Chapter 4: The Duchess Dislikes Her Husband’s Reputation
ㅤ”There are too many types…… There’s this much variety!?”
ㅤ
ㅤThe area around the Adventurer’s Guild is lined with so many related shops that it seems like you could get everything you need to be an adventurer. The more I look, the more I feel like I need everything, and no matter how I think about it, I don’t have enough time.
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ㅤ’Weapons, adventurer’s clothes, tools, and even portable food…… Ah, I need a bag to put it all in too.’
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ㅤI’m looking around at the equipment necessary for an adventurer by myself, but this is something I can’t handle with my knowledge from my previous life. There’s no comparison website, and I can’t see any statuses. I have no idea what’s good and what’s not.
ㅤ
ㅤ’I thought I had studied enough to become a decent adventurer……’
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ㅤThe knowledge I gained from studying was about the types of monsters, their weaknesses, and the materials that can be obtained from them. What those materials are used for, and how valuable they are.
ㅤ
ㅤ’I’m totally unprepared!’
ㅤ
ㅤEarlier, when the maid chided me for not knowing about the territory, I wasn’t shaken at all, but now I’m clearly in shock.
ㅤIt’s not that I didn’t prepare enough, but rather that I hadn’t made any realistic assumptions.
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ㅤWhat kind of weapons do I need, what kind of armor made of what materials is good? What other tools do you take into the dungeon……? I lack real information. I’m totally lacking!
ㅤ
ㅤ’Alright! Let’s ask the professionals.’
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ㅤThe time I promised to meet with Ellis, the maid, is approaching. I need to at least gather some information.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Hey, hey, you over there. I’d like to ask you something.”
ㅤ”……?”
ㅤ
ㅤI called out to a group of three female adventurers. Looking at the staves on their hips, I figured two of them were magicians. They’re also carrying large, well-worn bags, so they’re probably going to use this town as a base or move to another location.
ㅤI honestly pleaded with them. I asked them to help me choose the equipment I need as an adventurer. Before they could make a “what’s with this girl” face like the guild receptionist, I made sure to mention compensation.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Aren’t you an Ojou-sama? Did something happen?”
ㅤ”I’m going to get divorced, so I need to learn how to live on my own.”
ㅤ
ㅤThey asked me the obvious questions, so I answered honestly. All three of them are frowning, so maybe they think I’m just messing with them.
ㅤ
ㅤ”My Danna-sama isn’t interested in me…… and I can’t really go back to my parents’ house……”
ㅤ”What the heck is that?”
ㅤ”Wait, you’re married!?”
ㅤ
ㅤI answered them very seriously, but the three of them were laughing, half-doubting and saying, “Seriously!?” But they seemed convinced. They seemed to believe that I was truly in trouble, so they kindly offered me the information they had.
ㅤApparently, all the weapon shops in this town are skilled. There are no duds. Perhaps because the materials can be procured in this town, the prices are lower than elsewhere due to the lack of transportation costs. They told me they were heading to another town, but they had just bought new weapons here.
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ㅤ”If I had to say, the shop that’s good for women is Windsor’s over there. It’s a bit expensive though.”
ㅤ”The designs are good. And they focus on making things lightweight.”
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ㅤIt’s important to feel good. It’s also a problem if things are heavy and difficult to move in. I pointed my finger in the direction they indicated and confirmed the location with a hum.
ㅤ
ㅤ”For armor, custom-made is the best! Something that fits your body is easy to move in.”
ㅤ”If you have the money, lightweight and sturdy materials are the only choice.”
ㅤ”Speaking of the dungeon in this town, equipment with strong magic defense is better.”
ㅤ
ㅤI was right to ask the professionals. The necessary information is gathering quickly. They told me about recommended shops, recommended materials, and even recommended restaurants.
ㅤ
ㅤ”But it might cost you a lot of money for a while when you’re just starting out. There are individual differences in what items and equipment work for you.”
ㅤ”That’s right. And since equipment is a matter of life and death, it’s better not to skimp on it.”
ㅤ”I see…… I’ll keep that in mind.”
ㅤ
ㅤOf course. After all, you’re dealing with dangerous monsters in the dungeon. They’re definitely going to resist desperately to avoid having their materials taken.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Ojou-san, you’re a magician, right? Can you go solo?”
