I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 78

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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 78

The Seal’s gaze followed the sandwich as it moved.

Ilina, what on earth did you make? You’re even enchanting the Lake Fairy.

“Wait, hold on.”

I slowly stood up from my seat. The boat swayed a little, but maintaining balance wasn’t difficult. Then I approached Rohan.

“Grand Duchess?”

“Stay still.”

Then, to give the sandwich to the Seal, I grabbed Rohan’s shoulder and stretched my body backward.

The back of the boat was quite cramped, so I had no choice but to do it this way.

If I threw it, the sandwich would probably fall apart while flying.

‘But ignoring it would be too cruel when it’s so cute.’

This was my first time riding a boat, and also my first time seeing a Seal. It was so adorable that I couldn’t ignore it.

“G-Grand Madam, what are you doing right now…?”

“Sir Nata, don’t move. What if the boat tips over?”

“Someone like Grand Madam wouldn’t tip over no matter how much you move… No, that’s not the point!”

As I grabbed Rohan’s shoulder and fidgeted around, Nata shouted in a flustered voice.

“You can’t press your body… I mean- you can’t get so close! What if someone sees…?”

“I’m just trying to feed it, don’t get so upset.”

Since they couldn’t see it, I couldn’t really explain what I was doing.

To their eyes, I probably looked like someone trying to throw a sandwich into the lake, but there was nothing I could do about it.

While holding onto Rohan’s shoulder, who had somehow frozen like a statue, I put the sandwich into the Sea Lion’s mouth.

[…Tta!]

Fortunately, it seemed to taste good. But do Seals really make “tta” sounds?

“You want more?”

[Ttaa!]

Seeing it vigorously shake its head up and down, it seemed to really like it.

I grabbed the box again and placed it on Rohan’s hand. Then I took out only a sandwich and handed it to the Sea Lion.

“Is there something there?”

Only now seeming to notice that someone was behind him, Rohan asked in a hoarse voice.

“There’s a fairy here, though it seems you can’t see it… It’s a large Seal. It seems to want to eat the sandwich.”

“Then… I’ll give it to them.”

“You can’t see it, so I’ll give it.”

‘And this is kind of fun too.’

Watching the Seal munch on the sandwich while shaking its head happily, I could understand what the promotional flyer meant when it urged people to find the Lake Fairy.

Despite its large size, the way it acted cute was quite endearing.

“Well, even if it’s big, cute is still cute.”

“…”

“Can you pass me the box? I’ll give it one more. …Oh, if you want to eat one, leave one behind.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Somehow his shoulders seemed to be getting stiffer and stiffer. It felt like I was touching rock rather than a person.

I was already worried he might feel uncomfortable with physical contact, so I deliberately only held his shoulders while pulling my body back, but even that seemed unwelcome.

“Sorry, this is the last time.”

“No, there’s nothing to be sorry about…”

But Nata, unable to tolerate wasting food, called out to me again.

“Grand Madam, fairy or whatever, please calm down first.”

“Calm down?”

Was I even angry? Just as I was about to say that Nata’s choice of words was strange, the seal that had eaten all the sandwiches let out a loud burp.

[It was delicious!]

“Huh?”

It can talk too?

[The singing was enjoyable, and the bread was tasty. So as a reward, I’ll take you to the King!]

“King? Wait, why do you…”

It’s a seal, but it has wings on its back?

The seal that suddenly spread its wings raised its short arms up.

“Magic power! Grand Madam, this way…!”

Nata tried to rush toward me urgently, but the seal’s arms striking down on the lake was faster.

Splash-!

Even though it was invisible, it could still exert power, as the water touched by its arms instantly became waves that crashed over us.

“Grand Madam!”

Nata ran toward me and reached out his hand. However, I was swept away by the waves first.

The boat didn’t budge at all, but the waves wrapped around only me and pulled me into the lake.

Splash-!

Having fallen into the lake, I plummeted straight to the river bottom. As if terrestrial gravity was applied, I began falling at a rapid speed.

In the distance, I could see Rohan and Nata shouting toward me.

“…Wilhelmina!”

