I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 3

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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 3

It was just a guess, but the reaction was stronger than I expected.

Helene’s eyes widened for a moment, then returned to normal as if nothing had happened.

It was such a subtle change that you wouldn’t notice unless you were watching carefully, but the meaning behind that change was obvious.

I had several other candidates in mind, but judging by her reaction, I was certain.

‘The Emperor must have given them a hint, I suppose?’

Come to think of it, wasn’t it last year when the new Emperor ascended to the throne?

Moreover, I heard the Emperor belongs to the Eastern Faction. They apparently provided great assistance in his succession to the throne.

‘On the other hand, Layton is the head of the Western Nobility. Helene is the eldest daughter of the deceased First Empress, while the current Emperor is the child of the Second Empress.’

The Previous Emperor’s First Empress died after giving birth to the First Prince and Helene.

The child born to the new empress who came after was the Second Prince, the current Emperor.

The Second Prince defeated the First Prince, who had been the crown prince, and ascended to the throne.

The First Prince and Helene are siblings from the same mother.

In that case, the Layton Family and Helene would certainly appear as political enemies in the Emperor’s eyes.

However, Layton is a family with solid territory and outstanding wealth, wielding great power in high society.

They’re not the head of the Western Nobility for nothing. They’re too powerful for a newly ascended Emperor to carelessly provoke.

Tarnishing such a family or deploying political schemes against them is no easy task.

…It shouldn’t have been.

If only the Late Duke hadn’t died suddenly.

His death created a gap.

Because of that, House Layton’s shame—me—appeared.

‘Judging by Helene’s reaction, the Emperor is definitely the culprit. I can roughly see the outline now.’

The brutal Late Duke, who killed four wives, died suddenly.

But now House Layton, which had ‘purchased’ a fifth wife, wants to cast her out, saying they no longer need her.

For the Emperor, who manages the Noble Registry, there was sufficient justification to interfere.

Moreover, unless someone of the Emperor’s caliber was involved, no one would present such a harsh choice as serving the young lady of a fallen family as the lady of the house.

In the end, the Layton Family chose to embrace the parasite called Wilhelmina and eliminate the justification, rather than burn the parasite and earn the Emperor’s displeasure.

Even if all sorts of gossip spreads in high society, they must have judged this to be more correct for the family’s future.

‘Even if the Emperor didn’t give them a hint, the ducal house might have gotten scared on their own.’

It meant that House Layton was that sensitive to the Empire’s political situation.

Now they were in a position where they had to prevent me from running away, rather than driving me out.

I had been worried about being expelled, but who would have thought I’d hear a request to remain as the lady of the house.

“Interesting.”

“….”

It was fascinating. So this is what political strife is like.

At my brief observation, Helene said nothing and just looked at me.

“…Life in the Annex Building is comfortable. I don’t think there will be any problems in the future either.”

This meant I wanted to continue staying in the Annex Building.

“Since Helene asked, I’ll attend the banquet. But I’m lacking in many things, so I’d like your help.”

I have no dress or jewelry. Even someone as ignorant about banquets as I am knows you can’t enter in nightgown like this. So please buy me some.

“And….”

I paused for a moment.

It was a silence asking if this much would be acceptable, and Helene, who understood immediately, slowly nodded her head.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“…I heard the western region has cold winters. I’d like some outer garments.”

“I’ll send a tailor right away.”

“No, not for me, but for the children working in our annex building. About thirty sets?”

“….”

Helene’s eyes widened again. She was much more shaken than before.

‘The servants’ clothing was too thin.’

I could tell they used good fabric, but prioritizing appearance made the insulation terrible.

It was obvious who had made the maids wear tight-fitting upper garments.

I remembered Anna coming into my bedroom every morning muttering that it was warm.

Since they’ve worked hard taking care of me all this time, I should at least do this much.

“That much will be enough.”

“Really… is that all?”

“Yes.”

Not expecting me to agree so easily, Helene forgot what to say and closed her mouth.

Having grasped the situation, did she think I would demand money or jewels?

‘Being too greedy leads to trouble.’

Even though the positions have reversed for now, I’m still a nobody with no connections in the ducal house.

If I showed excessive audacity, they might really make me ‘exist only’ as the lady of the house.

