I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 6

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 6

At the Academy for elementary school students, I took on all sorts of tasks. From organizing school newsletters to checking notification apps, buying supplies on behalf of parents, and so on…

Among those tasks, there were some that required Sewing. Things like mending clothes for kids who had fallen, or embroidering names on indoor shoe bags.

For reference, the person who was best at Sewing in our Academy was Driver Uncle. All my Sewing skills were learned from that uncle.

Anyway, since it was boring to just stare at the Fireplace, I put heated Stones into the Wrapping Cloth I had sewn, creating a quite useful portable Hand Warmer.

The motivation wasn’t anything special.

As autumn was passing, I heard complaints about hands hurting from the cold while doing laundry, so I made it as a way to pass time.

After I made one, everyone wanted one, and before I knew it, twenty Hand Warmers had been created.

Although the Stones cooled down quickly, they were popular since we used them in turns.

“…You have good handiwork skills.”

“Doesn’t everyone do this much?”

“Yes, Embroidery is a refinement after all. But not everyone has such a kind heart.”

The Baroness rolled the Hand Warmer around, then soon took off her Gloves and touched it with her bare hands. She closed her eyes as if feeling the warmth.

“This tea, did the Grand Madam choose it?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

I glanced at the tea in the Teacup. It was a Medicinal Decoction with Ginger and dried fruits.

In this world, Ginger was an extremely expensive medicinal ingredient, but the Annex Building had enough medicinal ingredients to last decades even with daily consumption, so I used it without hesitation.

“You dislike the cold, don’t you?”

“…”

Looking at the Baroness’s clothes, I could roughly guess what today’s weather was like.

The Western Region had colder weather than the Capital, and though it was called autumn, the temperature was like early winter in the Capital.

Since I also disliked the cold, I could tell even without specifically discussing weather-related topics.

Glancing over, it seemed like the Socks hidden inside the Baroness’s Shoes were also stuffed with cotton.

‘Having poor circulation and being sensitive to cold must be terrible.’

While I couldn’t empathize with losing a Husband, I could share the experience of being cold.

The Baroness placed the Hand Warmer on her lap and picked up her Teacup.

After taking a sip of the still-warm Ginger Tea, she exhaled a hot breath.

“…I have been teaching Etiquette to Ladies for the past several decades. How to hold a Fan, which hand to keep free when walking with a gentleman, which alcohol is acceptable to drink and which foods should not be eaten… I taught such things.”

“Ah, yes.”

Why is she suddenly talking about this while drinking Ginger Tea?

I was a bit flustered when she brought up past stories instead of continuing the education I had expected.

“But through my long involvement in this work, I realized that true education cannot be conveyed through words.”

“Ah…”

I think I understood what this meant.

As a teacher, there were many things I wanted to teach students, but there were times when the sense of futility felt heavy when those lessons didn’t get through.

‘If you wear Shoes backwards, your ankles will hurt.’

‘Don’t put your smartphone in the pencil case.’

‘Do you think no one will notice if you wear earphones and hide them with your hair?’

…Wait, hold on. Now that I think about it, my worries seem too trivial compared to the Baroness’s anguish.

“Everyone says I teach ladylike conduct, but in truth, I wanted to teach the exemplary behavior of a noble. The duties and attitude one must have as someone in a position of authority.”

She grasped my hands with a gentle expression she had never shown before.

Her wrinkled hands, warmed by the hand warmer, tenderly stroked mine.

“In that sense, Grand Duchess Wilhelmina, you lack nothing. You possess a mindset that I cannot teach.”

“…You flatter me.”

Were the hand warmer and ginger tea really that moving? Should I pack some for her to take when she leaves?

“No, that’s not true. For these three days, I have witnessed the good deeds you have done.”

When exactly?

“The expression of the maid who assists you, the eyes of the pages who watched me through the door crack when I scolded you, and your consistent consideration… You possess the most important heart as a madam.”

Practically speaking, I haven’t even gotten married yet, but hearing that I’m perfect as a madam feels strange.

Of course, I couldn’t show it, so I quietly lowered my eyes and listened.

“Therefore, I conclude your education here. If etiquette comes from the heart, you will be able to overcome any adversity.”

“Ah, yes.”

