My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 49

The day I rode from the royal capital and reunited with Ana.

The sight of Ana playing innocently with the children looked radiant to me.

Indeed, there were countless things actually glowing and flying around, but I don’t think that’s the reason. …Maybe.

Actually, these past few weeks spent apart from Ana.

And these past two days, I desperately rode my horse.

During that time, I thought and thought, and eventually realized.

It seems that I, well, probably don’t dislike Anastasia. Yeah.

The servants of the mansion welcomed me back with joy, as I was practically shoved into the carriage by Anna.

Since it was my first visit home after getting married, everyone was eagerly offering their congratulations.

Seeing everyone sincerely congratulating her, it seems that Anna is also well-liked by the staff here.

It was when we finally found a tailor who would take on the dress.

I asked, “I don’t care about the budget, so please make it the most wonderful dress possible.”

To the merchant who was puzzled by the lack of time, I inadvertently mentioned that there are people in the royal capital who deliberately want to humiliate my wife, but it seems that this ultimately only served to further motivate them.

In the first place, it seems that Ana was affectionately called the “Golden Goddess” by the villagers who saw her as she diligently inspected various parts of the estate by carriage as the Countess.

If the person themselves heard it, they might let out a strange “Eeeek,” but I secretly like this nickname, including that.

However, Ana seemed different from the other noblewomen, as she didn’t seem that happy about having a new dress made for her.

It was the first dress I was giving her after our marriage. I wanted to give her something that would make her as happy as possible, but her reaction was as if she were a skilled maid taking on a task, interpreting it in some way I couldn’t understand.

“Please don’t worry, my lord. I’m not well-versed in dresses, so I can’t be directly involved in the tailoring, but I will make sure to have a dress suitable for a countess made for me, and I will wear it perfectly!”

No. That’s not it.

In the end, it was all wobbly. Why?

At night, I had been eating alone a lot recently, so it was enjoyable to have dinner with Ana after a long time.

…Yes, it was fun.

“Ana, I want to talk to you for a bit… is that okay?”

After we finished eating, I mustered the courage to bring it up to Ana, who had walked me back to my room.

There are many things I want to ask, but more than that, there are things I want to convey.

Having received Ana’s approval, I went straight to the next room without stopping, even though I was told it would take 30 minutes.

First, let’s ask about that light. Then… right, let’s also ask about the pendant, and then, and then…

Then, let’s convey that we want to support Ana as her husband.

Previously, I apologized for the outburst on our wedding night, but even then, I still didn’t understand anything.

I should have been able to notice.

I knew that Ana probably wasn’t being treated well in the duke’s household.

Because I was actually watching Ana, who is too thin.

If only I had noticed before the marriage.

As long as I think it through properly.

On the first night, instead of saying such harsh words, I could have said, “It’s okay now.”

Sighing deeply, I sank into the sofa, and just then, a large bed caught my eye.

“…………”

If I hadn’t done such a foolish thing that day, would there have been a future where Ana and I could have spent time together happily in this room?

I can’t, I feel like crying.

Regret comes too late—this is exactly what it means.

For now, I couldn’t show Ana a pathetic face any more than this, so I slapped my cheeks with both hands to pump myself up and stood up.

It’s okay, there should still be time… I hope.

Or rather, please! Make it in time…

As I waited, hoping that Ana would arrive soon even though it had been almost 30 minutes, I suddenly noticed that I could hear a voice coming from Ana’s room.

Hastily approaching the door on Ana’s side, I can indeed hear Ana’s voice.

Who is it!? Is it Marie or Dahlia? There’s no way Marcus would come all the way to Ana’s room, right?

In my panic, I ended up knocking on the door impatiently. Ana, looking flustered, opened the door and peeked her head out.

“Excuse me! Sir, I must have kept you waiting, right?”

“No. More importantly… is someone there?”

“Huh? No, there’s no one here.”

No one’s here? But I heard voices? W-wait, could it be that there’s someone here who doesn’t want me to know about them?

When I inadvertently tried to peek into Ana’s room, Ana immediately blocked me.

“Stop! Husband, no matter how much we pretend to be a couple, we are business partners. You must not peek into the maiden’s room.”

B-Business partners… a couple in name only…

Ana’s words pierce through me mercilessly.

Ugh, but these are words that are to be expected. I can’t be discouraged by something like this.

Say it! Say it, Eugene!!

Just as I somehow managed to muster the courage to speak—

『『『Not invited, but ta-da!』』』

Suddenly, that light appeared between Ana and me—and it spoke.