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

“How is it, dear? Did the Duchess of Balua say she would place an order for supplies?”

As soon as Baroness Ivan stepped into the townhouse, Baron Ivan, who had been eagerly waiting for his wife, jumped up from his seat.

Baroness Ivan shook her head irritably.

“I failed.”

“What? What do you mean? You said she would definitely place an order!”

“I don’t know why. Suddenly, out of nowhere…”

Frustrated, the Baroness plopped down onto the sofa. Given Anriche’s lazy nature, she had expected to be the one tasked with purchasing the materials and supplies.

‘…This is not good.’

Even though she lived with the reputation of being a ‘villainess,’ the Duchess of Balua was one of the most prominent figures in society.

The fact that such a duchess chose her as the teacher for her son’s fiancée already raised her status as a tutor significantly.

However, Baroness Ivan wanted even more.

‘If only the Duchess had purchased all her teaching materials and supplies from our store…’

That alone would have provided a great promotional effect for Ivan’s shop.

But Anriche had rejected him.

‘Why has she suddenly become so picky?’

Baroness Ivan had nurtured a relationship with Anriche since she was a child, and because of that, she had maintained a decent connection until now.

Above all, when she had received investment funds for her business, Anriche had been quite favorable toward her.

But why…?

Baroness Ivan’s eyes narrowed sharply.

The sound of her grinding teeth echoed loudly.

***

Time flew by, and it was finally Liliana’s first class.

Anriche entered the study room where Liliana was sitting nervously.

Liliana, who had been seated with a tense expression, dashed over to Anriche.

Her light green eyes sparkled.

“Are you really going to observe the class, Mother?”

“Of course. Do you not want me watching, Liliana?”

As she playfully asked, Liliana shook her head seriously.

“That’s not it! I’m going to do my best!”

“Okay, okay.”

Anriche let out a short laugh.

A little while later, Baroness Ivan entered the study.

Liliana, who had been clinging to Anriche, sprang up as if bouncing.

“Hello, Teacher!”

“I’m glad to see the Duchess of Balua. How have you been, Miss Liliana?”

Baroness Ivan greeted them with a bright smile.

Anriche also slightly bowed her head.

“Welcome.”

Anriche watched as the two of them began the lesson.

There was nothing particularly remarkable.

Baroness Ivan was a capable teacher, and Liliana absorbed knowledge like a sponge.

Their synergy was so good that Anriche found herself reflecting on her own previous wariness toward Baroness Ivan.

‘Perhaps I was a bit too sensitive.’

Thus, a month passed.

During that time, Anriche regularly observed Liliana’s classes.

Baroness Ivan always treated Liliana with a kind expression.

It was only then that Anriche could finally relax a bit.

Then, one day.

“Um, Duchess of Balua.”

After the lesson ended, Baroness Ivan called Anriche over.

“I need to ask for your understanding about something regarding the classes.”

“Understanding? About what?”

“Well…”

After hesitating for a while, the Baroness cautiously opened her mouth.

“Because you have been continuously observing the classes, I’m facing a bit of a difficulty.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Miss Liliana is quite attached to the Duchess, isn’t she?”

Baroness Ivan glanced at Anriche, gauging her reaction.

“That’s why I’m saying that Miss Liliana seems to be overly conscious of the Duchess.”

“Liliana?”

“Yes. If it was just a matter of being aware, it wouldn’t be a problem, but she seems to be unable to focus on her studies.”

At those words, Anriche’s expression subtly stiffened.

In fact, Anriche had already sensed what Baroness Ivan was getting at.

After all, during class, Liliana had looked at Anriche more than at Baroness Ivan.

In her effort to impress Anriche, she seemed to be trying too hard…

‘It seems like she’s unable to concentrate properly on the lessons.’

Hmm.

Anriche fell into deep thought.

Baroness Ivan added cautiously, “Of course, I understand that the Duchess cares for Miss Liliana.”

