I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 2

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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 2

The process was so swift that before I knew it, the seal had been stamped on the marriage contract, and by the time the carriage departed, my surname had already been changed to that of the old nobleman.

‘At this rate, I’ll get beaten to death by some eccentric nobleman. Should I steal some jewels from there and run away?’

With such thoughts, I mindlessly enjoyed the carriage journey.

In truth, I knew it was a hopeless idea.

Knowing neither magic nor swordsmanship, there was nothing I could do in this situation except pray.

Perhaps heaven was moved by such earnest prayers?

‘The… master has passed away.’

When I arrived at the old nobleman’s territory, I heard unexpected news.

The bastard who bought me. And the old nobleman who was to become my husband, Duke Layton, had suddenly collapsed from a heart attack the day before and died.

And that was just… well, he died the day before the wedding.

It was already unfair that I had to marry, something I’d never experienced even in my previous life, but now I had become a widow at this age.

And not just any widow, but the widow of House Layton, said to be the greatest noble family in the western region.

‘I’ve been living in the annex building ever since.’

With the Late Duke’s sudden death, the ducal house was thrown into chaos.

They hastily changed the wedding into a funeral, and all the retainers were mobilized to hold the inauguration ceremony for the new duke.

This meant no one had time to pay attention to the newly appeared lady of the house.

After reluctantly attending the funeral, I was banished to the annex building that had supposedly only been used as the Late Duke’s bedroom when he slept, without any tour of the territory or family introductions.

For the past two months since then, I hadn’t stepped a single foot outside the annex building.

‘At least I’m fortunate that the servants are kind.’

The Late Duke must have been quite a violent character, as the servants in the annex building were very much in the habit of reading their master’s mood.

So when I told them they didn’t need to work so rigidly and made just small changes to the servants’ working conditions, it must have been impressive because they started treating me exceptionally well.

In their eyes, I seemed to appear as a ‘poor young lady who was sold off but then abandoned by the ducal family.’

Well, of course they’re right about that.

‘I wonder how long this will last.’

I finished all the remaining black tea and placed the teacup on the tray.

Looking at the neatly emptied tray felt satisfying.

‘Once the chaos settles down, they’ll probably kick me out like this. What couple in the world would want to keep a stepmother, a mother-in-law they’ve never even spoken to once?’

While enjoying luxury felt good, I didn’t think this kind of life would last long.

When I leave here, should I return to the capital and try starting a business, or perhaps travel to the eastern region?

Mulling over such concerns, I prepared for the approaching end.

Anna had cleared away the breakfast table, so I was thinking of leisurely reading a book when.

“My lady.”

The door opened, and the butler entered.

He wasn’t the butler of the annex building, but a man who worked at the main castle.

He was also the person who had guided me when I first arrived at the ducal house.

He must have been around thirty years old. The handsome man with an impression that showed both experience and youth bowed politely to me.

“The Madam requests to meet with you.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

The Madam would be Duchess Layton.

When I slightly frowned, the butler continued in a dry tone.

“It’s about your future arrangements.”

‘Speak of the devil and he shall appear.’

I was just enjoying some reminiscing and vacation time, and now she’s coming to issue an eviction notice.

I let out a short sigh and stood up from my seat.

“My clothes…”

“She said you may come as you are.”

“…Alright.”

Since it was getting cold, I only grabbed a shawl to drape over my shoulders before following the butler.

As soon as I left my room, I saw Anna fidgeting in the corridor.

I waved at her to indicate everything was fine, then headed outside the annex building.

“Madam, there’s something I must tell you first.”

“What is it?”

“Please use proper speech with the Madam.”

Proper speech?

I tilted my head, not understanding what he meant.

Was he telling me to know my place and use honorifics?

“Though the circumstances are complicated, you are her senior. And the Madam is someone who strictly observes hierarchy. She asked to be treated as a daughter-in-law.”

“…I see.”

It was the complete opposite. Rather, it was a request to speak down to her.

No wonder the butler’s tone was so polite too.

