I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 86

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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 86

 

6. Spring, and the Child Left Behind

 

The family spring outing that came after grueling practice surprisingly ended without any incidents.

 

I had worried about being embarrassed by failing to recite poetry or being mocked for my terrible drawing skill, but there were no problems at all.

 

The reason was…

 

‘I heard Mother went to the lake with her reading club, so I changed the outing location!’

 

Mikhail’s thoughtful consideration that we didn’t need to take a boat ride twice, which would have been tedious.

 

‘Due to spring festival planning work, I had to reduce our outing time. I’m sorry, I’ll make up for it later…’

 

And it was thanks to Helene’s unexpected schedule.

 

I told Helene there was absolutely no need for that, and I was able to finish the outing with a much lighter heart.

 

My second spring outing ended with a stroll through an endlessly vast flower field and admiring incomprehensible paintings by unknown artists.

 

Of course, the meeting with my two grandchildren, Minerva and Zeonil, didn’t go so well.

 

‘G-Grandmother?’

 

While Zeonil looked bewildered, anger quickly filled Minerva’s eyes.

 

Since she was a clever child, I could roughly guess how she judged me.

 

‘A new grandmother who has hidden her identity and disrupts the household’s harmony… probably.’

 

Perhaps it would have been better to reveal that I was their grandmother during our first meeting.

 

Even if I were Minerva, I would have been suspicious in such a situation.

 

After that, Minerva intentionally avoided me throughout the outing, but I didn’t feel bad about it.

 

It meant her love for Helene was profound, and that the family relationships were normal.

 

I didn’t want cracks to appear in this harmonious family because of an unwelcome guest like me.

 

‘Of course, I was a bit disappointed when she didn’t make me a flower crown.’

 

I did feel a little jealous when she made a flower crown with her cute little hands and placed it on Helene.

 

I forced myself to ignore it, thinking it was ridiculous for me, a grandmother, to desire something that even Mikhail didn’t receive.

 

Just like that, the spring outing ended in an instant, and I thought I could finally rest a bit, but instead I began to get even busier.

 

It was because of Helene’s plan.

 

‘Spring is the season of socializing. It will be a good experience for Mother as well.’

 

Since she was going to show her face in high society anyway, she seemed determined to make full use of it, organizing and showing me gatherings that would benefit the family house.

 

Ironically, it was almost identical to the list of family houses I had resolved to meet.

 

The problem was that I had to meet all those many family houses within a short period of time.

 

‘It’s not like this is some kind of challenge course….’

 

The plan she recommended was far too packed for me.

 

Wedding celebrations, coming-of-age ceremonies, charity fundraisers, costume room opening celebrations, and so on… Looking at the schedule packed full for an entire month, I felt overwhelmed and sent a pleading look to Mikhail for help.

 

But he just smiled bitterly and trailed off his words.

 

‘Actually, this is considered light, Mother.’

 

‘I really was more comfortable when I could decline invitations from the Main House.’

 

I finally understood why Mikhail and Helene were away from home so often.

 

“Grand Madam, we have arrived.”

 

“Hm? Oh, right.”

 

Lost in thought, I heard Anna’s call and looked up, gazing outside the carriage.

 

Even though it was the middle of the night, I could see a banquet hall shining as brightly as if the sun had risen.

 

This was today’s destination, Baroness Metokan’s banquet hall.

 

‘This is already the third place in just one week.’

 

Watching Anna enthusiastically organize our belongings, I let out a small sigh so she wouldn’t hear.

 

I wrapped myself in the fluffy shawl Anna had chosen, burying my face in it, and stepped out of the carriage.

 

There was no time to continue lamenting my situation as it was already time to enter the banquet hall.

 

‘Creative Baroness Metokan’s presentation, wasn’t it.’

 

I glanced at the strangely shaped laboratory visible behind the banquet hall and started walking.

 

Casually brushing off the servants’ welcoming gestures, I recalled the information I had memorized.

 

Baroness Metokan, she was an outstanding inventor who had earned the nickname ‘creative.’

 

Metokan was an unusual family where only exceptional inventors could inherit the position of head, regardless of gender.

 

And the current head was eccentric but had become incredibly wealthy through her remarkable inventions.

 

For a conservative Western Noble, she was an impressive figure, but….</

 

“Is Baroness Metokan hosting the event alone again today?”

 

“What can you do, when her husband who left two years ago hasn’t returned-”

 

She was also someone who frequently became the subject of gossip.

 

I ignored those who were gossiping maliciously while covering their mouths with fans in the corner and headed toward the center.

 

‘They want to badmouth her but can’t say it directly because she’s wealthy, yet they still want to make their presence known. How tiresome they live.’

 

Still, this was better than the previous gatherings I had attended.

 

This was much more liberating than watching childish plays that praised nobles under the guise of charity fundraising activities, or joining ladies’ gatherings to gossip about tutors.