ㅤ”I think I’m reasonably skilled.”
ㅤ
ㅤThe reason why magicians are seen as having a hard time working solo as adventurers is that most magicians can’t use magic powerful enough to defeat monsters on their own.
ㅤHowever, magicians are strong in long-range attacks, and they are powerful allies in terms of supporting the vanguard with defense and healing. They are a popular job class for adventurers who form parties, as they greatly expand the range of tactics available.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Even so, you’ll get lost in the dungeon at first, so if you have the money, hire a guide, or look for short-term party recruitment on the guild’s bulletin board.”
ㅤ”Wow! That’s helpful!”
ㅤ
ㅤI didn’t know that. I’m glad to know there’s a system that’s friendly to dungeon beginners. Knowing this beforehand is a big deal. I seem to have luckily caught some thoughtful and helpful adventurers.
ㅤ’Oh no! It’s almost time for my appointment……!’
ㅤ
ㅤOn top of the large door of the Craftsman’s Guild, located opposite the Adventurer’s Guild, a large clock is installed, allowing anyone to check the time.
ㅤ
ㅤ”So, one last question.”
ㅤ”Is it really the last one!?”
ㅤ
ㅤIt seems like the amount of information I received was more than the compensation I paid. But it can’t be helped. I have to keep my promises.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Is there anywhere that sells things that young women would like? Something delicious would be nice.”
ㅤ
ㅤWith that, I thanked the three of them, waved goodbye, and left.
ㅤAfter that, I bought some beautifully crafted sugar confectionery and hurried back to the carriage, where Ellis, the maid, greeted me with a clearly relieved look on her face.
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ㅤ”Welcome back, Okusama.”
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ㅤ’Okusama, huh……’
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ㅤI’m not used to it. But she seemed happy with the souvenir. She’s a maid with quite expressive features.
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ㅤIn the end, I stopped taking her with me from the next day onwards. I felt bad making her wait in the carriage. Of course, she made a clearly displeased face, but I couldn’t afford to be reserved now that I had finally gained my freedom.
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ㅤ”I’m going to learn about this town on my own! Without bothering anyone or relying on anyone…… Then Danna-sama will surely see me in a new light, right? ……Would you mind teaching me if there’s anything I don’t understand?”
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ㅤWhen I said something like that, she took a deep breath and reluctantly backed down.
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ㅤFrom then on, I had the coachman take me near the Adventurer Town every morning and pick me up around sunset. For a while, I’ll be a well-behaved day-trip adventurer. But that’s not so unusual in this town. You enter the dungeon in the morning and come out in the evening. You have your day’s achievements evaluated at the material buying office, and then you head out to the bar district with your reward.
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ㅤ’Well, I’ll properly return to the mansion and spend my evenings relaxing and recovering my stamina~’
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ㅤWhen I finally got my custom-made armor and adventurer’s clothes and started going out wearing them,
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ㅤ”Okusama……! You are the Duchess of Blood, you know!?”
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ㅤThere was a bit of a fuss, but
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ㅤ”This way I’m less conspicuous in town.”
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ㅤThat single phrase somehow convinced her. Although she had a bitter look on her face. In reality, it’s true that I’m less likely to be bothered by strange people if I blend in with the town.
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ㅤSince I was treated like a plague within the mansion, there were no other servants besides Ellis who would complain, but they probably think I’m just gallivanting around town. However, considering that the rumors haven’t leaked out into the town, it’s clear that the Blood family employs competent servants who are loyal.
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ㅤ’Maybe they just can’t talk about their incompetent master……’
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ㅤIf that’s the case, I feel a little sorry, but it’s probably better for both of us if things stay this way. I’ll behave myself within the mansion, so I’d like them to leave me alone about it.
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ㅤThe people of Blood Territory knew that their lord had gotten married, but since there hadn’t been any public appearances, no one knows my face. It’s certainly convenient for me to live here like this. However, it’s also true that it makes me feel more and more neglected, and I feel like I want to say something about it.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Isn’t Lord Duke being way too uncool? Not introducing his wife to anyone at all.”
ㅤ”I heard that Okusama has been sickly since she was young.”
