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

“W-What do you mean, Duchess…?”

“It’s true, isn’t it? Nobles are so tightly knit when it comes to their own interests that they have to keep giving each other preferential treatment.”

Anriche shrugged lightly.

“This time, Valois has raised the issue directly, so I can set an example for everyone without any political burdens, right?”

…What did she just say?

The Londini couple felt their blood run cold.

“The Great Emperor is considering reinstating the solemn imperial law through Valois.”

Oh no.

If they were to be punished in this manner, their family might truly fall…

“N-Now, even if Valois is powerful, what you are doing to us is too much!”

“Right! We will lodge a complaint with the Nobles’ Council…!”

“Ah, you plan to file a complaint with the Nobles’ Council?”

Anriche tilted her head slightly.

The saying “a thief fears being caught” was perfectly apt in this situation.

“Go ahead.”

“…Do you really think we can’t? We will do it for real!”

“Yes, I want you to,” she replied.

Despite the couple’s rising anger, Anriche remained completely composed.

“Just think it through carefully.”

However, despite her calm demeanor, the words were very menacing.

“Whether the Nobles’ Council will support the Londini family or the Valois family.”

“…”

“…”

The Londini couple, struck at the heart, subtly exchanged glances.

But Anriche’s words were not yet finished.

“More importantly, you two are now trying to reject the Emperor’s orders and use the Nobles’ Council as a shield…”

“N-No!”

“That’s not what we meant…!”

The terrified Londini couple rushed to clarify.

As she watched the two, who had turned pale with fear, Anriche leisurely concluded,

“I’m quite curious how the Emperor will see you two.”

Damn it!

Baron Londini clenched his teeth so hard it felt like they might crack.

At that moment, the Baroness clutched her husband’s collar with a face filled with fear.

“W-What should we do…?”

“What do you mean, what should we do?!”

The Baron snapped back in a suppressed voice.

Anriche’s words were not incorrect, which only heightened his frustration.

The imperial family had conducted a tax investigation, so they would also have the evidence and witnesses.

In other words, if the imperial family had decided to cooperate with the Valois family…

‘…We have nowhere to escape.’

Baron Londini squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again.

‘I must not confront the Duchess now. For now, I need to get through this situation and plan for the future.’

Changing his expression completely, Baron Londini lowered his head and spoke humbly.

“Duchess.”

“Now, let’s continue this discussion in court and prison.”

However, Anriche was no longer willing to listen to their pleas.

The terrified couple clung to her.

“P-Please, don’t do this! There’s still the dignity of a noble, isn’t there?!”

“That’s right! We will be more careful in the future; we won’t even go near Liliana!”

At that moment, the head of the security team issued a stern command.

“Everyone, do not let these two criminals escape!”

Criminals.

At that word, the Londini couple’s eyes widened.

“They have disrupted the tax issues that are the foundation of the empire. Take them away immediately!”

“Duchess Valois!”

“Are you really going to do this?!”

Watching them calmly, Anriche flashed a knowing smile.

“If I were you, I would quietly withdraw right now.”

“…What?”

“If you don’t want the charge of threatening the mistress of the Valois family added to your list of crimes.”

A heavy silence fell.

The Londini couple opened their mouths as if to shout something, but nothing came out.

They instinctively understood.

That resisting further would only make their situation worse.

“Let go of me! I’ll walk there myself!”

“A criminal is talking too much.”

As Baron Londini angrily pushed away, the security personnel’s reaction remained cold.

In the end, the couple was dragged away by the guards.

Anriche watched the scene and elegantly turned to Countess Tornian.

“I sincerely apologize for showing such a rough side. Did I startle you?”

At Anriche’s smooth, silk-like voice, Countess Tornian quickly regained her composure.

“N-No, it’s just… the building…”

“We’ll need to purchase it.”

As Anriche nodded, an official approached.

With a polite gesture, he handed her a document and pen.

