difficult.

On the other hand, Billia, being a working student, was an excellent talent for observing everything from Faculty to Students’ movements.

“If it’s just that much… it seems possible.”

“Right? The professors would also listen to a request from a working student. Oh, and I’ll decide the date now too. Three days from now.”

“Th, three days from now? Isn’t that too soon?”

I couldn’t give Black Hand time to prepare. This kind of attack had to be a surprise attack to be effective.

I listed false reasons to Billia about why it had to proceed in two days.

I said that since the birthday celebration was a week away, I wanted to hold the special lecture before then, and this was also His Imperial Majesty’s will.

At the mention of the Emperor, Billia nodded repeatedly, saying she would work hard.

Something like strict special lecture standards was useless before the Emperor’s name.

There was no need to worry about advertising either.

Countless Nobles had gathered in the Capital thanks to the birthday, so if I spread a little rumor, information about the special lecture would spread instantly.

“The proposal title should be… ‘The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Marriage Annulment Lawsuit Revealed by the Ducal House Grand Duchess, and the Black Hand’ would be good.”

I was already looking forward to what schemes Black Hand would come up with when their backs were against the wall.

* * *

After sending Billia back to the Dormitory, I faced Duke Venice.

He, who hadn’t said a word the entire time at the Cafe, grabbed me as soon as Billia returned to the Dormitory.

“It’s dangerous.”

“Pardon?”

“They won’t leave you alone.”

“I expected as much… But wait a moment, Duke Venice, may I ask how old you are?”

The voice mixed with static was problematic, but that deep tone was subtly irritating.

It was a natural way of speaking for nobles, but somehow it didn’t suit him.

I didn’t know why. I just didn’t like hearing it.

“What does that matter?”

“Your way of speaking is a bit… So please, just speak comfortably.”

“I cannot do that to the Grand Duchess…”

“It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t know why, but conversing with you in that tone feels strange.”

“…”

I couldn’t express it clearly either.

‘Ah, but was that a bit rude?’

I was considering apologizing, thinking it wasn’t something to say to a duke, when somehow the duke’s atmosphere became peculiar.

I couldn’t see his expression, but for some reason he seemed pleased.

Despite wearing ominous clothes, it was as if a pink atmosphere was flowing around him.

“…I understand, I’ll change my expression.”

“I didn’t mean to be more formal… You can drop it entirely. I was being unreasonable.”

“I cannot do that. I must show you proper courtesy.”

‘…To you?’

It was an expression I didn’t understand, but I didn’t bother questioning it. At least it was much easier to listen to than before.

“Anyway, I also planned this while taking risks. As you know, Duke, Black Hand isn’t an easy organization, so I had to make this kind of bold move.”

“The Imperial Family and I will take responsibility for the Grand Duchess’s safety. There’s no need for you to step forward like this. Also, using His Imperial Majesty’s name was a mistake. If His Majesty notices, he’ll try to use the Grand Duchess as a pretext.”

“What?”

I thought the conversation was going off track, and the duke seemed to be seriously misunderstanding something.

“This was something His Imperial Majesty wanted.”

“…What?”

“Didn’t you hear? His Majesty ordered me to act as bait so he could catch Black Hand’s tail.”

He never said bait, and it was a deal rather than an order, but since I had no good feelings toward the emperor, I expressed it bluntly.

Then the duke’s atmosphere changed completely in an instant.

The pink air turned into dark red hostility like his mask.

“His Majesty… ordered it?”

“Yes, it seems he intends to clean up Black Hand before the birthday celebration ends.”

I thought the Imperial Family and Venice were united, but apparently not.

Even when I first met them at the Imperial Palace, their relationship seemed poor, but I never imagined they wouldn’t share even such official matters.

When I looked at him as if surprised, he turned his body as if he wouldn’t show me his face.

“…I understand. Then it can’t be helped. Instead, I’ll also help with guard duty inside the Academy.”

“Sir Kenneth said he’s coming too, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.”

“That guy isn’t reliable enough.”

To dismiss that Kenneth as ‘that guy.’

The duke called the coachman who had been waiting for him.

“Urgent business has come up, so I’ll be returning now. Let’s continue this conversation later.”

‘Is that all you came here for?’

I thought he would ask some important question, but to think he appeared just to warn me about danger.

I nodded, saying I understood.

Then, a question suddenly occurred to me.

‘I’m staying at the Imperial Palace, but where is he going?’

“But where are you going, Duke?”

“…I’m going to meet a friend. I’m also staying at the Imperial Palace, so we might see each other before then.”

“If you’re heading to the Imperial Palace, we could go together…”

“No. I plan to stop by somewhere else first.”

Since it wasn’t the Imperial Palace, this friend didn’t seem to be the Emperor.

Well, the word “friend” was filled with tremendous killing intent, so it couldn’t possibly be the Emperor.

The Emperor is openly staying at the Imperial Palace.

‘He says he’s going to meet someone, but it looks like he’s going to kill someone.’

The Duke got into his carriage, and the carriage carrying him disappeared into the dark streets.

As I was staring blankly at that sight, I noticed Nata beside me letting out a sigh.

“So that’s how it was…”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“No, it’s nothing. I was just amazed because it feels like one secret that had been weighing on my heart has been solved.”

For amazement, there’s a strange sympathy in the way he’s looking at me, isn’t there?

When I asked if it was related to the Duke, he shook his head with a bitter expression.

“I cannot tell you.”

“I heard knights have no secrets from their masters.”

“This isn’t a secret, it’s a battle of wits, so I can’t. If I reveal it, only Grand Madam will be in trouble.”

“…There’s such a thing?”

“There is such a thing.”

Nata looked beyond where the Duke had disappeared with wistful eyes.

Somehow it didn’t seem like the right atmosphere to easily strike up a conversation.

‘…Ah, could it be that Sir Nata and Duke Venice have that kind of relationship? Not Billia?’

Only such bizarre questions floated around in my head.

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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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