“…Baroness Ivan.”

“But since quite a bit of time has passed, shouldn’t you trust me by now?”

The expression on Baroness Ivan’s face seemed genuinely kind.

After all, she had been diligent in her teaching.

Though there had been a bit of trouble when purchasing the teaching materials, that matter had been resolved well.

After a moment, Anriche nodded.

“Let’s do that.”

“Thank you, Duchess!”

Baroness Ivan smiled broadly.

***

About two months had passed since Liliana began her lessons with Baroness Ivan.

Liliana was passionately immersed in her studies.

She was studying so hard that she didn’t even think of leaving her study room.

“Mom, at this rate, I might forget what Liliana looks like.”

Elliot complained about it.

Unable to bear it any longer, Anriche went to find Liliana.

“Liliana, I’m coming in.”

“……”

However, there was no response.

When she opened the door, Liliana was dozing off in front of her desk with a book spread out.

Anriche gently placed her hand on Liliana’s shoulder.

“Liliana?”

“……Ah, yes!”

Liliana, who had just woken up, hurriedly straightened herself.

Anriche asked with a worried voice, “Are you okay? You look a bit tired.”

“I’m fine, I’m fine!”

Liliana shook her head vigorously.

But Anriche couldn’t shake off her uneasy feelings.

If she were truly fine, she wouldn’t be looking so exhausted.

“How’s the class going? Is the teacher good to you?”

“It’s great! The teacher is really nice to me!”

Liliana beamed a bright smile.

But somehow, that expression felt a bit forced…

‘Am I being too sensitive?’

Anriche narrowed her eyes.

But Liliana just looked up at Anriche with innocent eyes.

“The teacher said that you like children who study hard, Mother.”

“Uh, yeah? Well, that’s true, but…”

“I’m going to do my best. I want you to be proud of me.”

Liliana declared resolutely.

At that moment, Anriche’s eyes widened in surprise.

Blood started gushing from Liliana’s nose.

“L-Liliana!”

“Oops.”

Liliana hurriedly tried to cover her nose with her hands, but instead, both hands got covered in blood.

Anriche fumbled for a handkerchief to help Liliana stop the bleeding.

“Oh my, aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”

“Huh? No, it’s just basic to study like this if I want to become a perfect lady…”

Liliana replied with a nasally voice.

With a sigh, Anriche sat down beside Liliana.

“You know, I’m okay with you not becoming a perfect lady.”

“……Huh?”

“Of course, I don’t want you to be lazy in your studies and embarrass yourself in society.”

Anriche gently patted Liliana’s head.

“But I really don’t want to see you overexerting yourself like this.”

“But…”

“A seven-year-old girl studying eight hours a day, five days a week—does that even make sense?”

Anriche couldn’t help but make a horrified expression.

Indeed.

About a week after Anriche stopped observing the classes, Liliana had cautiously approached her.

“I want to extend the study hours a bit.”

“What? But Liliana, I think that’s already enough.”

“No. If I’m going to study, I want to do my best.”

Liliana said, clenching her tiny fists tightly.

Anriche tried to persuade the child multiple times, but Liliana remained unyielding.

Feeling sorry that Liliana had not been given the opportunity to study until now, Anriche had indulged the child’s desire to learn, but…

‘This doesn’t seem right either.’

Anriche shook her head inwardly.

After a long moment of contemplation, Liliana cautiously spoke up.

“But Mother, you studied hard too.”

That struck a chord.

Anriche’s expression turned complicated for a moment.

Before her marriage, she had been raised to be someone who would “marry into a prestigious family and enhance the honor of Saxony.”

However…

Just because she had lived that way didn’t mean Liliana had to live the same life as her.

Anriche countered Liliana’s assertion.

“Why do you compare yourself to me?”

“Huh?”

“Liliana is Liliana. There’s no need to compare yourself to me; you are enough just as you are right now.”

At those words, Liliana fell silent.