I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 192

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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 192

“Hmm, Helene. It’s still a bit difficult to decide right away…”

As I was about to refuse again, Helene whispered in a small voice that only I could hear.

“We need to show the results of our improved relationship to the outside world as well.”

“Ah, so that was the reason?”

Indeed, Helene participating in a gathering I created would certainly have significant impact.

“Still, I need to get the consent of the other members first.”

Even if I understood the purpose, it would be difficult to agree as long as the majority opposed it.

Even though I created the reading club, it was the members who led it.

At my words, Helene leaned forward as if she had been waiting for this.

“So you just need to get their consent?”

“Mm-hmm.”

She suddenly raised both hands and clapped. Then someone knocked on the study door.

“Come in.”

With permission granted, four or five attendants entered the study.

Each held boxes or letter envelopes in their hands, and they began placing them one by one on the desk.

“I apologize for visiting so late. Though it may not be enough as compensation, I’ve prepared gifts for everyone.”

I heard Ilina whisper to Chloe, “She’s planning to buy us with bribes!”

Helene seemed to have noticed this too, as she first handed a letter envelope to Ilina.

“I heard that Young Miss Ilina is interested in a famous pastry shop that handles Southern-style cakes.”

“Gasp! How did you know that…?”

“I heard rumors that you waited from dawn, saying you’d wait for the store to open.”

Chloe and I looked at Ilina with disapproving eyes.

No matter how famous a pastry shop might be, a noble young miss lining up from the crack of dawn for a pastry shop opening run.

I could feel the Baroness, who had been quietly drinking tea, let out a “hmm” sigh.

“I, I had no choice. Southern-style cakes use special fruit preserves, so they can only make 10 per day. They don’t take reservations either, so I had no choice but to go in person…”

Even so, normally one would send attendants, but to go and wait in person. It was typical of Ilina’s initiative.

“Is it delicious?”

When I asked if it was worth waiting that much for, Ilina made a tearful face and shook her head.

“I haven’t been able to try it. There are even people who wait from the night before. They won’t let me stay out overnight for something like this…”

‘So she was thinking of staying out overnight if allowed.’

No matter how safe Layton might be, this was still a medieval fantasy world.

It would be very dangerous for a noble young miss to wait through the night.

Finally, just as the Baroness was about to say something, unable to bear it any longer, Helene spoke first.

“Please open that envelope.”

“This one?”

“Yes, it’s for you, Young Miss Ilina.”

Ilina sent me a questioning look.

At her curious eyes asking if she could open it, I nodded my head in permission.

Ilina took the envelope, tore it open, and exclaimed with wide eyes in admiration.

“Th-this is!”

“It’s a gift certificate for that pastry shop. It also has the effect of a reservation voucher, so if you take this, you’ll be able to receive cakes directly.”

“How did the Duchess get something like this…?”

Helene elegantly placed her hand on her cheek and spoke.

“I once provided sponsorship when that pastry shop was expanding their store. He’s a craftsman whose skill wasn’t well-known compared to his ability, so I lent a little hand. As thanks for that time, I receive gift certificates every year. I’ll give these to Miss Ilina.”

“Th-there are ten of them?”

“You can share them with the reading club and your family members. If they know the gift certificates came from me, the pastry chef will take special care of you too.”

“But to suddenly give me something so precious…”

Even though she said that, the gift certificates were already in Ilina’s arms. Her expression had softened long ago.

Seeing her face brightened with anticipation as if she wanted to run to the pastry shop right away, rather than wariness and hostility, Chloe briefly called her name.

“Miss Ilina.”

“Ah! Sorry, Miss Chloe.”

But even Chloe couldn’t bring herself to take away the gift certificates, so she just sighed.

This time, Helene held out a box toward Chloe.

“This is a gift for Count Tilim. First, please check the contents. You can refuse after that if you’d like.”

Chloe tried to decline, but Helene pushed the box right in front of her without warning.

Chloe had an expression that said she absolutely wouldn’t be swayed, but perhaps out of curiosity, she slightly opened the box.

“This is…”

What came out from inside was an unidentifiable bundle of green leaves and navy blue powder.

“It’s indigo plant. Also called indigo dye. It’s a dyeing plant imported from overseas.”

The identity of the green leaves seemed to be a dye plant that produces a color similar to navy blue, called indigo.

I had heard that indigo was a very deep navy color, but this was the first time I learned it came from a plant with green leaves.

“The condition is excellent. We recently imported seeds and finally succeeded in cultivation. The leaves I’m giving you are prototypes, but… before commercialization, I’d like to give them to Count Tilim first. You mentioned that Count Tilim has had a great interest in dyeing since childhood.”

“…That’s right.”

Chloe kept examining the indigo dye.

