I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 39

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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 39

I turned my gaze away from Jane, who looked uncomfortable, and looked around at the few soldiers and servants participating as jury members, and then at Mirinai sitting in the defendant’s seat.

Mirinai was keeping her head down low, not showing her face.

For reference, she wasn’t crying, but sleepy from staying up late last night listening to the circumstances. She yawned so much that tear stains were clearly visible around her eyes.

“Helene is quite looking forward to this matter. Since I’m her mother-in-law, I should at least grant her this much.”

Jane’s eyes widened in surprise, perhaps finding it unexpected that I was doing this for Helene’s sake. But there wasn’t a trace of falsehood in my words.

Based on what I investigated through the Baroness and Jane over the past week.

Due to the recently discovered gold mine, Jace’s family home, Baron Milo’s House, was receiving more attention in the Western Region than expected.

The ore vein was quite abundant, making them truly wealthy overnight.

Because of this, there were rumors that the prestigious but poor House of Count Zormon had approached them for a marriage alliance.

‘That child is also a sacrifice of politics, I suppose.’

Baron Milo wanted connections, and Count Jormon wanted wealth, so it was a win-win business for both sides.

The fact that they used their children as collateral was truly medieval.

In such a situation, Helene seemed to want to create a great debt for Baron Milo’s House.

At this rate, it was obvious that Baron Milo’s House would become a rising new faction. Her plan was to establish connections and chains before that happened.

Then what I needed to do for my daughter-in-law was simple.

Completely reform Jace’s mindset and instill fear and respect for the Ducal House in him.

Since Jace would serve as an important link between the two families, I could understand why Helene was keeping an eye on him.

‘I’ve really become a proper noble.’

To think I could see through such political strife – it was almost surprising that I was once a perpetual last-place political science student.

…Though the plan I actually devised was a trap that would only be used in modern times.

‘What can I do? There’s no better method for fixing kids’ stubbornness.’

It was difficult to calm down an adolescent boy who thought he was the smartest and a violent kid who couldn’t control his overflowing strength without corporal punishment or physical activities.

So what I chose was to create a situation that couldn’t be resolved with petty violence or social status.

The effect was excellent. Jace, who had cornered himself, was overwhelmed with guilt rather than anger.

As I was satisfied with the results, Anna beside me asked with a bitter smile.

“You honestly enjoyed it a bit, didn’t you?”

“I won’t deny it.”

In my previous life, I had been troubled by Jace’s type more than once or twice. So I didn’t realize how satisfying it would be to give them a taste of their own medicine, even through such acting.

“You didn’t like what Master Jace did to Mirinai.”

“…That’s not the reason.”

“Is that so?”

Anna smiled with gentle eyes and stepped back.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed for some reason, I unnecessarily fixed my hair once more and turned my gaze toward the garden entrance.

My expectation that he would arrive soon seemed to be right, as I could see Jace running toward us.

He looked miserable. His unwashed green hair was disheveled, and his haggard complexion, empty eyes, and dry lips made him look like he could be the defendant instead of Jace.

Jane trailed off in surprise.

“He must have suffered a lot mentally.”

Unaware of Jace’s behavior, sympathy flickered across her face.

‘Good thing he at least feels guilt.’

If he hadn’t attended the trial, the problem would have become much more complicated.

“You came early today. I have some business to attend to this morning, so could you wait in the study for a moment?”

“….”

Startled by my words, Jace looked at Mirinai, who was hanging her head low. She was gripping the bag in her arms so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

“Mi, Mirinai?”

At Jace’s quiet call, Mirinai slowly raised her head. Like me, she hadn’t slept properly either, so her cute face was full of drowsiness.

We who knew the situation understood it was drowsiness, but wouldn’t it look like a face stained with sadness to Jace’s eyes?

“Jace?”

“You, you….”

Jace kept glancing at me nervously.

‘He’s worried that Mirinai might have told me.’

Since my attitude was no different from usual, he seemed to think I didn’t know he was the culprit.

