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

***

The door closed silently behind her.

As Meg stepped out, she leaned against the door and narrowed her eyes sharply.

‘What sudden change is causing the Lady to pay such attention to Young Master Elliott?’

Today, Anriche was acting strangely.

Instead of being her usual self and finding Elliott a bother, she approached him with a warm smile and spoke kindly.

She brought cocoa to her son and suggested they sleep together.

Isn’t that the behavior of a mother who cares for her child?

Moreover, the biggest problem is…

‘…Young Master Elliott seems to be swayed.’

If it had been the usual Elliott, he would have easily accepted Meg’s suggestion to throw the cocoa away.

But Elliott insisted, “Since it was given to me by my mother, I will drink all of it,” showing stubbornness.

He wouldn’t even allow her to take the cup away, so Meg had to leave the room empty-handed.

‘This isn’t good…’

Meg furrowed her brow as she crossed the hallway.

Just then, from a distance, a group of maids rushed toward her.

“Head Maid!”

“What’s going on?”

Meg wore a warm smile on her face.

“Earlier, the Lady went to the kitchen…”

“She got really angry and told us not to speak carelessly about Miss Liliana!”

The maids clung to Meg with tearful expressions.

“Then what will happen if the Lady starts taking an interest in household affairs?”

At that remark, Meg’s eyebrows twitched tightly.

Until now, Anriche had shown no interest in household matters.

The void was filled by Meg.

She had invested time and effort into gradually winning over the maids.

Thanks to that, the maids prioritized Meg’s orders over Anriche’s commands.

But…

‘If the Lady gets involved in household affairs…’

A chill ran through her heart as if she had swallowed a large piece of ice.

No, that can’t be true.

Meg bit her lip until it bled.

That lazy and selfish Lady wouldn’t bother to manage household affairs, would she?

“…Head Maid?”

At that moment, the maids called out to Meg in a doubtful tone.

Meg quickly regained her composure.

‘No, if I appear unreliable to the maids, it’ll be the end.’

She hastily adjusted her expression and spoke in the most relaxed manner she could muster.

“Oh dear, it seems you all are quite worried.”

“Head Maid, what should we do now?”

“If the Lady truly starts overseeing things, it will become very troublesome…”

Worries poured out from the maids like a flood.

At that moment, Meg shook her head.

“But you have me by your side, don’t you?”

Meg smiled confidently.

“No matter how much the Lady may be paying attention, I’m still in charge of the practical matters.”

“…Head Maid.”

“I will do my best to ensure you don’t suffer, so just trust me.”

At those reassuring words, the maids looked at Meg with faces full of emotion.

Meg intentionally let out a deep sigh.

“By the way, this time the Lady went a bit too far.”

“Y-Yes, that’s right?”

“Exactly. Just adding one more person to serve means our workload increases exponentially…”

Meg comforted the maids in a gentle voice.

“It’s hard enough working as it is without having to deal with the added scrutiny from Miss Liliana.”

“Don’t even mention it; it’s so hard I feel like I’m going to die!”

“Truly, the only person who understands our struggles is the Head Maid!”

The maids clustered around Meg.

“Head Maid is right!”

“We’ll trust only you, Head Maid!”

“That’s right; you have the Lord’s full trust, don’t you?”

One maid said in an excited voice.

Meg waved her hands in a dismissive manner.

“It’s a bit embarrassing to hear you say that.”

“Oh, come on, don’t say that! Who doesn’t know about the relationship between you and the Lord?”

“You two have been like friends since childhood!”

The maids chimed in unison.

A faint smile spread across Meg’s lips.

“Well, I suppose the Lord does pay a bit more attention to my opinions…”

“That itself is proof that the Lord favors you, Head Maid!”

The maids praised Meg to the point of drying out their mouths.

Surrounded by the maids, Meg continued to walk.

However, her gaze had grown cold.

‘Still… it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.’

With the Lady, whose attitude had changed like flipping a palm, and the girl from the Eberritt family who captured Elliot’s heart in an instant.

