I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 46

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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 46

Waiting in the Annex Building, I sat on the Reception Room sofa and admired the scenery outside. Indeed, since this was the Western Region famous for its harsh winters, the amount of snowfall was incomparable to the Capital.

The guest sitting on the opposite sofa, the Baroness, set down her teacup and spoke in a worried tone.

“The signs aren’t good from the start.”

“Indeed.”

“His Imperial Majesty ordered the banquet to begin as scheduled, didn’t he?”

“Yes, word came that he’ll definitely arrive tomorrow afternoon.”

Even if it were delayed by a few days, no one would complain to the Emperor, yet he deliberately sent a messenger saying he would keep to the schedule.

The Baroness nodded, saying that would actually be better.

I hoped the Emperor would return to the Imperial Palace at this opportunity, but I didn’t voice it aloud.

‘Speaking of which, the Emperor is exactly as the Margrave described him.’

When I sought advice from the Margrave through Nata, the paper he sent back contained starkly detailed information about the Emperor.

Not just his appearance and personality, but even his minor habits. It was so detailed that I wondered if it might be classified information that could warrant punishment if leaked.

[He is very stubborn. Not only does he desire honor and power, but his competitive spirit is also fierce.]

[He likes calm, beautiful women. He places more weight on appearance than personality.]

[He enjoys flattery, but he’s discerning and won’t be easily swayed. However, he detests empty words from incompetent people.]

[He likes flashy and splendid things, so presenting treasures would be a good choice. Or perhaps a stage praising the Imperial Family… If he had personally watched the masked martial arts tournament we held before, he would have enjoyed it immensely.]

When I read the letter, I thought he might just be a tyrant. An Emperor who desired power, honor, wealth, and was even lustful.

But despite listing such flaws, the Margrave held the Emperor in high regard.

[His abilities as a ruler are exceptional. It will be an impressive meeting.]

It meant he had a terrible temperament but outstanding abilities.

Fixing the year-end party schedule was a choice that revealed such imperial character. It was the kind of stubbornness that said mere weather couldn’t stop him.

‘Well, as long as my congratulatory speech goes well, his personality doesn’t really matter to me.’

Once the year-end party was over, there would never be another occasion to meet the Emperor.

Anyway, I couldn’t just talk about the Emperor after inviting a guest, so I changed the subject.

“How is life in the Annex Building? Isn’t the room too small or uncomfortable?”

“It’s fine, thanks to the Grand Duchess’s consideration. I’m very comfortable.”

Unlike the other nobles, the Baroness was staying in the Annex Building.

Since she would be staying at the Duke’s Estate anyway, I thought it might be more comfortable to stay in the familiar Annex Building and suggested it, which she readily accepted.

It wasn’t that the Main House family was uncomfortable, but meeting other nobles would create troublesome situations.

Apparently there were many nobles asking her to tutor their children.

“Speaking of which, I heard the Grand Duchess will personally give the congratulatory speech at the year-end party.”

“Yes, complicated circumstances arose.”

The faces of Helene and Mikhail came to mind. Although Mikhail respected Helene’s opinion, he seemed inwardly anxious and had come several times to check on the rehearsals.

“The Grand Duchess will do well.”

“…Thank you.”

The Baroness’s pure expectations felt somewhat burdensome.

The servants were the same, and I didn’t know why there were so many people around me who had such excessive expectations. Anna had also been excited all day, saying that tomorrow was finally the day.

Under the Baroness’s kind gaze, I cleared my throat awkwardly and stood up from my seat. The grandfather clock in the reception room happened to point to 9 PM.

“Since it’s getting late, shall we call it a night? I have to go to the banquet hall from early morning tomorrow, so please rest comfortably, Baroness.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After telling a servant to escort the Baroness, I left the reception room. Before heading to my bedroom, the Baroness stopped me.

“Grand Duchess.”

“Yes?”

“After this year-end party is over, many people will take interest in you, Grand Duchess.”

The Baroness’s expression had changed to that of a stern teacher.

“From now on, the people you meet, the letters you send, the guests who come and go from the annex building… even such trivial matters will draw attention. You can no longer maintain your previous position.”

Regardless of what Helene or Mikhail thought of me, outsiders would come to recognize the fact that Wilhelmina was the Grand Duchess of the ducal house.

