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

“…Various aspects.”

“W-well. The way I know my mother and the way you, Your Highness, know her may be different.”

Lilianah thought of Baron Rondini and his wife.

They cherished their daughter like a treasure, but Lilianah had always been met with her uncle and aunt’s cold gazes.

“I just… wanted to let you know that she’s that kind of person to me.”

Elliot, watching Lilianah’s bright smile, reflected on the recent behavior of his mother, Anriche.

To be honest, her attitude towards him had changed a lot lately.

She had been trying to speak to him more warmly and even brought him cocoa…

‘But can a person really change so drastically, just like flipping a hand?’

While Elliot was lost in thought, he suddenly noticed something.

‘…Huh?’

He caught Lilianah looking at him.

She was discreetly observing his expression, almost as if she was afraid her words might have upset him.

Her natural tendency to gauge others’ feelings struck him as somewhat pitiful.

After swallowing a sigh, Elliot abruptly asked, “Aren’t you bored?”

“Pardon?”

At his unexpected question, Lilianah widened her eyes, forgetting to gauge Elliot’s mood.

“I’m asking if you’re bored right now.”

“Uh, um…”

“It’s true that you’re bored, right?”

Elliot asked Lilianah several times, as if the answer was predetermined and she just needed to respond.

Lilianah nodded with a perplexed expression.

“Um, I think… I might be bored…?”

“Great! Then I’ll play with you today.”

“Pardon?”

“Since I’m generously offering to play with you, you should be thankful.”

Puffing out his chest, Elliot asked again, “So, what do you want to do?”

“Hmm… I guess… playing with dolls?”

“…Aren’t you tired of dolls? You even brought one into the kitchen.”

Elliot glanced at the doll nestled in Lilianah’s arms with a look of disgust.

Lilianah shook her head firmly. “I’m not tired of them.”

“Why not?”

“Well, it’s the first time I’ve received a gift, and it’s also the first time I’ve had a doll.”

Lilianah replied with a shy expression.

Elliot was left speechless.

It was just a single doll, yet she was so happy to have received it. What kind of life had Lilianah lived until now?

Just then, as Elliot felt a pang of sympathy, Lilianah blushed and added, “More than anything, it was chosen by my mother just for me.”

“…Oh, right.”

Elliot gazed at Lilianah with a rather cold look.

It seemed like it would take a long time for him to overcome the mountain that was “mother” and win Lilianah’s affection.

With a deep sigh, Elliot reached out his hand to her. “Come on, let’s go.”

“…”

But Lilianah merely stared down at his outstretched hand, unable to take it.

She wondered if someone like her could dare to hold the hand of a young lord.

Just then, he exclaimed, “Hey, why aren’t you grabbing it?”

Elliot abruptly took hold of Lilianah’s hand.

Startled, Lilianah instinctively tried to pull back. “Um, Y-young Lord?”

“Forget the ‘Young Lord.’ Just call me Elliot.”

At his blunt response, Lilianah’s face turned bright red.

H-he’s allowing me to use his name?

But Elliot went a step further. “And why do you keep using formal language? We’re the same age, aren’t we?”

“Y-yes? B-but…”

“Speak informally with me.”

“But how can I dare to…?”

Lilianah hurriedly swallowed the rest of her words, as she noticed Elliot squinting at her.

“Are you really not going to speak informally?”

“Uh, w-well…”

“Really, really?”

“…O-okay, I’ll do it.”

Unable to withstand Elliot’s persistent gaze, Lilianah finally spoke informally in a whisper.

Only then did Elliot smile mischievously. “So, shall we eat cookies and play with dolls?”

***

A little later.

Anriche entered the living room and saw the two children playing with dolls.

She covered her mouth in delight at the adorable sight. ‘So cute! The two little ones playing with dolls is just too adorable!’

Anriche quickly stepped into the living room.

Elliot stiffened his shoulders in surprise when he saw her, but unlike before, he didn’t run away.

‘Wow, this is a huge improvement!’

Anriche felt her nose tingle with emotion.

