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

At those resolute words, the Marchioness of Sachsen’s eyes widened in shock.

“You are accusing my wife of being ‘malicious’ simply because she withdrew investment funds,” Alexei said, smiling. But it was a sharp smile, like the edge of a finely honed blade. “However, that was my suggestion.”

What?

The Marchioness of Sachsen stared at Alexei in disbelief.

“The Valois Duchy has been an investor in the Ivan Viscount family’s business,” Alexei continued, speaking gently as if explaining to a child, though his words were anything but soft. “That means that the right to decide the scale of investment, when to invest, and when to withdraw funds… lies with my wife and me.”

His cold blue eyes glanced down at the Marchioness.

“Why should my wife be condemned as ‘malicious’ for exercising her lawful rights?” he asked, as if genuinely perplexed.

The Marchioness of Sachsen was speechless, biting her lip in frustration.

Alexei calmly pressed on.

“Frankly, if it hadn’t been for the fact that the Viscountess Ivan once tutored my wife, I wouldn’t have invested in their business at all.”

It was true. Alexei had initially declined the investment several times, only proceeding because of Anriche’s insistence.

“The Ivan family’s business expanded greatly thanks to the Valois funds.”

“….”

“But expanding a business isn’t enough; you need to fortify its foundation as well, don’t you?”

He hit the nail on the head.

The Marchioness clenched her fists, unable to contain her rising anger. But Alexei wasn’t done.

“A business should be stable enough to withstand the withdrawal of a single investor.”

“But still… that’s…”

“If withdrawing a portion of our investment is enough to push a business to the brink of collapse,” Alexei’s smile deepened, “then that business was nothing more than a castle built on sand.”

It was a death sentence for the Ivan family’s business.

“Withdrawing the funds was clearly the right decision,” he concluded.

“Duke!” The Marchioness cried out in desperation. “Can’t you reconsider, for my sake?”

“My lady’s sake?” Alexei raised an eyebrow.

“Yes! This is for Anriche’s sake, too! No matter what, there’s still the matter of reputation in society!” She pleaded. “Viscountess Ivan is well-liked by the noblewomen. So if you…”

She trailed off, panic rising. She had promised the Viscountess she would resolve this issue, but now…

But Alexei shook his head firmly.

“No. I want to prioritize my wife’s wishes.”

“But still…!”

“My wife has already said she doesn’t care about such trivial rumors.”

He glanced at Anriche, who gave a small nod.

“If my wife doesn’t care, then neither do I,” Alexei stated, his tone unyielding.

“And while I appreciate your concern for her, remember that my wife is not just anyone. She is the Duchess of Valois, the only duchess in the empire.”

The Marchioness felt as though she couldn’t breathe.

“You should understand that treating my wife disrespectfully is the same as disrespecting me.”

He drove the point home.

Anriche watched the Marchioness quietly. The woman who had raised her voice like a superior moments ago now stood silent in front of Alexei, unable to say a word.

Anriche was genuinely happy that Alexei was standing up for her.

But still…

“…I can’t help but feel a little bitter.”

The way her mother had so easily dismissed her, but now bent over backwards to avoid offending Alexei…

It left her feeling a bit sad.

***

After the Marchioness of Sachsen left…

Anriche and Alexei remained in the parlor together.

A silence settled between them.

Anriche seemed deep in thought, as if wrestling with something in her mind. Usually, Alexei would have left her alone in such moments.

But today…

“My lady,” he spoke.

“Yes, Duke?” Anriche turned toward her husband, flashing her usual bright smile. But Alexei couldn’t hide the concern in his expression.

“Are you alright?”

At that question, Anriche blinked in surprise.

After a brief pause, she nodded softly.

“Of course, I’m fine.”

“Then why…”

Alexei trailed off.

She had answered that she was fine, but why did he feel such discomfort? He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, and as he struggled to voice his unease, the only thing he could ask was a vague question.

“…Why do you have that expression?”

“What? What’s wrong with my expression?” Anriche asked, puzzled.

“Well…” Alexei pressed his lips together and sighed.

Sitting before him, Anriche wore a smile brighter than sunlight.

But why did she seem as though she was wounded, deeply so?

Her violet eyes appeared so dry, as if she was holding back tears.

“I’m not good with words, so I can’t express this well…” Alexei began, feeling frustrated with his usual reticence. For the first time, he wished he had practiced his speechcraft, so he could handle situations like this more smoothly.

“But right now, you don’t seem alright at all.”

All he could manage were these words.

“Someone who is truly alright… wouldn’t have that expression.”

Hearing this, Anriche’s smile deepened slightly.

She joked lightly, “What kind of expression do you mean?”

“…You’re forcing yourself to smile.”

“…”

In that moment, Anriche bit her lip hard, almost enough to draw blood.

‘How foolish,’ she thought, feeling pathetic for empathizing with the original Anriche from the story.

The demand from her family to be “useful” and being used as a tool to elevate the honor of the Sachsen family—none of that had anything to do with her, the current Anriche.

All of those experiences were what “the original Anriche” had gone through, not her…

Anriche took a deep breath to calm her emotions.

Then, with another smooth smile, she spoke.

“Oh dear, I’ve made you worry without meaning to. I’m sorry.”

“My lady?”

“I’m sorry to you, and I’m also angry with my mother… That’s probably why my face tensed up without me realizing it.”

Alexei silently watched her.

Anriche shrugged and continued.

“My mother barging in like that was incredibly disrespectful to Valois, wasn’t it?”

“….”

“I didn’t want to show such an ugly side to you… It’s really embarrassing.”

As she continued to speak as though nothing was wrong, suddenly, Alexei’s fingertips touched her face.

Startled, Anriche looked up at him.

“Duke?”

His long, elegant fingers softly brushed the area around her eyes. Despite his aristocratic appearance, his hands were rough, the hands of someone who had wielded a sword for a long time.

Yet they were so warm.

“It’s alright,” Alexei said.

“….”

“We are family, after all.”

His words were simple, but full of warmth.

In that moment, emotions surged up inside her.

Alexei, in his usual calm tone, added, “So there’s no need to force yourself to smile like that.”

“Oh… really.”

Suddenly, his fingertips felt damp.

Her tears had quietly welled up in her eyes.

Stepping back, Anriche hastily wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

“Showing you such a foolish expression… It’s all your fault, Duke.”

Her voice carried lighthearted reproach, but Alexei firmly shook his head.

“No, not foolish at all. In fact…”

“Yes?”

“I think it’s much better to be honest with your feelings.”

Surprised by his unexpected words, Anriche blinked in confusion.

After a moment, she smiled through her tear-stained eyes.

It was a truly beautiful smile.