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

***

A little while later, Anriche and Liliana entered the kitchen.

The maids, who had been chatting in small groups, were startled and jumped to their feet.

“I’m going to bake cookies with Liliana today.”

“Cookies?”

“Yes. I’ll take care of the ingredients and everything, so you all can go out and rest.”

As she spoke, Anriche fixed her gaze on the kitchen maids with a determined look.

Her eyes seemed to say that if they gave any hints to Liliana, she wouldn’t let it slide.

Understanding her intent, the maids shrank back and lowered their heads.

“Understood, My Lady.”

“We will.”

After the maids had slipped away like a receding tide, Liliana carefully set the doll she had been holding on a kitchen chair.

Anriche watched her with a warm smile.

“First, we need to wash our hands before making the cookies.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Anriche washed her hands first, and Liliana followed suit.

They mixed softened butter with sugar, then sifted in the flour.

Liliana was carefully separating the yolks and whites of the eggs.

While making the dough, Anriche furrowed her brow slightly.

“Oh dear.”

Liliana’s rolled-up sleeves were slowly sliding down toward her wrists.

Even though she had pulled her sleeves up tightly, it seemed it wasn’t enough.

“Come here, Liliana.”

Anriche firmly rolled up the child’s sleeves for her.

Liliana, gazing at her neatly folded sleeves, shyly murmured, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

With a shrug, Anriche turned back to the cookie dough.

Liliana couldn’t take her eyes off Anriche’s back for a long time.

‘…Mother is really so kind.’

Having someone carefully look after her and help her at the right moments was a warmth she had never experienced before.

A gentle smile slowly spread across Liliana’s small lips.

It was a happy smile.

***

Finally, the cookies were all baked.