《Can Someone Please Explain This Situation》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1: A Business Negotiation under the Name of a Marriage Proposal Ding dong, the temple¡¯s bell ¨C nicknamed as the bell of happiness ¨C rings out. This is Rosier, the capital city of the kingdom of Fleur. Inside the castle, built on a small hill overlooking the capital, a wedding was being held in a temple dedicated to this country¡¯s religion ¨C the most sacred place. I am currently standing at the entrance to the temple, being stared at by everyone in attendance. I am, after all, the bride in today¡¯s wedding. The priest stands on the altar, while the handsome groom stands next to it. He wears the official uniform of the Kingdom of Fleur Knights. He¡¯s really dazzling to a stupid extent. Is this what you¡¯d call being blessed by the gods? And wait a second, is this person really going to become my husband? No matter how rose-coloured your glasses, I¡¯m completely average. The groom is more beautiful than the bride ¨C what a painful truth¡­ No, no, this is not the time to escape from reality. The wedding ceremony has already started! The wedding ceremony where I, Viola Mandshurica Euphorbia, will be wed to Cercis Tinensis Physalis. My father, Earl Euphorbia, slowly escorts me along the red carpet to Duke Physalis. The duke, sporting a soft smile, approaches us and extends a hand. He¡¯s to take my hand from my father. Everyone has their own purpose for this marriage. Well, things will turn out the way they turn out. Resigning myself, I start taking things seriously. I hide everything underneath my mask ¨C my smile ¨C and take the Duke¡¯s hand. This marriage has never been anything but political in the first place. I am certain about this. I, Viola Mandshurica Euphorbia, am a daughter of an Earl¡¯s house that is prestigious but has no money. That¡¯s right, we¡¯re terribly poor. Partially because we were never a family that lusted for power, until now, we all lived modestly with ¡®poor yet dignified¡¯ as our motto. We had no luxuries or extravagances. We only made the bare minimum effort to participate in even high society. Still, my family of five ¨C father, mother, me, my little brother, and my little sister ¨C lived happily together. But go back three years. Our lands faced the largest famine ever recorded, and in order to save the people, Father needed to go deeply into debt. That debt is to blame for everything! We had to live even more modesty than before ¨C at poverty level, rather. No matter how hard we worked. I ended up just staring at my hands. But everyone in the family still did their best! At times, I did the work of the maid, the gardener, and sometimes even the chef all by myself! Since I had always preferred working with the servants rather than living like a noble, it wasn¡¯t tough for me at all. That¡¯s when the head of the House of Physalis sent me a marriage proposal. That was exactly one year ago. ¡°I¡¯m to marry Duke Cercis Physalis?¡± I had suddenly been summoned to Father¡¯s office only to be told something crazy. My light blue eyes went so wide I worried that they would fall out of their sockets. I was just that shocked. But I wasn¡¯t the only one who was taken off guard. ¡°That¡¯s right. He¡¯s also perfectly aware of our current financial situation ¨C he said that he will shoulder the debt, so in exchange, let him marry you,¡± says Father, looking bewildered. It¡¯s true that it¡¯s sudden. This situation is akin to lightning coming down from a clear sky. But a question rose up in my head. ¡°Have I ever met the Duke in person?¡± I cock my head to the side and think, but I can¡¯t recall any connections between us in the slightest. ¡°That¡¯s right¡­ you haven¡¯t, right? We fell into poverty shortly after you made your social debut, so you haven¡¯t attended many soir¨¦es either?¡± Father cocks his head to the side as well. ¡°Right? And it¡¯s not like I¡¯ve ever been flirted with? And people don¡¯t even gossip about me in high society, let alone spread rumours? So why? A Duke should have no shortage of marriage candidates to choose from.¡± Father and I cross our arms in unison, as if we were mirror images of each other. ¡°Hmm,¡± we say, trying to think up any ideas, but as expected we come up with nothing. The Duke is very young, only twenty-four. Normally, he works as a knight in the castle. And not just any knight ¨C an elite knight, the leader of a special force despite his youth. He¡¯s handsome as well, with the knight uniform apparently suiting his tight, flexible body very well. Apparently young noble ladies swoon at the sight of him. Oh, but I¡¯ve never met him myself so this is all hearsay ¨C or rather, rumours. Why would such an amazing thing like this Duke send a marriage proposal to an average noble girl from a poor and ruined noble house drowning in debt? (Just saying it myself makes me depressed.) I don¡¯t understand at all. ¡°Well, we have no reason to decline on this side ¨C rather, we need to happily accept it ¨C but what do you think, Viola? I¡¯ll decline if you don¡¯t want to.¡± My kind father respects my opinion, but it¡¯s not like we can decline. There¡¯s no way that a declining Earl¡¯s house can reject an offer of marriage from a high class Duke¡¯s house. And even if we turn the offer down, it¡¯s not like anybody else is going to want to marry a dull girl drowning in debt. I had so few hopes I had even started thinking ¡°I might not mind being single ¡î.¡± If it saves my family, go on, hand me over as many times as you need! ¡°No, Father. If it¡¯s for our house, I will happily accept,¡± I say, smiling brightly. I nod firmly. Author¡¯s Note: Thank you for reading £¨£Þ£Þ£© I¡¯ll be happy if you read through it quickly, just like usual ? This story is set in I guess the Middle Ages to the early modern period. It would be good if you thought of it as the country next to the main country in most stories £¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© I¡¯m counting on all of you this time around again! T/N: This author really likes flowers! As you may know, fleur means flower and rosier means rosebush in French. There¡¯s a certain type of Asian violet known as viola mandshurica, or sumire in Japanese. Euphorbia is the name for a genus of flowering plants. Cercis chinensis is colloquially known as the Chinese redbud. Here the author writes the name as Tinensis rather than Chinensis, though. Physalis is another genus of flowering plants, in the nightshade family. Chapter 2 Chapter 2: Business Negotiations Complete ¡î A few days after we responded that we would accept the Duke House of Physalis¡¯ marriage proposal, the good Duke himself came to our home. Along with a number of betrothal gifts. Fancy and exquisite dresses, gorgeous jewels ¨C items I¡¯ve only ever seen from a distance. There were loads of various other gifts. It¡¯s a secret that everyone in my family didn¡¯t just get agitated, but outright pulled back at the sight of the fancy goods brought into our home one after another. ¡°We might be able to pay off our debt just by selling off all of these¡­¡± I mumble idly. ¡°Hey! Viola! You can¡¯t say that!¡± My mother immediately denies my words, a black aura emanating from her despite her wide smile. The Duke gallantly appears in front of this shell-shocked House of Euphorbia. ¡°A pleasure to meet you, Lady Viola. I am Duke Cercis Tinensis Physalis. I am very much pleased that you gave your assent to accept my offer of marriage,¡± he greets graciously, then smiles such a beautiful smile that you can¡¯t help but blankly stare at it. I on the other hand, am standing straight up, stunned at the Duke¡¯s handsomeness. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen him in person. I did hear in rumours that he was handsome, that he had good looks, but the real thing was even better than rumoured. Slender and tall with a tight body. His dark brown hair is cut short and refreshingly kept neat in a normal knight¡¯s style. His similarly dark brown eyes are manly, his nose bridge straight and long, and his mouth is currently smiling softly. Every part of him was very much perfect. All the different parts of him create a perfect harmony even when they¡¯re put together to make one handsome man. With such a dazzling man in front of me, it would be more unreasonable to ask me to not become nervous. ¡°A -A pleasure to meet you, I am Viola.¡± I stuttered. But the Duke doesn¡¯t comment on my ungraceful state and instead smiles cheerfully. He takes my hand in an instant and turns to Father. ¡°You¡¯re lovely, just as the rumours say. Earl Euphorbia, I wish to talk for a bit with Lady Viola, but would you mind?¡± he requests for a chat. ¡°Yes, yes, feel free, feel free. If you would like, we may prepare seats for you in the garden,¡± Father agrees, nodding his head like a bobble head figure. ¡°Thank you very much.¡± Having gotten permission the Duke decides to head there immediately. I ended up going to the garden with him. We enter the modest garden, the bright afternoon sun shining down. The moment the Duke and I become alone, he speaks. ¡°I would like a wife just on a superficial level, a cosmetic wife.¡± With a smile, the first thing out of his mouth is this. What? What did this guy just say? ¡°Cosmetic, you say?¡± I doubted my hearing for a moment at the Duke¡¯s words. Dontcha think that¡¯s not the kinda thing you should say with a big smile? ¡­ Ahem, I lost control of myself. I thought that I had heard wrong thanks to the loud chirping of the birds in the garden. ¡°Yes, cosmetic. To tell you the truth, I have a lover I¡¯ve been dating for over six years. While I do love her, she¡¯s regrettably a former wandering dancer. She¡¯s not just any commoner ¨C no one even knows where she came from. Since everyone around me opposes it, I cannot marry her.¡± My uncertainty disappears in an instant. The Duke, his beautiful smile unfaltering, is cheerfully telling me an incredible story. ¡°I see¡­¡± ¡°But recently, the people around me have been whining about how I should marry, how I should make an heir.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°But they still won¡¯t allow me to marry her. And I have no intention to break up with her. And so, I will obtain a wife in nothing but name, and live with her as husband and wife on the surface.¡± ¡°¡­ What?¡± As it was such a crazy story, all I could bring myself to do was continuously give simple answers. I did change the intonations slightly however. To summarize, the person I¡¯m to marry (the Duke) already has a lover, and so I will be his mistress despite being his lawful wife. No wait, aren¡¯t I less than a mistress? He¡¯s already decided he won¡¯t love me. Um, huh? Wait a second, I¡¯ve started to get confused. You call a lover a mistress, right, normally. Then what would his lawful wife like me be? Ugh, I¡¯ve started to get confused. Enough. Well, how should I say it¡­ as expected, there¡¯s no such thing as a free meal. It would be weird if there wasn¡¯t a catch. I was strangely okay with the fact that there was. Frighteningly, the Duke maintains his smile. As I stare at him, my thoughts in a disarray inside me, he continues. ¡°Oh, I do not care if you do as you please. It will be problematic for me if you¡¯re too overt, but I do not mind if you have a lover. I promise that you will experience no inconveniences in regards to clothing, food, and accommodations.