I Became the Mother-in-law of the Regretful Female Lead

A week had passed since then.

I looked at the letter in front of me and smiled slightly.

“Now that I see it, even Lilliana’s handwriting is cute and round.”

This morning, a letter arrived from her, bringing some rather happy news.

I read through the letter filled with Lilliana’s handwriting again.

—

[Last night, heavy rain poured all night long.

It was so intense that I worried it might continue for a long time.

But perhaps the sky, which had shed its tears so freely, was now content? The dark clouds have vanished, and the clear blue sky is brighter than ever.

Looking at the sun shining brightly on the streets, I thought of Mother again today.

Those dark days that seemed endless, like the heavy rain—at the end of them, Mother, you were like the sun.

Mother, what kind of day did you have yesterday?

I worried on my own, wondering if you might have caught a cold in the chilly night.

Did you eat well? Did you wear a thick coat to keep warm? So many concerns filled my mind.

But soon, I realized. These worries are meaningless.

You are always so perfect, without any flaws… (omitted)

The reason I am writing to you today is to let you know that I am in the final stages of recovery.

Last night, the family doctor said I could resume my daily life.

The wounds have almost healed, and it seems there won’t be any scars left.

It’s all thanks to your care and concern for me, Mother.

So, I have decided to return to my daily life as well… (omitted)

With respect and affection, from Lilliana.]

—

After reading the five-page letter again, I almost strained my eyes.

“…Lilliana, really.”

She writes to me every day, and yet still has this much to say to me.

With such a long letter, her hand must have hurt…

You could tell she had taken great care with every single word, pressing down each stroke with effort.

I couldn’t help but smile. She was simply so lovable.

Receiving such a letter that made me feel good just by looking at it, I naturally felt the need to respond.

I picked up my cherished fountain pen.

I began to diligently write my reply, but…

“Sigh, why does this feel so awkward?”

Now that there was no need to push Lilliana away, I tried to express my affection openly, but something felt off.

I couldn’t hold back and crumpled up the letter. Then I pulled out a new sheet and started writing again, but still, I wasn’t satisfied.

After repeating this a few more times, a couple of hours had passed.

“…At this rate, I’ll stay up all night without even finishing the reply.”

I had no choice but to compromise.

After another 30 minutes of deliberation, I finally completed my response.

“Honestly, I don’t like it, but… I can’t just not send a reply.”

Feeling frustrated, I sighed.

***

“Miss, a letter has arrived.”

“A letter? Is it from Lady Winder, by any chance?”

At the servant’s voice from outside, Lilliana excitedly shouted.

When the servant who had entered nodded, her face instantly brightened.

“A reply already…! I’m so happy!”

Not long ago, no matter how many letters she sent, there was never a response… But with things having changed so much in just a few days, she couldn’t hide her joy.

The servant watched Lilliana’s delighted face with satisfaction.

Everyone in the mansion had been worried during the time when she had been feeling down. Seeing her smile again was a relief to them all.

‘I hope the young lady will continue to smile…’

With that thought, the servant handed over the letter, and Lilliana quickly sat at her desk and opened the envelope.

It was at that moment.

As she began reading the letter with a face full of anticipation, she suddenly bowed her head.

‘…! Is she crying?’

It seemed the servant’s suspicion was correct, as Lilliana’s shoulders trembled pitifully.

Startled, the servant moved closer. Though unintentionally, he caught a glimpse of the letter’s contents.

He was stunned.

‘What… is this?’

If his eyes weren’t deceiving him, the letter contained only one short line.

—

[Yes, I understand. Take care of yourself.]

—

That was it. Without any other greetings, just that one sentence. He couldn’t even imagine how disappointed Lilliana must have been.

‘The young lady poured her heart into writing her letter…!’

Recalling how Lilliana had spent the entire day at her desk, carefully crafting her letter to Lady Winder, the servant felt anger bubbling up.

It was unbelievable that such a heartfelt letter had been replied to with just that one indifferent sentence. No wonder Lilliana was crying.

The servant cautiously attempted to offer some comfort.

“Miss… are you all right?”

“…”

But it seemed his words didn’t reach her ears as Lilliana remained silent, her head still bowed.

‘She must have been deeply hurt!’

He called out to her again.

“Miss…”

But at that moment…

“Oh my gosh! I’m so happy!”

Lilliana, who had been trembling, suddenly stood up with the happiest expression ever.

‘Huh?’

The servant, taken aback by her unexpected reaction, froze in place.

Meanwhile, Lilliana didn’t even notice his presence and was joyfully bouncing around.

She eagerly looked at the letter again.

The very first reply from her mother was indeed just one line.

For most people, it might have been disappointing. But not for Lilliana.

The letter paper was filled with various patterns, and the handwriting was ornate, clearly written with great care.

Though short in length, I could tell it must have taken quite some time to compose.

Moreover, the “Vanessa language translator” in my head had automatically interpreted the letter for me, so why would I be disappointed?

She smiled slightly.

“Mother, really… You were worried about me after all. I’m glad I decided to write the letter.”

If she hadn’t, Vanessa might have continued worrying about her.

Resolving to stay in touch more often in the future, Lilliana opened her drawer.

She then took out a pretty box and carefully stored Vanessa’s letter inside, so she could take it out and read it anytime.

“Whew…”

After finishing this little task, Lilliana belatedly noticed the servant standing beside her.

He was stiff, as though he had just witnessed something strange.

“Hmm? What are you doing there?”

“N-No, it’s nothing, Miss. I’ve delivered the letter, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“Alright! Oh, before you go, please fetch my coat. I have an appointment today.”

She glanced at the clock. There were about two hours left until her meeting.

The person she was meeting today was none other than Jeremyon.

It was her first appointment since she had started feeling better.

‘I have something important to tell him…’

Lilliana went over what she wanted to say in her head once more.

:What kind of reaction will Jeremyon have? Will he be happy?’

Picturing his pleased expression left her with a bittersweet feeling.

‘….But this is the right thing to do for him.’

Today, she planned to face him with a smile and gather her courage.

Looking out the window at the setting sun, I sighed.

“I wonder if Lilliana received the letter well.”

Though I had sent it after some thought, I worried that it might seem too short and lacking in sincerity.

But there was no turning back now.

With another sigh, I left my office.

“It’s already dinner time. Should I have dinner with Jeremyon tonight?”

At this hour, he was likely to be at the mansion. So I headed slowly toward Jeremion’s office.

But what is that boy… doing right now?

Jeremyon was standing in front of the mirror in the wardrobe room.

Feeling a sense of déjà vu, I quietly approached him.

“Do you have an appointment or something?”

“Mother?”

Holding clothes in both hands, he looked startled, but soon pretended as if nothing had happened.

“Is there something you need? Coming here at this time?”

With a nonchalant face, he quickly hid the clothes he was holding behind his back.

“Hmm…”

What’s the point of hiding it now? I already saw everything.

“Looks like you have a date with Lilliana today, don’t you?”

It was obvious. There was no one else he would fuss over his appearance for.

“His effort is admirable, but with that style, he won’t capture Lilliana’s heart.”

I chuckled softly, and Jeremyon’s expression shifted slightly, as if he thought I was mocking him.

“Why did you come here, Mother?” he asked seriously.

“Jeremyon, do you want some help?”

“Excuse me?”

Startled, he looked at me, and I gave him a confident smile.

It seemed the time had come to lend a hand in my son’s love life.