When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me - Chapter 175

Upon returning from the palace, Alexei heard about the commotion that had taken place earlier that day.

“I thought the young lady might be feeling uneasy…”

The butler had cautiously hinted at his concerns for Anriche.

“Are you okay?”

At his careful question, Anriche looked back at him with a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean?”

“I heard that your mother and the former Saxon Marquess came to visit this morning.”

“Oh, I see.”

Anriche blinked a couple of times and gave a sheepish smile.

“Yes, that did happen, but… I’m fine, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

At her response, Alexei instinctively scrutinized his wife’s complexion.

It made sense; Anriche had a habit of saying she was “fine” even when she was struggling.

But she really did seem okay now.

“Actually, I find it a bit surprising.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think that if it were the old me, I would have been troubled for a long time after seeing those two.”

Anriche spoke calmly.

“But now… I truly have no interest at all.”

It was genuine.

She didn’t feel heartache or guilt.

Indeed, it felt as if she were looking at someone who wasn’t family at all.

“In fact, until you asked if I was okay, I had completely forgotten about my mother and brother.”

“…I see.”

Anriche’s voice sounded remarkably light.

“I’m glad.”

“What do you mean?”

“That you no longer…”

Alexei reached out and embraced her tightly.

“That you’re not getting hurt by considering people who aren’t even family as family.”

With her head buried in his chest, Anriche smiled a little.

His gentle hand patting her back felt warm.

In his embrace, she didn’t have to worry about anyone else and could always feel at ease.

That realization brought her a sense of joy.

***

A week later.

The ceremony for Beatrice’s title award took place at the imperial palace.

The Emperor himself presided over the ceremony, and even the Crown Prince was in attendance.

It had been a long time since a high-ranking noble was awarded a title, so the atmosphere was filled with anticipation from the nobility.

“Oh my, is that the youngest daughter of Valois?”

“Ah, she’s the one who is inheriting the title of Saxon Marquess?”

“Oh my, she looks just like the Duchess!”

Curious gazes turned toward Beatrice.

Meanwhile, the star of the ceremony, Beatrice, was nervously gripping Anriche’s skirt.

“Oh no, what should I do, Mom?”

She was so tense, thinking there wouldn’t be this many attendees!

Anriche held back a laugh as she comforted Beatrice.

“Weren’t you saying you’d inherit the title of Saxon Marquess to put your brother in his place?”

“W-well, still…”

Beatrice fidgeted restlessly.

Elliot, unable to watch his little sister’s anxiety, pressed down on the top of Beatrice’s head with his hand.

“Why are you whining so much?”

“Brother, what are you doing?! My hair is getting messed up!”

Beatrice wrapped her arms around her head, glaring at him with her eyes wide.

Elliot shrugged.

“Just finish the ceremony without any mistakes.”

“…And then?”

“This time, I’ll let you call me Saxon Marquess.”

Beatrice’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Y-you’ll even speak to me with respect?”

“Of course.”

“You promised!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Watching his passionate sister, Elliot nodded with a lack of enthusiasm.

“Bella, do well.”

Liliana also warmly cheered for Beatrice.

Nodding her head, Beatrice strode purposefully across the red carpet.

***

The Valois family watched anxiously as Beatrice carried out the ceremony.

Contrary to their worries, the child successfully completed the award ceremony.

“Mom!”

Beatrice came running toward them.

The child nestled into Anriche’s arms, smiling brightly as she looked back at Elliot.

“Hmph.”

“…What?”

“No, it’s not that, brother.”

Shaking her head, Beatrice raised her finger dramatically.

“It’s not ‘what,’ it’s ‘what is it?’”

“…Right.”

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you calling me the Saxon Marquess?”

Beatrice puffed out her shoulders proudly.

With a deep sigh, Elliot finally spoke up.

“Saxon Marquess, congratulations on successfully completing the award ceremony today.”

Beatrice’s eyes widened in surprise.

She hadn’t expected him to say respectful words so easily!

Beatrice pointed at Elliot.

“B-brother just called me the Saxon Marquess!”

“You told me to.”

“Still, I didn’t think you would keep your promise!”

“Here you are, I do this for you and you don’t even appreciate it!”

Elliot and Beatrice began to bicker.

“Elliot, are you the child here? How can you lose your temper at Bella?”

Liliana, watching her fiancé’s foolishness, shook her head disapprovingly.

“Well, at least it seems like the siblings get along well.”

“Yeah, let’s say that.”

The Duke and Duchess of Valois exchanged wry smiles as they watched the scene unfold.