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

***

After Anriche disappeared into the bathroom,

Alexei wrapped his hands around his face and let out a long sigh.

“…Hah.”

He felt like he was half out of his mind until they entered the bedroom.

When he had seen her sitting on the bed, gazing up at him,

‘That was dangerous.’

He had truly been on the verge of losing his rationality.

‘But isn’t that also partly Anriche’s fault?’

Honestly, wouldn’t it be strange for him to be able to keep his wits about him when he was in the presence of someone so pretty, cute, and lovely?

How could anyone remain composed when they were in the same bedroom as her?

Moreover,

‘She said she would wash up first…’

Alexei nodded, thinking that was a very wise suggestion.

‘She must have realized that I was barely holding onto my rationality and gave me some time to breathe.’

If Anriche heard that, she would probably think it was nonsense, but nonetheless, Alexei was serious.

‘So… I need to do well.’

She had been considerate in so many ways, so he had to make sure not to disappoint her either.

With that thought firmly in his mind, Alexei steeled himself.

***

Even after finishing her shower, Anriche hesitated at the door for a long while.

‘What do I do? I’m so nervous!’

After fidgeting for several moments, she carefully pushed the bathroom door open.

“I’m done washing up…”

“Oh, you’re done?”

Alexei turned to Anriche with a bright smile.

In that instant, her eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.

‘Wow, what is this…?’

Alexei, feeling uncomfortable in his clerical robe, had unbuttoned several buttons at the collar.

It was just that simple act, yet…

‘…Now I understand why the demons tried so hard to tempt St. Philip.’

With just a loosened collar, an air of decadence surrounded the once-ascetic priest.

The neckline peeking through the loose collar was…

‘No, no! What kind of perverted thoughts are these?!’

Anriche hastily repressed the rising excitement in her lips.

Just then, Alexei stood up.

“Then I’ll wash up as well.”

“Yes, I’ll wait!”

She nodded, trying to maintain the most innocent expression she could muster.

Clack.

The bathroom door closed.

‘…I hope I didn’t drool!’

As soon as Alexei stepped into the bathroom, Anriche quickly checked her mouth.

Alexei stepped into the bathroom.

The hot air mixed with the scent of soap hit his face.

In that warmth, he suddenly felt the reality of the situation.

‘Just moments ago, Anriche was here.’

He shared the space she had occupied.

As soon as he thought that, his heart began to race uncontrollably.

‘…I need to stop being so conscious.’

No matter how hard he tried to maintain his composure, his thoughts kept drifting back to Anriche.

‘It was the same just now.’

In that moment when she stepped out of the bath, her cheeks flushed,

Alexei personally experienced how the phrase “my mind went blank” could come to life.

Of course, on the surface, he tried to act as nonchalantly as possible…

‘Then I’ll wash up as well.’

Wasn’t that just a sign that he was at his limit, hastily escaping into the bathroom?

“Phew.”

Taking a deep breath, Alexei splashed some water on his face, hoping to calm the wild emotions surging within him.

***

Beyond the closed bathroom door, the sound of water dripping faintly echoed.

Listening to that sound, the reality hit him once more.

‘…I’m really going to spend the night with Alexei.’

Come to think of it, this was the first time they would sleep in the same room.

Even though they had been married for almost ten years.

‘Is something wrong with me?’

Anriche glanced at herself in the mirror, feeling a tinge of anxiety.

She ran her fingers through her hair and adjusted her pajamas to make sure they weren’t rumpled.

In the midst of all this,

‘…Wait a minute.’

Her hands, which had been moving busily, suddenly froze.

A sharp question pierced through her mind as if she had pricked herself on a thorn.

‘I like Alexei. But does he?’

Now that she thought about it, they had never really talked about how they felt about each other.

‘What if I spoke carelessly and pushed for a relationship he doesn’t want?’

In that moment, Anriche felt her heart drop.

