My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 19

The next day, I decided to ask Chef Harris to bake a type of cookie that would last a long time.

On the surface, it’s said to be for eating in the carriage on the way to the territory, but in reality, it’s a gift for the spirits.

“This is surprising! I knew you were knowledgeable about cooking, but I didn’t realize you cook yourself. You’re quite skilled at it!”

“After all, isn’t it something that isn’t really praised for a noble lady? I learned from my mother, so I can cook a variety of dishes, but I especially love making sweets. If possible, I would be happy if I could continue to make them from time to time…”

As I mixed the butter with practiced hands, Harris peered in with curiosity.

“No, no, I’m actually happy about it! Here in this kitchen, we welcome anyone who finds joy in cooking. Just between us, the previous countess… Lady Eugene’s grandmother also loved to cook. She often baked sweets for Lady Eugene’s mother and for Lady Eugene herself.”

I unexpectedly got to hear stories about your grandmother.

After living in the count’s residence for a few weeks, I noticed that while I hardly ever hear stories about the previous count, I often hear stories about the one before him.

Your grandfather and grandmother must have been very much adored by the servants.

I divided the many cookies I baked into two cans, and for the ones I set aside on a plate, I generously added jam.

When I returned to the room with the cookie, the spirits flew over as if to say, “We’ve been waiting for you!”

“Everyone, thank you for helping me yesterday! These are cookies as a thank you. Go ahead and enjoy!”

When I placed the jam cookies on the table, the spirits happily twirled around with the cookies in their hands. Watching the spirits munching on the cookies with their mouths full, I couldn’t help but feel happy too.

I also pick up a cookie and bring it to my mouth.

“The trick to making delicious cookies is not to mix them too much and to chill them well before baking.”

My mother’s gentle voice comes back to my ears.

“I want to see Mom…”

The cookies, perfectly baked to a crisp, have a gentle sweetness and a mild flavor.

But, it’s a little bit salty.

I hurriedly looked up and swallowed the cookie.

Tears are a woman’s ultimate weapon. I won’t show them so easily!

“Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know that starting tomorrow, I’m going to be at the count’s estate for a while. I won’t be here for some time, but don’t worry about me.”

The spirits, who were engrossed in munching on cookies like little animals, looked up at my voice.

“Following! Following!”

I heard a cute voice that sounded like a bell ringing.

“I love Anna! I’m following her!”

“I like cookies too!”

“I also like the phlox flowers!”

Startled by the sudden voice, I speak to the spirits.

“Huh!? Everyone can talk?”

“Not strong enough, can’t communicate with humans.”

“Anna’s cookies, full of power!”

“Eat and be energetic! Together with the forest”

“Flowers and trees also give us energy.”

“Genki genki!”

I don’t really understand why, but maybe I can talk now because I ate a cookie and felt better?

Come to think of it, the spirits I was close with when I was a child also loved my mother’s cookies, not the ones made by others. I’ve heard the superstition that “homemade food carries the cook’s magic,” but maybe the spirits can sense such things very sensitively.

The spirits in the rural town where I used to live were more talkative, so I wonder if they’ll be able to talk about various things once their power returns?

I hear a knock.

“Madam? I have been instructed to prepare for our departure to the estate…”

It’s Michelle.

It seems the spirits were satisfied after eating a lot of cookies.

“See ya!”

“Next time, let’s play together, okay?”

“Thank you for the cookies!”

Saying it in unison, they disappeared with cheerful laughter.

“I was quite surprised by how sudden it was. Normally, it takes at least a month, or at the very least a few weeks, to prepare for a trip, you know?”

“To do that in just one day…,” Michelle said, slightly exasperated, but still managed to pack the necessary items with remarkable efficiency.

By the way, since Marie is going to come to the territory, she is now frantically packing her things.

Even for Marie, preparing for a journey in just one day must be a first-time experience.

I’m sorry, I do think about it, but if it took a whole month to prepare for departure…

In the meantime, that Christina will definitely come.

“Madam, since you originally have so few belongings, we somehow managed to get everything ready… But I don’t think anyone in noble society could ever imagine the Countess of the Hamilton family going to the estate in such light attire.”

What Michelle is saying is the truth.

However, well, the newlywed lady is heading to the estate alone. It’s not exactly something that would look good to others.

If I can go without being noticed, that would be the best, so in this case, a light outfit might actually serve as a good camouflage.

When I was troubled with a vague smile, Michelle let out a faint, wry laugh.

“Nevertheless, given her demeanor, it seems the Fairfanville Duchess’s daughter will be visiting again soon.”

“I worried Michelle too, didn’t I?”

“Not at all. I was a bit surprised, but I think it was a good social lesson for you, young master.”

It’s a bit surprising to hear Michelle say something like that, and I can’t help but look up at her face.

…And Michelle also calls him “Bocchan”…

Apparently, according to the long-time servants, the master is still seen as a “precious young master” rather than a “respected head of the household.”

In order to change the servants’ mindset, it seems that the master will need to be a bit more firm.

“Madam, when you go to the estate, please make sure to enjoy shopping thoroughly.”

Michelle, who had finished packing my belongings into the trunk, said that.

What suddenly happened? Did she feel sorry for me because I have so few belongings?

Indeed, I don’t have anything like a dowry brought from the duke’s family, but since the earl’s family prepared my daily necessities, I have never had any trouble.

If I had to say, the problem might be that the things prepared at the count’s house are too expensive and scary.

Actually, I’m still a bit nervous inside, thinking, “What if I get it dirty or break it?”

“Is what we have now more than enough?”

Saying that, I spread the hem of the everyday dress I’m wearing. Considering its quality, this dress must surely have a terrifying price.

I kind of want to ask out of curiosity, but if I do, I’ll definitely never be able to bake cookies casually again.

Just in case, when I went into the kitchen, Marie put on another cute apron for me, but I think that apron must have been expensive too…

I wanted an apron to keep my clothes clean, but I ended up getting an apron to keep the apron clean.

“I’ve come to understand over the past few weeks that you don’t like luxury, but as a countess, maintaining dignity is also an important duty, you know?”

The way Michelle looks at me when she says that seems much kinder than it did at first.

“The shops in the marquisate may be inferior in terms of trends compared to the royal capital, but their quality is assured. Please spend your money generously to stimulate the economy and give the residents the pride of knowing that the lady of the lord is fond of their products.”

I was startled by what Michelle said.

I see, that’s certainly true.

I didn’t think I was well-educated, but I might have been a bit arrogant just because I was somewhat good at studying.

Especially in terms of the mindset required of a noble, I am overwhelmingly lacking. It was not the time to be saying that my husband is unreliable.

I need to be more responsible myself.

“Alright, I understand, Michelle. …Thank you.”

When I said that, Michelle looked at me and smiled sweetly.

This was the first time I had seen Michelle, who always wore a smile like that of an exemplary noblewoman, smile from the heart.