I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 13

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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 13

The Margrave said it was fine too, but it was an attempt to silence the gossips of high society. Since he was saying he wouldn’t give them any excuse to talk, it was difficult to refuse.

And being the organizer of a banquet… In my previous life, being an organizer just meant making bar reservations and handling payments, but organizing here didn’t seem easy.

“Alright, I’ll prepare for it.”

While living as a dependent, I could at least do this much work. I was the cause of the problem anyway.

When I agreed, Helene briefly informed me about the schedule for the next celebration.

Fortunately, the venue and budget were already planned, so it seemed I wouldn’t have much paperwork to handle.

“Well then, shall we have some tea and refreshments?”

As soon as our conversation ended, Mikhail had the servants set up a tea table.

I was about to say I wouldn’t eat and would head back, but.

“…I’ve prepared herbal tea that’s good for colds. Please have some before you go.”

When even Helene said that, I had no choice but to stay.

Mikhail seemed to have forgotten that I had scolded him, still conversing with a cheerful expression.

‘How does he lead the ducal house with that personality?’

No matter how outstanding Helene was, Mikhail was ultimately the head of the family.

Looking at that transparent, optimistic face, I felt anxious about the future of the ducal house that I’d never worried about before.

Suddenly, the voice of the Romance Fantasy Master, who had somehow become my mental teacher, came to mind.

In my imagination, she was a middle schooler but somehow wearing a graduation cap.

‘No, teacher. Main character doting fathers are usually overpowered. That’s the default. The characteristics of troublesome doting fathers are a bit different.’

‘…If you say so, then it must be true.’

Well, unlike the Late Duke, Mikhail received nothing but praise from the servants, so he must have merits I don’t know about.

‘That cheerful personality might also be created out of some necessity.’

I tried to think that way and withheld my judgment of Mikhail.

“Now we have the year-end party and New Year events left. Especially for the year-end party, a noble from the Imperial Family is coming, so we need to prepare busily. Please help us too, Mother.”

“…If I have the capacity.”

The meaningless conversation continued. Mikhail would chatter, mixing work and personal stories half and half, I would agree with him, and occasionally Helene would point out Mikhail’s mistakes.

About 30 minutes had passed.

Just as the tea we were drinking was getting cold, someone knocked on the reception room door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Riams, Master.”

The old butler came looking for Mikhail. He conveyed the message so we couldn’t hear, but it seemed something urgent had come up.

Mikhail approached with a regretful expression.

“I think I need to head back now. Please enjoy yourselves, you two!”

And without even waiting for our response, he left with the butler.

His exit was as absurd as his appearance. Seeing my expression, Helene put down her teacup and spoke.

“He’s busy with Imperial Family matters. Please understand.”

“…Yes.”

Seeing her specifically mention the Imperial Family, it seems their relationship has indeed soured.

Since it wasn’t my concern, I finished drinking the remaining tea.

‘The tea leaves are better quality than what we used at the Annex Building.’

I should ask Anna if we could get some of this. If not, at least a little of my own.

I wanted to get up soon, but Helene seemed to want to continue the conversation a bit longer.

She ordered the butler to bring warmed tea.

“Baroness Rollan praised you greatly, Mother.”

“That’s fortunate. I had many shortcomings.”

“She said that although you may be inexperienced in etiquette, your heart is truly admirable.”

I had no idea ginger tea would be this effective. It’s an expensive spice in this world, so should I dip into the Annex Building’s operating budget to buy more?

Even while praising me, Helene looked at me with dry eyes that showed no hint of emotion.

The words that came from her mouth shortly after were spoken in a tone quite rude for addressing a mother-in-law.

“Good. Please don’t become arrogant, and I hope you’ll maintain proper conduct going forward.”

“…”

It was blatant sarcasm, but honestly, I wasn’t particularly offended.

I thought she had the right to complain this much as a daughter-in-law who got stuck with a mother-in-law, and besides, the difference in our social status was stark.

