I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 209

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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 209

The fact that Wilhelmina had skillfully deceived them all this time only added to the misunderstanding.

Since he was the type who couldn’t even conceive of sharing love with a commoner, his mind was filled with the thought that all of this was Wilhelmina’s fault.

‘Wait, that’s not the problem! If Sophia is the one demanding the broken engagement, there’s no justification to reverse it!’

He had only thought about stopping the Baron’s family from demanding a broken engagement, never dreaming that this side would declare it first.

He needed to silence Sophia immediately and make her retract her decision.

But Wilhelmina was faster than that.

“I support Sophia’s decision.”

She stood beside Sophia along with Isobel.

And with a deeply sympathetic expression, she looked around at the surroundings.

It was a natural acting performance designed to gather attention.

“I’ve noticed something while being in charge of Jace’s education. This child has begun true love.”

‘It didn’t begin, you planned it that way!’

Count Jormon shouted inwardly with widened eyes.

“On the other hand, Miss Sophia has always been a child who dreamed of being a scholar. For these two, engagement is nothing but shackles. That’s why I decided to listen to these two children’s hopes and help them.”

It was sophistry.

Many nobles wondered why she was interfering in another family’s engagement just because she had been a private tutor once, and what was so pitiful about something everyone goes through, but…

“Haven’t you all thought about it at least once? Those childhood days when you dreamed innocent dreams? Don’t you have regrets thinking ‘if only I had more confidence then, if only I had confessed first’? Adults with such experiences should help these children.”

When a high-ranking noble says something, it soon becomes accepted doctrine.

Moreover, since it was an emotional reason, there was no particular justification to criticize it. The justification of ‘for the sake of love’ was enough to gain sympathy.

‘Acting like her head is full of flowers again!’

Meanwhile, Count Jormon, seeing that sight, felt anger rising at Wilhelmina’s shamelessness.

Now that he knew she was actually more cunning than anyone, those words were nothing more than acting to deceive the public.

She was pretending to be a noble lady who knew nothing about politics and was raised in a greenhouse.

Considering her background, one would quickly realize that couldn’t be true, but there was no one here who thought that deeply.

“H-honey, what should we do?”

The Countess, who had approached at some point, asked Count Jormon urgently.

She had stepped back thinking her husband would handle it, but somehow the situation was spreading in a direction they couldn’t control.

“Without Baron Milo’s house, next year’s taxes will immediately…”

“Shut up! Who doesn’t know that!”

Count Jormon shouted angrily, but it had the opposite effect.

The surrounding nobles who saw this realized that the sword hilt had passed to Wilhelmina.

“Right, they’re still young, it’s too early to give up on dreams.”

“Well, besides, Baron Milo’s house was too good for them anyway.”

Whether Count Jormon wanted it or not, this gathering had already filled with support for Sophia.

Finally, his rationality about maintaining dignity crumbled.

“Grand Duchess!”

Count Jormon pushed through the crowd and stood before Wilhelmina.

“I can’t tolerate this any longer! No matter if you’re the Grand Duchess, I cannot accept such interference in our family’s affairs!”

“Oh my… Count, aren’t you going to bless the future of these two children?”

“Blessing or not, this is overstepping your authority! To do such ridiculous things at someone else’s banquet… I do not agree to breaking the engagement. And Sophia, you!”

He pointed accusingly at Sophia, but the child who would normally cower in fear didn’t even flinch today.

Count Jormon was momentarily flustered by her reaction, but soon regained his anger.

“Don’t you know how much trouble our family will face if you act like this! Cancel that ridiculous declaration right now!”

“…I refuse.”

“What did you say?”

“I won’t be confined to this mansion anymore. If that’s what it takes, I’ll give up anything.”

“How dare you…!”

No matter that Wilhelmina was backing her, defying the family head was unforgivable.

As Count Jormon lost his reason and clenched his fist, approaching Sophia, Jace stepped in to block him.

“Ugh… Move aside!”

“Cool your temper. Making more of a scene won’t do you any good.”

“What? This little brat…!”

