I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 48

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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 48

Click-clack-

With the sound echoing through the banquet hall, she advanced with measured steps and stood before the platform.

Wilhelmina silently surveyed the nobles. Her eyes were commanding and imperious, as if silently ordering silence.

“….”

The eyes of everyone in the banquet hall focused on her. It was a sudden, yet provocative entrance.

Under the dazzling chandelier of the splendid banquet hall, they faced a woman dressed in a dark red military uniform symbolizing blood and night.

The boiling anger became blurred in confusion.

She instantly drew the attention that had been focused on the Emperor and the Duke’s couple.

The mismatched costume, the confidence walking through the tense atmosphere, the arrogance of standing before the platform looking down at the audience.

Everyone fell silent at her strange charm that couldn’t be expressed with the word beauty.

She touched the necklace on her chest, then opened her mouth.

“In the past, the Empire’s enemies were beyond the Iso Mountain Range.”

Her voice spread softly, and Kenneth noticed the power of the necklace she wore. It seemed to be an amplification artifact.

“The foreign tribes that crossed the mountains trampled our Solar Empire. They defiled the sun, practiced cannibalism, and left indelible wounds on the Empire’s people.”

Wilhelmina explained the Empire’s history that any noble would know.

The Iso Mountain Range at the western edge of the Empire, beyond which foreign tribes lived.

Those who enjoyed war and violence considered hunting weak humans as entertainment, so they had been in conflict with the Empire for a long time.

“They were terrible enemies. Since we couldn’t cross the mountains, retaliation was our only strategy, so we could only shed tears of blood and watch the damage to our people. However, after a new sun rose, we achieved meaningful victory.”

Even though this woman they were seeing for the first time was speaking down to them, no one raised objections. It felt natural somehow.

People straightened their posture and listened like soldiers before a commander. The confusion they felt when first seeing her gradually faded.

‘So this is why she used the military uniform!’

Finally, Kenneth realized the purpose of this congratulatory speech.

If Duke Layton’s congratulatory speech was for his family, Wilhelmina had prepared a speech solely for the Emperor and the Empire.

Wearing the military uniform that symbolized loyalty to the Empire was also a calculated action.

“The brave warriors of the sun achieved great victory over the foreign tribes. They reclaimed the mountains where the bones of our people were buried and avenged fallen comrades. It was the first victory under the reign of the new sun, His Imperial Majesty. How could we not praise the sun’s grace?”

The congratulatory speech was filled only with content praising the Emperor. Though it was flattery, it wasn’t servile, and her firm yet strong tone was even persuasive.

‘This way the Duke’s house has maintained face.’

Duke Layton gives a speech for the western nobles, while Wilhelmina gives one for the Emperor.

Whoever’s idea it was, it was a remarkably efficient method.

“Although Margrave Isonon could not attend this gathering due to national defense duties, I, Wilhelmina Layton, shall celebrate the victory in his stead.”

She placed her hand on the necklace once more. Her clear voice filled the banquet hall.

“Descendants of the sun!”

“…!”

When everyone was focused on her next words, Wilhelmina suddenly raised her voice. The voice amplified by the artifact instantly captivated the banquet hall.

She seemed accustomed to speaking before dozens of people, showing no hesitation whatsoever.

There was a strange power in her voice. It felt like facing a skilled agitator. Perhaps this is what a battlefield victory song would be like if it wore human form.

The heat of battle surged up, and the soldiers unconsciously clenched their fists.

“Praise to the proud Imperial Army that brought the Empire its first victory!”

She placed her hand on her chest and assumed a salute position. It was a flawless, magnificent military drill.

“Comfort to the Imperial citizens who have been oppressed by foreign tribes.”

Kenneth hurriedly looked around at the other nobles. The Western Nobles scattered among the Capital Nobles were following Wilhelmina in saluting.

“And loyalty to the sun that illuminates the continent, the legitimate Emperor of the Peon Empire, His Imperial Majesty Theorne Lu Peon!”

The atmosphere had reached its peak. When the Capital Nobles became overwhelmed with emotion through their own fantasies and romanticism.

She stepped back from the platform. Then, in a small but clear voice different from before, she spoke.

“…Unit, attention.”