 

I approached Baroness Metokan, who was greeting guests one by one in the center of the banquet hall.

 

She appeared to be just over forty years old.

 

She was a woman whose intelligent eyes were more striking than her faint wrinkles.

 

With her disheveled hair and worn monocle, she felt like a scientist from a story.

 

“Thank you for inviting me, Baroness Metokan.”

 

“Ah- You must be the Grand Duchess of Layton!”

 

I exchanged formal but ordinary greetings with her.

 

I mentioned that I was looking forward to her presentation, and she complimented the young Grand Duchess’s beauty.

 

‘Her Acting is so obvious.’

 

Baroness Metokan’s expression was awkward to a degree that was difficult to package nicely.

 

It was because of her smile that showed she was forcing herself to do something unpleasant and her artificially raised voice.

 

It was the same not just with me, but when dealing with other people as well.

 

Especially impressive was the crumpled smile she showed to the crowd that approached as if they wanted to get even scraps of benefit.

 

‘How hard it must be.’

 

Since I had satisfied my purpose of attending the announcement by showing my face, I stepped back without further conversation.

 

I was contemplating whether to grab some of the displayed Tea and Refreshments and rest, when Anna carefully whispered to me.

 

“Um, Grand Madam.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Over there…”

 

When I turned my gaze to where Anna was pointing, I spotted a familiar person.

 

In a corner where the lighting didn’t reach well, a woman was standing with her head slightly bowed.

 

Her hair was covering her face like Curtains, but I quickly realized who it was.

 

‘Chloe?’

 

It was Chloe, a member of the Reading Club.

 

‘But why is she standing like that?’

 

She was avoiding people’s gazes as if she had become a wallflower.

 

It wasn’t a sight befitting her as the mistress of a Count’s Household.

 

Feeling unnecessarily worried, I picked up a Plate containing refreshments and approached her.

 

“Miss Chloe.”

 

“…Huh? Grand Duchess?”

 

When she didn’t notice even though I was standing beside her, I called her name to get her attention.

 

Chloe, who discovered me with hazy eyes, hurriedly composed herself.

 

‘There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly wrong.’

 

When I see a child like this, I can’t help but check around her hands and neck.

 

Whether there might be bruises, whether she might have lost weight.

 

Fortunately, there were no particular changes. Only her complexion wasn’t good.

 

“It’s been a while. Is this the first time since the outing?”

 

“Ah, I’m, I’m sorry. For not being able to participate in the Reading Club… I’ve been busy with Household affairs.”

 

“That can happen. It’s fine since we met here at least.”

 

“It’s not that other gatherings take priority over the Grand Duchess’s Reading Club. The overlap was coincidental. So, um…”

 

I had never questioned her about her absence, yet she hurriedly began making excuses.

 

“I wanted to participate in the Reading Club too. But my mother was being a bit demanding.”

 

“Miss Chloe.”

 

“I wasn’t trying to disrespect the Grand Duchess. Really. It was really sudden…”

 

“Chloe.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“It’s okay.”

 

I forcibly pressed the Dessert Plate into her hands.

 

“You can come back whenever you want to return.”

 

“….”

 

“No one attends my Reading Club out of obligation. The same goes for you.”

 

The Reading Club had unclear purposes, and it wasn’t a gathering that would bring political benefits from consistent participation.

 

It would be more helpful to show your face once at a tea party hosted by Helene.

 

I didn’t want to cause stress over such a gathering.

 

It was enough to come and relax comfortably when you had free time.

 

“Here, these are strawberries that Chloe used to like. Try some.”

 

“But….”

 

“Go ahead. You haven’t eaten dinner anyway.”

 

“H-how did you know?”

 

“I can tell just by looking at your face.”

 

It was actually a lie, but since I was right, it didn’t matter.

 

When your nerves are on edge, nothing is as effective as something sweet.

 

Rather than prying into why she was standing here alone, her stability came first.

 

She nodded with teary eyes and picked up her fork.

 

As I patted Chloe who was taking a bite of strawberry, trying to hear her story….

 

“Hm? Who might you be?”

 

A frivolous voice that made me frown interrupted us.

 

I turned my head to look at the owner of the voice.

 

A Man with bright yellow blonde hair that looked dyed had approached and was staring at me.

 

“D-darling….”

 

‘Darling?’

 

The Man ignored Chloe’s call and looked at me with a bright smile.

 

“Ah, you’re the Grand Duchess! I never expected you to be such a young person. It’s my first time meeting you, I’m Count Edwin Tilrim.”

 

It was a cheerful greeting, but I had an intuition as I looked at Chloe who had turned pale with a strawberry in her mouth.

 

Her expression, her anxious eyes, and the unpleasant gaze of the Man looking me over….

 

‘This bastard is a scumbag, isn’t he?’

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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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