Both of them seemed to require careful attention.

***

Anriche stepped into the bedroom.

A lively voice welcomed her.

“Mother, you’re here?”

“Liliana.”

Liliana jumped off the bed and came bounding toward Anriche.

Anriche broke into a wide smile.

“Oh my, you’ve already changed into your pajamas?”

“Ah… yes!”

Liliana momentarily trailed off.

It was because she suddenly recalled the maid who had brought her to the room, turning on her heel and leaving abruptly.

‘Surely, I can change into my pajamas by myself?’

Without even waiting for an answer, the maid had gone straight down the stairs.

…But I shouldn’t bother Mother over such trivial matters.

I can’t be a ‘troublesome child’ here, either.

Liliana hid her complicated feelings and smiled brightly.

“Here, cocoa.”

“Wow, thank you!”

Liliana sipped the cocoa, her light green eyes sparkling as she looked up at Anriche.

“This cocoa is really delicious…”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Such a beautiful child, yet she had to live such a difficult life.

Unable to suppress her sympathy, Anriche gazed at Liliana.

Liliana tilted her head curiously.

“Mother?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Anriche shook her head and gently ruffled Liliana’s hair.

As soon as their eyes met, Liliana smiled innocently, giggling.

“By the way, Liliana.”

“Yes, Mother?”

“Did the maid who brought you here make you uncomfortable in any way?”

Anriche suddenly asked, recalling the hushed conversation among the kitchen maids earlier.

In that moment, Liliana flinched and stiffened.

“…Make me uncomfortable?”

“Yeah. Did she show any signs of displeasure or give you any hints…?”

“Ah, no. That didn’t happen.”

Liliana instinctively shook her head.

There’s no way that could be true, right?

The maid who had brought Liliana to her room was definitely close to the kitchen maids…

Anriche looked at Liliana with a skeptical expression.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I really am.”

Liliana nodded fervently.

Well, if Liliana insists on that, then…

Though it felt a bit suspicious, Anriche decided to let it go for now.

“Once you’re done, let’s go brush your teeth.”

“Yes!”

The two headed to the bathroom.

Under Anriche’s supervision, Liliana diligently brushed her teeth.

With white foam covering her mouth, Liliana looked so adorable that Anriche couldn’t help but smile.

After the two had finished getting ready and lay down side by side on the pillows,

“Um, Mother.”

“Hmm?”

Hearing her voice call, Anriche turned to face Liliana.

Even in the dark, Liliana’s light green eyes shone brightly.

After hesitating for a while, Liliana carefully opened her mouth.

“Today… I was so happy to see you like this, Mother.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. I wish this could last forever, like a dream…”

With that, Liliana fell soundly asleep.

Anriche reached out and gently pulled the blanket over the child’s delicate shoulders.

“It’s not a dream, Liliana.”

Her hand gently caressed the child’s body.

“There will only be bright days ahead, really.”

Anriche embraced Liliana tightly.

For the first time, she felt grateful to have been reincarnated as the ‘wicked mother-in-law.’

That she could save Liliana from that terrible orphanage… she felt truly relieved.

***

2. I Was Only Supposed to Target My Daughter-in-Law?

In the late dawn when all things were asleep.

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed.

A man of striking appearance walked into the Balua townhouse.

“Welcome, Lord.”

As the butler accepted the man’s coat, he bowed his head in greeting.

He was the head of the Balua family, the Empire’s sharpest sword, the Emperor’s closest companion, and the Empire’s only Duke.

A man draped in numerous titles like a dazzling cloak.

It was Alexei von Balua.

“You’re a bit late today.”

“I had more work than I expected.”

Alexei nodded slightly, fatigue clearly etched on his face.

“Even the butler can tell you’re tired, so it seems you need to manage your expressions better.”

Alexei chuckled softly.

He raised a hand and rubbed his weary face a few times.

After a moment, Alexei lifted his head.

His bright blue eyes now shone with a sharpness, showing no signs of weakness whatsoever.