I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 11

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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 11

I don’t understand why he’s staring with such wide eyes like he’s looking at some exotic animal.

Is it so strange that I said I wanted to seem popular too?

The Margrave shook his head briefly, thinking ‘What a peculiar person indeed.’

I too dreamed during my adolescence that entering the Academy would unfold a rosy campus life.

But what actually unfolded was a brutal academic existence.

That place was an arid desert of learning where you couldn’t even feel things like high society or noble status.

Of course, since I never focused on academics after enrollment, the word ‘hardship’ didn’t really fit.

‘If I had known I’d end up like this, I would have studied harder.’

Who would have thought I’d personally relate to the stories I used to tell when I was an Academy teacher. If I had recalled my past life while still enrolled, my situation would be better than it is now.

In the end, my conversation with the Margrave concluded without substance.

He returned to the garden with a displeased expression, saying he understood.

The Helmeted Man did catch my eye, but since he didn’t seem inclined to talk, I left with peace of mind.

‘It seemed like he was constantly observing me… Am I that fascinating?’

Well, I suppose I would have done the same if I were an outsider. A mother-in-law younger than her daughter-in-law – wouldn’t anyone watch thinking this was like a morning drama setting? That man probably felt similarly.

“Hm?”

And when I arrived in front of the Annex Building, I discovered two people crouched in front of the door. They were Anna, my maid, and Mirinai, my page boy.

“What are you doing there?”

“Ah! My lady!”

Mirinai jumped up from his spot and ran to me. I hugged Mirinai who had spread his arms wide, while casting my gaze toward Anna.

“Did you come alone? How dangerous…”

“It’s inside the castle, what’s the big deal. Why were you two here?”

Anna shouldn’t have worked night shifts since becoming my attendant. Her work hours had long since ended.

“We were worried about when you would return, my lady.”

Mirinai, whom I was holding in my arms, glanced at Anna who was laughing with a “hehe” and said.

“Sister Anna said you might get hurt, my lady.”

“Mirinai!”

Anna quickly pulled Mirinai from my arms. Then she pinched his cheek and scolded him in a small voice, asking when she had ever said such a thing.

‘Ah, she thought I might be ignored.’

Anna was among the attendants who knew the Duke’s Estate affairs well.

She was the one who had several friends working at the Main House and would quietly inform me of rumors from that side.

Since she would also know something about the rumors concerning me, she must have been anxious about whether something might happen at the celebration.

‘What a good child.’

Seeing her worry about me when I hadn’t really done anything special for her, I felt anew that I was fortunate to have Anna as my attendant.

It couldn’t be easy working with a willful superior like me.

“Thank you, Anna. Don’t worry. Nothing happened.”

“Oh… What a relief!”

Anna, who had been scolding Mirinai, let out a sigh of relief.

Mirinai, who had escaped from Anna’s hands, came back to my side again and gripped my hand tightly. His hand was cold, probably from waiting outside.

“Did Mirinai wait together too?”

“Yes, I heard that Madam was going out today.”

Well, the Annex Building had been quite noisy about my first outing. Though the Page Boy had nothing to do, he must have been curious about what was happening.

“Madam, you’re really beautiful today.”

“Really?”

The Evening Dress sent from the Main House was so beautiful that it was difficult to praise with my poor vocabulary.

The dress, which formed a gradient in dark colors matching my hair color, was so luxurious that just one of the attached jewels would probably be worth a year of my past salary.

‘Helene did put some thought into it.’

Though she probably didn’t approve of me, seeing how she prepared clothes befitting the status of a Grand Duchess, I could feel her pride in the family.

“This dress is pretty.”

“No, Madam is beautiful.”

“…Me?”

“Yes, more than the clothes, Madam is the most beautiful. You’re like a star in the night sky.”

That’s quite a grateful thing to say. I couldn’t help but smile at Mirinai’s sincere compliment.

“I should give a reward to Mirinai for such a cute compliment. I’m cold from being outside, so let’s go in and have a cup of warm milk before bed. Anna, sorry but…”

“Yes, I’ll prepare it.”

“Three cups. Anna, let’s drink together too.”

