My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 75

“If only I could hear directly from Grandma Najenda once…”

I heard before that your grandmother isn’t in very good health, and that she is receiving treatment in a neighboring country with your grandfather.

“By the way, while I was studying abroad in Austburg, I met Samuel several times. He was concerned about whether Anastasia was doing well.”

…me?

Come to think of it, why did your grandfather agree to the outrageous idea of marrying me off instead of Christina?

If my mother was a distant relative of the Marquis and was also connected to Grandmother Najenda—

Could it be that your grandfather knew about my existence from the very beginning?

“Before returning home, I went to say goodbye. I also asked them to take good care of Eugene. I was worried about whether the two of them were getting along well, but it seems it was unnecessary.”

My brother-in-law talks with a smile.

Actually, considering how my husband was in the beginning, it wasn’t entirely unfounded…

“I see, your grandfather.”

My husband makes a rather complicated face.

“Hey, how about you and Count Hamilton come to Austburg? If I invite you, you can leave and enter smoothly!”

Princess Carmilla beams and says.

If it’s a personal invitation from Her Highness the Princess, the border would be practically a free pass.

Actually, this country is quite strict about people coming and going.

It’s not just for commoners, but also for nobles… or rather, it’s even stricter for nobles.

So this is a very grateful offer. I definitely want to go to Augsburg as well.

“Husband, I want to go to Austburg!”

“Ah, that’s right. Thank you very much, Your Highness. Then please do consider it…”

“Huh? Why don’t you just come along with me when I go back home?”

「「！？」」

Well, that’s a bit much.

Your Highness, your drive is incredible!

“Um, I sincerely apologize, but that’s just… Well, originally, I was planning to return to my territory immediately after the ball ended.”

The husband hurriedly explains to Her Highness the Princess.

Yeah. There are still a lot of unfinished tasks left in the territory!

After that, Marcus has been at the center, and everyone in the territory has been working hard, so I am really looking forward to hearing about the progress.

“Oh, is that so? That’s too bad. Is there something going on in the territory?”

“Yes! We will hold a wedding anniversary parade!!”

My husband answered with a really nice smile.

Huh, that way!?

“Well, that’s wonderful!”

“Yes. Although some time has passed since we actually got married, this is also an opportunity to showcase the dress I made for the ball.”

“The dress Anna wore at the ball, right? That dress was indeed very beautiful.”

The conversation naturally shifted to the topic of dresses, filled with lively chatter. Since the confidential discussion had just reached a pause, it was decided to continue it over a meal.

“What will Ria do while we have dinner?”

Her Highness the Princess asks Ria-chan.

Looking over, it seemed that before I knew it, the spirits had gathered in groups of four and were enjoying a chat.

On the side table by the window, they are sitting in a circle, all four of them, in a cute manner.

So cute!!

As I couldn’t help but watch with a warm feeling, my brother-in-law sitting across from me said a little sadly.

“Both of you can see the spirits too, right? I’m a bit envious. Even when Her Highness is always talking to Euphoria, I can’t understand anything…”

I see, in this context, it seems that my brother-in-law, who can’t see spirits, is actually the minority.

Darn it. I ended up excluding my brother-in-law.

“If you marry the princess, you will be able to see spirits too, brother-in-law!!”

“Pfft!! Cough… cough cough”

My brother-in-law, who was just about to drink some tea, hears my words and starts coughing violently. I think I might have said something wrong.

“Ex-excuse me, brother-in-law. Are you okay!?”

“Ah, ah, I’m fine… cough. I’m sorry too for being so rude. Yeah, I’m fine now.”

“Ah, Ana. Men are quite delicate about this too. Since Lord Alexander is in a crucial time right now, I think it’s best to leave him be.”

Seeing my husband mumble hesitantly like that and me flustered by it, my brother-in-law couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

“Haha. Still, it’s funny how Jean, who used to be teased by other noble kids when he said, ‘I can see spirits!’ when he was little, actually ended up being able to see spirits. Life is interesting, isn’t it?”

“！？”

When you were little, could you see spirits?

“Master, could you see spirits when you were little!?”

“I-I don’t remember anything at all, though…”

Is it one of those imaginary friends that kids have when they’re little? Or is it real?

“It seems that children have a higher affinity with spirits, and I’ve heard stories of people who could only see spirits when they were kids.”

It seems that the princess, who had been listening to the conversation from the middle, is joining in.

I see. So, it’s not surprising that a gentleman who is said to be a descendant of the Feyam could see spirits as a child.

…But, if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be more unnatural for it to disappear halfway through, so to speak…?

An indescribable sense of discomfort lingered in my heart, but I tried to shake it off and moved to the banquet hall with everyone.

By the way, the Spirit Quartet went to play in the courtyard.

It seems that Phos, Kuntz, and Kaya are going to show Ria-chan the “Count’s Flower.” It’s truly heartwarming.

During dinner, we talked about various topics, including the continuation of the earlier conversation about the dress, stories from my brother-in-law’s time studying abroad, and tales from the Hamilton estate.

It seems that the dishes from the count’s household were to Her Highness’s taste, and she was very pleased. Surely, Hans would be moved to tears as well.

Fun times pass quickly, and before I knew it, dinner time was over in the blink of an eye.

I smiled and saw off my brother-in-law and the princess as they left in the carriage, and naturally placed my hand over the one my husband offered.

“Honey, today was so much fun, wasn’t it?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

I sincerely wished that we could spend our time peacefully like this and then return to our territory just as we were.

As expected, reality wasn’t that sweet.