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

“Shall I help you, Jeremyon?”

“Pardon?”

Jeremyon, who usually pretends to remain composed in front of me, seemed unable to hide his confusion this time.

I smiled softly.

“Jeremyon, do you know who I am?”

“What do you mean by that? You’re my mother, nothing more…”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

Seeing his still perplexed face, I gently shook my head.

I thought I had thoroughly educated him as my heir, but he still lacks so much. How disappointing.

I decided to kindly teach him a very important lesson.

“Knowing how to utilize the people around you. That’s a skill you’ll definitely need as the head of a household in the future.”

“…Pardon? I’m not sure I understand.”

“To put it simply, I’m saying I’ll dress you up.”

Though I have earned a reputation as a villainess in the empire, my fame isn’t solely due to my wickedness.

As embarrassing as it is to admit, my innate sense of fashion makes everyone in the capital take notice of me.

Jeremyon, who has someone with such a talent so close, would be at a loss not to borrow my expertise.

Though it was a well-intentioned offer…

“No thank you. Dress me up? I’m not interested in that. I don’t need it either.”

Well, it was an expected response. But I know how to make him accept my proposal.

I intentionally curled one side of my lips and spoke in a teasing tone.

“Oh? Really? You don’t want to make a good impression on Lady Locke?”

“…! That’s not it! No, wait, how did you know I had plans with her? I didn’t even mention it. Could it be you investigated me…?”

“Investigation? No need for that. I can tell just by looking at your face…”

He really was a funny one.

Even if you did a front roll, it’s obvious you’re meeting Lilliana, but it seems you’re the only one unaware of that.

‘How could he not realize it himself? This is why first loves are scary.’

Seeing this side of my son for the first time was both amusing and, in a way, endearing. After all, I must have had a phase like this too.

“Jeremyon, do you really not need my help?”

“It’s just a simple appointment, why would I need help picking out clothes?”

“I happen to know Lady Locke’s tastes very well.”

“…”

Jeremyon seemed to hesitate, unlike before, where he immediately refused. I decided to press further.

“You know that I’m more helpful than your assistant, right?”

“…Did you see it before?”

“Haha, that’s not what’s important right now.”

I had witnessed Jeremyon clinging to his assistant to pick out clothes before. I didn’t reveal myself at the time, but…

As I brought up that incident, Jeremyon let out a deep sigh.

Then, as if he had no choice, he finally gave in.

“Alright, Mother. Please help me.”

“I knew you would say that.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not because of Lady Locke, I’m just interested in hearing your opinion.”

“Sure, sure. I’ll let you believe that.”

“I’m serious.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at his repeated nonsense. Even though his feelings were already laid bare, he still kept denying them.

If he continues denying his own feelings like this, he’s bound to regret it. I know that from personal experience.

‘Well… but that’s not what’s important now. The day has finally come.’

With satisfaction rising inside me, a wicked smile crept onto my face.

Jeremyon’s grand transformation was about to begin.

***

“Now, Jeremyon. This bluish tint suits you perfectly.”

As soon as I got his permission, I instructed a maid to bring a box from my dressing room that contained fabric swatches of various colors.

This was a crucial step, as Jeremyon was someone who required convincing.

‘This is different from the day I dressed up Lilliana.’

When I had picked out a dress for her before, it was enough to simply buy clothes that suited her.

Sweet Lilliana would just wear whatever I suggested without question.

But Jeremyon wasn’t so simple. Merely choosing clothes for him wouldn’t suffice. Unless he fully understood why certain clothes suited him, he would continue to harbor doubts.

So, I decided to teach him the basics.

I held a piece of gray fabric tinged with ash in front of his face, and Jeremyon, looking into the mirror, asked.

“You said blue suits me, but this is gray, isn’t it?”

I had anticipated this question and was prepared.

I took out another gray fabric that I had hidden behind my back. Then I placed both fabrics next to his face.

I could see Jeremyon’s eyes fixed on the two fabrics in the mirror.

“Look closely. They may seem like similar grays, but this one has a yellowish hue, and the other one has a bluish tint. Can you notice the subtle difference?”

“Hmm… Yes, the right one does seem a bit more yellowish.”

“Now, which one do you think suits you better?”

“It won’t make much difference, right? They’re both just dark fabrics.”

At his indifferent comment, I shook my head. That was the kind of remark only someone who knew nothing about fashion would make.

“See for yourself if they’re really the same.”

I alternated placing each fabric near his face.

When I placed the bluish-gray fabric, his face appeared cooler and his masculine charm stood out.

However, when I held up the yellowish-gray fabric, while his handsome face remained the same, something seemed off—it looked stifling and warmer than it should. Just as I expected.

“Ah…”

Jeremyon seemed to have noticed the difference too, letting out a small sigh.

For someone like Jeremyon, who never showed any interest in fashion, this must have been quite a shock.

‘But this is just the beginning.’

There was still an hour and a half left before Jeremyon’s appointment with Lilliana.

Within that time, I planned to make him look absolutely perfect.

To be honest, I had been waiting for a moment like this for a long time.

Jeremyon had an outstanding appearance, but he always wore dull black clothes.

‘Despite that, he was still popular in social circles thanks to his handsome face… but it’s a shame to waste his charm like that.’

In the past, I had wanted to give him advice, but we weren’t close enough for me to have the chance.

But things were different now.

We were finally close enough to have such conversations without difficulty.

‘I don’t know if Jeremyon has fully opened his heart to me, but for now, I’m satisfied with this.’

I carefully selected several outfits that would suit Jeremyon perfectly.

I considered not just the colors, but his build and physique as well, meticulously ensuring everything was right.

Then, I styled his hair to complete the look.

‘Hmm… Is it because I dressed him? He looks flawless.’

I nodded in approval as I admired the finished result.

“Is it done?”

“Yes, now take a look.”

Once his hair was styled, Jeremion cautiously opened his eyes. Then, he stared at his reflection in the mirror for a moment.

“…”

He didn’t say anything, but I knew.

“It’s amazing, right? I know it is.”

After a brief silence, he spoke carefully.

“It’s definitely… a different look.”

“Of course. You’re stating the obvious.”

“…Thank you, Mother.”

Huh? What did he just say?

I nodded absentmindedly, not expecting any gratitude from Jeremyon, but then I stopped in my tracks.

I looked at him in surprise, and his ears turned slightly red, as if he was embarrassed.

He seemed like he wanted to flee right that moment.

“With this look, winning hearts will be no trouble at all, Jeremyon.”

“I’ve told you, that’s not my intention…”

“Did you say that?”

Feigning ignorance, I shrugged my shoulders teasingly, and he sighed in response.

“Fine. In any case… I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, go and enjoy your time with Lady Locke.”

As I watched him head out, I smiled with satisfaction.

‘Jeremyon’s first love… Now, he should be able to get along well with Lilliana.’

The reason I had encouraged their separation in the original story was because Jeremyon’s heart had always been frozen.

Lilliana constantly got hurt because of his cold demeanor.

‘But now, it seems that spring has finally come to Jeremyon’s heart.’

In his current state, I was certain Jeremyon could get along well with Lilliana, unlike in the original ending.

‘Then again, if Lilliana decides to reject him, none of this will matter. But would she? After all, she loved him to death in the original story.’

At this point, I had no idea.

That Jeremyon would return after being rejected.