This was different in weight from the previous celebration banquets. Giving a congratulatory speech before the Emperor was too significant a role to be considered that of a parasite attached to the ducal house.

In other words, more people than before would come to recognize me as ‘the Grand Duchess of the ducal house.’ The more attention I drew, the more responsibility would follow.

“Before long, you’ll have to enter high society as the Grand Duchess. Think of this year-end party as an opportunity for that time.”

“…I’ll take it to heart.”

As she said, it seemed I could no longer avoid high society. It was advice to make connections at the year-end party in preparation for when I would enter social circles.

“That was presumptuous of me to say. Well then, have a good night.”

The Baroness gave a proper bow and then headed to her bedroom.

‘I’ve found myself a good teacher too.’

I expressed my gratitude in my heart for the Baroness’s consideration. For the sake of her advice as well, I felt that I absolutely had to make this year-end party a success.

* * *

Kenneth, the captain of the Imperial Guard Knights, was suffering today as well because of the Emperor’s stubbornness.

He had told the Emperor several times that they should halt the march until the suddenly changed weather calmed down, but the Emperor replied with an irritated expression.

‘If we rest in this kind of weather, what will the Western Nobles think of us? They were already bragging about how cold the western winters are.’

That’s what he said.

Kenneth wanted to argue about which Western Noble would brag about such a thing, but he swallowed his anger, reminding himself that his opponent was still the Emperor.

While he should be grateful that he, a mere free knight, had risen in rank thanks to the Emperor, becoming one of the few subordinates who could bend his stubbornness brought all sorts of hardships.

The high-ranking officials marching with the Emperor, as well as several nobles from the capital, put silent pressure on Kenneth.

They meant for him to quickly dissuade the Emperor, but Kenneth had no suitable means either.

In the end, they carried out the march through the heavy snow following the Emperor.

Kenneth, who had encouraged the soldiers breaking through the snow path at the front, sighed while worrying about what would happen after their arrival.

‘House Layton, I hope there won’t be any fighting.’

The fact that the Emperor was targeting House Layton was something any close associate would know.

Political positions were also problematic, but conflict with the west was expected from the moment he backed the east.

Kenneth hoped the Emperor wouldn’t deliberately antagonize the west.

Having witnessed the Emperor’s terror right beside him, he knew very well how sharp the Emperor’s fangs were that had even brought down the Imperial Palace.

‘Will the Western Region prostrate itself willingly?’

For the Western Region, even if their dignity was somewhat damaged, it was the best way to escape the crisis through a moment of humiliation.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t they say the Grand Duchess would give the congratulatory speech?’

While it was already unusual for the Emperor to participate in a noble house’s year-end party, the topic that drew just as much attention was about House Layton’s Grand Duchess, Wilhelmina.

The fifth wife of that demon-like Late Duke, and the young woman the Emperor used to bring disgrace upon House Layton.

‘How pitiful.’

Though he had only heard a brief explanation about her, he could imagine how uncomfortable the situation must be.

A fallen noble house’s daughter was sold off in marriage, only to end up living as the mother-in-law of a family she had no connection with due to the Emperor’s pressure.

Since the Emperor wasn’t even supporting her, it wouldn’t be strange for House Layton to treat her like baggage.

She was isolated in enemy territory without a single ally.

‘This aspect is truly ruthless.’

In the midst of all this, the Emperor even forced her to take on the congratulatory speech for the year-end party that concludes the year.

When one of his subordinates said that this attitude of using Wilhelmina to the very end seemed to go against propriety, the Emperor answered with a nonchalant expression.

‘If what I heard is correct, she’ll handle it well on her own.’

It was unclear what he had heard about Wilhelmina. Moreover, when House Layton accepted that suggestion, his subordinates lost any justification to interfere.

Though he didn’t know what kind of conversation had taken place between them, anyway, it was obvious who the most pitiful person in this situation was. The Grand Duchess who was forced to take on the congratulatory speech.

‘Was she twenty-five years old? Tsk tsk, if she had married earlier, this wouldn’t have happened. By now she would have given birth to children and…’

“Captain.”

“Huh, yes?”

What awakened Kenneth from his various thoughts was an apprentice knight. He pointed to the flattened road and said.

“We have arrived.”

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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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