I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 37

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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 37

Imagining Mirinai’s face lighting up with joy at receiving such an unimaginable gift made me feel good.

“What does this about the First Emperor say?”

“That’s not a name, it’s a title. It reads ‘Chariot of the Sun.’ The First Emperor is said to have descended from the sun to earth in a chariot.”

“Then he was a noble?”

“Uh… I suppose so?”

Should he call him a noble, or should he call him a divine incarnation?

Finding it difficult to answer, Jace simply nodded for now.

“‘The man who came on the Chariot of the Sun was awaited by all’… He must have been an amazing person.”

“That’s right, they say a prophecy came down to the continent before he descended, so everyone was waiting for him.”

“That must have been hard for him.”

“So as soon as he came down, he founded the nation… What?”

It was natural for the people of the Empire to have respect for the First Emperor.

So Jace was about to continue his explanation proudly, but he was stunned by Mirinai’s unexpected observation that followed.

“The Empire is huge. There are so many people. But if everyone had expectations, it must have been hard for him.”

“That…”

Jace was about to answer that it wasn’t like that, but his throat seemed blocked by something and he lost his words.

“Anna said the lady at the castle was too cold, so Grand Madam told her that the more people depend on someone, the harder and lonelier it becomes for them.”

“The Grand Duchess said that?”

It was hard to believe that Wilhelmina would say such a thing. Jace made a complicated expression.

“Yes, so I imagined it, and if I had gotten attention when I first started working here… it would have been hard. I’m clumsy with words and not good with my hands.”

“…You say your hands are slow.”

“Yes, my hands are slow. Cleaning the stairs that Vini can do in 30 minutes took me a whole hour. If it were me back then, I wouldn’t have wanted people’s expectations.”

Excessive expectations. The burden of the person who must meet them.

It was something he had never thought about, yet it was the true nature of the anxiety he had been feeling in one corner of his heart.

But rather than empathizing with it, Jace raised his voice to hide his vulnerable side.

“You fool, that’s what noble duty means. Don’t you know the saying ‘those who stand high must bear responsibility’?”

Watching Jace act proud as if he had coined the proverb himself, Mirinai tilted her head.

“Even if you have to bear the pain, there’s no need to deceive yourself. If I’m hurting and struggling, do I have to lie to myself too?”

“…”

“Nobles are sometimes strange. Lying to yourself isn’t cool at all. I wouldn’t do that.”

Perhaps having lost interest in the founding myth, Mirinai closed the book. But Jace’s mind couldn’t leave the book behind.

“…What would you do then?”

“I’d tell Grand Madam and Anna. That it’s hard.”

“What if the Grand Duchess was struggling?”

“Then…”

Mirinai paused to choose her words. While waiting for her answer, Jace recalled the past.

He was the eldest son of Baron Milo’s family and a prodigy who had passed the Academy entrance exam in one try at a young age.

On the day he passed, the family held a grand celebration party. All the surrounding nobles came to offer their congratulations.

Among them was House of Count Jormon.

His father, who had threatened him saying it was a prestigious count family and he must not commit any discourtesy.

Count Jormon, who proposed an engagement upon meeting and praised him as ‘a child who will achieve great things someday.’

…And then began his Academy life.

‘Ah, come to think of it, I need to reply to that letter.’

While staying at the Academy, House of Count Jormon sent more letters than his main house. He had to reply to letters that came twice a week without fail, and on test days, he had to attach his grades as well.

[Your history grades are disappointing. It must be because Baron Milo Family’s history is short. This is an opportunity to…]

[I look forward to seeing the swordsmanship of young Jace that the Baron was so proud of. Since the son of Philen Baron Family is currently enrolled, competing with him would be…]

[You used the term ‘red tableware’ in your last letter, but it seems you didn’t understand. That’s a saying among high nobles…]

[How unfortunate. But I have expectations.]

[Do not forget that you are the pride of the viscount house.]

Once, when Jace mentioned that the letters from his parents were burdensome, he was beaten with a switch until his soles bled.

They said he should consider it an honor that Count Jormon was taking interest in him.

