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

“Family… you say?”

“Of course. That means I should care about them too.”

“…I see.”

Anriche felt a flutter in her heart at his nonchalant reply.

Family.

He probably said “family” without much thought, but for her, it felt different.

Every time she heard the word “family,” warmth spread from deep within her chest.

At that moment, Alexei, looking puzzled, asked her, “By the way, what’s making you so happy?”

“Oh, I just like seeing you care for your family, Duke.”

“…Well, isn’t that just something one ought to do?”

At her honest response, Alexei turned his head away slightly.

His neck had turned a bit red, which made Anriche chuckle.

‘No wonder Elliot takes after his father.’

Both father and son shared that kind of bashful demeanor.

Wait a minute. Speaking of Elliot…

“Oh! I have to go now!”

“Excuse me? Why all of a sudden…”

“I need to check if the kids are brushing their teeth properly.”

“…”

At that, Alexei wore a strangely sulky expression as he faced Anriche.

What’s with that look?

Anriche tilted her head in confusion.

“Duke?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Ah, okay. Then I’ll be on my way!”

Having completed her business, Anriche hurriedly left.

Alexei felt a peculiar emptiness as he watched her retreating figure.

It was certainly a good thing that Anriche was taking care of the kids.

He should be grateful that she didn’t treat them coldly like before.

And yet…

“…She could have stayed just a bit longer.”

A sigh of unspoken regret slipped from his lips.

With a furrowed brow, Alexei resumed his walk.

To clear his head of unnecessary thoughts, it was best to review the piled-up paperwork.

But then…

Wait a minute.

Alexei stopped in his tracks.

Normally, wouldn’t the lady of the house be asleep with the children by now?

Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since he’d seen the kids awake.

Due to always coming home late, he usually only caught a glimpse of their sleeping faces…

And she had said she reads them storybooks until they fall asleep.

So, wouldn’t it be okay for him to read the storybooks too?

He could see the kids and sneak another look at Anriche.

Thinking that made his heart race.

Alexei hurriedly ascended the stairs.

***

The children, freshly washed and fluffy, lay side by side on the bed, looking up at Anriche.

Anriche asked the kids with a troubled expression, “Are you all planning to sleep in Mom’s room again tonight?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“I prefer Mom’s room much more than mine.”

Lilliana and Elliot pulled their blankets up to their necks, chirping like little chicks in unison.

Anriche couldn’t help but let her lips curve into a smile.

‘Well, the one who likes it more loses, right?’

How could she refuse when such lovely children looked up at her with shining eyes?

Anriche sat down beside the bed.

“Then what book do you want me to read? I can bring it over…”

“No, I brought one!”

The always-prepared Elliot pulled out a storybook he had hidden under his pillow.

Upon seeing the title of the book, Anriche raised an eyebrow.

“Is this book really that good?”

“Yes!”

Elliot nodded enthusiastically.

“The Adventures of Hans and the Fairy.”

It was the same storybook Alexei had read to the kids in the garden long ago.

The sight of him reading the story in a stiff voice had been quite funny and cute…

Wait a minute. Cute?

Feeling an unexpected discomfort, Anriche unconsciously frowned.

When did I start feeling so familiar with Alexei?

Just then…

Knock knock.

A short knock echoed.

Anriche, looking puzzled, got up.

Who could it be? No one should be visiting at this hour…

When she opened the door, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh my, Duke?”

“Ah, my lady.”

The person standing there with a somewhat awkward expression was none other than Alexei.

“What brings you here, Duke…?”

“Well, it’s been a while since I saw the kids’ faces.”

At Alexei’s somewhat flimsy excuse, Anriche nodded and took a step back.

“Please come in. The kids are still awake.”

The moment Alexei entered, the children’s eyes went wide.

“Dad!”

“Duke?”

“Have you all not gone to sleep yet?”

Alexei, who had stepped into the room, gently ruffled the kids’ hair.

Elliot chuckled.

“Now that you mention it, I think it’s been a while since I saw Dad’s face.”

“I’m sorry. I should have come to see you more often…”

“It’s okay, Dad. You’re busy, after all.”

Elliot’s mature reply brought a soft smile to Alexei’s face.

Alexei turned to Lilliana.

“Lilliana, you’ve been training hard, haven’t you?”

“No, not really. I still have a lot to improve.”

“Well, you can’t say that when the knights are already praising you.”

At his words, Lilliana’s cheeks flushed, and she looked down shyly.

Just then, Alexei picked up the storybook that was lying on the bed.

“Are you reading ‘The Adventures of Hans and the Fairy’ again today?”

“Yeah, but…”

Elliot looked up at Alexei with a skeptical expression.

“Why is Dad opening the storybook?”

“Because I’m going to read it to you…”

Silence fell instantly.

Elliot asked Alexei in a serious tone, “…You’re going to read it, not Mom?”

“Why? Don’t you want me to?”

“Yes.”

Elliot nodded firmly.

“Is it really that much of a problem?”

“Yes. I love Dad, but I don’t think it’s right.”

With Elliot’s blunt confirmation, Alexei’s expression turned hurt, and he pressed his lips together.

Anriche, feeling flustered, interjected.

“Well, this time he’ll read it well, right, Duke?”

“…”

However, despite Anriche’s efforts, Elliot only shook his head stubbornly.

Oh no.

Anriche looked to Lilliana for help with pleading eyes, but…

“…”

Even Lilliana turned her gaze away subtly.

Alexei spoke in a gloomy voice.

“Since the kids feel that way, it’s probably better if my lady reads to them.”

“Ah, yes…”

With a reluctant expression, Anriche nodded and pulled a chair over to sit beside the bed.

Only then did the kids’ faces relax.

Clearing her throat, Anriche began to read the storybook.

“Hans swung his sword mightily. And then from Hans’s sword…”

“Fire burst out from Hans’s sword! Right?”

“Elliot, how can you interrupt when your mother is reading?”

The children’s innocent voices mixed together like a choir above her voice.

But among them, the most soothing sound was, of course, Anriche’s gentle voice, which rang softly.

Alexei found himself thinking that without realizing it.

***

Finally, the children had all fallen asleep.