My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 30

Ever since we were able to go out incognito, Marie and I have been going out to the city almost every day.

I’m happy that I’ve become more familiar with the people in the town, and they all treat me very well.

And actually, a few days ago, three spirits joined my secret entourage, in addition to Marie and the bodyguard.

Surprisingly, I reunited with the spirits who followed me from the royal capital!

To be precise, it seems those kids were among the large group of spirits that had been swarming around since the day we arrived, but considering their numbers…

I couldn’t notice it either, and they never brought it up.

Apparently, spirits don’t really have a sense of ‘individuality’ to that extent.

The fact that I noticed the spirits who followed me from the royal capital was something that surprised the spirits even more.

Indeed, the spirits don’t have very distinct facial features, making them extremely difficult to distinguish, but somehow, their colors are slightly different.

It might be closer to say “feel” rather than “distinguish.”

Among the usual spirits that came to play, there were three children with colors very similar to the spirits that helped me in the royal capital.

“Could it be that you are the spirits who helped me in the royal capital?”

When they heard that, the spirits were so surprised that they started frolicking around.

“Got it!!”

“Wow, Anna! This is the first time we’ve been recognized!”

“Humans move so slowly! They were completely blending in with our group.”

The three spirits, who had also powered up their chatter, became somewhat special spirits to me.

When they become aware of their existence and start chatting, strangely, a kind of personality begins to emerge day by day.

Recently, no matter how many spirits I was surrounded by, I could immediately notice the three of them, and I had even started to distinguish them among themselves.

“We’ll be Anna’s bodyguards for you!!”

Saying that, they are also following me into the city.

There’s nothing more reassuring.

And, as I went to the town every day, I made new discoveries. Indeed, many shops are closed, but there are also shops that are properly open every day.

Moreover, the stores that are open have something in common.

The shop owner is in the middle-aged and older age group.

In other words, in the earldom, the younger generation works less.

I had somewhat thought that many of the estate’s servants were relatively elderly, but this was not a coincidence either.

In fact, young servants are about the level of a baker.

I see, if this situation has been like this for over a decade, then for the younger generation now, this situation is the norm.

I can’t help but shudder. If more and more people continue to avoid work and we can no longer extract raw gems from the mines, the earldom will be headed straight for ruin.

“How can we make young people think about working?”

During tea time in my room, I shared my thoughts with Marie and Dahlia.

“I think that unless you grow up in an environment where working to eat or working as a matter of course is the norm, you won’t come to the idea of ‘working’ unless you have some reason or purpose.”

“I see. Moreover, it seems that this has become the common understanding among the younger generation.”

The contrast between Dahlia, who responds with a deep nod, and Marie, who tilts her head, is interesting.

“Madam! It’s difficult!!”

Not pretending to understand and immediately asking about things she doesn’t know is one of Marie’s virtues.

“Well then… did Marie think it was natural to work from a young age?”

“Yes! It’s not bragging, but our baron family wasn’t that wealthy. Even my father, the baron, and my eldest brother, the heir, were the ones who actively dug up the potatoes! I even helped with the digging!!”

That’s impressive in its own way.

“Well then, what if there were many adults around who weren’t working? Work is something you can do or not do, and you wouldn’t have any trouble living without it.”

“Well… I can’t really imagine it, but at least I don’t think it’s normal to work. If there’s a job I want to do, I’ll do it, but if there’s none, I might not.”

Marie thought hard and gave an answer.

Nodding, Dahlia continues as well.

“Typical daughters of noble families might fall into that category. I think only a very small number of them even consider the idea of working. Times are changing, but the reality is still very much like this.”

I listened to the two of them and said while nodding deeply.

“I don’t want to impose the idea that ‘labor is justice’ on the people of the territory. I grew up in the lower town, so I’ve seen many people who have to work desperately just to get through the day or who have to do jobs they don’t want to do. It’s strange that you have to work yourself to the bone just to eat… I think that’s wrong too. But if more and more people keep refusing to work like this, the count’s territory will inevitably collapse someday.”

“It’s a difficult problem, isn’t it?”

“Huh? It’s not difficult at all!”

Dahlia and I were having a somewhat somber conversation, but Marie cheerfully interjected.

“Everyone should work happily and without strain. Surely, the young people in the marquisate don’t know the joy and importance of working! It’s such a waste, so I’ll teach them.”

Marie continues to smile cheerfully.

“Then, I want you to have Marcus check it later. I think the young people in the rural areas of the count’s territory are working properly!”

Dahlia and I exchanged bewildered glances.