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

“I’ll think for myself and make my own judgments…”

As Lilliana mulled over that statement, she nodded in agreement.

“Yes, I will.”

“Good. Now, let’s take a look at the documents.”

After receiving Lilliana’s confirmation, Anriche urged her once more.

Only then did the girl begin to examine the papers.

The documents detailed all of the assets of the Everitt family without omission.

Suddenly,

“Oh?”

Lilliana’s eyes widened in surprise.

She had discovered an asset she had never expected.

“Is the Everitt family townhouse still remaining?”

“Of course it is.”

Anriche nodded vigorously.

Lilliana’s cheeks flushed a rosy red.

“…I see.”

The townhouse of the Everitt family was the only place that still bore the traces of her parents.

‘I naturally thought it would have been disposed of by the Londini family.’

Lilliana gently placed her hand on her chest.

Just the thought that the townhouse still existed made her heart race.

At the same time, Anriche, with a smiling face, suggested to Lilli,

“Let’s visit the townhouse together when you have some free time.”

“Yes!”

Lilliana nodded happily.

***

That evening, late at night under a starry sky.

Alexei returned home.

“Welcome back.”

Anriche greeted her husband with a smile.

Alexei replied apologetically.

“It’s late; why didn’t you go to bed without me?”

“Oh, how could I sleep alone when you weren’t back yet?”

Anriche teased him.

Alexei chuckled and kissed her forehead.

“What about the children?”

“They’ve all gone to sleep.”

The two engaged in light conversation as they headed to their bedroom.

“You mentioned the meeting at the nobility council today, right? How was it?”

“Well, nothing particularly special happened. However…”

“However?”

Anriche tilted her head curiously.

Alexei continued with a mysterious expression.

“Today, the Duke of Sachsen attended the meeting.”

“…Denis?”

Anriche’s expression also turned mysterious, following her husband’s lead.

It was understandable; the Duke of Sachsen was a prime example of laziness.

Alexei shrugged his shoulders.

“Moreover, the Duke of Sachsen and the Marquis Anderson seemed quite close.”

“Really? That’s strange; did they have any personal ties?”

On the surface, the two families appeared very friendly, but looking deeper, it wasn’t quite the case.

The Anderson family had produced an empress, while the Sachsen family had not.

‘That subtle jealousy is what made them want to make me the duchess even more.’

Anriche furrowed her brow.

Just then, Alexei added in a contemplative tone.

“Both the Duke of Sachsen and the Marquis Anderson showed great interest in the Crown Prince’s appointment.”

“Really?”

What does that mean?

Anriche widened her eyes in disbelief.

Denis, who had often skipped the nobility council meetings, was now interested in such a political topic?

‘Could it be?’

Anriche couldn’t hide her mixed feelings.

“Could it be that Denis is supporting the Crown Prince…?”

“The First Prince, yes.”

“Of course.”

Anriche let out a deep sigh.

“Ha, really… What kind of trouble is he trying to cause this time?”

Just thinking about her family made her head throb with pain.

Seeing his wife in distress, Alexei spoke reassuringly.

“Don’t worry; nothing has happened yet.”

“But…”

Anriche trailed off, her expression darkening. Unable to bear it, Alexei subtly changed the subject.

“By the way, what did you do today, Liche?”

“Me? Well, oh, right!”

Anriche perked up.

“Alexei, do you have time in two days?”

“Time?”

“Yes. We received an invitation from Count Skylar’s family, and it’s possible for couples to attend as well.”

Since the Valois family had returned to the capital after a long time, invitations were pouring in from all sides.

It wouldn’t be polite to refuse all the invitations…

‘So, Anriche, where are you considering going?’

Delfina also seemed eager to accept the invitation.

‘Well, mother-in-law has been in the Valois duchy all this time.’

From Delfina’s perspective, since she finally came to the capital, she probably wanted a change of scenery.

Thus, Anriche chose a cocktail party where couples could attend.

‘It’s just you and me at the gathering; what’s the point of bringing along couples?’

