I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 77

—————
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 77

Rather than having such an extreme experience, even if awkward, safety was the best option. Even if I fell into the water, there were Servants nearby so there wouldn’t be any worry…

Eventually, we arrived at the Center of the Lake.

Fortunately, we were the only ones on a Boat, so we could navigate comfortably.

“There’s some fog.”

It was definitely clear when we departed, but once we entered the Lake, hazy fog interfered with our vision.

Nata, who had put down the Oars and caught her breath, looked around the surroundings.

“The Lake doesn’t have wind, so fog is frequent. Still, since the day isn’t hot, it should disappear soon.”

“…It’s getting thicker though?”

“That’s… true.”

As if it was just our luck, even while we were talking, the fog grew denser. It wasn’t to the point where we couldn’t see the other party members, but it was disappointing not being able to appreciate the scenery.

The landscape outside the Lake had been as beautiful as a painting.

“Then shall we recite some poetry while we’re at it?”

Even as I spoke, something felt awkward.

Whether it was due to a modern person’s dried-up sensibilities, or a problem with the way of expression, feeling ticklish, I cleared my throat and averted my gaze from the two.

Fortunately, they seemed to have no particular thoughts about it.

“Grand Madam, how shall we decide the order?”

“Since they say the superior starts first and continues the theme… I’ll go first.”

The Baroness had explained the examples and procedures of poetry in detail.

‘It doesn’t quite suit the fog, but I have something prepared.’

[Upon the calm Floor of water

A boat that replaces legs

You who wave from the other side

Are you a guest who waited for me, or a dream

If it is you, please raise a White Flag

I shall return wearing White Clothes.]

Good, it came out well.

It was a… knockoff poem that sang of a traveler returning from Sea to Land, and the tender feelings of a lover welcoming them.

Actually, it was a work adapted from classical poetry I had read at the Academy.

I only borrowed the theme, but since I created the rhythm and method myself, I felt confident.

I secretly observed the two people’s reactions.

It seemed it wasn’t a disappointingly bad poem, as Nata smiled as if proud, and Rohan quietly clapped his hands.

I couldn’t see his eyes, so I didn’t know what emotions he harbored.

“Then is it my turn next? The theme seems to be homecoming… let me see.”

After thinking for a moment, Nata began Singing in a beautiful voice.

Unlike me who had silently recited poetry, hers was poetry mixed with melody.

[Open your embrace for me.

Horse and oars are my legs, I’ll leave behind the shoes that stepped on snow.

I’ll return with the enemy’s teeth.

Your necklace is proof of victory, your hometown beneath the High Mountain.

Do not forget your resentment.

The lingering echo of wildfire, I cannot return until I repay it.]

“….”

That was… quite an impressive song.

Nata’s singing skill was remarkable, but even I, an outsider, could clearly feel the emotions hidden behind that beautiful voice.

“A victory song… no, a triumphal song?”

Rohan spoke with an admiring voice.

“The snow that symbolizes the Western Region, the Tooth Necklace of the Foreign Tribes… these are metaphors only someone who has experienced war could use.”

“Yes, this is the first time I’ve shared it with others.”

Perhaps because they were both swordsmen, Rohan’s voice was quite excited with admiration. Nata smiled with an embarrassed expression as if feeling shy.

“Now Rohan, you’re the last one.”

“Understood. I’ll go with resentment.”

‘…Isn’t the subject matter getting too heavy?’

Somehow the common ground between these two seemed different from mine.

But it felt awkward to intrude on their exchange, so I quietly listened.

[If it’s a red flower, know that it was burned by fire.

She sets out to find the one who made it red.

If it’s a blue flower, know that it was bitten by a dog.

She does not forget her resentment.

If it’s an indigo flower, let it burn me.

There will be plenty of time to wander searching for her.]

…This was also an excellent poem.

Unlike mine which strictly followed meter, Rohan’s was more free-form.

The imagery was vivid and easy to imagine, but I couldn’t understand the last line.

It seemed like a poem about a woman so ruthless she was compared to a dog, yet affection was mixed in at the very end.

I wondered if he was nervous since he was going last and looked at him, but his expression remained stoic as always.

