My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 60

This young lady isn’t one of Christina’s entourage… Could she be someone who had a crush on the master?

While watching the young lady who suddenly appeared in front of me and is chirping about something, I think about such things.

If you truly loved your husband, there would be some sympathy, but this is just how it is. Your husband is already a married man, and it would be troublesome if you came after me out of misplaced resentment.

Moreover, on days when I’m subjected to such one-sided sarcasm and insults, any sympathy I might have disappears completely.

The young lady from earlier left on her own, so it was easy, but I guess I have to deal with this person.

“Hey! Are you even listening!?”

Ah, I totally got caught not listening at all.

“I’m very sorry, I’m not really accustomed to these kinds of occasions…”

For now, I’ll hide my face with a fan and act demurely.

“Hmph, I thought so. Isn’t it because you haven’t even received proper noble education that you’re in such a state? Forcing someone like you onto Lord Eugene, how pitiful!”

“Ah, so that’s what it was! Lady Milkus Viscount.”

Alright, I’ve got your word. I’ve won.

“I haven’t been introduced to the Viscount Milkus yet, nor have I had the chance to greet her, have I? I was wondering why you were speaking to me so familiarly.”

The face of the Viscount Milkus turns pale.

You probably didn’t think I could match the faces of the young ladies with their names, did you? How naive!

In such evening gatherings, it is taboo for those of lower status to speak to those of higher status first.

Moreover, it is only natural to be reproached for rudeness for addressing someone of higher status whom I have never even greeted.

I am, at the very least, a countess. My status is clearly higher than that of the Viscount Milkus, who is still a young lady of the viscount family.

“Um, um… I…”

“But, since Lady Milkus is very close to you, she called out to me, right? Calling a married man ‘Eugene-sama’… what kind of relationship do you have?”

“!!”

The Viscount Milkus has a face so pale it looks like she might collapse at any moment. If she gets this way over something like this, she shouldn’t have picked a fight in the first place.

Basically, I am a pacifist and have no intention of starting trouble myself, but once a fight is brought to me, I won’t hold back.

That said, I really don’t want to stand out any more than I already have today.

Alright, I’ll let you go!

Just as I was about to say that…

“Hahaha, well done, Countess Hamilton. It seems I didn’t need to come to your aid.”

I heard a voice from behind that shouldn’t have been there.

N-no way… As I cautiously turned around, there stood a stunningly beautiful young man with the same dazzling blonde hair as mine.

Yes, it is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

The moment I understood that, I quickly took a curtsy stance.

I wait for His Highness to say something, but a long silence continues.

I remained perfectly still, maintaining the courtesy posture the entire time.

“Alright, straighten up. I’ll allow the greeting.”

“I would like to greet the young lion of the kingdom, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I am Anastasia Hamilton.”

“Yeah, nice. It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. Hamilton. As expected from the Fairfanville Duke family. Your noble upbringing seems perfect.”

Upon hearing the Crown Prince’s words, the Viscount Milkus’ daughter was taken aback and her legs trembled.

Yes, I deliberately refrained from mentioning it earlier, but questioning the quality of my noble education means questioning the quality of the Fairfanville Duke’s education.

It is undoubtedly a slip of the tongue. Moreover, it is the kind that should never be made.

“Oh, you don’t look so well. How about resting in the break room for a bit? I’ll have the knight escort you to your room. Lady Hamilton, would that be alright?”

“I sincerely appreciate your kind consideration, Your Highness. The Viscount Milkus kindly spoke to me at my first evening party, as I was feeling bewildered. Please take care.”

It might be an overstep, but being escorted by the knight to the break room like this is just too conspicuous.

The Milkus Viscount, who heard the commotion, is already on his way here, so it would be better to send him home now to minimize the damage.

It seems that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also noticed Viscount Milks and smiled at me.

As expected, it’s suspicious!!

The young ladies around me are all going “Eek!” but somehow, I can’t stand this person’s smile.

“Oh, it seems that Viscount Milkus has come to pick you up. In that case, the escort knight won’t be needed.”

That’s great, Lady Milkus. You should go.

“Y-yes! Yes! …Really… thank you very much. I am truly sorry!”

The Viscount Milkus deeply bowed her head and was led away by her father.

Well, I’ve done everything I could. Now it’s up to me to figure out how to get out of this situation.

I was planning to be a wallflower and not stand out, but with those two shining like gold right in the middle of the venue, I can’t help but stand out.

“Oh, it seems like your ride has arrived. I wanted to talk a bit more, but it’s a shame.”

Looking over, I see my husband coming towards me with a worried expression through the crowd.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave here. Lady Hamilton, it’s a rare evening party. Enjoy yourself.”

Saying that, His Highness the Crown Prince slipped past me and headed back to the guest of honor’s seat.

“Your golden hair is truly beautiful. Don’t you think we would look like a pair of dolls standing next to each other?”

As you pass by, you leave these words in my ear—