My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 34

“Look! I was able to weave it too!”

With a worn-out piece of cloth that can’t be called well-made, Marie happily runs over.

“Oh my, for a first time, this is quite impressive!”

Ada-san is also smiling.

“Yes! I’ll embroider it and turn it into a handkerchief. It might look a bit wrinkled, but the texture is quite nice!”

When I touched the cloth that was handed to me, it indeed felt very pleasant.

That said, compared to the texture of the loungewear I wore in the royal capital, there’s a world of difference, and I realize that the skill of the weaver is indeed important.

This technique, this fabric, has become obsolete…

Impossible! What a waste!!

“Um! I know this is a bit forward, but could you please sell me this fabric!?”

Ada-san is wide-eyed in surprise, saying, “Oh my!”

“You don’t have to go out of your way to pay me; if it’s something like this, I’ll gladly give it to you as a gift.”

That’s not it. It’s not that I want you to give me a present.

This fabric is wonderful, so it’s worth paying for. That’s why I want to buy it properly instead of receiving it as a gift.

Considering the future, I desperately try to explain it, but they don’t quite take me seriously.

“Receiving money is out of the question. Just seeing people enjoy what I’ve made is enough to make me happy, you know?”

Ada-san is laughing, but that’s not it.

I want the ladies here to know the value of this fabric.

While I am troubled, wondering what I should do, the topic of the tea party keeps changing to something else.

Regret…

From the ladies’ perspective, it’s only natural not to take the words of a young girl who suddenly appeared today at face value.

This is yet another future challenge… Ah, the tasks keep piling up.

After that, I had a lot of fun chatting over tea with the ladies and listening to various stories.

The elderly lady was well-versed in the era of the previous count, and hearing so many interesting stories was an unexpected gain.

The chewy donuts I brought as souvenirs were a huge hit, and I received many sophisticated ideas unique to wealthy women, such as “How about making them bite-sized and skewering them with a beautiful pick if you’re selling them to nobles?” and “Wouldn’t it be nice to add beautiful patterns with icing?”

Marie was diligently taking notes, so she would surely hand them over to Baker later.

The enjoyable time passed in the blink of an eye, and it was almost time to wrap things up.

I couldn’t just go home like this, so despite feeling a bit shameless, I decided to express my desire to join the next tea party.

“Well! Of course, you’re very welcome! Hey, everyone?”

“Yes, yes, today was so much fun.”

“Hehe, I’m so happy that I can chat with Anna-chan and Marie-chan again.”

The ladies all accepted me favorably. I was genuinely happy.

On the way back, Ada came running over, holding a neatly rolled piece of cloth.

“Anna-chan, could you take this for me?”

The cloth handed over with a “Yes” was heavy and quite long.

“Such a thing! I can’t possibly accept this!”

“Oh, but you really liked my fabric, didn’t you? I’d be so happy if you took it! Or did I take your compliment too seriously?”

Saying that, Ms. Ada tilts her head slightly and smiles mischievously.

What a charming lady! I want to be like her in 20 years.

…Not like that! This is troublesome. At this rate, I have no choice but to accept it.

“Thank you very much. …Um, at least let me do something to repay you next time, okay?”

When I received the cloth and said that, Ada-san chuckled and said this.

“The best way to show my gratitude would be for Anna-chan and Marie-chan to come again! Everyone seemed so happy today. Since we always gather with the same members, new members are always welcome!”

I get into the carriage that came to pick me up and wave back at Ada, who is waving goodbye at the gate.

“Madam! The tea party was so much fun, wasn’t it?”

“Really. Everyone was wonderful.”

As we slowly rode through the town in the carriage, a beautiful park where I had eaten apple pie before came into view.

As always, many of the subjects are spending their time happily.

“Anna Onee-chan! Marie Onee-chan!!”

The children who found our carriage happily chased after us, waving their hands.

These are the kids I played with a few times when I was out in the city incognito.

“Could you stop the carriage for me? Would it be alright to stop by the park for a bit?”

After getting permission from the guard, I get off the carriage.

Since it was a promise with Marcus, there is always at least one guard with me, but in this count’s territory where not even a single piece of luggage goes missing, is a guard really necessary?

Moreover…

“Yoo-hoo! Anar!!”

“Look, look!”

“This place is full.”

I’ve already gotten completely used to it, but today, just like any other day, the territory of the count is overflowing with spirits.

Especially the garden and park of the mansion seem to be popular spots for spirits.

For some reason, a bunch of spirits are crammed into a hat that someone left on the bench, playing and having fun like a game of push and shove.

The usual three spirits are flying by my side, and to be honest, my defense is unusually strong.

It pains me to make the guards do unnecessary work, but there’s nothing we can do about it, right?

“I have the protection of spirits, so I don’t need a bodyguard! (serious face)”

If I say that, I’ll definitely be labeled as a crazy person.

“Were you two dressed even cuter today and went out somewhere?”

While I was absentmindedly watching the spirits and lost in thought, the mothers in the park called out to me.

At this time of day, the park is filled with young mothers in their early twenties with small children.

“I was at Ms. Ada’s mansion further ahead. I was invited to a tea party.”

When I explain it like that, exclamations and sighs escape among the mothers.

“Wonderful! That sounds great. I wish we could be invited to Miss Ada’s mansion at least once.”

“Really, I admire you so much, Ada!”

As I thought, Ada-san is indeed an admired figure among the residents. Yeah, yeah, she’s wonderful.

“Look! With some help, I wove this fabric myself!”

Marie proudly spreads out the cloth in front of everyone.

“Wow, I’m so jealous! I want to try weaving too!”

“You want to try weaving?”

“…It would be such a waste to lose this cloth that has been passed down since my great-grandmother’s time…”

“The new members are very welcome!”

The words of Ms. Ada that I heard earlier echo in my ears.

This might… actually work!?

If things go well, I was excited about the idea that it could be a win-win-win situation, but the kids were pulling my hand insistently.

“Anna big sister, let’s play!”

“Sure, what do you want to play?”

When I, in a good mood after coming up with a great idea, answered like that, the children all said in unison.

“Tag! Big sister will be it!”

“Alright! I’m going to catch everyone!!”

Just as I was about to start running after the children who scattered around the park, shouting “Kyaaa!”

I heard a familiar voice from behind.

“Hey, hey, isn’t this a bit too familiar…?”