I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 241

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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 241

Special Side Story 2. Grandchildren

Wilhelmina would travel back and forth between the Eastern Region’s desert and Venice, bringing all sorts of treasures as gifts to the Layton Duchy.

Since the Eastern Region was such a closed-off area, it was filled with rare treasures that couldn’t be seen in the Capital or Western Region.

The reason Wilhelmina brought gifts every time she returned from Venice was simple.

“I thought the grandchildren would like them.”

She still seemed to enjoy her role as a grandmother.

Thanks to this, her grandchildren, Minerva and Zeonil, eagerly awaited Wilhelmina’s return from Venice. They couldn’t even sleep properly from anticipating what gifts she would bring this time.

Since they had different tastes, their preferred treasures were also varied.

“I really like paintings. That desert painting with moving sand was truly amazing.”

Zeonil particularly loved the desert painting hanging in the Dining Hall.

It was a sand dune painting drawn with magical ink, where the sand moved slightly depending on the viewing angle.

On the other hand, Minerva liked practical treasures.

“How amazing is a fountain pen that makes sounds when you write! You can even sing with it!”

Moreover, Wilhelmina had a good eye for treasures, so the gifts she brought were all equally precious.

For the siblings who were captivated by such treasures, Grandmother’s return became an event more anticipated than birthdays.

Eventually, as the seasons changed, Wilhelmina returned to the Layton Duchy.

“Welcome back, Mother.”

The first to greet her was Helene, the Lady of the House of the Layton Duchy. Though her face remained expressionless as always, her eyes were filled with affection for her Mother-in-law. The same was true for Wilhelmina.

“It’s been a while, Helene. You seem a bit thinner.”

“My weight has never changed.”

“Really? I must be mistaken.”

The two exchanged a brief embrace. Behind Wilhelmina were several attendants who had followed from the Eastern Region, their hands full of boxes and bundles that appeared to be gifts.

Seeing this, Helene frowned slightly.

“I told you that you don’t need to bring so much anymore.”

The storage room was already full of gifts that Wilhelmina had brought over time.

Moreover, knowing that Wilhelmina was struggling in the Eastern Region, she didn’t want to burden her unnecessarily. Wilhelmina smiled softly.

“It’s fine, I do it because I want to. And…”

She looked up and glanced at the siblings who were watching from the railing on the second floor.

“When the grandchildren are that happy, what can I do?”

“…”

Helene let out a short sigh and gestured toward the siblings. It meant they could come down.

“Grandmother!”

Minerva, who had rushed down the stairs in an instant, hugged Wilhelmina. Zeonil, whose steps were slower, approached belatedly. Wilhelmina patted Zeonil’s head with one hand and Minerva’s back with the other, smiling.

“You’ve grown even more while I was away. You’ll be as tall as Grandmother soon, won’t you?”

“Hehe.”

“How long will you stay this time? Will you leave quickly like last time?”

When Zeonil urged her, Wilhelmina nodded and said.

“Well, I’ll be here at least until the season ends… but I have business in the capital, so I probably won’t stay long.”

“Aww-”

“That’s why we should enjoy our time together. Grandmother brought gifts, shall we open them together?”

“Yes!”

Wilhelmina, now accustomed to caring for the children, entered the castle with her grandchildren. Helene let out a short sigh and followed after her.

Unknowingly, Helene’s steps were also light. Like her children, she seemed quite pleased that her mother-in-law had come, though she never showed it.

“Duke Venice didn’t come with you.”

“He’s dealing with some complicated matters too. Why, do you miss him?”

“Not at all. I hope only Mother comes from now on.”

“…Don’t hate him too much.”

Instead, she couldn’t hide her subtle jealousy.

Wilhelmina smiled faintly at her cute daughter-in-law’s complaints.

The next day, Wilhelmina left the castle saying she had business in the capital. The siblings who had been looking forward to playing with their grandmother were a bit disappointed, but soon turned their attention to the gifts she had left behind.

“This gift is amazing too!”

Minerva’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the gifts piled up in the storage room.

Perhaps feeling sorry for not being able to play with them for long, Wilhelmina had put considerable effort into this gift.

It was full of priceless treasures, from magical toys to rare books and ancient paintings.

So much so that when Helene heard the description of the gifts, she sighed and said, “This could buy a castle.”

“Minerva, this mirror changes color depending on the viewing angle.”

“This is even more amazing! It’s ice that never melts!”

The siblings explored every corner of the storage room. They had been too busy with debutante preparations and heir education to play together much lately.

The children enjoyed the pleasant time that had come after so long.

Then, they discovered a strange box in the corner of the storage room.

“Minerva, do you know what this is?”

“No, I’ve never seen it before.”

The box with a snake-like golden handle and painted green didn’t look like a gift meant for children at first glance.

“Did Grandmother give us something like this?”

“Never.”

Minerva firmly denied it.

She remembered all the gifts Wilhelmina had given them, and she had never shown them a box like this.

“Should we open it?”

When Zeonil casually reached his finger toward it, Minerva pulled him back and said.

“No, don’t open it. Grandmother said so too, that magical treasures have tricky activation conditions, so we shouldn’t touch them carelessly. What if it explodes as soon as we open the lid…?”

That’s why Wilhelmina personally explained the function of every treasure whenever she gave gifts. Moreover, all treasures that could cause injury were managed by Helene.

Since dangerous magic might be cast on it, they couldn’t touch it carelessly.

“Th-then should we call Mother?”

Zeonil backed away with a frightened expression.

Minerva pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“Yeah, that sounds good. Let’s stop playing for today and bring the box to Mother.”

Despite being at an age full of curiosity, Minerva and Zeonil showed self-restraint. Knowing that unnecessary mischief could cause trouble for their family, they concluded their precious playtime.

Minerva carefully picked up the box and left the storage room. Zeonil followed behind her.

It was time when Helene would be handling work in her office.

In the past, before meeting Wilhelmina, this would have been a time that absolutely shouldn’t be disturbed, but now it was different. She allowed the siblings to visit whenever they requested.

“Mother.”

“What is it?”

When the siblings entered the office, Helene set aside her work and asked about their business.

Though her tone was still far from affectionate, Minerva knew it contained its own form of love.

“Um, we found this box in the storage room…”

Minerva placed the box on the desk and continued her explanation.

After the explanation ended, Helene muttered quietly so Minerva couldn’t hear.

“Was it secretly inserted? Or it could be a fairy.”

“Mother?”

“…It’s fine, it’s nothing for Minerva to worry about.”

Helene pulled the box toward herself to put it inside her desk. It was to store it separately in case of any potential danger.

But the moment Helene placed her finger on the box, a faint light burst out from between the gaps in the lid. And something inside began pushing up the lid as if forcing it open.

“…!”

Helene reached out to close the box’s lid again, but it was already too late.

As the lid opened, the black smoke that had been contained inside the box instantly filled the entire office.

“M-Mother!”

“Minerva, Zeonil! Come this way!”

To prepare for any dangerous situation that might occur, Helene turned her back to the box and pulled the siblings into her arms.

The black smoke enveloped Helene and the two siblings.

“…!”

The children screamed, but the smoke swallowed even their voices.

Though no pain was felt, Helene, who was knowledgeable in magic, realized what this black smoke was aiming for.

“Spatial transfer magic…!”

It was similar to the magic that Duke Venice, Rohanos, used to employ.

Even knowing its identity, it was already too late to respond.

Before Helene could call for the knights outside, the black smoke swallowed the three people and transported them to an unknown location.

“…”

The three people disappeared just like that. The black smoke also vanished as if its role was complete.

Only silence lingered in the office where all presence had disappeared.

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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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