As if under a spell, all the nobles brought their legs together in a straight line. Military Nobles, noble ladies, Guard Knights—all moved according to her words without exception.

“To His Imperial Majesty, the supreme sun Emperor, salute.”

The word “salute” is magic that makes soldiers’ mouths open reflexively. Regardless of their origins, they all shouted simultaneously.

“Loy- alty!”

The salute echoed as if it would shake the Banquet Hall, but Wilhelmina frowned as if displeased.

“I’m disappointed. Is that all the voice you have?”

She raised her chin and shouted powerfully once more.

“To His Imperial Majesty Theorne Lu Peon— salute!”

“Loy- alty!”

The unified voice was so tremendous it could shake the chandelier in the Banquet Hall.

Their ears ached from the thunderous sound, and their throats hurt from forcing their voices higher, but the eyes of the nobles participating in the salute shone brighter than ever.

Wilhelmina slowly turned around. She placed her hand on her chest and saluted the Emperor.

Then, contrasting with the stern-faced nobles saluting behind her, she opened her mouth with a kind and elegant smile.

“It’s my first time meeting you, Your Imperial Majesty. My name is Wilhelmina Layton.”

The Emperor couldn’t help but smile.

* * *

‘This actually works.’

That was my thought the moment I saw the audience’s reaction when the congratulatory speech ended. Rather than feeling proud, the fact that it succeeded was a fresh shock.

Unlike the novels I knew, among the actual nobles, there were many who lived for honor and died for honor.

Well, if there had been more corrupt officials, the Empire wouldn’t have prospered like this.

Thanks to such nobles, this agitation-like congratulatory speech seemed to work well.

‘Who would have thought watching dramas would be helpful.’

Back then, I thought military dramas were childish, but seeing the Military Nobles transform at the single word “salute” changed my mind. It was realistic in its own way.

Anyway, the congratulatory speech concluded well as planned, and the year-end party was held successfully.

After the stiff greeting time ended, Mikhail and Helene chatted with the Emperor, while I was surrounded by Capital Nobles who were deeply moved by the congratulatory speech.

“Grand Duchess, you said you graduated from the Academy, right? Did you also take lessons on strategy and tactics?”

“No, my grades weren’t very good.”

“Where did you get that Military Uniform? It’s splendid. I’d believe you if you said you were a general.”

“Our family house has a skilled tailor…”

“Have you considered enlisting in the army?”

“Are you cra— I mean, I’m a bit tired, so let’s continue this conversation through correspondence later.”

I could feel the Capital Nobles’ favorability toward me rising significantly.

They seemed more interested in me than in Mikhail, who was having a meaningful conversation with the Emperor.

Since they were mostly young nobles, they weren’t difficult to handle, but honestly, they weren’t the ones I was worried about.

‘They’re going to bore holes through my face.’

After finishing the congratulatory speech, I could feel the intense gazes of the Western Nobles.

Roughly speaking, it was half goodwill and half wariness—the aftermath of successfully completing the congratulatory speech.

It was proof that the number of people trying to curry favor with me and those being cautious had increased significantly.

The Baroness’s words about drawing attention came to mind.

‘I should wrap this up moderately and slip away.’

It seemed best to avoid the situation so rumors wouldn’t spread about the Grand Duchess trying to form factions with the Capital Nobles.

Moreover, given my position, some rude questions came my way.

“I feel sorry about what happened to the Late Duke. He was at an age when he should have been flourishing…”

I glanced at the face of the man whose ulterior motives were obvious to anyone.

It’s quite a talent to deliberately choose such offensive words. I felt like slapping his cheek would be refreshing, but I still had to maintain appearances.

‘Maybe I should accidentally spill some wine and push him away…’

Just as I was thinking that, the Baroness approached at the perfect moment.

“Grand Duchess, that was an excellent congratulatory speech.”

When she appeared, those around us hesitantly stepped back.

I was newly impressed by her tremendous charisma. The young nobles who looked disgusted like students meeting a scary teacher were quite a sight.

“Thank you. It was thanks to the Baroness’s guidance.”

“It’s an honor to hear you say that. By the way… there seems to be a scoundrel here who doesn’t fit the occasion.”

The Baroness turned her gaze to the man who had made the rude comment. The man flinched and hid himself in the crowd.

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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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