I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 226

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 226

Wondering if my explanation was too brief, I looked at Rohan and saw that he too had his eyes wide open with a shocked expression.

‘Why are you surprised?’

I thought I had already explained everything, but perhaps there were parts he didn’t understand.

“…Is there another man?”

“Ah, is that what you were curious about?”

I had quoted the literal meaning of the phrase “managing two households,” but it seemed the negative connotation bothered him.

I shook my head and calmed the flustered members.

“Wait, I don’t mean getting married twice. I meant that I’ll be living simultaneously in two places – the Layton Family and the Venice Family.”

“You mean you’ll live traveling between the Eastern and Western Regions?”

“That’s right.”

Baroness Metokan frowned as if finding it strange.

“No matter how fast a horse you ride, it’s a distance that requires at least two months. Moreover, the belligerent Easterners would never tolerate such behavior.”

Though her tone was somewhat sharp, she wasn’t wrong. The East and West already didn’t get along well, as much as they were distant from each other.

If word spread that the Eastern leader’s wife was traveling to the West, it might be seized upon as an act of treason.

‘Besides, I can’t deny the part about them being belligerent either.’

I glanced at Rohan. Upon hearing that I wouldn’t marry twice, he seemed relieved and returned to his expressionless state.

He didn’t seem angry about the insult to the East. That must mean he acknowledged it too.

The story about Eastern nobles being belligerent wasn’t just a rumor.

“The fact that the young Duke is remarrying will surely cause resentment among them. Especially if the partner is the leader of the West, the repercussions would be enormous beyond words. In the midst of that, traveling between two households… between both families would be too dangerous an act.”

Baroness Metokan pointed out realistic problems.

Even in front of Rohan and me, not being intimidated and expressing her convictions was just like her.

“I know. That’s why I plan to get engaged but not reveal it.”

“How does that make sense…”

“Because it won’t be ‘Wilhelmina’ staying at the Venice Ducal House.”

“…What?”

Looking at the dumbfounded members, I slowly explained my plan.

“Rohan and my marriage won’t be revealed to the public. I’ll report it to His Imperial Majesty, but holding the ceremony will be a matter for later.”

“Then what you said about going to the Venice Ducal House…”

“I plan to conceal my identity. I intend to disguise myself as someone other than Wilhelmina.”

In other words, I meant to live as Wilhelmina in the West and as a third party in the East.

Very few people in the East knew my face.

At most, it was a few nobles who had glimpsed me in the Capital, and even they wouldn’t be able to recognize my face changed by dyeing and makeup.

‘Honestly, my face isn’t particularly outstanding either.’

Hadn’t Rohan also traveled between East and West while changing his hair color?

I was simply taking on that role.

“Um, what identity will you disguise yourself as?”

Perhaps because the story was flowing quite like a novel, Ilina asked me with an excited expression.

“Well, first of all…”

I told them about several identities I had thought of.

They were identities that could be prepared immediately and were convenient for hiding my true identity using an air of mystery.

Perhaps those ideas stimulated Ilina’s imagination, as she continued her fantasies with a reddened face.

On the other hand, Chloe, who was beside her, muttered with a worried voice.

“But if you do that, it would sound like the Grand Duchess is giving up her status for marriage.”

At those words, the other members also hardened their expressions.

The status of Grand Duchess of the Layton Family was one of the most prestigious positions on the continent.

My plan could sound like I was giving up my status for marriage with Rohan at first glance.

No matter how good a disguised identity I created, it wouldn’t be as high as Grand Duchess, nor could I receive the same treatment in the Eastern Region.

‘Actually, I was planning to end the discussion of the plan here…’

Knowing that their disappointment was for my sake, I didn’t want to pretend not to notice.

After making a brief resolution in my heart, I continued my explanation.

“It’s okay, someday there will come a time to reveal my identity.”

“Won’t that be difficult? It could escalate into a dispute if things go wrong.”

