CH 1.15

“Look at you.”

“You look beautiful, Risha-sama.”

“Risha-sama looks so good in everything that I’m at a loss.”

“Your skin is white and youthful, so you don’t need to wear thick makeup and can compete with just your natural beauty.”

“Lovely!”

My happy husband, ragnard, who was acting as if he was looking at someone he had missed, and my three lady attendants who seemed to have pulled all stops, showered me with compliments.

It was not clear whether my  master’s praise was really praise, but he seemed satisfied, so I guessed I got a fair score.

The dress Lil chose was a lovely cream colored dress.

You can only wear these colors when you’re young! This decision was made emphatically.

Indeed, pretty colors could be cringy if you wore them when you were old.

The color was appropriate for daytime loungewear. However, the fabric was quite high quality, as expected.

I mean, it fitted me perfectly. When did they measure my size? There was no need for me to wonder anymore.

I was certain that the best people could figure out my approximate size just by looking at me.

Then it must have been passed on to my husband.

But I really didn’t expect such a big change in just a few hours.

The professionals’ techniques were so impressive that I wondered to myself, Is this me?

This was what it meant to have glowing skin.

Today, I registered the meaning of the word for the first time.

By the way, when I smiled at Diego, the secretary in the room who tended to be completely dazed, and asked what he thought of me, he turned bright red and muttered, “You’re beautiful.”

For some reason, his innocent reaction intrigued me. I wondered. He was so cute and seemed like he was worth teasing.

He’s definitely older than me, but was it wrong to think he was cute?

I might get obsessed with it.

“Risha-sama, you look a lot like your mother.”

Ragnard had been in the service of the Count of Verdigo since my grandfather’s generation.

In other words, he knew my mother well.

In fact, it seemed that Ragnard was involved in my mother’s education.

He educated me, educated my mother, and was a great help to both of us, mother and daughter.

But Ragnard claimed that it was his utmost joy.

When I thought of how much he really liked the Count of Verdigo family, I felt a little sorry for my unworthiness.

There was not much I could do before I inherited the Count’s family, and I ended up leaving the house. Consequently, I failed to live up to Ragnard’s expectations.

I really couldn’t think why he hadn’t abandoned me.

Even now, I could only thank Ragnard for rushing over to me like this.

“I can’t wait to see Elise’s reaction the day after tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, we’ll spend the money and beautify you to show everyone that you’re the Duchess.

My husband, who laughed like a villain, was scary.

Rather than say beautify…well, I was a doll I guess. 

The day after tomorrow, as my husband said, would be the day Elise holds a tea party in the name of the Duke of Lindbeld.

Husband said that everything would be settled on that day.

I was also supposed to work as one of the frames in my husband’s scheme.

At any rate, my safe and peaceful life and at the very least, the rise of my living standards were at stake.

Anyhow, please just do something about my food.

“Then you’ll have to learn to be a Duchess well until the day after tomorrow.”

“E…eeh?”

“You’re already married, Risha. It is natural for you to learn about your husband’s family. Moreover, in order to show the difference in rank, you must first act like it. Originally, it was a duty, not a job, to learn before marriage to avoid embarrassment in the family you’re marrying into. However, since your marriage was so sudden, it’s a bit of a learning curve, but let’s make sure you learn it now. If you are guaranteed a living, of course you should be able to fulfill your obligations accordingly.”

Ragnard said firmly without giving me any chance to refuse. Even my husband came on board.

“‘Sure, I said you didn’t have to work, but I never said you can abandon my duties. You have a good point, Ragnard.”

Don’t you dare play word games with me, Mister!

“T-This is a scam! Isn’t work and duty the same thing!”

“What do you think, Ragnard?”

“Work and duty are two different things in my opinion, Master.”

“That’s odd. I’m of the same mind. So it’s two against one; they’re different.”

“It’s not fair. You two are teaming up! I’d like to take the vote of everyone here!”

At this rate, I could only see a future where I would continuously be sent to countless jobs in the name of duty.

Absolutely not.

I couldn’t let myself get caught up in these workaholics!

“Who thinks that work and duty are the same thing?”

Of course I would raise my hand.

And another person, Diego, raised his hand fearfully.

That’s right! Diego, I knew you would understand.

But Diego was the only one who raised his hand.

My husband smirked as if in victory.

“Okay, are we clear now?”

“Wait a minute! I’m sure the three maids behind must have been influenced by you and Ragnard!”

“It’s not good to be so judgmental.”

“Yes, it is unbecoming of a master to try to overrule a decision of free will.”

My opinion was dismissed as if it had been folded.

“Now then, Madam, can you fulfill your duties?”

Con man, black-hearted, devil!

Ragnard, stop smiling and help me!

I’m still your former master, you know!

“Well then, Risha-sama. Let’s start by studying a little bit of home economics, shall we? Don’t worry. It’s easy compared to the work of a lord. Besides, you seem to have read all the materials beforehand.”

The relentless Ragnard handed me the study tools that somehow he had created before I knew it.

“W-When did you…?”

“I did my own research on the history of the Lindbeld duchy, their relatives, and the merchant families and business partners associated with them, in case you would need them someday after you got married. After this, let’s do some practice on etiquette.”

Wow.

I don’t need this kind of attention.

I mean, Ragnard, didn’t you say you were going to enjoy your retirement? Is this what you’re looking forward to? Why do you seem to be enjoying my education so much?

“You are a steward who loves his master very much. This is what we call a loyal vassal. You have a good vassal, Risha.”

My husband regarded me and Ragnard with a wry smile.

I’d like to remind you, Husband. He’s now your vassal and subordinate, okay?

I cursed him, hoping from the bottom of my heart that one day he would suffer the same fate.