CH 36

Peloche’s knight gave me a debt contract that he claimed to be genuine, saying that he had no choice but for me to refer to it. As expected, he also left a presumptuous remark that if I didn’t respond soon, his territory would be in trouble.

If I were an ordinary office worker receiving a salary, it wouldn’t matter whether other companies owed my company or not because it was not my money.

Masters and vassals, loyal subjects and knights, as always, seemed to over-immerse themselves in the situation.

As I made my way up to the office, Sir Ted silently followed behind me, followed by a drooping Albert. Did he have something to talk about in the office?

To be honest, I didn’t take this situation as seriously as Albert.

Because, even at worst…… the overall debt is below the amount I can pay in a lump-sum with my ready cash.

I didn’t bother to inform Albert of the size of my private wealth or the magic crystal trade.

I had no reason to tell him, for I had not yet fully trusted him.

Therefore Albert, who may have vaguely noticed that Ensis’ financial situation had improved, but not knowing exactly what level, looked quite depressed.

Before I reached the office and raised my hand to open the door, my conscientious knight opened the door, and I awkwardly withdrew my hand and stepped inside.

And before the door could close, Albert fell to his knees with a thud.

“I’m sorry, my Lord……!”

Eh……. No, what is this? Why is the atmosphere suddenly a historical drama?

Whether or not he knew that I was inwardly startled by his raucous behavior, Albert pressed his forehead to the ground with thick tears in his eyes.

“It’s all my fault. I should have acted a little more thoroughly……”

“Um…… Albert…….”

“We urgently needed a budget for the relief of the people of the territory. There was a reserve fund set aside every year, but it was not enough. But I know none of this will be an excuse.”

“Erm…….”

“To be able to cause such concern to Ensis, who has just found stability, and to its master. This Albert, even if I really apologize with my death……”

“Hey.”

When I spoke coldly to him, who now even mentioned his life, Albert flinched and looked up at me. His beard, wet with tears, glistening, looked quite funny.

But then again.

“Even if you know that this is wrong and apologize to me while crying, what does that solve?”

At my words, Albert’s eyes widened.

“If you feel responsible for what you did, think about how you can resolve this situation and report it to me. That’s your job, not crying and apologizing to me like this to make you feel at ease.”

“M, my Lord…….”

I gestured to Sir Ted with my chin, and he lifted up the middle-aged man who seemed to have aged five years in the meantime.

“And don’t cry over this. You shouldn’t waste your emotions on things that can be solved. If anything, the value of your tears would drop, and people would view you as insignificant.”

Albert, who was in tears, opened his mouth carefully as if he was stirred by my words and his reason returned.

“Young Lord, I’m sorry to tell you, but…… The amount Peloche is asking for is much more than the annual net income of our territory. It won’t be easy to find a way to repay……”

I also know. And even if I could repay the amount, I really had no intention of giving away all the money.

“…… Come to think of it, when I was appointed, there were letters from neighboring territories as well as from Baron Peloche.”

It was also a problem that once troubled Hisch. The princess who suddenly came to the countryside and the lords who had an explosive curiosity on her husband.

Can’t I use one of them?

Shall I ask Hisch……

In a curt tone, I addressed the butler, who was still sniffing unsightly.

“Speaking of which, where is Hisch today? He doesn’t seem to be in the mansion.”

“Ah……. That, today he was on his way to hear the petition of a nearby village. I think he will be back soon.”

The butler, who had just been in tears as if his world had fallen apart, still reported my question in a steady voice. I patted Albert on the shoulder as he stood up.

“Yes, you worked hard today. Take a rest.”

I turned to Sir Ted and said.

“Take a break or do something else. I’m going to take a walk to wait for Hisch for a while.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

“I have something I want to think about alone. I won’t leave the mansion, so don’t worry too much.”

“…… I’ll obey your command.”

Receiving permission from the uptight knight, I strode out of the office, leaving the still agitated butler alone.

As I descended the spiral staircase leading to the lobby in front of the front door, I saw that Hisch had just returned from his outing.

I would have been happy if it was just him, but when I saw the person standing next to him, I raised my eyebrows.

“Sein?”

Hearing the voice calling the aide before himself, Hisch looked up at me instead of handing his coat to the servant.

On the other hand, the gray-haired man whose name was called bowed to me with a calm expression.

“Are you back from Windsor? Why are you together with Hisch?”

Moreover, judging by the atmosphere, he appeared to have served as Hisch’s entourage.

That was truly unusual. It was indeed unlike Sein, who was usually by my side and not taking care of Hisch, to leave the mansion and interfere with outside affairs.

In response to my dubious question, Sein simply continued with a calm expression.

“On my way back from official duties, I passed the area where Mr. Hisch was, so I brought him back.”

“…… Really? But why?”

“What do you mean? Mr. Hisch is the Lord’s husband, and of course, he is someone I need to assist.”

No, since when the hell did you make up your mind like that?

In Sein’s calculations, Hisch must have established himself as one of the important members of our territory.

Wasn’t he the one who looked at Hisch like a cow to a chicken in the first place? He had no direct contact with him, and his main job was to be by my side to assist me.

But on the other hand, it wouldn’t be seen as strange to go outside with the person who became his master’s husband.

What kind of wind was blowing? Thinking about that much, I turned my head to the black-haired man who had been quiet since earlier.

“Hisch, did you settle your work well?”

At my words, the man looked at me with a blank expression. It felt like he was lost in something……

“Hisch?”

When I called his name as if I were urging him, the man who had been staring at me for a moment was soon surprised, narrowing his eyes as usual and laughing.

“Ah, Liddell. I’m sorry, I suddenly thought of something else.”

“…… were they too unreasonable?”

“No, they’re not.”

“I heard from Albert that you went to hear the petition of the residents…… Did they make any unreasonable petitions?”

At my words, Hisch strangely made eye contact with Sein first. As if two people who I don’t know are sharing something between them.

Well…… It just felt like that. Of course, Sein who went with him would also know the situation I was asking about right now, so they would naturally make eye contact.

Hisch said with a slow smile.

“No, it wasn’t a big deal…… It’s all settled.”

“I see, you did a great job.”

Aigoo, my husband. As I put on a proud expression and held Hisch tightly in my arms, the man also hugged me.

Perhaps it was a village close to the forest, because the scent of a refreshing forest emanated from his arms.

Sein quickly disappeared with only a brief greeting, ‘I will summarize the results in a report later’ as if he couldn’t bear to see our affection begin.

“Shall we rest a little before dinner? I’m done with work, too. There are things I want to ask you about.”

“That’s good. Then I…….”

Suddenly, my field of vision shook. It was because Hisch strode forward and lifted me up.

It was the so-called ‘princess carry’ posture, and when I slipped into his arms and blankly looked at Hisch, the man smiled shyly.

“For my wife who’s been through a lot, I’ll specially take you to the bedroom comfortably.”

I found the man who said that cute and I put my arms around his neck even though the outcome was clear.

“Then take good care of me, honey.”

And Hisch, who was intoxicated with the atmosphere and had forgotten that the bedroom corresponding to our master bedroom was on the seventh floor, at first moved me with a confident gait, and then slowly began to slow down climbing the stairs.

I knew this would happen.

How could you climb all those stairs with a person in your arms? That kind of thing only exists in dramas and novels.

Still, I pretended not to know and kissed Hisch on the cheek, who eventually succeeded in climbing safely and carefully putting me down on the bed.

My cute husband.