CH 3.02

The carriage rattled and rocked gently.

It’s only like this because the road is paved, but in the countryside, it’s nothing like this.

It seriously hurts my butt.

Mind you, that’s proven.

“By the way, what are you wearing?”

“Uh? Doesn’t it look good on me?”

Of course it looks good on you.

You are the image of an incredibly beautiful woman. If people didn’t know you were a man, I’m sure many would be fooled.

“It’s a women’s outing, you know? Isn’t this a better way to hang out with them? And besides, wouldn’t it be eye-catching if I, a man, walked into a cute store in my male knightly attire and talked about women’s trinkets?”　

It’s kinda funny, but on a serious note…I, too, wouldn’t do something like that.

I think I’ve been criticized for knowing too little as a woman.

“But are you fine dressed like that? You said you’ve cut ties with the Marquis of Andrette family, but I’m sure you’ll easily be recognized, dressed like this…”

“That’s what the wig is for! I’ve always been fascinated by the color of your hair! Look, don’t we look like sisters?”

So you say. I’ll just assume that you’re probably doing this because you’re confident that you won’t have a problem being found.

No questions about it, because it’s fun! I trust you’ve already considered that.

Even though he’s a man, I think he looks more perfect as a woman than I am!

Let me tell you a little about Michel’s situation.

According to what I heard from Michel, he was originally the daughter of the Marquis of Andrette’s younger brother.

In fact, the Marquis of Andrette proposed that his eldest son substitute his younger brother, who died prematurely, in the bedchamber instead of helping his widowed wife, and Michel was born there.

It was a very complicated family environment.

In other words, Michel was the child of the Marquis of Andrette’s heir, and the grandson of the current Marquis of Andrette.

As a matter of fact, this seemed to be a common occurrence. A woman who is to be educated in her own home can get pregnant.

It’s totally condemned, and there’s a possibility that the woman can’t give birth, but the Marquis of Andrette has one ambition.

The Marquis of Andrette had no daughters available for political marriage.　

Therefore, he thought that if a daughter was born, he could use her, and so he eventually forced Michel’s mother to have one, and then guaranteed her future for the rest of her life afterwards.

As a result, the child that was born was a boy.

However, Michelle’s mother was also desperate.

In fact, she had three children with her late husband, and she had to raise all of them.

Even though the Marquis of Andrette was her relative, he was not the kind of person who would give her a hand easily. It was also difficult for her to rely on her own family since they had already moved to the next generation.

So, she faked that Michel was a girl.

She wondered if it would be that easy to make it work, but to her surprise, the Marquis of Andrette lent a hand.

She didn’t know if it was because she’s a woman, or if it was just because Michel was his grandson, but he also provided him with a boy’s education while falsifying his family registration.

Michel didn’t say it outright, but I could tell that his mother was very grateful to the Marquis of Andrette.

As for the Marquis of Andrette’s son, he said something like, “I’m glad we don’t look alike,” so I don’t think he has any good feelings about him.

Yeah, well…that’s it.

“By the way, what is your purpose today?”

“Aren’t you the one who suggested today’s outing? I don’t have any ideas…so any recommendations?”

“Um, aren’t you familiar with the Royal City? Even though the Count of Verdigo’s whole family resides here?”

“I didn’t get out much.”

We didn’t have a lot of money at our disposal.

Whenever I used a sum without permission, they would complain right away.

Who did they think was making the money?

“My personal recommendation is to go to the central market, but…if you suddenly go to such a place, Claude-sama will probably kill me.”

Michelle’s mumbling reminded me about the central market.

It’s the main market for the people living in the royal capital, and it is said that there is nothing that cannot be found there.

However, because of this, the market is crowded with various nationalities, and the security isn’t the best in the relatively safe royal capital.

But exciting new things spread from here.

Since it sometimes affects even the imperial family and aristocracy, its existence is now conspicuous to everyone.

“Let’s go there, Michel. You can just say that I was the one who demanded to go there.”

“I don’t think I’d go there with overtly aristocratic clothes…”

As expected, Michel is wary of the danger.

“Then, let’s change clothes somewhere around there.”

I pointed to a number of clothing stores that we passed along the way.

There are a lot of shops that cater to the aristocracy because they are located on the main street, but there are also shops that are used by women from middle-class families.

“Besides, my husband has assigned other guards besides you, didn’t he?”

“Yeah.”

Michel is my main guard, but as what suits my station as a Duchess, I can’t be alone when going out.

Several knights are guarding me, and a maidservant is accompanying her. Incidentally, today’s chaperone is also the oldest, Lil.

Lina had been so envious, so I made up my mind to buy her a souvenir. Not only her, but also Layla, of course. When I was working hard as a servant, I received a lot of gifts from them, so I wanted to return the favor.

I know that they weren’t just doing things for me out of a sense of duty. I also know that I’m sometimes a nuisance.

“Well then, let’s stop by there.”

In the end, Lil reluctantly followed suit, while Michelle smiled and agreed.

Of course, various conditions were set.

I feel sorry for the knights, but I’ll talk to my husband so that he can give them a special allowance.

“Don’t tell me you’ve always wanted to go there?”

“I was curious, but Ragnard wouldn’t let me.”

The central market is even said to be the center of cultural development and trends.

From a management point of view, it would be a lie to say that I’m disinterested.

Because of this! And if I can spot something like that first, I might be able to increase my assets at once.

“You’re like Claude in that aspect, you know? Normally, I just enjoy myself.”

Does that mean I’m a workaholic?　

Well, I guess this time it’s more like a visit. A surreptitious inspection.

I felt a little excited.

It’s like the thrill of doing something you shouldn’t do in disguise.

“But it’s okay. Risha-sama, you seem to be enjoying yourself.”

Michel then instructed the coachman to change course.