I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 180

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 180

“Good heavens, I knew the Grand Duchess was brilliant, but to think she would even notice the family’s secrets…”

“I didn’t notice it. I investigated it separately.”

“As expected, you are no ordinary person.”

Richt looked at me with trembling eyes. At his expression as if he were seeing a ghost, I let out a sigh.

Whatever misunderstanding he had, I didn’t have the luxury to correct it right now.

‘But does that even make sense? Mikhail promised me he wouldn’t kill Helene. Even if Helene agrees, unless Mikhail has the will to do it, this plan will fail.’

There was no way to resolve Mikhail’s curse unless he himself wanted it. This meant they were trying to persuade the wrong person.

‘If Helene dies by someone else’s hand, it would be meaningless. They must be planning to control Mikhail somehow, but there’s no way such magical things exist in this world…’

The downside of a fantasy world was that I couldn’t say such things didn’t exist.

Anyway, it seemed certain that they needed Helene’s help in the process.

All this complicated and cumbersome preparation was solely to persuade Helene.

“…Listen carefully, Officer Richt. I have a way to resolve the curse. One where Helene doesn’t have to sacrifice herself.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Are you saying you can’t trust the Grand Duchess’s words?”

Though I spoke with a growl, Richt, who had somehow regained his composure, faced me with a resolute attitude.

“No matter how great a person the Grand Duchess may be, I cannot betray Raymond’s trust. His research and logic are perfect.”

“Don’t act like a loyal retainer when you’ve disobeyed the Family Head’s orders. You already know that Raymond’s purpose is revenge, don’t you?”

I meant how could he trust someone who wanted revenge on the family, but Richt clenched his fists and retorted.

“Even if his intentions are impure, pursuing the right result is what makes a loyal retainer. Even if Duke suffers momentary grief, even if that’s what Raymond desires… I believe Duke will endure and rise again.”

“You’re insane.”

So he was saying he had already anticipated that Mikhail would be consumed by grief and sided with Raymond?

My evaluation of Richt plummeted completely.

At this point, he wasn’t a loyal retainer but closer to an idiot intoxicated with his rational self who was loyal to the family.

Whether this was how he originally was, or if Raymond’s speaking skills were just that impressive.

“Don’t you understand? Death is the end of everything. Whether one lives in despair or shudders with belated regret, surviving is what matters first. Pain will eventually pass. I believe Duke will overcome it.”

“You’re just spouting fine-sounding words. No matter what logic you present, if Mikhail doesn’t want it, it’s nothing but coercion. …You’re not in your right mind, Officer.”

Though it sounded like words for Mikhail’s sake, it was ultimately insane logic about sacrificing one person’s life.

Unless it involved crime or evil, one life should never be placed above another.

Sacrificing one life for a valuable life was an inhumane act that might come up in war.

“It’s not coercion! It’s what the Duchess herself desires!”

‘As I thought, he’s already gotten an answer from Helene.’

Though Richt had only expressed that he was serving Helene, it seemed he had already obtained her consent long ago.

I had expected this from when the clock in the room stopped. After I fell asleep, quite a long time must have passed.

“Even so, it’s not acceptable. Mikhail won’t be happy to receive Helene’s life.”

“To be swayed by mere emotions – your mind may be exceptional, but you’re somewhat immature.”

‘What bullshit. If I add my age from when I was Kim Hana, I’d be like your younger sister.’

I wanted to let out a string of curses, but thinking I needed to extract more clues, I forced myself to hold back.

“I was born in the Duke’s Estate and have worked here my entire life. And I saw with my own two eyes how the Late Duke went mad.”

As if recalling the past, Richt lowered his gaze with a gloomy expression.

“Grand Duchess, you wouldn’t know. The sight of someone who was handling official duties just a month prior suddenly transforming completely. That demon-like master who killed the Administrator’s Wife and then threw gold coins as compensation.”

Suddenly, I recalled the fact that Richt had no family. It seemed there was a terrible story behind it. Even Jane had kept quiet about him.

“Duke’s end will be exactly the same. Because this is an inescapable curse. Even Duke, who brought about the new golden age of the Layton Family, is destined to transform into a demon.”

So sacrifice was necessary. To maintain that wise ruler’s power even a little longer, to restore the honor of the Layton Kingdom that once ruled the Western Region, Mikhail had to live even one day longer.

