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

***

Finally, the Balua couple arrived at the townhouse.

“Mom, Dad!”

“Mother!”

Elliot and Liliana came running out.

Alexei chuckled and opened his arms.

“Were you waiting?”

“Of course!”

Bouncing up, Elliot clung to his father’s neck.

Alexei firmly supported his son’s bottom to keep him from falling.

Meanwhile, Liliana, who was looking around, asked a question.

“What about Grandma?”

“Oh, she’ll be a bit late.”

Anriche gently patted Liliana’s head.

The butler, who followed the children, bowed respectfully.

“Welcome back, Lord. Young Lady.”

“We’re back. Please send a carriage to pick up the Lady of the Skyler family.”

“Yes, I will.”

The butler nodded and turned to Anriche.

“Oh, by the way, Young Lady, there has been a message from the royal family.”

“From the royal family?”

Anriche’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes, here.”

The butler politely handed her an envelope stamped with the royal seal.

‘What is this?’

Anriche opened the envelope with a puzzled expression.

As she read the contents, a slow smile began to spread across her face.

“The Emperor has contacted us.”

“The Emperor?”

“Yes. He wants you to come to the palace.”

Anriche’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Alexei.

“He says he has something to discuss regarding the multi-passenger carriage business.”

“Is that so? That’s wonderful!”

Alexei replied to Anriche with a bright smile.

The fact that the Emperor called Anriche to discuss the carriage business indicated that he recognized her abilities.

‘Besides, Riche has put in a lot of effort into the multi-passenger carriage business.’

Alexei believed that his wife’s efforts deserved to be rewarded.

However, the children, unaware of the situation, became a bit sullen.

“Mom, are you going to work again?”

“I want to be with you, Mother…”

Ah, dear.

Seeing the children with drooping shoulders, Anriche felt a bit guilty.

‘Now that I think about it, I’ve been so busy lately.’

Although Anriche believed she was making an effort to pay attention to the children, that was only her perspective.

The children might indeed have felt disappointed.

“Riche, did you hear?”

At that moment, Alexei playfully chimed in.

“Even our kids are saying things like that, so don’t overdo it, okay?”

“Okay.”

Nodding, Anriche matched her gaze with the children.

“Then, how about I read you a fairy tale tonight?”

“Yes!”

“Mom, I want to read ‘Hans and the Three Little Bunnies’!”

Elliot quickly raised his voice.

Liliana shot a disgruntled glance at Elliot.

“Another Hans? I’m tired of it.”

“What? How can Hans be boring?”

“Well, Elliot always wants to read stories where Hans is the main character.”

“No, last time we read ‘Squirrel Tori’s Great Adventure’!”

The children started to bicker.

The gloominess from just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen.

‘Thank goodness.’

Only then did Anriche feel a bit relieved.

Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that perhaps she had been neglecting her children.

There was no helping the tightness in her heart.

***

That night, late into the evening.

Waiting for the children to fall asleep, Anriche and Alexei quietly slipped out of their room.

‘Does she have some worries?’

Alexei glanced at his wife with a sidelong glance.

This was understandable since Anriche had kept her lips tightly sealed the entire way back to the bedroom.

“Riche.”

“…”

“Riche!”

“Oh, yes!”

Anriche startled and looked up at him.

Alexei was facing her with a puzzled expression.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

“…Well.”

After a moment of hesitation, Anriche suddenly spoke.

“I’m wondering if I’m taking on too much work.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean…”

Anriche trailed off.

“I worry that I might be just pursuing my own desires…”

Her voice held no trace of strength.

“The children still need their mother’s care at this age.”

Anriche lowered her gaze.

“So, shouldn’t I focus more on taking care of them right now…?”

“Well, I have a slightly different opinion.”

Anriche looked up in surprise at the unexpected response.

It was understandable; Alexei had rarely been so firm when addressing his wife.

“I understand why you’re worried, Riche, but I believe it’s better for you to pursue what you want.”

“…But.”

“Of course, you are Elliot’s mother and Liliana’s protector. But before that—”

His blue eyes locked onto hers.

“You are an individual named Riche.”

“…”

She froze in place.

‘Before being the children’s mother and protector… it’s me.’

She had never thought like that before.

She had only hoped to be recognized and loved by her family.

It seemed she had never had a clear opinion about who she was as a person.

“I hope you don’t sacrifice yourself just because you are a mother.”

Alexei continued with emphasis.

“One day, the children will understand your feelings and be proud of you.”

“…Do you really think so?”

“Of course. So, have a little more faith in yourself.”

His voice was solid, without a trace of wavering.

“You’re doing very well right now.”

Doing well.

Anriche quietly mulled over those words.

Because…

‘It’s the first time.’

All those words were new to her.

The praise of “You’re doing well.”

The assertion that “you are a person before being a member of the family.”

Those words sounded as if they meant she didn’t have to sacrifice herself unconditionally…

Meanwhile, interpreting Anriche’s silence, Alexei quickly added, “Taking care of the children is something I’ll also strive to help with from now on.”

“…Alexei.”

“That’s not just your responsibility; it’s a shared responsibility as a couple.”

Anriche knew that his words were sincere.

For eight years.

It had been the time she had neglected her duties as a mother and a duchess.

During that time, hadn’t Alexei filled her absence wonderfully?

“…Thank you.”

After a brief silence, her suppressed voice came out.

Anriche tried to look indifferent as she raised her head.

“Still… I’ll try to spend more time with the children from now on.”

“Then am I allowed to join you?”

Alexei asked playfully.

Only after hearing that joke did Anriche manage to smile a little.

“You really are stating the obvious.”

Anriche replied as she reached out to take Alexei’s hand.

“Your place is always by my side.”

***

And the next day.

With a somewhat nervous expression, Anriche entered the audience room of the imperial palace.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

“Welcome, Duchess Balua.”

The Emperor stood up to greet Anriche.

It was quite a warm gesture.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Anriche sat down opposite the Emperor.

He spoke directly.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Do you remember our discussion about the multi-passenger carriage business?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“I would like to introduce that multi-passenger carriage system into the regulations.”

At those words, Anriche’s eyes sparkled like stars.

The Emperor leaned forward toward Anriche as he continued speaking.

“I would also like to hear your advice on the carriage business, Duchess. Could you help me?”

“Yes. I would be happy to assist.”

Anriche beamed with a bright smile.

The Emperor smiled back at her.

“I’m truly grateful. Since you’ve agreed so readily, it lightens my heart.”

“It’s an honor to receive such an offer.”

“Good. There’s no need to prolong this issue. I hope you can start helping from tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

Anriche quickly nodded.

At the same time, the Emperor added with a teasing tone, “By the way… when did your relationship with Duke Balua get so friendly?”

Huh?

Anriche blinked in confusion.