Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Therefore, Anriche decided to ask Liliana’s intention first, this time.

“Liliana.”

“…Yes, Mother.”

Liliana’s voice was a little muffled as she pretended to suppress her sense of betrayal.

“Now that this has come to pass, I want to take steps to ensure that you do not bump into Baron Londini in the future.”

“Steps?”

“Yes. What does Liliana think?”

Anriche added, “Of course, I wouldn’t do it if Liliana didn’t like it.”

“….”

At those words, the child clenched her fist with the small palm crushed. Nevertheless, the worries didn’t last long.

“…Please.”

“Yes, I will.”

Anriche hugged Liliana tightly and gently stroked the child’s delicate back with her hand. The body, which had been stiff and tense, only then softened a little.

“My Liliana, don’t be too upset.”

“….”

Liliana, who nodded her head slightly, buried her head in Anriche’s arms.

Such a child felt as weak as a chick following its mother’s hen… She couldn’t get Liliana out of her arms at all.

***

At that time, Tornian’s townhouse.

Anita was deep in thought.

‘…Why did Liliana act that way?’

What had just happened never left her mind. She thought she would have done it if it was herself, and she’d have sabotaged Liliana.

But, Liliana…

‘…She wasn’t mad.’

Rather, she said, ‘It’s okay,’ and she comforted her instead.

Why?

“…All right, let’s go to sleep.”

Uncomfortable as if she was sitting on a thorn cushion, Anita covered the blanket over her, though she couldn’t get to sleep properly until morning.

***

After waiting for Liliana to fall asleep, Anrcihe left the room.

‘Is Elliot supposed to be asleep by now?’

She glanced in the direction Elliot’s room was.

‘Today, Liliana seems to have a complicated heart for her in many ways, so I think it would be better for Mother to be by her side.’

‘Is Elliot okay?’

‘Of course. I got Jane.’

Rather, he smiled and reassured her.

Anriche, thinking of her son’s peculiar appearance, smiled faintly unknowingly.

‘Should I check if Elliot is sleeping well…?’

She wanted to at least see the child’s sleeping face. Thinking so, as she was busily moving her steps, Anriche ran into Alexei, who had just returned home.

“Wife?”

“…Oh, Duke.”

Startled, she raised her head.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“Yes. It’s late, so why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Well, I’m trying to make sure Elliot is sleeping first.”

After hearing that answer, he asked with a subtle expression on his face, “Why did Elliot and Liliana sleep separately today?”

“…What?”

“Usually, the wife and the two children sleep together.”

Oh, it was…

Anriche bit the tip of her tongue slightly. Alexei, who was examining her expression, asked a question in a worried voice.

“Is there anything wrong?”

“…Yes?”

“I think your expression is a little dark for some reason.”

Saying that, he had a genuinely worried face.

“Ah, that’s…”

Anriche, who was about to answer ‘nothing’ like a habit, paused and bit her mouth. It wasn’t ‘nothing’ that Liliana was threatened by Lady Londini.

‘…May I ask Alexei for advice on this matter?’

She then glanced into Alexei’s eyes.

In fact, she knew, it too.

The Empire was a patriarchal state, and especially the ‘child’-related work was in an atmosphere of entrusting it to the ‘mother.’ However, Alexei, whom she had seen so far, loved the children very much.

“…Actually.”

With that, Anriche explained what Liliana had been through so far.

Despite all the concerns in her mind, Alexei listened earnestly to her story from start to finish. And then, he said that at once.

“It would be better to keep the Baron Londini family aside.”

…His usual gentle appearance was out of the blue, and his voice was truly bloody.

“To overlook them as Liliana’s relatives, the Londini family has already touched the child several times.”

Alexei continued to speak, suppressing his anger.

“To keep Baron Londini from accessing the child, I’d say it’s best to put physical restrictions in place.

“What are physical restrictions?”

“Of course, we should put him in prison.”

Prison…?

In response to an answer she had never thought of, Anriche opened her eyes wide without realizing it. Nonetheless, Alexei seemed sincere.

“The previous tax audit was enough to put Baron Londini in prison.”

“A prison… is that really possible?”

“Of course. Above all, the Imperial court proves their sins.”

What she heard was correct. Since this tax audit was conducted by the imperial family, both evidence and witnesses could be guaranteed by the Imperial Family.

“In principle, it is a crime that would already deserve to go to prison, but considering Liliana’s heart. It was an excessive treatment to get them to avoid the punishment. But..”

Alexei, who was still speaking, suddenly wore a smirk and looked into Anriche’s face.

“…I’m sorry. I must have been too aggressive.”

“No, thank you for your kind opinion.”

Anriche shook her head.

Not surprisingly, from the beginning, she had planned to deal with the Londini family.

Still, there was only one thing she regret…

‘If possible, it would be much better to catch all three rabbits at once.’

The biggest problem was the Baron Londini family, though the Tornians and Viscountess Ivan were also involved. If Viscountess Ivan continues to teach Lady Tornian, it would certainly have a bad effect on Liliana.

‘That wouldn’t be right.’

Anriche’s face had subsided coldly.

There must be some way… There was a way to support Liliana, as well as to clean up both Tornian and Ivan—

‘…Wait.’

For a moment, a twinkle appeared in the violet eyes. Somehow, the ‘method’ seemed to have come to mind.

With that thought, she opened her mouth urgently.

“Well, Duke.”

“Tell me.”

“How much money can I manage?”

In response to a rather random question, Alexei narrowed his brows gently.

“Why are you asking that?”

“Ah…”

Oh, oh my.

As she faced Alexei’s serious look, Anriche chewed the flesh in her mouth. Looking back, ‘Anriche von Valois’ has been living as a luxurious villainess until now. It was only natural for Alexei to be so serious…

“There is no limit to how the mistress of Valois can manage Valois’ assets.”

Huh…?

At the unexpected reply, Anriche blinked her eyes blankly.

“Well, I thought you were worried about me being extravagant…”

“Why am I so worried?”

Alexei turned a bewildered face and asked her back.

“Isn’t that because of the Liliana thing?”

“No, of course, it is.”

“Of course, then. I trust the wife.”

It was a resolute voice, without even a slight tremor.

I trust the wife…

‘Even though Anriche of the original work has done so many things so far, it’s really amazing…’

Nevertheless, Alexei once again trusted her. She knew how difficult it would be for him to be able to do that.

‘If I had changed her position and I was Alexei, I would never have trusted Anriche.’

Feeling the tip of her nose twitching for some reason, Anriche secretly averted his gaze.

“…Thank you.”

“It was nothing.”

Alexei, who coughed a little, spoke again.

“Above all… it’s only natural for married couples to trust each other.”

“Yes?”

“At least, I think so.”

After saying that with strength, Alexei pretended nothing had happened and turned his head away. But, the nape of his neck was already stained red.

A smile slowly spread across Anriche’s lips.

It was a smile as bright as the sun.

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