When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me - Chapter 165

As time passed,

the day of the crown prince’s coronation finally approached.

The Balua family was busy preparing for the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Delphina set aside her own adornments to diligently prepare her daughter-in-law.

“Anriche, come here.”

Delphina held up an elegant pearl necklace with both hands.

“I think this necklace would suit you beautifully.”

“Um, thank you for saying that… but isn’t that yours, Mother?”

“Oh, what does that matter?”

Delphina approached her daughter-in-law with a teasing expression.

“I want to lend it to you.”

She then draped the necklace around Anriche’s neck.

After taking a few steps back to observe her daughter-in-law from different angles, Delphina wore a satisfied expression.

“Perfect.”

Meanwhile, Anriche took a quick glance at her reflection in the mirror.

Her dark brown curls cascaded gracefully over her shoulders.

The elegant dress, made of high-quality fabric, hugged her figure nicely.

And the sparkling pearl necklace accentuated her long neck.

Her appearance, carefully prepared for the coronation, looked quite lovely, even to Anriche herself.

‘I hope Alexei thinks I look pretty too.’

Anriche absentmindedly thought.

Just then, Delphina waved to her son.

“Alexei, come here for a moment.”

Then, with a pleased tone, she asked her son,

“What do you think? Isn’t my daughter-in-law beautiful?”

Delphina puffed her chest proudly.

“I decorated her myself.”

“……”

Alexei remained quiet.

Strange, normally he would have shot back with, “She is my wife before she is your daughter-in-law.”

Delphina narrowed her eyes, observing her son closely.

Then it dawned on her.

‘Ah, I see.’

He was completely entranced by his wife’s beauty.

How foolish.

“……”

Meanwhile, Alexei, unaware of his mother’s thoughts, couldn’t tear his gaze away from his wife.

After a moment, he finally managed to squeeze out a few words…

“She’s beautiful.”

That was all he said.

“Ugh, you’re so dull.”

Delphina shook her head in disappointment.

“Try to take a cue from Aiden. Even when he says one thing, it sounds so delightful…”

“No, Mother.”

Anriche shook her head gently, her eyes sparkling.

“I’m so happy Alexei said that.”

“Ri, Riche.”

“Thank you, Alexei.”

At the warmth of the atmosphere, Delphina found herself feeling a bit sulky.

‘See, it’s pointless to raise a daughter-in-law beautifully!’

Of course, strictly speaking, Delphina hadn’t raised Anriche.

But Delphina conveniently ignored that small detail.

At that moment, however,

Anriche looked at Alexei with a puzzled expression.

“Alexei, what’s wrong?”

His hands kept twitching restlessly.

It seemed as if he desperately wanted to reach out for something but was holding back.

“Oh, um…”

Alexei chuckled awkwardly.

“I want to hug you, Riche, but I’m afraid it’ll mess up your lovely appearance.”

Unable to bear watching this, Delphina shook her head and left the room.

“Ugh, I can’t watch this anymore!”

***

For the crown prince’s coronation ceremony, the imperial family opened the central hall.

The central hall.

This place held significant symbolism within the imperial family.

After all, it was where the coronation ceremonies of emperors had been held for generations.

“The emperor has put in quite the effort.”

“No matter how much it’s the crown prince’s coronation, I never expected them to open the central hall…”

People marveled at the hall as they gazed around in awe.

The central hall was extravagantly decorated.

Golden curtains embossed with the imperial family’s emblem were draped in various places, and a silver candelabrum and a basin of holy water sat atop the platform.

Once regarded as the least favored prince, overshadowed by the former empress and her son,

now that same prince was to be crowned as the crown prince.

“Truly, such a day has come.”

“Indeed.”

People felt a sense of change in the air.

This was especially so, given the former empress and her son’s strong positions.

They had such overwhelming support, backed by one of the most prominent noble families in the empire, the Andersons.

Moreover, the former empress had been the legitimate wife of the emperor.

And the first crown prince she bore.

Both legitimacy and a solid support base.

As one of the noblewomen lowered her voice to whisper,

“I heard that the power of Balua played a huge role in the second prince being crowned.”

“Really?”

The nobles’ eyes widened in shock.