Anriche looked at the official with a surprised expression.

“You even prepared the documents in advance?”

“Well, the Duke issued orders specifically for that purpose.”

“The Duke?”

“Yes. He made sure to insist that everything be handled as smoothly as possible for you.”

The official nodded, and for the first time, Anriche’s expression softened.

“…I see.”

Anriche took the document.

It was meticulously arranged so that ownership could transfer with just a single signature, making the payment seamless.

It was clear how much effort had gone into making things as convenient as possible for her.

‘The Duke really thought of me.’

Feeling an unexpected warmth, Anriche unconsciously let a small smile slip.

“Five thousand groschen, correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Alright. I’ll pay that in a lump sum.”

With an indifferent attitude, Anriche signed at the end of the document.

Countess Tornian, who had been watching the entire process, struggled to hide her surprise.

Despite her best efforts, her pupils had already dilated significantly.

‘F-Five thousand groschen?’

She had expected the price to be substantial since it was a three-story building in a prime location in the capital.

But she hadn’t imagined it would be such an astronomical amount.

‘I don’t want to brag, but that building is quite valuable.’

She recalled the proud, smug look on Baroness Londini’s face as she boasted about it.

‘But to pay that amount in a single payment…’

A chill ran down her spine.

Most of all, what surprised her was Anriche’s nonchalant demeanor.

Watching her, one could believe she was simply buying a trivial item.

At that moment, Countess Tornian realized.

‘If Valois ever turned against Tornian… Tornian wouldn’t survive.’

An overwhelming wealth and the influence to bring down an entire noble family by moving the imperial household.

Just one of these was intimidating enough, but Valois had both.

The very fact that she had displayed all of this before Tornian was itself a warning to the Tornian family.

A warning that they could receive the same treatment at any time.

“…”

Countess Tornian felt her mouth go dry.

At the same time, Anriche turned to her with a bright smile.

“Well, since we’re done here, shall we go have a cup of tea at a nice café?”

Her tone was casual, completely indifferent to the enormity of what she had just done.

***

Steam rose gently from an elegant teacup.

The aromatic fragrance of tea filled the air.

But Countess Tornian couldn’t enjoy the scent at all.

‘I feel like a prisoner being led to the execution ground.’

Her mouth was so dry that she drank her lukewarm tea in big gulps as if it were cold water.

And then—

“The tea has a lovely aroma.”

Anriche’s friendly comment startled her.

“Cough, cough-cough!”

As Countess Tornian began to cough violently, Anriche quickly handed her a handkerchief.

“Oh dear, are you alright?”

“Y-Yes, yes…”

It took Countess Tornian a few moments to stop coughing.

“More than that, I’m so glad to be spending time with you, Countess Tornian.”

Anriche took a sip of tea in an elegant motion, adding in a joking tone,

“Maybe it’s because of certain rumors in society, but everyone seems to avoid me subtly.”

“Haha…”

Well, the Duchess of Valois was notorious in high society as an “evil woman.”

Recently, rumors had been circulating that she had become much more gentle, but people weren’t quick to believe them without seeing it for themselves.

And from Countess Tornian’s perspective…

‘Gentle, my foot!’

This was dreadful.

After all, the violet gaze that stared at her was as sharp as a blade.

She almost felt that it had been easier to deal with her in the past.

Back then, as long as you flattered her, you could get by reasonably well, but now…

‘I have no idea what she’s thinking!’

As Countess Tornian mentally screamed in anguish—

“It’s truly delightful to have this chance to talk alone.”

Clink.

The sound of the teacup being placed down seemed unusually loud.

Simultaneously, Anriche sighed deeply for all to see.

“The truth is, I didn’t want to interfere too much, thinking it was just a children’s quarrel.”

“…Pardon?”

“But… I’m not sure how long I can keep holding back.”

Holding back? What does that mean?

Countess Tornian stared at Anriche in confusion.

Then, Anriche dropped a bombshell on her.