I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 207

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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 207

I secretly hid Sophia in my room and listened to a detailed account of what had happened during this time.

The situation of Sophia and her younger sister was pitiful.

The Count couple began obsessing over Sophia after their first daughter got married.

The first daughter, who had grown sick of her family, left home after giving them a huge sum of money and asking them to cut ties with her forever.

With money but no ongoing support, the Count couple reached out to Baron Milo’s house, a wealthy family, and Sophia was used for that purpose.

‘They say they raised her with love and care. But this is…’

It felt strongly like they were cultivating a product to sell.

While such nobles weren’t uncommon, this was the first time I’d seen a case as blatant as the Count couple.

The fact that they discriminated against their youngest daughter while raising Sophia was particularly obvious.

To them, the youngest daughter was a child to be given to a son-in-law, someone who didn’t even need to be given educational opportunities.

“I don’t understand. What are children, consumable goods? If it were me…”

“Jace.”

At Jace’s muttering, Sophia’s shoulders trembled.

Sophia, who had been surprised by the fact that Jace was by my side and kept trying to hide her face, turned her back to him completely.

Jace closed his mouth with a displeased expression. He seemed to know this wasn’t a situation for him to interfere in.

“First, Jace and Gideon, go back to your rooms. If we all gather in one place, it’ll raise suspicion.”

“Will you be alright? Even so, hiding in a room…”

I shook my head at Gideon’s concern.

“I already told the Count couple in advance. I said not to come in carelessly since I need to choose clothes until the banquet.”

Since there was no costume room, I had to change clothes in the bedroom.

Choosing a dress for a grand banquet was important work for a noble lady, so the Countess naturally agreed.

“More importantly, keep a good watch on the servants going into the basement. It’ll be big trouble if we’re discovered during meal time.”

“I, I’ll ask about that. There’s a maid who takes my side. If I tell her in advance, we should be able to fool them.”

Sophia’s younger sister raised her hand and answered carefully.

I patted her approvingly, then sent the two boys out.

“Now, so… before we talk about what happens next, let me hear your name. What’s your real name?”

The youngest daughter looked at Sophia carefully.

At her look asking if it was okay to answer, Sophia nodded.

Perhaps not knowing that her younger sister would be cautious about even saying her name, Sophia lowered her eyes with a complicated expression.

“It’s Isobel. Isobel Zormund.”

“Yes, Isobel. Let me ask you first. Do you want to go back to being Isobel, not Sophia?”

Isobel nodded strongly.

“I don’t want it anymore. Studying like sister, being compared… I liked the old days better.”

“You said your parents tormented you, is that okay?”

“I don’t like my parents. But when I was Isobel, sister was by my side. That’s enough for me.”

Isobel gripped Sophia’s hand tightly.

Tears began to leak from Sophia’s eyes.

“Good, then both Isobel and Sophia want to return to their original places.”

Once we had the consent of the parties involved, everything proceeded swiftly.

Since the banquet was tomorrow, it was perfect timing for the announcement.

I briefly explained the future plan to the two children.

“Is, is that really okay?”

Sophia stammered with a look of shock.

“Even so, wouldn’t that be too… great a discourtesy to Lord Jace?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“It’s not a plan I came up with. It’s what Jace wanted.”

Even before Sophia’s true identity was revealed, Jace had explained this plan to me.

Whether it was rebelliousness against his family or for his own freedom, he was trying to solve his own problems while he was at it.

“The problem is what comes after. Other people will understand, but we can’t change your parents’ hearts.”

This time Sophia grabbed Isobel’s hand.

The two girls who looked identical but had different resolves met each other’s eyes.

“They won’t be able to abuse you like before, but they will blame you. Can you handle it?”

“…Yes.”

“I can do it.”

Soon the two girls who had finished making their resolve looked at me with determined expressions.

Their eyes trembled with anxiety, but they didn’t let go of each other’s hands.

I smiled with satisfaction and said.

“Good, then let’s begin. You’re going back to where you should be. But first…”

I gestured to Anna who was waiting. She looked reluctant, but had no choice but to start taking clothes out of the room’s wardrobe.

“Let’s pick out clothes for you to wear. The length will be a bit long, but we can alter them overnight.”

“Alterations… aren’t these the Grand Duchess’s dresses?”

“It’s fine, I only need one outfit. Think of it as a gift.”

Sophia and Isobel’s eyes welled up with tears of gratitude. But I had my own ulterior motives.

The clue to my memories that I gained thanks to these children was more precious than those clothes.

* * *

Finally, the banquet that Count Jormon and his wife had been hoping for began.

Since it had been ages since they had properly held a banquet in their own territory, the Count couple faced their guests with anticipation.

‘Moreover, the host of this banquet is the Grand Duchess. You can count on one hand the number of banquets of this scale held in the surrounding area!’

Count Jormon welcomed the arriving guests with a smiling face, feeling deeply grateful to the immature Grand Duchess, Wilhelmina.

