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

***

A few days later, it was tea time with Delphina.

“Wow.”

Anriche couldn’t help but admire Alexei’s ingenuity.

“I never knew such a method existed!”

Alexei had effortlessly shattered people’s prejudices.

The method was quite simple.

“I’m planning to avoid riding in a private carriage for a while.”

“What? Then….”

“I’ll be taking a public carriage.”

Whenever he had business to attend to within the territory, he used a public carriage.

“Oh, by the way.”

Alexei casually added, “I’ll be requesting female drivers.”

Of course, there would be no issues with Alexei riding around in a carriage. As the so-called “Iron-Blooded Duke,” he managed his schedule flawlessly.

“Riding in a carriage driven by a woman brings bad luck.”

He had personally crushed the prevalent superstition in the Empire.

However, there was one thing that bothered Anriche.

“Still, is it alright for you to travel alone, Your Grace?”

“What’s the problem?”

At that seemingly rhetorical question, Delphina responded with a confused expression.

Anriche looked at her mother-in-law with a perplexed face.

“Don’t you think you should have some guards with you?”

Alexei had boarded the carriage alone, perhaps worried about appearing out of place among other nobles traveling by carriage.

“After all, Your Grace is the only duke in the Empire. What if someone tries to threaten you…?”

Anriche sincerely worried for Alexei, but

“Child, sometimes you say the silliest things.”

Delphina looked at Anriche with an expression of exasperation.

“Who in the world could harm Alexei?”

“…….”

Anriche was left speechless by the nonchalant response.

‘That’s right. Alexei was the strongest in the Empire in the original story….’

Anriche reflected on the original plot once more.

The protagonist of this world was her son, Elliot.

‘In the original story, Elliot learned directly from his father.’

As a result, Elliot became one of the Empire’s top knights.

However, even Elliot had never won against his father, Alexei, even once.

‘……Things have changed so much compared to the original story.’

But still.

“Mom!”

“Mother!”

At that moment, Elliot and Liliana came rushing over.

The expressions on both children’s faces were bright and carefree.

‘At least those kids seem much happier now than in the original story.’

So, I absolutely don’t regret twisting the original plot.

Anriche genuinely believed that.

***

At that time, as the public carriage business was gaining traction, news came that an unexpected guest would be visiting.

The visitor was none other than the Empire’s first prince, Renald.

Alexei couldn’t hide his surprise at the sudden communication from the imperial family.

“The First Prince is visiting the Valois Duchy?”

“Yes, that’s what I hear…”

Anriche also had a perplexed expression as she fiddled with the letter in her hands.

It was a letter bearing the imperial seal.

“I didn’t expect the Empress to personally send a letter to the Valois family.”

“I agree.”

Anriche, furrowing her brows, spoke with a tone of suspicion.

“I hope this isn’t a request for the Valois family to interfere in succession issues?”

The current succession situation within the imperial family was rather complicated.

There were currently two princes in the imperial family.

The first prince, Renald, was the child of the Empress, while the second prince, Frederick, was born from a night the Emperor spent with a maid.

However, the two princes were on vastly different paths…

‘The First Prince is focused more on enjoying a noble lifestyle than on the people’s welfare.’

In contrast, the Second Prince showed considerable interest in the people’s well-being.

Naturally, the Empress disliked the Second Prince immensely.

‘Well, I can’t say I don’t understand her feelings.’

Anriche nodded inwardly.

From the start, it was understandable to resent the Emperor’s outside-born son being made a prince.

‘In that situation, for that son to be more talented than my own…’

Meanwhile, unable to withstand the Empress’s watchfulness, the Second Prince declared that he had no interest in the throne.

‘But the Empress wouldn’t believe him.’

Thus, the nobles naturally divided into three factions.

Those who supported the First Prince, those who supported the Second Prince, and those who remained neutral.

The Valois family was the leader of the neutral faction.

“…Is it a political visit?”

“Well, it could be.”

Alexei shrugged lightly.

“Since the First Prince is visiting in person, we can’t really turn him away.”

His deep blue eyes darkened.

“Let’s meet him, at least…”

***

As the First Prince, Renald, was set to visit, the duchy became somewhat busy.

