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

Thus, Anriche decided to first ask Liliana for her opinion this time.
“Liliana.”

“…Yes, Mother.”

Trying to suppress the feeling of betrayal, Liliana’s voice was a bit strained.

“Now that this has happened, I want to take measures to ensure that you don’t have to confront the Londini family anymore.”

“Measures?”

“Yes. What do you think, Liliana?”

Anriche added one more thing.
“Of course, I won’t do anything if you don’t want me to.”

“…”

The child clenched her small fist tightly.

But the hesitation didn’t last long.

“…Please do.”

“Okay, I’ll do that.”

Anriche pulled Liliana into a tight embrace, gently stroking the child’s frail back with her hand.

Only then did the tense body begin to soften a little.

“Don’t be too upset, our Liliana.”

“…”

Liliana nodded slightly, burying her face in Anriche’s embrace.

In that moment, the child felt as fragile as a chick following its mother hen.

Anriche couldn’t bear to let go of Liliana.

***

Meanwhile, at Tornian’s townhouse.

Anita was lost in deep thought.

‘…Why did Liliana act like that?’

The events of earlier wouldn’t leave her mind.

If it were her, she would have thought she had caught a break and would have grilled Liliana mercilessly.

But Liliana…

‘She didn’t get angry.’

Instead, she had said it was ‘okay’ and had tried to comfort Anita.

Why was that?

“…Forget it, I should just sleep.”

Feeling as uncomfortable as if she were sitting on a bed of thorns, Anita pulled the blanket over her head.
However, she couldn’t get a proper night’s sleep until morning.

***

While waiting for Liliana to fall asleep, Anriche left the room.

‘I suppose Elliot must be asleep by now?’

She glanced toward the direction of Elliot’s room.

‘Today, it seems Liliana has a lot on her mind, so it would be better for me to stay by her side.’

‘Will Elliot be okay?’

‘Of course. Jane is there with him.’

In fact, Elliot even smiled reassuringly at Anriche.

Thinking of her son’s commendable demeanor, Anriche couldn’t help but smile faintly.

‘Still, should I check on Elliot just to be sure…?’

At the very least, she wanted to see her child’s sleeping face.

As Anriche hurried her steps, she ran into Alexei, who had just returned home.

“Madam?”

“…Oh, Your Grace.”

Startled, Anriche looked up quickly.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“Yes. It’s quite late; why are you still awake?”

“I was going to check on Elliot to see if he was sleeping well.”

Hearing this, Alexei’s expression became slightly strange as he asked her back,

“Why are Elliot and Liliana sleeping separately tonight?”

“What?”

“Usually, you would be sleeping with both children.”

Ah, that’s right.

Anriche bit her tongue lightly.

Noticing the change in her expression, Alexei asked with a worried tone,

“Is something the matter?”

“…What?”

“You seem to have a somewhat dark expression.”

Alexei’s face genuinely reflected concern for her.

“Ah, it’s just…”

Anriche, who was about to respond habitually that it was ‘nothing,’ paused and fell silent.

It wasn’t nothing that Liliana had been threatened by the Londini baroness.

‘…Would it be okay to ask Alexei for advice on this matter?’

Anriche discreetly glanced at Alexei’s expression.

She actually knew.

The Empire was a patriarchal society, and particularly, matters concerning ‘children’ were typically left to the ‘mother.’

However, the Alexei she had seen until now was someone who deeply loved children.

“…The truth is,”

Anriche began to explain everything that had happened to Liliana up to this point.

Despite the worries she had in her heart, Alexei listened intently to her story throughout.

And then, he immediately made his statement.

“It would be best to put an end to the Londini family.”

…Gone was his usual gentle demeanor, replaced by a truly fearsome voice.

“They have already touched the child multiple times under the pretext of being Liliana’s relatives, so it wouldn’t be wise to overlook it.”

Alexei continued, suppressing his anger.

“To prevent the Londini family from approaching the child, I think it would be best to impose physical restrictions.”

“What do you mean by physical restrictions?”

“Of course, we should put them in prison.”

Prison?

Anriche’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected response.

But Alexei seemed serious.

“The recent tax investigation alone is sufficient to imprison the Londini couple.”

“Prison… is that really possible?”

“Of course. Most importantly, the Imperial family can provide evidence of their crimes.”

When she thought about it, it made sense.

The tax investigation had been conducted by the Imperial family, so all the evidence and witnesses could be guaranteed by them.

“Principally, their crimes are serious enough that they should already be in prison, but considering Liliana’s feelings, I wanted to avoid excessive punishment. However…”

As Alexei was speaking, he suddenly had a realization and looked at Anriche’s expression.

“…I apologize. I may have shown an overly extreme attitude.”

“It’s alright. I appreciate your good suggestion.”

Anriche shook her head.

After all, she had intended to take care of the Londini family from the start.

The only regret was…

‘If only I could catch three birds with one stone, that would be much better.’

The biggest problem was the Londini family, but she was also concerned about the Tornian family and Count Ivan’s wife.

If Count Ivan’s wife continued to teach the Tornian lady, it would surely have a negative impact on Liliana.

‘That can’t happen.’

Anriche’s expression turned serious.

There must be a way.

A method that could resolve both the Tornian and Ivan matters while providing solid support for Liliana…

‘Wait.’

At that moment, a flash of inspiration crossed Anriche’s violet eyes.

She felt like she had remembered something.

That ‘method.’

Anriche hurriedly opened her mouth.

“Your Grace.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Do you know how much capital I can manage?”

Alexei narrowed his eyes slightly at the somewhat unexpected question.

“Why do you ask that?”

“Ah…”

Oh no.

Faced with Alexei’s serious expression, Anriche nervously chewed her soft inner lip.

Now that she thought about it, ‘Anriche von Valois’ had lived as a lavish villainess until now.

It was only natural that Alexei would look at her like that…

“There’s no way that the mistress of Valois would have limits on managing Valois’s assets.”

Huh?

Taken aback by the unexpected answer, Anriche blinked in surprise.

“I thought you were worried that I might indulge in extravagance…”

“Why would I worry about that?”

Alexei looked even more puzzled and asked Anriche back.

“Is it not because of the matter concerning Liliana?”

“Well, yes, that is part of it.”

“Then it’s fine. I trust you.”

His voice was resolute, without a hint of doubt.

You trust me…

‘Considering the enormous misdeeds the original Anriche committed…’

Alexei chose to trust her once again.

He understood how difficult that decision was.

‘If I were in Alexei’s position, I would never have been able to trust Anriche.’

Feeling a sudden tightness in her nose, Anriche averted her gaze.

“…Thank you.”

“Not at all.”

Clearing his throat slightly, Alexei continued speaking.

“Above all… it’s natural for a couple to trust each other, isn’t it?”

“Pardon?”

“At least that’s what I think.”

With conviction, Alexei said this and then casually turned his head away.

But his neck had turned slightly red.

A slow smile spread across Anriche’s lips.

It was a bright smile, like sunshine.