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

Just then, Alexei entered the living room with a smile and asked, “Elliot, why do you look so sulky?”

“Dad!”

Elliot ran over to his father, clutching his clothes. Alexei picked up his son and held him in his arms. Anriche smiled as she watched them.

“You’re home, Your Grace?”

“Yes. Now that I think about it, isn’t today the day the competition results are announced?”

“Ack, why did you have to mention that too, Dad?!”

Elliot practically had a meltdown.

See? He’s definitely anxious about it…

Anriche and Lilliana exchanged dry, knowing looks as they gazed at Elliot. Alexei, flustered, tried to calm his son down.

“Elliot? Did I maybe get the date wrong or something?”

“No! That’s not it, but…”

Almost on the verge of tears, Elliot clung to his father’s neck.

At that moment, the butler approached, practically running toward them.

“Master Elliot.”

He held an envelope stamped with the royal crest.

Elliot’s eyes widened.

“T-that… Could it be…?”

“Yes, it’s from the palace.”

That could only mean one thing—the results of the art competition were inside that envelope.

And…

“Doesn’t receiving this letter mean you won something in the competition?” Anriche asked with a doubtful tone.

“Here you go,” the butler said, smiling broadly as he handed the envelope to Elliot.

Elliot clutched it with trembling hands, but he couldn’t muster the courage to open it. His shoulders were shaking so much that Lilliana spoke up cautiously.

“Elliot, are you okay? Want me to open it for you?”

“N-no, I can do it.”

With a gulp, Elliot opened the envelope. He closed his eyes tightly and took several deep breaths.

“Hoo, hoo, hoo…”

Finally, he opened his eyes wide and began reading the letter.

“…Huh?”

Staring at the letter in disbelief, Elliot froze in place.

“D-d-da…”

After stammering for a while, he finally shouted out like a scream.

“I won first place…!”

Immediately, cheers erupted from the family.

***

The Valois family headed to the art hall together.

All the winning entries from the competition were to be displayed at the royal art hall for the next month.

As soon as the rounded dome of the art hall came into view, Lilliana’s eyes grew wide.

“Wow!”

People were pouring into the lavish building like a cloud.

Lilliana, her face filled with excitement, quickly turned to Elliot.

“Elliot, your painting is hanging in there, right?”

“Y-yeah, it is, but…”

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Lilliana exclaimed.

Elliot’s cheeks turned red.

“Hurry, let’s go inside. If we wait too long, we might not even get to see the painting,” Anriche urged, and the family stepped into the art hall.

Elliot’s painting, which had won first place, was displayed in the best spot in the hall.

People admiring the artwork stopped in front of his painting to take a closer look.

Their words of admiration tickled Elliot’s ears.

“How does it give off such a warm feeling?”

“Can you believe a seven-year-old painted this?”

Unable to handle the embarrassment, Elliot grabbed onto the hem of Anriche’s skirt and tried to hide behind her.

Anriche stifled a laugh and gently patted Elliot’s shoulder.

Meanwhile, Alexei and Lilliana had already moved closer to the painting.

The painting itself had a simple structure, but it exuded a unique sense of life.

The characters in the painting all had vivid expressions, as if they were truly alive.

Anriche was smiling brightly, with her arms wrapped around the shoulders of the two children, and standing next to her was Alexei. The gaze Alexei directed at his wife and children in the painting was nothing but warm.

Underneath the title “Elliot von Valois, ‘Family,’” a plaque displayed the judges’ evaluation.

「Although it’s just a simple portrait of a family standing together, you can feel the warmth that only a loving family can exude.

The delicate touches and soft colors are unbelievable, especially considering it was painted by a seven-year-old…」

‘See? Our Elliot is just so amazing,’ thought Anriche as she gazed at the painting with a satisfied expression.

Suddenly, she felt a small hand grasp hers. Looking down, she met Elliot’s eyes.

“Mom,” Elliot began, squeezing her hand a little tighter.

“Back when I was thinking about what to paint, you told me something.”

