When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me - Chapter 164

Side Story 1

After many events had transpired, the Duke of Balua was recently enjoying a peaceful time.

“Mom, look at this!”

Elliot rushed over to show off his origami.

It was a chick made from yellow paper.

“Oh my, it’s so cute!”

Anriche generously praised him.

Elliot beamed with joy.

“I’ll give this to you, Mom!”

“Really? Thank you.”

Anriche accepted the chick with a smile.

The passenger carriage business had settled into a decent rhythm.

She had entrusted the family matters she needed to attend to, both inside and outside the household, to Delfina and the butler.

As a result, Anriche was spending a lot of time with her children lately.

The two kids were sticking closely to Anriche while doing origami they learned during Duke class.

‘It seems like Elliot is good at anything that involves using his hands.’

He had talent not only in drawing but also in origami.

On the other hand, Liliana…

‘Oh no.’

Anriche made a troubled expression as she saw Liliana, who looked dazed and slumped her shoulders.

In her small hands, she held something that was unrecognizable.

“I-I want to…”

Liliana murmured, looking like she was about to cry.

“I wanted to gift you some origami, Mother…”

“Oh, is that so?”

Anriche gazed at the origami that Liliana had folded with a troubled look.

What on earth was that?

It was red, crinkled, and the size of her palm.

After pondering for a while, Anriche mustered a bright voice and spoke to Liliana.

“It’s a really pretty tulip!”

“…It’s a carnation.”

“……”

“……”

An awkward silence fell between them.

After a moment, Anriche hurriedly opened her mouth.

“I just misspoke. It’s a perfectly made carnation…”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to comfort me like that…”

Liliana shook her head sadly.

Anriche didn’t know what to do.

“W-well, Lil…”

“Ugh, Mom.”

At that moment, Elliot interjected into the conversation.

“You told me not to lie, right?”

He pointed with his chin at the origami that Liliana had folded.

“How is that even a carnation?”

“Elliot, you…!”

Liliana shot him an angry glare.

Elliot added cheekily,

“To be honest, it doesn’t even look like a flower.”

“What did you say!?”

Thus, the children began to bicker.

Oh no, kids…

Anriche internally wept.

Just then, a voice came that calmed the children’s argument.

“What in the world is going on?”

It was Alexei.

He narrowed his eyes and asked his son,

“Elliot, were you teasing Liliana again?”

“No, it’s just that…”

“You know that Mom’s health hasn’t fully recovered yet, right?”

Alexei admonished his son.

“If you cause trouble like this, it will only make it harder for Mom, right?”

Hearing those words, Elliot turned to Anriche with guilt-ridden eyes.

“Mom, are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah?”

Anriche blinked in surprise.

Yes, I’m perfectly fine…?

When she stole a glance at Alexei, he winked at her.

It was a cue for her to play along.

Anriche pretended to touch her forehead and squeezed her eyes shut.

“Ah, somehow, I think my head might be hurting…”

“Mom!”

Elliot, looking alarmed, clung to Anriche.

“I won’t cause any trouble anymore!”

Oh dear.

The violet-colored eyes hidden under the shadow of his hand sparkled playfully.

‘This is surprisingly effective, huh?’

Anriche continued in a feeble voice,

“It’s strange, every time Elliot teases Lily, my head starts to hurt…”

“Ah, I won’t tease Lily anymore!”

Elliot’s expression turned into a pout.

‘Aww, so cute!!’

Anriche stifled a laugh that was about to burst out.

***

Afterward, the children went upstairs to their study rooms for their lessons.

Alexei and Anriche sat facing each other for the first time in a while.

“Anriche is great at reading fairy tales, but I don’t think she has much talent for pretending to be sick,” Alexei shrugged.

“No, at least the kids believe me!” Anriche protested, narrowing her eyes.

“And what about you, Alexei?”

“Me?”

“The kids outright refuse to let you read them fairy tales!”

“…Anriche.”

He had tried to tease her but ended up hitting a sore spot.

Alexei looked at her with the eyes of a soaked puppy.

“Isn’t it a bit much to poke at such a painful part?”

But Anriche only returned his gaze with a haughty expression.

“You started it, Alexei.”

“…That’s true.”

Alexei readily admitted his defeat.

Only then did Anriche, with a triumphant expression, pose her question.

“So, why is the Duke of Balua, who should be at the Imperial Palace, leaving work early?”

“Well, it’s because I missed you, Anriche.”

At his calm response, Anriche’s face flushed bright red.

“Do you think I would get all fluttery from you saying that?”

“I didn’t think a mere statement would cause such a flutter.”

Alexei smiled playfully.

“But Anriche, your face is all red.”

“Honestly, don’t look at me!”

Anriche quickly covered her face with both hands in a panic.

Alexei chuckled softly.

“Anriche, come on, lower your hands.”

“……”

“Are you really not going to show me your face?”

After several coaxing attempts, Anriche finally lowered her hands from her face.

Pouting, she grumbled,

“You’re really a pro at teasing people.”

“Of course, I intended to joke, but I really did miss you, Anriche.”

“……”

Seriously, he never lets up!

But the bigger problem was how much she was affected by every little thing he said.

Anriche averted her gaze, trying to act nonchalant.

Just then, Alexei said,

“You look lovely.”

He had been staring at her and suddenly spoke up.

She turned to him, puzzled.

“…What do you mean?”

As he reached out, Alexei gently brushed her cheek.

“You look much better when you’re grumbling and getting angry rather than forcing a smile all the time.”

“…Alexei.”

“I mean it.”

His expression had grown serious.

There was a time when he thought her habitual smile was truly beautiful.