‘So that’s what he meant by “properly.”‘

Her nickname, which I’d only heard through rumors, came to mind.

The perfect noblewoman, the noble and virtuous treasure of the west. Did this mean that rules were more important to her than pride?

‘What remarkable mental fortitude.’

It was a resolution that even I, a modern person, would find difficult to make.

The butler guided me slowly, matching my leisurely pace.

Silence returned and I grew bored, but I turned my gaze to look around as if sightseeing.

Layton Castle was beautiful.

The garden where not a single fallen leaf could be seen despite it being autumn, and the castle mixed with white and gold, boasted fairy-tale-like beauty as it caught the sunlight.

If it were my past life, I would have enjoyed feeling like I was at a cultural heritage site.

“We’re here.”

We finally arrived at the reception room in the main castle. I slowly entered through the door the butler opened for me.

A woman was sitting on the sofa in the reception room.

Maids stood around her in modest postures, attending to her.

Her sapphire-blue eyes looked directly at me.

“Welcome, …Mother.”

There was no rudeness to be found in her manner as she rose slightly to greet me.

She seemed to feel no discomfort at all in treating me as her superior, which I found rather surprising.

“This is our first… meeting. Helene.”

“I sincerely apologize for contacting you so late.”

I sat across from Helene and observed her.

‘Helene Peon Layton.’

A member of the Imperial Family’s bloodline, and the mistress of House Layton.

A woman who ranks first when naming the perfect noblewoman, called the star of high society.

Helene, the quintessential role model for young ladies of noble houses.

Even I, who had no connections with other nobles in the past, had heard her name in the capital.

“Have you been well all this time?”

“Yes, and you, Helene?”

“I’ve been spending busy days.”

She was too busy to call me, so don’t take it too personally. Was it over-interpretation to hear it that way?

Forcing myself to use formal speech made my mouth dry.

I quietly waited for her next words.

Helene, who had ordered the maids to bring tea, looked at me with unwavering eyes and spoke.

“First, I’d like to discuss the schedule going forward.”

“Going forward, you mean….”

“We would like to accept you as a member of House Layton.”

“What?”

At this unimaginable statement, my voice rose without my realizing it.

I naturally assumed she had called me to issue an eviction order, but suddenly she wanted to accept me as a member of the ducal house?

“After you become a true member of the Laytons, we would like you to participate with us in the year-end party and New Year’s banquet.”

Helene added that she wanted me to participate in the year-end and New Year events.

Even I, who had never entered high society, knew how important the ducal house’s year-end party was.

If I appeared at such a place, even for a ducal house, it would be difficult to avoid gossip.

‘And Anna said so too. That an honored guest is coming to the year-end party.’

If the ducal house is talking about an honored guest, someone of tremendous status must be visiting, and they want to introduce me at that occasion.

Honestly, I wanted to ask if they were in their right mind.

‘I hate to say it myself, but I would be House Layton’s disgrace.’

If it were me, I would have hidden myself so I wouldn’t even show my face in high society.

Besides, what daughter-in-law would welcome a mother-in-law who was younger and of inferior status?

To properly manage family affairs as the mistress, it would be more convenient not to have a superior like me around.

‘She’s not helping me out of pity… is she.’

It’s not like giving charity to a passing beggar, and she wouldn’t bring a great elder into the household over such trivial emotions.

The title of mother-in-law itself was a legitimate form of power.

‘…No wait, what if it’s not her own decision?’

Suddenly, I recalled what the butler had said on the way here.

‘Madam is someone who strictly observes the hierarchy.’

It was a statement that showed Helene’s character of prioritizing proper rules over pride.

But am I really someone above Helene in that hierarchy?

I slowly began gathering the clues.

A year-end party attended by many nobles.

The setting of being the fifth wife of the ferocious Late Duke.

Helene, who is a member of the Imperial Family. And the precious guest said to be coming from the Imperial Family.

Since the Layton Family is one of only two ducal houses in the Empire, the only person who could exert pressure on them would be…

“…His Imperial Majesty?”

“…!”

‘I got it right.’

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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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