Episode 27 of “She’s My Mother-in-Law, but I Hate Conflict”
Once I took off my mask, it was clear he had no chance of winning.
He must have realized that we had known all along—the tricks he pulled, the schemes he tried. Both the Frontier Count and I.
“Return to your positions, Sir Derek. Sir Nata. Let’s have another match. This time, no coincidences, just a fair duel based purely on skill. I’ll be watching.”
I deliberately walked slowly back to my seat. I returned to the judges’ table, holding the ridiculous cat mask in my hand, and waited for a response.
It was obvious whose response I was waiting for.
A cowardly knight who had no more tricks left to hide.
“…I forfeit.”
It was Derek.
In a voice filled with shame and humiliation unlike anything I’d ever heard before, he declared defeat.
Not to me—but to Nata.
Later, after the crowd’s cheers had died down and the arena grew silent, I presented a sword to Nata.
It was supposed to be the award ceremony for the winner, but since I had revealed my identity, the atmosphere had become solemn.
‘This is why I wanted to stay as just a commentator.’
Still, I handed the sword to Nata, whose eyes were bright and clear, as if he had made up his mind about something, and I congratulated him on his victory.
As for the runner-up, Derek, who had only shown disgrace, he disappeared somewhere with the Frontier Count.
‘Honestly, I’d have liked to torment him a little more dramatically.’
Suddenly, I remembered something I had said to Nata before.
“If I win… will that prove myself?”
“Who knows.”
For now, the audience and fellow knights were probably in awe of Nata’s skills.
Maybe some were even reflecting on how they had badmouthed him, thinking he wasn’t who they assumed he was.
But that wouldn’t last long.
‘If things could be solved this easily, the world would’ve been peaceful long ago.’
I already knew how this issue would end. Recognition for another race was always fleeting entertainment for the masses—soon enough, they’d return to discrimination.
Even though I wanted to end this revenge more spectacularly, I held myself back. I reminded myself that I was still an outsider to the Frontier Count’s military.
“…I’m surprised. I didn’t expect you to resolve it this way.”
“Count.”
We were watching the celebration banquet from a separate building, where the scent of alcohol, meat, and music filled the air, when the Frontier Count approached me.
I glanced out the window. There, beneath a tree far from the crowd, Derek sat alone on a bench, head bowed.
“Finished lecturing him?”
“There wasn’t much to lecture. I just briefly mentioned the punishment he’ll receive.”
“But surely Sir Derek isn’t the only one at fault.”
“Regrettably, it’s difficult to hold everyone accountable.”
That was true.
I had hoped the other knights who condoned or ignored Nata’s mistreatment would also be properly disciplined, but that was unrealistic.
If anything, it might cause backlash and claims that the Frontier Count was showing favoritism. It was more effective to punish a few ringleaders as an example.
“Nata… went through a lot, didn’t he.”
“Did Sir Derek tell you?”
“Yes. On the way out, I grabbed a few apprentice knights and dug out the details.”
Apparently, the Frontier Count wasn’t normally the type to pry, but this incident must’ve shaken him. He added that people spilled everything without resistance.
Then he gave a bitter smile, looking suddenly ten years older.
It seemed Nata hadn’t just suffered simple exclusion or gossip.
His duty schedule had been maliciously altered, supply deliveries were skipped, and important training dates—essential for performance evaluations—were delivered late. It was a string of small, subtle acts of sabotage that looked accidental on the surface.
‘And yet they never laid a hand on him directly… Probably because they knew how strong he was.’
In a way, that made it even more vile. If they had challenged him to a duel like true knights, things might not have gotten so bad.
But the others on the battlefield who knew Nata’s strength must have silently blocked that from happening.
“Still, I’m relieved we could clear at least some of the injustice Nata suffered. It’s all thanks to you, madam.”
“Well, sure.”
I wouldn’t deny it—it was thanks to me.
