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

At that moment, when Alexei was lost in his thoughts…

“Your Grace?”

“…What is it?”

Alexei turned around, unable to hide his disgust on his face.

The one who called him was none other than Marquis Sachsen.

“What brings you here?”

“I heard that the engagement ceremony for young Duke Elliott is happening soon?”

“…”

Alexei narrowed his eyes.

‘So that’s why that man decided to attend the nobility meeting.’

Since Alexei usually didn’t entertain him, it seemed he had come to speak to him no matter what.

It felt like he was going to be a nuisance regarding the engagement ceremony…

“Why didn’t the Sachsen family receive an invitation?”

…How is it that this man never strays from his expectations?

Alexei barely held back a sigh that threatened to escape.

“The host of this engagement ceremony is not me; it is my wife.”

Alexei spoke slowly and clearly, as if teaching a fool.

“Therefore, it is my wife who decides who to invite and who not to.”

“But still, you are the father of the young duke, are you not?”

Nevertheless, the marquis tried to cling to him.

“There’s no way you wouldn’t be involved in something like an engagement ceremony…”

“No, I trust my wife’s choices.”

Alexei shook his head firmly.

“If my wife did not invite the Sachsen family, there must be a valid reason for that.”

“But…!”

“And I also agree with that reason.”

The marquis’s eyes widened in disbelief.

‘What did he just say?’

However, Alexei no longer wished to waste time on the marquis.

“Well then, I must be going.”

Taking a step back, Alexei smoothly smiled.

“I need to see my wife.”

“Y-Your Grace!”

“Have a good day.”

With those words, Alexei left the marquis behind and quickly disappeared.

“W-Wait! How rude!!”

It was only after Alexei had completely vanished from sight that the marquis began to fume with anger.

Of course, the other nobles passing by struggled to hide their looks of disdain at his outburst.

Alexei entered the townhouse at an unusually quick pace.

As he glanced around, he noticed the butler fidgeting off in the distance.

He quickly threw a question at the butler.

“Where is my wife?”

“Um, that is…”

The butler avoided eye contact.

Alexei felt a strange sense of unease.

‘What’s going on?’

There was no way the butler would be making that face unless something was troubling him.

Just then…

“I’m over here!”

A bright voice rang out.

It was Anriche.

“Ah, my lady.”

Alexei flinched a little.

Anriche was looking at him with a face that seemed to be sulking.

“Your Grace.”

As she called him, Anriche strode forward.

Alexei stiffened, looking down at her as she approached.

“Your Grace, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

With that question, Anriche raised her chin confidently.

Then she stared straight into his eyes.

Alexei found himself flustered.

“Uh?”

“The guests you invited,” Anriche said, casually shrugging her shoulders.

Then she narrowed her eyes, questioning her husband.

“You helped all of them accept the invitations from behind the scenes, didn’t you?”

“Ah… well…”

Alexei found himself stumbling over his words.

He just wanted to see Anriche smiling.

But…

‘What if she’s displeased that I got involved in the preparations?’

Oh no.

Alexei bit his lip.

No matter how much he wanted to help Anriche, she might not have wanted that assistance from the start.

He hurriedly began to apologize.

“I’m sorry.”

At those words, Anriche slightly raised an eyebrow.

Her expression seemed to say, ‘What exactly are you apologizing for?’

Alexei felt his heart drop.

“I acted without asking for your permission…”

“Excuse me?”

Her voice lifted in disbelief, as if shocked.

Alexei became increasingly anxious.

‘Could I have misjudged the situation?’

No, this wouldn’t do. He had to somehow manage the situation…

“I, um, that is…”

“Why are you apologizing to me?”

Suddenly, Anriche looked at Alexei with a puzzled expression.

Alexei stared at her in confusion.

“Excuse me?”

“About this matter, you were helping me, weren’t you?”

“If we’re going to be technical… then yes, that is true, but…”

“Then shouldn’t I be the one thanking you instead?”

…Is that so?

Alexei subtly glanced at his wife.

At the same time, Anriche narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.

“I was just trying to point out the parts where you acted inefficiently.”

“Inefficiently, you say…?”

“If you intended to help me, it would have been better if you had told me beforehand!”

Anriche gave Alexei a sidelong glance, not unkindly.

“If you had done that, I wouldn’t have had to rack my brains over the guest list.”

“…Ah.”

Alexei blinked quietly.

“Is that what bothered you?”

“Is there any other reason?”

“I mean, I—”

Alexei, who was about to say something, suddenly fell silent.

As he looked down at Anriche, who was gazing up at him, she broke into a bright smile.

“Anyway, thank you for your concern.”

“…It’s nothing. I will listen carefully to your advice in the future.”

It was just like Alexei to respond so earnestly.

Holding back the laughter that threatened to burst out, Anriche continued.

“More importantly, about the engagement ceremony…”

“I will attend.”

Before Anriche could finish her sentence, Alexei blurted out in a fluster.

She widened her eyes in surprise.

“But you’re busy, aren’t you?”

“My lady, what kind of person do you think I am?”

Alexei asked, frowning.

“No matter how busy I am, I can find time to attend my children’s engagement ceremony.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean it in a bad way…”

“Nothing is more important than family.”

At his firm declaration, Anriche froze for a moment.

Alexei continued calmly.

“Elliot and Liliana, and you, my lady, are what matters most to me.”

Somehow, it felt like he put extra emphasis on the word “my lady.”

‘Was that just my imagination?’

Feeling strangely flustered, Anriche took a few steps back.

“Well, um…”

“Mom!”

“Mother!!”

At that moment, cheerful voices rang out from behind.

The couple turned around without thinking.

Elliot and Liliana came running toward them.

“Hey? It’s Dad!”

Elliot stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide open as he stared at Alexei.

“When did you get here?”

“Hello, Your Grace!”

Liliana popped her head in to greet him.

Anriche looked at the children with a perplexed expression.

“What are you two doing here?”

“What? Have you forgotten already?”

Elliot’s face turned sullen at her question, and he glared at his mother.

“You said we were all going to Le Morgan Street today!”

“Uh? Ah…”

Oh no, she had forgotten about that.

Anriche felt a bit embarrassed.

They had decided to visit Le Morgan Street to pick out clothes for the engagement ceremony and to make up for the time she hadn’t spent with the children lately.

“So when are we going?”

“It feels like it’s been forever since I went out with you, Mother.”

The children looked excited about the long-awaited outing.

Then…

‘Huh?’

Anriche noticed a burning gaze piercing her cheek and turned her head slightly.

‘W-What?’

Alexei was looking at her with shining eyes.

His expression was filled with anticipation.

If she were to interpret that look…

‘Is he hoping I’ll take him along?’

…That seemed about right.

In the end, Anriche glanced at Alexei and spoke cautiously.

“Um, would you like to come along, Your Grace?”

As soon as she made the offer, Alexei’s face lit up like a lamp.