“Duchess also… accepted this.”

‘That child would have done that.’

Helene was already accustomed to erasing herself.

For Father’s orders, for the Imperial Family’s pride, for the Imperial Princess’s duty, she had given up her dreams and future.

This time was no different.

She would have weighed her life and Mikhail’s on a scale and made a quick judgment.

“…How annoying.”

Just thinking about it made my chest feel stuffy.

I wanted to break free from these shackles right now, go out, and give Helene a good knock on the head.

When Mikhail was holed up in the corner of his room suffering from the curse last time, I wanted to give him a good punch too, and as expected of a married couple, they were exactly alike in worrying over such trivial problems.

“I’ll say it once more, administrator. I have a way to break this curse. I’ve already asked a fairy to…”

“Even if you are Grand Duchess, I won’t believe stories without evidence.”

“You have no intention of listening. Did that damn Raymond show you evidence?”

“Yes, he showed it very clearly. In a way that left no choice but to believe.”

Richt answered firmly.

If nothing else, Raymond’s persuasion skills were admirable. To manipulate that stubborn old man so well.

He must have brilliantly targeted the mental vulnerabilities unique to someone of commoner origin, devoted service to the family, and a loyal retainer.

“This is my final warning, administrator. Remove these shackles and bring Helene here. Then I can consider treating you as leniently as possible.”

“No matter how many times you ask, my answer remains the same. Grand Duchess, you just need to wait here. We won’t cause you any harm. Duke cherishes Grand Duchess especially, so I’d rather ask you a favor. Please, comfort Duke.”

As expected, Richt had no intention of listening to me at all.

Then I had no choice but to use the move I’d been saving.

If dialogue doesn’t work, all that’s left is forcing my way through.

When I raised my head and tried to move my arms, Richt shook his head.

“It’s useless. We’ve confiscated all the treasures Grand Duchess was wearing.”

“That’s your fatal flaw. Just confiscating treasures isn’t enough.”

“…?”

“If you really wanted to stop me, you should have taken away this voice and left no witnesses.”

I smiled bitterly as I recalled a long-forgotten secret.

Richt’s spine went cold as he opened and closed his mouth.

“Wh-what are you trying to do? Suicide is absolutely…”

“Why would I do such a thing? To please you guys?”

Clicking my tongue, I pictured a man’s form in my mind.

Actually, I couldn’t even call it a form.

He showed a different appearance every time he appeared.

“…I once fell into a lake.”

In the past, he had firmly warned me.

Never to summon him this way again, that this was a summoning method that brought nightmares and disasters.

But those words also meant it was the most optimal way to call him forth.

Since one of his nicknames was Evil God, bringing disaster was only natural.

‘Though his warning that I might hover between life and death because of nightmares is rather frightening.’

But I didn’t have the luxury to weigh the dangers.

“There, I visited the Fairy Kingdom.”

“What are you talking about? The Fairy Kingdom? This isn’t some fairy tale!”

Though he said that, Richt seemed to feel the cold air seeping into the reception room, as he turned pale and looked around.

But he was looking in the wrong place. The cold air wasn’t seeping through the door or window, but from above.

“And I had an audience with the kingdom’s king.”

The most excellent way to summon a fairy was to break a promise with them or reveal their secrets.

A summons that wagered my life, my final trump card.

“That king’s name is… Oberon.”

[Kyaha.]

The moment I spoke his name, a large crack appeared in the reception room’s ceiling.

“The Fairy King, Oberon, I made a deal with him. That I would never mention his name and kingdom outside.”

[Kihihi-]

“Wh-what is this sound?”

A voice like insects laughing began flowing from the ceiling.

Only then did Richt look up at the ceiling, unable to even scream as he froze with his eyes wide open.

[Kyahahaha!]

[Aha, hahaha!]

[Hoo, hoo-]

Beyond that crack, dozens, hundreds of fairies were peering down with only their eyes visible.

Whether they were looking for the scoundrel who summoned the Fairy King, or just showing themselves out of boredom, there was no way to know.

Among them, I found the most brilliantly shining red eyes.

“Sorry for breaking our promise again, Oberon. I’ll pay the price, so come here. And save me.”

[As you wish, my Titania.]

Breaking through the crack, a massive hand covered in insects and wood burst forth.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————