The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 2.2

“Did I hear correctly that you visited Lord Rockwell’s border territory before the social season?”
“I’ve heard there are quite a few magical beasts in that area.”
“The border territory is as far-flung as its name suggests. Wasn’t it originally a royal domain?”
“Managing such a vast border territory must be a daunting task, even for you, Lady Wilcox.”
“Surely you didn’t ride there on horseback alone, as you might to your own domain?”

The group surrounding me and the Count had gradually shifted. Where there were once his colleagues from work, there were now landholding noble gentlemen I often encountered at soirées or trade meetings.

For the young ladies longing to approach the Count, this wall of nobles must be an infuriating obstacle.

For me, however, they were a different challenge entirely.

Unlike the whispered insults or snide remarks hidden behind fans, these men openly probed me with questions, champagne glasses in hand. It was less malicious and more like the tough love of seniors, colleagues, rivals, and, in some twisted way, comrades.

Some of their comments even carried a hint of genuine concern, making me wonder if their intentions were more about offering advice than prying for weaknesses.

Still, gentlemen, let me clarify something.

It’s one thing for you to ask about my own domain, the Wilcox Viscountcy.

But the topic you’re addressing is Yubashar, the border territory once managed directly by the royal family.

That territory belongs to the Rockwell Countship!

Why are you bypassing the Count himself and directing those questions at me? Isn’t that a bit disrespectful?

As I was having these thoughts, the Count, standing right beside me, wrapped a firm arm around my waist, making it abundantly clear: We are engaged.

The closeness. Too close. Personal space? Nonexistent!

Yes, this is an engagement party, so of course it’s expected. We literally just held the engagement ceremony a moment ago! But still… I’m not used to this!

Golden hair and amethyst eyes peeked down at me as the Count, often dubbed a “prince charming” by young noblewomen—sometimes whispered in secret, other times declared outright—smiled at me with a dazzling expression.

Somewhere in the hall, I heard a collective “Kyaa!” from the ladies, accompanied by a wave of hostility that could’ve come from an assassin targeting me.

This kind of proximity with such an impossibly handsome man…

In my past life, and even in this one, as a woman who has never experienced popularity, this situation is overwhelming.

But thanks to my naturally stiff facial muscles, my panic didn’t show. I managed to maintain the aloof, confident expression of the “arrogant, greedy, and cold-hearted viscountess” that the world assumed I was.

I gave a faint, practiced smile—an archaic smile befitting my infamous reputation.

“Shall I explain Grace’s exceptional skills?” the Count offered.

“Oh, you’re teasing me. It’s your territory, my lord. I haven’t done anything regarding it. I only conducted a simple inspection, nothing more,” I replied smoothly.

“But during that inspection, Grace gave considerable thought to the future. Even this lapel pin is something I truly appreciate,” he said with a meaningful smile.

The Count… he understands my intentions.

I’d wanted him to bring up the topic of accessories made from the resources in the border territory, especially in front of these gentlemen.

“I’m equally delighted with the matching hairpiece you gave me,” I added.

The Count is quite the tactician, isn’t he?

For him to secretly commission this hairpiece from the same material as his lapel pin and present it to me… Isn’t this exactly the kind of gesture that makes young ladies swoon? I’m starting to see why they’re all so taken with him.

The performance of a freshly engaged couple seems to have had an effect—the gentlemen around us were holding back more than usual in their remarks toward me.

“I’ve been curious about that myself. What kind of stone is it?”

It was the son of Count Norland, a noble with mining interests, who asked the question.

Like my dear Count, he came from an esteemed family, was calm and handsome, and was exactly the type of gentleman that single noblewomen would aim to approach at events like this. In fact, he ranked high on the list of eligible bachelors in the kingdom’s social circles.

Ha ha ha, finally! I’ve been waiting for this!

There’s so much I want to discuss with you! Of course, I can’t just blurt that out—I’d only provoke the already murderous glares of the ladies around me. So, I kept my enthusiasm safely locked away in my heart.

Truthfully, I would’ve preferred to speak with Count Norland himself, but speaking with his son works just as well. He’s already gaining a reputation as a capable successor, after all.

The Norland domain has significant mining operations. I have so many things I’d love to learn from them, from mining techniques to management strategies.

“This was discovered in Lord Rockwell’s territory, Yubashar,” I replied.

“The Yubashar region lies within the Rift Mountain Range, known to be a treasure trove of resources,” Elliot, Count Norland’s son, responded. “I understand it was once a royal domain. Are these stones sourced from that area?”

As he spoke, I felt the Count’s arm tighten slightly around my waist, holding me closer.

I glanced up at him. Did this mean I should leave the explanation to him? It was his territory, after all. As his fiancée, it wouldn’t be proper for me to take the lead in such matters.

“It was Grace who discovered it—or, perhaps, it would be more accurate to say she thought of its potential,” the Count said.

“Lady Wilcox did?” Elliot asked, intrigued.

“It’s the fang of a Dark Crocodile,” the Count explained.

“A magical beast’s… fang?”

“Yes. During her inspection of the territory, we encountered several of them. We managed to subdue one, and Grace personally purchased the entire carcass. She experimented with creating various products from it, and this pin is one of those creations.”

The gentlemen surrounding us murmured in admiration, impressed by the story.

“While I am honored to have received this territory from His Majesty,” the Count continued, “its status as a remote borderland presented its own challenges. Honestly, as someone still active in the military, I found the task of developing the territory daunting. But Grace’s talents have proven invaluable, and I’m looking forward to what she’ll achieve moving forward.”

Oh no, Count Rockwell, you’re praising me way too much!