I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 50

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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 50

If it hadn’t been a place where dignity had to be maintained, I would have stood up and given a standing ovation right then and there. It was such an admirable Congratulatory Speech.

Moreover, Wilhelmina, whom I faced in person, was such an impressive woman that the Portrait couldn’t capture even half of her charm.

Her confident smile after finishing the speech, her strong eyes that were certain everything had gone according to her plan, and her restrained movements.

She could hardly be seen as a woman confined to the Annex Building. Theorne realized that his Companion’s praise had been no exaggeration at all.

A habit of his that had disappeared upon ascending to the throne suddenly resurfaced.

“Won’t you become my Companion?”

A subordinate would be fine, a colleague would be good too. The reason he specifically mentioned Companion was because he wanted to treat her as a woman.

He preferred romance that started from a friendship rather than a superior-subordinate relationship.

Of course, he acted befitting an Emperor so his personal feelings wouldn’t show.

Anyway, since Wilhelmina was isolated at the Ducal House, he thought she would naturally take his extended hand, but…

“I have no intention of remarrying.”

The response that came back was a firm rejection, as if she had seen through his intentions.

“Huh? Why? I’m the Emperor though?”

He was so surprised that Theorne’s Mask slipped off.

When he asked back in confusion, Wilhelmina looked at him once with dry eyes, then released her arm and stepped back.

“Thank you for escorting me.”

Before he knew it, they had arrived at the Rest Room. She opened the door marked ‘Ladies’ Rest Room.’

If they had walked a bit further, there was the Duke’s Family Private Rest Room, but Wilhelmina deliberately chose this place. Of course, there was no way Theorne could know this fact.

She entered the Rest Room and reached out her hand to close the door.

“Then please enjoy the rest of the banquet…”

“Wait, are you rejecting my proposal?”

“It’s an excessive expectation. I’m not a foolish person who confuses her own position.”

Though Theorne put on the Emperor’s Mask again, Wilhelmina rejected him with quite strong expressions. Theorne let out a hollow laugh at her bold attitude.

‘She knows one thing but not two.’

She seemed to think he would back down if she rejected him this much, but for someone like Theorne, rejection was rather an act that kindled the fire in his heart.

Since she seemed to have grasped the intention behind his invitation to become a Companion, Theorne decided to approach without hiding anything. He grabbed the door that was about to close.

“I’m not talking about a serious relationship. Meetings start from comforting what each other lacks.”

“I’m sufficiently satisfied with my current life. And how could I help with what His Majesty lacks.”

“If there are enemies, we could repel them together.”

“As long as His Imperial Majesty protects House Layton, there are no enemies.”

Wilhelmina, who bowed her head politely and answered clearly, showed no openings.

‘This woman hasn’t even debuted in High Society? Even a passing dog would laugh.’

Her skill in subtly using even political topics to cut off the conversation was truly excellent. She answered in ways that made it difficult even for Theorne to add anything.

While pondering how to break down that will to absolutely refuse, he suddenly recalled the topic that had made Wilhelmina fall silent during their earlier conversation.

“…I could also arrange a relationship with the Imperial Princess.”

“…”

‘This is it.’

For some unknown reason, she seemed to have some kind of feelings toward Helene. Since she remained silent when others were gossiping, it should be considered goodwill.

There was no way Helene would have liked a rolling stone, especially a young lady from a fallen noble house… but that didn’t matter at all. As long as it served as justification.

“I know that you’re living in the Annex Building. If necessary, I’ll lend you my name for the sake of family harmony. You don’t need to decline. House Layton is one that I personally cherish…”

As if to caress Wilhelmina’s cheek, the Emperor slowly extended his hand.

“Your Majesty.”

Then Wilhelmina’s slender, long fingers pressed firmly against the back of his hand.

With a touch that conveyed strictness, she pushed the Emperor’s hand away.

“There’s a saying: ‘A dove enters a magpie’s nest.'”

“What?”

“Please return now. Going any further would damage His Imperial Majesty’s dignity.”

He was about to ask what she meant, but when he met Wilhelmina’s eyes, his lips wouldn’t move.