…Does she mean I should bring ginger tea to the celebration?

Not knowing what exactly was so remarkable about me, I could only nod my head.

* * *

Only forty nobles attended the Margrave’s celebration.

Considering the Margrave’s status, it was surprisingly small-scale.

The Western Margrave was from a family as prestigious as the Ducal House, and also a knight family respected by swordsmen.

If Layton had the image of an honorable elder, the Margrave could be called a warrior who built his reputation with a single sword.

I couldn’t understand why it was being held on such a small scale, but Baroness Rollan explained it for me.

‘Officially, the Western Region is still in a period of mourning.’

She particularly emphasized the word “officially.”

In other words, no one really thinks that way.

It would be awkward to hold a grand celebration openly, so they scaled it down appropriately.

Upon hearing this, I unconsciously clapped my hands.

I suddenly realized that not even two months had passed since the Late Duke’s death.

‘Now that I think about it, it is strange to hold such a grand year-end party. The Late Duke must not have been well-regarded.’

I could understand why his subordinates hated the Late Duke.

How many subordinates could actually like their superior? Moreover, since he was said to have a fierce personality, it would be fortunate if they didn’t spit on his grave.

‘Come to think of it, I only wore mourning clothes for a week. In this place, wives sometimes wear mourning clothes for 1-2 years. It’s convenient for me, but….’

However, I didn’t expect even the nobles who lived off the Ducal House’s patronage to ignore the mourning period.

‘…Helene really endured well.’

The first person who came to mind was my daughter-in-law, Helene.

She must have suffered quite a bit under a father-in-law who had changed wives five times already. I thought I should set an example as a mother-in-law.

For reference, my idea of an exemplary mother-in-law is someone who doesn’t do anything.

When elders interfere, it just gets more tiresome. It’s best to stay still. That’s what they say in dramas.

“Madam.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

While I was lost in various thoughts, Anna called me.

It was a signal that the celebration banquet would soon begin.

Considering the status of the Ducal House, we would normally make an entrance during the banquet, but since the protagonist this time was the Margrave, the Duke’s family was scheduled to enter first and greet the guests.

When we arrived at the Banquet Hall, I met a man adjusting his attire at the entrance.

‘That’s the Duke.’

Just looking at the numerous Attendants, Butler, and several Retainers around him, I could tell who he was.

The man was young.

He had neatly swept back brilliant platinum hair and revealed his broad forehead, yet he didn’t look old at all.

His sharp eyebrows and slightly upturned lips seemed to speak of his personality, and his blue eyes, slightly deeper than Helene’s, were full of vitality.

He looked more like a venture company CEO than the head of an ancient noble family.

‘I heard the Layton family split from the Imperial Family in the distant past, and I can tell just by looking at their coloring.’

I slowly approached the man, Mikhail Phil Layton.

‘Come to think of it, is this officially our first meeting?’

This was the first time participating in an event as family.

We had attended the funeral together, but back then I was more like a spectator than a member of the Ducal House, so I didn’t understand what was happening.

It was quite absurd. The official occasion for meeting my stepson was someone else’s celebration banquet.

Of course, I wasn’t expecting a warm welcome from my son’s family. Even as a modern person, I thought it would be difficult to accept a stepmother younger than oneself.

So I thought Mikhail would be reluctant about me…

“Ah, Mother!”

He welcomed me with a bright smile.

“It’s good to meet you like this. I’m Mikhail Phil Layton.”

“Wilhelmina…”

“Layton, right!”

“…Layton. Please take care of me.”

I was so flustered that I even stammered.

I hadn’t expected him to welcome me so brightly, and I was at a loss for words at his unhesitant gesture of extending his hand for a handshake.

It didn’t feel like he was treating a new stepmother, but more like a class president greeting a new student.

It was a burdensome friendliness I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Please forgive me for not being able to welcome you properly, given the circumstances.”

“…It’s fine. I heard you were quite busy.”

“Actually, I told my wife that I should pay my respects first, but she said Mother would need time to adjust. That’s why I couldn’t come to see you.”

“That’s…”

Wouldn’t it be better not to mention that? If said wrong, it could sound like talking behind his wife’s back.

‘He doesn’t seem to have… malicious intent though.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————