I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 91

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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 91

 

‘Mabel, would you like to participate in my reading club?’

 

When Wilhelmina said those words, a joy that felt like it would burst from her chest came over her.

 

Mabel nodded her head so vigorously that her mask rattled.

 

In truth, she wanted to express this feeling with many more words.

 

She wanted to say thank you for helping her, for understanding the secret of the music box and painting, for taking her side.

 

But perhaps because she hadn’t spoken for so long, her mouth had grown stiff.

 

All she could manage was an awkward greeting.

 

‘I’ll… definitely come.’

 

Even so, Wilhelmina seemed to read Mabel’s heart, giving her a wonderful smile and patting her head.

 

After Wilhelmina left, Mabel received a brief scolding from Baroness Metokan.

 

‘If your plan was really to make friends… I have nothing to say. If you’ve built a friendship with the Grand Duchess, it’s nothing short of a success.’

 

She wanted to say that wasn’t it, that it wasn’t a success because she became friends with the Grand Duchess, but that she was fortunate it was Wilhelmina, but she couldn’t express it with her limited speaking skills.

 

Besides, she didn’t ask.

 

She never asked ‘Why did you choose the presentation?’ – she never asked for the reason until the end.

 

If the plan succeeded, that was enough.

 

There was no warm-hearted scolding, no proud praise.

 

‘You’re a child I can’t understand.’

 

She only left behind an impression as if looking at some unfamiliar creature.

 

But Mabel didn’t give up.

 

She thought that if she showed an even more amazing invention than before, she would look at her.

 

‘Mother only has me.’

 

I’m the only family left.

 

To become her proud daughter, Mabel could take on any challenge.

 

‘There’s a gathering called Western Sun. An invitation just came, so go and build connections.’

 

Making friends.

 

‘This circuit would be difficult for you to understand. Study more and then try.’

 

Becoming smart, and…

 

‘From now on, our family is just the two of us. Forget that man.’

 

Becoming her confidant.

 

‘If I fulfill all of Mother’s wishes, she won’t abandon me.’

 

Mabel recalled the final moments of the man who had been her father.

 

That man who had left her mother, cruel in his ordinariness.

 

* * *

 

To announce that Mabel would be joining the reading club, I told the members to come earlier than the scheduled time.

 

This was the first time we were adding a member to the reading club since Rohan, so I needed to explain the situation.

 

Jane and Rohan, the Baroness and Ilina, and Chloe gathered in the study.

 

I briefly introduced the circumstances that led to inviting Mabel to the members who were quietly waiting for my words.

 

“There was an incident at the Metokan Baron House’s presentation.”

 

I kept unnecessary details to a minimum, as adding more might sound like boasting.

 

I finished explaining that Baroness Metokan had asked me to look after Mabel.

 

“….”

 

But their reaction was quite strange.

 

Chloe and Ilina quietly looked at each other, the Baroness savored her tea with a pleased expression, and Jane wore a faint smile whose meaning I couldn’t fathom.

 

I had expected at least an acknowledgment, but silence continued.

 

“Everyone, what’s wrong?”

 

“Oh, it’s just….”

 

Ilina let out a giggle.

 

“It’s just so typical of the Grand Duchess.”

 

Not understanding what she meant by ‘typical,’ I narrowed my eyes and looked at her, when Jane beside her chimed in agreement.

 

“Well, I can imagine what kind of situation it was.”

 

“Even though the Grand Duchess says it happened unavoidably, hmm….”

 

“There wasn’t really a particular reason for us either, was there?”

 

“That’s right, isn’t it?”

 

Ilina and Jane, who had grown remarkably close since last spring’s outing, nodded at each other saying “Exactly-”

 

The two seemed to have formed some understanding I wasn’t privy to, as they always got along so well whenever such topics came up.

 

‘Besides, the way these two talk….’

 

They’re just like Anna.

 

I cleared my throat and turned my gaze away to avoid accidentally making eye contact with Anna, who was preparing the tea and refreshments.

 

I had a feeling she might be looking at me with those burdensome eyes like last time.

 

“Anyway, from now on Mabel will also participate in the reading club. We’ll occasionally include fairy tales in our book selections from now on, so please keep that in mind.”

 

“Yes-”

 

Ilina answered in a bright voice, but Jane asked with a worried tone.

 

“But will it be alright? Mabel is so young… she might feel uncomfortable around us.”

 

It was a valid concern.

 

No matter how smart Mabel was, a reading club with only adults wouldn’t be comfortable for her.

 

“That’s right. So except when we’re exchanging reading impressions, I’m planning to place a page boy by Mabel’s side.”

 

But in our mansion, there was one page boy who was more capable than anyone at opening a child’s heart.

 

I was confident that with that child who could even melt away the thunder brat’s arrogance, Mabel would be able to enjoy the reading club more.

 

“Ah, that child named Mirinai…”

 

The Baroness, who had figured out who I meant, let out a bitter smile.

 

Mirinai, who had made Jace completely smitten, would be Mabel’s partner.

