I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 178

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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 178

Mikhail asked with a suspicious voice.

“Are you saying that my citizens have betrayed me?”

“It’s just one possibility. However, if even a knight’s eyes cannot find evidence, it’s more realistic to assume someone is hiding them rather than the enemy perfectly concealing themselves.”

“Hmm….”

It wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t something he wanted to readily accept.

Mikhail was a wise ruler.

Although there were still people who didn’t trust Mikhail because of the Late Duke, he had never conducted politics so despicably as to deserve betrayal.

The knight beside him seemed to share the same thought, speaking in a strong tone as if venting his frustration at being overwhelmed by Nata.

“Citizens under Layton’s protection betrayed us? Do you think they’re foolish enough to commit such an act!”

“I don’t know what kind of loyalty you expect from mere citizens… Of course, I don’t think they betrayed us without any reason either.”

Nata rested his chin on his hand and rolled his eyes. For a moment, he looked like Wilhelmina. In fact, he changed his tone like Wilhelmina.

“For example, they were threatened, or received compensation… or perhaps, they helped out of sympathy.”

“Do you think that makes sense? Whether it’s threats or rewards, nothing is more precious than life!”

It was an agitated voice, but it was a reasonable rebuttal.

Whatever price Raymond might pay, it wouldn’t be stronger than the power of Duke Layton, the ruler of the Western Region.

It might be different if they were threatened using their families as leverage, but no such ominous signs were visible in the village.

‘Should I go investigate directly after all?’

If Nata was right, there must be some reward the knights couldn’t see. Just as Mikhail was thinking he should conduct the investigation and interrogation himself.

“…Wait, sympathy?”

A scene flashed through his mind.

In the past, when Wilhelmina brought Raymond’s portrait, it was one of the clues he had spoken with his own mouth.

‘In spring and summer, he gives work to poor children. That’s why he has a good reputation in the area.’

‘Good reputation, and hidden out of sympathy….’

It was a clue that could have been easily overlooked, but now it caught his attention.

If he was the kind of person as reported, and if he was showing that side not only in Layton Territory but also in villages like this….

“Let’s change our approach. I’ll trust Sir Nata’s opinion. It seems like that possibility is greater.”

“Thank you. But what do you mean by changing the approach…?”

“I mean changing our attitude. Instead of searching for Raymond, we’ll pretend to be knights dispatched to protect him. For that, we need a villain….”

Mikhail excluded the knights whose faces were already known to the residents.

Naturally, Nata ended up taking the lead role.

Being beautiful and having a different atmosphere from Mikhail’s knights, he was perfect for the good role.

The knights seemed quite reluctant, but they didn’t object to Mikhail’s decision.

“Oh, and Sir Nata. Please investigate one more thing during the conversation.”

“What is it?”

“If there really are citizens hiding Raymond, I want to know their circumstances. For example….”

I recalled Johan’s past that Wilhelmina had mentioned.

“Please confirm whether he’s someone who has had experience meeting the Late Duke.”

Ominous premonitions never miss their mark.

At Mikhail’s words, Nata nodded with a stern expression.

In the end, Mikhail couldn’t join us until the carriage arrived near Layton Territory.

A messenger arrived saying that while searching for Raymond’s clues, more time was needed.

The message included instructions to return to the territory first, and upon seeing this, Helene actually increased the carriage’s speed.

She judged it would be more efficient to return to the territory quickly.

‘It’s fortunate that it’s not dangerous, but something feels unsettling.’

The judgment of both Mikhail and Helene was rational.

If they had caught a thread of clues, it was natural to pursue it to the end, and it was proper for the lady of the house to fill the lord’s absence.

The series of events was natural, but there was something strangely puzzling about it.

‘Didn’t Raymond know that Mikhail was tracking him?’

He had retreated upon seeing Mikhail arrive in the Capital.

He naturally would have expected that Mikhail and I would act together, yet his movements seemed somewhat predictable.

It would have made more sense if he had hidden in the Capital or the Southern Region where Mikhail’s army couldn’t ransack, but to deliberately choose the Western Region.

‘Since he missed me, targeting the Layton Family next would be the natural order… but it’s too hasty.’

For a mastermind who wielded the Black Hand, it was too bold a movement.

‘Either this is also an intended reaction, or he no longer needs to move while hiding.’

If it’s the latter, what could be the reason?

‘Could it be that the preparations for his plan are complete enough that being discovered doesn’t matter? …No, surely not.’

With insufficient clues, my thoughts kept spinning in circles.

Just as I was thinking of telling Helene and discussing it together, the coachman announced that we had arrived at Layton Castle.

