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

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen the duke smile like that.”

“True. He’s always been so expressionless…”

Alexei was simply happy to have Anriche back, but to everyone else, it seemed different.

“His Majesty the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire, Her Majesty the Empress, the Moon of the Empire, and their two princes are entering!”

Just then, a booming voice echoed through the hall.

Everyone in attendance paid their respects to the royal family.

‘…Now that I think about it, this feels like the first time I’m seeing the royal family up close.’

Anriche subtly raised her gaze.

The first person to catch her eye was the First Prince Renald, standing behind the Emperor and Empress.

She inadvertently frowned.

‘Ugh, what an eyesore.’

She clicked her tongue inwardly and scanned the crowd.

‘Ah, is that the Second Prince?’

Unlike Renald, who exuded confidence, the Second Prince had an academic appearance.

He stood noticeably further behind the rest of the royal family, which stood out to her.

‘It’s as if he’s being ostracized or something.’

Looking at the Second Prince reminded her of her own past.

The house of her birth, the House of Saxon, and her family from her previous life.

…She remembered how she had struggled to find her place among them.

“……”

Anriche tried to shake off the bitter feelings that washed over her.

In the meantime, the royal family had gathered at the center of the ballroom.

A courtier offered a glass of champagne to the Emperor.

As the Emperor gazed into the golden liquid, he lifted the glass high.

“Though a new year has arrived, the bond between the imperial family and you all shall endure forever.”

The Emperor concluded in a cheerful voice, “May you all have a joyful time.”

Clap clap clap—!

The sound of applause resonated throughout the hall.

With it, music began to play.

Gentlemen and ladies took hands and made their way to the dance floor.

Watching this, Alexei subtly turned to his wife.

“Riche, shall we dance…?”

“Oh, Duke Balua!”

“……”

Alexei barely suppressed his rising irritation.

After all, the person who interrupted him was none other than the Emperor.

“…Your Majesty, it’s a pleasure to see you.”

Turning his body, Alexei greeted respectfully.

“Your Majesty, it’s an honor to meet you.”

Anriche lifted the hem of her dress and curtsied.

The Emperor grinned widely.

“Duchess, I trust you’ve been well?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, I have been quite well.”

Anriche mirrored the Emperor’s smile.

The Emperor glanced briefly toward Delphina.

“This time, the Grand Duchess has also attended the New Year’s ball.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Your Majesty.”

Delphina acknowledged the Emperor with a nod.

“It seems the Grand Duchess never ages.”

“Thank you. Unfortunately, it seems the Emperor has had quite a lot of work lately.”

“Does that mean I’m getting older?”

“I can’t really say otherwise.”

Both Delphina and the Emperor burst into laughter at her witty remark.

This camaraderie was possible because both the former Duke of Balua and Delphina were close friends of the Emperor.

And in that cheerful atmosphere, someone chimed in.

“It’s such a pleasure to see the Balua family all together like this.”

It was none other than the Empress.

“Have you been well, Grand Duchess?”

“Oh, I’ve been fine with no particular complaints. How about you, Your Majesty?”

“I’m the same.”

The Empress elegantly smiled, covering her lips with her fan.

At the same time, the Emperor changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, I hear the Duchess has accomplished something remarkable this time.”

He looked at Anriche with sparkling eyes.

“It’s about the multi-passenger carriage business.”

“Too kind of you.”

Anriche shook her head with a smile.

However, the moment the compliment was uttered, the Empress’s expression stiffened slightly.

‘What’s going on?’

Anriche stared at the Empress with a puzzled look.

But that expression quickly vanished as if washed away.

In its place, a mask-like smile settled on the Empress’s face.

‘…Did I just imagine that?’

After a moment of uncertainty, Anriche turned her attention back to the Emperor.

The Emperor was busy praising Anriche.

“No, this is truly commendable.”

“Thank you.”

“You should be thanking me for merely stating the obvious.”

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively.

“I’ve heard you’ve managed to establish a stable footing in the Duchy. What’s the current situation?”

“I’ve turned the business into a profit and have created routes throughout the territory.”

“Excellent! Expanding this throughout the Empire would greatly benefit the lives of the citizens.”

…Expanding it throughout the Empire?

The Emperor continued in a bright voice, addressing the now-dazed Anriche.

“I will be sending a messenger soon, so do come to the palace.”

“Excuse me? If I may, could you explain a bit more…?”

“It’s about the multi-passenger carriage business.”

The Emperor added cheerfully, “Who better to seek assistance from than the Duchess herself, the one who initiated the project?”

Anriche’s face lit up at the suggestion.

The Empire was not particularly welcoming to women’s participation in society.

For a monarch from such a nation to make a proposal to her…

‘They are acknowledging my abilities.’

Although she was receiving the offer as a Duchess now, there was a possibility that if she completed this task well, it could set a precedent for women being recognized by the Emperor and successfully entering society.

Anriche flushed with excitement and nodded vigorously.

“I would be delighted to accept your offer.”

And then, at that moment, the Empress gently interjected into the conversation.

“Your Majesty, isn’t this the New Year’s ball?”

With that opener, the Empress cast a glance at her husband that didn’t seem displeasing.

“Is it proper to keep the Duchess here talking about work?”

“Oh dear, did I do that?”

“Yes, you did. You must give the Duchess time to enjoy the ball as well.”

“Indeed, I hadn’t thought of that.”

The Emperor nodded awkwardly.

At the same time, the Empress turned to Anriche.

Her eyes sparkled as she urged,

“Go and enjoy the ball.”

…Well, that’s true.

But for some reason, Anriche tilted her head in confusion.

The actions seemed considerate, but strangely, they felt awkward.

‘It feels as if she’s intentionally cutting off the conversation.’

As if the Emperor’s praise for the multi-passenger carriage business bothered her…

‘No, maybe I’m just being sensitive.’

Shaking her head inwardly, Anriche flashed a bright smile.

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”

“Shall we go, Riche?”

As soon as the conversation ended, Alexei quickly turned to his wife.

Delphina shot him a sharp glance.

‘That guy really doesn’t say a word to me!’

What about appearances?

It was frustrating that she couldn’t scold him in front of the imperial family.

‘Raising a son only for him to take my daughter-in-law away is all for nothing!’

Just as Alexei, Anriche, and Delphina were about to leave their seats,

“Oh, Duchess of Balua.”

The Empress called out to Anriche from behind.

Huh?

Anriche turned around with a puzzled expression.

“What is it, Your Majesty?”

“As you know, I am quite close to the Grand Duchess of Sachsen.”

…Grand Duchess of Sachsen?

In an instant, Anriche’s face hardened.

The more her expression stiffened, the brighter the smile on the Empress’s lips became.

“So… I suppose the Duchess and I can become friends too?”

The smile held no malice whatsoever.

Yet, Anriche felt very uncomfortable with the Empress.

“Well, if I were to build a friendship with Your Majesty…”

After a moment of thought, Anriche gently opened her lips.

“I would prefer to cultivate a relationship directly with Your Majesty rather than using my mother as a bridge.”

“…”

Although she phrased it politely, the Empress quickly understood the implication.

‘Please don’t use my mother as an excuse.’

That was the meaning behind Anriche’s words.

With grace, Anriche turned to join her waiting family, the Balua clan.

The Empress watched her retreating figure with a cold gaze.

‘…How rude.’

The Empress’s expression had darkened significantly.