She touched the indigo dye this way and that, exclaiming “The condition is so good,” and touched a spoonful of powder with her fingertips and smelled it.

After finishing her observation, Chloe asked in an admiring voice.

“The oxidation state is good, and the dye affinity is excellent… Did you make this yourself, Duchess?”

“I’ve been researching this for some time. Originally, I planned to distribute it directly, but since the Tilim family and Layton family are allies in the wool business, I can give you as much as you’d like.”

Helene leisurely rested her chin on her hand and touched my hair that was beside her.

At her sudden action, my eyes widened, and Chloe muttered as if she had realized something.

“Come to think of it, this color…”

“It looks exactly like our mother’s hair, doesn’t it?”

The indigo color, which changes depth depending on the presence of sunlight, did resemble my hair color.

When Chloe’s eyes were colored with the desire to have it, Helene said nonchalantly.

“Don’t you want to have it?”

“…I’ll gratefully accept it.”

I thought I could hear the sound of “checkmate” from somewhere.

With Chloe and Ilina moving to support, me remaining neutral, and the Baroness stepping forward saying she had no grounds to refuse, only Baroness Metokan was left in opposition.

Baroness Metokan must have thought she could no longer be unreasonable, as we eventually reached the conclusion to accept Helene as a temporary member for the time being.

I wondered if it was right to treat someone of the Duchess’s status as a temporary member, but Helene accepted the proposal with apparent satisfaction.

She even added confident words that she would definitely become a full member.

After the long-awaited reading club meeting finally ended, I headed to the main gate of the annex building to see off the departing guests.

After Chloe, Ilina, and the Baroness left first, Baroness Metokan remained until the end.

She spoke with a displeased expression.

“…Grand Duchess, I still cannot trust her. Thinking of Count Tilim’s case, it’s difficult to readily accept the Duchess.”

Indeed, when I recalled Helene who had opposed Chloe when she fled to me, the current Helene was a completely different person.

For Baroness Metokan, who hadn’t directly witnessed how Helene had changed, it was natural to have suspicions.

Knowing her concern was for my sake, I smiled and replied.

“It will be fine. Many things have changed.”

“I believe the Grand Duchess will handle it well, but…”

She sighed and squeezed my hand tightly.

“If any problems arise, please tell me anytime.”

“Thank you. I won’t forget.”

“Even sensitive matters you couldn’t share at the reading club would be fine.”

“…Yes.”

As expected, Baroness Metokan seemed to have noticed something strange in my explanation.

Unable to give her an answer, I deflected with a smile.

After seeing off Baroness Metokan as well, I encountered Helene who was preparing to leave.

“I should be going back now, Mother.”

“Yes, have a good evening.”

“If you have time, perhaps we could have dinner together tonight…”

“No need. Don’t you have guests coming? I’m more comfortable eating alone.”

Helene nodded with a sulky expression. Her expressions had become much richer than before.

After leaving her farewell greeting that she would see me next time, Helene also left the annex building.

Having finally seen off all the guests, I returned to my bedroom and collapsed onto the sofa.

Anna, who had just returned from organizing the study, smiled and said.

“You worked hard.”

“Yes, you worked hard too, Anna.”

“I was just doing my job. But still… I never dreamed the Lady would change like that.”

Anna was carrying several boxes in her arms.

She set the boxes down on the table while observing them with eyes full of admiration and curiosity.

“To think she even prepared gifts like these.”

Inside the boxes were gifts for the reading club members.

Some people had refused, saying they couldn’t accept gifts when they weren’t even close, so I had agreed to keep them.

They appeared to be gifts chosen with each person’s preferences in mind.

This meant Helene was paying close attention to the reading club.

“And the way she treats you, Grand Madam…”

Helene had stuck close to my side throughout the entire reading club meeting.

In a situation that seemed like we had truly become mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, not only the members but even the attendants had widened their eyes in amazement.

I let out a laugh as I spread the blanket and pillow Anna had brought onto the sofa.

“She’s acting spoiled.”

“The Lady is acting spoiled?”

“Everyone has times when they want to act spoiled. It’s just that they either don’t have someone to do it with, or their heart won’t allow it. Age and status don’t matter.”

It was indeed something rarely seen in a society that valued appearances.

The thicker the mask one has worn, the greater the feeling of relief when putting it down.

And acting spoiled also meant that she trusted the other person that much.

It felt like evidence that I had become a parent or family member, which made me quite happy.

“Anna, if you ever want to act spoiled too, feel free to tell me anytime. I’ll accept it all.”

Anna made a dumbfounded expression. Then she slowly smiled and shook her head.

“We’re always acting spoiled with you, Grand Madam.”

“Really? Have I done something?”

Anna didn’t answer. She just smiled and continued organizing the remaining gifts.

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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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