I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 224
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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 224
“…It’s already over. They were arrested too, and the child I was trying to save is safe, so don’t worry about it. Same goes for Helene and Rohan. There’s nothing we can do about people who are already dead.”
“The knight who threatened Mother is still alive though.”
“The Margrave will handle it.”
When I threatened that I would get angry if they said more, the atmosphere among the three gradually settled down.
I sighed and took a sip of the slightly cooled tea before continuing.
“Anyway, there are two reasons why I told you my secret. First, I didn’t like hiding it by myself while knowing all of your secrets…”
I glanced toward the door. It was to check if there were any attendants nearby.
Then Rohan said quietly.
“No one’s there. You can continue.”
“Thank you. …Second, it’s because of the changes in this world.”
“Changes?”
“Yes, it’s time for the Empire’s structure and culture to change. If you go against this flow, even you won’t be safe.”
This world was a fantasy country to me, but that didn’t mean it lacked reality.
The world was beginning to be turbulent.
I couldn’t predict whether the noticeable changes would come in 10 years or 100 years, but at least living like before was impossible.
Helene, who had heard the earlier conversation with the Emperor, sensed the weight of the story and hardened her expression.
“So I want you to settle into the world in the safest way possible. I’m thinking of lending you my knowledge for that time.”
“The wisdom of another world?”
“It’s not enough to be called wisdom, but I do have history memorized. That world has gone through all kinds of revolutions too.”
Even if I didn’t know the details, I knew the general history.
These three are much smarter than me, so even if I just tell them that much, they’ll accept it in their own way.
I don’t think the modern world is superior to this world, but it was certain that it was at least one of the future possibilities.
If it’s them, they can read that possibility and create a new future.
“Changes in social systems are inevitable. Rather, it’s amazing that this Empire has been maintained until now.”
“The Peon Empire is in the greatest golden age in history though.”
“That’s exactly why it’s more problematic. When people are full, they want to sit, and when they sit, they want to lie down.”
The causes of institutional revolution are usually two things.
Either one side monopolizes wealth and discontent over the wealth gap spreads, or new ideas are injected from outside and the public realizes the irrationality.
In other words, the main issues are wealth and ideology.
Even with differences in timing, these two things often merge together and spread into revolution.
‘Well, there’s also technological advancement, immigration, and leader dissatisfaction… but I’ll think about that later.’
Therefore, the current Peon Empire was in a very precarious state.
An Emperor trying to overturn the class system and discrimination without any guiding prophet.
The growing wealth gap while enjoying a golden age.
Military nobles who rose through ability rather than long bloodlines, the absence of external enemies to divert public attention.
And most of all…
“…!”
Mikhail and Helene’s eyes widened simultaneously. Despite the brief explanation, they seemed to have realized something.
Currently, Mikhail still had the curse remaining.
The brutal curse that could control humans through words had been a great force in supporting the Layton Family’s power.
Though it had the drawback of destroying one’s mind as the power grew stronger, in this era, military force and power were more important for leaders than personality anyway.
Removing such a curse meant that the Layton Family’s overwhelming power would also disappear.
‘The conservative Western Nobles deified the Layton Family because of the curse too.’
The justification of being descendants of the Winter Queen, that is, the fairy Titania, resembled the modern divine right of kings.
Though there was no religious order in this region, to the nobles, Duke Layton must have been a living mystery.
While they could hide the disappearance of the curse during Mikhail’s generation, eventually they would find out as time passed.
The truth that the Layton Family were ultimately ordinary humans too.
“Moreover, there’s no guarantee that Mikhail’s descendants will always be outstanding. The Emperor will drastically reform noble culture, so ordinary nobles will find it hard to survive the times.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Zeonil and Minerva, but still, I had to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Mikhail and Helene nodded side by side, seeming to understand my words.
“You mean we should borrow Mother’s wisdom for the future.”
“I told you, it’s not wisdom or anything like that. I’m just telling you what happened in our world. It’s up to you to use that information to prepare.”
“Isn’t there a future where we continue the current system?”
I shook my head at Mikhail’s question.
“No. The world changes. That’s not something we can stop.”
This was my conviction as a modern person.
Even in a world with mystery and fantasy, not everyone lived satisfied with the present.
Just look at the nobles who suffered from inequality and prejudice. People who try to correct injustice will inevitably appear.
In that sense, the Emperor was no different from a person chosen by the times.
And when someone like the Emperor appears, bloody conflicts inevitably follow.
‘At this rate, it’s a foregone conclusion that the Layton Family will suffer losses. I want to prevent that at least.’
It was a selfish story. If I truly cared about equality, I shouldn’t be taking the nobles’ side but should be working to change the world like the Emperor.
Though I agreed with the future the Emperor dreamed of, what was more important was the freedom of our family and myself.
Understanding my feelings, Helene sighed and spoke.
“I understand. So that’s why you revealed your secret to us.”
“Yes, it wouldn’t be convincing if I suddenly started talking about the future.”
“I won’t doubt Mother’s words, but… anyway, I understand.”
Fortunately, all three accepted my opinion without much difficulty.
I didn’t know about Mikhail and Rohan, but I thought Helene might have resistance to such a future, so I was relieved.
‘Now I’m finally feeling the fatigue from the journey. I’m sleepy.’
I rubbed my eyes while watching the son and daughter-in-law having a serious conversation. I wanted to go to bed and sleep right away.
Rohan seemed to notice my condition and slowly approached.
“Are you going back to the annex building?”
“Yes, since our business is finished.”
“I’ll escort you.”
It felt strange, like he was taking me to his own home.
Well, Rohan had been coming and going to the annex building like it was his own home all this time, so it was natural for him to be familiar with it.
As I was about to grab his hand and stand up, Mikhail spoke as if something had suddenly occurred to him.
“Did you two make up?”
“Make up?”
“You had a fight because of Mother’s memories, right? You suddenly seem to be getting along well.”
“…Ah.”
Come to think of it, I had talked about my past, but I hadn’t mentioned what happened with Rohan.
Worried that the explanation would be too long, I had only mentioned that Rohan, who I had dated in the past, had erased his memories for my sake.
Since there was so much to explain, I had completely forgotten about exchanging rings at the Academy.
‘Come to think of it, Helene had asked what kind of conversation we had at the Academy. I should tell her about it now.’
I had missed the timing to tell her because I was in a hurry to return to Layton Territory.
Tired from sleepiness, I answered in a nonchalant tone.
“We decided to get married.”
At that moment, a storm swept through the reception room once again.
“What?”
“What?”
…Helene, “what” is informal speech, dear.
“Wait… there, sit down there. Mother.”
“Helene, I’m sleepy now. This conversation can wait until tomorrow…”
“Tomorrow my foot, sit down. Duke Venice, you sit down too.”
Now she’s even speaking informally to the Duke.
I tried to stop her, thinking this might lead to a family feud, but Mikhail, who had approached at some point, pushed our backs toward the chairs again.
“If you’re sleepy, I’ll have someone bring coffee. Let’s talk first.”
“Mikhail, this isn’t urgent.”
“No? It is urgent? This is the second most urgent moment of my life.”
“What was the first?”
“When I proposed to Helene. I almost got strangled to death then.”
What’s that about? That’s a story I really want to hear.
My sleepiness gone, I looked at Mikhail’s face, curious about the rest of the story, and immediately froze.
Mikhail was smiling as usual. However, his eyes weren’t smiling.
When a handsome man who looked like he belonged in fairy tales acted like this, it was like watching a horror movie.
“Sit down, Mother.”
“Uh, uhh…”
It seemed there was still much to do before I could take my afternoon nap.
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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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