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

***

After a little while,

Anriche emerged from the bathroom.

Having soaked in hot water, her cheeks were flushed a rosy pink.

“Ah.”

A gentle smile graced her violet eyes as she surveyed the bedroom.

“When did you prepare all this?”

On a small table, there were light snacks like cut cheese and olives.

A bottle of rosé wine glimmered a reddish hue in the light.

Alexei replied resolutely,

“It’s one of the few times we can spend together, just the two of us, so I can’t let it go to waste.”

At his determined response, Anriche couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

He seemed somehow overly enthusiastic…

Was it just her imagination?

“Come here, Richette.”

Just then, Alexei took Anriche’s hand and seated her.

With a pop, the cork was removed.

A sweet aroma tickled her nose.

“You usually prefer sweeter drinks, right?”

At his charming voice, Anriche’s eyes widened.

“How did you know?”

“Well, it’s when you’re with the kids.”

Alexei tilted the wine bottle.

The pink wine swirled into the glass.

Handing her the wine glass, Alexei smiled gently.

“You actually enjoy snacks quite a lot.”

…That means he had been paying close attention to her.

He knew even her little preferences.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Anriche fidgeted with her wine glass, avoiding eye contact.

“Now that I think about it, I don’t think we’ve ever had a drink alone together.”

“True.”

Anriche rounded her eyes and raised her glass.

Alexei quickly clinked his glass against hers.

Clink.

The refreshing sound of the glasses colliding rang out.

The two exchanged various stories—about the children, the multi-passenger carriage business, Delphina’s cherished flowers…

Then, at one point,

‘Oh no.’

Anriche felt her vision sway slightly.

‘Am I a little tipsy?’

It seemed that way.

Caught up in the atmosphere, she had downed a few drinks in quick succession and had probably drunk more than she realized.

Noticing this, Alexei attempted to take the glass from her.

“It’s best to stop drinking now.”

That was a perfectly reasonable response.

The problem, however, was that Anriche was far more intoxicated than she had expected.

‘Since I’m already tipsy, can’t I be a bit stubborn?’ So much so that ridiculous logic typical of a drunkard crossed her mind.

“…Richette?”

Alexei looked down at her with a surprised expression.

Anriche was gripping her wine glass tightly with both hands, refusing to let go.

At the same time, she suddenly spoke up.

“I think I’m a bit drunk.”

And then she squinted her eyes playfully.

“So… is that a bad thing?”

“….”
For a moment, Alexei swallowed hard.

Her cheeks, rosy like ripe apples, her slender shoulders, and the chestnut hair cascading down…

Even those violet eyes gazing at him were like a doll made of sugar…

‘I want to swallow her whole.’

Gulp.

Alexei’s throat swallowed hard.

He forced himself to remain calm as he replied,

“Of course not.”

“Really?”

Of course, Anriche couldn’t know how much he was burning inside.

She smiled brightly.

“Then shall we play a drinking game?”

“A drinking game?”

“Yes. Oh, could it be that you don’t know what a drinking game is?”

Anriche blinked her eyes wide and questioned him again.

“So, it goes like this…”

The rules were simple.

They would take turns asking each other questions, and if someone failed to answer, they would have to take a drink as a penalty.

It was a sort of truth game format.

Anriche confidently opened her mouth.

“Can I go first?”

“Alright. I’ll yield.”

Alexei shrugged lightly.

Good.

Anriche clenched her fists.

To be honest, the Anriche from the original story knew far too little about Alexei.

It had been nearly ten years since they had been married.

Yet, none of his small preferences or hobbies remained in the memories she had inherited.

So, she thought this would be a good opportunity to satisfy her curiosity about Alexei.

“What are Alexei’s hobbies?”

“…Hobbies, huh.”

Alexei fell into thought for a moment before he spoke.

“I suppose I like horseback riding. Although I don’t have many opportunities to ride.”

“Wow, really?”

Anriche’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at her husband.

Alexei furrowed his brow in confusion.

“…Why are you so surprised?”

“Well, I thought your hobby was working…”

“Really, what kind of person do you think I am?”

Alexei responded with a serious expression.

“Now it’s my turn, right?”

“Yes. Feel free to ask.”

Anriche puffed out her chest and met Alexei’s gaze.

Ask me anything, I’ll answer everything.

She felt a surge of confidence.

Alexei chuckled softly.

“In that case, what are your hobbies, Richette?”

“…Huh?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, she stiffened her shoulders.

Hobbies.

It was a rather ordinary question.

Moreover, Anriche had asked Alexei the same question herself.

But she couldn’t easily voice her answer.

Now that I think about it… I don’t think I’ve ever really considered my hobbies.

Before living as “Anriche,” she had always been too busy taking care of her younger brother.

Whenever she tried to spend even a little time with friends, she was scolded for not taking care of her brother.

And “Anriche” was…

…expected to be a great lady.

A voice that sounded like a snake hissed in her ear,

You have to marry into a good family and contribute to the glory of the Saxon Marquis house.

…Mother.

That’s the reason I gave birth to you.

In that moment, chills ran down her spine.

“….”
Anriche bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.

With a restless hand, she grabbed the wine bottle, causing Alexei to call her name in surprise.

“Richette?”

Anriche poured the wine vigorously.

The translucent pink liquid swirled in the rim of her glass.

Alexei’s voice was laced with confusion.

“Wait a moment, that’s too much…”

But Anriche had already downed the entire glass of wine.

“Ahh.”

She let out a long sigh.

At the same time, her vision became hazily unclear.

Alexei looked bewildered and attempted to stop her.

“Aren’t you overdoing it?”

“I just took a penalty drink.”

Anriche waved her empty glass slightly, then placed it on the table.

Clink.

The sound of the wine glass striking the table echoed sharply.

“Now it’s my turn.”

“….”
Was it just her imagination?

It felt like Richette was avoiding the answer…

Hiding his mixed feelings, Alexei nodded.

Anriche asked her question.

“Why did you like horseback riding?”

“…That’s because.”

The reason was quite clear.

Because,

“When I ride a horse and gallop, I feel free.”

From a very young age, Alexei was raised as the next Duke of Valois.

To become the head of a powerful family comparable to the imperial family, he had to possess certain qualifications.

The only time he could shake off that weight, even for a moment, was when he was joyfully galloping on horseback.

“Back when my father was still alive, my burdens were lighter, but as you know…”

Alexei shrugged lightly.

“My father passed away quite suddenly.”

“….”

“Well, after inheriting the dukedom, I hardly had the chance to ride anymore.”

Alexei’s expression remained calm.

It made one wonder how long and difficult the journey had been for him to wear such an indifferent face.

After a moment,

Anriche spoke in a subdued voice.

“…That must have been very hard.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to make the atmosphere heavy.”

Alexei teased lightly and then asked,

“Is it my turn now?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Alexei gazed at Anriche thoughtfully.

Asking in this manner might be somewhat unfair,
but he had a strong feeling that he had to hear about it now.

The violet-colored eyes trembled briefly.

“Anriche?”

At his call, Anriche seemed to fall into contemplation for a moment.

“…Please, go ahead.”

She murmured, almost inaudibly.

“Pardon?”

Alexei tilted his head in confusion.

He couldn’t quite catch her words since her voice was too quiet.

Anriche parted her lips.

“I’ve never had any hobbies.”

Her expression remained emotionless as she spoke.

“Playing instruments, painting, embroidery, arranging vases…”

Taking a deep breath, she quickly continued,

“I have no interest in any of those.”

What she mentioned were all qualities expected of the mistress of a household.

Yet, in all of those things,

Anriche’s true preferences had been suppressed.