I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 10

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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 10

In consideration of Ilina, I had dismissed all the attendants who were accompanying me, leaving me to walk alone through the Duke’s estate that I barely knew.

“Hm?”

While looking around, thinking this might be roughly where the garden was, I discovered a small lake. It was a lake at the edge of the garden.

Around the lake was a covered walking path, where a middle-aged man stood quietly gazing at the lake.

‘He’s huge.’

That was the admiration that came to mind upon seeing the man.

The man appeared to be about 2 meters tall, and despite wearing crude formal attire, his build was so thick that it was obvious he was a warrior.

His age seemed to be just over sixty. Grizzled whiskers handsomely adorned his chin.

I immediately realized he was the Margrave. I had never seen such a guest at the banquet either.

I slowly approached him.

‘Hm? There’s one more person.’

Just then, I noticed that the Margrave was in conversation with someone.

The garden had a structure where stairs installed around the large lake connected to the walking path, and another man was standing below those stairs.

‘Was he hidden by the trees so I couldn’t see him? It’s like he suddenly appeared…’

From this position, I couldn’t see below the stairs so I couldn’t be sure, but that man also seemed to have a large stature like the Margrave.

What caught my eye before his height was his unusual clothing.

‘Is that Eastern clothing?’

The clothing had fabric with unusual patterns and colors layered on it, and it seemed to be Eastern clothing that couldn’t be easily seen in the Western Region or the Capital.

As eye-catching as the clothing was the helmet he was wearing.

Thanks to the metal helmet that didn’t match his clothes, as I got closer, the moonlight reflected on the lake bounced off the helmet, creating a strange appearance.

Thanks to the quiet surroundings, just getting a little closer allowed me to start hearing bits of their conversation.

“…Are you really sure you don’t need to meet? You were looking forward to it so much.”

“It’s fine. Now is not the time.”

“Then when? Don’t tell me it’s still because of that strange poetry book?”

“…No.”

“Well, they say people who only read one book are the most frightening… How about getting some counseling? I bought and read that poetry book once, and it seems like it was written by someone completely clueless about romance…”

‘Are they having a consultation about troubles?’

Even from what I could hear, it didn’t seem like the kind of conversation two men with mountain-like builds should be having.

But I couldn’t just pretend I hadn’t heard and turn back since I had business with the Margrave, so I deliberately slowed my steps.

“This whole mess happened because…”

“I don’t want to approach in that way…”

I was standing behind a roadside tree, wondering if I should wait until their conversation ended, when I accidentally stepped on a fallen branch.

The moment a rustling sound was made, both men looked at me.

“Oh…”

The Margrave looked me over once with sharp eyes, then briefly bowed his head in greeting.

“…You must be the Grand Duchess. It’s my first time meeting you. I am Count Isonon.”

“It’s my first time meeting you, I’m Wilhelmina Layton.”

House of Count Isonon. A famous Margrave of the Western Region, and an idol to swordsmen.

Indeed, it wasn’t just empty reputation—I could sense a presence I hadn’t felt from anyone I’d met so far.

If I had met him at the Banquet Hall, I would have been nervous… but the situation was quite strange.

I glanced at the man wearing the helmet.

Just moments ago he had been speaking well, but for some reason he had frozen like a stone statue. He was so rigid I wondered if he was even breathing.

To dispel the awkward atmosphere, I forced myself to offer polite words befitting a Duchess.

“I apologize for not being able to participate in the celebration. I had some business to attend to.”

“I heard about the circumstances. As the person responsible for the banquet, it was something you had to do. I don’t mind.”

His words were short and concise, but his voice carried sincerity.

It was fortunate that the guest of honor had forgiven me.

“Thank you for your understanding. …But who is that person?”

“He’s an acquaintance of mine.”

The Margrave answered quickly to my question, as if he had been waiting for it.

I had naturally expected him to remove his helmet and exchange greetings, so I nodded awkwardly.

The helmeted man still kept his gaze fixed on me without moving a muscle. Since I couldn’t see his face, I had no idea what he was thinking.

‘Does he not want to reveal his identity?’

There was no way a suspicious person could have infiltrated the Duke’s Estate, so it might be better to just ignore it. There was nothing good about getting involved unnecessarily.

I ignored the man’s presence and continued my conversation with the Margrave.

