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

“I have a great deal of respect for Count Everitt,” Frederick’s voice cut through Alexei’s thoughts, bringing him back to reality.

“Count Everitt was a scholar who made significant contributions to the empire’s economy.”

That was indeed true.

Most nobles would casually attend school for a while before inheriting their titles.

But amidst that atmosphere, Count Everitt had earned a doctorate in economics.

“I have thoroughly read all the works left by Count Everitt.”

Frederick seemed somewhat excited as he talked about someone he admired.

“Above all, during his tenure as the deputy director of the Mint, he achieved remarkable results.”

For a moment, Alexei froze.

The Mint.

The mention of that word sparked a question in his mind.

“Did the Mint know about the recent counterfeiting issue?”

As the institution responsible for producing and circulating the empire’s currency, they naturally had to be sensitive to counterfeit money.

But given that no action had been taken until the situation escalated this far…

“…Could it be that they were unaware?”

At the same time, Alexei reflexively recalled who the current director of the Mint was.

His blue eyes narrowed.

“Marquess Anderson.”

The Emperor’s brother-in-law, who had recently grown close to Saxony.

And the director during the time when Count Everitt served as deputy director was also…

“Marquess Anderson.”

Alexei clenched his jaw tightly.

A chilling sensation ran down his spine, and he felt uneasy.

***

After parting ways with Frederick,

“Alexei.”

“……”

At the call from his wife, Alexei turned to Anriche with a slightly apprehensive look on his face.

Anriche met his gaze with a nonchalant expression.

“It seems like you keep interrupting whenever I try to talk with His Highness, the Second Prince.”

She then lifted her chin haughtily.

“Am I being too sensitive?”

“…Did it show?”

“Very much so.”

With that straightforward answer, Alexei slumped his shoulders.

He looked like a puppy being scolded by its owner.

‘So cute.’

Unknowingly, Anriche thought that, but then she reflexively narrowed her eyes.

‘…Is it really that cute? Am I completely gone?’

She felt a sense of crisis.

“Are you going to do that again in the future, or not?”

Anriche pressed him with a sharp tone.

In response, Alexei fell into serious contemplation.

“Is this really something to be that worried about?”

Anriche was once again baffled.

“…Well…”

After a moment of silence,

Alexei finally responded in a voice as small as a mosquito’s.

“I… I won’t feel jealous in the future…”

“Excuse me?”

“I just can’t promise that.”

“……”

Anriche found herself at a loss for words.

Well, at least he’s being honest about it…

‘Ugh, I can’t take this.’

With a deep sigh inside, Anriche spoke up.

“Why would you feel jealous?”

“……”

Alexei bit his lip tightly.

He knew better than anyone that he was acting childish.

At that moment, Anriche continued gently.

“I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you.”

“Really?”

“Because the person I love the most is…”

Anriche averted her gaze for no particular reason and finished her thought.

“It’s you, Alexei.”

“……”

What did she just say?

Alexei felt dazed, as if he had been struck on the head.

He desperately pleaded with his wife.

“Riche, could you say that one more time?”

“No!”

Anriche recoiled in disgust.

But Alexei didn’t give up.

“Just once more, please?”

“I said no!”

Anriche turned her head away with a pout.

What should I do?

Even her sulky expression was so adorable.

Alexei couldn’t help but grin at the uncontrollable corners of his lips.

Just then,

“By the way, since we were talking about the Mint earlier…”

Anriche cautiously brought up another topic.

“Do you think the Mint had no idea about the counterfeit money?”

“……Well…”

In an instant, Alexei’s gaze sharpened.

She was harboring the same doubts as him.

“First, Riche, focus on your own work.”

“But…”

“Not only is it a task given to you by the Emperor, but more than that…”

Alexei calmly pressed on.

“You want to do a good job, right?”

“……”

“Am I right?”

Anriche nodded her head slightly.

Alexei continued with a strong voice.

“You will surely excel in this system.”

“…Thank you.”

Only then did Anriche smile brightly.

It was a radiant smile without a hint of dust.

***

After that,

Anriche fully immersed herself in the multi-passenger carriage project.

The first thing she did was:

“Welcome, Duchess.”

“It’s an honor to have you visit.”

She began by personally visiting the carriage business offices, which were operating sporadically throughout the region, to check on how the business was progressing.

“It’s good to see everyone.”

After greeting warmly, Anriche immediately got to the point.

“First, I’d like you to organize and bring me all the routes that the carriages mainly operate on.”

“Ah, yes.”

One of the employees quickly dashed out.

Anriche then looked around at the remaining staff.

“And could you call in the operational staff?”

“The operational staff…?”

“I’d like to hear how the carriage business is being conducted.”

This was important because the environment of the Empire and the Balua Duchy were entirely different.

They needed to assess the demand by considering the population size, density, geography, and city area.

Meanwhile, the employees who heard Anriche’s proposal were somewhat taken aback.

“So… she’s planning to start with market research.”

The nobles they had encountered until now acted as if everything could be easily done with a word.

Not only did they disregard the employees’ words,

“I don’t care about your situation; just get it done somehow!”

It was common for nobles to insist this way.

But the Duchess of Balua…

“She’s genuinely committed to this project.”

The employees’ eyes sparkled with interest.

At that moment, an employee who had been outside returned, arms full of documents.

“I’ve brought the route maps you requested.”

“Oh, hand them over.”

Anriche carefully examined the route maps.

As the employees exchanged glances, one by one, they began to gather around Anriche to explain.

“Um, Duchess, this is…”

“Typically, this route is the one most commonly used…”

Still, the employees couldn’t hide their lingering doubts.

“Will she really listen to our explanations?”

They couldn’t shake off that question just yet.

But then,

“Oh, I see. So, the primary clientele at this intersection for catching carriages are middle-aged women…”

The moment the employees heard Anriche’s next words, their expressions changed.

The mere act of her voicing such thoughts was proof that she was paying attention to their explanations.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“The area where passengers are currently most in demand for carriages is…”

The employees’ voices gradually grew stronger.

***

Late at night, when everything was asleep,

the Duchess’s office still had its lights on.

“Haah…”

Anriche let out a long sigh as she slumped in her chair.

“Oh dear, I’m exhausted…”

She groaned, pressing her weary eyes with her hands.

It had already been a week since Anriche officially joined the multi-passenger carriage business.

“At least I can say the market research is mostly finished.”

Well, she had a mountain of other tasks to tackle, but still.

Knock, knock.

Just then, a knock echoed.

Anriche leaned back in her chair, rolling her eyes toward the door.

“Yes, come in.”

The person who entered was Alexei.