My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 24

A few days after revealing the plan, Marie steadily made preparations and quickly gathered everything needed.

A cute, cheerful, and capable personal maid. The best, right?

Well, our preparations are complete. Now it’s up to Marcus…

“Dahlia, I would like to talk to Marcus for a bit today. Could you check if he has some time?”

Understood.

Saying that, Dahlia left the room, and just that made Marie’s eyes light up as she sensed something.

“Madam! Is it finally time?”

“Sure, could you please get ready?”

“Leave it to me!”

As soon as she said it, Marie quickly prepared two outfits from the back of the closet and came out.

“…For two people?”

“Of course, I will accompany you too! Now, madam, please have a seat here while I fix your makeup and hairstyle.”

Just as Marie happily started on my makeup, there was a knock on the door.

“Madam, it seems that Mr. Marcus will be available before dinner.”

“What are you doing?”

“Hey, a little image change?”

When I said that with a bit of a clueless tone, Dahlia sighed as she looked over me, Marie, and the two outfits hanging out of the closet in turn.

“I see, is that so… I think Marcus will stop, you know?”

“At that time, we might have to talk a bit. Sorry, Dahlia. I might trouble Marcus a little.”

“In that case, I will take advantage of the situation, so please don’t worry.”

Am I… at ease?

I was momentarily worried about Marcus’s well-being, but he’s an adult man. He can take care of himself. Yeah.

As the promised time arrived and we, fully prepared, were relaxing in the salon, we heard a knock and Marcus entered the room.

“Excuse me, madam. I was told you wanted to speak with me, but… w-what happened to your appearance!?”

It’s no wonder Marcus is surprised.

Marie and I are now dressed in a style that looks like we could only be common townsfolk.

I layered a simple dress with an apron dress, set a new magic stone in my charm pendant, and changed my hair and eye color to a solid brown.

“Hey, Marcus. I have a favor to ask.”

Marcus must have realized everything in that moment. He began to sweat coldly on his forehead as he took one or two steps back.

“Um, ma’am… I can’t believe it, but…”

“I’m going out in this outfit. Disguised.”

With a “hiiiii” sound, Marcus’s face twitched.

“I-I cannot agree to that! If anything were to happen to you, what on earth would I, Marcus, say to Lord Eugene as an apology…?”

“It’s okay! My face isn’t well-known, and I’m absolutely confident that no one will recognize me as the Countess!”

Rather, if I get buried among the commoners, there’s even a possibility I won’t be found.

“I also used to go out into the town and spend time with the villagers in my family’s barony. I will protect you properly, my lady!”

Marie clenches her fists and insists, but Marcus’s face becomes increasingly filled with despair.

Sorry, Marcus.

“By the way, Marie is actually a master of martial arts…”

“I won’t do it!”

“Right…?”

Wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, I somehow push back against Marcus, who is at his wit’s end, saying that I will definitely take him with a proper escort.

“Actually, I was planning to sneak out secretly, you know? But I thought that would be irresponsible as the lady of the house, so I’m consulting with you like this. Let’s agree on the conditions while keeping the decision to go out secretly.”
Marcus slumped his shoulders in disappointment.

“At least, please report to Eugene-sama first…”

I have been pleading, but it takes a week just to deliver a letter. Even if we get your husband’s permission, it will take another week for the letter informing us to arrive. We can’t afford to be so leisurely.

“Marcus”

Here, we have no choice but to speak frankly and honestly.

“Why do you think I’m going this far… You should understand, right?”

“!”

“Indeed, the earldom is prosperous. But do you really think it will continue like that forever?”

10 years, 20 years, 50 years… I wonder how much longer those gemstones will keep coming out of that mine?

“Hahaha… You’re quite the worrywart, madam. The reserves in that mine are incredible. It’s secure even for the next generation.”

“Right. So, what about the great-grandchildren’s generation?”

“Th-that’s…”

“If the mines have abundant reserves and we can benefit from them for a long time, doesn’t that mean other industries have been declining for a long time? What will the people do when the mines can no longer produce raw gemstones?”

“That… before it comes to that… wouldn’t we take measures, of course? However, that shouldn’t be the case now. Right now, rather than creating new industries or focusing on trade, if we dig the mines, we can surely earn much more income. Wouldn’t it be a problem from a management perspective to miss that opportunity?”

“Our generation will be fine, so the next generation will figure things out.”

There are many countries and territories that have fallen due to such naive thinking. We must consider not only the subjects living now but also those who will be born in the future. Isn’t that the responsibility of those who govern the land?

“……”

“Well, to be honest, the one who should really be responsible for the territory is the head of the household, my husband. But since it seems like my husband completely trusts Marcus and has left everything to him, could you lend me a little help?”

“…………”

“Even if you say no, I’m going anyway.”

Marcus, who had been looking down, suddenly lifted his face. Seeing that he didn’t avert his gaze at all, he must have realized that I absolutely wouldn’t back down.

“I understand… I’ve lost.”

He let out a long sigh and then looked at me again and said.

“Well then, shall we combine the conditions?”

The conditions set by Marcus are three.

Always assign at least one bodyguard.

At first, Marcus will accompany us as well.

Do not go outside the designated area.

“I opposed it, but to be honest, the security in the count’s territory is quite good. If you keep these three promises, I think the danger will be minimal.”

“Got it! I will keep my promise properly.”

“Well then, let’s head to the cafeteria. I never expected such a conversation, so it took quite a bit of time. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Marcus gave a wry smile and tried to lead us to the cafeteria, but Dahlia suddenly cut in front of him.

“Hmm? What’s wrong, Dahlia?”

“Mr. Marcus, since we’re at it, let’s clarify our situation as well.”

I did it!!!