Episode 28 of I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want a Daughter-in-Law Conflict
He rose from his seat. Then, noticing the seal that had somehow vanished into my hands, he smiled and said,
“No, Madam, I actually know you better than you think.”
His tone was meant to reassure, so I let out a soft chuckle.
“As I mentioned before, married men aren’t really my type.”
“…Yes, and I prefer my wife. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”
“Did I use that phrase right?”
The Count and I burst into loud laughter side by side.
A few days after the celebration banquet had ended, someone came to visit our annex.
The main estate claimed he was my guest and didn’t even assign a servant to accompany him—just sent him straight to the annex.
Curious who could be let in without any prior notice, I went out to find a man entering with a bundle nearly the size of a grown adult on his back.
More than the luggage, it was the stunning face beneath his messy hair that left the surrounding servants breathless.
I had grown somewhat used to it and asked calmly,
“What brings you here, Sir Nata?”
Not in his knight’s armor but plain clothes, Nata kneeled in front of me.
I was just thinking how steady his posture was despite the large load when he spoke with passionate determination:
“I, Nata Sonon, have come to become the knight of Madam Wilhelmina of the Layton Ducal House.”
“…”
Do knights usually show up like this, unannounced and insistent?
I glanced at Anna, expecting her to explain, but she looked like a local seeing a celebrity on a movie set, muttering “Oh no, oh no” while stomping her feet.
Clearly, she wasn’t going to be helpful, so I signaled to a nearby servant. The servant quickly understood and went up to my room.
“If Madam doesn’t require me as a knight, I’m willing to work here as a servant. I can be a stable hand, a cleaner, a porter—anything. I just want to serve by your side.”
“Sir Nata, surely there are better positions waiting for you elsewhere.”
It wasn’t an empty compliment. Thanks to the rumors his so-called comrades had spread, his chances in the west were slim—but in the capital, many would welcome a knight like Nata with open arms.
“But you’re the only one who accepts me not as a fae, but as Nata.”
“…”
I didn’t deny it.
“And among the fae, there is a tradition. When we show our wings to someone, we offer them our body and soul.”
“What?”
Surely he wasn’t proposing some kind of marriage? Just imagining having such a beautiful spouse made me nauseous. I could feel my stomach churn.
“Of course, it’s an old tale, not a forced obligation. But… the one I wish to devote myself to is you, Madam.”
Thank goodness it wasn’t that kind of devotion.
“Please, accept my humble sword.”
“…Haa.”
I hadn’t planned on accepting a knight, but it couldn’t be helped.
I slowly approached Nata. The servant who had gone to my room returned and handed me a document.
I took it and handed it directly to Nata, who was still kneeling.
“What is this?”
“A letter of recommendation for a knight. I was going to give it to the Count.”
Nata’s eyes widened in shock.
The document clearly stated that Wilhelmina Layton intended to employ Nata Sonon as her personal guard.
“Even if you hadn’t come to me like this, I would have come to you first, Sir Nata.”
“Madam…”
“I’m not a Duchess anymore. You should address me properly. We’re family now.”
I helped him to his feet.
‘Technically, I should be presenting him a sword… but well, there was that tournament prize last time. That’ll do.’
Hiding my stingy thoughts, I patted his shoulder.
“I’m counting on you, Sir Nata.”
“Yes! I pledge my loyalty to you, my liege!”
That sounded a bit too stiff. I touched my lips thoughtfully and corrected him.
“No, call me Madam. That suits me better—I’m the matriarch of this household, after all.”
And just like that, I gained my first knight—one far too good for me.
“Oh, by the way, Sir Nata. Did you inform the Count?”
“Yes, I quit that ridiculous job. Threw my resignation in the middle of a meeting. Everyone was stunned.”
“…Why?”
“Well… I always wanted to try that. It was a dream of mine to throw a resignation letter on the table.”
People really are the same everywhere. I suddenly felt a deep connection to all workers across the world.
Recently, our annex has had a regular visitor—none other than Jane Goldrail, the merchant from the Goldrail Trading Company.
After our brief business discussion last time, she began stopping by under the pretense of delivering food supplies.
‘That kind of visit gets approved so easily, huh?’
I thought they’d complain about me hosting guests since I’m seen as a burden, but surprisingly, Jane passed through the gates without issue.
Was it Mikhail’s influence? Or Helene’s goodwill? Maybe the success of the celebration banquet helped.
I heard the Border Count had sent a lavish thank-you gift to the main estate.
Thanks to that, the servants who were once scorned for serving me now walked around with their heads held high, proudly saying, “That’s our Madam.”
“…So, that spice merchant from the capital? It turns out their company was actually a puppet used to launder funds for their jewelry branch.”
“That’s bold—trying to operate like that in another region.”
“That just shows how easy they thought the West would be. I can’t deny that.”
She repeatedly thanked me, saying the concepts I had taught her helped her see trading firms in a new light.
But I couldn’t help feeling uneasy. What if she used that knowledge for ill to grow her business?
“I’ve said this before, but don’t even think about using that knowledge. It’s dangerous.”
“Of course.”
“It’s the kind of scam that’ll get you stabbed.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Not sure if she truly got the message, I looked at her awkwardly. She murmured in her usual sharp tone,
“But now that I know, I can use it to warn those pulling clumsy tricks, can’t I?”
“…Hmm.”
Seemed like something I shouldn’t meddle in, so I let it go.
I reached for a cookie on the table, thinking of offering one to Nata. But when I looked behind me, he was staring quietly out the window.
‘What’s he looking at?’
Outside, a man was unloading food supplies Jane had brought.
Long hair covering his eyes, a thick-collared tunic… It was the same assistant she brought when we first met.
“Is he one of your subordinates?”
“Huh? Oh, he’s a colleague. I hired him as both an assistant and bodyguard.”
Isn’t that what a subordinate is? I wondered.
Then, Nata leaned in and whispered in my ear,
“That man… he’s skilled.”
“I thought you said he was a guard?”
“Yes, but I can’t gauge his full ability.”
“…That skilled?”
For Nata to say that meant the man was stronger than most swordsmen even at the western border.
I looked again at the man effortlessly stacking boxes like a game of Tetris.
‘Even if the Goldrail Company is flush with cash, is it normal to have such a powerful person as a bodyguard?’
And yet, he’s stuck doing box Tetris? Must be nice having that kind of money.
When I turned to Jane, she was glancing at Nata meaningfully and gave a small cough.
“He’s been vetted. You don’t need to worry.”
“Is he a knight?”
“No. But… he’s not a bad person. I swear it on my name.”
So she was hiding something. But I let it go. Even Jane must have her secrets.
There’s a saying in this world—a good merchant always hides a dagger under their sleeve.
While chatting, time flew by.
As tea time came to an end, Jane stood and excused herself.
“Anna, would you please show her the way?”
“Yes, Madam.”
After drinking all that tea, she probably needed the restroom.
I gave Anna a look, and she led Jane out of the drawing room.
Watching Jane hurry out, I stared absentmindedly out the window.
The man, done unloading, was now resting against a tree.
‘Oddly atmospheric.’
His long unkempt hair made him look scruffy, but the calm way he rested was almost picturesque—didn’t seem like a mere merchant’s escort.
‘Feels like I’ve seen him somewhere before.’
His appearance was unfamiliar, but the air about him triggered a strong sense of déjà vu.
One thing was for sure—I didn’t know him personally.
