I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 177

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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 177

On the way back to the Western Region, Helene, who had noticed that the Emperor came to see me, spoke in a firm voice.

“Mother, you must conduct yourself properly.”

“…Yes, I will.”

Since Mikhail said he wanted to get some fresh air and was traveling on horseback, only Helene and I remained in the carriage.

Though the carriage was spacious enough to be excessive for just the two of us, it felt cramped due to Helene’s heavy atmosphere.

I deliberately turned my eyes away from the uncomfortable mood she was emanating.

“If anyone else had seen His Majesty and Mother together, it would have caused a great scandal.”

It was a worry I could understand completely.

Though I’m called Grand Duchess, the Emperor and I were both in our twenties, so there was a high possibility of strange rumors arising.

Of course, I believe the Emperor would have naturally considered this issue, but Helene’s advice was also reasonable to expect.

I was fortunate that it ended with just this much.

The old Helene would have said with a fierce expression, ‘Please don’t tarnish the family’s honor,’ but this time there was at least some concern for me mixed in.

“Besides, if His Majesty had done something unnecessary, then again….”

Helene covered her mouth as if she didn’t want to say it with her own lips.

‘The sibling relationship is quite bad indeed.’

Well, it would be strange if two people who had such a childhood got along well.

In any case, to Helene, the Emperor would be the person who stole her succession rights.

“…Come to think of it, you said Minerva and Zeonil stayed in the territory. I wonder if they’re doing well?”

I deliberately changed the topic to talk about the grandchildren.

Helene’s eyes were still sharp, but she seemed to think she should answer about her children, so she suppressed her anger.

“…At this time, it would be snack time. There shouldn’t be any problems.”

“I’m a bit worried thinking that neither Mikhail nor Helene are at the castle.”

“Layton Duchy Castle is safe. Even without us as a couple, the impregnable castle won’t crumble.”

‘That’s not what I meant about enemies.’

I wanted to say that children tend to cause trouble when their parents disappear, but Helene seemed to have understood it differently.

I nodded with a lukewarm expression at her words that showed pride in the duchy castle.

“Come to think of it, it’s almost autumn now. The Academy entrance exams will be held soon, right? What are you planning for Minerva and Zeonil?”

“It will depend on the children’s wishes, but if they can skip grades based on their academic performance, I’m planning to recommend enrollment. First….”

Indeed, nothing works better than school talk to divert a parent’s attention.

While we were discussing whether to send them to the prestigious Capital Academy or choose the Western Academy where they could build connections with Western Nobles, someone knocked on the carriage window.

When I opened the window, Mikhail poked his head in.

“Mother, and Helene. I have something to tell you briefly.”

“What is it?”

“I and a few knights are going to leave the formation temporarily.”

Mikhail continued his explanation slowly.

To summarize, they had discovered traces of Raymond in this vicinity, and he wanted to leave temporarily to confirm this.

Raymond’s danger seemed to have already been explained to Helene, as she questioned the effectiveness of the operation instead of asking about his identity.

“Is there really a need for you to go personally? You could just send the knights.”

“Looking at his actions so far, Raymond is a cautious person. We might miss clues. I think I need to go myself to feel satisfied.”

I could understand Mikhail’s argument.

From experience, Mikhail’s intuition and observation skills were exceptionally outstanding.

Even at Windsor Mansion, he had discovered something I hadn’t noticed.

‘Come to think of it, he went out with Nata that time too and came back. He said he had something to discuss with the Emperor… And when I brought up that topic, he showed a strangely awkward reaction.’

Even if I couldn’t know specifically what he discovered, it was definitely a clue about me.

The wrecked kitchen, the Empire’s forms collection left in the study, and so on… Though it wasn’t at a stage where I could be certain, Mikhail was probably one of those who had gotten close to the truth.

Anyway, deciding to postpone that deduction for later, I tried to dissuade Mikhail with concern.

“Won’t it be dangerous?”

“It’s fine. This area ahead is the Western Territory. At least there won’t be any unexpected dangers.”

“Raymond himself is an unexpected person. What if there are more organizations like Blackhand? At least take some of the army with you.”

Of course, having another Blackhand was nearly impossible, but this time the situation was different from before.

