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

Alexei asked a question.

“So, have you found anything?”

“……Well, it seems that counterfeit currency is circulating even within the principality.”

“If it’s been discovered in the market, we should assume it’s already spread throughout the entire principality.”

To be precise, it should be considered a problem affecting the entire empire.

The situation was far more serious than expected, and Alexei’s expression darkened somewhat.

“However….”

The butler, who hesitated for a moment, continued.

“It’s quite difficult to catch any leads.”

At those words, Alexei looked at the butler in surprise.

“Despite putting in full effort in Valua, you haven’t caught any clues?”

“My apologies.”

The butler bowed his head solemnly.

Alexei pressed him in an impatient tone.

“Exactly where has the investigation stalled?”

“We cannot determine which distribution network is circulating the counterfeit currency.”

“……I see.”

A deep crease formed on Alexei’s brow.

“Who knows about this fact now?”

“For now, it seems to be just us.”

“What about the public security bureau or the imperial family conducting their own investigation?”

“There has been nothing of the sort.”

After observing Alexei’s reaction for a moment, the butler cautiously asked.

“Should we not report this to His Majesty the Emperor?”

“…….”

Alexei fell silent.

In principle, it was right to report to the emperor.

Counterfeit currency itself could be a major issue that shakes the foundations of society.

However…

‘Isn’t the very fact that counterfeit currency has appeared in Valua too coincidental?’

The first prince’s entourage had used counterfeit currency.

Logically, unless the first prince was a fool, he wouldn’t have deliberately used counterfeit currency.

…However.

‘What if, hypothetically, the first prince is involved in this incident?’

If that were really the case.

Reporting to the emperor would essentially give the first prince a chance to cut ties and escape.

No matter how little affection the emperor had for his sons.

He wouldn’t be pleased about his legitimate heir being embroiled in such a significant scandal involving counterfeit currency.

‘It’s still okay. I can claim that counterfeit currency was discovered in Valua and that an investigation is ongoing…’

The Duchy of Valua was the only place in the empire with a degree of autonomy akin to that of a self-governing territory.

That means that matters concerning Valua can be investigated independently without reporting to the imperial family.

‘I cannot let the first prince escape like this.’

Since there is still time, it would be better to wait a bit longer.

Alexei closed his eyes tightly and then opened them again.

“For now, let’s keep a close watch.”

His voice rang out firmly.

“Understood.”

The butler nodded briefly and stepped back.

Alexei got into the carriage.

His expression had now become rigid.

***

Alexei attended the nobility council meeting.

However, while his body sat in the meeting room, his mind was still preoccupied with thoughts about counterfeit currency.

‘What distribution network is spreading this that even Valua cannot find it?’

Objectively speaking, Valua had considerable intelligence capabilities.

In fact, it could be argued that it was not inferior to that of the imperial family.

The fact that Valua couldn’t trace the origin of the counterfeit currency meant that…

“……Duke.”

“…….”

“Duke Valua!”

Only then did Alexei snap back to reality.

A middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothing was smiling warmly at him.

It was Marquis Anderson, the emperor’s brother-in-law.

“What were you thinking so deeply about?”

“Nothing at all.”

Alexei shook his head.

He thought Marquis Anderson would just exchange formal greetings and leave, but instead, the marquis settled in next to him.

Then, he subtly opened his mouth.

“During your recent visit to the duchy, I cannot express how much I missed you, Duke.”

At those words, Alexei looked at the marquis with a somewhat indifferent expression.

‘Were we that close?’

No matter how much he thought about it, they had merely become familiar with each other during their encounters and were not particularly close.

Given the position of the neutral Valua ducal house.

Marquis Anderson was not an appropriate person for forming a friendship.

That being said, Marquis Anderson was…

‘Because he’s the leader of the first prince’s faction.’

However, Marquis Anderson was eager to say one more thing to Alexei at any cost.

“Since the duke has been away, it feels like the meeting hall is quite empty.”

“……Oh, is that so?”

Despite Alexei’s somewhat reluctant response, Marquis Anderson showed no intention of leaving him alone.

“Who else but Duke Valua could lead our nobility?”

“You flatter me.”

“Flattery? I don’t say anything that isn’t true. Hahaha!”

Marquis Anderson burst into laughter.

His laughter was so loud that Alexei had to make considerable effort to maintain his expression.

A moment later.

Once the laughter subsided, Marquis Anderson discreetly looked around.

“Speaking of which,”

he lowered his voice and posed a question to Alexei.

“How long do you plan to maintain neutrality, Duke Valua?”

“…….”

Alexei’s face hardened slightly.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Of course, I know that you are the center of the neutral faction.”

Marquis Anderson shrugged as if to make a point.

“However, you cannot keep the crown prince position vacant forever, can you?”

“……Marquis.”

“For the stability of the empire, I think it would be beneficial to appoint a crown prince as soon as possible.”

Marquis Anderson gazed at Alexei with sparkling eyes.

“What do you think, Duke?”

But Alexei had no intention of indulging Marquis Anderson.

He shook his head coldly.

“I would rather not discuss that further.”

“But…”

“If His Majesty the Emperor is in a difficult position to maintain the throne, then perhaps that would be another matter, but he is still quite capable, isn’t he?”

Alexei concluded firmly.

“Valua intends to remain neutral regarding the succession to the throne until the end.”

“……I see.”

Marquis Anderson looked quite disappointed, but he decided to hold his tongue for the moment.

He clearly did not want to upset Alexei.

And just then.

With a click,

the door to the assembly hall opened.

Along with it, a man appeared inside the hall.

People greeted him in turn.

“Oh, isn’t that Marquis Saxon?”

“Come over and sit down.”

The man was none other than Dennis Saxon.

Alexei narrowed his eyes.

‘What brings that guy to the nobility council meeting?’

Just then, as if sensing Alexei’s gaze, Marquis Saxon turned to look at him.

“……”

He pressed his lips together tightly and abruptly turned away.

It seemed he was still bothered by what had happened during the engagement ceremony of Elliot and Liliana.

‘Well, that’s not my concern.’

Alexei also turned his gaze away with an indifferent expression.

At that moment, the chairperson called for attention.

“Everyone, please take your seats. We will begin the nobility council meeting.”

After waiting for everyone to settle down, the chairperson continued.

“Today’s agenda is…”

However, the chairperson was unable to finish his sentence.

Saxon raised his hand abruptly, interrupting him.

“……Please go ahead.”

The chairperson reluctantly granted him the floor.

Of course, if it had been any other noble, such rude behavior would not have gone unchallenged.

But the person in question was Marquis Saxon.

Even if his influence had waned compared to the past, he was still a high-ranking noble of considerable standing in the empire.

‘So, this is how he behaves.’

‘The chairperson must be really struggling.’

The nobles looked on with disapproval.

Meanwhile, Marquis Saxon, who had risen from his seat, cleared his throat and prepared to speak.

“Cough, cough.”

Then he looked around broadly.

“May I suggest an agenda item?”

“If you’re suggesting an agenda, what would it be…?”

“I would like to discuss the appointment of the crown prince at this meeting.”