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

It seemed that Alexei was indeed planning to go out for a while.

“Could you wait just a moment?”

Saying this, Alexei soon brought out a glossy black horse.

Anriche’s eyes widened.

“What’s with the horse?”

Since we’re already outside, I thought we could go a little further.

As Alexei stroked the horse’s mane, he suddenly turned to Anriche with a sheepish expression.

“Oh, is it uncomfortable to go far?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Anriche quickly shook her head.

With a smile, Alexei wrapped his arms around her waist and gently lifted her up.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Wait, what?

Anriche blinked in surprise.

Before she realized it, she was already on the horse.

After placing her on the horse, Alexei hopped on behind her.

Sitting behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and took the reins.

At that moment, as their bodies pressed closely together,

“Uh, this feels…,”

Anriche unconsciously swallowed hard.

As his solid chest pressed against her back, her heart started racing wildly.

And then,

“Riche.”

“Yes, yes?!”

Startled, Anriche instinctively raised her voice.

Alexei chuckled softly.

“You don’t have to be that tense.”

“Um, well…”

“I’m not going to eat you.”

With that teasing voice, Anriche felt her face flush bright red.

“W-Who would think that? I wasn’t thinking anything like that!”

“Really?”

With a playful question, Alexei tugged the reins tightly.

As the horse walked slowly, Alexei continued speaking.

“I actually prefer it when Riche gets a bit nervous because of me.”

“Stop teasing me.”

“Oh, did that show?”

No way, this guy?

Anriche narrowed her eyes.

At the same time, Alexei added gently, “But it’s also true.”

“….”

Really, how can I live like this…

How can he manipulate my feelings so easily?

Feeling both shy and frustrated at being swayed by Alexei, Anriche shot him an annoyed look.

“By the way, Riche.”

“What?”

“I’d like to see how fast we can go; would that be alright?”

“Go ahead.”

Anriche replied with a hint of aloofness.

“If you’re going to indulge in your hobbies, there’s no reason for me to stop you, right?”

“Oh, do you remember my hobby?”

“Of course. If I don’t remember my husband’s hobbies, what else would I remember?”

Feeling somewhat irritated, Anriche shot back with a playful jab.

However, her answer surprisingly brightened Alexei’s voice.

“This makes me happy.”

“Huh? You’re happy about that?”

“Isn’t it natural to be happy when Riche pays attention to me?”

Saying this in a bright tone, Alexei warned her, “I’m going to pick up the speed now. Please be careful.”

With that, he spurred the horse on.

Neighing loudly, the horse started to gallop excitedly over the sandy shore.

The distant night sea grew closer.

At the same time, Anriche’s violet eyes widened in wonder.

“Wow.”

Anriche let out a short gasp without realizing it.

Soft stars like gold dust twinkled across the black velvet sky.

The silvery moon hung round among the stars, shining like a well-polished silver mirror.

Beneath it lay a night sea that mirrored the dark sky.

The blue moonlight and starry light settled on the black waters.

The scenery was so beautiful that it made her forget to breathe.

“…It’s so beautiful.”

Anriche let out an honest exclamation.

Alexei brought the horse to a stop.

Watching his wife, who couldn’t take her eyes off the view of the night sea, Alexei asked, “Do you like it?”

“Yes. And riding like this…”

Anriche leaned her head against Alexei’s chest and chuckled softly.

“It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It’s nice.”

“I feel good too, seeing Riche smile.”

…How can he make my heart flutter without leaving any room for doubt?

In a slightly sulky tone, Anriche spoke up.

“Alexei.”

“Yes?”

“I’m really glad you’re my husband.”

What’s with this sudden declaration?

With a puzzled expression, Alexei looked down at Anriche.

“If you were someone else’s husband…”

Anriche shrugged as if to make a point.

“I might have felt a bit jealous.”

“….”

At those words, the ever-playful Alexei finally turned red.

Seeing Alexei’s flushed face, Anriche felt a sense of satisfaction.

“Now it seems a bit fair.”

“…Fair?”

“Of course.”

Anriche replied mischievously.

“Since Alexei makes my heart flutter at any time, I have to do something like this too.”

***

After enjoying the view of the sea,

Alexei guided the horse towards the opposite side of the villa.

“Huh? I thought we were going back to the villa?”

Anriche asked with a puzzled look.

“There’s a place I want to show you.”

A place he wants to show me?

Anriche tilted her head in curiosity.

“It’s a small annex that belongs to the villa… Oh, we’ve arrived.”

In the distance, a small building came into view.

Unlike the villa, which was larger in size, this was more like a cabin.

Unlike the villa that was a bit distant from the sea, this cabin was within touching distance of the water.

After swiftly dismounting, Alexei picked Anriche up.

“Shall we go?”

Despite saying that, he had no intention of putting her down.

She smiled awkwardly.

“Um, I can walk you know.”

“I know, but I still want to carry you.”

Alexei replied firmly.

“What’s with you?”

Anriche laughed lightly as she wrapped her arms around Alexei’s neck.

***

The two entered the well-kept annex.

Alexei quickly stacked dry firewood in the fireplace and lit it.

Watching him, Anriche wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

“Brr, it’s a bit cold.”

She hadn’t noticed it while riding, but now that her body heat had dissipated, she felt the chill.

At that moment, a soft touch settled on her shoulders.

Alexei draped a blanket over her shoulders and guided her to a seat near the fireplace.

Then he sat closely beside her and wrapped his arms around her.

“You’ll be warm soon.”

Crackle, crackle.

The sound of the fire popping echoed.

Anriche nestled into Alexei’s embrace, gazing at the flickering flames in the fireplace.

Breaking the silence, Alexei spoke up.

“Riche.”