CH 3.01

Do whatever you want.

That’s what Ragnard told me, but the truth is ――…

I can’t!

Or better yet, I can’t think of anything right away, you know?

It’s because until now, I’ve always been focused on estate management. What I want to do is also to develop my territory! Or something like that.

I feel like it’s too late to develop the Duchy’s territory that’s already thriving.

Even if I were to think of venturing to a new business, there are already existing ones, so it’s useless. I’ll be competing with others. If others were to find out that the Duchess is involved, existing merchant houses may go under.

That’s too much of a no-no in reverse.

“Risha-sama, you’re very selfless.”

“It’s not because I’m that selfless.”

After all, I want to enjoy life and eat good food. I want to rest physically and be lazy. I have such desires.

Michel has been consulting with me face to face while serving me tea.

He seemed to have settled into the Duke’s mansion and was always enjoying life.

“See, that’s why you’re selfless. All you can think about is what everyone else wants! Normally, when someone becomes Duchess, she’d buy jewels, dresses, and even a villa, and spend money like it’s hot water every day and enjoy her life. Is that strange?”

“Do you really think that kind of life is fun?”

“I guess we have different values. There are a lot of ladies who dream of doing such things, but I’ll pass. On the contrary, they seem tiring and not to my liking. Even Miss Risha isn’t interested in them, no?”

No, not at all.

I don’t know. I’ve never really envied the life of the Countess of Verdigo, my stepmother, and half-sisters.

Well, it felt really good when the maids massaged me comfortably, and I could well understand being shushed by the maids to soak in a bath.

I think that’s one of the few indulgences that I understand.

“At any rate, I think it’s the duty of the rich to spend money and keep the economy going.”

“So, do you want to start some kind of business, Madam?”

“I don’t want to keep you busy.”

“How about we just make a draft and dump it to Claude-sama? He seems to be bored lately.”

That’s true!

We’ve been having tea together a lot lately.

“I’m sure Diego-san will be busy with that.”

Ah, I get it.

Diego, stay strong!

You’ve become a victim of my husband’s attempt to build trust.

I’m sorry, Diego.

I can’t give you the day off, but I’ll be sure to advise my husband next time! Please do the job.

“Since you’re here, why don’t you go outside and have a change of scenery? You’ve been cooped up all day.”

Outside.

When Michel said outside, he meant outside the mansion.

He doesn’t mean a walk in the garden. In fact, we’re having tea in the garden at the moment.

I’m not a hermit by any means. It’s just that since I don’t have to go outside the mansion to get everything done, I don’t move as much.

After all, I am a Duchess. I don’t have to go outside, and people will come to me.

“I’ll go once in a while…”

I don’t always have work, labeled as duties, that are assigned to me.

Basically, I’m busiest when the seasons change or when personnel changes occur.

In other words, I’m supposed to be free at the moment ―― but I’m also studying voluntarily.

Ragnard has been training me to be a Lord, but that’s a man’s job. As for the main part of housekeeping, since my stepmother was in charge of it, I’ve only done some of it on the side, so I haven’t had a chance to learn it well.      

I can perform the basics, but I’m not good enough yet.      

More importantly, the scale is different from that of the Count of Verdigo.

“Study some other time! You need to relax once in a while!”

It’s like I’m always taking a breather.

In fact, Michel seems to be the one who’s having the most fun. Isn’t this supposed to be my break?

“Now that we’ve decided that, let’s get ready! I wonder if I need to inform Claude-sama? Oh, and by the by, I need to borrow one of your maids.”

“…I don’t know what you’re planning, but…Lil, go find someone who’s available. If there’s none, please help him. Lina, can you go and inform my husband? Layla, help me get ready.” 

Since we’re going outside, I need a change of clothes.

What I’m wearing now is called loungewear.

I’m okay wearing it outside, but this is a matter of dignity as the Duchess.

A person could be recognized upon seeing him; the way he was dressed.

I have no plans of meeting any acquaintance, but since that tea party, my appearance is rapidly becoming known, so I can’t be too careful.

With my instructions, each of us started to move.

Well, all I had to do was get dressed.

It’s not like I’m going out on a formal social occasion, so I should change to something comfortable enough to move around and not be disrespected as a Duchess.

To be honest, it’s so annoying, but having Layla around at times like this is a big help.

She’s fond of this kind of thing, so I just leave everything to her. 

Leave what people love to them; this is important!

Lina came right back and conveyed what my husband had said.

He told me to be careful and go.

It’s a bit of a cliché, but it shows his concern for me.

By the way, Lil is still with Michel.

I don’t know what Michel needs a maid for, but I can’t be bothered with what he’s doing.

“What do you think, Risha-sama?”

My dress today has a purple tone to it.

I like the calm color.

I turned around in front of the dresser and was satisfied.

“Hmm, I really like this color. And the fabric is worth the price.”

I’m not saying that I’ve taken dressing up as a hobby since becoming the Duchess ―― However, I still get excited when the things I wear are much better. 

I didn’t really understand the point of spending money on such items before, but the feeling seemed a bit different, now that I could afford to do so.

It’s troublesome to dress up every day, but it’s fun to dress up for the occasional outing like this.

When I finished dressing up and headed for the main entrance, I found my husband and Ragnard there, and…

Is no one going to get in?

Or is it already packed?!

“Oh, Risha-sama! Let’s get going, shall we?”

Michel was there, too dressed as a woman.

“…Why?”

“Huh? Doesn’t it look good on me? This is my new dress! This is written off as a necessary expense, that’s why life here is fun!”

“Husband…”

Are you sure about this? I asked him with a look, and he let out a sigh as if he had given up.

Oh, are you tired, Husband?…By the way, how did Ragnard get permission?

If this is a necessary expense, doesn’t that mean that all the receipts are going to Ragnard?

“I found it useless to say anything. All I can think now is that he could have taken over the Marquis of Andrette.”

Ahhh…Hmm, perhaps.

Michel can make allies just by talking, and then can beat the opposing faction to death.

He certainly is capable of it.

Or rather, he should do it.

Just as he did with Her Royal Highness.

He took up a job from my husband because he decided it would be more fun.

Absolutely.