My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 6

“Trial… period?”

“Yes! That’s right. Indeed, from your position, it is only natural that you wouldn’t feel comfortable entrusting the household duties to me right away, considering you know my background, even though I married into the ducal family.”

I nod along to my own words.

“Last night, I told my husband that I don’t seek love, so let’s become business partners. If I were to compare my husband’s current situation to a trading company, it would be like hiring someone through connections without knowing if they are useful or not. What a manager should do here is to test whether the hired person is a valuable asset.”

“I see…?”

“First, let them learn with simple tasks that won’t cause any real harm even if they fail, and if they seem capable, gradually increase their workload! It’s a waste not to utilize free labor when we have the chance!!”

“Ugh, using my wife as free labor… that’s a terrible thing to say…”

“I apologize for my earlier remarks. Indeed, it is not a noble way of thinking, but from a managerial perspective, it is more than acceptable. My comment about using free labor was inappropriate, but the essence is that it would be a waste to let valuable personnel go unused. In this new era, even nobles must adopt a managerial perspective, I believe!!”

“Hmph, the perspective of a manager, huh? The count’s family is doing just fine without any unnecessary efforts. There’s no problem leaving the financial matters to the steward, and the butler and head maid take good care of things inside the house.”

Indeed, it’s clear just by looking that the count’s family is financially prosperous… but could it be that, my lord, you’re leaving the governance of the territory entirely to the steward?

That’s dangerous! …I almost said it, but it’s still too early to meddle in the management of the territory.

Don’t rush, don’t rush. They say a thousand jewels can’t be polished in a single day and night.

“I see. You are fortunate to have capable and trustworthy servants. As expected of the esteemed Hamilton family. It’s truly wonderful.”

When I said that with a virtuous attitude, my husband didn’t seem displeased at all.

“Well then, first, may I ask Sebastian to teach me about my wife’s duties? I would also like to know about the other servants, and sir, could you please introduce everyone to me right away?”

“Ah, indeed, the introduction of the servant is still pending… I have some business to attend to shortly. I’ll let Sebastian know later.”

“Thank you very much, my lord.”

“Listen, whatever you do, don’t do anything unnecessary. Your role is simply to stay quietly in this house.”

After finishing his tea, the master stood up and rang the bell at his side, and soon after, Sebastian entered the room.

“Excuse me. Young master, have you finished your meal?”

Didn’t you just say that, young master?

Without realizing it, I noticed that I was staring at the two of them, and my husband was taken aback.

“Sebas! I’m already the head of this count’s family, you know!? Stop calling me ‘young master’ in front of outsiders!”

Outsiders, you say… but I’m a countess, you know?

I wonder if they would say something like that in front of the servant.

Look, even Sebastian seems uncomfortable.

When my husband speaks like this, my position among the servants might be undermined.

That would be a problem, so I need to make my opinion clear later.

I made sure to take notes in my mental notebook.

“Honestly… is the carriage ready?”

“Yes, I am waiting by the entrance so I can leave at any time.”

“Is that so? Then I will take my leave. Sebas, I leave the rest to you. Please introduce this person to the matters of the mansion and the staff.”

The husband said that and was about to leave the dining hall quickly, but he turned around near the entrance.

“Listen, don’t do anything unnecessary, okay? … I’m off.”

“Understood. I will see you to the entrance…”

“I don’t want it!”

When the door slammed shut, a subtle tension was left between me and Sebastian.

“Well then, ma’am, let me introduce the staff to you right away. I’ll bring them over, so would you like a refill of your tea while you wait?”

“Thank you, I’ll have it.”

Understood.

When Sebastian clapped his hands, Marie entered with a tea set, saying, “Excuse me.”

In exchange, Sebastian bows and leaves the room.

I see, so they were already waiting in the hallway.

It seems that the servants of the Nagasawa family are well-educated.

Really, it’s completely different from the ducal family.

“Excuse me, madam. Since I wasn’t sure of your preferences, I brought a few types of tea. Do you have any particular brand you like?”

Oh! Such thoughtfulness at such a young age! It seems I can expect the same from the other servants as well.

An 18-year-old commoner becoming a countess, I was prepared for the worst, thinking the servants might bully me, but if they are this well-educated, they might at least treat me like a proper lady on the surface.

I was able to choose tea while having a pleasant chat with Marie, and wait for the servants to arrive while enjoying the delicious tea.