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

Torrian’s expression was quite frustrated. However, he couldn’t muster the courage to flatly refuse to greet the heir of Balua when they were so assertive.

“…I greet Lady Everett.”

As he obediently bowed his head, Liliana blinked in disbelief.

“Wow, he really is greeting me?”

Torrian was the boy who used to bully Liliana, who had gotten along quite well with his fiancée. Whenever Liliana stood in front of Torrian, she would freeze up, unable to move.

‘…But now, he doesn’t seem as scary.’

It must be because Elliott was by her side. Liliana tightened her grip on his hand.

At that moment, Torrian put on a forced smile and spoke up.

“So, are you here to observe the swordsmanship class, Your Grace?”

“No, not me, but Liliana.”

“…Huh? Liliana?”

Torrian’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if he couldn’t believe what he just heard.

Elliott squinted at him and asked, “Why can’t she?”

“But Liliana is a girl, and her physical abilities might be lacking…”

“So?”

Elliott crossed his arms and replied nonchalantly.

“Torrian, was it? That’s quite presumptuous of you.”

“P-presumptuous?! You’re being a bit harsh!”

Torrian raised his voice in indignation.

Then, Elliott suddenly asked, “Can you beat the vice-captain of Balua’s knight division?”

“No, there’s no way I could!”

“Why not? Our vice-captain is, according to you, a physically lacking woman.”

Elliott feigned surprise at Torrian’s speechlessness.

“You can’t even defeat a frail woman?”

“…”

“You really are incompetent.”

Kuhk!

Torrian clenched his teeth at Elliott’s piercing words. Elliott smiled innocently at him.

“This isn’t being harsh; it’s just stating a clear fact. Isn’t that right?”

He added with a smirk, “If you’re going to criticize Liliana, you should at least defeat our vice-captain first.”

Just then, Anriette and Alexei arrived at the spot where the kids were.

Watching Elliott skillfully corner Torrian with his words, Anriette widened her eyes in surprise.

“Wow, my son…”

She had only seen him looking defeated due to Anriette’s cold demeanor in the original story, but now…

‘He’s just as unyielding as I am in a conversation!’

It seemed Alexei had the same thought.

“Indeed, Elliott seems to resemble you much more than me.”

…Judging by the tone of admiration in his voice.

“Ahaha…”

Anriette let out a sheepish laugh.

At that moment, Elliott delivered the final blow.

“Besides, Liliana is a direct disciple of my father.”

“Y-you mean the disciple of Duke Balua?! Liliana?!”

Torrian jumped up, pointing at Liliana with disbelief.

It was understandable since the Duke of Balua was a very special figure to knights—an emperor’s sharpest sword and the greatest knight in the empire.

Every knight aspirant trains hard, aiming to become like Duke Balua.

And now, the girl Torrian had treated like dirt was the disciple of Duke Balua?!

“Yeah.”

Elliott nodded proudly, as if he were also a disciple of Alexei.

“My father said that to ignore Liliana is to ignore his own eyes.”

“B-but…”

“Therefore, be careful from now on. And…”

Elliott shot a sharp glare at Torrian, frowning.

“How dare you point your finger at someone?”

Startled, Torrian quickly retracted his finger.

***

After the observation was completed, Anriette’s group went to the academy headquarters to set up Liliana’s regular observation schedule.

Liliana decided to observe swordsmanship classes three times a week, while Elliott chose to observe art classes.

Just when they thought everything was settled…

“I would like to formally raise an issue regarding the swordsmanship instructor. What is the procedure?”

While waiting for the children’s observation procedures, Alexei spoke up.

Surprised, Anriette asked him, “Are you really going to file a complaint?”

“Of course. Did they not behave rudely toward you and Liliana?”

“I see.”

Looking at Alexei’s serious demeanor, Anriette felt a bit awkward.

Earlier, she had boasted about filing a complaint, but…

‘Since we finished the observation safely, I was going to let it go.’

Did Alexei seem to be particularly concerned about her and Liliana? Was that just my delusion?

Anriette stole a glance at Alexei.

Sensing her gaze, Alexei turned to her with a puzzled expression.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Anriette decided to just accept his consideration gratefully.

And so, after finishing all the schedules, they were on the carriage heading back to the Balua townhouse.

Liliana, her face brimming with excitement, shared her thoughts on the day’s observation.

“Everyone seemed really skilled. It was amazing!”

“Is that so?”

At that moment, Elliott, resting his chin on his hand, suddenly spoke.

“I think you’re stronger than them, Liliana.”

“Really?”

Upon hearing that, Liliana’s face flushed bright red.

“Why do you think that? Huh?”

It seemed she was genuinely pleased by Elliott’s compliment as she kept pressing him for more.

Anriette smiled gently and asked Liliana, “By the way, how did you find today’s observation? Do you think it will help you?”

“Of course! Thank you so much for making this opportunity!”

Liliana answered, clenching her fists in determination.

“I’ll study hard!”

“Being eager is great, but don’t overdo it, alright?”

“Yes!”

Liliana nodded enthusiastically.

At that moment, Elliott chimed in, poking his head into the conversation.

“Don’t just study all the time; you need to make time to play with me too.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been so busy with sword training and homework lately that you haven’t played with me at all!”

Elliott pouted as he continued speaking.

Then Anriette chimed in with a teasing voice, scolding Elliott.

“Elliott, why don’t you take a page from Liliana and do your homework properly?”

“Mom, seriously!”

Elliott shot his mother an incredulous look, full of resentment.

“What? Is there something wrong with what your mom said?”

“Mom always tells me to study! But you don’t say that to Liliana!”

“Well, it’s because Liliana does her homework well and studies on her own.”

Watching the mother and son bicker, Alexei couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“Oh dear, you should listen to your mother, Elliott.”

At this, Elliott widened his eyes and stared at Alexei.

“Wow, Dad.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve never seen you laugh out loud like that before.”

“…Really?”

Was I really someone who didn’t laugh much?

Alexei gazed at his son with a flustered expression.

As soon as their eyes met, Elliott beamed a bright smile.

“I hope you laugh like that more often.”

“I hope you do too.”

Anriette, who had been eavesdropping on the father-son conversation, quickly agreed with Elliott’s words.

Unconsciously, Alexei cast a glance at Anriette.

‘This harmonious change in our family is all…’

Thanks to Anriette, wasn’t it?

This transformation felt so incredible.

He used to think he would have to endure a dull and monotonous married life forever…

“I’ll make an effort.”

With a gentle smile, Alexei nodded.

He sincerely wished for these warm moments to continue.

***

And so, Liliana and Elliott were assigned to the Imperial Academy.

They were part of the Swordsmanship Department and the Arts Department, respectively.

Anriette, feeling uneasy about the children’s academy life, suggested she accompany them until they adjusted, but…

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m okay.”

Liliana refused.

“I don’t want to give a special impression to the other kids.”

“Well, to be honest, there aren’t many kids who go to the academy with their parents.”

Elliott shrugged his shoulders and echoed Liliana’s sentiment.

Indeed, if Anriette escorted the children to school every day…

It would certainly stand out.

Anriette furrowed her brows and earnestly advised the kids.

“Then, if anything difficult happens, make sure to tell me, okay?”

“Yes, of course!”

“I will.”

Liliana nodded vigorously, while Elliott acknowledged her request.

Thus, the academy life of the two children began.