Delfina kept an eye on her son, but,

‘Still, it would be nice for Alexei to come along, right?’

Anriche held her ground.

And rightly so…

‘If I don’t even suggest it to Alexei, he might sulk for at least a week.’

She had learned a big lesson from the reading club at the Valois duchy.

“Of course, if you’re busy, you don’t have to go. I can go with mother-in-law…”

“I will go.”

At that moment, Alexei replied decisively.

“Huh?”

Startled by his somewhat strong reaction, Anriche blinked in surprise.

“I will make time even if I don’t have any.”

“Um, you don’t have to go that far…”

“No, what’s most important to me is the time spent with Liche.”

Additionally, Alexei clenched his fist tightly.

“Above all, I learned that if I’m not careful, my mother might try to monopolize Liche again.”

“…What?”

“I learned that during the New Year’s ball, I shouldn’t give my mother any opportunity to take Liche away.”

His voice was resolute, like a knight facing an enemy.

‘Phew.’

Anriche let out a sigh of relief in her heart.

‘If I hadn’t insisted on attending the couple’s gathering, it could have really turned into a big deal…’

***

A few days later.

The Valois family headed to the Skylar estate.

“You should be working instead of forcing your way into gatherings like this…”

Delfina was the first to scold.

“Mother, can’t you just allow us to have some time together as a couple?”

Alexei replied with narrowed eyes.

Unable to stand by any longer, Anriche intervened in their conversation.

“You two won’t keep this up once we arrive at the count’s estate, will you?”

“…”

“…”

Only then did the two family members close their mouths.

However, their displeasure didn’t seem to have completely dissipated.

‘At this rate, it might be easier to just bring Lily and Elliot along.’

Anriche shook her head in dismay.

In the meantime.

“Oh, welcome.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

Anriche noticed the two couples who greeted them warmly.

The couple, with their faces full of nervousness, were none other than the Duke and Duchess Skylar.

In truth, the couple was extremely tense.

Of course, it was true that they had sent out the invitations first.

But…

‘I really didn’t expect them to accept the invitation.’

That was their honest feeling.

After all, the Valois family was far too significant to visit as mere guests at a baron’s estate.

They were people whom they had only seen from a distance at balls hosted by the royal family.

Naturally, they had never considered that the Valois family would actually come to visit their townhouse.

‘To think that those people are really visiting our townhouse…’

But then.

“Gasp!”

The duke and duchess unconsciously gasped.

This was because the Duchess of Valois stepped forward.

“Hello.”

Accompanying her was a light greeting.

It was a humble voice that seemed out of place with the numerous rumors surrounding the duchess.

“Thank you so much for inviting us.”

“Oh, no, it’s us who should be grateful that you came.”

“Please, come in.”

The duke and duchess hurriedly stepped back.

At the same time, all eyes turned toward them.

“Oh my, isn’t that the Duchess of Valois?”

“Indeed, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen her.”

“I was disappointed that she remained in the duchy for so long; I didn’t expect to see her here.”

The ladies’ warm reception made Delfina’s lips twitch slightly.

She looked like she would burst into laughter at the slightest provocation.

Anriche quickly whispered to Delfina.

“Mother, you’re quite popular, aren’t you?”

“Hmph, don’t go saying such things without having a bit of humility.”

Delfina pretended to act aloof, but she couldn’t hide her pleased expression, as her lips trembled slightly with the effort of stifling her laughter.

Just then, the ladies invited Delfina to sit.

“Duchess, have you been well?”

“May we have the honor of attending to you, Duchess?”

“Ahem, ahem!”

After clearing her throat a couple of times, Delfina looked back at Anriche and Alexei.

“I’ll go over there; you two enjoy the party on your own.”

With that, she walked briskly toward the ladies.

Anriche gazed at her mother-in-law’s retreating figure with affectionate eyes.

“Isn’t she just adorable?”

“…Adorable? Not at all.”

Alexei looked exasperated.

Anriche burst into laughter.

“Well then, shall we head inside too?”

“Sounds good.”

With that, the two stepped into the party venue.