‘After all… I don’t want to just hold hands while we sleep.’

Of course, Alexei had said that.

But that could have just been… a polite gesture.

Perhaps he was too embarrassed to refuse her,

Or he was being considerate so she wouldn’t get hurt…

“……”

Anriche bit her lip, feeling troubled.

***

Finally, freshly showered, Alexei stepped out.

“Anriche, um…”

Just as Alexei was about to say something, he paused.

Anriche’s expression as she turned to look at him seemed oddly dark.

‘What’s going on?’

Alexei’s mind snapped to attention as if he had splashed cold water on his head.

‘Why does she look like that?’

…Could it be that she had changed her mind?

Or was it that, while he was the only one feeling happy about spending the night together,

the idea was uncomfortable for her…?

“Is something wrong?”

“Uh, well…”

At Alexei’s cautious question, Anriche abruptly opened her mouth.

Her voice was trembling slightly.

“…Could it be that you’re being considerate of me even though you don’t want to?”

“Pardon?”

At her question, Alexei truly felt flustered.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, if you’re doing this out of a sense of duty as a husband, or out of responsibility…”

Anriche clutched the bed sheets tightly as she continued.

“If that’s how you feel, it’s okay to refuse.”

“…”

At her words, Alexei’s face hardened.

‘So right now…’

She thought that what he was doing was not out of love for her, but out of obligation.

‘…Is that what she thinks?’

Could she really have such a ridiculous misunderstanding?

Anriche, completely unaware of Alexei’s true feelings, looked up at him with a determined expression.

“I’m not trying to burden you. I’m speaking honestly.”

“Anriche.”

“The heir of the duke’s family is more than enough with Elliot, and…”

But Anriche could not finish her sentence.

A large hand suddenly enveloped her cheeks.

‘Huh?’

Before she knew it, Alexei leaned in and kissed her passionately.

“W-wait a minute…”

Anriche’s eyes widened in surprise.

But that moment was short-lived.

“…Mmm.”

Feeling as if her entire body were melting, she unconsciously squeezed her eyes shut.

At the same time, his firm grip wrapped around her waist.

The kiss continued, relentless and passionate.

Alexei seemed like he wanted to swallow her whole, from head to toe.

After being swept away by the dizzying kiss for quite some time,

“…Hah.”

Their lips finally parted.

Breathing heavily, Anriche looked up at Alexei with dazed eyes.

She didn’t even realize how she ended up lying on the bed, nestled within Alexei’s arms.

None of that mattered anymore.

‘Alexei.’

What was important was that they were sharing this moment together.

In a low voice, Alexei finally broke the silence.

“Have you come to a conclusion now?”

“…Alexei.”

“I…”

Bending down, Alexei looked directly into her eyes.

Then he firmly declared,

“I do not kiss anyone I do not love.”

“…”

His words struck home.

Anriche stiffened in place.

His deep blue eyes, like a serene lake, were focused solely on her.

He continued to express his feelings.

“Right now, you probably don’t know how I feel.”

“I…I just…”

“To hear from someone I love that it’s okay to refuse if it’s out of obligation…”

Alexei gritted his teeth.

“…Do you know how that feels?”

“…”

A wave of powerful emotions crashed down upon her.

Faced with the intensity of those feelings, Anriche couldn’t even part her lips.

“Anriche.”

With his eyes tightly closed for a moment, Alexei spoke through clenched teeth.

“I wish every single strand of your hair, every finger of yours, belonged to me.”

It felt like a confession before a deity.

“I want to be the only one who makes you smile.”

His voice, strained yet continuous, held a mixture of resentment and affection, but ultimately, it was tender.

“I want to know every detail of your life.”

Leaning down, Alexei kissed her neck.

His lips touched briefly before showering her with kisses like rain.

“Mmm…”

The ticklish yet sensual sensation made Anriche instinctively shrink back slightly.

“I want to know why you were happy today, why you were upset, every little detail.”