I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 90

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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 90

 

“Grand Duchess… do you think Mabel succeeded?”

 

‘Perfect.’

 

The fact that she asked for my opinion meant her own judgment had become clouded.

 

If she had been truly confident, she would have awkwardly brushed it off while pretending to agree with my words through that clumsy acting.

 

‘Since she’s so bad at acting, her true feelings are completely transparent.’

 

Looking at that serious expression, it seemed she was thinking of treating this matter seriously.

 

“There isn’t just success and failure. It could be half successful, couldn’t it?”

 

“While you can find meaning in failure, there’s no such thing as incomplete success. An experiment is…”

 

“This isn’t an experiment. There could be other purposes.”

 

Baroness Metokan narrowed her eyes as if she couldn’t guess what I meant.

 

“…Fine. Then Mabel, what was your purpose? Why did you try to use the recital?”

 

The word “use” was quite irritating, but I didn’t bother to interrupt and waited for Mabel’s answer.

 

If my prediction was correct, the reason Mabel brought music and painting was…

 

“I wanted to… make friends.”

 

‘As expected.’

 

I observed Baroness Metokan’s face.

 

Like Mabel’s answer, her expression was also within my expectations.

 

It was a ridiculous expression devoid of any rationality, completely dumbfounded.

 

There’s a fairy tale called ‘Bayaga.’

 

It’s a story about a lonely witch named Bayaga who lives in the forest and leaves to find human friends.

 

The main content involves the incidents that Bayaga experiences while disguised as a human, and each time, Bayaga resolves conflicts with beautiful music and paintings.

 

She was an excellent witch and artist.

 

Due to its popularity, a theme song was even created, and it’s a popular fairy tale that continues to be reprinted.

 

And Mabel had brought Bayaga’s mask and theme song.

 

In other words, Mabel’s purpose was the same as Bayaga’s.

 

‘She wanted to make friends.’

 

If it hadn’t been for the commotion caused by the red dye, someone would have noticed the Bayaga reference and understood Mabel’s intention.

 

“Looking at the intention alone, it’s just a cunning incident caused by a child.”

 

I muttered while looking out at the dark road.

 

In the carriage returning home after finishing the conversation with Baroness Metokan, I leaned my tired body against the chair and sighed at the thought of working overtime again today.

 

Anna, who was arranging her overcoat across from me, tilted her head as if finding it strange.

 

“Why did Miss Mabel choose the recital? It would have been better to go to a peer gathering…”

 

Anna had arrived at the reception room just as the conversation was coming to an end.

 

During the conversation, I had told her to go to the rest room.

 

To organize my thoughts, I informed Anna about the content of my conversation with the baroness.

 

“Something must have happened when she participated in such a gathering. There’s a group called Western Sun that only children participate in.”

 

Minor noble children have many restrictions when it comes to participating in banquets.

 

For noble houses, debutantes take priority, and some conservative families don’t send their children to banquets until they have a fiancée.

 

The gathering prepared for such people was precisely ‘Western Sun’.

 

It was a gathering that only minors who hadn’t debuted in social circles could attend.

 

‘The name is a bit childish, but… I heard it has a long history.’

 

Last month, Mabel attended that gathering for the first time, and afterward suddenly closed her heart and shut herself in her room.

 

“What happened there?”

 

“I don’t know. She kept her mouth shut, and no witnesses came forward either. Whether she was bullied or ostracized.”

 

Western Sun was a traditional gathering that adults couldn’t interfere with carelessly.

 

Since quite a few nobles had gone through that place, unless Mabel opened her mouth, it was impossible for Baroness Metokan to investigate what had happened.

 

Mabel, who had been holed up in her room without revealing the circumstances, came outside after hearing news of the presentation.

 

It was to find friends at the presentation rather than at the Western Sun gathering.

 

“But the presentation isn’t a place to make friends…”

 

“No. There’s probably a reason for it.”

 

Since she’s smart enough to make inventions, there must be circumstances.

 

I didn’t bother asking for the reason, but Baroness Metokan was different.

 

She looked at Mabel with eyes as if viewing some unidentified creature rather than her child.

 

‘I can’t understand. Why did you commit such a meaningless act?’

 

“That… it’s probably not my place to say this, but the Baron is a little…”

 

“Heartless.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I nodded with a bitter smile.

 

Even so, I didn’t expect her to ask her child such a question so openly.

 

In the end, Mabel fell silent again, and the topic of conversation returned to ‘So did Mabel succeed?’

 

I don’t know why they’re so obsessed with success and failure, but anyway, the condition of not scolding if successful remained the same.

 

So I…

 

“You’re inviting Miss Mabel to the reading club.”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

I invited her to the reading club, saying I’d become Mabel’s friend, loud enough for Baroness Metokan to hear.

 

“If she gains Grand Madam as a friend, Miss Mabel’s plan would be successful.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“…”

 

“I know it’s childish… don’t look at me with those eyes.”