Baroness Metokan objected again, but this time I firmly denied it.

“I’ll make it so they can’t deny me, so it doesn’t matter.”

All I had to do was create an atmosphere where they couldn’t say anything even when I revealed that I was the Grand Duchess of the Layton Family.

In case someone asked how such a thing was possible, I added my words first.

“It’s not difficult. It’s similar to what I did in the Layton Family.”

“…”

Everyone fell silent.

Now there was no one in the Western Region who would disregard my status.

If I succeeded in the Western Region, which was conservative about origins and status, there was nothing impossible about the Eastern Region.

Moreover, this time Rohan, the Family Head of Venice, was also on my side.

Considering the mother-in-law conflicts with Helene, this level of difficulty wasn’t even that high.

‘But did I seem too overconfident?’

Thinking it was unlike me to say such things, I was about to add something with a slightly embarrassed feeling when the Baroness let out a low sigh and muttered.

“Well, if it’s the Grand Duchess… you would be more than capable of that.”

For some reason, her tone sounded like she had given up on something.

Then Chloe and Ilina also added their comments.

“Now that I hear it, it makes sense. Those people will eventually come to acknowledge the Grand Duchess anyway.”

“That’s right. There will be people like us over there too, and the Grand Duchess will surely embrace them…”

Listening to them, my evaluation seemed too excessive.

At the praise that made my face feel like it would turn red, I unconsciously deflected the topic with a cough.

‘Actually, it’s not something that can be done just by me moving alone.’

The Emperor would create chaos in the Empire on his own, so I planned to take advantage of that opportunity.

But I couldn’t explain that to them.

“Anyway, that’s why I need everyone’s help. While I’m in the Eastern Region, you’ll need to prove my existence in the Western Region.”

I needed people who would coordinate their stories to make it seem like I was still active even when I was away from the Western Region.

She hadn’t been particularly active in outside activities to begin with, but still, if she wasn’t around, unnecessary incidents could occur.

And she couldn’t leave reading social gossip and political situations entirely to Helene, so the members’ help was desperately needed.

The members nodded, saying they would gladly do that much.

“But what about the frequency? Just the travel time alone takes several months…”

“Rohan will help. He has a magic treasure that can travel between the Eastern and Western regions at once.”

“When are you planning to depart? We’d still like to congratulate you on your journey.”

“Probably around winter? The date isn’t certain yet.”

While receiving such trivial questions, Anna cautiously raised her hand and approached.

“Um… then what should I do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Am I staying here?”

Come to think of it, I had forgotten to explain that.

Only then did I realize why Anna and the other servants had been avoiding me with complicated expressions.

They were worried that if I went to live at the Venice Ducal House, they would be left behind here.

“Of course I’ll keep the servants as they are. I plan to spend half the year here, so I have no intention of dismissing anyone. And Anna and Sir Nata…”

I looked directly at the two of them and said.

“I really hope you’ll come with me. Though we’ll have to change your appearances a bit… I need you both. Will you come with me?”

To me, these two were like family who had been with me for a long time.

I could no longer imagine a world without them.

I absolutely didn’t want to lose Anna who indulged my whims and Nata who always drew his sword for me.

I reached out my hands toward the two of them.

Anna, her eyes reddening, slowly approached and answered in a choked voice.

“Of course, I can go anywhere as long as I’m with Grand Madam.”

“…Same here. Even if the place Grand Madam is heading to is hell, I would gladly follow.”

Fortunately, they accepted my proposal.

Even if positions change and status differs, I felt like I had gained the pledge of precious family who wouldn’t leave my side.

I pulled their hands as a sign of gratitude and embraced them both.

“Thank you, I’ll definitely make you happy.”

“…Um.”

Then, Rohan, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, spoke up.

“Since I’m the groom, I think that’s something you should say to me.”

At his serious words, the three of us burst into laughter simultaneously.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————