¡± The Duke smiles brightly. I almost tripped at those brutal words delivered with a smile! Hey, hey! There¡¯s a demon here! My mouth agape, I stare at him in astonishment. ¡­ Let¡¯s act a bit more noble, me. Let¡¯s start by closing that stupidly open mouth. A normal young noble lady would¡¯ve probably been livid at him by now, but my situation is a bit complicated. After all, this engagement is related to my family¡¯s debt problems. If something isn¡¯t done about our debt, Father, Mother, and my young sister and brother will struggle. If I got angry at these terms and tried to dissolve the engagement, my family will go straight back into poverty. Though well, we¡¯re already as poor as we can be. To make things worse, high society will be sure to shun us. ¡°Nobles in ruin who sullied a prestigious noble!¡±, they¡¯d say¡­ though that sounds a little cool ¡î. No, no, no, no, all I have to do here is endure it myself. I mentioned this earlier as well, but I¡¯ve luckily been rather unfamiliar with romance. For all eighteen years of my life, there¡¯s been no one I¡¯ve been interested in, and I¡¯ve cared so little about my future that I even thought, ¡°We¡¯re poor so I might not mind being single for life helping out my family ¡î.¡± Honestly, being able to live with zero troubles is rather great for me. I don¡¯t have to worry about my life when I get old! After thinking all this in my head in an instant, I speak. ¡°I understand. If you keep your promise about the debt, I do not care about anything.¡± My response was pretty calm. But well, I still don¡¯t think I¡¯ll take a lover or anything. The Duke looks a little surprised, perhaps because I replied so indifferently without getting angry. But he immediately returns to his smile from before. ¡°I¡¯m glad that you¡¯re a perceptive person. I¡¯m counting on you from now on.¡± He holds out his right hand to me. Is this a handshake indicating the end of business negotiations? I take his hand in mine with no hesitation. Here, the political marriage become marriage through contract between the House of Physalis and the House of Euphorbia was officially decided. Author¡¯s Note: Thank you again today £¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© I am very happy that so many people read this! With your encouragement, I¡¯ll do my best! T/N: As most of the author¡¯s notes are along the lines of this one, I won¡¯t be translating any more unless they have new info. Chapter 3 Chapter 3: A Signing Ceremony or Rather a Wedding Ceremony After being engaged for one year after the shocking business deal, we married. Naturally, I kept the contract business a secret from my family. Hearing of the Duke¡¯s utter heartlessness may make them faint, after all. I¡¯m probably the only one who can bear it. We were originally meant to hold the ceremony in six months¡¯ time, but due to suspicious behaviour near the country¡¯s south border, the military made its move. Naturally, the Duke accompanied them. And so, an entire year passed before things calmed down. I almost completely forgot about my engagement, the Duke¡¯s face, and other such things. Let¡¯s go back to the beginning ¨C the day of the wedding. We were specially allowed to have our wedding in the temple in the castle. After all, it is an idol¨C I mean, ahem, a Duke¡¯s wedding. Humph, I see, so rich and powerful people are treated differently! I wore an incredibly gorgeous wedding dress that the Duke prepared for me, made of the highest quality silk, and stood next to the Duke who was handsome enough to put even a prince to shame. There must be something wrong with the world for me to be able to stand next to a dazzlingly handsome man like him. I understand this, so, young ladies, could you perhaps refrain from glaring at me? I feel like little burns are popping up all over my body. These jealousy beams are no joke. I somehow avoided getting shot to death by the stares and lied through my teeth as I swore my vows to the priest. Finally, it¡¯s time to sign the marriage certificate. Once we sign this certificate, our marriage is official ¨C despite being a thin and loose piece of paper, it has a heavy meaning. Normally, after saying our vows in front of the priest and signing the certificate, the certificate is stored away in the castle¡¯s temple by the priest. On a side note, when remarrying, you need to trawl through storage to find your marriage certificate. It¡¯s a huge pain and everyone hates it. Should I perhaps whisper to him later, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s probably a good idea for us to keep our certificate in an easy-to-reach place.¡±? The Duke signs with no hesitation then passes the quill to me. He even gives me a sickly sweet smile ¨C what a masterful actor. Please ignore my twitching smile. I sign as well with the quill he gave me. With this, we¡¯re now husband and wife in the eyes of the law. But well, it feels more like a ¡°super fancy treaty ratification/signing ceremony¡± than a ¡°wedding ceremony¡± to me ¡î. The reception afterwards was very painful for me. To be blunt, what kind of punishment is this? ¡­ wait, it¡¯s a punishment I need to go through for my debt to be forgiven. Alright. Sorry. That¡¯s right, I need to live with it. My skin burns at the laser beam-like glares of young noble ladies who come relentless. I greet lots of people ¨C coworkers from work, superiors, subordinates, friends from high society, whatever ¨C with a fake smile on my face. I even ended up coming face to face with a member of royalty. Ugh, I feel like I¡¯ve done enough socializing to last me a lifetime. I¡¯m not proud of it, but I was basically a shut-in until now, just so you know! Perhaps my internal screaming leaked out from inside of me, because the Duke comes up to me. ¡°Are you alright? Are you tired?¡± asks the Duke, sickly sweet smile on his face as he embraces me by the shoulders. Yup, we¡¯re completely in public. Oh wait, I see, my duty has already begun! That was dangerous ¨C I almost tripped again. ¡°No, I am fine,¡± I say, cheerfully returning his smile with my own fragile one. Mm, I think I get full marks. ¡°That¡¯s good then,¡± he says, giving me a sparkling smile that surpasses mine. I think I¡¯ve overdosed on sugar. Ergh, so sweet. After that little skit, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to eat the food and dessert, even though they looked delicious. How disappointing. Nighttime ¨C after the reception filled with those little skits was over. I entered the Physalis mansion for the first time. The Duke ¨C no, my husband now ¨C escorted me through the entranceway. There, the servants are all lined up to greet us. As I expected from someone rich, there¡¯s many servants. Even though we could use even just a spare hand. ¡°Welcome home Master, Mistress!¡± they all cry. They bow down with such great force that I almost feel like they should¡¯ve made a swooshing sound. It frightened me since I¡¯m a pauper ¡î. And calling me ¡°Mistress¡±! I¡¯m so embarrassed I might freeze up. But my husband splendidly ignores the servants. ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll have you live here. I will show you to your room,¡± he says, then takes my hand to lead me to the staircase. He brings me to an amazingly large room. There¡¯s a sofa, desk, and a desk to put stuff on. And just how many people might be able to lay down on the impressive bed? At the very least, my entire family should be able to fit! It even has a canopy. While the room had white as it primary colour, it was somewhat extravagant. Up until now, I¡¯ve only ever seen a room like this in other people¡¯s homes ¨C I almost pinched my cheek, but I stopped myself just in time. Oh wait, this is someone else¡¯s home! My husband smiles wryly as I glance around, acting suspiciously. ¡°This is the bedroom meant for a married couple. You are free to use it as you please,¡± he says. Ooh, for a married couple, I see. But since we¡¯re a fake couple, he must mean that I can think of it as ¡°my room¡± as he said that I can use it as I please. As I understand what he means, I turn to my husband and give him a short nod. ¡°I understand. Um, er, where will you live?¡± I will do my best to not delve into things too deeply, but it¡¯ll be problematic for me if I don¡¯t know basic information. ¡°A detached room ¨C there is another building on the outskirts of the garden, so I will be there.¡± ¡°With your girlfriend?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°I understand. I will do my best to avoid that area.¡± ¡°¡­¡± For some reason, he sports a strange expression. Did I say anything strange? ¡°Is something the matter?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s simply that you¡¯re so very indifferent about this¡­¡± ¡°Well, is that not how our contract is?¡± ¡°That is true. Well then, I will take my leave now.¡± ¡°Very well. Thank you for your hard work.¡± ¡°¡­¡± His expression is strange again. Once my husband leaves and I¡¯m alone, I stretch out and let out a groan. Today was really tiring. A wedding ceremony, then a reception. I didn¡¯t get used to acting like a happy couple even by the end. By the end, I was definitely stiff. I hope no one noticed. Then, two maids enter as if they swapped places with my husband and take care of my needs. I finally wear my nightwear and go straight to bed ¡î. Tomorrow I¡¯ll start my life as a cosmetic wife at last. Well, I¡¯ll think about all that tomorrow¡­ zzzz. Chapter 4 Chapter 4: My Life as a Wife Begins! Man, top quality nightwear really gave me a top quality sleep. The wide bed was great for sleeping on too, and the wrinkleless bright white sheets, fresh and clean, felt perfect on my skin. Mm, servants to a Duke¡¯s house really do good work! I would most definitely want them to teach me their techniques. While I manage to crawl out of bed, I realize something. I have no idea what I should do with regards to changing clothes. If I were home, I would first begin by dressing myself, but I can¡¯t do that ¨C this is a Duke¡¯s house. Is it alright for me to go ahead and do things by myself? Wait a second, I don¡¯t even know where the clothing is stored. I need to have someone explain to me today or it¡¯ll be rather inconvenient for me. As I look around, still in my nightwear with my hands on my hips, I hear a knocking sound. After three brisk knocks, I hear a man¡¯s voice. ¡°Mistress, have you awoken?¡± As he¡¯s a man, is he a butler perhaps? Thinking that it was probably a bad idea for him to see me in my nightwear, in a fluster, I put on a gown on top of my nightwear before responding. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m awake.¡± ¡°Excuse me,¡± he says as a trim middle-aged man who¡¯s probably a butler and two women enter the room. The women are the maids that served me yesterday. One is slightly older and one is younger ¨C they both keep their hair neat and wear navy blue one-piece dresses as their livery. The three stand in a neat row once they enter the room. ¡°Good morning, mistress!