I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 41

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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 41

The location written on the recommendation letter was none other than Count Teitan Isonon’s Army. In other words, it was Nata’s former workplace and the Border Count’s Training Ground.

“The army will surely discipline unruly trainees harshly, right?”

“…Beyond imagination, my lady.”

“The education will be thorough, won’t it?”

I hate using the rod. But if it’s an army training ground, I think it would be somewhat justified.

So it’s similar to entrusting a child to a taekwondo instructor at a dojo next to the academy.

“You’re keeping Rose and Mirinai’s matter close to your heart, aren’t you?”

If someone touches my people, I won’t show mercy even if they’re children.

I didn’t answer and pretended to be elegant while savoring my black tea.

3. Loyalty to the Emperor

Finally, the year-end party was approaching.

It was the biggest event before the New Year banquet, and also a festival that House Layton was putting their heart and soul into.

The family, which had shortened even the memorial day as if trying to quickly forget the Late Duke’s death, now showed no trace of grief whatsoever.

…Though there was no one grieving to begin with.

‘At least it’s fortunate that we have nothing to do.’

While the Main Castle was bustling with preparations, daily life at the Annex Building remained the same as usual. The treasure that Jane brought as a year-end gift was about the only tool for deviation.

I had once mentioned wanting the amplification magic device similar to a megaphone that we borrowed from the Main Castle during the masked martial arts tournament, and Jane brought it as a gift.

It was a treasure with much better effects than the one used at the Main Castle, so I offered to pay for it, but Jane firmly declined.

She said it was something that had come into her hands by chance, and that she really wanted to explain it to me.

‘Rather, it would be troublesome for me if I didn’t give it to you.’

Since she trailed off as if watching someone’s reaction, I didn’t refuse twice and accepted it.

The treasure was in the form of a necklace, and when you pressed the green gem embedded in the center, it had the power to spread your voice in all directions.

Wanting to test it once, I shouted ‘Anna- bring me some snacks’ from my bedroom, and both Anna and Nata came in at the same time.

‘Grand Madam, dignity, dignity please.’

‘I think this should only be used in emergencies.’

They stopped me. Thanks to that, the necklace has been sealed away ever since.

Anyway, my schedule disappeared along with the Annex Building’s. There were no visitors except for the tailor who came for the formal attire.

Since outsiders’ entry was also prohibited as the Main Castle became noisy, I couldn’t see Jane and Johan anymore either.

“How leisurely.”

I stared blankly at the high sky that had turned to winter from my bedroom.

In my hands was tea filled with plenty of quince tea, a thick cotton coat on my shoulders, and sweets so sweet they made my tongue tingle with just one bite on the table…

It was perfect. If I had to mark the highest point in my life, I was confident enough to say it would be now – so comfortable and happy.

“…How about taking a walk?”

Nata, who couldn’t just stand by and watch, asked carefully, but I responded by waving my hand lazily instead of answering.

Nata didn’t seem to understand, but originally, this is how a noblewoman’s life should be.

Diligent children like Helene were the unusual ones; it was best for the elder of the household to live leisurely without interfering in major and minor affairs.

Anna, who had heard the silent conversation between Nata and me, smiled bitterly while tidying the bedroom.

“Grand Madam is very sensitive to cold.”

“Mmm.”

My lifestyle seemed difficult to understand for Nata, who woke up at dawn, trained for three hours, and then went to work.

‘Where would I go in this cold?’

Feeling the strong wind beyond the closed window, I savored the quince tea once more. It wasn’t even full winter yet, but the harsh cold of the Western Region was terrible.

That’s why I had told the servants to manage the exterior of the Annex Building moderately as much as possible.

“…Don’t be too impatient. There will be occasions to go out anyway.”

“Huh? Is there a schedule besides the banquet?”

“Not yet. But I think there will be.”

At my words, Anna and Nata exchanged glances. They looked like they didn’t understand, but I didn’t add more words.

This was simply an intuition that somehow troublesome matters would arise.

The reason was…

‘His Imperial Majesty will attend the year-end party.’

It was because of what Helene had said.

After sending Jace away, we had a brief conversation for reporting purposes.

She still seemed regretful about not creating a debt with Baron Milo’s House, but seemed somewhat satisfied after seeing the thank-you letter Baron Milo’s House had sent.

