When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me - Chapter 57

‘I was worried what would happen if the knights listened to my apology through their ears…’

Still, the relationship didn’t seem that bad.

‘Hmm, maybe this is the pure function of Anriche’s barely interacting with the knights?’

She smiled vaguely.

“Then, I have to go see the kids.”

“Oh, yes. Please go.”

“I’ll see you next time.”

Anriche, who left the last greeting, headed towards the townhouse with a light gait.

One of the knights, who had been staring blankly at her back, opened his mouth bewildered.

“…Hey, what did I just hear?”

“It’s been more than five years since I became a knight of Valois, but today seems to be the first time the madam has spoken to us.”

“Besides, did she inevitably apologize for what happened three years ago?”

The knight, with questioning eyes, tapped his colleague’s side with his elbow.

“Hey, where did the sun rise during training today?”

“I think it came from the east…”

“Lies, not the West?”

The knights, who had been talking for a while, turned to look at each other with strange faces. “You’re not as sharp as you think… aren’t you?”

“It must have been that the employees were not spreading false rumors.”

Of course, just because people change their attitudes like flipping their palms over doesn’t mean you can gain trust in an instant.

However, Anriche’s changes were continuous.

A warm attitude towards children and generous treatment towards employees… Not only was she interested in household affairs, but she even cut off Marquisate Saxony, who tried to meddle in Valois.

“Besides, it seems that she and the Master have become more amicable lately…”

“Well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Starting with one knight shrugging his shoulders, the knights scattered.

However, Anriche’s smile remained in the minds of the knights for a long time.

*** 

‘Because she’s a girl, she can’t learn swordsmanship, is this brain fart?’

Anriche stumbled across his hallway, stifling her bubbling irritation.

‘When they say no, it makes her want to do it more, right?’

Haa—

As Anriche was standing in front of the dining room, she took a deep breath and cleared her mind. She couldn’t show a bad face in front of the children.

After a while, Anriche, who adjusted her expression, entered the dining room.

Liliana, who was eating snacks with Elliot, jumped out of her seat as soon as she found Anriche.

“Ah, mother!”

“Oh my, Liliana.”

Holding on to Liliana as she was running, she pulled out her handkerchief.

“There’s chocolate on your lips.”

“Hehe.”

As she wiped her lips with her handkerchief, Liliana smiled shyly.

“Would mother like to have a snack, too? Chocolate cake is really good!”

“Oh my, is that so?”

“Yes!”

Anriche took a seat next to the two children. She then asked a question in a subtle way. “Is everyone okay studying?”

“What is that…”

Elliot, who was in the midst of a chocolate cake, answered sarcastically. On the other hand, Liliana opened her mouth mischievously.

“Lies. Last time you said you couldn’t draw as you wanted, and you were mad at yourself.”

“Li, Liliana. How did you know that?!”

Elliot’s face turned red.

Anriche rolled her eyes.

“Oh my, did you?”

“It, it was nothing.”

“But, I’ve never seen Elliot so angry.”

At Liliana’s words, Elliot, who seemed a little troubled, shook his head. “It’s a little difficult, but it’s okay. The teacher told me.”

“What did he say?”

“If I keep working hard, I’ll be able to overcome the wall someday.”

At those mature words, Anriche had a slightly startled face.

“And, going over the wall is something that no one but me can do.”

Then, Elliot added the words with a rare seriousness. “I think so, too.”

“…I see.”

Up until now, she thought they were still children. All of a sudden, it felt like Elliot had grown up.

Anriche, who looked at the sullen Elliot, smiled brightly at him.

“You’re wonderful, my son.”

“….”

Instead of answering, he only poked the chocolate cake with a fork. Perhaps, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment, the back of her child’s neck was reddish.

“Though if there’s anything mom can help with, you’ll have to tell me, don’t hide it. Okay?”

At that friendly voice, he only nodded his head instead of answering her.

After that, Anriche turned to Liliana.

“Liliana, is there anything hard while you’re studying?”