The fact that she expressed her anger so quietly even without Mikhail present actually showed her maturity, I thought.

She might have been hoping I’d get angry… but what came to me before anger was the impression that she was cute.

“…Haha.”

“…?”

I think I understood why she spoke so indirectly.

Baroness Rollan, who had educated countless ladies, had praised me.

She wasn’t impressed by that fact, but rather was warning me ‘don’t get cocky just because you received praise.’

Her transparent intentions and the way she pretended not to hate me while clearly doing so were both endearing.

‘This brings back memories.’

Even though Helene was older than me in this world, I had experienced a greater variety of human nature.

Putting others down while pretending not to, mixing praise with sarcasm?

Could there be anyone who lived in modern times without being subjected to such speech patterns?

Someone who had experienced countless human relationships in modern times had thicker skin than someone with absolute social status.

‘She could just openly dislike me.’

Noble dignity is truly ridiculous. Even showing dislike has to be done while maintaining appearances.

It was a strange spectacle created by the difference in positions between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of different social ranks.

“Yes, as your mother-in-law, I should conduct myself properly.”

“…Yes.”

I slowly rose from my seat.

Just then, the butler brought the rewarmed tea, but since Helene had finished saying what she wanted to say anyway, there seemed no need to drink it.

“I shall strive not to be arrogant and to become a proper Grand Duchess in the future.”

Perhaps sensing the mockery contained in my tone, Helene listened without even blinking.

Personally, I liked Helene’s type of personality, so I didn’t want to engage in petty arguments.

Since they struck first, this much should be fine.

“Family conflicts harm domestic peace, don’t they?”

“….”

The fight between you and me isn’t determined by social status—it’s a conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. The moment Helene acknowledges that, our relationship becomes even clearer.

There was no answer.

I patted the shoulder of the butler holding the teapot as a gesture of appreciation and left the reception room.

I would have liked to see my daughter-in-law angrily throwing teacups or something like that. Unfortunately, Helene’s rationality seemed solid, as no sounds could be heard even as I moved away from the reception room.

* * *

Two additional tasks were added before the year-end party.

First, make contact with Jane, the merchant from Goldtrail.

Second, successfully host the celebration for the knights and soldiers.

‘I’m not particularly confident about either.’

The celebration was especially problematic.

Though I had confidently said I would do it in front of Helene, I knew nothing about celebrations.

I thought it might be enough to serve delicious drinks and food and play some exciting music, but considering the Duke’s Estate’s prestige, that seemed insufficient.

‘I don’t want to be criticized for nothing. I should think about it slowly.’

It would be better to solve the immediate task first.

After finishing lunch, I headed to the small reception room in the Annex Building.

In the excessively ornate reception room decorated according to the Late Duke’s taste, a woman was waiting.

She was a woman with hair neatly arranged straight down to her shoulders and sharp, intelligent blue eyes.

Perhaps just over twenty years old, she had an atmosphere of experience along with youthful confidence.

Wearing formal wear with impressive gold embroidery, she bowed politely as soon as she saw me.

“It’s my first time meeting you, Grand Duchess. I’m Jane Goldreail.”

“Nice to meet you, Jane. I’m Wilhelmina.”

After receiving her greeting, I seated her.

Anna poured tea into her teacup and glanced at me.

“Wait outside.”

She seemed anxious about leaving me alone with someone I didn’t know, but soon nodded in understanding and left the reception room.

“Eek!”

As soon as she did, she bumped into a large man who was in front of the reception room door.

The man had long hair covering his eyes and wore a high-collared tunic, and he was so massive I thought he was a wall rather than a person.

Through the gap of the open door, he quietly gazed into the reception room. Somehow, I felt as if our eyes met.

“Ah, that’s my errand boy. Stand back.”

“…Yes.”

At Jane’s command, the man gave a brief reply and walked toward the opposite corridor with Anna.

“I apologize, I should have told him to wait elsewhere beforehand….”

“It’s fine. It’s cold today, so have some tea first. I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste.”

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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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