I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 248

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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 248 Special Side Story

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One day, the cat noticed that all the food in the house had run out.

To the cat who was crying from hunger, Cat Grandmother said this:

[My grandchild, are you hungry? Grandmother will bring you delicious cake soon.]

The cat acted cute, thanking Grandmother.

But even as time passed, Grandmother didn’t return. Unable to endure the hunger any longer, the cat went outside the house.

What awaited the cat was a fairy with blue wings.

[Where did Grandmother go? Well, I don’t know, but I do know where there’s cake that can fill your belly. Will you follow me?]

After that, the fairy and cat embarked on a long adventure.

They escaped from the Ice Tyrant, conversed with the Princess of the Crying Kingdom who cried every day, then broke through a swamp that showed bad memories.

In the Underground Kingdom they found this way, a large cake—the promised reward—was waiting for the cat.

[Here, this cake is all yours!]

The fairy said. But the cat didn’t touch the cake. Instead, it said this to the fairy:

[Eating alone isn’t tasty. I want to eat with Grandmother.]

[I told you I don’t know where Grandmother is?]

[Then I’ll wait. Since Grandmother also went out to look for cake, if I wait here, she’ll come to this place.]

The innocently smiling cat and the silent fairy.

Eventually, after a long time passed, a familiar voice reached the cat who had fallen into deep sleep from hunger.

[My grandchild, you were here!]

[Grandmother!]

It really was Grandmother who had come looking for cake. Grandmother and the cat shared a joyful reunion, then together shared the large cake…

The puppet show, ‘The Adventure of the Fairy and Cat,’ had content like this.

‘I have no idea what it’s trying to say.’

Helene, who was watching the puppet show, gave up interpreting the fairy tale’s ending (after inserting only Wilhelmina’s voice into her memory).

From Helene’s perspective, this fairy tale was absolutely not a happy ending.

From the beginning, the fairy’s existence was a fantasy, and the adventure story about leaving to find cake was also a dream—that was the most realistic interpretation.

That’s because the scene where Grandmother comes at the end looked no matter how you thought about it like Grandmother who had gone to heaven coming to greet her… a scene of death.

Fairy tales often had their origins in myths and legends, and as a result, the subject matter was often cruel. But there was a message they wanted to convey. However, the problem with this fairy tale was that you couldn’t get any sense of what lesson it wanted to teach.

‘At least it’s fortunate that the children are reacting well.’

This place was an outdoor performance venue in a city. The puppet show seemed to give great enjoyment to the children, as delighted exclamations flowed from various parts of the audience seating.

Setting aside the content, it was thanks to the quite excellent direction and effects.

When facing the Ice Tyrant, cold air would spray out from behind the curtains, or when meeting the Princess of the Crying Kingdom, sounds of wailing could be heard from all directions—they had incorporated three-dimensional effects.

It was probably Wilhelmina’s handiwork.

‘And the one who carried out that direction…’

Helene glanced behind the curtains. He seemed to think he was hiding well enough, but because of his large build, his silhouette was completely visible.

The distinctive red eyes visible between the curtains… It was Duke Rohanos Phil Venice, the head of the Venice family and Wilhelmina’s husband.

Having heard they had a marital quarrel, he seemed to be helping with the stage as a way to offer an apology to Wilhelmina.

To think that he, a war hero and outstanding mage, was wasting his talent on such puppet shows.

“…Hmph.”

Helene snorted.

“Now, there will be a curtain call. Any children who want to dance with the puppets, please come up on stage now….”

The children ran toward the stage.

Having adopted the proper theater format, a quite impressive curtain call began with music.

Puppets dancing on the small stage and children below clumsily moving their bodies along. Wilhelmina’s charity event was coming to a successful conclusion.

‘The satisfaction level among the nobles is… questionable though.’

Helene glanced at the special seating reserved for nobles.

Unlike Helene, who was satisfied just by being able to watch Wilhelmina’s acting, several vain nobles seemed quite displeased with the puppet show.

“Really, we must maintain dignity. For noble ladies to be doing such menial work….”

“Whose idea was this outdoor performance venue anyway? The sunlight is so harsh.”

A proper noble lady’s charity event should have a cozy indoor setting, splendid supporting acts, and an elegant atmosphere.

