The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 1.11

“…Why is Grace onee-sama furrowing her brows?”

Jessica gazed at me and onee-sama with a curious expression.

“Between you and me, it’s because this situation smells like there’s definitely something hidden beneath the surface.”

In both my past and present lives, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

“Why? Wasn’t it love at first sight because Grace onee-sama was beautiful?”

Jessica asked innocently, then looked up at Percival as if seeking his agreement.

“Listen, Jessica. The count might throw around those infamous lines at evening parties, but he never actually implies marriage. He’s from a military noble family, holds a knightly title, and is officially a count. I think his military rank is colonel.”

“Eh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jessica, who had apparently excitedly joined a discussion the previous evening with other young ladies about wanting to hear “those lines,” was visibly disappointed.

Jessica is a romantic and loves fairytales… so it’s natural she’d dream of such romances. But, well, the reality of high society isn’t so dreamy.

“That line is just a joke, something he only says to people who’d get it. No one would seriously use such a dramatic phrase, like some comedic actor.”

Jessica turned her gaze toward onee-sama and me, and onee-sama nodded emphatically.

“But still, if someone like him said that phrase with his looks, wouldn’t any young girl swoon?”

“Yes. I’d like to hear it from you, too, Percy.”

Hearing that from his adorable, innocent fiancée, Percival started to fluster.

Come on, just say it already! What’s stopping you?

“S-someday! Anyway, I think the reason the count said that to Grace onee-sama is because he assumed she’d understand the joke. Don’t you think so, onee-sama?”

“Ugh, I was convinced that Grace onee-sama could pull off the romance of the century!”

Sorry. You must have imagined your sister being swept off her feet by a high-ranking count in some romantic tale fit for a girl your age. My bad. But look, I’m just me.

“Grace, did anything noteworthy happen during your conversation with the count? You danced three waltzes with him in silence?”

In response to Patricia onee-sama’s question, I answered.

“Just the usual polite conversations—about us sisters and the territories. After that, I left the count and helped Jessica introduce Percival, the future head of the Wilcox family, to neighboring nobles.”

“And the count didn’t say anything else to you?”

“…He said, ‘It’s not on a whim.’ And then came the infamous line. Doesn’t that sound like pure mischief to you? But it was an opportunity! With all the attention gathered, we managed to finish introducing Percival to everyone.”

“You’re hopeless!”

“Calling me hopeless again… That’s too harsh, onee-sama…”

Skills for efficiently navigating marriage arrangements as a noblewoman…

That’s something I don’t possess. I’d do fine in a business negotiation, though.

“Jessica, who’s only just debuted, seems more adept at sensing the atmosphere of those she’s introduced to during evening parties.”

Well, that’s probably true. I guess I lose to Jessica in that regard.

Pleased with Patricia onee-sama’s praise, Jessica flashed us and her fiancé a triumphant smile. Her endearing gestures were impossible to resent.

“By the way, Percival, what did you do about the letters addressed to Jessica? Don’t crumple them in anger.”

After checking the names on the stack of letters on the table, onee-sama said this to Percival. Jessica turned toward him with curiosity.

“Percy… did you crumple my letters?”

“Sorry for being a petty man! Patricia onee-sama, could you keep that to yourself?”

Percival’s exasperated response made onee-sama chuckle.

“Crumple might be an exaggeration. He probably just kept them unopened. Return them later.”

“…Yes. Sorry, Jessica.”

“It’s okay.”

The youngest of the Wilcox family easily forgave him.

“Percy, you’ll read those letters with me, and then you’ll write me an even more passionate love letter, right?”

“Jessica…”

“Right?”

…Yeah, that’s a skill I definitely lack.

While I couldn’t help wondering what I was witnessing, I had to acknowledge that Jessica’s ability to handle her fiancé was impressive.

But that’s not the main issue here.

One of the letters mentioned the count would be visiting this townhouse soon.

“Patricia onee-sama, could you arrange for some maids to be sent here?”

The Wilcox household employs the bare minimum of staff. At this townhouse, we only have a butler, a housekeeper, and a gardener who doubles as a coachman. When negotiations are held here, we usually request personnel from the Russells family. Sometimes we call for staff from the country house, but there’s no time for that now.

“I was planning to. But the count is probably already investigating the household’s inner workings.”

We talked a lot during the waltz, so… given his position, if he sent that letter, it’s likely he’s already done his homework.

“Right… There might be deeper reasons for his actions.”

Hearing me say this, Jessica muttered, “You’re so hopeless…”

She puffed out her cheeks in a sulky manner.

Cute, but that’s not really a proper gesture for a young lady who’s debuted in society. Still, it’s too cute to scold her.

“Why can’t you just be happy about this? You’ve received a proposal from a rich, handsome bachelor who’s the envy of every unmarried woman in high society. You should be proud and bask in it!”

Well, even though my face is much prettier in this life, my features don’t really have that lovable charm.

As my ex-fiancé once said:

– You’re too proud of your slightly pretty face, but you lack charm. Not only that, but you seem cold and unfeeling.

…Personally, I like my face, but I guess it’s far from the “lovable” type.