My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 11

I really, really hate that woman.

Anastasia is like a cancer that infests the Fairfanville ducal family.

The beginning of the matter was the marriage proposal sent by the Hamilton family to my father, who had gone to consult about the business.

We will form a business partnership that is advantageous to the ducal family and provide financial assistance. In return, we would like you to establish a connection with the Hamilton family…

It seems that the previous earl was approached by the former earl on behalf of the newly succeeded head of the family, who had just taken over and had no real power at the time.

That means, in other words, I.

This Christina von Fairfanville is marrying into the Hamilton family.

Me!? The daughter of the leading duke’s family, celebrated as the belle of the social scene, being sent to a lower-ranking count’s family…!!?

The head of the Hamilton family is Eugene Hamilton, known in high society as the “Young Handsome Earl.”

I’ve seen him a few times at social events, and he was quite a handsome man.

If Eugene, who is good-looking and very popular among unmarried young ladies, is the one, I don’t mind that much.

…but I just couldn’t stand the idea of the count’s family.

As the daughter of the head duke’s family, I thought it was only natural for me to be engaged to the royal family of my country or an equally prestigious duke’s family. I could still tolerate a powerful marquis family, but anything less was unacceptable.

But even if they are wealthy, a count’s family…!

Thinking this, Christina stubbornly rejected the engagement, even though Eugene was a bit of a loss. The Duke of Fairfanville, who originally felt resistance to marrying Christina into the count’s family, also accepted it. This indulgent duke would usually agree to most things if Christina pleaded with tears in her eyes.

However, the internal situation of the Fairfanville ducal family was more dire than those around them realized, and they were determined to forge a connection with the count family at any cost.

The duke, who had been pondering whether there was any way out, came up with a brilliant idea. He could bring someone related to the duke’s family to take Christina’s place.

Unfortunately, there were no eligible young ladies among the relatives of the duke’s family, but in the meantime, the duke remembered Eduardo, Anastasia’s father, the younger brother of the former duke, and his own uncle.

Thus, the duke, who had been investigating Eduardo, finally discovered the existence of Anastasia.

At that time, Anastasia was living as a commoner under the name “Ana.”

It seems that his parents had already passed away, but he had the audacity to attend a higher education institution.

It seems that Anna, who lost her parents, was assigned a guardian, and when she tried to refuse the arrangement, she stood no chance against the ducal family.

Thus, Anna became “Anastasia” and was educated in the duke’s household.

To marry into the Hamilton family as a substitute for Christina, just for that.

The first time Christina met Anastasia was when Christina was 14 years old. Anastasia was 16.

When I was told that the woman related to the duke’s family I found in the commoner district would become my “sister,” I felt an immense discomfort, but if it meant I could escape the engagement with the count’s family, I thought I might as well endure it.

They say that if you form a connection with the count’s family, you’ll get a lot of money, and anyway, I don’t need to get involved.

Since they will marry her off to the count’s family as soon as they take her in, it would be better if they don’t see each other too often.

If you don’t like it, just remind them of their position.

Ah, I could use it to vent when I’m feeling down.

Anastasia, who was brought before Christina while she was grinning to herself, was a girl completely different from the shabby commoner Christina had imagined.

Although she wasn’t polished like a noble lady, she had sufficiently healthy and beautiful skin and well-defined facial features. Her slender arms and legs were clad in well-tailored, clean clothes. With no hint of hesitation, her intelligent emerald-green eyes glazed straight at Christina.

And above all—— hair that shines like gold.