 

‘Besides, I’d like to hear about what happened at that Western Sun gathering.’

 

Considering that she hadn’t told even Baron Metokan or the servants about it, it might be difficult to hear the details from Mabel.

 

Since Mabel might want to forget about it as it was, I had no intention of digging deeper than that.

 

Then Ilina began discussing with Chloe about how best to welcome Mabel.

 

As I watched them, I recalled the incident that had occurred at the recital.

 

‘Chloe… it seems she really has no intention of bringing up that topic.’

 

The unsettling atmosphere between Chloe and her husband was suspicious.

 

I would have liked to have a private conversation with her, but she was consciously keeping her distance from me.

 

If she didn’t want to talk about it, I couldn’t rashly bring it up either.

 

‘Maybe I should just tell her that she can open up to me anytime later.’

 

It had already been well over three months since we started the reading club.

 

Since the reading club that had started around New Year’s had continued into spring, this was the longest friendship I’d had since beginning to live as Wilhelmina.

 

Since I cared about them, I wanted to at least listen to their troubles.

 

‘Once you start suffering from family problems, you can’t see any way out.’

 

…Was it my imagination that I could see the image of that student from the past overlapping?

 

While I was lost in these various thoughts, Anna approached.

 

“Grand Madam, Miss Mabel has arrived.”

 

“Ah, I see.”

 

After telling Anna to guide Mabel to the study, I stood up from my seat.

 

I told the members to remain seated, then approached the door.

 

“Welcome.”

 

“Thank you for inviting me.”

 

The door opened, and Mabel entered the study with a polite greeting.

 

Mabel’s face without the mask was surprisingly lovely.

 

Her light brown hair braided cutely, round cheeks beneath it, sparkling bright eyes, and small lips… it was like looking at a doll.

 

I could hear Ilina behind me exclaiming “Oh my goodness-” in admiration.

 

“This is… a return gift that Mother sent.”

 

“Hm? A return gift?”

 

When Mabel looked at the butler beside her, the butler handed me the box he was carrying.

 

It was a round wooden box carved with sophistication.

 

Only after opening it could I identify what it was.

 

“It’s a music box.”

 

It was the disc music box that Baron Metokan had presented at the recital.

 

A disc crafted with such delicate workmanship that it was hard to imagine it belonged to this era was packaged together with it.

 

‘A thank you gift for helping at the recital. Even though I said it wasn’t necessary….’

 

Baroness Metokan was as calculating as she was rational.

 

“Please tell your mother I’m grateful.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Now, would you come this way? I’ll introduce you to the Reading Club members.”

 

I gestured toward the members who were welcoming Mabel.

 

Mabel took a deep breath as if steeling herself for something, then nodded.

 

“It’s nice to… meet you all. I’m Mabel Metokan.”

 

The Reading Club began with the new member.

 

The Reading Club proceeded without incident.

 

Thanks to Ilina livening up the atmosphere, Mabel seemed to adapt quickly.

 

Mabel was still quiet, but she didn’t look unhappy.

 

As the Reading Club was ending, Mabel said she wanted to stay a bit longer.

 

It seemed she had something to say to me, so I saw off the other members and went for a walk in the Garden.

 

Mirinai, who had quickly become close to Mabel, was by her side, while the Butler followed a step behind.

 

“So, Miss Mabel can make music boxes too?”

 

“Yes, but I lack the strength for Metal Crafting, so I have to use Magic Treasure. That’s why it took a whole month to make.”

 

“That’s amazing-”

 

Fortunately, Mabel had no reservations about talking with the Page Boy.

 

The Butler looked a bit troubled, but seeing Mabel’s bright expression, he quietly stayed by her side.

 

‘It’s different from Jace’s situation, so I did teach him to use formal speech.’

 

But Mabel herself had requested that Mirinai speak casually to her.

 

When Mabel said ‘I don’t want that here,’ Mirinai smiled cheerfully and said he understood.

 

While watching the two get along well, I noticed that Mirinai’s free time was about to end.

 

“Mirinai, it’s almost 5 o’clock.”

 

“Yes- I’ll head back.”

 

Mirinai promised to see Mabel next time and ran off toward the Annex Building.

 

“Where is he going?”

 

“His break time is over. Mirinai has things he needs to do too.”

 

I had said he could rest today, but Mirinai refused, saying that wouldn’t be right.

 

His reason was that he’d feel sorry toward Mabel if he thought of this as work.

 

“Things he needs to do….”

 

Mabel muttered blankly while watching Mirinai leave.

 

Then after being lost in thought for a while, she finally opened her eyes wide as if she had made up her mind and looked at me.

 

“Grand Duchess, there’s something I want to… ask you.”

 

“Yes, what is it?”

 

Mabel had seemed like she had something to say to me all along.

 

I was thinking I should answer any question honestly when… Mabel brought up a topic I never expected.

 

“How do you… get a boyfriend?”

 

“…Huh?”

 

“How does love begin?”

 

Feeling as if I’d heard something like ‘Teacher, forget the lessons and tell us about first love instead-‘, I unconsciously stumbled.

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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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