My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 31

One day, without disappointing everyone’s expectations, the Fairfanville Duke’s daughter barged into the mansion.

I was out at the salon where my friends usually gather, so I managed to avoid the encounter, but apparently, my sister-in-law was saying to bring me out if she wasn’t there.

Why? Could it be that, as Anastasia said, they are really targeting me…?

I can’t help but shiver involuntarily.

What on earth could lead to such a thought process? I can’t understand it at all.

I’m glad I kept Anastasia hidden in the territory…

Honestly, there’s nothing more terrifying than someone whose thoughts you can’t read.

Regardless of the circumstances, Anastasia is now my wife. I have no intention of letting anyone hurt her so easily.

Well, there’s a bit of a feeling that I stumbled at the start… but when Anastasia returns from her territory, I think it might be okay to take a step closer. Yeah.

…It’s still not too late, right?

About ten days after the visit from the Fairfanville Duke’s daughter, an invitation to a soirée arrived at the residence.

At the evening party celebrating the return of the Duke of Fairfanville’s son, who had been studying abroad in a neighboring country, the host is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The invitation is even addressed to the couple jointly.

“The ball is scheduled for two months from now, it seems. Quite a sudden ball, isn’t it?”

This invitation at this timing. No matter how you look at it, it can only be seen as an attempt to draw out Anastasia.

The bond between the ducal family and the royal family is so strong that I can’t help but suspect that the Fairfanville duke’s daughter might have turned to the crown prince for help.

Even though I understand it’s disrespectful, I can’t help but click my tongue. Why am I feeling so uncomfortable?

“We must urgently call Lady Anastasia back from the estate.”

Sebas, unusually, speaks in a flustered voice.

Next to me, Michelle is pale, and Iris and Desiree also have confused expressions.

What is it? Sure, an unexpected evening party is a hassle, and I’m worried about taking Anastasia with me, but is it really something to be so pale about?

“I apologize… Lady Anastasia does not have a dress suitable for attending the ball.”

“Wow, a dress!”

I haven’t had much connection with dresses until now, so I don’t know the details, but isn’t it true that it takes months to make one from scratch? I remember my friend saying that they had to book a dress for their fiancée six months in advance.

“Will we make it in time?”

“Common sense dictates that it won’t be ready in time. For a popular tailor, it’s not uncommon for bookings to be filled years in advance.”

“Anyway, I’ll try contacting every clothing store that has dealings with the count’s family. Iris, Desiree, please.”

When Michelle told them that, Iris and Desiree bowed and quickly left the room.

“I hope we can find a shop that will take it on.”

“Is there an option to have Anastasia absent due to illness?”

It is a soirée to celebrate the return of the duke’s son.

Of course, both the duke and the duke’s daughter would be the guests of honor. There was also the issue of the dress, but I didn’t want to take Anastasia to such a place in the first place.

“After all, that’s not really appropriate, is it? You never know what people might say behind your back.”

“I see, I see…”

Make the Crown Prince and the leading ducal family enemies.

I can’t imagine being able to live decently in this country if I did something like that.

Moreover, this marriage is attracting attention from the aristocratic society for all the wrong reasons. If we show even the slightest opening, those who would take advantage of it will surely emerge.

“The worst-case scenario would be having to alter a ready-made dress. It’s humiliating for a newlywed countess not to wear a custom-made dress…”

Michelle said, clenching her hands in frustration.

“I’ve never been treated with care from start to finish.”

The day the Fairfanville Duke’s daughter barged in. I remember Anastasia making an indescribable smile as she said that.

Could it be that was one of the goals as well?

Not only did you want to drag Anastasia out, but you also wanted to humiliate her in aristocratic society?

If that’s the case, how mean-spirited.

This evening’s gathering, on the surface, is a private event to celebrate the return of the Crown Prince’s close friend, the Duke’s son, so excessive adornments are unnecessary.

If I take that seriously and attend, it means I’ll be humiliated.

The people of the duke’s family, who didn’t provide her with a dress for such a ball as part of her dowry, should know best that Anastasia doesn’t have one.

“Anyway, let’s do everything we can. Even if we find a tailor, we can’t take measurements without you, Mrs. Anastasia. You need to hurry back.”

Sebas says it as if to change the atmosphere of the place.

Here, I had a flash of inspiration. Isn’t there a size chart from when I made the wedding dress, so I don’t have to measure again?

Even I don’t go through the trouble of taking measurements every time I get a new outfit.

“Sebas, don’t you have the size chart from when you made the wedding dress? We can start making the dress without waiting for Anastasia!”

When I exclaimed, “I’ve come up with a great idea!” Michelle silently shook her head.

“Young master, dress sizes are very delicate matters. They are not like gentlemen’s clothing. … And, have you not noticed how healthy Lady Anastasia has become since she married into the Hamilton family?”

Come to think of it, I remember thinking at the wedding, “Isn’t he a bit too thin?”

“After all, former commoners are so shabby!” I used to think such terrible things, but now that I think about it…

Could it be that they weren’t even given enough food in the duke’s household!?

The more I thought about it, the more my head spun from my own ignorance and the wickedness of the duke’s family.

“Even if we send a fast horse, it’s not wise to leave the capital at this hour. Let’s have them deliver the news first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Well then, before that, I’ll start with what I can do. As for the accessories to match the dress…”

Before my astonished eyes, Sebas and Michelle moved swiftly and decisively.

…Huh? Am I… useless…?