Mother-in-Law Refuses to Regress! (7 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 30
The newly built tower stood on the western border of Arendia, close to the continent’s center.
Guinevere stood at the tower’s highest floor, gazing out over the barren wasteland stretching unobstructed in every direction.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
Guinevere patted Hedel’s shoulder.
“Well done.”
“Thank you.”
Hedel wore a rare look of joy. Not only he, but the other mages as well burst into cheers.
“We did it!”
“Praise us too!”
Guinevere nodded vaguely in acknowledgment. That alone sent the mages jumping up and down with delight.
Truthfully, each of them had been so absorbed in their own research they’d never tested just how far magic could truly go.
This tower, built with one heart and one will, was nothing short of the essence of magic itself.
Standing before the Mage Tower—the first masterpiece ever created collaboratively by mages—Siod’s thoughts grew complicated.
“What’s with that expression?”
Guinevere asked, turning to look at him. Siod cast a barrier so others couldn’t hear, then replied honestly.
“I’m not sure how *he* will take this.”
The only one Siod would refer to as “he” was undoubtedly Lord of the Dragonkin. Guinevere’s face hardened as she lowered her eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, she muttered softly.
“It’s nothing special. Just… like a cat tower.”
She’d kept picking up stray cats one by one until her home turned into chaos, so she’d simply built them a playground where they could roam freely. She hadn’t imagined Lord would view it with suspicion.
“Besides, someone like you could easily tear it down, right?”
Even Guinevere herself could annihilate the tower and all its mages in an instant if she so desired. Thus, it surely wouldn’t be seen as a threat by dragons. Yet Siod thought otherwise.
“You don’t quite understand—dragons are timid.”
That’s why they chose to hide from humans. Perhaps the only race in this world possessing both supreme strength and intelligence yet opting for decline.
“But they’re also lazy. And as long as I’m here, nothing serious will happen.”
After he left, another dragon might come—stirring discord among the mages or making them enemies of other political powers to tear them apart…
Siod swallowed the rest of his words and gave a faint smile. Guinevere eyed him suspiciously for a moment, then gave up trying to decipher it and instead issued him a warning.
“Once William is old enough, I’ll pass the ducal title to him. He’ll need power instead of magic. By then, I’ll guard this tower.”
“…Even if it means standing against dragons?”
“Yes.”
My Guinevere—cold yet tender. Just moments ago she called it merely a “cat tower,” and now she was ready to stake her life for it. Siod gave a bitter smile.
How had he fallen for such a woman?
“Then… is this tower our honeymoon home?”
“Nonsense again.”
*
In this lifetime, Guinevere had no intention of teaching William magic. Instead, she planned to bequeath him everything else she could offer.
A noble title, territory, power and wealth so immense even the Emperor couldn’t ignore it—all so he could protect his family without relying on magic.
Siod proved quite helpful in this plan. He was, after all, more noble than Guinevere herself. He’d been assisting her greatly since her first appearances at social events like hunting tournaments.
“How do I look?”
Guinevere turned awkwardly. She’d cast aside her usual black long dress and now wore a jacket and bustle dress favored by nobles for strolls or picnics.
“You look like you wear it every day.”
Siod clapped. It was more reassuring than any flowery compliment about her beauty. Guinevere openly sighed in relief.
“People might stare strangely.”
“At whom?”
“Just… I never wear clothes like this.”
“I’ll pluck out their eyes.”
Siod grinned cheerfully. Though Guinevere called him a madman, her inner tension eased nonetheless.
To integrate William and Larisa into noble society, Guinevere had to secure her own place in it first.
In her previous life, she’d never entertained such thoughts—she’d believed William would become a great mage like herself.
But if magic couldn’t save or protect him, she had to find another way.
Surprisingly, it was Larisa who made her realize that power could serve as another means.
‘Attending Rodante family carriage events, birthday parties, enrollment ceremonies… Just doing what Lara suggested made everything go smoothly, didn’t it?’
She was a walking stroke of luck. It wasn’t that these things were extraordinary—it was simply that Guinevere had never done them before. Without Larisa, she might never have realized even the obvious.
Guinevere resolved to admit she was utterly clueless about everything except magic. This time, she intended to use every resource available.
“Check one more time—perfect, right?”
“I already said yes.”
“When was the last time you attended a social event? It’d be troubling if your outfit looks too outdated.”
“I specifically asked for the latest fashion. And even if it’s a bit classic, so what? I guarantee everything you do will set a new trend.”
“Hmph.”
Cheeky fellow. Leaving behind Siod, who pouted at her disbelief in his sincerity, Guinevere descended to the lobby—and spotted Larisa already waiting below.
“Larisa.”
“Mother!”
Larisa cried out, cheeks flushed pink.
“You look like a princess.”
“You look like an angel.”
Larisa, standing in her ivory dress, truly defied any description other than “angel.” Guinevere smiled contentedly and praised the maid standing behind Larisa.
