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

“It’s truly fortunate that we can even be admitted to this welfare facility.”

“The food is good, and we can receive treatment if we fall ill.”

Hmm.

Anriche closely examined the condition of the elderly.

‘They look fairly okay.’

Their health seemed quite good, and their expressions were not gloomy.

However, there was one thing that disappointed her.

‘If only we could do something about this awkward atmosphere.’

Everyone was too busy watching Anriche’s reactions to feel at ease.

Of course, she knew this in her mind.

The empire had a class system, and Anriche was the wife of the lord governing this territory.

So, she understood that it was a naturally uncomfortable situation, but…

‘Should I tell them it’s okay to relax?’

Anriche’s expression turned complex.

‘But ordering them to be at ease would likely make them uncomfortable…’

Just as Anriche was lost in thought,

two little angels came to her rescue.

“Grandma, have some chocolate.”

Lilyana was handing out her favorite chocolates to the elderly, and

“Shall I draw you a picture?”

Elliot asked with a somewhat bashful expression, clutching colored pencils and a sketchbook to his chest.

Anriche’s eyes filled with emotion.

‘My little ones are the best!’

Children have a way of melting the hearts of adults just by being themselves.

Moreover.

‘Our Elliot and Lilyana will be the protagonists of this world in the future!’

Isn’t it natural that they’re adorable enough to want to pinch their cheeks?!

She silently gushed with pride.

Additionally, the children’s cuteness had an enormous effect on the elderly.

“Wow… are you giving me this chocolate?”

“Oh my, what kind of picture will you draw for me?”

The elderly people, who had seemed somewhat burdened when facing Anriche, relaxed their guard when interacting with the children.

‘Phew, what a relief.’

Feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles, Anriche let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

Just then, Delphina, who had gone to the restroom, returned.

“Hey, dear.”

“Oh, Mother. You’re back?”

“Yes.”

Delphina nodded and then subtly opened her mouth.

“You know, I’ve been thinking. You should…”

Me?

Anriche looked at Delphina with a confused expression.

Delphina gently suggested to Anriche,

“Don’t you think you should sit with Alexei?”

“Me? Why?”

“You’re the Duchess of Balua. Naturally, you should know how the welfare facility operates, right?”

Anriche’s expression turned sour.

‘Well, she’s not wrong.’

If that were the case, she should have told her to join from the start, right?

Why is she saying this now?

However, Delphina was insistent on sending Anriche to Alexei’s side.

“I’ll look after the kids, so you should hurry and go.”

“Uh, okay…”

Unable to resist Delphina’s urging, Anriche found herself leaving the room in a daze.

‘Hmm, it feels like Mother is trying to get me and the Duke together…’

Is that just my imagination?

She tilted her head, looking for Alexei.

***

‘But where is the Duke…?’

As Anriche looked around, she suddenly lifted her head.

‘Ah, there he is.’

Alexei was exiting the reception room with the director.

“Then, we will proceed with that matter as discussed.”

“Very well.”

With the director’s respectful reply, Alexei nodded and added,

“Oh, by the way. Don’t hesitate to allocate additional budget if needed; don’t skimp on the expenses for food.”

“Your Grace, however…”

“Isn’t it St. Philip’s Feast Day?”

Alexei smiled lightly.

“While everyone is celebrating the feast day, the people at the welfare facility should also share in the joy.”

It seemed that, in light of the holiday, he intended to provide a feast for the residents of the facility.

‘It’s not easy to think about such things.’

Anriche stood there, seemingly nailed to the spot, gazing at Alexei.

‘The Duke really seems to be completely different from the typical noble.’

Since becoming Anriche, she had felt firsthand that the class system in this world was quite rigid.

‘Of course, with the rise of the new bourgeoisie, the boundaries have become somewhat blurred compared to before…’

Nonetheless, Alexei was the only Duke in the empire, standing at the pinnacle of this classist society.

Thus, even Alexei could be expected to have a sense of entitlement as a noble.