¡± they cry at once. They bow down quickly. They¡¯re bowing at a forty-five degree angle. How well trained! Wait, that doesn¡¯t matter right now. I almost bowed to them as well, but by thinking no, no, I¡¯m this house¡¯s mistress, I stopped myself. ¡°Good morning,¡± I simply greeted. ¡°I am Lotus, a butler. I have brought along those who will serve you from now on, Mistress. This is the head maid, Dahlia, and the head of your personal maids, Mimosa.¡± The butler looks content on seeing me nod acceptingly. He introduces the older maid as Dahlia and the younger one as Mimosa. But honestly it¡¯s really extravagant for me to have two maids just for myself. Back home, since maids were considered luxury goods, everyone did everyone by themselves! Though we did help each other with putting on corsets. I can dress myself. And I can technically put on makeup¡­ technically. The important thing is that you can make out that it¡¯s me. That I don¡¯t look like a monster. But this is a Duke¡¯s house. It¡¯s normal to have a maid or two, or three. Nobles ¨C aka celebrities ¨C don¡¯t do anything by themselves. This is common sense. ¡°Dahlia and Mimosa, I see. I¡¯m counting on you,¡± I say, facing them and smiling. ¡°While there will be some things I will be unable to do, I will do my best.¡± ¡°Please do not hesitate to use me for anything.¡± The two of them say, all smiles. At first glance, Dahlia looked like a governess who would be harsh to a girl from the Alps. I was put on guard for a moment in case her personality was like that, but it seems that my fears were groundless. Mimosa seems to be a young, cute person just as she seems. The butler who been quietly listening to our amicable self-introductions speaks. ¡°I am in charge of everything with regards to this mansion, so if there is anything that troubles you, please feel free to tell me,¡± he says, pressing his hand to his chest and bowing. ¡°I understand,¡± I say, nodding. ¡°Very well then, Mistress. As breakfast has been prepared, feel free to come to the dining room once you have gotten ready. Now then, I shall take my leave for now,¡± he says, bowing again before leaving the room. ¡°I need to change clothes first¡­¡± I say, but I¡¯m cut off before I can finish my sentence. ¡°Yes, right over here. Please, pick any that you would like,¡± says Dahlia, smoothly opening a door different from the entranceway. To be honest, I assumed that door led to another room, but it seems I was wrong. The door led to a closet ¨C no, a dressing room. There was everything from underwear to shoes. The sight of the dresses, sorted by colour and shade to create a gradation, was overwhelming. But I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll wear this much ¨C or rather, I don¡¯t think I can wear this much? I¡¯m fine with just frequently rotating through a few dresses. ¡°¡­¡± Dahlia rubs my back as I stand there, my shock rendering me unable to move. ¡°If you would like, I may select an outfit that suits you, Mistress.¡± ¡°¡­ Please do so.¡± I felt dizzy at this lifestyle that was so completely different from what I was used to. Dahlia selects a light blue dress. She and Mimosa then help me get ready. ¡°Oh yes, where does my husband take his meals?¡± I ask in front of the mirror. ¡°The Duke lives completely separately with his companion,¡± Dahlia says coldly in a single breath. Wait one sec, Dahlia¡¯s expression, which had been gentle all this time, immediately went expressionless. Her eyes look crazed. And it¡¯s not just my imagination that I saw a blizzard is blowing behind me, is it. I feel something similar from Mimosa. H ¨C how scary! Wait, who the hell is his ¡°companion¡±!? ¡°U-um, who is this ¡®companion¡¯? Did a friend or someone like that stay over last night?¡± I ask, despite my fear of the aura emanating from them. ¡°She is favoured by the Duke and lives in the detached building.¡± So you won¡¯t call her his lover or his girlfriend, huh!? Dahlia¡¯s voice is low and scary. Mimosa, standing next to her, narrows her eyes. It feels like a blizzard is blowing in the room. ¡°You mean his girlfriend, right?¡± ¡°You may call her that.¡± Co-o-o-old! Her response is so cold! ¡°And her name is¡­?¡± ¡°She calls herself Calendula, I believe?¡± Why is that phrased as a question? Was she trying to make it sound like it didn¡¯t matter? ¡°D ¨C Dahlia? Mimosa?¡± The two of them realized that I was frightened. ¡°M ¨C my, I apologize profusely, Mistress!¡± ¡°You do not need to worry over it, Mistress, aha ha ha¡­¡± The gentle atmosphere from before returns and in a fluster, they go back to getting me ready. Hm? Could the servants dislike my husband and his girlfriend? T/N: Flowers, flowers, flowers¡­ more characters and yet more flowers. A lotus is a type of aquatic flower. A dahlia is a flower with a lot of petals. Mimosa is a genus of herbs and shrubs, though the author likely is referring to the kind of fluffy flowers that you can see in the Wikipedia image. Calendula is a genus of plants which includes marigolds. ¡°A governess who would be harsh to a girl from the Alps,¡± is likely a reference to Miss Rottenmeier from Heidi, Girl of the Alps, a ¡°strict, no-nonsense governess¡±. Chapter 5 Chapter 5: At the Breakfast Table Author¡¯s Note: Viola comes from a poor family, so she has no experience with luxury¡î. I arrive at the Duke mansion¡¯s main dining room, led by Dahlia and Mimosa. The room contained a table so very large that it made me want to ask just how many people would fit around it. There were a giant number of dishes pushed together on the table, enough to make me wonder, ¡°This is breakfast for how many people? Huh? Was this actually a buffet?¡± Honestly though, it¡¯s not possible to eat all this food for breakfast. No, seriously. Lotus, who had been waiting here in advance, draws back a seat for me. I sit down on it. An overwhelming display¡­ or not. There¡¯s no way this is just for one person. ¡°Um, Lotus? How many people is this for?¡± I ask Lotus, who stands attentively next to me, as I gaze intently at all the dishes. ¡°Naturally, it is for you alone, Mistress. As we did not yet know your preferences, we prepared a large variety of dishes, but are they not to your taste?¡± Lotus replies nonchalantly, as if it¡¯s no big deal. However. Even just looking at the salads alone, there¡¯s a plain salad made from uncooked vegetables, a potato salad, a Chinese-style salad, and a Nice-style salad. The soup seems to be a potage. For egg dishes, there¡¯s bacon and eggs, ham and eggs, scrambled eggs, and rolled omelets. Not to mention boiled sausages and steamed chicken¡­ as well as fruits and yogurt. There¡¯s even all sorts of bread. Seriously, how many people is this for!? I¡¯m not proud of it, but back home all we ever had was bread and soup that had a few vegetables in it. And we never ate this much first thing in the morning. My stomach is sure to put up a fight at this sudden feast (though it¡¯s still just breakfast ¡î.) ¡°Does my husband eat meals like this as well?¡± I ask, my eyes still narrowed at the food. ¡°Yes. The Duke¡¯s tastes change every day, after all.¡± A shocking truth is revealed. His tastes change every day!? ¡°My, is that so. But you¡¯d definitely get leftovers, wouldn¡¯t cha!?¡± What extravagances you indulge in, my husband. Someone like him should go get cursed by that ghost who hates waste! ¡°Yes, well that¡¯s¡­¡± Lotus trails off, despite having been so eloquent earlier. ¡°That is wasteful. You do not need to prepare all this for me as well, so from tomorrow onwards, all I would like is a single piece of bread, potage soup, and that Nice-style salad because it looks good,¡± I say frankly. ¡°You will not eat the rest?¡± asks Lotus, somewhat bewildered. ¡°Yes, as I cannot eat this much. Please save the leftovers for lunch or dinner,¡± I say, piling the plate in front of me with food from the dishes around me. In an instant, I¡¯ve finished preparing my meal! All I need now is milk tea and it¡¯ll be perfect! Fresh juice is an extravagance. Extravagance is the enemy! (That¡¯s a saying from back home ¡î.) I look at my plate with an expression of satisfaction. ¡°We cannot do that. We will properly make you both lunch and dinner,¡± Lotus says hurriedly, seeming flustered. But really, it¡¯s much too wasteful to throw away all this food. Even I¡¯d get cursed by that ghost who hates waste. I don¡¯t want to do this. I don¡¯t like it. ¡°I¡¯m fine with eating it cold, you know?¡± ¡°That is not the issue!¡± ¡°Then what is the issue?¡± ¡°The issue is that if the prestigious House of Physalis was discovered being stingy with their Duchess¡¯ food by serving her cold meals, they would completely lose face!¡± Lotus¡¯ expression has completely changed. ¡°But that¡¯s not the way it would be¡­¡± ¡°Yes it would!¡± ¡°Then, could you use these dishes for something else?¡± ¡°¡­ I understand. I will have the servants re-cook them and eat them themselves.¡± Lotus finally gave in at my persistence. But I do feel bad making the servants eat my leftovers, even if I didn¡¯t touch them. Wait, I might actually want to eat that re-cooked food¡­ ¡°Then, could I have those re-cooked meals for lunch?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°As I honestly cannot eat this much, I am fine with bread, salad, and an egg dish for lunch. For dinner, I would be fine with steamed chicken and sausages as the main dish with salad, potage soup, and bread as sides. Oh, in small quantities, naturally.¡± I tried making a menu based on the dishes in front of me. The sad truth is that it¡¯s more luxurious than my meals back home despite being made from leftovers. Still, Lotus is a bit flustered. ¡°M ¨C Mistress¡­¡± ¡°I seriously don¡¯t need this much fancy food. Hey, please?¡± Though I¡¯m average in looks, I can look pretty cute when I beg for things. And I end up naturally gazing up at Lotus since I¡¯m sitting. It¡¯s probably even better if I make my eyes a bit teary. ¡°¡­ I understand.¡± Lotus gives in completely again. T/N: The ¡°ghost that hates waste¡± is a reference to an old Japanese commercial that ran in the 1980s, teaching people (kids, based on the contents of the commercial) not to waste food. Viola¡¯s speech is somewhat amusing. She sometimes goes from super duper formal to super duper casual in the same line. I try to demonstrate that by increasing the amount of slang and contractions, like ¡°gonna¡± or ¡°dontcha¡±. Chapter 6 Chapter 6: How a Wife Kills Time I verify how I¡¯ll take my meals from now on with Lotus. Afterwards, I somehow manage to finish breakfast then have tea or something. Now, I have nothing to do, to put it bluntly. Back home, there were so many things that needed to be done I didn¡¯t even have the time to say ¡°nothing to do¡±. But this is a prestigious Duke¡¯s house. There¡¯s more than enough people to help out with work. Rather, it would be utterly unthinkable for the ¡°mistress¡± to do manual labour. ¡°Mistress?¡± Dahlia says. Perhaps she saw me rolling around on the sofa by myself, groaning. ¡°Yes, what is it?¡± ¡°If it would please you, you could embroider?¡± So I see. The mistresses of prestigious houses kill tim- I mean, elegantly spend their time doing activities like that¡­ Since at any rate I¡¯m a young celebrity now, I didn¡¯t even think of doing something like that. But for me, needlework is¡­ ¡°Embroidery, I see. I can embroider, but my speciality is darning and patching.