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

“Is it not completely unrefined for a future lady of Balua to practice swordsmanship?”

“That’s right. It’s not even the type of refinement associated with embroidery or music. Is learning swordsmanship really appropriate?”

The two girls laughed as they exchanged banter, seemingly enjoying themselves.

After a moment, Anita glanced sideways at the table.

“Anyway, since Lady Everett is here, I think we should offer her a seat…”

There was just one seat available at the far end of the table.

But the problem was that it wasn’t in a state suitable for anyone to sit in.

Because…

“I’m sorry, Lady Everett.”

Anita deliberately squinted her eyes.

“Our belongings are too valuable, so we can’t just place them on the table.”

On top of the chairs were Anita and Jenit’s bags and parasols, piled high.

“So we’ve temporarily placed them on the chairs.”

“……”

“……”

A chilly silence filled the air.

‘What should we do?’

‘I don’t know!’

The other girls fidgeted, exchanging anxious glances.

They certainly didn’t want to cooperate in bullying Liliana.

However, it would also be awkward to fall out with Lady Torniain.

Unlike Liliana, who only visited the academy a few times a week as a guest student, Anita was a full-time student.

The frequency of their encounters and the influence they wielded among the students were different.

“Lady Everett is a kind person, so I’m sure she will understand, right?”

Just then, Anita asked Liliana with a triumphant tone.

Liliana, who had been silently observing Anita, suddenly spoke up.

“For one thing, I think kindness and foolishness are completely different.”

“What?”

“And Lady Torniain thinks of me not as a kind person, but as a foolish one.”

……Is this really the Liliana I used to know?

The students stared blankly at Liliana.

The usually timid girl was nowhere to be found; the Liliana now had a face as cold as ice.

Liliana stepped gracefully and looked down at the piled belongings on the chairs.

“You two have talked so much until your mouths were dry, so I’m sure you are well aware, but I am currently the fiancée of the Duke of Balua.”

“Are you bragging about being the duke’s fiancée?!”

“No, not at all.”

Shaking her head, Liliana continued in a calm voice.

“However, I must say that I find your attitude treating me as less than mere belongings.”

With a fingertip, Liliana lightly tapped the pile of items on the chair.

The precariously stacked belongings tumbled down to the floor with a crash.

“W-What are you doing?!”

“What if something breaks?!”

Anita and Jenit jumped up in shock.

But Liliana didn’t flinch, meeting the gazes of the two girls head-on.

“I just read your intent: you are looking down on Balua.”

In that instant, both girls stiffened in surprise.

Balua.

The weight of that name struck them anew.

“Did I perhaps misunderstand your attitude?”

“N-No, that’s…”

“Furthermore, you two ladies discussed my refinement and dignity.”

Liliana’s light green eyes, which alternately scanned the two girls, remained calm and serene.

“Can you two ladies confidently say that you possess a deeper understanding of refinement and dignity than my future mother-in-law?”

“D-Don’t bring her into this!”

“Well, my future mother-in-law actively supports me learning swordsmanship.”

At that statement, Anita glared at Liliana with gritted teeth.

Liliana tilted her head slightly.

“Or do you intend to say that my mother-in-law’s educational policies are misguided?”

At that question, the faces of Anita and Lady Londini turned pale.

Liliana met their stares with an expression of calmness.

If it had been in the past, she would have quietly tolerated the rudeness of these two ladies.

But now, things were different.

‘You don’t need to feel like you have to prove yourself or try harder.’

‘We just want you to value yourself.’

Anri-che’s gentle voice echoed in her ears.

‘Your mother, Elliot, and the duke.’

They welcomed her as family and showered her with boundless affection.

Thus, Liliana resolved not to tolerate being disregarded by others any longer.

If she were treated with disrespect, her family would surely feel hurt.

“W-We…”

Anita, who was trying to come up with an excuse, bit her lip tightly.

‘What on earth is happening?’

Mr. Ivan had clearly said she was just a weak girl.

He assured her that if she just pressed down a little, she would quickly gain the upper hand…!

But just then,

knock, knock.

A short knock sounded.

Anita, who was relieved to be out of Liliana’s sharp gaze, quickly approached the door with a visibly relieved expression.

“Who is it?”

“Oh, we are from Dorin Confectionery.”

Anita looked at the man with a puzzled expression.

Dorin Confectionery was the most famous pastry shop in the empire.

In particular, it was renowned for its expertise in tea, serving pastries that paired perfectly with it.

…But why would they send someone here?

“Lady Balua asked us to send tea and snacks to Lady Everett.”

What?!

Anita’s face crumpled in shock.

The confectionery staff looked at her with an awkward expression, hesitating to ask a question.

“Uh, may I come inside? I have quite a few items.”

“T-That…”

Anita quickly glanced back.

The students were wide-eyed, staring at them.

“Dorin Confectionery?”

“That place is extraordinarily expensive!”

“I’ve never been to that pastry shop before…”

Excited gazes turned toward Liliana.

Meanwhile, Liliana wore a bewildered expression.

“Did my mother really send me tea and snacks?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”