After all, welcoming royalty meant that they needed to tidy up the castle and prepare a banquet.

“Really, why is the First Prince visiting so suddenly?”

Delphina, overseeing the banquet preparations, pouted with a sulky expression.

“At this rate, won’t you have less time to play with me?”

“Haha…”

Anriche could only smile awkwardly in response.

Time passed, and finally, Renald arrived.

“Welcome, Your Highness the First Prince.”

Alexei personally welcomed Renald.

“It’s been a while, Duke.”

Although Renald wasn’t a handsome man, he had a friendly smile that could charm anyone.

“Has the Duchess been well?”

“Yes, indeed. It’s all thanks to Your Highness’s concern.”

Delphina elegantly nodded in acknowledgment.

After that, Renald glanced at Anriche.

“…Come to think of it, this must be my first time meeting the Duchess.”

In that moment, a spark of light flickered in Renald’s eyes.

“If I had known you were such a beauty, I would have visited you sooner. Hahaha!”

With a cheerful laugh, Renald playfully kissed the back of Anriche’s hand.

“…”

At that instant, Alexei’s expression hardened slightly.

Anriche felt the same way.

‘I’ve heard that as the First Prince of the Empire, he’s lived without considering anyone’s feelings…’

In the Empire, kissing the back of someone’s hand was a gesture reserved for intimate relationships, often beyond mere kinship.

Anriche was married, with her husband standing right next to her.

To kiss her hand without even seeking her permission was quite rude.

‘Is he oblivious, or is he intentionally trying to provoke both me and Alexei?’

Anriche was taken aback.

But just then.

“Well, I don’t think there was any reason for the First Prince to have met my wife so early.”

A firm voice interrupted.

With that, Alexei removed Renald’s hand from Anriche’s.

“Moreover, I understand that Your Highness was trying to show my wife some courtesy out of excitement.”

“D-Duke…”

“She is my wife.”

His sharp, glass-like eyes narrowed as he glared at Renald.

“In the presence of her husband, it’s quite inappropriate to act without seeking my wife’s permission.”

Alexei smirked slightly, but it was a ferocious smile.

“Wouldn’t it be interpreted as disrespect towards both my wife and me?”

“P-Please, Duke, this is a misunderstanding…”

“I understand. It must have been an oversight. That’s why I’m bringing it up.”

His voice was soft, as if speaking to a child.

Yet, strangely, Renald felt a chill running down his spine.

It was as if he were facing a wild beast ready to tear his throat out.

“However, a mistake should only happen once for it to be considered a mistake, correct?”

With that, Alexei released Renald’s hand with a loud slap.

Then he added politely, “Regardless, welcome to Valois.”

“…”

Renald’s face turned bright red.

But Alexei continued to do what he needed to do, regardless of Renald’s reaction.

“This is my son, Elliot.”

“Ah, yes.”

Renald hurriedly composed himself and looked down at Elliot.

Elliot greeted him formally.

“It’s a pleasure to meet Your Highness the First Prince.”

“So, you are the young lord of Valois. Quite adorable…”

As Renald was about to give a vague compliment, he suddenly froze.

His gaze had shifted to Liliana, who was standing behind Elliot.

“…Is that Lady Everitt?”

A low voice slipped out, like nails scraping against metal.

Liliana, momentarily bewildered, curtsied gracefully.

“It’s a pleasure to meet Your Highness.”

Meanwhile, Anriche looked at Renald with a puzzled expression.

‘Why does he look so uncomfortable?’

It was as if he had just met someone he didn’t want to see…

And then, at that moment.

“Ahem.”

Noticing that Anriche was watching him, Renald cleared his throat softly.

He rearranged his expression and smiled at Liliana.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, yes…”

Liliana blinked in confusion.

At that moment, Alexei interjected.

“You must be tired, so please return to your room and rest for a while.”

Alexei spoke politely while narrowing his eyes slightly.

“We’ll prepare the banquet while you rest.”

“Thank you, Duke Valois.”

Renald nodded and was guided by his attendant toward the guest room.

Anriche watched Renald’s retreating figure, feeling perplexed.