My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 58

When we arrived at the reception hall for the evening party, it seemed that already more than half of the participants had gathered.

According to the pre-lecture I received from Michelle, it seems that at gatherings like these, people generally enter in order of their lower rank. It’s surprising to hear that at formal evening parties, the order of entry is strictly determined.

Today, it seems that according to the setting, it’s an “intimate evening gathering,” so the order of entry hasn’t been decided.

The Hamilton family, which is probably among the top five in the country in terms of assets, holds an earldom in terms of titles. In other words, they can enter the venue after the baronial and viscount families have finished entering, but before the marquisate family arrives.

Of course, if you mess up this order, you’ll get a bad reputation. Scary!

“The Earl and Countess of Hamilton are entering.”

The moment the door opened, the dazzling light of the chandelier and the voices of the nobles, filled with exhilaration, surged in like a flood.

I felt like I was about to be overwhelmed by the unexpected intensity, and I instinctively tightened my grip on my husband’s arm.

“Ana, it’s okay.”

Looking up, I see my husband smiling gently.

Unintentionally, for the first time since we got married, I felt my husband was reliable.

“Hmm, something feels frustrating,” I thought, but at that moment, my usual pace returned. Well done, dear husband.

When my husband and I became visible, the venue suddenly became lively.

The beautiful young earl, rumored to be at odds with his bride due to their arranged marriage, and his former commoner wife appeared in stunningly coordinated dresses that made it obvious at a glance. The nobles were in an uproar.

And, as expected, the most attention was drawn here as well—

It’s my hair color.

My golden hair becomes a weapon in high society.

Michelle said that, so I decided not to tie all my hair up and instead left more loose strands and styled it.

Every time I walked, my golden hair, which swayed gently, captivated the attention of the nobles.

“Weren’t the Earl and Countess of Hamilton a politically arranged marriage?”

“That beautiful lady came from a commoner background? I can’t believe it.”

“Rather, could it be that they were hidden somewhere and raised with care?”

“I never knew her hair color was golden.”

“More importantly, that dress! Where on earth did they have such a wonderful dress made?”

“The jewels are wonderful too. As expected of the Hamilton family.”

Every step we take, the noble rumors spread like ripples.

“That’s just someone with flashy hair color.”

“It’s thanks to the makeup and the dress.”

“I can’t believe he’s showing off by escorting Eugene-sama. Even though it’s a political marriage.”

Hmm. I can hear the usual gossip as well. Young ladies, I’ve memorized your faces! And don’t call someone else’s husband by their first name!

Deliberately meeting the gaze of those young ladies, I smiled sweetly. The other side hurriedly hid their faces with their fans and moved away quietly.

If you’re going to run away that quickly, you shouldn’t have said anything bad in the first place.

Since there are few marquis and duke families, the entrance of the guests was completed soon after our arrival.

Next, the host and the guest of honor will finally make their appearance.

With a resounding fanfare, a nobleman appeared on stage—

He is the crown prince of the Fairfanville Kingdom.

It is none other than Alphonse von Fairfanville himself.

The nobles in the hall all simultaneously bowed their heads, with the men lowering their heads and the women curtsying.

“Thank you, everyone, please lift your heads. Despite the suddenness of this evening gathering, I am delighted that so many of you have come.”

Receiving Your Highness’s words, I lift my face.

On the stage, a beautiful young man with dazzling golden hair, just like mine, was speaking to everyone with a refreshing smile.

So this is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. At first glance, he seems like a perfect young man without any complaints… but he seems suspicious.

There’s also the issue with the dress, and my instincts are telling me this guy is trouble. It’s definitely better to avoid getting involved.

Suddenly looking up at my side, I see my husband also staring at His Highness with piercing eyes. It’s not the gaze one would have for their own crown prince. This is quite unacceptable.

“Husband, husband, your eyes are scary.”

“……Sorry.”

While we were whispering in voices so quiet they couldn’t be heard by those around us, the greetings were coming to an end.

“Now, let’s bring out today’s main attraction. My good friend, Alexander von Fairfanville.”

As the applause grows even louder, Alexander, my brother-in-law, appears, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Fairfanville and Christina.

Christina, as always, maintained her gentle and radiant smile, but as soon as she stepped onto the stage, she seemed to spot me and widened her eyes in surprise while still smiling.

You’re fast, scary, and skillful!!

I can easily tell what Christina is thinking, but I don’t want to get involved with her.

I shifted my gaze and looked at Alexander, my brother-in-law. It had been almost a year since I last saw him, who couldn’t even attend our wedding.

I was relieved to see that you seemed well, but I felt like your demeanor had become more dignified. When I was looking at you, it seemed like you noticed me too, and after a brief surprised expression, you gave me a small wave.

I was so happy that I tried to wave back, but for some reason, my husband waved back even faster than I did. And he did it with a straight face.

Why the hell?!??

I almost blurted out a response, but somehow managed to hold it in. However, because of that, I couldn’t wave back to my brother-in-law.

After the speech on stage, the host and the guest of honor will take their seats at the guest of honor’s table, which is one level higher than the floor we are on, and this will mark the true beginning of the evening party.

In other words, this is where the real challenge begins.

My victory condition is, first and foremost, to get through it without standing out more than necessary.

Secondly, to impress Hamilton Silk on the nobles who will likely approach you with interest in the dress.

And then… successfully contact Brother-in-law Alexander and extract information.

Alright! Since you’ve gone through all this trouble to bring me here, I’m definitely going to take some souvenirs with me!