ㅤ
ㅤWhen I complained to my new adventurer friends, I found out that the setting from my parents’ house had been carried over. But I feel a little irritated that they’re taking Danna-sama’s side, not mine.
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ㅤ”He’s called the Cold-Blooded Duke, and maybe he’s just being mean to his wife from a political marriage?”
ㅤ”Even so, he’s thinking about this town. It’s become much easier to live here.”
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ㅤEven the waitress at my favorite restaurant wouldn’t agree with me. She passionately told me, a newcomer to this town, about the good points of the lord.
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ㅤ”He doesn’t indulge in any extravagant luxuries himself, and he’s always thinking and acting to improve the lives of the people in the territory.”
ㅤ”Well, there’s no doubt that it’s easy for us to live here~”
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ㅤThe adventurers are also agreeing with nods.
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ㅤ(Hmm. He’s unpopular with the nobles, but popular with the commoners, huh?)
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ㅤBy the way, he’s also unpopular with his wife.
ㅤI know that rumors have been spreading in social circles that he’s unfriendly, cold-blooded, and heartless. But it seems that’s not the case here.
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ㅤHe’s strict but fair, consistent, and unwavering. Because he’s clear, his policies are easy to understand. He’s a bit strict, but perhaps the people feel the return for that.
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ㅤAnd above all, his good looks seem to be a major contributor to his popularity. I haven’t seen his face properly since the day of the wedding, but I agree that he’s handsome.
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ㅤ”That’s what’s good about him being a hard-liner!”
ㅤ”Eh~ Maybe he’s just sullen.”
ㅤ
ㅤI don’t actually know anything about him.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Hey, you! How dare you say such a thing!”
ㅤ”You haven’t actually seen the Lord’s face, have you!? Right!? Right!?”
ㅤ”If I was stared at by those eyes, I wouldn’t care if he was sullen or a hard-liner!”
ㅤ”S, sorry……”
ㅤ
ㅤI was severely scolded by the women for saying something irresponsible. Anyway, there’s no doubt that he’s very popular with women.
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ㅤ”I wonder what the actual Duchess is like.”
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ㅤI involuntarily flinch at the words of the landlady of the restaurant, who sighs enviously. What kind of person is Tempest Blood, the Duchess who never shows her face……? Perhaps people want to see what’s hidden from them.
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ㅤ”It’s me, me! I’m right here!”
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ㅤI make a V-sign. I’m here! The Duchess is here! It’s an appeal. More than anything, it’s the truth. I’ve been properly calling myself Tempest from the beginning.
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ㅤ”You can’t…… You can’t say that just because you have the same name!”
ㅤ”That’s right! Tempest-sama is from the Witwish family! So many young ladies want to learn the beauty of that family’s manners!”
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ㅤ(Yeah, yeah, I know. I had a hard time because that’s what they’re selling!)
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ㅤAs expected, no one believed me.
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ㅤ”But it’s true~”
ㅤ”You’re being persistent!”
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ㅤThey even scoffed at me.
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ㅤ”Hey, Tempest~! Are you going into the dungeon again tomorrow?”
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ㅤAn adventurer who I often go into the dungeon with recently called out to me from a distant table in the restaurant.
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ㅤ”I’m going first thing in the morning~! Are you going too, Reid?”
ㅤ”Then why don’t we go to the third floor together~?”
ㅤ”Okay!”
ㅤ
ㅤWell, if my parents saw me having such a loud conversation in public during a meal, they’d probably faint.
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ㅤI resented being tricked into marriage, but now I realize that my parents’ judgment wasn’t wrong.
ㅤI’ll write them a thank you letter when I get back…….I’ll keep the details of my gratitude vague.
Chapter 5: Morning Greetings
ㅤMy living expenses are handed to me every month with a set budget. This is a hidden message from the Duke, saying, “Manage within this and do whatever you want on your side.” Basically, it’s given to me for personal purchases and the salaries of the close servants.
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ㅤ’It’s like a giant allowance book~’
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ㅤIt’s not for the whole mansion, just for my immediate surroundings, so it’s not that much. It’s just a huge amount, as if to show off the dignity of the Duke’s family. It makes me feel like I’m being given severance pay every month. As if he’s saying, “I’m giving you this much, so don’t bother me.”
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ㅤ”If you wish to hire more servants, please do so from that budget.”