It was called a charity event, but as long as they collected donations for charitable organizations, the actual content didn’t really matter.

‘It must be unfamiliar to them. But it’s a good way to make a statement.’

Though it seemed strange now, this approach would soon become the standard in time. Judging by the reaction of non-nobles, it was quite effective.

‘At least they’re not openly criticizing Mother.’

Incidentally, she was wearing an outdoor veil today, covering her face and hair.

She knew that if she appeared, the attention that should be focused on the puppet show would be drawn to her instead.

Of course, since she was wearing an outdoor dress, everyone could sense she was of considerable status, but they couldn’t guess she was Helene. They never would have expected Helene to come to such a place.

She had planned to reveal her identity immediately if anyone criticized Wilhelmina, but there was no such opportunity. This level of complaint was perfectly understandable.

‘Should I head back soon?’

After the event, Wilhelmina had said she would enjoy tea and refreshments with the participating members. She had no intention of intruding on that, so she should quietly return.

As she stood up from her seat, one woman in the noble seating caught her eye.

‘…Navy blue hair.’

The reason her gaze was drawn to this woman among so many people was because she had hair color similar to Wilhelmina’s.

To be precise, it was a bit darker than Wilhelmina’s hair, but it wasn’t a color commonly seen in the Western Region.

Was there such a noble lady in this area?

Just as Helene was trying to recall a name, the noble ladies passing in front of the navy-haired woman let out mocking laughter.

“Oh my, Miss Cassius, what unusual shoes you have today. Did you dance in the mud on your way here?”

“I wonder who her partner was?”

“Don’t ask so carelessly, it might sound rude. If there was no partner… Oh my, what a slip.”

“Well, judging by today’s outfit, any suitor would run away before romance could bloom. Perhaps the battlefield was her destination?”

These were the typical, predictable insults commonly seen in social circles.

‘Even at charity events, there are such idle people.’

Helene sighed. No matter how much she preached about the importance of etiquette as a representative of the Western Social Circle, she couldn’t stop such people.

‘The name Cassius… judging by the naming convention, she’s from the Eastern or Southern Region. That’s why her hair color is unusual. Besides, Cassius is definitely a masculine name.’

Also, her outfit was exactly the kind of exotic attire that would draw targeting from groups like those women.

A plain dress with only gold trim around the edges, a long leather belt wrapped three times around her waist, and striking large earrings and gold bracelets.

To those with limited knowledge, it wouldn’t have looked like proper outdoor attire, but Helene’s eyes saw differently.

‘The clothes are simple, but the jewelry isn’t of low quality. The gold ornaments are extravagantly ornate. It looks like ceremonial dress used in the Southern Region.’

Though unfamiliar, it was attire that had been carefully chosen. This meant she was genuinely serious about participating in this event.

Whatever connection that guest had with these ruffians, she couldn’t let them ruin Wilhelmina’s event.

‘I should step in.’

Just as Helene was about to move forward to quell the disturbance.

“How ridiculous. You’re the ones who prepared the mud, aren’t you.”

Cassius spoke up with a venomous voice.

“You had your servant scatter mud in front of my horse, didn’t you? I remember that servant’s face clearly, so don’t try to play dumb. I’ll definitely find him.”

“Wh-what are you saying? What kind of false accusation…”

“If it’s a false accusation, I’ll apologize. Should I even bow to you?”

Instead, she raised her finger and pointed at the leader of the group.

It was a bold gesture, like a hunter marking their prey.

“If that servant is your subordinate, be prepared. I won’t end this with just a simple apology.”

That finger now moved sideways. She was pointing at the person who had insulted her attire.

“And this is precious clothing my younger sister made for me. This bracelet was also made by our grandmother. Unlike you people who follow trends, wearing arsenic-colored tomboy dresses that don’t even suit you, this is traditional clothing on a completely different level of elegance.”

“T-tomboy…”

“Moreover, what did you mutter about the Grand Duchess earlier? Do you know how amazing that person is? Without any understanding of culture, going on about fairy tale interpretations or whatever… The Grand Duchess is a hundred times smarter than you, you know?”

Faced with the torrent of criticism, the ruffians couldn’t bring themselves to open their mouths.

‘What kind of kid is she?’

…And Helene felt the same way.

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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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