The bigger problem was about the guest who would come to the year-end party.

‘The Emperor is coming personally.’

The Emperor moving meant that the Imperial Guard Knights would also come along.

Although war wouldn’t break out, it was still an unpleasant situation for the Ducal House. Layton and the current Emperor had once had friction over succession rights.

In such a situation, if he came to the Western Region leading the Imperial Guard Knights, the reason was as clear as day.

It was his intention to crush House Layton’s spirit.

‘Placing me in the position of Grand Duchess was also one of those schemes.’

Given this situation, my expectation that troublesome matters would arise wouldn’t stop.

I decided to earnestly enjoy this comfort before that happened. But my resolution didn’t last long.

An attendant urgently knocked on the bedroom door.

“G-Grand Madam. Madam… Lady Helene says she’s coming to the Annex Building.”

“She’s really like a tiger daughter-in-law.”

Speak of the devil and she appears, I muttered and sighed.

Shortly after, Helene brought exactly the kind of very, very troublesome problem I had expected. It was such a huge bomb that calling it a troublesome matter seemed inadequate.

“A message has arrived that His Majesty wishes to entrust Mother with giving the congratulatory speech at the year-end party.”

That Emperor, this bastard. He’s determined to screw over Layton.

Though we received urgent news, we concluded to first have a proper conversation that included the Duke.

At dinner time, this time I went to the main castle’s dining hall.

After a brief meal, rather than soothing the reunion between mother and children, we faced reality.

“So His Imperial Majesty has entrusted me with giving the congratulatory speech at the year-end party?”

“That’s correct.”

“And nobles and other imperial family members will be attending that event?”

“Yes.”

“…His Majesty surely knows this is called the ‘House Layton Year-End Party,’ right?”

The couple nodded, saying of course.

I glanced down at the black tea that was good for sleep and muttered with a hollow laugh.

“He seems to have forgotten I’m a guest. And he’s still young too.”

“…”

Even Mikhail, who was always smiling, had a bitter look in his eyes, and Helene stared at me with a stern expression.

She could have given me a warning for my rude words, but she too understood the gravity of the situation and kept her mouth shut.

Perhaps my words even gave her some satisfaction.

For nobles, year-end parties aren’t ordinary banquets.

To them, who view social gatherings as part of their duties, year-end parties were closer to year-end settlement meetings where family members gathered, rather than modern company dinners.

And they want to put me on stage at such an event. Me, a rolling stone, a mother-in-law forcibly inserted by the Emperor – they’re entrusting Wilhelmina with the year-end party’s congratulatory speech?

‘If I make even one mistake, I’ll become this year’s greatest laughingstock.’

No, just standing on that stage would surely draw criticism.

They would mock House Layton’s disgrace and praise the Emperor’s tremendous power.

Since I had no particular loyalty to the Layton family, my impression was merely that the Emperor was making a bold move… but it wouldn’t be strange if Mikhail and Helene exploded with anger.

It wasn’t even a matter of imperial affairs – he was interfering in household matters, so they had every right to be furious.

“What do you two want to do?”

“…”

At my question, Mikhail glanced at Helene’s complexion. When Helene made no move, Mikhail stepped forward first.

“We intend to refuse.”

“Do you have justification?”

“We’ll say that Mother isn’t yet familiar with Layton’s banquets.”

‘Clean.’

Due to his optimistic nature, he seemed like he wouldn’t be used to such problems, but true to the rule that ‘handsome protagonists are overpowered,’ Mikhail came up with the most exemplary answer.

“It’s not that we don’t trust Mother, but the repercussions would be severe if something went wrong. His Imperial Majesty and the nobles under him aren’t coming to enjoy the year-end party – they’re coming to evaluate us. And the honor of the Layton family is important too. If we accept this suggestion…”

“The balance in the Western Region would collapse too.”

“Exactly.”

The Second Prince, who received support from the Eastern Region, became Emperor, while the First Prince, Helene’s brother, was eliminated.

In this situation, if they followed the Emperor’s words blindly, the Western Region’s unity could weaken.

Though it might create friction with the Imperial Family, this was still the safer judgment.

‘This is why I hate getting entangled with the Imperial Family. Things should be moderately complicated.’

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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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