ㅤ”Understood.”
ㅤ”If you find yourself absolutely short of funds, please consult with me first.”
ㅤ”Understood.”
ㅤ”Lord Duke is very busy, so for other matters as well……”
ㅤ”Understood!”
ㅤ
ㅤ’I said I understood, didn’t I!’
ㅤ
ㅤVictor, the Duke’s attendant, always says the same things. In essence, he’s saying, “Don’t get close to the Duke,” but did I ever say I wanted to meet Danna-sama? He always has his silky blonde straight hair neatly tied up, his glasses gleaming, as if he’s worried that I might develop feelings for Danna-sama.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Does Danna-sama dislike women?”
ㅤ”I haven’t heard anything like that……”
ㅤ
ㅤWhen I asked Ellis, my maid, while getting ready for bed, she answered with a surprised look on her face. It was probably because it was the first time I had asked about my husband. It had already been over a month since we got married. She looked at me as if to say, “It’s about time.”
ㅤWell…… even if it was a reluctant, or rather, forced political marriage, I thought there must be some other reason for him to reject me so thoroughly.
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ㅤ”With his appearance, I thought maybe he had a past where he was overwhelmed by women……”
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ㅤMy younger brother, who lives at my parents’ house, dislikes women for similar reasons. It’s also a headache for my parents, but I know they thought it would be easier to deal with me than him.
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ㅤ”I don’t know…… but if you wish, Oku-sama, I will investigate.”
ㅤ”Oh, no, that’s okay! I just wondered if there was some hidden reason that everyone knew but me.”
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ㅤI have no complaints about my current life. None at all. I’m having so much fun that I’m wondering if I should regret the things I grumbled about in my heart on my wedding day.
ㅤAbove all, I’m free to do as I please, as I wished, and I have a generous daily budget. Thanks to that, I had no trouble getting all the adventurer equipment I needed. This question was just meant to be a bit of communication before bed.
ㅤ
ㅤ”No! Certainly, he is neglecting you too much, Oku-sama! If there’s a reason, he should tell you as your husband!”
ㅤ
ㅤ’Oh no!’
ㅤ
ㅤEllis suddenly got fired up and started getting angry. She’s probably bored, since her master, me, hasn’t been going out every day. I’d like her to find a hobby to pass the time.
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ㅤ”It’s alright. Danna-sama is busy. He might tell me when the time is right.”
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ㅤI somehow managed to calm Ellis down. Or rather, it’s a little irritating to be thought of as the one concerned about him. Just as he doesn’t care about me, I don’t care about Danna-sama either.
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ㅤPerhaps it was because I had brought up his topic for the first time in a while. The next day, for the first time since coming to this mansion, my breakfast time overlapped with Danna-sama’s. We eat in the same room, but our times had always been different. I’m usually the earlier one. After all, I have to eat quickly and head to the Adventurer Town. Since I haven’t tried staying out overnight yet, the time I can spend adventuring each day is limited.
ㅤAccording to Ellis, Danna-sama usually comes in quite a while after I’ve finished eating, or often skips breakfast altogether.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……Good morning.”
ㅤ”……Ah.”
ㅤ
ㅤ’This is awkward!’
ㅤ
ㅤCome to think of it, this is our first conversation. We didn’t even talk at the wedding. He still won’t look at me. He won’t look at me at all.
ㅤ
ㅤ”You’re early.”
ㅤ”This is my usual time.”
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ㅤ’So don’t come to the dining room at this time ever again!’
ㅤ
ㅤUnlike at my parents’ house, breakfast at this mansion is served in the amount needed. At the Witwish house, all sorts of dishes were lined up from the morning. Several kinds of staple foods, meat and fish main dishes, and various kinds of fruits and desserts. It was served at a level that felt like a full-course hotel breakfast every morning. It’s fun once in a while, but it’s a bit overwhelming every day.
ㅤNow, I have toast, muffins, bacon, egg dishes, a small salad, and soup…… all served at once. The variety is limited, and the things I eat are mostly fixed, similar to breakfast in my previous life. No, even this is a much better meal than what I ate in my previous life. If I had such a commoner-like meal at my parents’ house, I would definitely be in big trouble, but here I’m told to do as I please, so I do.