Wilhelmina was a noble lady who was naive compared to her reputation.

According to rumors, she was supposed to be a clever and capable woman, but the Wilhelmina they actually saw was no different from others her age.

Moderate vanity, simple thinking, and even the oblivious attitude typical of high nobles… they felt like fools for having been nervous about her visit.

When such a woman said she would hold a banquet for Jace, the Count couple welcomed it with open arms.

There was no reason to refuse when she was spending her own money to hold a banquet in their territory.

The Count, who had been dressed in splendid formal attire to greet the distinguished guests, suddenly remembered that he hadn’t seen Sophia since yesterday and called for the Countess.

“Hey, where is Sophia?”

“Which way? Underground? Upstairs?”

“Upstairs, of course! Don’t you watch your words when there are so many guests?”

At Count Jormon’s threatening tone, the Countess frowned.

“Then you should have said so from the beginning… She’s with the Grand Duchess. The Grand Duchess said she wanted to enter together with our daughter.”

“Hmm, I was worried because she seemed clumsy, but it appears she’s won the Grand Duchess’s favor.”

Isobel, who was acting as Sophia, had never been very bright from the beginning.

Perhaps because of this, no matter how much they educated her, she couldn’t keep up with her clever sister.

The reason they had been pressuring Jace with letters and preventing them from meeting was to keep Jace from noticing Isobel’s changes.

So when Jace came to the mansion, they had been on edge about the two meeting, but they never expected Isobel to win the Grand Duchess’s favor.

Since Jace seemed completely helpless against the Grand Duchess, this was actually a good thing.

Just as he was enjoying a satisfied mood, thinking that the unreliable Isobel had caught a big fish, he saw a middle-aged man in clothes as splendid as Count Jormon’s approaching.

“How long has it been, Count Jormon! It’s been hard to see your face lately, but it’s good to meet on such a joyous occasion.”

“Ha, haha, indeed. Count Borgus.”

House of Count Borgus. A prestigious family that once stood shoulder to shoulder with House of Count Jormon in the past.

Unlike House of Count Jormon, which had fallen due to vanity and incompetence, Count Borgus still lived a wealthy life.

For Count Jormon, Count Borgus was both a thorn in his side and a symbol of his inferiority complex.

Count Jormon gave an awkward nod to Count Borgus, who was patting his shoulder, and guided him inside.

“Hosted by Grand Duchess Layton”

“That’s right. We held the engagement ceremony before, but Grand Duchess Layton insisted she wanted to celebrate.”

“Oh my, how impressive. Hosted by that famous Grand Duchess… House of Count Jormon is truly different!”

Whether he was sincere or not, it was an undeniable achievement, so his shoulders naturally rose with pride.

Even though the rank of Count was high, the Northwestern Region was ultimately treated as countryside by the Western Region.

For a Grand Duchess to personally come to such a place and hold a banquet was a tremendous achievement.

He had already told the invited nobles that his relationship with the Grand Duchess was close, so today at least, he had no reason to bow down to Count Borgus.

After guiding Count Borgus inside, Count Jormon cleared his throat and said.

“Ahem, well then, see you later. I need to go greet more guests.”

“Yes, I’ll enjoy myself well.”

As he went back outside with a satisfied face, this time he saw Baron Milo arriving.

Baron Milo, whose influence had recently grown, drew everyone’s attention just by his appearance.

He walked over, leisurely accepting greetings.

In the past, he would have disliked a lower noble acting so presumptuous, but since they would soon be in-laws, such behavior was welcome.

“You’ve come, Baron Milo!”

Count Jormon welcomed him with open arms.

But somehow, Baron Milo wasn’t wearing his usual smiling face, instead looking at him with a displeased expression.

“It’s been a while, Count.”

“Hehe, yes, I’ve been neglectful for a while even though we’re in-law relations. I’m sorry, I’ve been busy with work lately…”

“…Are we really in-law relations?”

“Huh?”

Count Jormon’s eyes widened, not understanding his words.

Baron Milo looked around with a complicated expression, then sighed, thinking this wasn’t a conversation to have here.

‘Don’t tell me he’s trying to cancel the engagement now?’

An ominous premonition arose at this reaction that was different from usual.

However, a lower noble couldn’t unilaterally break off an engagement.

Unless he had sufficient justification… for example, if he had noticed the true identities of Sophia and Isobel.

‘That can’t be. This is definitely him being stubborn to gain the upper hand.’

Just as he was thinking he should teach Baron Milo his place while guiding him to the banquet hall, that moment.

“Young Master Jace of the Milo Family and Lady Sophia of the Jormon Family are entering.”

From the passage connecting to the mansion inside the banquet hall, Jace and Sophia appeared.

Count Jormon, flustered by their earlier-than-expected appearance, examined their figures.

“…Sophia?”

Soon he was so shocked that he forgot Baron Milo was behind him.

Because the one beside Jace was not Isobel acting as Sophia, but the real Sophia.

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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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