¡± Oops, ended up talking like a peasant seamstress. ¡°¡­¡± It can¡¯t be helped, back home there was obviously a lot more clothing that needed to be patched up than time to do something unproductive like embroidery. It¡¯s a bit embarrassing to admit this myself, but I¡¯m pretty good with my hands and am good at anything from patchwork to re-attachment. Oh, Dahlia¡¯s looking at me in pity. Don¡¯t wipe away a tear with your handkerchief! But it¡¯s not like I can¡¯t embroider, you know? Since it doesn¡¯t have any use, I didn¡¯t ever just embroider, but I often embroidered flowers and birds and such on my little sister¡¯s clothing. Let¡¯s take back everything I just said. ¡°¡­ Ahem. Well then, what would be good to embroider?¡± I smile again at Dahlia. She pulls herself together too and suggests, ¡°How about a pocket handkerchief for your husband to begin with?¡± ¡°My, what a lovely idea,¡± I say flatly. ¡°It would have been lovelier if you hadn¡¯t said that in a monotone.¡± ¡°O ho ho ho.¡± Please ignore my monotone. Though I¡¯m simply his wife for appearances, if he keeps something I made close to him, we¡¯ll look as if we¡¯re a lovey-dovey couple from the outside, after all! As expected from the head maid, nice idea. With an embroidery set that Mimosa nimbly prepared for me, I begin embroidering a handkerchief to be given to my husband. Carefully, carefully, carefully. ¡°I¡¯m already done¡­¡± I ended up finishing the handkerchief before even an hour had passed. ¡°Mistress, you¡¯re very clever with your hands!¡± praises Mimosa in astonishment. But I can sew something as small as this in moments. I have enough skill to sew bigger things, like my little siblings¡¯ clothing or even my own clothing. ¡°You¡¯re really very skilled,¡± Dahlia praises as well. No, seriously, it was done quickly because it¡¯s small. All I needed to do was carefully embroider Chinese lantern plants (the crest of the House of Physalis) and my husband¡¯s initials, CTF, around the edge of the handkerchief. ¡°But you really finished so quickly.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because she¡¯s dexterous.¡± ¡°Mm, should I make a more daring design next time? Perhaps cover the handkerchief with crests? Or maybe make the initials fancier?¡± ¡°¡­¡± The two maids watch me with lukewarm gazes as my motivation to design rises ¡î. I sewed all sorts of things, changing up the design, but in the end, I could only kill time until the afternoon. I¡¯m kind of resentful that I¡¯m so good with my hands! ¨C I finish my lunch, which was made from my breakfast as I ordered. Now then, what should I do in the afternoon? They¡¯re going to make me make lace or something next, aren¡¯t they? As I fold my arms and cock my head to the side, Lotus comes to see me next. ¡°You could write thank you letters for your wedding gifts,¡± he says, bringing me an inventory that listed all the different gifts we received. It listed who brought what, and what they brought. Oh, I¡¯ll need to look at these items too. It¡¯s a pain, but I skim through the inventory. Hey now, who¡¯s the one who sent us a figurehead of a bear with a salmon in its mouth? Perhaps I¡¯ll have it decorate a detached building. No, but, I need to thank someone for something they gave us. Person to person. And thank you letters like this are usually all due to the wife¡¯s efforts, so it¡¯s the wife¡¯s job. ¡°That¡¯s right. Things like this should be done quickly.¡± I accept writing utensils and a letter set (one that contains the House of Physalis¡¯ seal ¡î) from Lotus. You don¡¯t have any regrets before something happens. You can¡¯t ignore your regrets after something happens. So there had been a fair number of gifts sent to us. I didn¡¯t know. As expected from a Duke¡¯s house. Good quality stuff is good quality, no matter how rotten it may be, as they say. No wait, this house isn¡¯t rotten, I¡¯m sorry. We received gifts from almost every influential person in the country. It was pretty hard work verifying what each person sent and carefully crafting out a response that wouldn¡¯t be rude. Though I¡¯m good at manual labour since I¡¯m used to it, I don¡¯t have any experience with this kind of desk work ¨C no, work that requires mental power ¨C so it tired me out a lot. Aside from when I took a break to drink some tea and eat some sweets Mimosa prepared for me, I worked at my desk writing thank you letters with barely any rest. Chapter 7 Ch. 7: Today¡¯s Second Request The thank-you letter writing job Lotus gave me is unpleasant but thanks to the work the afternoon steadily passed. But on the other hand, my arm tendons hurt. If I simply rubbed and massaged myself, Mimosa would rush over and give me a massage. Thanks. However, as expected of a duke¡¯s house, I think gifts were sent from every noble in the country. It was that sort of number. It is very noble-like. In this way the duke¡¯s house, and my husband¡¯s prestige, can clearly be seen and my degree of disparity stands out more and more. There is probably a lot of young women who think I am not interesting. I am very sorry, please do not attack me! Oops, my hand stopped writing the thank-you letters again. ¡°Mistress? The preparations for dinner have been made¡­.¡± When the dark night became especially noticeable, Lotus, who had at some point come into the room, quietly called out to me as I was gazing distantly into a slightly different direction. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s already that time? I will go now¡± Looking out the window surprised, has it not completely turned dim? I do some light tidying on the top of the desk and hurry to Lotus who is waiting at the door. ¡°Has the evening meal also been re-prepared properly?¡± ¡°Yes, it has¡± We advance down the corridor towards the dining room. I am behind Lotus, who is leading, and behind me accompaining are Dahlia and Mimosa. During the day, one way or another, the servants were wandering around and it was lively, but now it¡¯s evening and the work has been finished, so for some time we have not met anybody. It seems there are only four people including me. The sun is now setting with a strange lonely feeling. ¡°Thanks! But I¡¯m eating alone in that huge dining room again, right?¡± ¡°That is correct¡±. ¡°Well, it will be quite lonely¡±. Up until now, although we were poor, I am used to eating at dining table with five family members and several servants, but suddenly it¡¯s only me! The butler and maids are in waiting close by, however, they are just thoroughly waiting on me, this does not mean they will share it with me. ¡°However, because master is eating in the detached building¡­.¡± Said Lotus apologetically. ¡°Ahh, the duke is fine. Oh, how about Dahlia or Mimosa?¡± I have never thought of eating a meal with my husband, because to begin with there has never been a desire for couple or family like things between us. No, I did not mean that, I mean the people right next me. However, Lotus¡¯ face became sullen from my remark, and he sharply stated, ¡°Dahlia and Mimosa are both servants so, they can not eat together with one¡¯s master¡± Well, what Lotus said is a just argument. But still, I also do not have the intention to back down. I will not lose, I argue vehemently again, ¡°Look, will not even delicious things not taste delicious if eaten alone? ¡°Delicious food is delicious¡± ¡°If you eat in an enjoyable way will it not more and more double the deliciousness?¡± ¡°We have made it delicious from the beginning¡± ¡°Muuu¡± (T/N: sniff) However, as expected he should be called a butler or he should be called ahh©`should I say©`young buddhist priest (old man?). I cannot gain any traction in this argument. While doing this we finally reached the inside of the dining room. I obediently sit down on the seat Lotus has pulled out. Before my eyes the food I instructed from this morning is lined up. It looks too delicious to be leftovers. Truly the servants here are great at their work. And yet I think it¡¯s still a lot, I¡¯m through and through a poor man¡­¡­ no, it¡¯s probably more ideas of non-wastefulness? ¡°It looks delicious! Thank you for listening to my selfishness. By the way, what do all the servants eat?¡± ¡°Us?¡± Lotus looks blankly at my abrupt question. ¡°Yes¡± ¡°We eat food prepared for the servants¡± ¡°Food prepared for the servants? Aah, this morning you said that¡± ¡°Yes. It is prepared with the leftover meat and vegetables from the food used not out here¡± Lotus explained. As for me, I cannot get accustomed to the extravagant food lined up in front of my eyes. ¡°Well! Somehow I feel that method is appealing!¡± Involuntarily left my mouth. I hate poverty, not the people! However, as expected of a butler, and this time without breaking his facial expression, ¡°That¡¯s out of the question! Mistress please eat the things the kitchen made¡± I was again firmly told. ¡°But I don¡¯t need this much~ it¡¯ll ruin my stomach¡± But still, to me who was hanging on, ¡°¡­¡­¡± Lotus diverted his eyes and finally sunk into silence, so I reluctantly decided to start to eat. munch munch munch ¡­¡­ clank ¡­¡­ munch munch ¡­¡­ ¡­¡­ clunk It¡¯s too quiet. Why does food that was supposed to be delicious not feel delicious?! ¡°uu¡­¡­¡± (T/N: sniffle) ¡°¡°¡°What is wrong?! Mistress!¡±¡±¡± Lotus, Dahlia and Mimosa rushed over in a panic to me as I suddenly dropped my cutlery on the table and started crying a flood of tears. ¡°But, it¡¯s lonely~! Until now I was used to eating and getting along well with my five family members and several servants at the dining table. Despite this, in this unfamiliar house in solitude¡­¡­¡± ¡°Mistress¡­¡­¡± All three people wipe at the corners of their eyes. ¡°So, I want to eat together with everyone¡± Let¡¯s appeal while crying, it may be able to managed it somehow or another this way. I gaze at the nearby Lotus. ¡°Even with that said¡­¡­¡± Lotus however is still worried. ¡°I will not tell you to eat in this dining room, so rather if you bring me to the area where everyone else eats, that would be fine¡± ¡°Still¡­¡­¡± Dahlia and Mimosa exchange glances, hesitating. I give it one more try, ¡°Please¡­¡­¡± ¡°Please¡­¡­¡± I beg with a prayer pose and upturned eyes as large drops of tears spill. Ahh, how many times have I done this begging pose today? It¡¯s not at all my character though¡î The next morning. I am in high spirits. I had breakfast in the kitchen staff¡¯s dining room together with the maids¡î That¡¯s right, yesterday I did not see the Duke. I wonder if he returned immediately to the detached building? Well, I will stop enquiring. If I enquire about him too much it will be a violation of the contract. Authors note: Thank you again for today (*£Þ£­£Þ*£© She has known that the Duke would be absent from the start so she is not desolate but the people surrounding her (the maids and Lotus etc.) think that Viola is lonely from the distance of the Duke£¨£Þ£­£Þ£© Chapter 8 Ch.8 Exploring the Mansion! With a begging attack that is completely out of character, I forcibly join the maids during meals. ¡°But it is a little earlier than mistress¡¯s usual meal time¡­¡­¡± To the apologetic