Or one day suddenly, someone other than me might start acting as Wilhelmina.

Let’s accept the ducal house’s kindness in moderation.

This will be my motto going forward.

“Then I’ll go back. I have a morning appointment.”

It was time for the children working in the laundry room to come into my bedroom to escape the cold and warm themselves by the fire.

This world has magic, so couldn’t they make something like a washing machine with warm water flowing?

When I turned around, the butler was opening the door, waiting for my exit.

Just before leaving, I turned my head as something came to mind.

“Oh, and.”

Helene was resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

I smiled slightly at her and said.

“I think Helene is a wonderful daughter-in-law.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“It’s not empty words, it’s a compliment.”

Calling someone you can’t stand the sight of ‘mother’ is a difficult thing to do.

I newly realized how strong-willed the inner self of this mistress who wore a mask for her family must be.

I swallowed my remaining words with effort and went outside.

Helene’s labored breathing followed me, then was cut off and disappeared at the door gap.

* * *

The Duchess’s private office.

Helene sat alone in the darkened room with drawn curtains, recalling the investigation results about Wilhelmina.

‘Despite appearances, she’s a kind person.’

‘She cares especially for the servants. She memorized all the servants’ names in just two days.’

‘Her manner of speaking can be rough at times, but she’s actually worried about us…’

These were all responses given by the servants of the Annex Building.

There was no doubt about the loyalty the servants held for the Layton Family.

Even for them, Wilhelmina should have been like sewage that had seeped into Layton, yet somehow all the evaluations that came out were uniformly full of praise.

The most objective ones were perhaps the baker and gardener of the Annex Building.

However, even their reports contained nothing unseemly. Just evaluations like she has a clean personality, she likes certain types of bread, that sort of thing.

‘Is she just a woman who is merely kind?’

No, that couldn’t be. Wilhelmina firmly denied the assumption she had formed.

Though she hadn’t intended to hide it, this was a woman who had read the political situation from their brief conversation and even understood the circumstances Layton was placed in.

Though her status might be humble, her ability to judge situations was clearly good. Wasn’t her major at the Academy political science?

Those who know politics cannot be virtuous.

This was wisdom Helene had gained from living as royalty for 27 years.

‘It could all be an act.’

If she had planned this situation from the moment she arrived at the Ducal House, there was also the possibility that she had done preliminary work on the servants to ingratiate herself with the Ducal House.

She was a mother-in-law they had accepted even while tarnishing Layton’s honor.

It was necessary to thoroughly investigate what kind of person she was and to be suspicious.

It wouldn’t be bad to dispatch someone who could view her objectively, rather than through the eyes of servants with limited education.

‘Should I send the Butler?’

The man who had guided Wilhelmina to the Castle was Helene’s personal Butler and a close aide she had brought from the Imperial Palace.

Of course, internal personnel matters required the Duke’s permission, but since the Duke had left everything regarding Wilhelmina to Helene, there was no problem.

Even with the Empire’s political situation being like thin ice, he remained as composed as usual.

While being kind and fair to everyone was his strength, she couldn’t rely on him at times like this.

Internal affairs of the Ducal House were Helene’s responsibility as the lady of the house.

Helene rose from her chair and headed toward the window.

When she slightly drew back the curtain, she could see her children strolling through the autumn Garden.

Come to think of it, she had an appointment to meet with the children in 30 minutes.

‘It was supposed to be an hour-long schedule, but I’ll have to shorten it. I’ve wasted too much time.’

It was because she had spent too long contemplating about Wilhelmina.

‘But why are they already outside? I should remind the Nanny to keep proper time.’

The children had come out early because they were excited about meeting their mother, but Helene didn’t know this.

After closing the curtains again, she moved to leave the Office.

Come to think of it, she remembered that Wilhelmina had left some cryptic words before leaving the Reception Room.

‘…What a remarkable daughter-in-law.’

It was incomprehensible.

She wanted to ask when she had ever seen her to make such a judgment, but it would have been a rude question to ask her mother-in-law, so she kept her mouth shut.

Those deeper navy blue eyes, similar yet different from her own, flickered in her memory.

Despite being younger than herself, they held an intelligent gaze that seemed to see right through one’s heart.

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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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