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

Anriche, carefully observing whether blood was still flowing from Liliana’s nose, added,
“Then let’s reduce the class time in half from now on. How does that sound?”

“…Yes, that works.”

Only then did Liliana nod her head slightly.

Anriche smiled contentedly.

***

The next day was the day for Lady Ivan to visit.

After sending Liliana into the study room, Anriche called Lady Ivan over.

“Lady Ivan.”

“Oh, yes. Did you call for me, Your Grace?”

Gone was the strict expression she usually wore with Liliana, replaced by a very warm smile.

“I want to reduce Liliana’s class time by half.”

“What? What do you mean by that…?”

“While it’s important for the child to study, it’s equally important for her to have time to rest and play.”

At those words, Lady Ivan made a face that said it was absurd.

“But Liliana is far behind her peers in education.”

“That’s something that can be resolved over time, isn’t it?”

“Your Grace, you are being far too lenient with Liliana.”

Lady Ivan shook her head vigorously.

“To be honest, I think she should actually increase her study hours from what they are now.”

“No, Liliana has her own pace.”

Anriche spoke firmly, continuing,
“I want to accommodate that pace. I don’t want to see her struggling.”

“…If Your Grace insists on this, I understand.”

After several rounds of persuasion, Lady Ivan nodded with a displeased expression.

“Then please take good care of Liliana today.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Lady Ivan bowed slightly and entered the study room.

Watching her retreating figure, Anriche headed to the kitchen.

She planned to prepare some snacks for the study session.

***

Anriche carried a tray loaded with snacks and drinks toward the study room.

Of course, she could have asked a maid to do it, but she wanted to bring it herself.

However, just as she stood in front of the door, Anriche suddenly remembered something.

‘Now that I think about it, Lady Ivan prohibited parents from interrupting during class time, didn’t she?’

But well, since she was just dropping off snacks and leaving…

With that light thought in mind, Anriche was about to knock on the door.
“Lady Ivan, while you’re at it, please enjoy some snacks during class…”

At the same time, she hesitated and stopped her hand.

Through the thick door, she could hear a ringing voice coming from inside.

“Miss, how could you not even critique a single poem by Elbante properly?”

“I-I’m sorry, Lady Ivan.”

“Honestly, how can you expect to live up to the expectations of the Duchess?”

Anriche furrowed her brow tightly.

The poet Elbante was known for his difficult poetry.

How could she ask a mere seven-year-old girl to critique poetry that even renowned scholars struggled to interpret?

‘And what do you mean “live up to my expectations”? I’m not the one profiting from this!’

Anriche leaned closer to the door, straining to listen.

Lady Ivan continued forcefully.
“Do you know that the Duchess has instructed to cut Liliana’s class time in half?”

“Ah, yes. I know that, but…”

“My goodness, you are quite shameless, Miss. Do you really intend to reduce your class time with such a skill level?”

A tsking sound could be heard.

“Are you perhaps throwing a tantrum saying that studying is too hard?”

“No! That’s absolutely not it…”

“Then why are you unable to keep up with your studies properly?”

Lady Ivan’s voice was tinged with a faint laugh, as if mocking Liliana.

“If Miss Liliana were to make a mistake in front of other noble ladies…”

Lady Ivan continued dramatically,
“Not only would her reputation be tarnished, but the Duchess’s honor would also be diminished, don’t you know?”

“…Yes, I understand.”

“You said you want to be a lady that the Duchess can be proud of, right?”

Anriche’s expression hardened at those words.

“I-I will work hard. I want you to be proud of me, Mother.”

Liliana’s determined voice suddenly came to mind.

How could someone use such a child’s earnest feelings to manipulate them for their own purposes?

“It seems that the Duchess is being overly indulgent with the young lady, so I will have to teach her strictly.”

Lady Ivan commanded Liliana sternly.
“Stick out your foot.”

“M-my foot?”

“Yes. Correcting a wayward student is also the teacher’s job.”