“Uh…”

Liliana, who would normally have said, ‘It’s okay, I don’t!’, but this time, she looked at Anriche with a thoughtful look.

‘What is it?’

When Anriche tilted her head.

Liliana carefully opened her mouth. “May I ask you one favor?”

“Favor?”

She was a little surprised. Not surprisingly, Liliana was a child who felt embarrassed to ask others. If such a child spoke out her words like that, she must be desperately wanting it.

“Well then, it’s fine. Feel free to say anything.”

“That is…”

After hesitating for a while, the little girl parted her lips.

“I, I want to learn swordsmanship with people of my age.”

Anriche opened her mouth.

‘Wow, the knights’ guesses are so right.’

Are the Valois knights’ mind readers?

“Even if you don’t, I talked about it with the knights earlier.”

“Yes? Really?”

At that, Liliana looked up at her with surprised eyes. Anriche made the suggestion with a gentle attitude.

“By the way, if Liliana wants to, I’ll take you for a tour of the Royal Academy’s swordsmanship department. How about it?”

“Wow, the Imperial Academy Swordsmanship department?!”

Liliana unknowingly raised her voice.

However, she was startled by her voice, and she covered her mouth until she heard a hap sound.

“Oh, well. I didn’t mean to yell…”

“Do you like it that much?”

“Yes!”

Liliana couldn’t beat her blushing, and she cried out loud once more.

“I really wanted to go to the academy.”

“Oh my, did you?”

“Yes! The students of the swordsmanship department are said to be the most talented people in the Empire…”

Looking into the light green eyes that twinkle as if dancing, Anriche smiled. She was so excited as if she’d received an unexpected gift…

‘Ugh, our Liliana. So cute!’

Anriche pressed her lips together, otherwise, she was going to laugh like a fool.

Elliot, who looked at her pathetically, said, “Mom, do you notice that the corners of your lips are going up?”

“Oh, right.”

She touched her lips tremblingly.

*** 

That evening.

Alexei, who came home late, met Anriche in front of the front door.

“You’re back, Duke?”

It seems that Anriche was waiting for Alexei. As soon as she found him, she strode towards him. “Can we talk for a moment? I won’t waste your time.”

“Yes, it’s okay.”

Even as he nodded his head, Alexei was captured by a subtle feeling.

‘What does she mean she won’t waste his time?’

…Is that something that should come out between a couple?

‘Since when did I start feeling sorry for this?’

With that thought, Alexei narrowed his brow unknowingly.

However, Anriche, who had no idea what he was going through, could only bring out her words with vigor.

“I’m going to take Liliana on a tour to the Royal Academy’s Swordsmanship department.”

“Liliana?”

“Yes. It seems to be what Liliana wants.”

Alexei glanced at his wife.

It was a new feeling for him, but Anriche has changed a lot. Not only does she have a warm affection for the children, but she sometimes points out subtleties that even Alexei himself hadn’t thought of.

This means that there was a lot of interest in the children.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll stop by when I have time.”

“Yes? The Duke?”

Anriche tilted her head at the unexpected answer.

Alexei was the father of the children, so he felt he had to share the children’s activities, so he was just saying so. Nevertheless, was he pressured to follow her because of what she said?

“No, I know how busy the Duke is.”

“What?”

“I don’t intend to cause trouble. It’s okay if me and Liliana go together.”

As she said, Alexei has been incredibly busy. A trusted friend of the Emperor and the sharpest sword of the Imperial Family. Because that honorable name gave it that much duty.

Still, her words to be considerate of Alexei had an unexpectedly counterproductive effect.

“…Is it uncomfortable for me to stop by?”

Alexei suddenly had a sad expression on his face and began to look into Anriche’s eyes.

Immediately, she stopped and was startled.

“Yeah? No, it’s not like that…!”

“Then, why are you refusing?”

“I was really afraid that the duke would be busy. I was afraid that he might overdo it because of us…”

Anriche made her excuses in a hurry.

Then, Alexei narrowed his brow and asked her.

“Still, isn’t Liliana our family?”