Dahlia, I return a ¡®I-say-it¡¯s-impossible-so-give-up¡¯ face, and with that to the servant dining room I GO[1] full of smiles¡î I don¡¯t mind if it¡¯s earlier or later! If I am not alone, it¡¯s fine. Here¡¯s a bit about the duke¡¯s housemaids. There are fifteen maids in total. The two head maids, Dahlia and Mimosa, are exclusive to me and there are six with the Duke[2]. Those six provide assistance to the Duke, and his lover, Calendula, in groups of three, alternating every other day. The remaining seven are to attend any children born from here on out (but they won¡¯t be my children~¡î) and for when visitors come to visit. When there are no maid-like jobs, the maids do things like the laundry and cleaning together with the other servants. They take meals half at a time on a shift system because if they all came at one time, when they eat, there could be problems. It seems the shift changes according to the day. Lotus and Dahlia decide on it. The above, is what Dahlia told me. Even though I do not eat a formal meal, at the detached house my husband and Calendula eat proper meals, so the ingredients supplied are all splendid. They are all things that could not easily be seen at my parent¡¯s home. To supply them was a luxury!! Even if they were supplied we wouldn¡¯t have been comfortable with it. The soup is the same as the one sent to the masters so, (although there are lots of delicious ways to make it), naturally it is wonderful. The bread is also the same. The salad also, with the exception of soft spots, while saying that, there are no complaints. Later today it will be scrambled eggs accompanied by bacon. I¡¯m eating this with the maids, whilst everyone is making a din! Aaa, happiness! This delicious food seems even more delicious!! ¡°Everyone, good morning. From today I will be joining you. Your graciousness is sufficient so please do as you usually do¡± They allow me into the servants area, so before I sit down I gave my greetings, ¡°¡°¡°¡°Certainly, Mistress!¡±¡±¡±¡± Everyone, aren¡¯t you totally not doing as you always do? Well, that is natural. Because the mistress of the house, me, is suddenly here, in this sort of place. ¡°I am sorry. In my selfishness I intruded on everyone¡¯s precious relaxation time. I really desire that you pay no attention to me. If possible I do not even want to be referred to as Mistress¡­¡­¡± I say, feeling despondent. ¡°That¡¯s not the case! Because everyone is grateful to eat with Mistress!¡± Said one of the Duke¡¯s maids in hot haste. ¡°That is right! Mistress never comes to this kind of a place so we are just surprised¡± ¡°It is right after you coming yesterday so we are still nervous¡± Other maids also unanimously say. I looked at the maids and it seems to be their true feelings. It seems everyone are just good people by nature. ¡°Thank you. so, let¡¯s eat¡± ¡°¡°¡°¡°Yes¡±¡±¡±¡± Well, I thought it would be better if they opened up more. If possible I would like to be called ¡°Vii¡± but that is impossible, right?¡î The maids are all young people, so in the end they quickly opened up. Although everyone is older than me. Finishing breakfast, I return to my room but today I also have nothing to do. I finished writing the thank-you letters yesterday. ¡°Hmmm. In what way should I pass today?¡± I stand alone in a daunting pose when, Dahlia said, while making tea, ¡°Allow me to show you around the estate today¡± ¡°Aah, that would be pleasant! The estate is very large and beautiful, right!¡± That will be real house exploration right?! Towards the, so to speak, ¡®taking a peek¡¯ into another person¡¯s house, I¡¯m thrilled, even I know that my eyes are sparkling. Aaa, but why don¡¯t I have any consciousness of it now being ¡®our house¡¯! The mansion, built in a U-shape, is a imposing stone building. Nantoca style[3] and so on, built by a M-era head of house and so on. I have absolutely no interest in those incantation like words, so they go straight through my ears. Sorry, Dahlia. But the style of having been built in the previous M-era can¡¯t be seen, it is a beautiful estate that has been reliably maintained. As for my parent¡¯s home even if they wanted to maintain it they can¡¯t because of the lack money, it is one step away from a dilapidated house. Uu (T/N: sniff/whine) . They cannot even be compared. While walking down a long corridor ¡°The first floor is roughly a public space¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± While ascending a stairway ¡°The second floor is the duke family¡¯s private spaces¡± ¡°That¡¯s so, isn¡¯t it. My room is also on the second floor¡± ¡°The third floor is the servant dwellings¡± ¡°How do you go to the third floor?¡± The main stairway only goes up to two floors. ¡°At the end of the U-shape, there is a stairway exclusively dedicated for all the servants, we use that¡± ¡°I see, I see¡± I was guided through every nook and corner of the mansion while receiving explanations. The very large and imposing mansion, is polished to a sparkle everywhere, the servant¡¯s excellent work is acutely conveyed. ¡°Somehow or another it¡¯s desolate¡± While taking a rest standing alone in my room, after having received a tour of the mansion from start to end, my thoughts leaked out. It¡¯s too sparkling and beautiful. There is not, how should I put it, any feeling of life. ¡°Oh!¡­¡­Mistress feels it is like that¡± said Dahlia who, after slightly opening her eyes, hastily lowered her eyes with a frown on her face. ¡°Ah! No, um, that is, it is very beautiful and I very much felt everyone¡¯s effort to keep it beautiful!¡± I argue vehemently to such an altered Dahlia. It is just desolate, I am not criticising, I am not criticising, I am not criticising~~~!! It slipped out!! I gloss over it with teary eyes when, ¡°No, it really is. For so many years there was no mistress, of course the flowers have disappeared. It has been an estate just for existing, for many years, the master has also lived in the detached building, so here has become the desolate one¡± said Dahlia while sighing, fuu (T/N: fuu = sound of sighing). Certainly, the house where the master does not live would become unlively. Well then, if I can liven things up it would be good. I cannot let Dahlia make such a gloomy facial expression! ¡°It¡¯s okay! Because after this I will revive the mansion!¡± ¡°Oh! mistress!¡± She, taken aback, lifted her frowning face and looked at me. ¡°If I did the cleaning and decorating with everyone it would be sure fun¡± ¡°¡­¡­eh? Cleaning? ¡­¡­Mistress will?¡± ¡°Yes! Cleaning and laundry and decoration!¡± ¡°Th, that is a different course of action that¡­¡­¡± said Dahlia suddenly confused. Eh? Why? You also want to do the cleaning? While I tilting my head, I stare at Dahlia then, ¡°Oh, well. In a area that can be done¡­¡­¡± She said with face like she had given up on something¡î Authors note: Thank you for today as well£¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© For Viola who loved in such a non spacious house, with 5 family members crowded together, the Duke household is too spacious¡î if there is nothing to do then invent something for yourself! T/N: [1]: This is in english in the raws ?(????) [2]: The word she and the servants use to address Duke Cercis is ¡°µ©Äǘ”¡±, which can mean ¡®husband¡¯ or ¡®master¡¯ this works for the servants but for Viola ¡®my husband¡¯ seemed to personal in English for their relationship so I went with ¡°the Duke¡± with a capital ¡®D¡¯ when she talks about him. [3]: Nantoca style here is referring to ¡®Queen Anne style¡¯ (according to one Japanese article I found). Chapter 9 Ch.9 Start of Activities! After the tour Dahlia gave me of the mansion, I plan to liven up this magnificent estate. Like me you might think this is presumptuous but because I was personally told ¡®by all means freely do as you please¡¯ by the Duke himself, I am allowed to freely do as I please¡î Moreover, the mansion staff are ¡®Servant Experts¡¯ so, if I able to receive instruction on housekeeping, even if the time comes for me to leave this estate, I believe I¡¯ll be able to live because I will have ¡®work experience¡¯! I wonder when that happens, if they will write a letter of introduction for me? ¡°Mistress~ are you really going to wear this?¡± said Mimosa with a raised miserable voice, in my room. ¡°Yes, I do. Even this way, it is easy to move and even if it gets dirty it¡¯s of no concern¡± While saying this I put on the bodice in my hand, the official uniform of the Physalis¡¯ servants. It has three-quarter sleeves for easy arm movement, the skirt is A-line and made of pretty fabric, it comes just below the knees. Even while working it is not ugly, and is a tidy deep blue. Dirt doesn¡¯t stand out, it¡¯s great~ although dust will stand out. In a good mood I change into the garment that Mimosa reluctantly supplied to me while humming a tune. ¡°Even so if it¡¯s Mistress, a lovelier dress is more suitable¡± It seems like Mimosa would like to dress me up but unfortunately, I am plain so I don¡¯t have interest in dressing up or such things. Mimosa, although reluctantly, helps me to change. ¡°That¡¯s not the case. This is also very good¡± She looked displeased but I involuntarily ended up giggling at Mimosa¡¯s cute sullen face. With this scene, if I say she doesn¡¯t look older than me, she will most likely get angry. ¡°But it is curious. When Mistress wears it I can see my uniform as simple and elegant. You are naturally tall and your body is slender, so the simpleness makes Mistress¡¯s neat and clean cuteness look better¡±. The sour look from earlier went away and, looking at me after I finished changing, Mimosa began to smile. However, that was somewhat of an overestimation. Because in reality it does not matter who wears this uniform! It is designed so anyone who wears it looks that way, even with a thin and tall figure like mine, it looks pretty. It is okay there is no boobs! No rather, those without boobs look tidy so, this uniform¡¯s ability is amazing, I¡¯ll have to admit. ¡°Well! thanks¡±, I smile and obediently take the compliment. With my personality the adjective ¡®cute¡¯ is a bit¡­¡­ From then on I give my energy to various things. Cleaning. Obviously the expensive decorations are left to the professionals but besides those I give it my best! If I was to break them I wouldn¡¯t be able to reimburse it. In the places I think are deary I decide to decorate them with flowers. The garden¡¯s flower beds are blooming with flowers of various colours, so I borrow those. I chatted with the gardener, Bellis, who is very good-looking but has the atmosphere of a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing (his gaze is sharp so, I thought he was some sort of mercenary¡î), and I receive flowers from a superb greenhouse facility that my family house does not have. Laundry. The advanced laundry technology has impressed me from the first day I came here! When I consider the future, by any means I want to become a master so, I earnestly clung to the servants here. Laundry is hard work but it is worth it. I work up a good sweat¡î Cooking. The head chef is called Carthame, his skills are very top-notch but he is a older and burly man. He is the complete opposite of Bellis, he is also good-looking but is the body and soul embodiment of a gentleman. As one would expect because there is a first class chef there, I could not meddle concerning the cooking, so I consult about the menu and make dessert and sweets. Which reminds me I met Lotus on the way and he told me, ¡°The master will be going on a urgent business trip for around a week starting today¡± I think I mentioned this before but the Duke is a knight. A military authority. He is the leader of the special duty division. That special division is where the so-called intelligence actions are conducted. NOT the cerebral muscles[1] YES secret information. So the mission is basically a secret. You can only inform a few family members. Even that is only ¡®I¡¯m going to ¡ð¡ð for a mission¡¯. So the details would not be told to a decoration wife like me. For now, I can only reply with ¡®I understand¡¯, even though I do not understand a thing about the work. If there was something ¡®I knew¡¯ it would seem like I¡¯m meddling. While doing various things just like this the day comes to an end. Of course I do not think on my husband¡¯s existence or atoms. Sorry for being a heartless wife. This just like that a week passes by. I am relaxing in my room until dinner when, ¡°Master returned¡± Said Mimosa as she entered. ¡°Oh, the master returned? Where?