My Dear Husband, Let's Keep It Business-Like! ~Countess Anastasia, Raised in The Downtown, Won't Give Up Her Way~ - Episode 9

Thus, began my life in the Hamilton family, which turned out to be more peaceful than I had imagined.

Since then, I’ve visited the garden several times, but unfortunately, I still haven’t met the spirits. To be honest, the spirits are quite capricious, so there’s nothing I can do about it.

Speaking of which, the friendly spirits used to love cookies topped with my mother’s homemade jam, and they would always appear whenever she baked them.

I’ve been gradually getting to know Chef Harris by talking about the menu during meals, so maybe I’ll boldly ask him if I can bake cookies next time?

My husband seems to have a principled nature, and despite all the back and forth, he always has dinner with me.

There wasn’t particularly lively conversation, but I realized that if I asked, she would surprisingly tell me various things, so I was trying to find out about the territory and her husband without upsetting her mood.

“Then, does the master not go to the estate very often?”

“Ah, there’s no particular necessity for that. On the contrary, it would be more convenient for my research to be in the royal capital.”

I don’t know the details, but it seems that my husband was fascinated by archaeology during his student days and is still continuing his research on a personal level.

Is it a prejudice to think that the wealthy’s sense of indulgence is overwhelming?

While I was diligently engaged in my usual information gathering over tea after a meal, Sebastian, unusually, called out to me.

“Sir, Marcus has returned. He has a scheduled report, shall I bring him in?”

“No, please show me to the office. Once I finish this drink, I’ll head over there.”

With a nonchalant expression, I listened to the conversation and smoothly joined in.

“Oh, is that you, Marcus the steward? Sir, I haven’t had the chance to meet Marcus yet. Since we’re all here, may I join you?”

To my proposal, my husband lightly expressed his disapproval. It was probably a sign that he didn’t want me to get too involved in the management of the count’s family.

However, I can’t easily back down here. On the surface, I’ll continue the conversation with a smile.

“I have heard stories about the Hamilton estate being a rich and wonderful place for a long time, and Marcus is someone whom you trust and have entrusted with work, right? In that case, he must surely be an admirable person. I would love to hear more about it for my future learning.”

“Well, that’s true. The earldom is blessed with abundant resources, and the temperament of the people is good. Marcus is a trustworthy man, and his skills in managing the territory are solid.”

“Yes, the quality of the servants in the count’s household is truly remarkable. This is also a testament to the virtues of the count’s family line.”

“Hmph, it’s not like I need you to tell me this, but fine, you’re right. …Alright then, if we haven’t even exchanged greetings yet, I suppose I can at least listen to what you have to say. Sebas, go ahead and call Marcus over here.”

“Understood.”

Sebastian glances at me with an indescribable expression before giving a wry smile.

I also sipped my tea with a composed face, giving a slightly mischievous wink.

In the past few days, I’ve become quite close with Sebastian, and I’m completely best friends with Marie.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to interact much with the other servants yet, but I haven’t been subjected to any sarcasm or harassment either.

Saying that the quality of the Earl’s household staff was excellent was nothing but my genuine feelings.

Marcus, who came to the dining hall shortly after Sebastian called for him, was a man in his fifties with an unremarkable appearance. He was of average build and had an air more akin to a merchant than a steward. As the steward of the Hamilton family, one of the wealthiest families in the country, everything he wore was of the highest quality.

Marcus, who entered the room with a smile so wide it seemed he might start rubbing his hands together, bowed before me and my husband.

“Lord Eugene, I have just returned.”

“Ah, you must have had a hard time.”

While observing the two people exchanging greetings, I suddenly notice a strong gaze directed at me from behind.

……Dahlia?

The maid Daria was staring at Marcus.

According to Marie, Daria is the second daughter of a viscount family that deals in popular cosmetics in the royal capital. She also has business connections with the Hamilton Count family, and through those connections, she was appointed as a maid to learn proper etiquette.

As expected of a noble lady, her expression remains difficult to read, but the intensity of her gaze cannot be hidden.

This is… complicated, isn’t it?

While thinking about such things, I was listening to the report about Marcus’s territory.

“…and that’s how things are. The management situation of the earldom remains excellent as always. We are maintaining the quarrying rate from the mines, and we have also discovered new veins. As for the raw gemstones, we are prioritizing the Fairfanville Duke’s family as usual. The lives of the residents are unchanged, and everyone is living prosperously while expressing their gratitude to the Earl.”

Marcus, reporting with a smile.

“I see, it’s good to know that nothing has changed. Thank you for your hard work as always, Marcus. You can step back.”

Huh, is that it!?

No, no, no, even if it’s an oral report, it’s way too vague.

By the way, isn’t there a report? Shouldn’t we summarize it after giving an oral report first? Isn’t that inefficient? I want to hear the report while properly checking the numbers and such…

I raised my right hand sharply and called out to Marcus, who was about to bow and step back.

“Excuse me, may I ask you a few questions?”

“Hey! Not again! Didn’t I tell you not to say unnecessary things?!”

“It’s not an unnecessary matter! Now that I’ve married into the Hamilton family, it’s my basic duty as a lady to learn about the estate. With my limited experience, I can’t understand things as quickly as you do, my wise husband, who can grasp ten things from just one. If there’s something I don’t understand, I must properly ask!”

With my right hand raised and breathing heavily, my husband, with a resigned expression, allowed me to ask a question. I think I was probably happy to have been slightly praised.

My husband is a bit of a pushover, and I’m a little worried.

Well, having obtained permission to ask questions, I took this opportunity to bombard Marcus with various inquiries.

Are there any local specialties in the earldom besides the gems mined from the mountains?

Is the trade pipeline with the neighboring country still connected?

What is the living situation, education, and employment status of the subjects like? And so on…

I think my husband’s face was twitching at one point when I asked questions that were more probing than expected, but well, it should be fine. Missing this opportunity would be a bigger loss.

Rather, what surprised me was that Marcus was able to quickly answer all those questions on the spot.

So, does that mean this person is aware of the issues in the territory but is just leaving things as they are as long as the economy is doing well?

Marcus, who talks with a smile, is indeed quite a tricky character. While that might be fine for a merchant, if I’m going to entrust him with managing the territory, he needs to be someone who can think carefully about the future of the land. A merchant can just move to another place if the business becomes unprofitable there…