When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me - Chapter 163

Having put her scheming mother-in-law behind her, everyone now seemed to be fixated on me.

That was partly to make up for the time I hadn’t spent with the kids.

“…I see. Please do take a good rest.”

With that, the Emperor stood up.

“I shall take my leave now.”

“Ah, Your Majesty, if that’s the case…”

Anriche hesitated as she tried to rise from her seat.

The Emperor quickly stopped her.

“Oh, you don’t need to get up.”

“But…”

“It’s fine.”

After a brief struggle, the Emperor left the room.

Click. The door closed behind him.

Anriche stared at the closed door with a complicated expression.

***

“…Liche.”

“…”

“Anriche!”

At the sound of her name being called repeatedly, Anriche snapped back to reality.

Alexei was looking at her with concern.

“What’s with that expression?”

“Huh? What’s wrong with my expression?”

“It’s just… you look a bit gloomy.”

Feeling somewhat awkward, Anriche instinctively brushed her cheek.

“Oh, did it show?”

“A little.”

“Well, that’s…”

After trailing off for a moment, Anriche let out a short sigh and continued.

“I’ve been wondering how things would have been if the Emperor had behaved properly.”

This thought had lingered in her mind for days.

If the Emperor had been devoted to his family, if he hadn’t brought home a love child, perhaps the former empress wouldn’t have been cornered into a desperate situation.

Such a cruel incident might never have happened.

Furthermore, she knew that the mother of the second prince, Renald, had also not received proper treatment.

Because of the empress’s oversight, she hadn’t been recognized as “the mother of the prince.”

‘Out of all this… the Emperor has done nothing to address it.’

It was only because of the Emperor that so many people had been deeply hurt.

Anriche couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling.

“Liche is right.”

Just then, Alexei replied seriously.

“The root of all this lies in the Emperor’s mistakes.”

“…Alexei?”

“I think this whole situation is unreasonable as well.”

Huh?

Anriche was a bit taken aback.

After all, he was the Emperor.

She had never imagined he would agree so readily with her…

“The Emperor, who caused all these incidents, has taken no responsibility.”

“W-well, that’s true, but…”

“And so.”

Alexei calmly concluded.

“I plan to request that the second prince be crowned as the heir.”

“Excuse me?”

Anriche was stunned.

In contrast, Alexei’s face remained composed.

“Furthermore, Balua will support the second prince from now on.”

“Is that even allowed?”

Anriche swallowed hard.

“Balua has always maintained neutrality…”

“What’s stopping us?”

Alexei asked back in a somewhat icy tone.

“I’m the head of the family, after all.”

…Was this how Alexei had always been?

At that moment, Anriche noticed a glint in his piercing blue eyes.

“Technically speaking, the Emperor is the one who made Liche suffer like this.”

…Could it really be like that?

Anriche felt a bit confused.

“I intend to prompt the Emperor to abdicate as quickly as possible.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. I will proceed without causing chaos in governance.”

His nonchalant answer left Anriche slightly astounded.

Listening to him now made her realize just how formidable the Balua family was…

“However, you must promise me something in return.”

“What is it?”

“…It’s about the second prince.”

Alexei turned a bit bashful.

“Don’t show excessive interest in him.”

“…Is that jealousy?”

“Perhaps.”

At those words, a sound like air escaping slipped from Anriche’s lips.

“Pfft.”

She burst into a fit of laughter.

“No, what’s that about?”

Meanwhile, Alexei finally relaxed his expression.

“After all, I prefer to see Liche smile the most.”

…Ah.

In that moment, Anriche felt a warm sensation in her chest.

‘He was worried about me.’

Along with that thought, Alexei reached out and wrapped his sturdy arms around her.

“By the way, once you’ve fully recovered, shall we spend some time together?”

“Huh? Aren’t you busy with state affairs?”

“I can take some leave.”

Alexei flashed a cheeky smile.

“Let’s go find your hobby.”

At that casual suggestion, Anriche’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Thinking back, she had once cried, saying she had never had a hobby.

Perhaps Alexei had taken that into consideration when making the proposal.

‘Hmm, that’s a bit embarrassing.’

But still.

‘I’m happy he’s being considerate…’

Anriche carefully opened her mouth.

“Of course, I’m happy about it. But if you’re pushing yourself…”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

Alexei shrugged casually.

“It’s for Liche.”

Then he mischievously added.

“Somehow, it seems like we all have the phrase ‘I’m fine’ stuck in our mouths, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed.”

Anriche chuckled as she leaned against Alexei.

“Still… I really am okay.”

Looking up at him, her violet eyes sparkled with light.

“Because you’re by my side.”

“Well, it seems a bit unfair that you’re stealing the words I wanted to say first.”

The two shared warmth with each other.

It was a sunny afternoon.

***

Inside a dessert shop famous for its beautiful decor.

Today, a group had rented the entire place.

It was the Balua family.

Éclairs, strawberry cream cakes, cream puffs…

An array of desserts was piled high on the table.

And to balance the sweetness, there was also a selection of refreshing tea.

It was the perfect setup for a holiday.

“Hm, so.”

Anriche, seated at the table, looked down at a piece of paper with a serious expression.

It was a list of things she had always wanted to do.

“Order a bunch of desserts at a fancy dessert shop and take a bite of each.”

Anriche carefully crossed out that sentence.

At that, the children sitting across from her burst into applause.

“Wow, Mom, that’s awesome!”

“Mom, you finally crossed one off!”

The two children exclaimed with excited voices.

‘Is it really something to get applause for?’

Anriche felt a bit awkward.

Meanwhile, Elliot and Liliana were looking at the desserts with shining eyes.

It was obvious they were bursting with anticipation to eat.

‘Looks like the excuse of finding my hobby is just a cover; they really just want dessert.’

Anriche chuckled softly.

But then.

“Liche.”

At the sound of her name, Anriche looked up and smiled.

“Are you here?”

Alexei, just back from the palace, planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

“Dad!”

“Father!”

The children greeted Alexei with bright faces.

However, it seemed that the desserts were more important, as they didn’t get up from the table.

“Oh my, you’re not even going to offer your seat to your dad?”

Alexei teased Elliot.

Then he turned to his wife and asked.

“How’s the hobby search going?”

Anriche smiled awkwardly.

“It’s a bit strange since I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Well, what if it feels a bit strange?”

Alexei answered as he settled down next to Anriche.

“Just do whatever you want.”

His affectionate gaze looked down at her.

Just then, Elliot raised his hand and asked loudly.

“Mom, can I eat some cake?”

Anriche turned to the children with a serious expression.

“Just one each.”

Elliot’s face fell.

“What? With so much cake here?”

“Y-yeah.”

Even Liliana subtly chimed in to support Elliot.

But Anriche firmly shook her head, dashing the children’s hopes.

“Nope.”

“Huh….”

“Y-yeah…”

The children sulkily gripped their forks.

Anriche, watching them with a smile, suddenly turned her gaze to the window.

Everyone passing by on the street looked happy.

But among all those people, the happiest one was…

‘It’s probably me.’

Anriche’s smile deepened.

It was a clear smile, free of any dust or worries.

– The End –