Lady Ivan’s voice was filled with an undisguised delight.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to resort to corporal punishment, but the young lady has become too lax lately, so I have no choice.”

What?

Anriche’s eyes widened in shock.

Could she really be planning to hit our Liliana?!

Liliana called out to Lady Ivan in a trembling voice.
“T-teacher…”

“All of this is for your own good, you know?”

At that authoritative tone, Liliana fell silent for a moment.

Anriche instinctively held her breath.

Liliana, please don’t tell me you…

“Yes… I understand.”

Finally, a response came back, filled with terror.

…You understand?

Anriche felt her vision turning white with rage.

She’d rather see Liliana angry or cling to her in despair!

That innocent and kind child, once again just tolerating it all…!

“However, the Duchess might worry unnecessarily.”

Lady Ivan whispered softly.
“Let’s keep this a secret between us.”

“…!”

Anriche’s eyes widened.

Using Liliana’s affection for her to manipulate her and choosing to punish her in an inconspicuous place like the foot—

Anriche was trembling with anger at Lady Ivan’s malice.

“Liliana!”

Bang!!

Anriche, who had set the snack tray down on the floor, forcefully pushed the door open.

At the same time, she froze in place.

“W-what is going on…?”

The first thing that caught her eye was Liliana, who was leaning against the wall, her foot stuck out, trembling.

Liliana’s eyes widened in surprise.
“M-mother?”

But Anriche was too astounded to respond to her call.

“Lady Ivan.”

After a moment, Anriche glared at Lady Ivan, her teeth clenched.
“What on earth are you doing?”

“Y-your Grace?!”

“Did you really intend to punish a child?”

Lady Ivan froze in place.

The confidence she had shown toward Liliana had vanished without a trace.

Anriche strode forward and snatched the switch from Lady Ivan, throwing it away.
“Donatella Ivan.”

“Y-your Grace, I—I…”

“Stop making unnecessary excuses.”

Under Anriche’s piercing gaze, Lady Ivan found herself inadvertently looking away.

‘This is strange? This can’t be happening…?’

The Anriche that Lady Ivan knew was always a woman overshadowed by her mother, the Duchess of Sachsen.

A woman who would pretend to die at the words of her mother and younger brother.

Such a Duchess could not possibly treat her, who was directly recommended by the Duchess of Sachsen, carelessly…

“Duchess of Sachsen asked me to strictly teach Miss Liliana!”

Lady Ivan made an effort to maintain a dignified expression, standing tall.

Anriche bit her lips until they bled at that shameless rebuttal.
“What will you do if the Duchess of Sachsen finds out that you interfered with the classes?”

“…What?”

“If you treat me carelessly, the Duchess of Sachsen will definitely be furious!”

Lady Ivan puffed out her chest, pretending to be confident.

Ah, now I understand.

Anriche scoffed coldly.

The Duchess of Sachsen wanted to have her daughter under her control.

And the teacher who got along perfectly with her was none other than Lady Ivan, standing before her.

Instead of answering, Anriche strode towards Lady Ivan.

Crack.

The switch broke beneath the heel of Anriche’s shoe.

Her sharp, violet eyes shot straight at Lady Ivan.

Just then, Lady Ivan found herself taking a hesitant step back.

Smack!!

Anriche delivered a hard slap to Lady Ivan’s cheek.

“…”

“…”

A chilling silence hung in the air.

Lady Ivan raised her head, cradling her cheek.

The shock was much greater than the pain.

As Lady Ivan blinked blankly, Anriche spoke in a calm voice.
“There’s a saying, ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’”

“W-what is this…?”

“Actually, I don’t really like that saying.”

Anriche rubbed her sore hand, stepping forward.
“But when it comes to my children, I intend to adhere to it strictly.”

“Your Grace, but…”

“Daring to threaten Liliana and intending to punish her… I think I should at least return the favor.”

Anriche’s voice was eerily calm.