I couldn’t hear which one called my name, as it was drowned out by the fierce sound of bubbles.

After seeing both men simultaneously jump into the lake, I closed my eyes.

Suddenly, an unbearable drowsiness pressed down on my eyelids.

[It’s okay, you’ll just sleep for a moment. …Teacher.]

Someone with a familiar voice comforted me.

As if falling into sleep, I sank into the lake.

* * *

‘I’m going to succeed.’

That child who used to read novels every day began showing a determined side from one day onward.

She was a child who talked so much about this protagonist and that cliché, weaving stories about novels that could fill an entire book, but from that point on, she kept her mouth shut.

She only spoke occasionally when classmates asked for work recommendations, and began focusing on her studies as if she had become a civil service exam student.

Of course, That Child hadn’t lost interest in novels.

When I casually mentioned, “That series finished, you know,” she would glare at me with eyes that said she was dying of curiosity.

I could guess what had changed, but I couldn’t bring myself to interfere. I was just an after-school Academy Teacher, after all.

At some point, she stopped carrying her Smartphone. Her Bag, which had always been full, became empty. Her face was redder than usual.

She started wearing Long-sleeved Casual Clothes instead of her School Uniform.

…And she began talking about her future plans in front of me more often.

‘I’m going to succeed and become independent. I’ll make tons of money and live alone in a big house.’

When I said that was too abstract and distant a dream for a middle schooler, That Child snorted and said:

‘It’s better than having no dreams at all.’

That was true. I, as her Teacher, was left speechless.

One day, the child came to the Academy without an Umbrella on a rainy day.

Just as I was about to turn off the lights to close up, I discovered the child standing in the Classroom, completely soaked.

That Child was searching through her Desk. Even though there was nothing there.

‘I hate adults.’

But I’m an adult too?

‘Teacher is different.’

Whether she meant I wasn’t an adult or that I wasn’t a ‘bad person,’ the meaning was clear.

I wiped down the child whose cheeks had gotten wet with a Towel. No matter how much I wiped, her cheeks wouldn’t dry.

Looking back now, I should have saved That Child then.

Before pointlessly contacting the School or looking for the Homeroom Teacher, I should have reached out to That Child myself.

…I shouldn’t have made that report.

‘…My chest hurts.’

It wasn’t an abstract expression—it really hurt. Because of the Kitchen Knife stuck in my chest.

Every time hot blood gushed out, the pain chilled my body.

‘No!’

Someone running away, the sound of sirens ringing in my ears, and a small child embracing me.

I slowly placed my hand on the child’s shoulder.

I’m okay—that’s what I should say.

‘Are you hurt anywhere?’

My question only made the child cry harder.

‘I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I… shouldn’t have called you, Teacher…’

The child’s body trembled pitifully.

Looking at the child breathing so roughly it seemed difficult to breathe, I slowly opened my mouth.

‘It’s not your fault.’

It’s natural for children to rely on adults. Crying out for help isn’t weakness. I’m sorry Teacher was late.

I wanted to say those words, but I couldn’t remember them.

‘What did I say back then?’

I remembered offering words of comfort.

But I still couldn’t recall what the content was.

I had lost too much blood, making my consciousness hazy. My memory wasn’t complete.

Even moving my eyelids took effort, and my eyes began to dry out.

Beyond my blurred vision, I could see the novel That Child used to love. In the dim little bookshelf, the title of the pink book particularly caught my eye.

That book’s title was definitely…

[Wake up! Hey!]

Crack-!

Then, the world began to crumble like a sandcastle.

[I was trying to give you a nice dream, but what is this nightmare? If you stay here any longer, your soul will shatter!]

It was noisy. I frowned at the loud voice that disturbed my ears and shook my head.

[Stop and wake up! Who’s worrying about whom right now? That’s a dream, not reality! Besides…]

The voice was somehow familiar to my ears.

Yes, just like That Child – irritable and sharp…

[Don’t cry, who’s telling whom! Wake up, Teacher Kim Hana-!]

Crack-!

Again that unidentifiable sound came… and I opened my eyes.

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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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