I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 52

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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 52

For some reason, they had brought a total of five teacups. I was about to ask why they brought extras when there weren’t more participants, but the Baroness beside me covered her mouth with her hand and said, “Oh my.”

“Grand Duchess, is this everyone you invited?”

“Yes.”

“…I see. This is my fault.”

“…Pardon?”

“In the Western Region, ladies’ gatherings must have at least five people.”

It was the first time I’d heard that a mere gathering had a minimum attendance requirement.

When I stared with wide eyes, the Baroness apologized and continued her explanation.

“The Queen who ruled the Western Region had four siblings in total. They were precious family who stayed together day and night. From that time, the tradition began that social gatherings must have at least five people.”

“That’s…”

What kind of bizarre tradition is that? I was about to frown but realized I was in front of guests and held back.

‘Nobles always have these petty sources of pride.’

I recalled outdated traditions like how your first fan must be bought by a man, or how handkerchief embroidery must be done by a young woman for good luck.

…Wait, maybe that’s actually correct for this era?

Anyway. I suspected this was also a tradition born from pride like ‘if you can’t gather 4 friends, you’re not qualified for noble gatherings.’

I wanted to say what did that matter, but I couldn’t do so in front of Ilina and Chloe, who wore innocent expressions.

‘Why didn’t Anna mention this? If she had given me a heads up… no, she probably didn’t know either.’

I had only told Anna that ‘Ilina is bringing companions.’

If this was a natural tradition in the Western Region, Anna would have naturally assumed Ilina would bring two companions. It was an accident caused by overlapping coincidental mistakes.

“I didn’t research enough, I apologize.”

“No, Grand Duchess, you have nothing to apologize for. Educating you about Western Social Circle customs is my responsibility – this is clearly my mistake.”

Then the Baroness tried to apologize to the two girls.

“I must also apologize to you both. I’ve ruined your first gathering.”

“Oh, no! What’s wrong with that! It’s fine just like this!”

“No. If we proceed like this, it won’t be a proper gathering but just a meeting to deepen friendships…”

The rigid Baroness seemed unable to accept a gathering that didn’t follow tradition.

‘We can’t find people on such short notice either.’

Since we had guests, we couldn’t seat our servants. To participate in the book club, one had to read at least one of the predetermined books, and I didn’t have friends who could do that.

While I was pondering what to do, Jane, who was sitting beside me, cautiously raised her hand.

“Then… shall I bring someone?”

“Hm? Do you have someone you can bring?”

“Yes, my escort happens to be downstairs. And surely… they would have read the book too. They’re quite cultured.”

“But having an escort participate would be…”

The Baroness, who had been listening to Jane’s story, looked troubled.

However, Jane seemed determined to make her recommendation, maintaining her stance in an uncharacteristic way.

“They’re not someone unworthy of the position.”

Rather than being absurd, I felt curious.

Since Jane recommended it this strongly, it wouldn’t be bad to let him participate once.

At any rate, it was better than leaving the seat empty.

When I nodded to show my approval, Jane asked me to wait a moment and went out, then brought back a man.

Tall stature, stuffy hair covering his eyes, bewilderment that could be felt just from looking at his mouth.

It was the mysterious guard that Jane had brought with her.

Called by Jane, he muttered in a voice that felt awkward.

“I… don’t think I’m suited for this kind of occasion.”

But Jane stubbornly brought him to the front of the table. Then they had a conversation in voices we couldn’t hear.

“I’m a guard to begin with…”

“But even in an occasion like this…”

Eventually, whether the man was persuaded or not, he shut his mouth tight and sat down.

Jane asked me with a satisfied expression, as if she had solved one problem.

“How is it, Grand Duchess? Will this be alright?”

“I’m fine with it, but…”

I glanced at the Baroness. I wondered if the meaning of the gathering would fade because a man was participating, but she, who had opposed it, was quietly lost in thought while looking at the man.

‘She’s not opposing it now?’

Then there seemed to be no need to refuse.

After nodding that it was fine, I ordered them to bring back the tea and refreshments that had been taken out. Anna returned leading the attendants.

