When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me - Chapter 168

Extra Chapter 2.

After the Ballua family returned from a long vacation, they decided to visit the Everit Orphanage for the first time in a while.

After all, Lilliana and Elliott were technically the directors of the orphanage.

“Mother, Mother!”

Lilliana rushed over to Anriche, bubbling with excitement after receiving a letter from the orphanage.

“Look at this!”

She thrust the letter into Anriche’s hands, her feet tapping with impatience, clearly thrilled.

“Ibi sent me a letter…!”

“What’s it about?”

Anriche accepted the letter with a confused expression.

“Dear my precious friend, Lilliana.”

Reading that line brought a smile to Anriche’s lips.

‘Lily, you are so loved.’

That thought crossed her mind.

“How are you doing?

We’re all well.

Oh, by the way, everyone was very happy to receive the gift you sent for Saint Philip’s Day. Thank you so much.

If you have the time, would you come to see us?

Everyone misses you a lot.

I really miss you too.”

Below that were details about the daily life at the orphanage.

From the content of the letter, it seemed that all the children were doing well.

‘It seems the effort to hire new staff paid off.’

Anriche read through the letter with satisfaction.

“Anyway, I’ll wrap up this letter now.

I always pray for your happiness from afar.

With love, Ibi.”

The letter concluded.

Lilliana clenched her fists and looked up at Anriche.

“Mother, I…!”

“You want to say you’d like to visit the orphanage, right? I understand.”

Anriche nodded readily.

Lilliana’s eyes widened in surprise as she replied.

“W-How did you know?”

“Well, it’s obvious what our Lily wants to say, isn’t it?”

After all, she was quite interested in the Everit Orphanage.

Her friend had personally sent her a thank-you letter from the orphanage.

It would be more strange if she didn’t want to go see them, right?

However, it seemed Lilliana interpreted her mother-in-law’s guess in a more positive light.

“Your thoughtful nature is really amazing, Mother!”

Lilliana exclaimed with admiration.

“I want to grow up to be someone as wonderful as you!”

“Umm… Sure.”

Anriche couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

Watching Lilliana view every little thing she did with such reverence made her feel that she too should strive to be a wonderful adult who wouldn’t disappoint Lily’s expectations.

Just as before, she gathered her resolve once again.

***

So, before visiting the orphanage, the family was having breakfast together.

“I wish I could go to the orphanage today too,” Alexei said with a hint of regret in his voice.

His vacation request from the palace had come to an end.

Although he had hoped for a bit more rest…

‘Duke, when will you return?’

‘Things can’t run smoothly without the Duke!’

His administrative officials were nearly in despair, making this an unavoidable choice.

‘Of course, rest is nice, but don’t forget that the palace needs Duke Ballua.’

Even the newly crowned Frederick subtly hinted at it.

“Yeah, why does it have to be today?”

Meanwhile, Delphina couldn’t hide her disappointment either.

She had a gathering with the ladies today.

“No, Mother, you should spend time with your friends too.”

“But still…”

“This time, shall we spend some quality time with the kids?”

Anriche smiled sweetly as she picked up her fork and stirred her salad, putting a piece of lettuce drenched in dressing into her mouth. However, a deep crease appeared on her forehead.

‘Hmm, something feels off…’

It was a dish she usually enjoyed, but today it felt strangely like she was chewing on sand.

‘No appetite at all.’

Anriche picked at her food instead.

Alexei immediately noticed her unusual behavior.

“Are you okay, Riche?”

“Hmm?”

“You’ve barely touched your food.”

“Oh, I just don’t have much of an appetite.”

With that response, Anriche subtly set her utensils down.

Elliot, who had been observing her closely, suddenly shot her a stern look.

“Mom, you always told me that I need to eat my meals!”

“Well, um, I did say that.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed and at a loss for words, Anriche avoided his gaze.

Elliot proudly pointed at his plate.

“I finished all my tomatoes today!”

But Elliot couldn’t finish his bragging.

Lilliana shot him a sharp glance.

“Why are you saying that to Mother?”

With that intense gaze, Elliot involuntarily stiffened his shoulders.

“Well, I mean…”

“Don’t talk to Mother like that, okay?”

After that sharp retort, Lilliana looked up at Anriche with concern.

“More importantly, Mother, are you alright?”

“Uh, yeah?”

“Is it that you’re not feeling well?”

“Oh no, it’s nothing like that.”

Anriche shook her head with a smile.

“Still, thank you for worrying about me.”

“Hehe.”

Lilliana finally smiled shyly, seeming relieved.

Elliot muttered in a mournful tone.

“Tch, Lilliana only likes Mom…”

***

After a series of ups and downs, they finished breakfast.

Anriche took the kids to visit the orphanage.

“Wow, Lillie!”

As soon as Ibi heard that they had arrived, she rushed out, her face beaming as she grabbed Lilliana’s hands.

“I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too, Ibi.”

Lilliana nodded, her cheeks flushed.

At the same time, the other orphans peeked out from behind Ibi.

“Lillie!”

“When did you get here?”

“Thank you so much for the gifts you sent!”

The orphans all welcomed Lilliana warmly.

Watching them, Anriche felt a sense of satisfaction.

‘Lilliana is loved by the orphans.’

Most importantly, the children’s expressions were much brighter than before.

When Londini was running the orphanage, there had been shadows on the children’s faces.

“Tch, Lillie only plays with them.”

Meanwhile, Elliot’s cheeks were puffed up in frustration.

Anriche, observing her sulking son, gently engaged him.

“Hey, Elliot.”

“Yes?”

“Do you prefer someone who treats your friends well, or someone who is jealous of them?”

“Hmm…”

Elliot fell silent for a moment before responding.

“Well, the butler said…”

“Hmm?”

“That the one who is more liked will always lose.”

Elliot said with a sigh.

“So, I guess I have to give in again this time?”

His words were heavy with concern, as if he were bearing the weight of the world.

‘He really is too mature for his age sometimes…’

As Anriche watched Elliot’s back as he headed towards Lilliana, she barely managed to suppress her laughter.

***

Anriche watched from a distance as Lilliana and Elliot played with the orphans.

Then suddenly, she heard a cautious voice.

“Um, Duchess Ballua.”

Anriche turned in surprise.

‘Is that Ibi?’

The girl, who was Lilliana’s close friend, was standing there nervously.

“What is it?”

“Well…”

After a moment of hesitation, Ibi opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.

“I wanted to express my gratitude.”

“To me? Why?”

Anriche’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected words.

Ibi smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling.

“I know that Lillie cares for us a lot. But…”

Trailing off, Ibi straightened her posture and continued.

“Still, if it weren’t for you, Duchess, supporting Lillie, we wouldn’t have been able to improve our situation this much.”

Then she bowed her head slightly.

“Thanks to you, the children look very happy. I truly appreciate it.”