“You have skill.”
“Th-thank you, my lady.”
Was her name Daisy? Thanks to Larisa’s daily chatter, Guinevere had at least memorized it. She turned to the steward.
“Assign this maid as Larisa’s personal lady’s maid.”
“Pardon, my lady, but unmarried young ladies typically don’t have lady’s maids—it’s a privilege reserved for married women…”
“Who cares? The Rodante family does it this way.”
“As you wish.”
It was ironic—Guinevere herself had no lady’s maid, yet she insisted on assigning one to the child under her patronage. Siod sighed inwardly and whispered to her.
“Only imperial family members employ lady’s maids before marriage. What if the Emperor takes offense?”
“Why would he?”
“He might think you’re imitating the royal family.”
“He gets offended over anything. Don’t royal women take noblewomen as lady’s maids? Must he meddle even in appointing common-born maids?”
“If someone wants to pick a quarrel, they’ll find any excuse.”
“I am Guinevere Rodante.”
Siod shrugged and stepped back. That audacious confidence—it was exactly why he’d fallen for her. Guinevere would surely stand proud even before the Lord.
“Then let’s depart.”
Guinevere boarded the carriage, escorted by Hedel. Siod, swallowing his regret, escorted Larisa up and watched them leave with a bitter expression.
“Have a safe trip.”
“Teacher, we’ll be back!”
Siod waved back—toward Guinevere, who wouldn’t even glance his way, and Larisa, who waved like an eager puppy.
Staring after the departing carriage, Siod felt profoundly wretched. He’d wanted to be the one escorting Guinevere—not Hedel. Or at least, let him accompany Larisa in his capacity as her tutor.
But Guinevere permitted none of it. She’d coldly extracted only the necessary details—the hunting tournament schedule, etiquette rules—and left him behind.
Though he couldn’t skip his academy lectures as a new professor, the sense of disappointment was unavoidable.
“How do I win her back…”
No matter how he thought about it, his offenses seemed too grave. Siod sighed so deeply the earth nearly caved in beneath him.
*
The spring hunting tournament was the noble class’s grandest event, held in anticipation of warmer weather—and the only time the imperial hunting grounds opened to them.
Thus, nearly all Arendian nobles attended the spring hunt. Watching the endless line of carriages stretching on both sides, Larisa asked,
“Why aren’t those carriages moving?”
Hedel replied,
“They’re waiting their turn.”
“And us?”
“The Rodante family doesn’t need to wait. Along with the Imperial family and five other great houses, we’re permitted to use the King’s Road. Following this path leads straight to the Imperial Palace—and beyond it, the royal hunting grounds.”
Upon arriving and disembarking, they were met with a bustling crowd at the entrance. Guinevere carried Larisa as Hedel forged a path ahead.
Overwhelmed by the event’s scale, Larisa shrank back and whispered nervously,
“Is it really alright for someone like me to be here?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“But…”
Larisa gripped the hem of her uncomfortable dress and pouted.
“I’m just a gutter rat from the back alleys.”
“You are Larisa Rodante.”
Guinevere adjusted her hold and spoke with resolve. But Larisa only buried her face into Guinevere’s shoulder, struggling to suppress the burden she felt.
She’d never expected to attend such an event without William. She’d assumed it was just a picnic—never imagined this clamorous gathering… She resented the adults for not telling her anything.
Guinevere herself was attending such an event for the first time, obediently following Hedel’s lead, but Larisa had no idea.
Not long after entering, a familiar face appeared.
“Oh my, Lady Rodante is here too.”
“Your Majesty.”
Guinevere gave a slight bow, still holding Larisa. The Empress naturally turned her attention to Larisa as well.
Larisa wanted to curtsy properly—lifting her skirt as Siod had taught her recently—but Guinevere refused to set her down.
“Mother, please put me down.”
Larisa whispered.
“What? No. It’s too crowded—you might get lost.”
“But I need to greet her…”
“What’s that? I didn’t hear.”
Liar—she heard perfectly. Larisa pouted. Regardless, Guinevere kept holding her tightly, refusing to let go.
She knew formal etiquette frightened Larisa. She didn’t want her intimidated from the start. The Empress, understanding everything, smiled gently.
“There’s no need for formalities yet—you’re still young, Miss Larisa.”
“Your Majesty, I’m sorry.”
Larisa gave up and bowed deeply. The Empress’s maids tittered, calling her adorable.
“We’ve met our Lizzy before, haven’t we? Would you care to join us?”
Princess Elizabeth, standing a step behind the Empress, offered a nod of greeting.
‘I’d rather not…’
Before Guinevere could even finish the thought, she firmly said,
“I’m sorry, but we’re here to participate in the hunt.”
“Oh.”
The Empress looked genuinely surprised. Traditionally, during hunting tournaments, men hunted while women enjoyed leisurely gatherings among themselves.
But Guinevere cared nothing for such conventions.
“I’ll win first place.”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
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