As I nodded with arms crossed, the Frontier Count chuckled.
“I heard you never attended any social or political events before your marriage, but that’s hard to believe. You handled the crowd like a master.”
“You too, Count.”
“What do you mean…?”
“You didn’t block the sword that came flying at me on purpose, did you?”
“…”
Watching the duel between Nata and Derek, I’d realized something—knights in this world truly possessed superhuman strength.
When Derek’s sword clashed with Nata’s fist, the shockwave felt like witnessing the destructive power of a weapon on live news.
Once they started using mana, they had already far surpassed human limits.
And the Frontier Count was the leader of these monsters—a man known as the best knight in the West.
I didn’t believe for a second that he failed to block the attack while even Nata could.
So why didn’t he?
“You wanted Nata to be the one to block it, didn’t you?”
“…You have a sharp eye. I noticed it during the tournament, too.”
“Don’t dodge the question.”
“You’re right. Of course, if Nata had been too late, I would’ve stepped in before the blade reached you. But in that moment, I believed it was better for Nata to take the hit…”
“For dramatic effect?”
“Exactly.”
‘What a sly old fox.’
I frowned at him.
It wasn’t just the fact that he gambled with my safety that annoyed me—it was the way he tried to pretend to compliment me while doing it.
In a way, this entire event wasn’t just my plan—it had happened with his tacit approval.
“Are all soldiers like this?”
“When you’re the commander of an army, you pick up a few tricks. Reading the room is one of them.”
I didn’t feel like agreeing, so I turned my gaze back toward the celebration.
Nata had already left. The rest of the soldiers and knights were enjoying the party, drunken and boisterous.
“What will happen to Nata from now on…”
“That’s something I’ll hear directly from Sir Nata, not from you, Count.”
“Fair enough. I overstepped.”
Even after I cut him off several times, he simply laughed and nodded gently.
Strangely, his attitude toward me had softened. Before, it was like he was evaluating me; now, he seemed more like a kind old grandfather.
“Once the banquet ends, I’ll be returning to the border.”
“Is that so?”
“I won’t be able to attend the year-end party, but I’ll try to make it for the New Year’s celebration.”
“Okay…”
Why is he telling me this, though?
I replied politely, and suddenly he stepped closer and dropped to one knee.
“Count?”
“Come to think of it, I never properly greeted you. Lady Wilhelmina Layton, Duchess and Dowager, I am Count Taytan Isonon, governor of the western border.”
I stared, eyes wide. Why was he suddenly kneeling?
He bowed deeply and continued.
“It was my selfishness that put you in danger. I sincerely apologize. If you wish to punish me, I will accept it.”
I never expected to receive such a deep bow from the Frontier Count.
In the West, his honor and standing far outweighed mine. Yet here he was, offering such an earnest apology.
“…There’s no need. If I were in your shoes, I’d have done the same. Besides, I wasn’t really in danger, was I?”
“No, I remember that you trembled after the duel. Likely because of Derek’s sword.”
Ugh. Of course this sly old fox would notice something like that. He must’ve picked up on my deep breaths—remnants of trauma from my past life.
“Nata’s suffering… this celebration… everything is my fault. Even if you refuse to punish me, I don’t intend to leave it at a mere apology.”
He pulled something from his pocket and handed it to me with the dignity of a vassal presenting treasure to a monarch.
“What is this?”
“My family crest—the seal of House Isonon.”
A shield under a large sword, embraced by a single wolf. I accepted it carefully.
“I, Taytan, hereby recognize Lady Wilhelmina Layton as the rightful Duchess Dowager.”
“…”
“No matter what anyone says, House Isonon will give her words highest priority.”
He stopped just short of saying he’d take my side no matter what—how very noble of him. Still, it was an astonishing offer.
Its value couldn’t be measured in coin. The hero of the western front—the Empire’s legendary knight—was placing his trust in me.
“Isn’t that a bit hasty, considering you barely know me?”