 

“Hehehe.”

 

I know it too. That despite boldly picking a fight, the conclusion is extremely childish.

 

‘Since she made a friend, the plan was successful…’

 

I had resolved countless times not to interfere in other people’s family affairs, yet I ended up committing such a childish act.

 

I deliberately ignored Anna, who was looking at me with gentle eyes, and turned my head away.

 

“Did the Baron agree?”

 

“She looked reluctant, but she didn’t deny it.”

 

Of course, she would probably give some lecture about disrupting the presentation, but it seemed it would be less harsh than scolding for failure.

 

For her, there seemed to be no issue more important than failure.

 

‘Other than that, she doesn’t seem too strict.’

 

She disciplined the Butler right in front of me.

 

The punishment was merely a 2-month salary reduction.

 

It was a very light discipline for a Servant who had ruined a family event.

 

“Grand Madam, you anticipated this would happen, didn’t you?”

 

“…Well, yes.”

 

When I noticed Baroness Metokan’s obsession with inventions and that Mabel’s purpose was friendship, it was quite possible to guess what would be the key to unlocking the conversation.

 

As I gave a vague smile and affirmed, Anna suddenly straightened her posture and opened her mouth.

 

“I really love that aspect of Grand Madam.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“When you see someone in trouble, you don’t hesitate to extend a helping hand.”

 

I frowned and looked at Anna again.

 

“It was something I did impulsively. Recognizing Mabel’s painting too, even if it wasn’t me, anyone would have…”

 

“But it was the same with Miss Ilina, wasn’t it? Sir Nata too, and Jane. And now Miss Mabel as well.”

 

“That’s…”

 

“Even knowing there would be no benefit, you sincerely helped them.”

 

I was about to add something, but then closed my mouth.

 

I couldn’t deny that I had impulsively intervened in all the incidents Anna mentioned.

 

‘…I can’t help what I can’t tolerate.’

 

Was it because I had experienced death once?

 

It had become harder than before to ignore unreasonable situations.

 

Should I call it a feeling like ‘a life that will die someday anyway’? Even I think I’ve become somewhat bolder…

 

‘No, this is just an excuse.’

 

There was no point in making excuses to myself about the fact that my personality was stubborn.

 

“I’m so happy to be with such a Grand Madam.”

 

“…”

 

Anna smiled with an incomparably gentle expression.

 

It was a bright smile that could blow away my complicated feelings in an instant.

 

“What’s wrong with being childish? Is being impulsive bad? Grand Madam might call it hypocrisy, but from my perspective being by your side, Grand Madam has always been dazzling.”

 

She placed my neatly folded Overcoat on her lap.

 

And with still kind eyes, she spoke with respect.

 

“Miss Mabel must be grateful too. I saw the Stage as well. Among the screaming Nobles, Grand Madam who suddenly approached and saved Miss Mabel.”

 

“…It was just a simple coincidence.”

 

“No. To the person who was saved, it’s not a coincidence.”

 

Anna continued speaking while counting on her fingers one by one.

 

“Because you read Fairy Tale Books to the Pages, Baya knew fairy tales, understood the Painting, and even noticed Miss Mabel’s purpose, right? …If I were Miss Mabel, I would have been truly happy.”

 

I knew very well how precious a friend who understands your heart without words is to a child.

 

“It was only possible because it’s you, Grand Madam. Miss Mabel must think so too.

 

So—” she said, catching her breath before continuing.

 

“This wouldn’t be unnecessary meddling. It’s not rude either. I wanted to tell you that. …I’m sorry.”

 

Anna bowed her head apologetically, saying she had spoken out of turn.

 

I pretended to fidget with my hair while covering my face with my hand.

 

“…Did I look that worried?”

 

“Grand Madam, when something weighs on your mind, you smile less often.”

 

That was news to me.

 

As I touched my lips, thinking it was a habit I should fix, the Coachman timely announced our arrival at the Castle.

 

Anna and I got out of the Carriage and walked toward the Annex Building.

 

“By the way, Grand Madam.”

 

“Yes?”

 

While I was cooling my flushed face from the excessive praise with the wind, Anna, who was following a step behind, asked.

 

“That incident at Western Sun… are you planning to investigate it?”

 

“…How did you know?”

 

“Because it’s you, Grand Madam.”

 

She looked ready to praise me again, so I deflected with a cough.

 

The gathering called Western Sun had piqued my curiosity too much to just ignore.

 

“But that’s a gathering only Young Masters can attend, isn’t it?”

 

“Right. That’s why I’m thinking of using a special strategy.”

 

“A strategy?”

 

“It’s called Counter-fire Strategy. Do you know it?”

 

I smiled at Anna, who tilted her head as if she didn’t know.

 

This was a genuine smile.

 

“If it’s a Kids’ fight, we can call in our own Little Fighter too.”

 

I hope Mirinai will be happy.

 

Since he’ll get to meet a friend after a long time.

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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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