I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 172

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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 172

The Previous Emperor was, to put it nicely, a good-natured person, and to put it harshly, a ruler without proper measures.

Of course, he was exceptionally capable as befitting an Emperor.

He possessed both literary and military talents, was quick in handling affairs, and diligent.

After his death, scholars at the Academy evaluated the Previous Emperor as a wise ruler who, while not innovative, maintained an era of peace and prosperity.

The only problem was that his mental acuity had dulled as he entered his old age.

He began making more empty promises without considering the weight of his words, and complacent politics continued as he glossed over problems he didn’t want to think about.

A prime example of this was his praise for Helene.

‘As expected, it’s Helene. I knew you would win.’

At first, everyone thought it was the affection of a father caring for his daughter.

But the Previous Emperor’s praise gradually went too far.

‘I see the qualities of a ruler in our Helene.’

These were praises that should have been given to the Crown Prince, not his daughter.

As he repeated such words at official occasions, his subjects also began to cast suspicious glances one by one.

The suspicion that perhaps the Previous Emperor was planning to break tradition and elevate Helene to Emperor.

As mentioned earlier, the Previous Emperor was not an innovative person.

The first female Emperor – it was a bold move that didn’t suit his conservative nature that pursued stability.

But with the continued praise and Helene’s endless progress, nobles began focusing on Helene one after another.

‘At this rate, won’t the Imperial Princess really become Emperor?’

‘Then we should align ourselves now. Honestly, everyone didn’t trust Prince Apoli anyway, right?’

‘Even so, a woman as Emperor…’

The nobles split into two factions.

The Crown Prince Faction that believed tradition should be upheld, and the Princess Faction that believed ability should come first.

Although succession rights hadn’t been granted to Helene yet, fierce behind-the-scenes battles occurred among the nobles.

Helene’s unparalleled evolution also contributed to the growing controversy.

For her, who held the pride of the Imperial Family, the Emperor’s commands were the words of God.

With purpose in her life, she grew with unstoppable momentum.

‘Based on the achievements of the research paper in Ancient Language that the Imperial Princess participated in, we would like to make the Imperial Princess an honorary graduate of the Academy…’

‘The Imperial Princess is the first to win the swordsmanship tournament twice in a row!’

‘We would like to invite the Imperial Princess to the Ancient Literature recital…’

At fifteen, the age when she should have had her debutante, Helene devoted herself to study and training.

Her natural talent and persistent effort that excluded rest led her to even higher levels.

Thanks to this, anyone could feel the qualities of a ruler in her.

Thinking that Father had permitted her efforts and evolution, Helene worked hard with pure aspiration.

She could inherit Father’s position.

Father had chosen her, his daughter, over the traditions of the Imperial Family.

Helene’s precarious sprint that seemed like it would last forever came to an end with a single word from the Previous Emperor who had changed his mind.

‘Helene, your duty is to be an Imperial Princess.’

Those were the first words the Previous Emperor uttered when he called Helene to the Imperial Council.

Despite having remained silent about succession rights all this time, he continued speaking calmly.

His tired complexion and irritated voice proved that he was sincere.

‘I cherish you, but that was as an Imperial Princess. I can no longer watch your indulgence.’

It was like a bolt from the blue.

He had given no prior hint or warning.

Having changed his attitude in just one day, he told Helene that she must not ignore Apoli.

He said Apoli was the Eldest Son and Crown Prince, not someone she could carelessly disregard.

‘Father, I have only worked hard with the pride of the Imperial Family.’

‘You lack the qualifications. What suits you is not being Emperor, but…’

“The mistress of a Ducal House… That was Father’s conclusion.”

The Emperor lightly concluded the story and took a sip of the beverage on the table.

“What happened after is as you know. Under the Previous Emperor’s command, Helene became engaged to Duke Layton and headed to the Western Region. And I received succession rights through legitimate process and ascended to the throne.”

“…You’ve omitted quite a lot of things.”

“I said I would only tell you as much as others know.”

I rested my chin on my hand and reflected on the past story the Emperor had told.

It was an explanation full of gaps.

Nothing had been revealed about what triggered the Previous Emperor’s change of heart, Helene’s situation afterward, or why the succession rights changed hands.

‘Did he want to show me the tyranny the Previous Emperor committed and the background in which Helene grew up?’

Since it was a story told thoroughly from Helene’s perspective, what he wanted to convey was clear.

Thanks to this, I learned various things.

