My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 5

When I headed to the dining hall with Marie, indeed, my husband was already seated, drinking tea, and reading some documents.

Bright sunlight is streaming in, making their hair sparkle. This person looks good for no reason at all.

“Oh, you came.”

“Yes, good morning, sir. I apologize for making you wait.”

“No, it’s fine. Then let’s start the meal.”

When the master said that, the butler who was standing by quickly signaled.

“Thank you for waiting, madam. Please, this way.”

The butler who greeted me yesterday (his name was probably Sebastian) guided me to my seat, pulled out the chair, and helped me sit down.

Sebastian is a veteran butler who has served the count’s family since the time of the previous generation, and he has a gentle, romantic gray appearance. He looks exceptionally good in a butler’s uniform.

While I was subtly observing the servants and the state of the room, a warm dish was quickly brought in.

Freshly baked bread, delicious-looking soup. A salad with fresh vegetables, fluffy omelet, crispy bacon, assorted cheeses… Is that yogurt?

There are various types of drinks and jams prepared, making it very luxurious from the morning.

Wow… it looks delicious!!

Since I always had meals alone in the ducal family, it had been quite a while since I shared a table with someone. And somehow, it made me a little happy.

Even if the other person is a grumpy husband.

Noticing that my husband is quietly offering a prayer before the meal, I quietly follow his lead.

When I finished praying and looked up, I made eye contact with my husband.

“Well then, shall we begin? Everyone, please stand back.”

When the master said that, the servants, led by Sebastian, deeply bowed their heads and then exited the room.

The fact that they sent away the servants who were supposed to stay and serve means they are going to discuss something they don’t want to be overheard.

I silently stared at my husband for a while, but since he started eating without paying any attention, I decided to eat too without worrying about it.

It’s a shame when the carefully prepared food gets cold!

Tear off a bite-sized piece of the bread in front of me and put it in my mouth.

It’s so fluffy!

Why is the bread that nobles eat so fluffy?

And I don’t know why, but it feels like the wheat has a richer taste than what I had at the duke’s house. It’s delicious enough even without butter or jam.

And this soup! Even though it doesn’t have any actual ingredients in it, the sweetness of the vegetables comes through and it’s incredibly delicious.

And the omelet is fluffy and creamy, and the bacon too…!!

Every dish was delicious and warm, and I got so engrossed in eating that I couldn’t stop.

“……Were you hungry?”

Perhaps my eating habits were just too impressive. My husband asked me with a serious face.

The dish in front of me is already completely empty. Could it be that it was meant to be left over?

I just casually devoured it.

As I was a bit at a loss for how to respond, my husband hesitantly continued speaking.

“……Do you want a refill?”

Buhho!!

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Yeah, I get it. This person is definitely a good person.

“W-What’s so funny!?”

“No, it’s nothing at all. …Thank you, I’m fine.”

“I see.”

Before I knew it, it seems my husband had finished his meal too.

I bring up the topic while drinking tea after the meal.

“This is a follow-up to our conversation yesterday. Have you come to a decision?”

“Ah, … everyone knows that we are a couple brought together by an arranged marriage. There’s no need to go out of our way to pretend to be close.”

“Then, if it gets across that I am fulfilling the bare minimum of my duties, that would be sufficient, right?”

“That’s right. As long as you are a obedient wife to me, that’s all that matters. Make sure not to do anything strange so that the name of Countess Hamilton is not disgraced.”

“Understood. So, how much discretion will you be granting me?”

“Discretion?”

“That’s right. Usually, the lady of the house, who is the mistress, is the one who manages household affairs, isn’t she? Additionally, I’ve heard that there are more and more ladies who are also taking on detailed paperwork and, more recently, even some of the internal affairs of the estate.”

“Could it be that you think you can do something like that too?!”

“Do you think it’s impossible?”

“Of course it is!! The duties of a noble are not something that can be managed with the superficial knowledge that commoners pick up from makeshift education! You might say it’s easy to manage household affairs, but do you really understand what it entails? If you can’t do calculations, you can’t manage expenses. Without specialized knowledge, you won’t even be able to read documents properly.”

I listen quietly to my husband’s story.

“With just two years of studying at a duke’s household, you probably only managed to pick up the bare minimum of manners, right? Don’t get carried away and act all high and mighty just because you’re a commoner who got a little taste of nobility!?”

I will continue to listen to my husband in silence.

“Well, for a brazen commoner, it seems you’ve managed to put on a pretty good front. Your manners and demeanor look like those of a noble lady, and if you’ve come this far in just two years, that’s quite impressive!”

…In the end, you’re kind of complimenting me, aren’t you?

I almost couldn’t help but interject, but I held back and raised my right hand sharply.

“Ugh… that again… what is it?”

“I have a few things to say, but first, one thing. Surely, sir, you don’t think that all commoners are uneducated, do you?”

“Of course, right?”

To my husband, who answered with a blank expression, I immediately retorted.

“Old!!!”

“Huh!?”

“That’s outdated, my lord. What era are you talking about? Certainly, common citizens can’t attend the grand academies like the nobles do. However, there are proper schools in the commoner districts as well. In the lands governed by lords who prioritize education, there are even schools where one can receive higher education, you know?”

“Hmm…”

“I also attended a higher school until I was taken in by a ducal family at the age of 16.”

“I was aiming to become a court lady.”

“!!”

My husband is wide-eyed in surprise.

Ah, they really haven’t heard anything about me from the duke’s family.

“Of course, I dropped out halfway, so I am aware that my education is lacking, but it is outrageous to be judged as someone who can’t even do basic calculations or understand paperwork…”

“B-but…”

Well, I actually understand why my husband is confused.

From the perspective of commoners, the count was like someone living in the clouds, a celestial being.

…Then, what about the opposite?

I was suddenly forced to marry such a person, and now I’m being told to manage the household.

To put it mildly, it’s downright ridiculous.

It’s not that I want to trouble the people of the count’s family, but I can’t back down here either.

……What should I do, I wonder?

To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for this marriage, and when my husband said something hurtful on our wedding night yesterday, I thought, “I knew it.”

But, after talking to him, it seems like my husband isn’t a bad person at heart, and judging by the state of the room and meals, the servants seem like they will treat me well.

I don’t have any feelings of love or anything like that, but if we can get along well as business partners as suggested yesterday, then that would definitely be better.

Business partner… that’s it!!

“Master! Please grant me a trial period!!”