Just as he was about to call for soldiers due to the outrageous rudeness, Wilhelmina spoke in a nonchalant voice.

“That’s right, for the sake of the family, it should be you who changes your mind, Count, not Miss Sophia.”

Wilhelmina turned her head to look at Baron Milo, who was still in a dazed state.

As if he had received something from Wilhelmina, he cleared his throat and stepped forward.

“I’m sorry, Count. Having heard Jace’s true feelings, I have no intention of pursuing a re-engagement. Unfortunately, our relationship ends here.”

“Are you saying you’ll break your promise now! I gave you the Count’s family genealogy…!”

“Ahem! Anyway, there will be no future dealings with the Jormon County!”

As he was about to mention their secret deal, Baron Milo hastily cleared his throat and silenced him.

In an instant, he had lost both wealth and trust.

No matter how angry he was, he couldn’t attack Wilhelmina, so Count Jormon’s displaced hatred turned toward his two daughters.

‘How dare they defy their father…!’

If left alone, it was obvious he would resume his abuse, but Wilhelmina wasn’t one to stand by and watch.

“It’s alright, Count. Since I’ve caused you trouble, I’ll help you in return.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Miss Sophia has decided to become a scholar, but Miss Isobel is different, isn’t she?”

“…!”

Count Jormon quickly understood her meaning.

“I’ll arrange Miss Isobel’s engagement myself.”

“Y-yes. I want to go with the Grand Duchess.”

Isobel, who had maintained silence until now, also chimed in with Wilhelmina.

Having the Grand Duchess of a ducal house arrange a marriage was an unparalleled opportunity for countryside nobles.

Count Jormon hurriedly searched for the Countess in the crowd.

The Countess nodded vigorously, telling him to accept.

The surrounding nobles were watching them with fascinated eyes, but given how things had turned out, he had to prioritize practical benefits over dignity.

“A-ahem! Even if you are the Grand Duchess, after committing such discourtesy, I cannot ask you to arrange a marriage…”

First, to at least seize the initiative, he tried to pretend to refuse, but Wilhelmina approached him as if she had anticipated this and whispered in a low voice.

“It’s alright, Count, because you have no choice but to accept.”

“What?”

“Well, of course, you’ve already written the contract, haven’t you? The contract about bringing in a ‘son-in-law.'”

At that moment, Count Jormon’s face turned deathly pale.

The son-in-law, and that child Gideon, whom Wilhelmina had lied about bringing by chance.

‘As expected, she knew about the contract too…’

Then there was no chance of winning this verbal battle from the beginning.

It meant she already knew all of their most despicable shame and secrets.

“Gideon is a good child. Just like Jace.”

In other words, he was an obedient subordinate like Jace, whom she had trained.

“That child will surely be able to protect the Jormon County well.”

It meant she would plant Gideon in the Count’s house and manipulate from behind.

“And I too will provide maximum support if the Count accepts Gideon. Just like Baron Milo did.”

Adding emphasis that to fill Baron Milo’s vacant position, he must cooperate with her.

“Surely the Count wouldn’t break the contract, would he? The family seal of Jormon County is clearly stamped on it.”

The whip of threat…

“Ah, of course Isobel seems to lack some education, so I’ll take charge of educating her until she becomes a lady. My annex building happens to be short of maids.”

She even offered the carrot of being able to become a maid at the Duke’s estate.

His legs felt buried in a swamp, unable to move.

Both arms were tied, even his mouth to scream was sealed, and he was sinking helplessly.

He couldn’t escape from this trap.

From the moment the banquet was held according to her words and numerous nobles became witnesses to this disaster, the exit to escape had disappeared.

“…I understand.”

The best method he could choose was to fumblingly accept her proposal.

If he rebelled against her here, he didn’t know what kind of scheme would come next.

The shame of imprisoning Sophia underground? The humiliation of buying a son-in-law with money? Or the numerous corruptions and crimes committed before that?

As long as he didn’t know how much she knew or what means she had prepared, bowing his head was the best option.

“Thank you, Count. As expected, you are wise.”

Wilhelmina’s laughter extinguished his anger like a snake.

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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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