My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 29

“Welcome back, ma’am. How was the city?”

When I returned home, Dahlia greeted me with a smile.

I return to my private room and, while switching to Countess mode, talk about what I saw in the city.

Dahlia is the daughter of a viscount family known for their business acumen. She is quite capable herself, and I would like to hear her opinion.

“Because the weather is nice, you’re going on a picnic instead of opening the shop…? Your father would probably faint if he heard that.”

“Just as I thought. The people in the count’s territory are indeed all kind and seem happy. But, there’s just something off about it.”

“They say that the stronger the light, the darker the shadow. Perhaps there is no desire, for better or for worse. The lack of vitality your wife felt before might have come from that.”

No desires… huh?

As I was enjoying chamomile tea with Marie in the salon, having made all the preparations, Marcus arrived a little late.

“Excuse me, ma’am. I’m late.”

“It’s okay. Even while Marcus is taking time for me, his usual workload doesn’t change. I’m sorry for making you busy.”

When I encourage Marcus to sit down as well, Marie quickly makes the tea.

“To get straight to the point, why are so many stores in the city closed?”

It seemed like Marcus was taken aback by the sudden probing, but he must have anticipated being questioned about it. Spreading out the materials he had brought on the desk, he began his explanation.

“Please take a look at this document. This is the list of social security and tax rates for the Hamilton Earldom.”

…Wow, this is generous!! It’s more generous than I imagined. Plus, the tax rate is low.

The earl’s proud gemstone mine is a domain-run enterprise, so all the profits after deducting necessary expenses go entirely to the earl’s income. There is no need to rely on tax revenue from the subjects.

“Has the tax rate always been this low in the earldom?”

“No. Indeed, the tax rate has been relatively low for a long time, but it has become this extreme only in the past ten or so years… since the previous count took up the title.”

I see, so…

“Is the reason the store is closed because ‘they can get by without working’?”

“Eh?!”

“Correct answer.”

Until then, Marie, who had been silently listening, gasped in surprise, and Marcus hung his head apologetically.

“Since when?”

“That was also around the time when the previous count ascended to his position. By focusing the management on the mines, some of the vassals involved in other industries ended up losing their jobs. As a relief measure, the tax rate was significantly reduced. Regarding social security, it has been said to be very generous for many generations prior to that.”

“Oh, is that so? But if I remember correctly, the unemployment rate in the count’s territory wasn’t that high, was it?”

“……The subsidies for those starting new businesses have also become quite generous, allowing people to own shops even without their own capital. So, regardless of the actual working conditions, the number of residents who have become business owners is quite substantial…”

Marcus explains awkwardly. Marie and I are left speechless.

This is a forceful tactic that relies on financial power beyond imagination.

I thought they were managing to some extent with money, but not to this extent…

“In other words, the Tarte Tatin shop that was closed today can afford to take a day off without making a profit because they can get by just fine with social security… Is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s right. If your income does not reach a certain amount, there is also something called a low-income allowance…”

They even have things like that!? Wouldn’t that make it seem ridiculous to work seriously instead?

“I can’t forgive you for trampling on the hearts of maidens who are looking forward to sweets! I’ll make you understand the greatness of hard work!!”

Marie is fuming with anger.

The grudge of the Tarte Tatin is deep.

The greatness of labor…

At first glance, the current situation where one can live without working seems happy and fortunate, but working is not just for the sake of money.

Of course, the fulfillment of the work itself, the sense of accomplishment that comes from it, the gratitude from others, the feeling of being connected to society…

There are surprisingly many things to gain through working.

I probably wouldn’t have to worry about money for the rest of my life even if I didn’t work, but I still want to work.

It would be great if we could somehow spread that to the people in the territory too… It seems like we should come up with some kind of plan.

I was thinking, “Oh no, more assignments,” when I remembered that there was something else I was worried about.

“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask about this too, but is it a habit that developed over the past ten or so years to leave your belongings lying around without a care?”

“No, it was like that even before. The territory of the count was originally a rich and safe area.”

Oh, is that so? The marquisate is amazing.

Personally, I’m worried that people who leave the earldom might get deceived elsewhere, but is that really okay?

Wait, huh? Hold on a second…

“Hey, Marcus. Could it be that the master spent a lot of time in the territory?”

“That’s right. Most of my childhood was spent in the territory.”

So this is where the pure culture originated.