Why she had blind obedience and wariness toward the existence called Father and Family Head, and what caused her mindset of pursuing noble perfection.

And I also realized why Helene had reacted so sensitively to Chloe’s matter.

‘The situation was quite… cruel.’

Chloe’s case was an issue that stirred up the Empire.

A woman nullifying her marriage and ascending to the position of Family Head was unprecedented.

Of course, even though the Emperor’s help was significant, from Helene’s perspective, it must have seemed like I was the one who led that matter.

Chloe, who gained the glory that she herself couldn’t grasp with the help of a friend. The Mother-in-law who helped her achieve it.

It wouldn’t have been easy to judge rationally.

I could understand why she had blindly opposed me.

“…Actually, I once met Helene in front of the main palace. She was hesitating in front of the path leading to the Temple of the Sun.”

“Ah- it was because of what I said. I had asked when she would go to pay her respects.”

“The Previous Emperor doesn’t seem to have been a family-oriented person.”

“Though he was excellent as an emperor, he wasn’t a good person as a father.”

The Emperor smiled bitterly.

Just hearing about Helene’s past made me feel like I had also experienced part of the life the Emperor had lived.

He who had claimed the emperor’s throne in such a world full of prejudice and stubbornness must have walked a path of hardship no less than Helene’s.

‘For what was supposed to be a brief outing, this was quite a meaningful time.’

It was such a beneficial conversation that my earlier reluctance about meeting the Emperor felt embarrassing.

Thanks to this, I was able to understand Helene a bit better.

“Thank you for the explanation. I learned a lot thanks to you.”

When I politely expressed my gratitude, the Emperor snorted and turned his head away sharply.

“Enough, you would have found out anyway even if not from me. …We’re out of tea and refreshments, go bring some.”

“I should be going….”

“I want to eat.”

The Emperor headed to the kitchen without even listening to the end of my words.

The way he tried not to show his face looked exactly like someone feeling embarrassed.

When I looked at Coram, he smiled as if troubled and said.

“He’s awkward, so please understand.”

I wasn’t sure what was supposed to be awkward, but I nodded for now.

“Ah, the tea has gotten cold. I’ll brew another cup. I have herbs that are good for headaches, would you like some?”

“…Yes, please.”

Since even the Emperor had gone to get tea and refreshments, it would be ridiculous to decline, so I sighed and agreed.

“These are famous herbs from the Eastern Region. Scholars mainly brew and drink them.”

“…It has its own charm.”

The tea Coram brought boasted a bitter taste that made my tongue tingle.

Perhaps thanks to my tongue’s suffering, my head did feel clearer.

“Still, I’m glad His Majesty has a friend like the Grand Duchess. This is the first time since Duke Venice that he’s spoken so comfortably with someone.”

“I don’t think we’re quite friends yet.”

Calling everyone you treat comfortably a friend sounded like something that could lead to school bullying.

When I muttered with a reluctant expression, Coram shrugged and said.

“At least His Majesty seems to think so. That person is surprisingly informal in private settings. When he goes around in disguise, he actually prefers to be called by his nickname. He probably hopes the Grand Duchess will treat him more comfortably even now.”

Even so, we weren’t in a relationship where I could call the Emperor by name.

Feeling burdened by Coram’s expectant gaze, I cleared my throat and changed the subject.

“Speaking of nicknames… it was Teon, right?”

Teon, it was a cute name that didn’t suit an emperor.

“That’s right. Since his real name feels a bit old-fashioned, he’s used it quite often since childhood. The name Teon is also common.”

True, my name ‘Wilhelmina’ was considerably classical as well, but the name Theorne was something that would appear in mythology.

“It feels a bit burdensome to casually call him by his nickname. It might seem disrespectful.”

“It’s fine, Duke Venice calls him that quite often too. And vice versa.”

Vice versa, huh. Imagining two men calling each other by cute nicknames was quite embarrassing.

‘Then, does Duke Venice have a nickname too?’

I was about to recall Duke Venice’s real name when Coram spoke first.

“Do you have a nickname, Grand Duchess?”

“…When I was young, I was called Mina.”

I had a nickname that was just as good as Teon’s.

It was a name that would only appear in romance comics, so I felt embarrassed saying it.

‘Come to think of it, when was the last time I was called Mina?’

It must have been when I was young. Nanny used to call me Young Miss Mina quite often. After that, probably…

Coram slowly opened his mouth, as if surprised that he hadn’t known this all along.

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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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