‘…But the Duke truly pays attention to and cares for the common people, doesn’t he?’

Whether that consideration was innate or a responsibility acquired as the lord of his territory, it was undeniably impressive.

Just looking at her own family, the House of Balua, it seemed like they had molded “arrogance and insolence” into human form.

‘Ugh.’

As she shook her head inwardly, a new question arose.

‘What about me?’

In that moment, her violet eyes darkened.

‘…I don’t think I’ve ever considered the mindset I should have as a Duchess.’

Of course, Anriche had not neglected her duties as the Duchess.

However, if she were to be honest, her focus had been primarily on pleasing her family, the Balua household.

‘I wish that as our family becomes happier, the people of the territory could also find happiness…’

Just then, while she was deep in thought, someone tugged at her skirt.

“Mother.”

“Lily?”

As she looked down, she saw Lilyana with a somewhat serious expression.

‘When Lilyana makes that face, it usually means she has something on her mind.’

Narrowing her brows slightly, Anriche knelt down to meet Lilyana at eye level.

“What’s wrong?”

“I…”

Lilyana, fidgeting with her fingers, swallowed hard before speaking.

“Could we send some gifts to the Everitt Orphanage?”

“To the orphanage?”

“Yes.”

Lilyana nodded vigorously.

“Actually, the orphanage has never celebrated St. Philip’s Feast Day before.”

When the Londini family managed the orphanage, they only paid attention to the outward appearance of the place, neglecting the actual lives of the children.

‘Even though it’s St. Philip’s Feast Day, wouldn’t it be nice to spend at least a little time together in celebration?’

At that time, a staff member at the orphanage had cautiously asked,

“Feast Day? What feast day?”

The Baroness of Londini had scoffed and responded coldly.

“As long as we feed and clothe them, isn’t that enough?”

“B-but…”

“Enough, don’t say any more. They seem ungrateful anyway.”

The Baroness waved her hand dismissively and left.

In truth, the residents were well aware of the reality.

The obligation of the orphanage was simply to feed, clothe, and shelter the children.

They understood that no further consideration was required.

But…

‘Is our Janet coming to pick up her mother?’

‘Yes! It’s a feast day, so we agreed to go out and play together!’

The beautifully dressed daughter of the Baroness of Londini, with a bright smile, running toward her mother.

And the image of them riding in a carriage, shining under the feast day decorations, as they went outside.

Sitting together at the window, watching the happy lives of others, felt oddly like being mere spectators in someone else’s life…

‘…That’s how it was.’

At that moment, a gentle voice pulled Lilyana back to reality.

“Lily, what are you thinking about so hard?”

Oh dear.

Snapping back to attention, Lilyana quickly shook her head.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Well, it doesn’t seem like nothing to me.”

Anriche teased with a playful smile.

“And about those gifts…”

“Mother?”

“I have no idea why you’re asking me that question.”

At that, Lilyana froze.

‘What does she mean? Did I say something wrong?’

Lilyana’s eyes widened in surprise.

At the same time, Anriche gently stroked Lilyana’s cheek as if to say there was no need to worry.

“Well, Lily is the owner of the orphanage, isn’t she?”

“Yes, yes?”

“So, you can do that as you please.”

“Ah…!”

Lilyana’s face lit up as if a light bulb had gone on.

That was true.

Even though Lilyana was still too young to manage the orphanage entirely, they had appointed a representative director.

In principle, Lilyana and Elliot were the owners of the orphanage.

“Thank you, Mother!”

“Don’t mention it.”

Anriche shrugged her shoulders lightly.

However, the look of admiration in Lilyana’s eyes showed no signs of fading.

“I think I really need to study harder from now on.”

“…Huh?”

On top of that, Lilyana suddenly voiced a random determination.

Anriche looked down at her in bewilderment.

‘It seems like she’s already working hard enough as it is.’

Lilyana’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“I’ve already received so much from you and the Balua family, so…”

And then, with her fists clenched, she continued,

“I want to give back even a little of what I’ve received to others.”