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

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“Excuse me?”

He hesitated, stopping his hand.

However, Anriche, unaware of Alexei’s inner turmoil, could only fidget to avoid upsetting him.

“I think I made you uncomfortable because of my family issues…”

“…That’s not it.”

“Huh?”

Anriche blinked in confusion.

‘What did I… do wrong?’

After all, Alexei was wearing a rare expression of distress.

‘It’s really the first time I’ve seen him like this.’

He was gripping the ice pack so tightly that the knuckles on his hand turned white.

Anriche instinctively reached out.

“Relax your hand.”

“Madam.”

“What will you do if your hand gets hurt?”

Anriche took the ice pack away from him.

As Alexei gazed at his empty hand, he clenched it tightly.

“It’s alright to be upset.”

“…What?”

“No, I actually think it’s natural. You are my wife, and we…”

Alexei lifted his head.

His blue eyes were filled with earnest light as he looked directly at her.

“We are family, aren’t we?”

“…”

Family.

Anriche felt her lips twitch as she contemplated that word.

Why did such an ordinary term feel so deeply resonant in her heart?

“So I…”

Alexei’s voice had a faint warmth to it by now.

“I didn’t come here to hear you apologize, Madam.”

“Your Grace…”

“Protecting you, keeping the family safe… It’s something that’s completely natural for me.”

Anriche opened her mouth as if to say something but then closed it again.

She didn’t know how to express the overflowing emotions inside her.

So, she decided to say simply,

“…Then, thank you.”

“That remark…”

“I appreciate what you did earlier when you protected me from Denis.”

Anriche nervously fiddled with her hands resting on her lap.

It was strange.

Her heart felt like it was being brushed with feathers, making her all tingly inside.

“You said that because we are family, but I still want to express my gratitude.”

“…”

As Alexei gazed at her face with softening eyes, he smiled faintly for the first time.

“No, I should be the one thanking you.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

Anriche looked at Alexei with a puzzled expression.

“Thanks to you taking good care of the children, their expressions have brightened compared to before, haven’t they?”

“Hmm, well…”

Anriche felt a bit embarrassed.

‘Even today, I probably scared the children by getting involved with the Sachsen family…’

But she had enough sense not to voice that thought.

“Well, that’s something I should naturally do.”

“No, there’s no such thing as ‘naturally’ in this world.”

Alexei shook his head immediately.

“You always take great care of the children and try to fill in their shortcomings.”

His unwavering gaze fixed on her.

“The same goes for this engagement ceremony.”

“But…”

“And so, I’m…”

Alexei’s smile deepened a little more.

“I’m truly happy and grateful that you’ve become the mistress of Balua.”

Ah.

In that moment, Anriche inadvertently turned her gaze away in a hurry.

For some reason, the back of her ears felt hot.

Alexei looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Madam?”

“Oh, I… um!”

What to do?

Her face kept flushing, and it was impossible to admit she was avoiding his gaze!

Knock, knock.

At that moment, a short knock echoed.

For Anriche, it sounded like a salvation.

“Come in.”

Anriche flusteredly opened her mouth.

The person who entered after opening the door was the butler.

“Your Grace, Madam.”

The butler bowed his head slightly before continuing.

“I believe we need to take the young master and young lady for a moment.”

“The children?”

“Yes. Since they are the stars of the engagement ceremony, I think they should say their farewells.”

At those words, Alexei quickly rose to his feet.

“Then I’ll accompany them.”

“Are you sure that’s alright?”

“Yes. Let’s say that the Madam is unwell and resting for a bit.”

“…Thank you.”

With a gentle smile, Alexei took the children and left the room.

Click.

The door closed behind them.

Anriche stared blankly at the closed door and pressed her hand to her chest.

‘This is strange.’

Every time Alexei looked at her and spoke in a gentle voice, something deep inside her stirred restlessly.

“…”

Anriche tightly closed her eyes.

As if that would make the confusing emotions swirling within her disappear.

7. Redder than the Autumn Leaves

Before she knew it, time had passed, and autumn was approaching.

Anriche was enjoying a cup of tea for the first time in a while.

‘Since the engagement ceremony, I was worried that the Sachsen side would lodge a complaint.’

Fortunately, that had not happened.

Rumor had it that the Marquess of Sachsen was currently hospitalized.

Officially, it was stated that he had fallen from a horse, but…

‘It seems like Alexei had a hand in it.’

Anriche didn’t ask about that incident, and Alexei didn’t feel the need to share what he had done.

However, since Sachsen had not officially lodged a complaint, it seemed like he had managed to settle things.

“…”

Anriche absentmindedly lifted her hand to brush her cheek.

Her cheek was now completely healed.

The swelling that had once been there was now just a memory.

But.

‘…The Duke.’

The sensation of his hand gently stroking her cheek.

His worry-filled blue eyes.

Every time she recalled Alexei from that moment, an odd breathlessness washed over her.

‘Enough, this is a pointless thought.’

After all, it was just a political marriage; attaching meaning to it would only hurt her.

‘Maybe I should drink some cold water to clear my head.’

Just then, as Anriche gulped down the lukewarm tea,

“Mom!”

“Cough!”

Suddenly, Elliot popped his head in and called for her.

Anriche choked on her drink.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

A startled Elliot rushed toward his mother.

“Mom, are you alright?”

“Uh-huh, cough! I’m fine.”

Anriche hurriedly covered her mouth with a handkerchief.

And at that moment…

“Are you really okay?”

“Cough!”

At the worried voice directed at her, Anriche coughed again.

‘Why is the Duke here!’

Alexei was the very person who had troubled her all day.

But oblivious to her inner thoughts, Alexei looked at his wife with a concerned expression.

“Oh, Your Grace.”

Anriche tried to compose herself, feigning nonchalance.

“Didn’t you come in today?”

“…Today is Saturday.”

Ah.

Anriche couldn’t hide her embarrassment.

Just then, Liliana came running over and sat closely beside Anriche.

“Mother, guess what.”

“What is it, Lily?”

“Your Grace said that maybe we could all go on a picnic together tomorrow?”

“Huh?”

The Duke suggested that?

Anriche widened her eyes and looked at Alexei.

Alexei had a slightly tense expression.

“Since you’ve been so busy with the engagement ceremony, I thought you might be exhausted.”

“Ah…”

“So I was thinking, how about a trip to a nearby lake to relax?”

A lake?

No, more than that.

Anriche blinked in surprise.

‘Even though it’s a holiday, the Duke must be really busy to make time for an outing.’

But Alexei was desperately trying to persuade her.

“How about we take a boat ride and enjoy some delicious food while relaxing?”

At that suggestion, Anriche felt her interest piqued.

‘Oh, that sounds pretty nice.’

Boat rides, delicious food.

Both were things that Anriche loved very much.

“You only need to come along, Madam. I will handle all the preparations.”

Alexei continued enthusiastically.

“By the way, the lake is private property of the Balua family, so you don’t have to worry about prying eyes.”

During this, Alexei glanced at Anriche to gauge her reaction.

“However, I don’t want to be a nuisance to you.”

“…What?”

“So, if you don’t wish to go, feel free to decline.”

…Somehow, it seemed like Alexei’s shoulders were drooping, but was that just her imagination?

Anriche couldn’t help but smile.

“Alright.”

“I won’t be a bother to you… Huh?”

“I said I’m fine with it.”

Anriche nodded her head vigorously.

In that instant, Alexei’s expression brightened significantly.