“But Balua has always maintained neutrality, right?”

“Considering everything that’s happened this time…”

The noblewoman who had been speaking turned her gaze toward the entrance of the central hall.

“Oh, the Balua family is coming.”

The Duke and Duchess of Balua, along with the Duchess of the Duke, entered the central hall.

***

During the coronation ceremony, the atmosphere in the central hall was very solemn.

“Frederick de Oberon.”

The high priest called out Frederick’s name in a grave voice.

“Do you swear to cherish and love the people of the empire as the crown prince?”

“I swear.”

“Will you be a crown prince worthy of the empire’s name?”

“I will.”

After numerous vows, Frederick knelt before the high priest.

After sprinkling holy water over Frederick’s head, the high priest declared,

“I hereby proclaim that a new crown prince of the empire has been born in the name of the great goddess.”

***

“Duke Balua!”

At the call, Alexei glanced back over his shoulder.

The one who had called out to him was none other than the crown prince himself, Frederick.

Frederick warmly approached the three of them.

“It’s nice to see the Duchess of the Duke and the Duchess here.”

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Anriche was the first to greet him with a smile,

“Congratulations on your coronation, Your Highness.”

Delphina followed suit, offering her congratulations.

Frederick scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“It feels quite strange to be called Your Highness, Crown Prince.”

“You’ll have to get used to it.”

Anriche shrugged playfully.

“So, what brings you to call us?”

At that moment, Alexei interjected into the conversation.

Frederick subconsciously swallowed hard.

…Somehow, the way Duke Balua looked at him after talking with the Duchess felt ominous.

Was it just his imagination?

“Ah, I came to express my gratitude.”

“……Gratitude?”

“Yes.”

Frederick nodded his head vigorously.

“I am well aware that my becoming the crown prince is largely due to the support of the Balua family.”

“Not exactly because of that, Your Highness.”

Alexei replied nonchalantly.

“I simply believe that anyone destined to be emperor should have the ability to speak up for what is right.”

“Yes, and that’s why I want to thank you.”

Frederick smiled innocently.

“At the very least, you must think of me as someone who is worthy of being a crown prince, which is why you gave me this opportunity.”

“Well, it’s also because I received help from Your Highness regarding the counterfeit currency issue.”

Alexei’s expression remained sour.

Anriche, giving a pointed look at her husband, tensed her eyes.

No, Alexei.

Where did your dignity as a duke go?

This happened last time too; why is it happening again?

Just then, Frederick spoke again.

“Actually, the thing I want to thank you for the most is not the position of crown prince.”

“If that’s the case…?”

“This counterfeit currency issue was a dangerous matter that could have shaken the very foundations of the empire’s economy.”

Frederick looked at Alexei with trust-filled eyes.

“Didn’t you help prevent that crisis, Duke?”

“……That was.”

“Just that alone is more than enough reason for a royal like me to express my gratitude to you.”

With that, Frederick shifted his gaze to Anriche.

“And Duchess, you also greatly aided in the multi-passenger carriage project.”

“Huh? Me?”

Anriche was taken aback and quickly waved her hands.

“No, it was others who worked much harder than I did.”

“Oh dear, Duchess, you’re being too modest.”

Frederick continued gently.

“If it hadn’t been for your advice, the multi-passenger carriage project would have faced numerous challenges in establishing itself.”

“Sti, still…”

“The multi-passenger carriage project is truly benefiting the lives of the empire’s citizens.”

Frederick bowed his head to the three of them.

“So, I too will strive to be a crown prince who meets the expectations of the Balua family.”

“……I believe in you.”

Only then did Alexei’s expression soften a bit.

“By the way, Duke Balua.”

Frederick raised his head slightly and asked with curiosity.

“I heard you took a leave of absence for some reason.”

“I did.”

“May I ask what the reason for your leave is?”

At that question, Alexei narrowed his eyes with a grin.

“I’m planning to go on a family trip.”

“A family trip?”

Alexei’s smile deepened slightly.

It was a smile filled with excitement.

“Yes. It’s the first time we’re going on a trip as a family.”

He concluded with a voice as bright as a young boy with a gift box in front of him.

“I’m very thrilled.”