Given the situation, it might be better to ask the Reading Club Members instead.

Baroness Metokan or Jane, who were smarter than me, would surely find a way forward.

“Was your journey peaceful? Lady, Grand Madam.”

As we got off the carriage, Helene’s butler greeted us with an expressionless face.

He took mine and Helene’s outer garments and guided us to the Main Castle.

When I tried to follow Helene, the butler politely pointed toward the Annex Building.

“I was going to guide Grand Madam directly to the Annex Building, but…”

“No, I’ll go with Helene. I have business to attend to.”

I had to wait for news from Mikhail, and I’d been feeling uneasy since earlier—it seemed I shouldn’t leave Helene alone.

Despite the clear sky, I had a feeling it would rain—an inexplicable anxiety.

“But you’ll need to change clothes as well…”

“Isn’t there a costume room in the Main Castle? Don’t worry about it.”

He was usually a butler who didn’t argue when spoken to firmly, but today his response was strange.

When I looked at him with suspicious eyes, the butler hesitated for a moment then bowed, saying he understood.

Helene showed no particular reaction to my saying I would follow.

Whether she had expected me to follow from the beginning, or whether my choice didn’t matter much to her, she started walking toward the Main Castle first.

As she climbed the stairs, she had a brief conversation with the butler, then said to me.

“Urgent news has arrived. I’ll go to the office for a moment.”

“Then I’ll go change first. Let’s meet in the study.”

We needed time to discuss Raymond’s purpose anyway.

Perhaps sensing my true intention, Helene nodded and headed to the office.

I followed another attendant and walked to the costume room.

But the place I was actually guided to wasn’t the costume room, but a reception room in a corner of the castle.

“Grand Madam, please wait here for a moment. I’ll bring your clothes right away.”

“Why aren’t we going directly to the costume room?”

“They say it’s chaotic because they’re organizing the costumes and jewelry bought from the capital. We couldn’t show such a sight to the Grand Madam…”

I had heard that Helene did some shopping, but I didn’t know it was that much.

Thinking it wouldn’t be good to interfere with the main castle’s affairs, I answered that I understood for now.

‘This is my first time in this reception room.’

The castle had several reception rooms befitting its size, but this was my first time entering this one.

The atmosphere was no different from other reception rooms, but it was peculiar that there were no windows.

It seemed to be because it was structurally located in the most secluded corner of the castle.

I dragged my tired body toward the sofa. The long journey following the celebration had exhausted me.

‘Isn’t Helene even tired?’

Even I, who participated in the banquet while taking moderate breaks, was this tired, yet Helene, who must have worked twice as much as me, seemed perfectly fine – it was truly remarkable.

Indeed, she deserved to be called the finest noble lady in the western region – her composure was something I couldn’t match even if I were reborn three times.

“…I might fall asleep at this rate.”

Leaning back against the sofa, I felt like I might take a nap.

Thinking I couldn’t fall asleep in a place that wasn’t even the annex building, I raised my voice to call for an attendant.

“Is anyone there? I’d like some coffee brought to me.”

If this were the annex building, someone would have come in by now, but perhaps because the castle was large, no answer came back even after waiting for quite a while.

Thinking I should ring a bell, I looked around, but for some reason, the call bell that should rightfully be in any reception room was nowhere to be seen here.

‘That’s strange?’

I felt the anxiety that had sprouted in my chest growing again.

With sleep now gone, I got up from my seat and grabbed the door handle of the reception room.

…The door wouldn’t open.

“…No way.”

I tried pushing and pulling with force, locking and unlocking the door, but it still wouldn’t budge.

I was trapped.

The moment that thought occurred to me, I grasped the necklace I was wearing.

The Amplifier Treasure – it should be recharged by now.

I brought the necklace to my mouth and shouted with all my might.

“Helene-! This is a trap…!”

Just as I was about to continue saying it was a trap and to run away immediately, the door suddenly opened with a click.

The person who appeared at the door was none other than the financial officer, Richt.

“As expected, you’re quite perceptive.”

“Officer Licht? Why are you here….”

My confusion at the unexpected person’s appearance was brief, as he pulled something from his pocket.

“I didn’t expect you to raise your voice. It seems the Grand Duchess needs to… get some sleep.”

What was hidden in his wrinkled hands was none other than a perfume bottle.

Before I could say anything, he pressed the perfume bottle, releasing an unidentified gas.

I tried to hold my breath urgently, but it was already too late. The gas that entered through my airways instantly seized control of my body.

‘Sleeping gas…!’

My consciousness immediately plummeted into dreams.

Just before losing consciousness, I heard Helene’s voice calling “Mother-!” from far away.

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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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