Then Mikhail smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“If too many people move, tracking becomes slower. If by any chance Raymond is hiding, he’ll run away…”

“Then at least take Sir Nata with you.”

“Hmm, but he’s Mother’s guard…”

“Who here do you think needs guarding right now?”

With the guards who had been stationed near the capital joining us, the current number of soldiers was comparable to a small army.

To threaten this group, it would take not bandits but something like a dragon from fairy tales.

Helene agreed with my words.

Mikhail seemed unable to refuse this much, nodding as he said he understood.

“Then I’ll go and come back quickly. I’ll return within two days at the latest. Even if I’m late, please return to the territory first.”

And he quickly left the formation with Nata and several knights.

As his words about more people slowing things down weren’t false, he disappeared from sight in an instant.

‘I hope nothing happens.’

Even knowing that the people who could threaten them were countable in the Empire, an inexplicable anxiety sprouted in my heart.

“Will it be alright?”

To my question, Helene nodded heavily.

“It will be fine. He and the knights are strong.”

She too seemed unable to shake off her worries, as concern clouded her eyes.

She probably wanted to stop him too, but thought dealing with Raymond’s danger was more urgent.

It was still a long journey of more than a week to reach Layton Territory.

Hoping that both Mikhail and we would arrive at the territory safely, I closed the window again.

* * *

Raymond’s traces were discovered in a village in the Western Region.

It was a place Mikhail knew well too.

It was a village through which goods distributed to the capital passed, and while it had no lord, it was indirectly managed by the Layton Family.

Though the residents were few, it was a typical trading hub with many people coming and going.

During the Late Duke’s time, trade was restricted to a minimum, making it close to a ghost town, but now it was an area earning more money than its size would suggest.

While touring the village, several residents who recognized Mikhail hurriedly bowed their heads.

Mikhail, who had been smiling at them to show they shouldn’t be afraid, asked the knight who had followed him.

“Did you say Raymond came here?”

“Yes, it’s an assumption, but the physical description matches.”

“Who was the witness?”

“A trading company traveling from the capital to the western region. They’re not currently staying here, but more than one person witnessed it.”

“First, investigate the residents. Don’t threaten them, and try not to frighten them as much as possible.”

“Understood!”

As Mikhail’s order was given, the knights scattered throughout the village.

Nata, who was assigned to Mikhail’s personal guard duty instead of the search, looked around with an unreadable expression.

“What’s wrong? Do you have some idea about something?”

“No, it’s just the gazes are a bit…”

“Gazes?”

“…I’ll tell you after the investigation is finished. It’s not a certain matter.”

Though he was curious, the investigation took priority for now.

There were about thirty residents living in the village, most of them owners of lodgings or shops with clear residences, so the investigation ended quickly.

The problem came after that.

“Not a single testimony came out?”

“Yes, no one says they’ve ever seen such a person.”

The hub village’s area was small. Since most buildings were storage rooms or lodgings, there weren’t many suitable places to hide.

Yet no testimony at all – it was a result that was hard to believe.

‘He definitely passed through here. Could he really have more organizations like Black Hand, as Mother said?’

It was stealth that couldn’t be understood unless such a secretive organization was backing him.

‘Or he has some amazing magic treasure… No, that can’t be. If he had such a thing, he would have used it already.’

While Mikhail was lost in thought, Nata, who had been maintaining silence, spoke with a sighing voice.

“…Certainly, Layton’s knights are somewhat complacent.”

“What do you mean by that, Sir?”

The offended knight glared at Nata.

But when Mikhail gestured with his hand as if telling Nata to continue, he grimaced and closed his mouth.

“When evidence should appear but doesn’t, the proper order is to look around rather than overestimate the enemy’s capabilities. Everyone does that on the battlefield.”

“So can Sir Nata explain this situation?”

“I’m still not certain, but there is one more thing left to investigate.”

Nata pointed with his chin at the residents who passed by without giving them any attention.

“Interrogating whether there’s a traitor among the village residents. If this were a battlefield, that would probably be the first thing we’d do.”

Nata’s eyes held a cold emotion unlike any seen before.

The knight who had been ready to argue against whatever he said was surprised and stiffened his expression.

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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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