“I heard there’s a drinking gathering.”

“Yes, I don’t drink alcohol myself… but since I was invited, I should go.”

It seemed he had come out to rest briefly, avoiding the drinking party.

There were no attendants passing by near the lake, so it was perfect for a quiet rest.

But it was surprising. In this world’s noble culture, alcohol and tea were inseparable. So there were people who tried to avoid drinking even in places like this.

“Do you dislike alcohol?”

“No… it’s my wife’s recommendation.”

The Margrave cleared his throat with a cough.

‘He’s surprisingly devoted to his wife.’

His expression softened slightly when he mentioned his wife.

Despite his mountain-like build, he seemed to be the type who became weak in front of his wife.

“Then will Your Grace be joining them in the Inner Courtyard?”

“No, I came to see the Count. I came to exchange greetings, but since I’ve met you here… I should head back.”

“His Grace the Duke was looking for you earlier…”

“I can distinguish places where I’m not needed.”

“…I see.”

That gathering would be a meeting of only his closest associates, and I didn’t want to intrude there tactlessly. The one who could participate there wasn’t me, the fake mistress, but Helene.

Whether he understood my situation well, the Margrave returned to his stern expression and nodded.

“…?”

Just then, I saw the helmeted man, who had been standing quietly listening to my words, clench his fists tightly.

The Margrave must have noticed too, as he suddenly wrapped up the conversation.

“Then I hope you have a good evening, Your Grace. I would like to escort you on your way if I could…”

“It’s fine, I can call a servant on the way. I hope you also have a pleasant gathering, Count.”

It was just when I was starting to want to return to the annex building and rest.

I thought I had shown enough courtesy and was about to leave, when the Margrave stopped me as if something had occurred to him.

“Grand Duchess, may I ask you a question for a moment?”

“Yes? Yes. Please go ahead.”

“By any chance, is there a man you had a romantic connection with before?”

What kind of nonsense is this now?

I forcibly suppressed my brow that was about to furrow. Then I tried to politely decline with effort.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not really into married men…”

“What? …No, that’s not it! I love my wife too!”

The Margrave suddenly approached me, asking what I was talking about.

When his large frame approached, I stepped back in surprise for a moment, and he gasped in shock and waved his hands.

Then he quickly turned to look at the man wearing the helmet. Seeing him still standing like a statue, he let out a sigh of relief.

“They said you were an unusual person, and really…”

“Pardon?”

“Just talking to myself. Anyway, you attended the Academy, didn’t you?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

This was when I still couldn’t recall Kim Hana’s memories.

It had become quite hazy like something from long ago, partly because I didn’t have many memorable experiences at the Academy. I was a very quiet student back then.

“Would you believe me if I said there’s someone you met there waiting for you?”

“…”

I slowly caught my breath. Like before, I changed my voice to be as gentle as possible this time too.

“Well, I don’t believe in fortune telling.”

The connection you missed will come back if you perform a ritual.

Isn’t this exactly what they say in those “Do you believe in fortune telling?” scams?

At my words, the Margrave scowled deeply.

“…Don’t mock me.”

I got caught.

I smiled slightly.

To conclude, I had never dated a boyfriend at the Academy. I had about two or three close friends, but we lost contact after graduation.

That was natural since I threw myself into the job market, while they returned to their noble families.

Neither during school nor after graduation was there even a moment of romance like you’d see in teenage dramas.

In the first place, I was more likely to be bullied than anything else, and I wasn’t the type to diligently attend classes either.

“That’s strange. You never confessed either? Then why…”

The Margrave seemed shocked by my explanation.

“Might you be confusing me with someone else?”

“There probably isn’t another person as unusual as you.”

Is this person calling me unusual right now?

I was about to feel slightly offended, but I accepted it calmly as befitting a Grand Duchess.

“You’re talking as if I confessed and got rejected… No, then was it all just his own delusion?”

From what I could gather from his muttering, it seemed the Margrave’s acquaintance had shared love with a woman at the Academy.

But whether that woman mistook me for her, or whether that acquaintance had lied, I couldn’t tell.

“Anyway, I had no such connection.”

“How strange. To think you’ve never even been confessed to.”

“I think it’s strange too. I thought I’d be somewhat popular, but I wasn’t. I was confident about it.”

“…Pardon?”

“Hm?”

“…Ah, yes.”

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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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