¡± I stupidly question. But, since coming to the duke house, the Duke has not returned, so I do not know how I am supposed to deal with it. Then, ¡°For the time being, he is at the entranceway. He always shows his face for a moment at the entranceway, after talking with Lotus he returns to the detached building¡± Mimosa explained without delay. Thanks, for the nice follow-up. ¡°Well then, I wonder if it would be good if I also went to greet him?¡± ¡°Yes, certainly. So please simply change your clothes!¡± ¡°A, that is true¡± I am still in the servant uniform. In hot haste I change into a simple dress Mimosa prepared. Because it is a pop over the head dress it was easy to get changed¡î I also had to fix my hair tidy up behind my head so it wasn¡¯t a hindrance, I quickly simply rolled it up and go towards the entranceway. ¡°Welcome back, Master¡± I hurry to the entrance and the Duke is talking with Lotus. He notices me and, ¡°I am home. Above all I have been in good health. Well then¡± While smiling, he turns around and briskly left the entranceway. Bo©`©`©`om. ¡°¡­¡­it was a moment wasn¡¯t it~¡± ¡°Yes, well¡­¡­¡± I say to Lotus while looking at the pattern of the closed door. Still more refreshingly cold as always! Lotus and I somehow have the feeling of being left behind. ¡°What did you and the master talk about?¡± I ask Lotus. ¡°I gave a report of the things that happened in his absence¡± Well he is somehow or other the head of the duke house. He has to care about the estate once. It could be he does not completely neglect it. Ah, but the things that were reported¡­¡­ ¡°No way, you didn¡¯t say I have blended in with the servants in this and that? In confusion, Lotus gave affirmation. ¡°No way no way! That kind of thing, even if my mouth split I would not say!!¡± ¡°Is that so~¡± Me, who is a wife and make-believing being a servant, and the butler hasn¡¯t stopped it, ne? It¡¯s my selfishness, so it is not Lotus¡¯ fault. ¡°From now on please be discrete about it¡±. ¡°Of course I will be!¡± It is not difficult to imagine that surely Dahlia would say the same thing, I hope. Authors note: Thank you for today as well £¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© At last the characters appeared all together, a~nd the Duke made an appearance. Even if for a moment (haha) T/N: [1] She means here ¡®Not mental intelligence but secret intelligence¡¯ also the NOT and YES are in English in the Raw. Surprise!! these two were supposed to be posted with Ch.7 but they weren¡¯t quite ready so here they are. I am really enjoying translating Viola¡¯s antics and seeing as I¡¯m on uni break and have nothing to do for the next few weeks, I¡¯ll be trying to post chapters semi-daily. Thanks heaps for all the support already! Another chapter is on it¡¯s way soon ~??? d( ¡ä?£à)b ???~ Chapter 10 Ch.10 The Wife Looked Authors note: Viola has thoroughly become like a servant (haha) The duke is a disappointment. Sorry. m( _ _ )m The next day again I wore the servant uniform and in high spirits I worked around the inside of the mansion. However I, if I do say so myself, think that, rather than a ¡®wealthy socialite wife¡¯, I have become more of ¡®maid¡¯ or ¡®servant¡¯. But it¡¯s fun so it¡¯s fine! Today I change the display flower and I go along with Dahlia to the garden. I am searching for Bellis, the head gardener, to ask him which flowers would be good use when, I somehow I end up in a place I had never been before. To say the least, the duke¡¯s garden is vast. In time I am as fearful as a lost child. I truly think that when someone comes to the garden alone, it would be best to bring along food in preparation if there is an accident. Oops, I got side tracked. It is an extremely large garden, so it is impossible to understand it all in a week at best. There is a section hidden among the groves of trees and small thickets. It becomes impossible to see the mansion There is a small pond, and on the side of that there stands a small but elegant building. In the pond there is a water wheel, a brook is also flowing out of it. It looks like a little villa. Should I call it a small countryside house? Even so it is nicer than my parents house, I could cry. Facing the pond is a wood deck, on there a parasol and sofa are placed. On there the figures of two people can be found. So that they wouldn¡¯t find us, Dahlia and I hide ourselves amongst a thicket of short bushes. We then drop down, gather branches with leaves still attached, make a camouflage and secretly peak over the thicket. The two figures were my husband and a woman. ¡°It feels like we are spies¡± I say cheerfully to Dahlia, ¡°Then aren¡¯t we peeping toms?¡± Mumbles Dahlia. Let¡¯s pretend I didn¡¯t hear. ¡°Hey, is that building the detached building and that woman Calendula?¡± I quietly ask Dahlia next to me who, like me, is camouflaged in branches. ¡°That¡¯s right¡±. Like before, a chill floated out of Dahlia, but let¡¯s pretend not to notice. Because it¡¯s terrible, my face doesn¡¯t want to turn away! Me and Dahlia, two people with branches on their head for camouflage, observing two other people. How should I put it, I am wholly very interested in peeking¡î Dahlia is shaking her head in refusal. I don¡¯t know why we are peeping, the Duke and Calendula are lost in their own world. ¡°Calendula is a very beautiful voluptuous woman~! I wonder, is she a hourglass figure£¿I¡¯m jealous. Her face is also beautiful¡± ¡°Oh, the Duke is sleeping with his head in Calendula¡¯s lap¡± ¡°Looks quite like a cat¡±. ¡°Calendula is spoiling the Duke? Huh! She¡¯s combing his hair!¡± I give a commentary of the two in a low voice to myself. ¡°She is four years older than Master, so she may think of him as a cute younger brother¡± Dahlia replied to my commentary in a careless way. I am curious about what she said so I interrupted my observing for a moment and looked at Dahlia. ¡°Oh!, Calendula is older?¡± ¡°Yes. if I remember correctly she is 28¡± ¡°Is that so, so the Duke has a preference for older women¡± ¡°mmm? How is that?¡±, again Dahlia replied carelessly. If you like pretty older women, then a woman six years younger like me, you would only see a child, right. Furthermore I am far from being a hourglass figure. Certainly it is Out. Of. Consideration! While chatting sneakily with Dahlia I also steadily keep observing what those two are doing. However well, how should I say, When you look at it objectively, it is like a ¡®cat grooming¡¯ is being done~ The Duke, a cat with a good coat¡­¡­snigger!! ¡°The Duke is a cat attribute?¡± ¡°Haaa?¡± ¡°Look, he is a acting like a spoiled child and he has an uneven temper¡± It is a marvel because if you try do that it would look like a large cat. ¡°But he wasn¡¯t such a person before¡±, Dahlia muttered with a distant look in her eyes. ¡°Oh, he was different before?¡± What does that mean? ¡°Yes. As the first born of the duke house, that he is a man who is burdened by taking over from the previous duke, so from very young he studied from the previous generations with enthusiasm and the predecessors strictly taught him.¡± ¡°Hoho that is a common story¡± ¡°And then around the time when he was a boy he was already set to become a reliable head of the family and everybody was expecting it but¡± ¡°Hmm, I see¡± ¡°Since meeting companion-sama he has completely become a fool and that has come to an end¡± The Duke is treated like a fool. Snigger. My mouth is likely to emit sound so I hold it back with my own hands and urge her to continue with my eyes. ¡°Until then he didn¡¯t behave like a spoiled child to anybody and grew up without being spoiled and had probably braced himself to be the person to take over the Duke house. He encountered companion-sama and was able to be accepted not as the ¡®Heir of the Duke household¡¯ but as ¡®Cercis¡¯. After he knew what it was like to not have to tighten your shoulder but act age appropriately spoiled, he lost his head over it¡± ¡°oh~¡± He was being strictly regulated so the reaction was intense. ¡°So if a bit of reason could be worked into him, it would be good¡±. Continued Dahlia, it is regrettable that he is addicted. That is right. Cercis the juvenile (no young man?), is lacking the moral tolerance of older people! Companion-sama was a wandering dancer. Also she has various and charming stories to hear. She is someone rich in life¡¯s experience gained through much adversity, so it was easy to steal the heart of a naive boy who knew nothing¡± ¡°And it reaches till now. It has been going on for a long time~¡± If I remember correctly it has been going on for six years already? In the case of such person you would think it would be easy to heat, easy to cool. ¡°If the people around him are opposed it, it would probably heat it up¡± I see, certainly. ¡°I see, I see. however, from what I saw, they looked to be in a very harmonious relationship so let¡¯s sneak out of here¡± ¡°Eee?! Is Mistress alright with that?¡± ¡°Yes. It is such a story and I myself do not have any such feelings of love for the Duke¡± This is an important matter. Because the Duke and I without feelings of love, became a couple through a contract! ¡°As I thought the Master took measures right?¡± Said Dahlia looking mortified ¡°I am relieved to do it exactly as it is? Besides I am having fun living here with everyone, so even if the Duke isn¡¯t there it¡¯s of no concern?