Eyes that had closed off all emotion. The blue color that revealed nothing within, like facing the depths of the ocean, did not permit an answer.

She only lifted the corners of her mouth in a smile.

“I hope you have an enjoyable year-end celebration.”

And she closed the door. Theorne was left alone in the corridor filled only with silence.

“…Ha.”

Wilhelmina’s response was flawless to get angry about. He was the one who had been overly persistent, and Wilhelmina had politely refused within reasonable bounds.

But what shook his heart more than that was her attitude.

That appearance of having not the slightest interest in him somehow reminded him of Helene.

The difference was that he had developed blind hatred toward Helene, but toward her…

‘Please don’t use her anymore.’

‘Rohanos, I won’t be able to keep my promise with you.’

It was a promise he had already broken several times, but this time he might cross the line. Theorne slowly left the front of the rest room.

Thinking that an interesting incident had fallen into his hands in the boring daily life since becoming Emperor, he walked with light steps.

* * *

The celebration ended successfully. The nobles from the Capital and Western Region shared drinks without any incidents, and the Emperor also parted ways promising future harmony with Mikhail.

Since the snow had also stopped, the participants began leaving the castle one by one the next day.

They had to hurry back before the snow started falling again. It was natural since each family house had to hold their own separate year-end celebrations.

Thus freed from work, I lay blankly on my bed, enjoying the rest.

‘The Emperor has returned too.’

The face of the Emperor who had been persistently bothering me while getting his hopes up came to mind.

I had no idea what kind of charm he felt toward me, but becoming the Emperor’s entertainment partner was absolutely disgusting.

Vowing never to meet the Emperor again, I generously spread jam on the scone Anna had brought and put it in my mouth.

Just then, someone knocked rapidly on the door.

“G-Grand Madam!”

“Yes?”

It was Anna who opened the door and entered. She was carrying an armful of letters, which she set down on the table beside the bed. There were so many that some of the letters almost fell to the floor.

“What’s this?”

“Letters the guests gave us before they left! There are party invitations, meeting notices, and- oh, there’s even a matchmaking proposal?”

I knew who gave me the last one. It seemed they’d only come to their senses after getting into real trouble.

I sighed and got down from the bed. Then I slowly examined the letters.

“Where did you get these?”

“The attendant on duty last evening received them.”

“…They didn’t come through the Main House?”

“Pardon?”

When I frowned, Anna asked in confusion, not knowing what was wrong.

“Is something wrong perhaps?”

“It’s not your fault. Those guests used a workaround.”

“A workaround?”

“Letters to me usually come through the Main House, don’t they.”

“…Ah!”

The word ‘censorship’ lingered on my lips, but I didn’t bother to say it out loud.

In fact, it was natural behavior from the Main House’s perspective. And the guests knew this and used a workaround.

They probably thought it was a way to contact me without worrying about the Main House’s reaction, but…

‘If discovered, it would be more troublesome.’

If the Main House family found out about this, it could raise unnecessary suspicions.

I tore open the letters and checked their contents one by one.

Fortunately, there were no suspicious letters. Most contained messages about wanting to build friendship with me, so they wouldn’t be difficult to reply to.

“Anna, could you bring me a pen and letter paper?”

“Oh, yes!”

I immediately began writing replies one by one. The content was simple.

‘Since schedules with my family haven’t been decided yet, I cannot give you a proper answer… Please contact me through the Main House from now on if possible… That should do it.’

Copying and writing the same text was quite a tedious task.

Being careful not to get the names and family houses wrong, by the time I finished writing everything, a full hour had passed.

“Done. Don’t seal them, send them to the Main House. Ask them to handle the sealing.”

This way the Main House would also read the letters and understand that I had no particular intentions. After Anna replied that she understood, she organized the desk.

“Ah… So Grand Madam is declining all these invitations?”

“For now, yes.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Hm?”

Anna’s voice lacked energy, so I stopped trying to get back on the bed. When I quietly looked at Anna, she waved her hands and said.

“Oh, no. I don’t mean anything by it… It’s just that so many people are curious about Grand Madam after the celebration, so I thought it was a shame.”

“Anna, would you like me to enter High Society?”

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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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