When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me

****

Anriette and Alexei were deep in conversation, their heads close together.

“About Lisa Ferguson, from before,” Alexei began.

“You mentioned you’d investigate discreetly. Did you find anything?”

“Yes, I believe I’ve found out where she lives.”

At this unexpected news, Anriette’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Really?”

Alexei nodded.

“I’m planning to lead some knights there tomorrow. And—”

But just then, footsteps echoed nearby, and someone interrupted their conversation.

“Alexei, Anriette.”

“Oh, Mother.”

“Mother, you’re here?”

The Duke and Duchess of Valua both looked up in unison, surprised.

It was the first time they had seen Delphina with such a cold expression.

“It seems both of you have been very busy lately.”

“Well, it’s been almost a year since we returned to the Duke’s territory,” Alexei replied, forcing a calm demeanor.

However, Delphina had no intention of beating around the bush.

“Is it because of ‘Lisa Ferguson’ that you’re busy?”

“……”

“……”

A chilling silence fell over them.

Alexei swallowed hard.

Following Anriette’s advice, he had kept the name Lisa Ferguson a secret from everyone.

“…How do you know that name, Mother?”

At his question, Delphina held out the piece of paper she had in her hand.

“I found this the other day when I visited Anriette’s office.”

Ah, that’s it.

Anriette felt a pang of regret.

‘I forgot I had written down that note.’

It was one of her habits to leave meaningless scribbles on notes when she was deep in thought.

‘Honestly, I didn’t even realize I had left a note like that…’

She felt a sinking feeling in her chest at the thought of what might have happened if that note had ended up in the housekeeper’s hands instead of Delphina’s.

“So, who exactly is Lisa Ferguson?”

Delphina asked again.

Alexei couldn’t hide his flustered expression.

“…That’s…”

“Be honest with me.”

And at that moment, Anriette spoke up.

“Let me explain, Your Grace.”

“But, my lady…”

“Even if it’s something that needs to be kept secret, you are our family and an important elder in Valua.”

Shaking her head, Anriette continued firmly.

“I don’t think it’s right to hide such a significant matter from you.”

“…You’re right.”

Alexei nodded resolutely.

He then stood up and brought over the budget proposals.

These were the files where Anriette had organized all the suspicious aspects she had noted.

“If you want to understand who Lisa Ferguson is, you should first review these documents.”

“…Alright.”

Nodding, Delphina began to examine the papers closely, one by one.

After a moment, she spoke up.

“It seems that this Lisa Ferguson is involved in most of the outsourced projects conducted by Valua.”

Closing the file with a snap, Delphina asked both of them,

“Am I understanding this correctly?”

“That’s correct. What we’ve uncovered is…”

Alexei calmly explained.

He detailed how the name Lisa Ferguson was consistently linked to various outsourced projects and that the housekeeper was the one who had been overseeing them.

He also mentioned that they had been conducting a discreet investigation.

“I see.”

After hearing everything, Delphina clenched her teeth.

“I think I understand why you kept this from me.”

“…Mother.”

“I’ve been someone who approved this budget without even properly reviewing it until now.”

The back of her hand, gripping the files, trembled violently.

“I’ve blindly trusted the housekeeper’s loyalty and lived with my eyes closed…”

“Still, Mother, quite a bit of investigation has been conducted.”

Anriette spoke soothingly.

“We’ve found Lisa Ferguson’s address.”

“That’s something you did.”

Delphina shook her head firmly.

“Even if we find that person, it doesn’t erase the foolish things I’ve done until now.”

“Mother, but…”

Anriette looked at Delphina helplessly.

Just then, as if contemplating something, Delphina suddenly spoke up.

“Nevertheless, I think I can help you this time.”

“Help us?”

“Yes.”

Delphina twisted her lips into a menacing smile.

“The housekeeper and Lisa Ferguson regularly exchange letters.”

Shock registered on Anriette and Alexei’s faces.

***

It was a bright morning, with sunlight pouring in.

However, the room, covered by thick curtains, was dark and quiet.

Only the soft, irregular sounds of someone deeply asleep echoed in the silence.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just then, someone roughly knocked on the front door.

A woman stirred in the dark room.

“Ugh…”

She groaned, holding her head.

After a moment, her eyes narrowed.

“…Who on earth is causing such a racket so early in the morning?”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The knocking grew more urgent.

As if to hurry her along.

The woman, now fully awake, grumbled with irritation.

“Seriously, someone should just say a word!”

She stomped toward the door, her movements filled with frustration as she grasped the doorknob.

With a loud creak, she threw the door open.

“What on earth is your time sense…!”

Gasp.

The moment she opened the door, the first person her eyes fell upon was…

“D-Duke?!”

It was none other than Alexei.

Behind him stood a group of knights, dressed in the Valua military uniform.

“It’s been a while, Meg… No.”

Alexei twisted his lips into a ferocious smile.

“Lisa Ferguson.”

All the color drained from Meg’s face.

***

Meanwhile, at the Valua Duke’s residence.

The housekeeper was already on edge, scolding the staff early in the morning.

“How is everyone managing the mail?!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

The servants immediately bowed their heads.

‘When he’s this angry, it’s better to just keep your head down…’

‘What’s his problem today?’

The housekeeper was respectful to those above him but tended to treat those below him rather harshly.

‘He’s the one who personally manages the mail in the first place.’

‘If we try to take any mail without permission, he goes wild every time.’

Just then, as the servants suppressed their complaints, a voice broke through to save them.

“Stop harassing the underlings.”

It was Delphina.

The housekeeper, who had been yelling at the servants, quickly changed his expression.

“Lady?”

Delphina shrugged her shoulders at the housekeeper.

“I have the item you’re looking for.”

“…Excuse me?”

“You’re looking for these letters, right?”

Delphina showed him the bundle of mail she was holding.

Among the mail, the name ‘Lisa Ferguson’ could be seen peeking through.

“Oh, Lady, you had them?”

The housekeeper’s face relaxed with relief as he reached out his hand.

“I might have been a bit sensitive since there are letters related to work. Please hand those over quickly…”

“Hmm.”

However, Delphina didn’t pass the mail to him.

Instead, she picked up one letter and examined it closely.

“Letters exchanged for work, huh.”

The letter she picked up was the one sent by ‘Lisa Ferguson.’

“That matter is probably related to the ‘Duchy of Valua,’ right?”

“Yes? Well, I’m a servant of Valua, so…”

“Then it would be perfectly fine for me to inspect the mail myself.”

What?

In an instant, the housekeeper’s expression hardened.