“Yes!”

I walked into the Annex Building with Anna and Mirinai.

The Banquet Hall where the celebration was held was splendid, and the Castle beside it was also magnificent, but… home was still the best.

* * *

After Wilhelmina left, two men stood side by side on a corner Walking Path in the Garden without even lighting.

The Margrave spoke to the helmeted man who had followed him.

“…Were you nervous?”

“Yes.”

At the refreshingly honest answer, the Margrave let out a hollow, frustrated sigh.

Thinking that there were few people in this world who could make this man nervous, he couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

A man who didn’t get nervous even in front of hundreds of enemy soldiers couldn’t even breathe properly in front of one woman.

If his subordinates had heard this, they would have dismissed it as a lie.

“Why didn’t you take off your Helmet and exchange greetings?”

“I didn’t want this kind of meeting.”

“Huh.”

Should he call it stubbornness, or say his devotion was excessive?

The Margrave looked toward the Annex Building where Wilhelmina had gone with a complicated expression.

For someone the man felt guilty about, Wilhelmina seemed to be doing well.

‘She didn’t show any signs of being tired from mother-in-law conflicts.’

Rather, she was confident as if she were the master of the house.

“I’m supporting you as much as I’m indebted to you, but… don’t overdo it. You can’t be away from your position for too long.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

The man confirmed there was no one around and slowly removed his helmet. The Margrave’s brow furrowed at the somehow mismatched brown hair and eyes.

“Jake would be very disappointed if he saw this.”

“It was unavoidable for infiltration.”

A man who had every right to be confident in his appearance was deliberately making himself look like a bandit – it was enough to make one sigh.

Looking at the shaggy hair that concealed his intelligent eyes, the Margrave shook his head.

“So what will you do now? I’m planning to go meet Duke Layton.”

“I’ll return. I came to congratulate the Count, not to cause discord in the family.”

‘…Duke Layton probably wouldn’t think that way though.’

While the man’s concerns were valid, Mikhail wasn’t as serious a person as he thought. Rather, if he revealed his identity, wouldn’t Mikhail welcome him with open arms, saying he was glad he came?

“An escort…”

“Is unnecessary.”

“Understood. Then take care.”

Though he would have liked to share drinks with the man, knowing it wasn’t the situation for that, the Margrave offered his farewell without regret.

The Margrave saluted first, and the man waved to acknowledge it, then headed toward the opposite walking path.

“Oh, and Count.”

“Hmm?”

“Threatening her… I’ll consider that a mistake.”

“…”

Both Wilhelmina and this man – why wouldn’t they believe in his innocence?

‘If she’s so precious to you, then say it directly!’

The Margrave gritted his teeth as he watched the man disappear into the darkness.

* * *

Another week passed, and Wednesday approached.

I met Johan in the Annex Building garden. Sitting on a bench in a corner where people didn’t pass by, we began our transaction.

“So you’re saying that in your opinion, the most successful trading company is Goldtrail?”

Johan answered while eating the buttered potatoes and milk I had given him.

“That’s right. They really have everything there.”

Right now I was extracting information about outside the Castle from Johan. Mainly questions about successful merchants and shops in Layton Territory.

While he probably thought he was honestly sharing his observations from cleaning the streets, clever Johan’s assessments were quite useful.

‘Goldtrail, a new trading company that just became nobility. They supply general goods to commoners, and ingredients and spices to nobles…’

My disciple from my previous life used to say, ‘A reincarnated female lead must make money.’ Even if the scenario goes awry, you need money to be able to do anything.

It was something I somewhat agreed with.

In any world, having a lot of money was bound to help in making your way in life.

Even though I’m currently living by depending on Layton, no one knows what the future might hold.

‘And the female lead makes a fortune using modern science and culture. …I don’t think I could do that.’

I was a complete outsider when it came to practical science.

As a science teacher, I had basic knowledge, but I wasn’t knowledgeable enough to create something.

Of course, there was still the option of becoming a scholar… but I didn’t want to start studying again at this age.

“Isn’t there any interesting news about that Goldtrail?”

“Hmm… Oh, there’s the Flour Seller.”

“Flour?”

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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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