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

“Ah, Anriche.”

“It was a situation that was easy to misunderstand in many ways, wasn’t it?”

Delphina’s eyes began to well up with tears.

“Oh, dear…!”

Delphina suddenly burrowed into Anriche’s arms.

‘What should I do about my mother-in-law being so soft-hearted?’

As Anriche gently patted Delphina’s back, she wore an awkward expression.

After a good while of sniffing, Delphina, still buried in Anriche’s embrace, mumbled softly,

“Alexei… must be really disappointed in me.”

“There’s no way,” Anriche shook her head.

“Just how much the Duke loves you.”

“But he trusted me with the duchy, and now I’ve caused this trouble…”

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Anriche said gently, like comforting a child.

“How can anyone resist someone who is intentionally deceiving them?”

“…Really?”

“Of course.”

Only then did Delphina manage a shy, smiling expression.

***

After spending a good amount of time with Delphina, Anriche said, “Good night, Mother.”

“Sleep well, dear.”

With their kind nighttime greetings concluded, Anriche left Delphina’s bedroom.

And then, she unexpectedly ran into someone.

“Oh, Duke.”

The person was none other than Alexei.

At first, Alexei had intended to stay with Delphina, but…

‘I can’t possibly face you right now.’

…That’s why he had ended up being sent away.

“How is my mother doing?”

“She seems quite hurt, but she’ll pick herself up,” Anriche replied with a bright smile.

“Because you’ll be by her side, right?”

At her response, Alexei’s expression softened a bit.

Anriche carefully opened her mouth.

“By the way, regarding the punishment for the housekeeper and Meg…”

“We will punish them directly from Valua. There will be no leniency.”

Alexei answered decisively.

“Previously, we extended the utmost kindness toward Meg.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“But this is a case of returning that kindness with malice.”

Anriche gazed at Alexei, pondering.

If Alexei felt this strongly…

‘The Hansen family is going to be completely ruined.’

Moreover, seeing Alexei so resolute was quite rare.

He must be extremely angry.

And his anger was likely fueled by the fact that…

“I cannot forgive them when I think about the pain my mother must have suffered.”

…It was an attack on Alexei’s ‘family,’ making it all the more unbearable.

Anriche unintentionally spoke up.

“It seems like you care deeply for your family, Duke.”

“Excuse me?”

Alexei tilted his head in confusion.

‘Oh no.’

What she had intended to keep to herself slipped out.

Anriche awkwardly smiled.

“Well, it seems that whenever there’s something related to family, you get particularly furious.”

“That’s true.”

Alexei nodded readily.

Then, unexpectedly, he said something else.

“So, if there’s ever anything that burdens the Duchess…”

A burden?

Alexei spoke gently to Anriche, who was blinking in surprise.

“I hope you will always let me know whenever you need something.”

“……”

For a moment, Anriche fell silent.

Now that she thought about it, there had been so many things happening recently.

The plot by Meg, the schemes of Baron Ivan’s wife, and the excessive interference from the Duke of Sachsen.

‘I even got slapped by the Duke of Sachsen at one point.’

But through all those moments…

‘The Duke has always been by my side.’

Thinking this way, a warmth spread in her chest.

“Even if I may be lacking in many ways right now, if I work hard…”

After hesitating briefly, Alexei continued cautiously.

“Perhaps one day, I could be someone you can depend on comfortably?”

As he said this, Alexei could hardly hide his embarrassment.

Somehow, he looked incredibly endearing like that.

Without realizing it, Anriche blurted out, “You are already a support for me.”

“Excuse me?”

“I rely on you quite a lot, Duke.”

After choosing her words carefully, Anriche clenched her fists and continued.

“So please don’t think you are lacking in any way.”

“……”

Hearing her response, Alexei quietly met her gaze.

After a moment,

“……I’m very glad to hear you say that,” he replied, looking quite shy.

Ah, how strange.

Anriche swallowed hard.

When the Duke made such a face…

‘My heart flutters.’

Without realizing it, she tightly grasped the hem of her dress.

Fortunately, it seemed Alexei didn’t notice her unusual state at all.

“By the way, it’s late. Shouldn’t you get some rest, Duchess?”

“Yes, yes?”

She snapped back to reality upon hearing his words.

“Oh… right.”

“Then let me escort you to your room.”

If it had been the usual Anriche, she would have refused, saying, “It’s fine, I can go alone.”

But this time…

‘I want to spend a little more time with him.’

Anriche nodded quietly.

“Thank you.”

At her answer, Alexei smiled as if he couldn’t be happier.

***

Anriche couldn’t quite recall how she made it back to her bedroom.

“Have a good night,” Alexei said kindly before returning to his own room.

Stumbling into her bedroom, Anriche flopped onto her bed.

‘No, no, no…!’

She muffled her mouth and silently struggled.

‘Duke, it’s unfair to make someone feel this excited!’

Anriche buried her face into her pillow.

Her ears were already flushed bright red.

***

9. Feast of Saint Philip

Recently, Anriche had been enjoying a very leisurely time.

‘Wow, it really feels like a vacation!’

After resolving all matters related to the housekeeper and Meg, peace had finally returned to the ducal residence.

Even when she lounged on the sofa basking in the sunlight, everyone simply accepted it.

Anriche stifled a short yawn, covering her mouth.

‘These days, I really have nothing to do.’

She took walks around the ducal residence, played with the children, and sometimes, Delphina would invite her for tea time with the kids.

Of course, when she actually went to those gatherings…

‘Hmph, it’s not like I want to drink tea with you!’

‘Oh, really?’

‘It’s just that the kids wanted me to come!’

…She would end up grumbling for no reason.

Once, to playfully tease Delphina, she had pretended to be upset and asked,

‘Then, Mother, should I just leave?’

‘Who told you to go?!’

Delphina had become flustered, worried that her daughter-in-law would actually leave.

Remembering that moment, Anriche let out a small giggle.

‘Well, our mother is a bit cute.’

Just then, the door swung open, and Elliot and Liliana rushed in side by side.

“Mom, Mom!”

“Mother!”

The first to speak was Liliana, her eyes sparkling with excitement like stars.

“They’re decorating the ducal residence for the Feast of Saint Philip right now!”

“Let’s go see it together!”

Following her, Elliot chirped like a chick.

Anriche, unable to resist their enthusiasm, sat up.

“Hm, should we?”

“Yes!”

Liliana nodded eagerly, and

“Let’s hurry! Let’s go!” Elliot exclaimed, pulling on Anriche’s hand.

Thus, the three of them made their way down to the first floor of the ducal residence.

What immediately caught their eyes was a large fir tree topped with a golden star.

It was adorned with colorful ornaments and ribbons, making it look very splendid.

‘Well, compared to my previous life, I guess I can think of it as a Christmas tree.’

Just then, maids who spotted Anriche and the children quickly bowed their heads.

“Welcome, Young Lady.”

“Is it okay for us to be here when everyone is busy?”

“Why would you say something like that?”

The maid quickly waved her hands dismissively.

With a warm smile, Anriche looked around at the beautifully decorated surroundings for the feast.

“More than that, it looks incredibly beautiful. You’ve all worked hard.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, my lady.”

Anriche returned the maid’s smile and subtly shifted her gaze.

‘Somehow, the children seem unusually quiet.’

…This silence felt somewhat ominous.

‘They’re not planning to cause any trouble, are they?’

Fortunately, the children were sitting quietly under the fir tree.

More accurately, they seemed to be fixated on the decorations hanging from the tree…

“Hey, what are you two looking at so intently?”

Anriche tilted her head as she approached the children.