¡± ¡°That feels like a slight adaption but thank you¡± Dahlia gave a bitter smile. ¡°Seems so. So let¡¯s quickly look for Bellis. We¡¯ve completely dawdled¡± I say as we have been crouched down for a while and removing any the sign of us, I leave the detached building. There is a big gap between the Duke I saw here and the Duke I¡¯ve seen other places (through mainly hearsay)! Aa, I will not do things like gap moe[1]? Authors note: Thank you for today as well£¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© The main house and the detached building have the image of a a bit more reduced Versailles and le Petit Trianon£¨£Þ£­£Þ£© The Duke. If you thought his appearance after a long time was bitterly disappointing. Sorry (sweat) T/N: [1] Gap moe (¥®¥ã¥Ã¥×ÃȤ¨) for the those who do not know, happens when a character sees another character do something contradicting to what their usual habits/looks/character etc. dictates, resulting in them having a crush on them. We finally get some more of the Duke and Calendula! Also Viola and Dahlia doing a bit of this: Chapter 11 Ch.11 Attack¡î Through enjoying the complete servant life¡­¡­I mean, the wife-life everyday, in the blink of an eye, a month passed. As usual we are an estranged couple, but I have become thoroughly good friends with the servants! Do not say I¡¯ve gone in the wrong direction¡î From what I know about when the Duke returns home from business trips, it seems the Duke always, when he returns home, first comes to the main building, talks with Lotus then proceeds to the detached building. It looks like he doesn¡¯t return straight to the detached building. So, I also make sure to go greet him every day just in case. Even though I say that, ¡°Welcome back¡± ¡°I have just returned. What have you been doing today?¡± ¡°Today I did things like embroidery¡±, I downright lie. The maids and I renovated the salon curtains¡î embroidery? After coming to the duke house, I have not done such a impractical thing since the first day! ¡°That is good. Today also above all else passed without any accidents. Well then¡± For sure the Duke does treat me courteously. He does ask what I do every day but surely this is a social nicety. I cannot spill that I am enjoying the servant-like life so report my doings in a suitable way like ¡®I arranged flowers¡¯ (I replaced all the flowers in the house. A part of the cleaning) or ¡®I went for a stroll in the garden¡¯ (I picked flowers from the garden. These were also for decorating the house). After this happens, he gives a satisfied looking smile, and quickly returns to the detached building. We only have this amount but because our contract, this problem is no problem! Today I was taken along to a place used as a storehouse to look for new flower vases. This doesn¡¯t just store vases, there is also various kinds of household items. I entrust the vase searching to Mimosa while I look the things placed in here. ¡°Hey, Mimosa. Why are these furniture placed here? Aren¡¯t they barely used things?¡± I ask Mimosa while running my finger through the dust on the table before me. Below the wiped dust a beautiful parquet wood carving can be seen. It is a so-called antique. ¡°Yes, this is furniture not used at the time of the previous renovation of the reception room. I heard they are things the previous mistress had at the time she married into the family¡± Answered Mimosa while picking out a vase. ¡°Really? Is that so? They are nice so they can still be used so it¡¯s a pity they are placed in such a place¡±. I pick up a cloth placed nearby and quickly wipe the top of the desk. What appears is a pretty flower-like design on the upper surface. ¡°Well! Isn¡¯t that pretty!¡± I involuntarily exclaim. Mimosa turning her head to those words, took a quick look at my handy word and, ¡°Yes it really is! There is a taste for retro at the moment¡± She agreed while smiling. Looking at the other furniture, there is only things with similar designs to the table. Things like chairs, chests etc. They are retro but the designs are lovely and I immediately pleased with them. ¡°I wonder if this can be used again¡± ¡°Huh? Where?¡± ¡°In the reception room¡±. ¡°Indeed¡±. The reception room used at the moment is consistently furnished by matching and exceptionally dark furniture. It matches inconspicuously, because this was the single preference of the previous mistress, my so to speak mother-in-law in her mid-forties, but is too subdued. Comfort is good but I want a bit more youthfulness¡­¡­ Even though for the time being I may appear like a lively teenager. I couldn¡¯t do it because it would be a waste to buy new furniture but because these things are here. I roughly roll up my sleeves and, ¡°Let me just go discuss this with Lotus and Dahlia!¡± Leaving Mimosa in the storage room, I go out to find those two people. Just as I enter the entrance, ¡°Oh, you there. I wonder if you could go call Lotus or Dahlia¡± I hear a female call out to me. Good gracious! This is the ruling power, the Physalis duke house. On the occasion of a visitor possibly coming, Lotus is supposed to be the first to go out. Or perhaps I should say, supposed to greet them. Yet the owner of this voice stood alone at the entrance and tells me to call the butler or a head-maid. Entering without guidance¡­¡­ Isn¡¯t that trespassing? I can¡¯t help becoming suspicious. Hey! Guardsmen people, it¡¯s bad ,a pretty lady was allowed to easily trespass. Oh? I seen this person before. Ah. ¡°You. I¡¯m telling you. Quickly go and call them¡± While speaking slightly annoyed, is it not who was completely devoted to the duke the other day, Calendula! ¡°Ye,yes! Right away!!¡± Safe!! Calendula does not know me so it ended with no quarrel! I quickly leave the situation, along with my original intention, go looking for Lotus and Dahlia with a more fighting spirit than before. Happily Lotus is in his office so I am immediately able to find him. I knock in a hurry and as soon as I hear the reply ¡®yes¡¯, I open the door with gusto. ¡°Calendula is pushing in at the entrance!¡± Without any preface the first thing that I said after opened my mouth was to inform Lotus of this. ¡°Calendula is? Contrary to my excitement, Lotus pushed his silver-rimmed glasses, used for work up, with his middle finger with complete composure. ¡°Yes. I was told call Lotus or Dahlia¡±. ¡°Is that so. Understood. Mistress¡­¡­it would be better not to come¡± Said Lotus to me while slowly removing his glasses and putting the documents on hand in simple order. ¡°Ah, is that so? Well, then, I am busy with room rearranging so I¡¯ll go and look for Dahlia¡± I have nothing to talk about (T/N: with Calendula), even if there is nothing it is fine. The first things to do go to Lotus and Dahlia? Tilting his head to one side and he returned a bitter smile ¡°¡­¡­room rearranging? Understood¡± Then, in front of the room I seperate from Lotus. ¡­¡­ but. I found Dahlia right after that, so we were returning to the storage room where Mimosa is waiting but, no matter what, we had to go through the entrance. In there Lotus and Calendula are still talking. I thought I could pass through without being recognized but Lotus easily discover mine and Dahlia¡¯s figures and we exchange looks. Well, in short saying ¡®don¡¯t come over now¡¯ Dahlia sensed it in a moment and drew me to a pillar, so we decide to watch over the two people¡¯s situation for a short time. The entrance falls deadly silent. Oh? I don¡¯t have to strain my ears, because I can hear it as I please¡î ¡°Even though a month has passed I have yet to give my greetings to the mistress¡± ¡°That is correct¡± ¡°So, I wonder if the mistress is in? By all means I would like to meet her¡± ¡°Unfortunately, the mistress is occupied at the moment¡±. ¡°Oh, I heard she does not do social things?¡± ¡°Yes. However, today she has business at her parents house, she is currently out¡±. ¡°Oh! That is bad luck. It can¡¯t be helped, well then I will, on another day¡±. ¡°Please do so¡±. Ooh, Calendula came to meet me! Since it is important I will say it again, but even if we meet there is nothing to talk about? Or rather, the mistress intruded into the main residence for this? Is this a so-called fighting scene? Eek! Viva¡îit is a fighting scene! Ah, is my excitement leaking out? However, Lotus¡¯ attitude is different as always. Always, his attitude towards others is like a soft and kind uncle but his attitude to Calendula is superficially polite but rude in intent. Calendula also gives off a haughty feeling, the room¡¯s atmosphere is strained! Looking at Calendula closer than before, she has passionate red colour eyes and midnight wavy river-like hair. She is the beauty I thought. Also she has a nice hourglass body, oh my gosh, is she a seductive alien?!! Adjectives like pheromones or sexy are perfect for her. I cannot deny it is somewhat decadent. Shall I say she is a ennui[1] beauty? She is slender and tall. I wonder if she is about the same height as me. If this kind of person was to dance, anyone would probably be very captivated~ I can understand a little of the Duke¡¯s feelings. Dahlia and I see their exchange from the shadow of the pillar, but a short while after Calendula leaves, ¡°It is now safe¡± He said, our bodies loosening at Lotus¡¯s normal soft voice ¡°As a matter of fact she was not aware it was me~¡± I watch the entrance in a imposing stance. ¡°Yes. Because she could only see a sweet maid¡±, Lotus answered with a wry smile. ¡°Well, Calendula has been warned not to attack you. It is not necessary for her to meet mistress. Because we will deal with it¡±. ¡°Got it. Please take care of it¡­¡­so, Dahlia, room rearranging~!¡± ¡°¡°¡­¡­that switched over quickly¡­¡­¡±¡± Once again Lotus and Dahlia are smiling wryly¡î Authors note: Thank you for today as well£¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© What I imagine is, Viola is around 169 cm, Calendula is around 170 cm. For woman they are tall¡î T/N: [1] Ennui (¥¢¥ó¥Ë¥å¥¤) is a word derived from french meaning: haughty, deadpan, bored, disinterested. Chapter 12 Ch.12 Things Found Out Around This Time Authors note: Things found out after a month has passed (haha) Although we were interrupted by Calendula¡¯s intrusion for an hour, by the time the room rearranging was finished that incident was completely beyond forgotten¡î The antique vibe is calming and there is also a pretty vibe, it has turned into a convincing reception room! Even though they were busy the servants joined in my self-indulgence, thanks¡î let¡¯s behave today and make the best ¡®Viola¡¯s deluxe chocolate tart¡¯! At the entrance of the kitchen where I got the idea. (T/N: of the tart) ¡°Well, well madam~. You are more beautiful today than ever! I am grateful for this good fortune of you specially coming¡± After those sweet~ words, in one flowing gesture my hand is taken with a cute ¡®Chu¡î¡¯ lip sound. ¡­¡­uuh. Sweet. There no such thing as beauty. It is the same as yesterday. I¡¯m overwhelmed by the sweet words, I¡¯m twitching¡î Even though it makes my heart scream, it is the ¡®ceremony¡¯ for every time I come to the kitchen. The one who takes my hand is head chef Carthame. Being a gentleman is good but doing this every time is severe. I think a person who can, with a sickly-sweet smile, say sickly-sweet words unconcerned is amazing. Because it happens every time, I¡¯ll just have to get accustomed to it. As a result of observing Carthame often, it seems he does the same to the maids and female servants right across the board. However no one is his partner. Or should I say he is usually sharing it around. And it seems he does not mind sharing it around (T/N: ¡®it¡¯ being his gentlemanly suaveness) Everyone has been friends for a long time, so they have no problem coping with it but it has only been a month since I came to the Duke house. Up until then I had never had any contact with males outside my family, so my immunity against sweet words and gestures is lacking. I have do not yet have those social skills in me. As I think about it today I am also startled at his sickly-sweet smile, Sma©`©`©`ck Carthame¡¯s head is magnificently struck. I think it was a clean hit. ¡°¡«¡«¡«¡«¡«¡«¡± Carthame is writhing in pain. The owner of the hand that struck was Dahlia. ¡°Da¡­Dahlia? Are you good? To do such a thing to Carthame¡± I say confused but, ¡°It is all right. Because this person will not lose heart with this much¡± Declared Dahlia coldly. And then, just as Dahlia said, Carthame promptly recovered but, ¡°You are cruel eh, honey. You did not have to hit me all your strength¡± He said in a sulking tone. ¡­¡­still sweet. However with the same grave expression, ¡°Mistress draws back, right? Be reasonable!