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

The Baroness, who had been blinking blankly, finally understood the situation a little too late.

She wouldn’t be able to extort money under the guise of living expenses.

That meant she would permanently lose Liliana, the money tree.

“D-Duchess! I—!”

Realizing the situation at last, the Baroness of Rondini hurriedly tried to cling to Anriche’s leg.

Of course, Anriche stepped back a couple of paces to evade her.

Anriche coldly added, “I heard that after taking care of Liliana, the orphanage underwent a major expansion.”

The comment hit the mark.

The Baroness of Rondini’s eyes widened in shock.

Anriche continued, “Considering Liliana’s circumstances, I will overlook what has happened until now.”

“B-but…!”

“However, if you can’t let go of your greed in the future or if something unfortunate happens where you harass Liliana…”

Anriche finished in a stern voice, “Then you will find yourself in court meeting a lawyer from Valua.”

Court? Lawyer?

Could it be that she was prepared to go as far as legal action?

In the Baroness’s pupils, a fierce tremor was now taking place.

But regardless of her reaction, Anriche turned back to Liliana.

“Liliana.”

“Yes, yes!”

At Anriche’s call, Liliana snapped out of her daze, which had been focused on the Baroness.

“What do you want, Liliana?”

“Me?”

Liliana’s eyes widened in surprise.

Anriche leaned down to meet Liliana’s gaze and spoke in a gentle voice. “I want to be your guardian and live together. Would that be okay?”

It was clear that Liliana had to leave this orphanage.

Leaving a child in an abusive environment was out of the question.

However, Anriche living with Liliana was a different matter.

She didn’t want to see Liliana struggling because of her.

‘So, I should give Liliana a choice.’

It was unrealistic to expect everything to be resolved in one go, so for now, Anriche was content with being her guardian.

There were many facts, like their betrothal, that Liliana needed to accept.

Meanwhile, Liliana was at a loss, looking at Anriche.

“I, I…”

“If you feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to refuse. I can arrange a separate place for you. You can take your time to think about it…”

“Oh, no!”

Liliana unintentionally clenched her fists and shouted in a loud voice, “I want to go!”

Huh?

Anriche’s eyes widened in surprise.

But it seemed the person most shocked by her own voice was Liliana.

“Um, well, if it’s not a bother to you…”

Before she knew it, Liliana was cautiously gauging Anriche’s reaction.

‘Have I been too greedy?’

But she didn’t want to let go of the noblewoman in front of her.

Anriche was a kind person she had never met before.

“Of course it wouldn’t be a bother! I’m the one who asked you to come along.”

Anriche found Liliana both adorable and pitiable and quickly extended her hand to her.

“Shall we go, then?”

But Liliana hesitated to take her hand.

It felt like she had never held anything heavier than a fan, and Anriche’s hands were so white and elegant.

Could she really hold that hand?

As she quietly looked down at her dusty hands, Liliana mumbled in a shy voice, “M-my hands are dirty…”

“Oh, why worry about that? It’s fine!”

Anriche firmly grasped Liliana’s hand.

Liliana’s eyes grew wide.

Anriche’s soft and warm hand pulled her in gently.

“Let’s hurry up.”

At Anriche’s urging, Liliana followed her, somewhat bewildered.

‘…This is amazing.’

As Liliana took quick steps, she suddenly turned back to look.

‘I was so scared of the Baroness of Rondini.’

She thought she would never be able to escape the Baroness’s grasp; it had felt like she would die from fear…

But it turned out to be so easy to break free.

Liliana gazed at Anriche’s back as if it were dazzling.

For the first time, she felt assured that it was okay to lean on someone.

Her heart swelled with warmth.

***

As soon as they exited the office, the loud squabbling of two women could be heard.

“Mom! Are you really just going to let that girl go like that?!”

“Shut up! You were quiet when I was suffering; why are you blaming me now?”

Anriche listened carefully to the shouting spilling out of the door.

The two women were now yelling at each other, their faces flushed with anger.

“If you have a better idea, you try it!”

“Why am I the one you’re venting your anger on?!”

It was true what they said: watching a brawl or a fight was the most entertaining.