It also meant that Jace wasn’t yet prepared to confess his crime.

“If you’re not planning to return to the study, sit over there. Anna?”

“Yes, Master Jace, this way please.”

Understanding my intention, Anna took Jace and headed to a corner. After confirming he was seated in the chair, I nodded to Jane.

“Ahem, then we shall begin the trial of Page Boy Mirinai.”

I didn’t know much about trials in this world either. So I decided to skip the trial etiquette and procedures.

Though this was a play created for Jace, that didn’t mean the results of this trial were fake.

Since I, the Grand Duchess, was participating, it was possible to actually impose punishment based on the results.

When the trial began, I moved to a seat near Jace. Jane began reciting Mirinai’s crimes in a serious tone.

“You have frequently entered the office with the Grand Duchess’s permission. The reason being to find the answer sheet for the workbook the Grand Duchess bestowed upon you, is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And are you aware that important documents from House Layton have gone missing?”

“Yes….”

At Mirinai’s weak response, Jace’s expression crumbled. Watching from the side, it was quite an impressive change.

“Th, there’s no evidence.”

“Hm?”

Just then, Jace, who had been watching the trial, hesitantly spoke up.

“There’s no evidence that Mirinai stole the documents.”

“Is evidence important?”

“What did you say?”

I pulled my chair over next to Jace.

“A theft occurred in the office, and Mirinai is the only suspect. Whether there’s evidence or not, we can’t prevent the responsibility from falling on Mirinai. Who would know if she had already smuggled out the documents?”

Things like presumption of innocence only applied to nobles in this world. Commoners could suffer injustice just by being in the wrong place.

If a theft had occurred in another noble house and there was only one servant as a suspect, they would have been expelled without the need for such a bothersome trial.

“How can that be!”

“How can that be? It’s the privilege you’ve been enjoying. Can you say you’ve never once oppressed those beneath you with such privilege?”

“I…”

Jace’s mouth stopped as he was about to say no. Fortunately, he didn’t seem shameless enough to claim his innocence.

I recalled the situation where Jace had been coaxing Mirinai.

Could that really have been a request one could make because they were friends? No, Jace was simply accustomed to giving orders.

“They cannot refuse our words. A single word we throw out often becomes a crisis that shakes their entire lives. Things like evidence hold no power.”

Of course, this wasn’t something to blame Jace for. Being born into a class society couldn’t be anyone’s fault.

Even so, it was clear he had been born with power.

Commoners had no choice but to hope that the nobles they met would be sensible and moral.

That’s what the Baroness had sent Jace here to learn.

“I actually know what lie you told.”

“What?”

“You ordered Mirinai to bring you the answer sheet.”

“…”

Seeing his complexion turn pale, I continued.

“Mirinai likes having lessons with me. So she only goes to the office when I’m busy. But recently she’s been going to the office frequently, and your speed at solving workbook problems has been getting faster, so it’s obvious.”

“Then why… didn’t you call for me? I’m the one who should be on trial.”

“Because you’re the young master of a Baron’s house.”

I forced myself to lean forward to meet his gaze.

“If you had really stolen documents through Mirinai, it would have become a major incident. Baron Milo’s House is impressive enough for you to take pride in it. So our Layton Family hopes this incident ends as a page boy’s mistake.”

The former was truth, the latter was the opposite.

If Jace hadn’t appeared at this trial, I wouldn’t have fired Mirinai but would have spread word of Jace’s actions to gain leverage over him.

Why would I just let go of a brat who tormented my child?

Helene had wanted that outcome. Either way, it was Jace who had tried to infiltrate the Duke’s office, so this fact would serve as justification to apply appropriate pressure on Baron Milo’s House.

‘Your son committed a breach of etiquette in our house- something like that, but when a ducal house says it, that’s also a warning.’

But that was Helene’s opinion, and I was different. That ending would be the worst strategy for a former educator.

“Rather than suspect the young master of Baron Milo’s family, we’d end it with the sacrifice of one page boy.”

“Because of… me?”

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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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