Meanwhile, as soon as Lilianah’s eyes met Anriche’s, she smiled brightly.

“Oh, mother, you’re here?”

“Yep. Are you and Elliot playing with dolls?”

“Yes, mother!”

Anriche smiled back at Lilianah and observed how the children were playing.

They were sitting on the carpet, surrounded by a variety of playhouse items, making it quite an elaborate scene.

“That looks fun. Can I join you?”

“Of course!”

Lilianah nodded enthusiastically.

However, Elliot’s expression had turned slightly sullen.

“We were having fun just the two of us…”

Elliot mumbled under his breath.

It seemed he didn’t like the situation of Anriche interrupting their cozy playtime together.

With a teasing voice, Anriche addressed Elliot. “Ah, my dear son. Did you want to play alone with your pretty fiancée?”

“Th-that’s not it!”

Feeling a bit guilty, Elliot protested.

Anriche struggled to suppress her laughter.

“Alright, alright. I’ll believe you.”

“I-I really didn’t mean it that way!”

“Isn’t that right, Elliot? An excessive denial is the same as an affirmation.”

“Ugh!”

At Anriche’s sly response, Elliot’s face turned red.

Regardless, Anriche took a seat next to Lilianah.

Lilianah quickly offered her a doll.

“Mother, you can play the princess role!”

It was the very doll Anriche had bought from the costume shop.

It was also Lilianah’s favorite doll, which she cherished and kept close.

Anriche shook her head and picked up a maid doll. “No, the princess role is for Lilianah.”

“But….”

***

“Lilianah is my princess, after all.”

As he said this with a wink, Lilianah’s face lit up in delight.

Elliot opened his eyes wide and watched his mother skillfully charm his fiancée.

Thus, the doll play began.

***

“Phew…”

Alexei, busy examining documents, set down his pen and let out a long sigh.

He felt uneasy about not having thanked Anriche.

‘I really should have said thank you.’

It felt as if something was stuck in his throat.

He couldn’t concentrate on work at all.

Eventually, Alexei got up from his seat and made his way to Anriche’s room.

But Anriche was not there.

‘…What’s going on?’

Just then, he heard faint giggles in the distance.

‘Is it coming from the living room?’

Alexei headed toward the living room.

Through the half-open door, he saw Anriche playing with the two children.

For a moment, Alexei doubted his eyes.

‘Is my wife really playing with the kids? Not just anyone but my wife?’

And she was sitting on the bare floor, not on the sofa?

Anriche had always looked down on sitting on the floor as being undignified, so he was even more taken aback.

‘…She’s not bullying the kids, is she?’

Alexei squinted his eyes.

However, to his surprise, Anriche was genuinely enjoying herself with the children.

She even skillfully played the role of a maid.

This was the same Anriche who had always regarded her subordinates as less than human, now taking on the role of a servant?

Alexei’s astonishment reached new heights.

Just then, Anriche, who seemed to be looking around, turned her gaze directly toward him.

Their eyes met.

“…”

“…”

Silence fell between them.

Unintentionally, Alexei found himself eavesdropping on Anriche playing with the children.

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Alexei quickly turned his head and cleared his throat awkwardly.

The back of his neck was already flushed red.

‘Why is she glaring at me with such fierce eyes?’

Anriche narrowed her eyes.

‘Does she think I’m going to eat the kids or something?’

Just as she was internally complaining, Alexei stepped into the living room.

With a somewhat awkward expression, he asked Anriche, “Um, are you playing with dolls?”

“Oh, yes. Duke, you’re here?”

Anriche put on a smiling face on the outside while internally shedding tears of frustration.

This can’t be good; whenever Alexei shows up, the atmosphere becomes so awkward…

Even in this awkward situation, I’m smiling brightly because my life is already at zero!

“So, what brings you here?”

“Oh, I thought I hadn’t properly thanked you.”

“…Thank you?”

“Yes. You brought me cookies earlier, didn’t you?”

At that response, Anriche’s eyes widened in surprise.

Really? He came all the way here just to thank me for bringing cookies?

After a moment’s hesitation, Alexei gestured lightly toward her.