When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me - Chapter 170

In that moment,

it was as if cold water had been poured over the son-in-law; he went completely silent.

“……”

“……”

Both Liliana and Elliot, who had been making a fuss about Anriche’s health,

and even Delphina, stared wide-eyed at Anriche.

Everyone’s pupils were shaking violently, as if an earthquake had struck.

But among them, the most shocked was undoubtedly Anriche.

“Wh-what?”

Anriche stammered without realizing it.

But the doctor’s explanation wasn’t over yet.

“The nausea you’ve been feeling, my lady, is likely…”

The doctor carefully concluded,

“the early symptoms of morning sickness.”

“Morning sickness?!”

Anriche gasped in shock once more.

Meanwhile, while Anriche was still reeling from the surprise, Delphina had an ecstatic expression on her face.

Delphina clasped her hands over her heart and exclaimed,

“Th-that means…”

Huh?

Anriche looked back at her mother-in-law.

Delphina’s face was almost radiant with joy.

“Does that mean I will finally get to see my second grandchild?”

Upon hearing her trembling voice, the doctor offered a slight smile.

“I can’t say that for certain yet, but that is my opinion.”

“Oh my!”

Delphina couldn’t contain her joy and covered her mouth with both hands.

And it was at that moment,

that Anriche realized what she needed to do.

“Mother!”

“Uh, yes?”

Delphina blinked at Anriche’s urgent call.

Anriche earnestly urged her.

“You know Alexei is currently handling state affairs, right?”

“Y-yes?”

Anriche spoke firmly.

“So we should wait until Alexei returns to tell him.”

“But!”

Delphina flared up.

“How can I just sit here when you’re carrying my second grandchild?!”

“Tonight, when Alexei comes back, we can talk then, right?”

Anriche shrugged lightly.

“It won’t be a big deal if we tell him a little late.”

“No, what kind of easygoing thing are you saying?”

Delphina’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Even if he comes back right away, it wouldn’t be enough to take care of you!”

Delphina was determined to make use of her son in any way she could.

Moreover, she had ulterior motives.

“Don’t you think I should be the first to tell Alexei that Riche is pregnant?”

Delphina clenched her fists tightly.

“So I should definitely brag about this to Alexei!”

“……”

“……”

Silence fell once again.

“Grandma seems to be acting like Dad, it’s so childish…”

Elliot shook his head at his grandmother with a sullen expression.

Liliana seemed to have decided to ignore Delphina’s silliness altogether.

“Mother, does that mean I’m getting a brother or sister?”

She turned her gaze away from Delphina and fixed her eyes on Anriche.

“Well, I don’t know until the baby is born.”

Anriche responded with a faint smile.

“Lily, do you prefer a little brother or sister?”

“I, I don’t really mind.”

Liliana fidgeted with her fingers as she answered.

“It doesn’t matter what gender.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes. I would love a child who resembles you, Mother.”

As Liliana replied, her cheeks flushed with joy.

At that moment, Elliot jumped into the conversation.

“Mom, I’m going to be super nice to the baby!”

“So will I!”

“Thanks, that makes me so happy.”

Anriche smiled brightly at the children.

And then,

“I-I will too.”

Delphina coughed lightly and added her own words.

“I will do my best to make the new grandchild as cute as possible.”

…Really, my mother-in-law is something else.

Anriche struggled to suppress a laugh that was about to escape her.

Anyway, she was feeling incredibly happy.

***

After the news of Anriche’s pregnancy was revealed,

“Hehehe.”

Delphina secretly chuckled wickedly to herself.

“I found out Riche was pregnant before anyone else.”

Of course, Anriche had asked her not to contact Alexei, but…

“How can I just sit still?!”

With that thought, Delphina resolutely pulled a sheet of stationery toward her.

While Anriche certainly wanted to tell her husband about her pregnancy herself, she had no intention of hindering her.

But…

“When you return to the townhouse today, there will be good news waiting for you.”

Delphina wrote elegantly, satisfied with her words.

‘This much of a hint should be fine, right?’

It’s only right; her precious daughter-in-law is carrying a grandchild for ten months.

It would be perfectly understandable for Alexei to rush back to attend to her!

Delphina sealed the letter with a pleased feeling and entrusted it to her attendant.

***

Knock, knock, knock.

A Soft Knock Sound Echoed

Alexei, who had been focused on his documents, looked up.

“What is it?”

“The Duchess Dowager has contacted you.”

“My mother?”

What could she possibly want this time?

With a skeptical expression, Alexei took the letter from Delphina.

A moment later…

Thud!

The documents slipped from Alexei’s hands and scattered all over the floor.

The administrative officer, startled, stared at Alexei in shock.

“Y-Your Grace?!”

“I think I need to return to the townhouse immediately.”

Declaring this, Alexei sprang to his feet.

“Excuse me?”

The administrative officer was left speechless.

Regardless, Alexei hurriedly grabbed his outerwear draped over his chair.

“Since that’s settled, you handle the rest of the work well.”

“Y-Your Grace!”

The administrative officer desperately called out to Alexei.

But Alexei had already disappeared without a trace.

***

The doctor had advised that it would be best for Anriche to rest.

So, left alone in the bedroom, Anriche was deep in thought.

“I’m pregnant…”

Anriche cautiously stroked her still-flat belly.

“To think there’s a baby here… I can’t believe it.”

Her cheeks flushed with color.

“What should I tell Alexei?”

Just then,

“Riche!”

Alexei burst into the bedroom, breathless.

Anriche was startled, her eyes wide like a rabbit’s.

“Alexei, what are you doing here? Isn’t it still time for you to be at the palace?”

“Riche, could it be…?!”

Alexei blurted out, gasping for breath.

He was so out of breath that he couldn’t finish his sentence.

Seeing Alexei in such a state, Anriche quickly grasped the situation.

“Oh dear.”

She narrowed her eyes and suddenly asked,

“Is it Mother?”

“Uh, how are you feeling…?”

“Who contacted you to say I’m pregnant when you’re busy with state affairs?”

“…Are you really pregnant?”

Alexei’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

‘Good news,’ as Delphina mentioned, he had thought it might be possible, but to actually hear it was another matter!

Anriche continued teasingly,

“Then am I really pregnant, or is this some kind of joke?”

“N-no, it’s not that…”

Alexei stammered, unsure of what to say.

He was overwhelmed with joy, but his usual stoic demeanor made it difficult for him to show any expression.

Then Anriche sighed deeply.

“Alexei, you’re already the father of a seven-year-old child.”

“Well, that is true…”

“How can you be so flustered when I tell you I’m having a baby?”

Alexei subtly glanced at his wife for reassurance.

“Did I… make a mistake?”

“As the Duke of Balua handling state affairs, yes, that was a mistake.”

At that moment, Anriche locked eyes with Alexei and smiled mischievously.

“However, as my husband…”

Alexei gulped nervously.

Anriche’s smile grew wider.

“You pass.”

“Riche!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Alexei pulled her into a tight embrace.

“I really… don’t know how to express my feelings…”

His back trembled with emotion.

Leaning into his embrace, Anriche cautiously asked,

“Are you happy that I’m pregnant with your child?”

“Of course!”

Alexei replied passionately.

Hearing that answer, Anriche nodded a few times.

“Then that’s good.”

“Wait, Riche.”

Alexei narrowed his eyes as he looked down at his wife.

“You’re not going to say something about being useless again, are you?”

“Um, well…”

Anriche averted her gaze with an awkward expression.

“I can’t say I hadn’t thought of that.”

“You really…”

“Still, I know that you’re always consistent.”

Anriche smiled happily.

“It’s okay.”