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

Meanwhile, after hearing her answer, Alexei had a distinctly relieved expression.

‘This won’t do!’

It seemed necessary to change the subject.

Anriche quickly got up from her seat.

“Uh, we’ve almost finished our meal!”

“Madam?”

“Shall we go for a boat ride?”

At Anriche’s suggestion, the children’s eyes lit up.

‘Thank goodness the kids are showing interest…’

She sighed in relief internally.

“I’ve wanted to ride on that boat for a while!”

“Mom, are we really going to ride the boat?”

“Dad, I want to try rowing!”

Elliot and Liliana chirped like little chicks.

Alexei, who had been frowning for a moment, nodded.

***

The Balua couple strolled leisurely towards the lakeshore.

Liliana and Elliot giggled and dashed ahead of their parents.

“Hey, kids! Watch where you’re going! What if you trip and fall?”

Anriche exclaimed in dismay.

The children responded with laughter.

“Yes-!”

“Mom, Dad! Hurry up!”

Before long, the kids were standing in front of a small boat, waving their hands excitedly.

Anriche casually remarked,

“Do they really enjoy it that much?”

“Children usually do that,” Alexei shrugged lightly.

“When I was young, I was fascinated by boats and toy carts, too.”

“Really, Your Grace?”

Anriche’s eyes sparkled at this unexpected revelation.

‘What a surprise! I always thought the Duke was grown-up from the moment he was born!’

To think that Alexei had a childhood where he liked toys.

Feeling a bit more excited as she saw this new side of him, Anriche realized Alexei seemed to interpret her reaction differently.

“…Is that strange?”

He asked subtly, a somewhat awkward expression on his face.

“No, not strange at all.”

Anriche shook her head and smiled broadly.

“It’s actually quite cute.”

“…”

Alexei’s eyes widened slightly.

Then, he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and turned his head away.

“…Thank you.”

Wow, is the Duke…

Actually blushing right now?

‘Today, he’s showing so many unexpected sides of himself!’

While Anriche was blankly staring at the back of his flushed neck,

“Mommy!”

Elliot cried out, looking distressed.

Snapping back to reality, Anriche turned to Elliot.

“W-What is it, Elliot?”

“I can’t get onto the boat…”

Elliot pouted and whined.

“Ah.”

Anriche quickly understood the situation.

There was a gap between the floating boat and the ground.

With their small steps, the children wouldn’t be able to get on the boat without getting their feet wet.

‘Hmm, I can’t cross over like this either…’

Anriche looked down at her flowing dress with a troubled expression.

But that thought was only for a moment.

“Just wait a moment.”

So what if my feet get a little wet?

Determined, Anriche began to lift her skirt and wade into the lake.

She intended to carry the children and help them onto the boat.

But just then, Alexei stopped her.

“Please don’t.”

“What?”

“I’ll do it.”

Saying this, Alexei took off his shoes and set them aside.

Anriche was startled and exclaimed,

“Are you really going to go into the water?”

“Yes. Isn’t it better than you getting wet?”

It seemed Alexei was being serious.

He stepped into the lake, bracing himself firmly in the water.

Then he stretched his arms wide to Elliot.

“Elliot, come here.”

“Yes!”

So, Elliot and Liliana climbed onto the boat.

Finally, it was Anriche’s turn.

“Madam, over here.”

Alexei extended his hand toward her.

Anriche smiled brightly.

“Oh, thank you.”

Up until that moment, Anriche had expected him to offer her just a bit of support.

But the reality surpassed her expectations.

“Eek!”