As the wave of refreshments unfolded, I quietly muttered.

“…Isn’t this too much?”

I had expected about a three-tier tray to come out, but perhaps the pastry chef of the annex building had put considerable effort into it, as the refreshments laid out on the table were so splendid and varied that they didn’t suit a book club.

It was an amount that would require giving up dinner if we ate it all. When I glanced at Anna…

‘She’s incredibly happy.’

How should I describe that expression? Like a grandmother serving food to grandchildren who had come home after a long time, or like the recklessness of children cooking for their parents for the first time… I felt a familiar emotion.

Seeing that, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her to take it back.

‘Ilina seems to like it…’

Ilina had a bright expression and seemed to be looking forward to when she could eat.

Jane was also surprised by the splendid refreshments, but her eyes sparkled as if she was quite looking forward to it.

Chloe remained calm as always, and the Baroness was still quietly staring at the man.

“Ah- Then before we start the book club, shall we introduce ourselves first?”

It was my first time hosting such a gathering, so I felt awkward. I cleared my throat awkwardly and gathered everyone’s attention.

“First, thank you for participating in this gathering. I am…”

Introductions followed one by one. I introduced myself first, followed by the Baroness and Jane, then Ilina and Chloe’s turns.

Last was naturally the man sitting at the lowest seat, Jane’s guard. But the Baroness interrupted in the middle.

“How long have you been serving as Miss Jane’s guard?”

It was a rude and sudden question, unlike the Baroness. When I looked at her wondering what this was about, the man answered calmly.

“…Is that a question I need to answer?”

“I’ve used Goldrail Trading Company frequently, but this is the first time I’ve seen you.”

“Calling me ‘sir’ is excessive praise. I’m just Miss Jane’s worker. I’m nominally a guard, but what I mainly do is transportation.”

“…Is that so? I must have been mistaken.”

Of course, I had suspected that he wasn’t an ordinary worker. Just from his demeanor alone, he was too refined to believe he was merely a porter.

In novels, fallen noble daughters who hide their identities and become merchants often appear, so I thought this wasn’t such a big deal and pretended not to know.

‘…But his voice does sound familiar.’

Setting aside his appearance, since I’m particularly bad at remembering faces, the voice I heard up close for the first time strangely sounded familiar to my ears.

‘It must be my imagination.’

Even when I tried to recall my memories, I could count on one hand the times I’d conversed with a man of such build over the past 10 years.

To begin with, when I attended the Academy, skipping lessons was routine, so my social circle was narrow.

So I tried to dismiss it, but the man who had evaded the Baroness’s question somehow focused his gaze on me. He looked straight at me and introduced himself.

“My name is… Rohan.”

Rohan, huh.

‘What a protagonist-like name.’

With that trivial impression, we began the book club.

* * *

The flow of the book club went roughly like this.

First, the host briefly summarizes the content of the selected book and chooses topics for discussion.

Then the participants present their own arguments or impressions based on the topics.

Actually, it was closer to an essay contest than a book club.

I heard that each Family House has different book club formats, and some really do have book clubs where people just read books while drinking tea.

‘If I had known we’d have to talk this much, I would have chosen something else.’

The first book club somehow ended well.

Jane and I led the book club, making up for Chloe who spoke little and Ilina with her shallow impressions.

The Baroness only added a word or two in between and didn’t interfere with others’ impressions.

The format was that when Jane presented general opinions or impressions, I would add a comment from a slightly twisted perspective.

Jane would respond energetically with “I suppose one could think of it that way too!” and thanks to this, the conversation grew long, so we couldn’t achieve the leisurely book club I had wanted.

Still, it seemed to satisfy Anna’s desire for gatherings, as she attended to us with a proud expression throughout.

Instead, we couldn’t finish all the tea and refreshments and had to leave some, but Rohan, the only man present, took care of it all.

It was quite amusing how when I subtly pushed a plate toward him, he would tactfully and quickly pop the food into his mouth.

I informed them that the next tea party would be after the New Year celebration, and saw off Ilina, Chloe, and Jane.

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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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