I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 198

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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 198

Jace didn’t even want to set foot in Layton Territory.

It wasn’t that he disliked the Annex Building. Mirinai was there, and he had a friend named Mabel who was a bit peculiar but still a friend.

But Wilhelmina was the problem.

‘She’ll probably tease me about something again.’

Jace, who had grown considerably taller over the year, now had the appearance of a young man. Though he still had some baby fat, his height had already far surpassed his Father’s.

From consistently practicing the Swordsmanship he learned at the Military Training Camp, his physique had also improved.

With his already fierce-looking features, he was now treated as a proper Man wherever he went.

But even he would instinctively shrink his shoulders when thinking of Wilhelmina.

While he could regard what happened at the Layton Family as mere memories, Wilhelmina’s gaze still sent chills down his spine even now when he recalled it.

Even so, as a matter of Noble friendship, they had formally exchanged New Year’s greetings and well-wishes several times before, and the words that came back each time were eerie.

When he was easily winning Sword Sparring matches at the Academy and acting arrogant toward others…

[It’s admirable that you’re consistently practicing Sword Practice. But remember that winning through strength alone isn’t a victory as a human being.]

Such a letter arrived.

And when he was getting a bit too big for his britches and trying to rebel against his Parents…

[Sorry for the late reply. Are you getting along well with your Parents? Take a moment to reflect on whether you’ve been too emotional.]

Such scolding came back.

The pointed observations were so sharp that he suspected she might be conducting Surveillance on him from somewhere.

Of course, Wilhelmina simply knew the psychology of people Jace’s age well and wrote appropriate words, but for Jace, who had never encountered such a Teacher, it felt like a ghost was following him around.

So when he received the letter asking him to come to the Layton Family, he resolved to refuse with whatever excuse he could find.

‘She already called me once before!’

Of course, after using him during Mabel’s situation, she had given him substantial compensation, but his desire not to meet Wilhelmina was stronger.

So when he saw Wilhelmina’s note saying she would write an absence excuse, he went to find an Academy Professor.

It was meant to convey that he should refuse since exam period was approaching, but…

‘The Grand Duchess of the Layton Family? My goodness, what are you doing, hurry up and pack! If she’s calling for you, what does an absence excuse matter!’

Instead, a reaction of wide-eyed amazement burst forth. As it turned out, the Professor was a huge fan of Wilhelmina.

He knew everything from the story of her helping Count Tilim to the incident at Baroness Metokan’s Presentation.

Seeing the Professor’s fanatical eyes as he declared that she was truly the finest Noble Lady in the Western Social Circle, Jace had no choice but to flee with terrified eyes.

Having barely escaped the Academy with such difficulty, he arrived at Layton Castle.

“Something… the atmosphere has changed?”

Standing before the Castle Gate, Jace looked around with puzzled eyes.

Originally, Layton Castle had a rather bleak atmosphere.

Especially the Road leading to the Annex Building was so desolate that one might wonder if this was really where the Grand Duchess lived, but today there were many people passing along that Road. Even the Servants’ expressions were bright.

‘Was it really true that the family relationships had improved?’

It was just a rumor he had heard in passing, and he hadn’t believed it at all.

He thought the conclusion of the proud Layton Family getting along with their young mother-in-law was a story that would only appear in fairy tales.

But as if to deny his expectations, he could see servants from the Main Castle coming and going to the Annex Building.

“Ah, you must be the young master of the Milo Family? I’ll guide you.”

Jace received guidance from an unfamiliar Butler with an awkward expression.

His steps gradually became heavier due to the burden of meeting Wilhelmina, when he happened to see a familiar person standing in the Annex Building’s Garden.

A child with reddish-brown curly hair—it was Mirinai.

“Mirinai!”

Jace ignored the Butler’s greeting and waved his hand as he approached Mirinai. Mirinai also spotted Jace and bowed his head politely.

“It’s been a while, Jace.”

“Yeah, that’s right. You haven’t changed at all…”

As he was about to continue speaking, he widened his eyes upon seeing the young man standing beside Mirinai.

“…Hello.”

Next to Mirinai stood a young man with crimson hair.

In one hand, he was holding a Dustpan like Mirinai, and it seemed they were helping each other with their work.

While it was common to see Page Boys helping each other… Jace immediately realized upon seeing the young man’s face that he wasn’t a Servant.

Though his clothing was ordinary, just looking at his complexion and hands, he was clearly a noble.

‘And he’s so pretty…’

His face seemed to have baby fat like Jace’s, but he was slightly taller than Jace.

His limbs were also long, and if dressed well, you could believe he was a young master from some noble family.

And those deep, dry eyes bothered him the most. They reminded him of Wilhelmina.

“You, who are you?”

At Jace’s sharp voice, the young man blinked for a moment, then politely offered a greeting.