…And that fact also reached House of Count Jormon. Naturally, a letter came back.

After that, he never missed replying even once.

Since boarding with the Baroness, he had only received one letter, but since he received it, he had to reply.

What he needed to write this time was the results of the Baroness’s etiquette training, the mathematics he learned at the Duke’s Estate, his friendships, and…

“I’ll listen for you instead.”

“Huh?”

“If Grand Madam is having a hard time, I’ll listen for you instead. And I’ll praise you for working hard.”

The deep worries that had been weighing on his heart disappeared at Mirinai’s refreshing answer.

“Do you… know what status the Grand Duchess holds? What does a page boy like you know to give praise? You’ll get punished.”

“But praise is a gift, isn’t it? Grand Madam said gifts are good to receive from anyone.”

“You think she’ll be happy to receive a gift from you?”

“I still want to give it. Even if Grand Madam doesn’t like it, I like Grand Madam.”

“…”

“You can give as many gifts as you want to someone you like. If that person secretly tells only me that they’re having a hard time, I’ll answer ‘you did well.’ That’s what I want to convey.”

At this moment, Jace saw Mirinai as a friend rather than an attendant for the first time.

Having childlike thoughts that it would have been nice to know him from before, and that he would be happy if those words were said to him too.

People are sometimes saved by words they never expected.

Those moments when gaps in the heart that couldn’t be filled, or scars that deepened over time, are instantly healed.

Moments when you feel an indescribable sense of fulfillment and gratitude.

“To me too…”

Would you say that to me too?

Jace, unable to continue his words, closed his mouth.

He felt ashamed of being moved by such a trivial matter, and became scared at the thought that he might be rejected.

The children he called friends gratefully accepted any invitation, so he had never imagined that his goodwill would be rejected.

Jace had never known the fear of having his feelings rejected until now.

“Do, do you act like that with all your friends?”

What came out of his mouth was ultimately a question in his usual sharp tone. Just as Mirinai, not understanding, was about to ask what he meant.

An urgent voice came from the direction of the annex building.

“Mirinai! Where are you!”

“Sister Anna?”

Anna was running toward them from far away. Unusually sweating, she quickly approached upon spotting Mirinai. Without even greeting Jace, she grabbed Mirinai’s wrist.

“Mirinai, there you are! I’m suddenly sorry, but have you ever seen documents about this size in the office?”

“The office?”

“Yes, something labeled ‘Knight Order Budget Execution’ dated 20 years ago. The castle requested it, but they say they can’t find it no matter how hard they look… But I heard you went into the office this morning?”

There was only one reason Mirinai would enter and leave the office. Jace unconsciously flinched his shoulders.

However, thinking it was unrelated to the answer sheet, he deliberately avoided eye contact.

“Of course you wouldn’t have, but just in case, you haven’t seen it, right?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Hmm, then where could it have gone… Can you come with me for now? Let’s look for it with Grand Madam.”

Mirinai said she understood and got up from the bench, taking Anna’s hand. She waved goodbye to Jace, saying she’d see him next time, and walked toward the annex building.

“…What’s with the sudden rush.”

Jace pouted, feeling like his time with Mirinai had been interrupted.

Normally he would have said something about it being rude, but Anna’s urgency was so intense that he couldn’t even interject.

“Whatever, it’s mealtime anyway.”

Thinking he should go back to the study and have his meal, Jace got down from the bench and headed toward the annex building.

As he entered, he heard a commotion from the corridor leading to the office. It seemed the documents that had disappeared from the office were quite important.

‘Idiots, my father would find it right away.’

Mocking their noisy search, Jace walked toward the study. Since there were no servants around, the study was quiet unlike the outside.

Thinking his meal would arrive soon and he should wait, Jace sat down in front of his workbook.

‘Still, since tomorrow is the last day, should I look at the remaining problems? I have the answer sheet too.’

Jace took out the answer sheet that Mirinai had brought from his bag. He opened both the workbook and answer sheet to check which pages he hadn’t finished yet, when he suddenly felt something caught in the back pages.

At the sensation of what felt like a large bookmark inside, Jace opened the answer sheet wide.

“…Huh?”

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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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