‘But both of them are better than me.’

This was unexpected.

I had expected Chloe and Ilina to write excellent poetry since they’re at an age with outstanding sensitivity, but I didn’t know Nata and Rohan would be this skilled too.

‘Or maybe I’m just bad at it.’

…Once this outing is over, I should ask the Baroness for special lessons.

“Shall we have some snacks?”

The longer the poetry recitation went on, the smaller I felt, so I took out the box that had been placed on the floor, partly to change the subject.

It was the box that Ilina had given me.

When I looked back and forth between the two, indicating I would take it out, Rohan shook his head.

“You two should eat. I’m fine.”

“Really? It seems like she packed quite a lot.”

Despite appearances, the box was quite heavy. I opened the lid to check what was inside.

Then a peculiar herb fragrance hit my nose sharply and spread around us.

“This is…”

What was inside were sandwiches. But their colors were very unusual.

They were sandwiches mixed with purple, teal, and yellow vegetables, with only the bright red ham being a normal ingredient.

‘She said fairies like these, so she must have used special herbs.’

Whether I should say the creativity of using herbs like lettuce was very much like Ilina, I took out one neatly sliced sandwich piece. Then I turned my head to share it with Nata first, but…

“Oh, Sir Nata? Your wings are showing?”

“…What?”

Nata was covering his nose with a fierce expression.

Moreover, translucent wings were spread behind his back. It was fairy wings I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Gasp!”

He too seemed unaware that his wings were spread, hastily shaking his shoulders to try to fold them back.

But the wings wouldn’t listen to him and trembled as if threatening.

“Don’t tell me it’s because of this sandwich?”

“…It seems so.”

Nata looked at the sandwich in my hand with bewildered eyes.

“I’ve heard there are ingredients sensitive to magic power, but just from the smell like this… Perhaps Miss Ilina has alchemist talent.”

Mages might make a fuss if they heard this, but it was a talent of no use to me.

“Should I put it back then? I feel a bit sorry to Miss Ilina, but with Sir Nata like this…”

“No, it’s fine. This isn’t because I feel bad. It’s rather… close to excitement.”

“…Excitement?”

“Yes. My nose is ticklish, but I want to keep smelling it…”

‘Ah, it’s like catnip.’

I roughly understood what kind of sensation it was.

It reminded me of the relationship between catnip and cats – it doesn’t cause major problems to the body, but just smelling it makes one focus mentally.

I glanced at Rohan.

He was just silently gripping the oars, as if he wasn’t even surprised that Nata was a fairy.

“But since just the smell does this much… I’ll pass on eating it.”

Nata refused the sandwich, but his wings kept trembling as if his true feelings were different.

I secretly wanted to let him try it, but I stopped since it seemed like it would be tormenting him. Instead, I turned my head to hand the box to Rohan.

One would be enough for me, so I planned to give the rest to Rohan.

“Grand Duchess?”

And I was left speechless. It wasn’t Rohan reaching out his hand as if he’d been waiting that was the problem. It was what was hiding behind his large frame… a seal.

Even after rubbing my eyes and looking again, it was a seal.

That seal you could only see at the zoo.

The seal was hanging from the railing, staring at me intently.

The snow-white seal’s lips twitched when our eyes met. I could hear the smacking sound of its lips touching together.

‘A seal? But this isn’t even the sea? And isn’t it a bit too big?’

I was momentarily stunned by the incongruous sight.

“Grand Madam? What are you looking at?”

“Sir Nata, can’t you see that? There’s a seal over there.”

“Pardon? There’s nothing there…”

“You too?”

“Yes, I don’t see anything.”

It seemed only I could see it.

Both Nata and Rohan looked like they had no idea what I was looking at.

Could it be some kind of ghost that only I can see?

‘No, where in the world would there be a seal ghost? It must be a fairy.’

The Lake Fairy that occasionally shows itself to tourists.

I thought the rumors came from tourists accidentally spotting the fairy, but it was the opposite.

The fairy deliberately showed itself only to specific people.

Then what’s the reason it’s only visible to me?

“…Could it be because of this?”

I subtly waved the sandwich I was holding.

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