When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me - Chapter 180

“So, I’m escorted by that gentleman to the lounge.”

Beatrice said, cupping her blushing cheeks with both hands.

“The gentleman hands me a glass of deep red wine and says…”

“What, what?”

“You are the woman who suits this wine best. Please calm your startled heart with a glass of wine…”

“Bella, you won’t be of age by the debutante party!”

Unable to listen any longer, Liliana shouted.

The debutante party is attended by those who have just come of age or will come of age that year.

It mixes those who are already adults with those who are still minors.

Of course, minors are prohibited from drinking alcohol in the empire.

However, since it’s hard to tell who is of age and who isn’t at a debutante party,
it’s not uncommon for minors to sneak a drink during the event.

“No drinking! How can a minor—”

“What, I’m just saying that’s what it would be like.”

But seeing her pouting lips,
it seemed she was secretly plotting to get a drink at this debutante party.

Really, I can’t believe this!

Liliana vowed to keep a close eye on her adorable little sister-in-law during this debutante party.

***

Thus, on the day of the debutante party,

Anriche and Alexei decided to arrive separately after the party had begun.

After all, a debutante party is primarily an event for young people.

So now, the couple, the Duke and Duchess of Valois, were shouldering the heavy responsibility of taking care of Beatrice.

As they looked at Beatrice, sitting quietly in the lavish carriage, they felt a mix of pride and overwhelm.

“Just remember, your partner today is your brother.”

Elliot firmly reminded her.

“You’re dancing your first dance with him, okay?”

“Ugh, how many times do I have to hear that?!”

Beatrice puffed up her cheeks and retorted.

“Am I not old enough to stop being treated like a child?”

“Hey, you’re still not of age, so stop acting up!”

The two siblings were growling at each other like cats and dogs.

Then Liliana consoled Elliot.

“Don’t worry too much, Elliot. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Only then did Elliot let out a sigh of relief.

“Really? If Liliana is watching her, I feel reassured.”

If Liliana, the empire’s greatest knight, is keeping close tabs,
then they should be able to notice if Beatrice causes any trouble.

Meanwhile, Beatrice looked thoroughly annoyed.

“Seriously, even you, Sister Lily?!”

***

And so, Beatrice confidently stepped into the banquet hall.

‘Huh?’

At the same time, Beatrice tilted her head.

She scanned the banquet hall with hawk-like eyes, but the handsome gentleman she had read about in romance novels was nowhere to be found.

Beatrice glanced sideways at Elliot, who was holding her hand.

‘Actually, I think my brother is more handsome… No, what am I even thinking?’

Beatrice quickly shook her head.

Seeing her strange behavior, Elliot looked down at his sister with a puzzled expression.

“Did you eat something weird?”

“…Ha, you really are a person without any romance.”

Beatrice muttered sulkily.

“I feel sorry for Lily.”

“What do you mean?”

Elliot glared at her with wide eyes.

Liliana, unable to bear the tension, hurriedly tried to calm the two siblings.

“Everyone, stop it. People are watching us!”

“…”

“…”

The two siblings glared at each other, trying hard to hold back their smiles, forcing their lips to curve upward.

The twitching of their lips suggested that both siblings were quite upset.

‘Ugh.’

Liliana shook her head internally.

It seemed that during this debutante party, she would need to stay on high alert.

***

‘This is so strange.’

Currently, Beatrice was trapped in the greatest dilemma of her life.
‘Why is everyone so…’

Underwhelming?

Beatrice furrowed her brows.

Ever since she had danced her first dance with her brother, she had been inundated with requests to dance.

Thus, under the watchful eyes of Liliana and Elliot, Beatrice had danced several times with the young gentlemen.

But nothing like what happened in romance novels ever occurred.

‘They said there would be an electric shock when our hands brushed against each other, right?’

Yet, despite changing partners several times and holding hands, she felt no such tingling sensation.

‘They also said you’d hear bells ringing in your head.’

However, there were no bells ringing; only the dance music flowed smoothly in the air.

‘Is it because those young gentlemen were the ones my brother and sister recommended?’

There were no sparkling blonde hairs or sorrowful black eyes.

Goodness, they were worse than her father or brother.

After finishing yet another dance, she took a sip of her drink.

“Duke Elliot is so handsome, isn’t he?”

A scream erupted from among the ladies.

At that moment, Elliot and Liliana were dancing together.

‘Those poor ladies giving such undue praise to that useless man; they must be blind.’

Beatrice set her empty glass down on the table with a sulky expression.

“Is that all? The Duchess is truly beautiful as well!”

Beatrice nodded in satisfaction to herself.

‘Well, Lily deserves that kind of praise. It’s really a shame that she married my brother.’

But just then.

‘Huh? It’s Emily.’

Beatrice’s eyes widened slightly.

Emily.

She was a friend from the book club who had shared a passion for reading romance novels with Beatrice.

Having experienced unrequited love for a young gentleman writer, Beatrice had listened to her share her woes on several occasions.

“Emily…!”