Listening to the argument between the two, Anriche couldn’t help but smile.

This is such a delightful experience!

‘Alright, then… it’s time to show Liliana what money can do.’

Surely, it was fine to scatter some gold coins as I pleased?

As the luxurious mistress of the wealthiest family in the Empire, I should be able to do at least that!

“Liliana, is there anything you want?”

“Huh?”

“Just say it, and I’ll buy you anything!”

Anriche called out cheerfully to the bewildered-looking Liliana.

But Liliana responded with a shy face.

“No, you don’t have to do that.”

“Why not?”

“Just taking me with you is enough for me.”

At those words, Anriche felt a surge of emotion.

She was only seven years old.

An age when there should be a mountain of things one wants.

Yet here was this child saying that just being taken along was enough…

How much had she had to watch her words and actions until now?

“Hmm, I want to buy you a whole—lot of things!”

“Really?”

When Anriche answered playfully, Liliana’s eyes widened in surprise.

Instead of answering, Anriche confidently hopped into the carriage.

There were so many things she wanted to do for Liliana.

***

About an hour later.

On Le Morgan Street, where high-end shops were gathered.

Liliana sat in a boutique specializing in children’s clothing, unable to hide her dazed expression.

‘I… I think this is the first time I’ve ever sat in such a comfortable chair.’

As she blinked, Liliana cautiously pressed her fingers into the chair’s seat.

The cushion was so soft that her fingers sank in deeply.

While she stared in wonder at the seat for a while, Liliana suddenly withdrew her fingers in a hurry.

If she touched it too much and got it dirty, that would be a disaster.

In the meantime, Liliana glanced at Anriche, who was sitting across from her.

Anriche was currently flipping through numerous catalogs with a spark of enthusiasm in her eyes.

“With these kinds of clothes, we can’t fully showcase our Liliana’s cuteness.”

Anriche muttered in a serious tone.

“We need something a bit more perfect…”

Without realizing it, Liliana fixed her gaze on Anriche.

‘…She said she’s the Duchess of Balua.’

Although she hadn’t lived long, it seemed like she had never seen anyone as beautiful as her.

Her fine, dark brown hair cascaded in soft waves down to her chest.

Her porcelain-like skin was smooth, and her violet eyes, framed by long eyelashes, were the color of pretty violets.

Liliana had thought she would never encounter a noble lady of such high status in her lifetime, and now this lady was going to be her mother-in-law.

Moreover, she was already betrothed to the Duke of Balua’s son from the womb…

‘This is too absurd to be true.’

Just as Liliana was shaking her head at the thought, she accidentally locked eyes with Anriche, who had lifted her head at that moment.

“Gah!”

With a hasty intake of breath, a strange sound escaped Liliana’s lips.

Oh no, what should I do?

She felt like she would die from embarrassment!

Liliana’s face turned bright red.

At that, Anriche softened her gaze.

“Is there something you want to ask?”

After all, Liliana had been glancing at Anriche for a while now.

It seemed there was something she was curious about…

Swallowing hard, Liliana cautiously posed her question.

“Um, are you really going to buy me clothes?”

“Of course! What else would we be doing at a clothing store?”

Anriche widened her eyes in surprise.

“Right now, you don’t even have a single outfit to change into, do you?”

Anriche shrugged her shoulders as if to prove a point, and Liliana nodded sullenly.

It was true; all of Liliana’s meager possessions…

‘I threw them all away when I left the orphanage!’

Anriche recalled the exhilaration of tossing those possessions, no, that trash, into the trash can.

Wow, really.

Since becoming Anriche, that felt like the best thing she had done.

It felt refreshing, like pulling out a painful tooth!

However, unable to overcome her conscience, Liliana shook her head vehemently.

“But I’ve already received so much help from you. Buying me new clothes seems a bit too much…!”

Not only had she been rescued from that hellish Londini orphanage, but now this person was spending such a large sum of money on her.

Liliana felt close to tears.

Was this what it felt like to suddenly ascend from hell to heaven?

She was overwhelmed with gratitude, and at the same time, felt guilty.