CH 1.11

“Long time no see, Miss Risha – Um, Madam.”

“It’s been a long time, Ragnard. I’m sorry I couldn’t let you enjoy your old age.”

“It’s fine. It’s just another thing to look forward to in old age.”

He had a smiling, good-natured smile, but don’t let that fool you.

Gentle but strict; Ragnard’s true nature was that of a super-spartan old man.

“Husband, this is Ragnard, the former chief steward of Count Verdigo’s family. You recognize him, don’t you?”

“We met at the Count’s residence.”

“That’s right. I am honored that you remember me, Master. ―― My name is Ragnard. I’ve been working as the chief steward for Count Verdigo’s family. But since Miss got married, I resigned from my position just in time due to my advanced age and left it to my successor.”

Just as Ragnard claimed, he was undeniably quite old.

At any rate, he was seventy years old and had been in the service since my grandfather’s generation. He was old enough that anything could happen to him at any time.

But he was so hale and hearty, so youthful, and so full of life that no one could feel it.

He was also the person who raised me, so I couldn’t help but be proud of him.

He told me that once I got married and left home, his role would be over and he would resign and return to his domain.

However, the only person I could think of who could compete with Rockdell in this situation was Ragnard, so I introduced him to my husband after he resigned from his position.

I really am sorry I can’t let you enjoy your retirement in your domain, Ragnard.

I apologized inwardly.

If my husband liked him, he would be hired on the spot, but wasn’t sure.

When I was looking at him, thinking that he might reject the butler who served the Count of Verdigo, my husband who had been observing something nodded and took out an employment contract.

“I’d love to hire you if you’re willing to work under these conditions. No amount of experienced people can get in the way.”

“I’ll take a look.”

Ragnard briefly checked the terms.

I’ve been asked for my opinion on the terms and conditions of employment, but I didn’t know for sure what they were.

Ragnard nodded and quickly signed his name at the bottom.

Then he bowed deeply.

It was like a knight pledging allegiance.

“From now on, I swear to devote myself to the prosperity of the Duke of Lindbeld and protect the duchy with my life.”

My husband smiled with satisfaction.

But he was also somewhat cynical.

“Go ahead. If you’re going to use me for your purposes, I’ll expect you to work for them.”

“Very well, Master.”

UhーWa-What?

Why is it only them that understand each other?

I tilted my head at their conversation, which didn’t make any sense to me.

“Now then, I’d like to get right to work. First of all ――… I have to do something about this.”

After he said this, my husband let out a sigh as Ragnard looked around the room.

Incidentally, my husband’s secretary-dono – Diego, whose soul had already flown and sunk – was propped up on the desk.

“I’m sorry to bother you so soon…”

As expected, my husband said, looking bummed.

But Ragnard was unperturbed.

“No problem, I’ve heard a bit about the situation. I’ve heard most of what’s going on in the steward circle, and the world is a smaller place than you might think. ―― Now, Mada…it seems that you are the only one who is free. Please take this one.”

“Ah?…I can’t, I have other work to do.”

In fact, it’s been a week since then.

I’ve been reading with tears in my eyes the documents that I was told to grasp in two days. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was told that this was the next thing. My life of depravity with three meals and a nap had been thus shattered.

By the way, the place where we were now was a separate residence for my husband’s work.

Well, it was hard for him to work around mountain demons and all kinds of evil spirits.

I understood. 

I also wanted to concentrate quietly.

Besides, this was the perfect place to discuss my plans.

Only those who had my husband’s trust were allowed to enter here.

Therefore, what was said inside would not be leaked to the outside world.

“You can at least read the material in a day, can’t you?”

“Ragnard, my husband promised me a minimal living arrangement――……”

I was on the verge of tears over the stack of papers.

Would I be able to finish this by midnight…?

Nevertheless, I would definitely get some sleep.

With such determination, I told Ragnard, and he smiled at me.

“Madam, just having a place to survive the rain and wind is more than minimal treatment. That means you have to work hard for it.”

Surprisingly, Ragnard was even more of a demon than my husband.

I knew that, but…

I mean, Husband, this is all something that you should be doing!

Stop laughing and work yourself to death!

“I’m counting on you. My father hadn’t been doing anything at all, and now my wrinkles are starting to show. We both have troubles with our fathers.”

I needed more people to work with.

I’ve always thought that having one secretary would definitely render him overworked.

“Fine, I’ll take this seat then. Let me ask you one more thing, are there any documents or details you don’t want us to know about here?”

“There’s nothing there. Important documents for me and the Lindbeld Dukedom are supposed to come to me. I have the seal of the dukedom, which is supposed to be held by the chief steward, so that he can’t use it at his own discretion.

Being deprived of the seal of approval, which a chief steward could have, was a hostile action that blatantly said, I don’t trust you completely.

Rockdell himself knew that my husband didn’t like him. However, he expected that it wouldn’t be so easy to find someone who could take charge of the Duke of Lindbeld, so he was unperturbed.

He thought my husband would give up sooner or later and follow his lead.

“I’ll give you my seal in due course, once I’ve confirmed your work.”

“I’ll do my best for that.”

To be honest, employment like Ragnard’s was quite rare.

When it came to the chief steward, you couldn’t hire an outsider, which was pretty much the practice in every household.

Families couldn’t employ someone in a position to know the family’s situation in depth, and someone who was not good at it.

In addition, in terms of education, it was common to choose from among the branch families.

Even Ragnard came from a branch of the Count Verdigo family.

It was not exactly the same, but close to it. 

That ws why it was a gamble whether or not my husband would hire Ragnard, who was from another family.

But for my husband, he was a lot better than Rockdell.

Besides, Ragnard was old.

After he eliminated Rockdell, he might intend to have Ragnard train a successor; someone from a branch of the family.

Ragnard himself loved to train people, so I didn’t think he would mind.

However, whether or not that person would last was a mystery.