My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 67

As expected, there’s no way a prince of a nation would obediently sit on the ground just because someone told him to.

The crown prince stood frozen in place, trembling, with a contorted expression that could be interpreted as anger, fear, or humiliation.

It’s a total battleground…

Not knowing what to do, my husband and I stood there frozen, and my brother-in-law gently urged us to leave the room.

Indeed, from here on, it is no longer my place to intervene. I may have been the catalyst, but the situation has escalated too much. This has now become a significant international issue.

When I stepped out into the hallway and closed the door to the room, my brother-in-law let out a big sigh, “Hoo.”

After confirming that the door was completely closed, my husband quietly confronted my brother-in-law.

“Lord Alexander! Why is Princess Carmilla here?!”

Exactly.

Yeah, I was really, really surprised.

I’ve been through quite a lot myself, and I had confidence that I wouldn’t be surprised by anything minor. But who could have imagined that the princess of a great nation would come out of the next room, clutching her stomach and laughing?

“Ah, after receiving the letter from Count Hamilton, I did some research. The situation seemed worse than I expected, so I took measures within my capabilities.”

The range of what you can do is really wide!!

“I’m sorry, I know a proper explanation is necessary, but I can’t just leave it as it is…”

Saying that, my brother-in-law looks at his dressing room, from which he has just come out.

I see, you have to return to that battlefield of carnage again, don’t you, brother-in-law…?

I wish you good fortune in battle.

“Yeah. Tomorrow… I might have some time in the evening. I can send a notice, so would it be okay if I go explain to the count’s family?”

“Of course. If it suits your schedule, Lord Alexander, let’s have dinner together.”

“Ahaha, that’s wonderful. If I think about the dinner with my cute stepsister and stepbrother waiting for me, I feel like I can somehow manage the remaining tasks after this.”

The smile of my brother-in-law, who laughed and said that, really resembled my father’s.

From now on, your long, long night will begin.

It must be incredibly tough…

I truly feel humbled.

“Ah, right. I think you’re tired, but it would be better to go back to the venue for a bit rather than heading home right away. …Yeah, it would be even better if you danced at least one song.”

My brother-in-law gives me that kind of advice.

“If we go home like this, they might get suspicious. So, put on a face as if nothing happened, and while you’re at it, show off how close we are.”

In noble society, impression management is also important, you know. My brother-in-law’s words were persuasive.

Before returning to the room, my brother-in-law looked at both me and my husband alternately, nodded with satisfaction, and said this.

“Support each other, okay?”

Just the two of us. While walking side by side, we naturally hold hands.

From the original form of an escort, it can’t be said to be correct, but perhaps due to the influence of the crowd control, there are no other people around here. It should be fine to stay like this until we get close to the venue.

Honestly, I don’t want to let go of this hand right now.

While walking, I suddenly noticed that our clasped hands were trembling. Is it me trembling, my husband, or perhaps both of us?

I feel like I have to say something, so I search for the right words.

“Wow, but seriously, the crown prince was the worst, wasn’t he?”

“I never seriously intended to kill you!”

“Indeed, that is exactly what we mean by being despicable.”

Something feels off.

“Princess Carmilla, you had incredibly beautiful legs!”

That’s definitely wrong.

Could it be that I lack not only naming sense but also conversational sense?

Feeling somewhat insecure, I glanced up at my husband’s profile, and it seemed he was looking at me too, as our eyes met perfectly.

“Ah, Ana’s shoulder throw! That was amazing!”

“…………”

I definitely think this is wrong too.

Oh no, we might be one of those couples who are just alike.

Walk a little more in silence.

Little by little, I’m getting closer to the venue, and I think I might run into someone soon.

I guess I should let go of your hand soon.

I don’t like it.

“…at that time”

My husband’s hand, which was holding mine, tightened its grip.

“At that time, I was really scared. I thought Ana might leave. I wasn’t a good husband… I’m sorry.”

Did I make you think that way?

For me, there was never an option to follow His Highness from the beginning, so I never thought it would make him worry like that.

“I really believed that my husband would protect me, you know?”

“!!”

Suddenly, my husband turns bright red.

I was gently enveloped by a light green fabric in front of me, and I realized, ah, I’ve been embraced by my husband.

What should I do… I don’t mind at all.

Even though I was unsure of what to do, I slowly reached out to wrap my arms around my husband’s back, but just as I did, he suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly pushed me away.

“I’m so sorry! I got carried away even though I’m still on probation!!”

No, it wasn’t that I got carried away or was overwhelmed with emotion… Anyway, I didn’t feel guilty about it at all!!

While watching my husband repeatedly stammer and make excuses, I was lost in thought about my own actions earlier.

What should we do, my lord?

Actually, I… might already really like you, my husband…?