ㅤ
ㅤ’But everything is delicious, so they must be using good ingredients~’
ㅤ
ㅤEvery morning, I eat a meal prepared by a professional chef and head to the dungeon in perfect condition. What a luxurious newbie adventurer I am. By the way, when I told my adventurer friends about this, they thought I was playing a 『character』, and they stopped believing I was the Duchess.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……Then, I’ll be going.”
ㅤ”……Ah.”
ㅤ
ㅤUnlike Danna-sama, who has a full-course style meal like at my parents’ house, I finished my meal quickly and headed to the Adventurer Town as usual. If we live in the same mansion, our meal times are bound to overlap sometimes.
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ㅤ’Well, that’s only for today!’
ㅤ
ㅤApparently, he wants to avoid me as much as possible, so Danna-sama won’t be coming at this time anymore. Surely not.
ㅤOr so I thought, but when I went to have breakfast at the usual time the next day……
ㅤ
ㅤ’He’s here!’
ㅤ
ㅤMoreover, he’s earlier than me. He’s already finished eating and is sipping his black tea. I feel like I’ve lost somehow, but if I try to wake up earlier than this to eat breakfast, it would be a lot of trouble for the servants.
ㅤIn the end, before I knew it, we started having breakfast together every morning. The only conversation we have is greetings. He’s annoying, but this is something my parents told me over and over again in both my previous life and this one, so I do it properly. “Always greet people properly!” they said.
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ㅤ”I appealed directly to Lord Duke!”
ㅤ”I knew it……”
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ㅤThe mystery of how this happened was quickly solved. Ellis had taken the initiative. Well, if I was really troubled by my relationship with Danna-sama, her proactiveness would be appreciated. However…… that’s not the case, so I’m sorry to say it falls into the category of well-meaning but troublesome.
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ㅤ”I understand that this is a political marriage. However, that doesn’t mean you need to deliberately create a wall or a reason to be at odds with each other.”
ㅤ”That’s true, but……”
ㅤ
ㅤ(I can’t argue back when she hits me with the truth……)
ㅤ
ㅤShe’s also an Ojou-sama from a Viscount family connected to the Blood family, but she doesn’t have the usual arrogance of that circle and I feel she was raised with a lot of love. With her neatly arranged straight brunette hair and round, sparkling orange-brown eyes, she seems to be thinking every day that Danna-sama and I should at least be on good terms.
ㅤ
ㅤ”That’s why Victor was glaring at you.”
ㅤ”That man! I’m not scared of him at all!”
ㅤ
ㅤEllis snorted at my words. She must have remembered Victor and gotten angry.
ㅤVictor had been looking at Ellis with clearly hostile eyes. Of course, Ellis boldly ignored his gaze, saying she wasn’t bothered in the slightest.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Besides, Lord Duke married you, Oku-sama, to avoid marrying into the royal family. If they knew that a divorce was always possible, they would start pestering him again. Surely that would trouble Victor-sama as well.”
ㅤ”He was being pestered!?”
ㅤ”That’s what I’ve heard. All the young ladies tried to get close to Lord Duke somehow.”
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ㅤApparently, starting with Lady Christina…… who is the daughter of the King’s younger brother, young ladies from all over had been visiting this territory under various pretexts.
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ㅤ”He’s the Duke, of marriageable age, and unmarried. The territory is prosperous, and once you see him, you can understand his appeal. The onslaught of young ladies was apparently quite overwhelming.”
ㅤ”Oh……”
ㅤ
ㅤEllis seemed to have been collecting stories of the servants’ hardships. And she told me that she had heard from various sources that they couldn’t believe I wasn’t attached to Danna-sama at all, having married him.
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ㅤ”You’re talking about it like it’s someone else’s business again……!”
ㅤ”Now, now. More importantly, if Victor does anything to you, tell me immediately.”
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ㅤApparently, that attendant doesn’t have a good impression of me, and he might act aggressively towards Ellis, who is on my side.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Well, Oku-sama! I’m not weak either…….But thank you.”
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ㅤWell, of course. She can negotiate directly with the Duke.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……Good morning.”
ㅤ”……Good morning.”
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ㅤToday, too, we exchange greetings in low voices in the morning. I wonder if the day will ever come when Danna-sama looks at my face.