“I am the Eldest Son of Baron Vesta House, Gideon. You must be Jace from Baron Milo’s House. Please treat me well from now on.”

“Please treat you well? What’s that supposed to mean? What are you doing here?”

“I am…”

It was Mirinai, not Gideon, who answered.

Mirinai stood in front of Gideon as if protecting him and said.

“Gideon is staying at the Annex Building for a while.”

“…What? Why are you speaking so casually to him? You couldn’t even use proper titles with me!”

Jace, who remembered Mirinai as a child who confused expressions like “sister” and “older sister,” frowned.

It had taken a whole month for him to be called by his name comfortably, so he couldn’t understand who this guy was to be conversing so easily.

“And you’re living together with Mirinai?”

Though the Annex Building didn’t have just one Room, Jace began to misunderstand on his own.

In his eyes, the sight of Mirinai and Gideon together was already beginning to look like the affectionate behavior of a loving couple.

Meanwhile, Gideon, who had no way of knowing the situation, kept his mouth shut in bewilderment.

“Yes, Grand Madam gave permission.”

“Grand Duchess? That’s ridiculous, that person even hated me staying at the Annex Building…”

“I hated what?”

Just as the agitated Jace was about to raise his voice, a familiar calm voice cut between them.

Startled, Jace instinctively shrank his neck.

“When you arrive, you should greet first. Why are you standing here?”

“…It’s been a while, Grand Duchess.”

“Yes, it has been a while.”

Perhaps because it was autumn, she appeared wearing a thick overcoat, yawning without dignity as she walked into the garden.

Then she looked back and forth between Jace, Gideon, and Mirinai for a while before clapping her hands with an “Ah-ha.”

“Mirinai, come here.”

“Yes.”

Hiding Mirinai behind her, she pointed to Gideon and said.

“This is Gideon Vesta. He’s a child who will be staying at the Annex Building temporarily for some business.”

“Why? If he needs a room, he could just go to a nearby hotel. Why the cramped Annex Building…”

“Cramped?”

“Ah, no, I mean why is he staying at the Annex Building! It’s a house where a Noble Lady lives alone, so it’s dangerous!”

At Jace’s rambling objection, Wilhelmina let out a “Huh” sigh.

“For an excuse you barely managed to come up with, you know how to maintain appearances. You really have grown a lot.”

“…That’s a compliment, right?”

“Of course, it’s a compliment.”

She let out a chuckle and headed toward the Annex Building with Mirinai. Then she gestured to Gideon and Jace.

“Since Gideon is here too, it saves me the trouble of calling him. Come in, I’ll tell you why I called you.”

“You want me to go with That Guy?”

Though their conversation was brief, Gideon was already an enemy in Jace’s mind.

Sensing his feelings, Wilhelmina spoke in a cheerful voice.

“Well, the reason I called you is because of Gideon. You need to help That Child.”

“I don’t want…!”

“You wouldn’t say you don’t want to without even hearing the situation. I never educated Jace to be like that.”

‘You never educated me at all!’

His memories of education consisted only of being given homework and left alone, or being scolded during trials.

Of course, there were times when he occasionally reflected on her words, but he would never admit that even if he died.

However, thinking that leaving Mirinai and Gideon together was out of the question, Jace gritted his teeth and entered the Annex Building.

* * *

Emily and Gideon coming to stay at the Annex Building happened about a week ago.

Right after calling Jace, I contacted Helene to arrange for them to use a room in the Annex Building.

Fortunately, thanks to Helene understanding the situation, no special procedures were needed.

She too seemed angry about the fact that crimes like human trafficking still remained in the Western Region.

Upon hearing that a mother and child with pitiful circumstances were coming, the Servants decided to welcome them with all their might.

Then they saw Emily and Gideon appear and were left speechless.

‘That, that’s Mr. Gideon, right?’

At Anna’s reluctant question, Gideon answered in a very polite voice.

‘Yes, I am Gideon of Baron Vesta House.’

I heard he was only slightly older than Jace, but he already looked no different from a sturdy man.

I understood that growth periods were faster in a world where Westerners were the norm, but even so, this was the first time I’d seen a child who looked so mature for his age.

‘He’s even handsome.’

Even I was flustered and blinking in confusion, when Gideon approached me first and offered his greetings.

It was a polite posture that wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call befitting a noble house’s young master.

‘It is an honor to meet Grand Duchess Wilhelmina.’

And he kissed the back of my hand.

It was a greeting that copied Imperial Palace etiquette exactly, something that even conservative nobles rarely used these days.

‘Your eyes are beautiful, like a lake.’

Along with a compliment like an old-fashioned gentleman.

I looked between Gideon’s expressionless face and Emily’s encouraging expression and muttered.

‘…This household isn’t normal either.’

Only then did I realize they weren’t just a pitiful family.

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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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