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

Just then…

The students who noticed Liliana began to whisper among themselves.

“Who’s that girl?”

“It seems like she’s watching us?”

One of the whispering students suddenly exclaimed.

“Right, they said an external student would be observing today…”

“Are they talking about her?”

“But she’s a girl.”

Since there were mostly male students around, a young girl like Liliana attracted their attention.

Hmm, it seems like those gazes might be overwhelming for Liliana.

“Liliana, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Liliana nodded.

In the past, she would have surely shrunk back, trying to hide behind Anriche.

But the current Liliana stood with her shoulders squared and her back straight.

Of course, she wasn’t completely unfazed; she was subtly checking her surroundings…

‘Our Liliana has come a long way.’

Feeling proud, Anriche gently patted Liliana’s shoulder.

At that moment, Liliana turned to Anriche.

“Mother, I want to explore the training ground with Elliott. Is that okay?”

As soon as her name was mentioned, Elliott perked up, his ears twitching.

He looked just like a puppy that had been called by its owner.

Suppressing a chuckle that threatened to escape, Anriche nodded.

“Sure, go ahead.”

Liliana immediately reached out her hand to Elliott.

“Let’s go, Elliott.”

“…”

Despite his aloof expression, Elliott did not refuse her hand.

After Liliana and Elliott held hands and set off together, only Anriche and Alexei were left behind.

“Aren’t Liliana and Elliott just the cutest?”

A bright smile adorned Anriche’s face.

“I was worried they might be shy at first, but I’m really glad they get along so well.”

With her affectionate tone, Alexei couldn’t help but smile along.

“It’s thanks to you taking good care of the children, my lady.”

“Did I really do anything special? They’re just well-behaved kids.”

“Not at all, my lady. You’ve done a great deal.”

Alexei continued in a serious tone.

“You’ve been attentive to their education, and you manage the estate and the staff yourself, don’t you?”

“Well, that’s just what I’m supposed to do as the mistress of Balua, right?”

“That’s not all. Recently, you’ve also handled matters with the Marquess of Saxon.”

When a huge sum of money flowing into Saxon disappeared, the steward was practically overjoyed.

Alexei felt the same.

It wasn’t just about the money; it seemed like Anriche had finally begun to break free from her family ties that had been holding her down.

On the other hand, Anriche wore a subtle expression and asked Alexei again.

“Um, doesn’t that also mean I’ve been negligent in my duties until now?”

“…What?”

“Of course, I appreciate your kind words.”

D-did that make sense?

Alexei looked at Anriche with a perplexed expression.

An awkward silence fell.

“…”

“…”

The flustered Alexei hurriedly opened his mouth.

“I-I didn’t mean to say that…”

“Pff.”

Pff?

Alexei squinted at her.

At the same time, Anriche clutched her stomach and burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!”

“…My lady?”

“It’s a joke, just a joke.”

She laughed so heartily that tears welled up in her eyes.

“I’m the one who should be thankful. I just did what I was supposed to do, and yet I get praised for it.”

Anriche shot a playful glance at Alexei.

“…Is this the positive function of being called a ‘villainess’?”

“My lady, please.”

However, contrary to their expected laughter, Alexei sighed deeply and shook his head.

“Please don’t call yourself a ‘villainess.’”

“Why not?”

“You are not a villainess.”

Alexei responded with a serious expression, which made Anriche feel a bit awkward.

But it wasn’t a bad feeling at all.

Rather…

‘That makes me a little happy.’

At least it meant that Alexei thought positively of her.

Just as she was subtly blushing, she suddenly exclaimed, “Oh?”

Anriche unknowingly narrowed her eyes.

In the distance, she saw Liliana and a boy engaged in conversation.

It was clear that the two children were familiar with each other.

However, their relationship didn’t seem very amicable.

Alexei seemed to think the same, speaking up in a doubtful tone.

“It seems we should go over there.”

“Yeah, I agree.”

Anriche and Alexei quickly moved towards the children.

***

“Wow, so this is what the academy facilities are like.”

Liliana, who was looking around, couldn’t help but express her amazement.

“They say this is the best academy in the Empire, and it really is impressive. Right, Elliott?”

“Uh-huh, I guess…”

Elliott, walking alongside Liliana with a sulky expression, suddenly spoke up.

“Do you like brave people, Liliana?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Surprised by the sudden question, Liliana turned to Elliott.

“You were just admiring those kids earlier.”

Elliott’s gaze was directed toward the students who had just finished training.

Given his expression, it seemed he wasn’t fond of those students at all.

“I didn’t care about them just a moment ago.”

Seeing Elliott’s pouting lips, Liliana couldn’t help but make a baffled expression.

“Well, not necessarily…”

Just as Liliana was trying to comfort Elliott,

“Uh?”

A stunned voice echoed.

Among the students, a particularly large boy was staring at them with wide eyes.

“Aren’t you Liliana?”

“…”

Liliana took a step back.

Her face had suddenly lost all color.

“T-Tornian Young Master.”

Tornian Young Master?

Elliott narrowed his eyes as he looked at the boy.

He knew that name well.

After all, the eldest son of the Tornian family was engaged to the daughter of Baron Londini.

And that Londini family…

‘They tormented Liliana terribly.’

Elliott recalled the appearance of the Londini couple he had encountered previously.

The couple had been carelessly talking about Liliana while she had frozen like a mouse in front of a cat.

‘Moreover, my mother mentioned that the Tornian and Londini families are quite close.’

…Then.

Liliana’s violet eyes grew cold.

It was impossible that the friendly fiancé had hidden the existence of his cousin sister from her.

That meant this boy had either condoned or, at the very least, turned a blind eye to the way Liliana was treated like a servant at the orphanage.

Proof of that was the smirk that had formed on Tornian Young Master’s lips.

“Long time no see? How did you get in here?”

“I’m…”

Liliana replied in a trembling voice.

“I came to observe the swordsmanship department’s class.”

“Observe?”

Tornian Young Master asked mischievously.

“Who do you think you are?”

Then he looked Liliana up and down as if inspecting her.

“What? You used to be a servant, but now you’re dressed like a lady?”

A servant?

Fire sparked in Elliott’s eyes.

No, both the Londini family and this kid!

Why are all the people Liliana used to know like this?!

Elliott couldn’t help but blurt out.

“What about you?”

Maybe it was due to his distorted feelings, but Elliott’s voice wasn’t particularly gentle.

Tornian Young Master’s expression slightly stiffened.

“Who are you?”

“Me? I’m her fiancé.”

At that response, Tornian Young Master took a step back in surprise.

‘Right, now that I think about it…’

Liliana’s sudden rise in status had already reached his ears.

It was because the Londini baroness had told him angrily.

‘Liliana is actually the fiancée of the Duke of Balua! Can you believe that?!’

As Tornian Young Master recalled that conversation, he bit his lip.

‘Oh no, I messed up.’

Having been accustomed to bullying Liliana, he had completely forgotten that the situation had changed.

“I greet the Duke of Balua.”

Tornian Young Master offered a polite greeting.

And for some reason, Elliott felt his mood twist at that politeness.

It was a completely different attitude than how he had treated Liliana earlier.

“Why do you greet me but not Liliana?”

“W-well…”

“If you recognize me as the Duke of Balua…”

Elliott tilted his head as he looked at Tornian Young Master.

“Then my fiancée, Liliana, should also be treated as someone who will become the mistress of Balua in the future, right?”

Elliott pointed to Liliana with his chin.

“So, greet her.”

“Eh?”

“Greet Liliana too.”