My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 20

The morning of the day heading to the territory.

The newlywed lady is heading to the estate alone. Thinking it wouldn’t be appropriate to make a big fuss about it, we quietly set off from the mansion in a small group early in the morning.

Since my husband seemed to still be sleeping, I didn’t wake him up.

Well, I’ve already obtained permission to go to the territory, and I even prepared a souvenir for the letter.

We are a business-like couple, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

“Well then, I’m off! Master.”

And so, when the journey that had begun was about halfway through.

At first, I was captivated by the excellent performance of the magical carriage and the scenery visible from the window, but gradually, I started to get bored.

It takes at least a week to reach the Hamilton Earldom from the royal capital by carriage, but with the latest magical carriage owned by the earldom, the horses bear less burden and can go faster, so it seems they can arrive in about four days, which is roughly half the time. It’s a wonderful time-saving, but still, a four-day journey is long.

If it were by horse, it would take two days… Moving the nobles is such a hassle.

I’m not bragging, but I’m really good at horseback riding. When it comes to galloping, I could even beat the boys.

Ah, I miss the days when I could run around freely as a commoner.

Thanks to the high-performance carriage, I don’t get motion sickness and my butt doesn’t hurt, but it’s still tough to read a book.

I gazed out the window while quietly stealing glances at Marie and Daria sitting in the front seat.

After obtaining permission from my husband, it was decided that I would go to the count’s territory, and several maids and guards would accompany me to the count’s territory.

As expected, Marie said she would come along, but honestly, it was surprising that Daria volunteered.

Dahlia is doing her job well as a maid, but personally, we haven’t really gotten close. Given that she was raised as the daughter of a wealthy viscount, I thought it was understandable if she found her current situation of serving me somewhat unsatisfactory.

Dahlia, who lives in the royal capital and has already made her debut in high society, probably knew from the very beginning that I am the adopted daughter of a duke’s family raised as a commoner…

By the way, Marie, the fourth daughter of a baron whose estate is quite rural, seems to be quite out of the loop when it comes to noble gossip, and apparently didn’t even know that I was raised as a commoner.

I mentioned it casually when we were getting closer, but…

“I don’t mind that at all! In fact, I respect how you managed to master noble manners so perfectly in just a few years!!”

Saying that, they continue to serve me without changing their attitude.

……Marie……such a good girl……

“Is something the matter, ma’am?”

I was absentmindedly staring at Marie and Daria when Daria noticed and asked me that.

“Oh, sorry for staring.”

“Well, to be honest, I was wondering why Daria decided to come along.”

“Were you surprised that I accompanied you, ma’am?”

Dahlia tilted her head slightly with a puzzled expression. It felt like the noble barrier was a bit thinner, perhaps due to the ease of travel, compared to when they were at the count’s mansion in the royal capital.

On this occasion, I decided to close the distance with Daria a bit.

“Hmm… Actually, it was a bit surprising. I heard that Daria is a proper young lady who has made her debut in high society, and even though she came as a maid, it was said she was there to learn manners. I never thought she would come all the way to the estate.”

“I see, so that’s how it is. Even though I’m just an etiquette trainee, I’ve already been with the count’s family for three years. Marie is still quite inexperienced, and since Michel has work at the count’s residence in the capital, I thought it would be best for the most experienced one among the remaining three to accompany you, madam.”

I see, that’s a convincing way of thinking.

Dahlia must have turned 20 this year, so she must have been working for the count’s family since she was 17…

When it comes to noble ladies, being 20 years old is just about the right age for marriage, but I wonder how it really is?

I’m curious, but asking that would definitely close the distance too quickly… Is there a safer topic to discuss…?

“Are you not getting married, Daria-san!?”

Oh!!　Marie!!!

You just hit a blazing fastball with a no-stroke, huh!? You’re naturally scary!!

Next to Marie, who is waiting for a reply with a smile and no ill intentions, Daria…

“Marriage, huh…”

She muttered softly and sighed.

Seeing that, I remember the first time I met Marcus.

Speaking of which, back then, Daria was really staring at Marcus, wasn’t she?

Huh? Are these two really a thing after all!? I feel like the age difference is just too much…

At the sudden emergence of a love story, the bl00d from my commoner days stirs.

“Um… do your parents ever say anything about marriage proposals?”

“When I was assigned to be an apprentice at the Hamilton family, they complained a lot, but it seems they’ve given up now. I’m the second daughter, and my elder brother, who is the heir, has three children, so the viscounts is secure.”

“Wow! Is this your nephew? Or your niece?”

I have two nephews and one niece.

“They’re so cute, aren’t they? I have a lot of nephews and nieces in my rural estate too, and when I go back home during the holidays, a fierce competition for souvenirs from the capital begins, and it becomes quite a big deal!”

I remember the time when I distributed my mom’s homemade cookies to the neighborhood kids in the downtown area, and a scramble for them broke out.

I see, even noble families have children who are just children.

After all, we’re all just human.

“Well, well, don’t you have someone you like or something?!”

Whoa! You’re really going for it, huh!? Marie!!

“I’m here.”

Are you thereーー!!

“Eh?! Who is it? Is it someone from the mansion?!”

While I’m nervously witnessing noble girls’ talk for the first time, the two of them continue chatting away cheerfully.

Just when I was getting tired of the carriage journey.

In the first place, it’s only natural that three girls of a certain age, with nothing to do in such a small space, would end up chatting away.

Maybe you were just being considerate of me until now. I’m sorry for being such an inconsiderate hostess.

As the carriage entered the count’s estate, I suddenly became very interested in the view outside the window.

Is the road paved? How are the crops doing? What are the guards and the passing merchants like? I can’t help but lean out the window and watch intently.

“Whoa, ma’am, that’s dangerous. Please sit properly.”

“Hey! That! It’s Komugi, right?”

In front of my gaze, a vast wheat field stretches out. The golden-hued landscape was breathtakingly beautiful.

“That’s right, this area is famous for wheat production even within the count’s territory.”

“Oh, really! I absolutely love the bread made from the wheat harvested in the Earl’s territory. The taste of the wheat is so rich and it’s incredibly delicious, isn’t it?”

When I say that, Marie also continues, nodding her head in agreement.

“I know, right! It’s so delicious. When I first tried it, I couldn’t stop going back for more!”

Thanks to you, I’ve put on a little weight, Marie pouts as she talks, and Daria and I exchange glances and laugh.

Throughout this journey, I became closer with Marie and completely opened up to Daria.

“In our territory, we have a local dish of slightly unusual, chewy bread, and I think it would be exquisite if we baked that bread with the wheat from the count’s domain!”

“What’s that? It looks delicious! I want to try it!”

“Hehe, the cook at the estate is quite skilled too, you know? If Marie knows the recipe, shall we have him make it?”

“Yay!!”

Having a great time with Marie, just the two of us.

For me, who had no friends since being brought into aristocratic society, this time was truly enjoyable.

The boring journey in the carriage transformed into such an enjoyable trip that I wished it would never end, and before I knew it, I had arrived at the count’s mansion in the territory.