“I did?”

“Yes. You told me to paint what I love the most.”

Nodding eagerly, Elliot looked down at his feet, clearly shy.

“Because of what you said, I was able to finish the painting.”

“Elliot…”

“You helped me take on this challenge and kept encouraging me along the way.”

Taking a deep breath, Elliot raised his head and smiled.

“Thank you so much.”

“…”

Feeling a lump in her throat, Anriche bit her lip.

“You’re saying too much! It’s all thanks to your own talent, Elliot.”

“Still, I really wanted to say thank you.”

“Mother!”

Just then, Lilliana came running over.

Her bright green eyes were sparkling like stars.

“Elliot’s painting is amazing! It looks so real, like everything’s alive!”

“Right? Our Elliot is really incredible, isn’t he?”

With a cheerful voice, Anriche pulled both children into a hug, holding one in each arm.

Alexei looked on with a gentle gaze, watching his wife and children.

The scene of the four of them together mirrored the painting Elliot had created.

***

5. As Long as You’re Happy

Recently, Anriche had been feeling very proud.

And for good reason—both Lilliana and Elliot had been studying diligently.

‘People say that when children study hard, it makes their parents hold their heads a little higher…’

Anriche watched the scene before her with a warm gaze.

Lilliana was engrossed in her swordsmanship training.

Whoosh, whoosh!

The sound of the wooden sword slicing through the air was sharp. It was as if she was facing an imaginary enemy right in front of her.

Her posture was straight, and her movements with the wooden sword were serious and focused.

‘While she’s also studying the necessary manners and etiquette, she clearly enjoys swordsmanship the most.’

As for Elliot…

Anriche glanced over to the side.

The sound of a pencil scratching across a sketchbook filled the air.

“Are you drawing Lilliana?” Anriche asked.

“Yes, my teacher gave us an assignment to complete a hundred quick sketches.”

Elliot’s sketchbook was filled with drawings of Lilliana absorbed in her training.

As he busily moved his pencil, Elliot absentmindedly asked, “Don’t you think Lilliana would get bored, doing the same moves over and over again?”

“Well, do you get bored while sketching?” Anriche asked in return.

“No, not at all.”

“Then Lilliana probably feels the same way.”

“Hmm…”

After a brief moment of thought, Elliot looked up at his mother and smiled.

“You’re right.”

“Exactly.”

Anriche smiled back at him.

What made her happiest was seeing both children discover what they were passionate about and enjoy their studies.

‘To think that Elliot is now taking the initiative with his homework…’

It was a huge step forward.

At that moment, Lilliana’s swordsmanship training came to an end.

A knight approached her with quick steps and gave a respectful bow.

“I believe today’s training is complete, my lady. You’ve done well.”

“Thank you.”

Lilliana bowed her head and then turned around.

As soon as she made eye contact with Anriche, a bright smile spread across her small face.

“Mother!”

Lilliana ran over.

Elliot, pouting, looked at her and asked, “What, Lilliana? Don’t you see me?”

“Oh, no, I…”

“Here.”

Elliot handed Lilliana a soft, fluffy towel.

“You’re sweaty. Wipe off.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Lilliana took the towel and wiped the sweat beading on her forehead.

Elliot watched her with a slightly grumpy expression.

“Isn’t training hard?”

“It is hard, but it’s fun.”

Even as she panted for breath, Lilliana smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling.

Anriche looked fondly at her two children.

Elliot’s quiet concern for Lilliana was adorable, and Lilliana’s expression, much brighter than before, made her deeply content.

“Elliot,” Anriche nudged him playfully in the side. “You have something you brought for Lilliana, don’t you?”

“Oh, right!”

Elliot rummaged through his pockets and pulled out some colorful candies.

Peeling one open, he spoke to Lilliana with a serious face.

“Here, say ‘ah.'”

“Huh?”

“Mom told me that after lots of exercise, you need to recharge with sugar.”

Lilliana, a little embarrassed, opened her mouth like a chick.