¡± Dahlia glares up at the taller Carthame but Carthame, far from flinching at Dahlia, ¡°Uh huh, your angry face is also cute~¡± He said and kissed her on the cheek. Huh¡«¡«¡«¡«!!! Swee¡«¡«¡«¡«et!! Who are these two sweet people?! I cannot bear the sweetness again and I back up, ¡°What are you doing in front of mistress!¡± She is blushing but Dahlia again flared up at Carthame. ¡°Sorry sorry, hahaha~¡± However Carthame is not at all disgusted with the situation. He laughs with a nice smile while picking up the beautiful slightly curled blonde hair. But, wait a minute. Why is it so sweet? ¡°Hey, before Carthame called Dahlia ¡®honey?¡± I¡¯m still stuck on Carthame¡¯s words from some time ago. Then Carthame¡¯s whole face smiles, ¡°Yes, I did say that. Because she is my wife¡î¡± pachan (T/N: sound of a wink) he said without delay with a wink. Ah, eh? ¡°Eh? Wife? Then, Dahlia and Carthame are a married couple?¡± ¡°¡­¡­that is correct¡± Dahlia answered with a reluctant feeling. Ooh, what is this! Even though I have been at the mansion for a month already, and I only found out a moment ago! Alert and straight-laced Dahlia and the obvious soft flirt Carthame. ¡­¡­it is amazing combination. I would have never imagined it. After the in-a-sense shocking truth came to light, the origins of the sickly-sweet head chef (but his skill is the best¡î), I make chocolate tart and go around to distribute them to the servants inside the estate. The only one left out was head gardener, Bellis. Head gardener Bellis. I also said before he is sleek but he is a sharp eyed ikemen. It would be better for the tool in his hand to change from a spade to a sword. His ash brown hair is carelessly tied in a bundle in the back, his moderately long bangs are hiding his sharp pupils but they cannot fully hide them. Bangs, do your job! He is almost always in the greenhouse so in my mind I secretly call him ¡®the devil king of the greenhouse¡¯ but I don¡¯t have the courage to call him that to his face! Taciturn compliments are also hard but he is wonderful at his job. The duke¡¯s house¡¯ gardens are very magnificent. This couldn¡¯t be done without someone who possesses love for flowers. So, surely Bellis should also a great person ¡­¡­even though his appearance is like a devil king¡î I can vaguely feel like he is a good person but also I am nervous when I talking to him. Today also, as expected, he was diligently working in the splendid greenhouse facility. However, while it may be true that he is scary, Bellis cannot be left out! I ready myself and call out to his back. ¡°Ex, excuse me~ Bellis?¡± Ooh, I fumbled my words. ¡°¡­¡­what is it?¡± His back is still facing me but he tentatively gave me a reply. Still continuing to work. ¡°Um, if, I have a baked chocolate tart, so if you want, you can eat it during your break, ahem¡î¡± I smile and get through it! ¡°¡­¡­please place it on the table over there¡±. It is the same conversation with his back but Bellis pointed with his hand to a table inside the greenhouse. ¡°Going, got it. I am sorry for the intrusion~!¡± I can¡¯t bear this atmosphere, when I think about putting the tart down and hurriedly escaping the greenhouse and return. Sma©`©`©`ck! ¡°Hey!, Bellis!! You are being rude to the mistress!!!¡± Some devil king¡¯s, I mean Bellis¡¯, head was struck. I am dumbfounded. Bellis is stroking his struck head. Devil king Bellis¡¯s attacker, wasn¡¯t a hero summoned from somewhere, it was Mimosa. ¡­¡­oh? Wasn¡¯t there was this situation also some time ago~ In Mimosa¡¯s hand is a wooden spade from the greenhouse. Whoa! Mimosa, are you going to hit him with it?! I look at the hero, Mimosa, while startled, when, the devil king Bellis suddenly recovered. Hide, this is probably the devil king¡¯s counterattack?! Isn¡¯t the hero, Mimosa, in crisis?! While having delusions on what¡¯s happening I watch the two people attentively, ¡°As expected, very painful, Mimosa¡± Bellis said to Mimosa in a shocked tone while placing his hands on her waist. The glint in his eye¡­¡­isn¡¯t sharp?! uh, rather it is affectionate?! Why? While I am left with plenty of question marks flying around me, they keep talking. Someone, I want answers!! ¡°Did not Mistress make this at great pains and specially bring it to you? With that kind of attitude¡± Mimosa looks up at Bellis in a huff¡±. ¡­¡­uh huh, deja vu. ¡°I can¡¯t help it. Because I do not have any sociability etc in me¡±, Bellis soothed Mimosa while sighing. ¡°That¡¯s right. Since old times, Bellis has been like this. Mistress, I am sorry for Bellis¡¯ impoliteness¡±. And then for some reason Mimosa lowered her head to me. ¡°It is nothing, I don¡¯t mind. But why is Mimosa apologizing?¡± ¡°Ah, I do not think Mistress knows yet but actually Bellis is my husband. This person has never had social courtesy since old times, furthermore a scary face don¡¯t you agree? He always invites misunderstandings. Although he actually is a kind person¡­¡­¡± Ooh, her cheeks are blushing. She just praised her husband without realizing, right? Well, it is fine though. They are also married! As I thought, deja vu! ¡°Oh! So it is like that. It is okay! If look at someone¡¯s work their personality will also come out. This garden is magnificent so I thought surely Bellis is also a wonderful person. His eyes are just a little strong ¡î but, what do you mean ¡®since old times¡¯?¡± ¡°Bellis and I are childhood friends. He has looked after me since I around the time I was a baby¡±. ¡°Like your older brother!¡± ¡°Yes. we are separated by 12 years so he was like an older brother¡±. ¡°Well! With the age difference you are married!!¡± Bellis with the Wolf and devil king like atmosphere and the kind and tender Mimosa. Uh huh, this couple was not expected either~. Not just a gap (T/N: in personality) but also in age difference! I tentatively ask Lotus as well but Lotus is unmarried. No, I was expecting another gap or something different? Authors note: Thank you for today as well £¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© The Duke and such, stayed inside the detached building again£¨£þ¨Œ£þ£»£© T/N: By far my favourite chapter I have translated so far! Two ships I didn¡¯t even know had have sailed £Ü(?o?)£¯ Chapter 13 Ch.13 I Fit In More and More Now that, while a little belatedly, I discovered that head maid Dahlia and head chef Carthame, and head maid, Mimosa and head gardener Bellis are each a married couple, my awareness towards them (T/N: Carthame and Bellis), being hard to deal with, had suddenly diminished. Yeah, I¡¯d say I¡¯ve grown accustomed to it. After consulting about today¡¯s menu with Carthame in the kitchen, I watch the situation in the kitchen. In the kitchen, besides Carthame there are some other chefs. I heard they are all people who came from local areas for the sake of training under Carthame. Cooking is like war. ¡°Where¡¯s the meat?!¡± ¡°Yes, it is being prepared over here!¡± ¡°Not over there, you should prepare it over here!¡± The usual fickle attitude went somewhere, and with his now seemingly strict master face, Carthame¡¯s angry voice echoes. (T/N: in the kitchen) Using his skill the piece of meat is splendidly handled and cut up. Three times a day it is Carthame¡¯s precious time to be serious. And the apprentice cooks go around the kitchen in this way and that without a break. During this, those in charge take turns at making dinner for all the servants alone. Dinner preparations are particularly difficult. Carthame carefully makes the detached building¡¯s dinner. While this takes up his focus, so as not to be a hindrance, I watch the chefs in charge of the supplies work. ¡°What are today¡¯s supplies?¡± It is one of my pleasures! ¡°Yes, mistress. Today¡¯s supplies are organised local cuisine from the nearby Roussillon¡± A young (although he is older than me) cook cheerfully answers. ¡°Well, Roussillon? Are you from Roussillon? ¡°Yes I am¡±. ¡°It¡¯s very far from Rosia, right?¡± ¡°Yes, it takes an hour by coach¡±. ¡°That is far away! I have never been before and I have also never eaten the local cuisine so I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡± ¡°Yes, I will try my best so please look forward to it.¡± Because it is his own home town¡¯s cuisine, he answers with his ego overflowing. ¡°Which reminds me, I wonder, are all the apprentice¡¯s hometown different?¡± I speak the question that I suddenly think of. ¡°That is correct. Carthame is from Rosia but there are also those from Reine, Waal and Lovens,¡± he answers while moving his arms. That is each and every direction, south and north, they are all provincial cities far away from this kingdom¡¯s capital, Rosia. The territory of the kingdom of Fleur is vast, so it seems that while being in the same country, in those regions, the climate and natural features and character is different. I only learnt by studying the country so I do not know whether it is true or not. ¡°Pretty much everyone comes from scattered places~! Surely each region¡¯s local cuisine is probably a different cuisine.¡± Local cuisine is simple but has that warm mother¡¯s charm. In that sense, the taste of my Earl family is also a fine regional cuisine. Oops, it was not. ¡°That¡¯s right. Because the raw materials used are different, unique seasonings are merged.¡± What kind of dishes are they?! I never seen any, so I cannot even have wild ideas. But there are people who with great effort came from local regions, so shouldn¡¯t we use those skills! ¡°Hey. Will the supplies used from now on be from differing local cuisines?¡± ¡°You say, meaning?¡± The cook looks blank for a moment. ¡°Talented people have gathered at great pains from various regions, so look, you can taste feelings of traveling, everyday, sort of?¡± I say and maids who heard our conversation while helping a errand boy nearby say, ¡°That sounds fun!¡± ¡°I have never been to any other regions, so I am interested in what kind cuisine there is.¡± Several gave there agreement. The cook also, joined the excitement. ¡°That¡¯s right. Even we learn from it.¡± When Carthame is free we talk and he divided the workers and gave his approval. With this starting tomorrow we go around local cuisines while at home! I¡¯m looking forward to it. ¡°Devil king Bellis, devil king Bellis!¡± (T/N: she says this in a way that means the name Bellis and devil king are the same word) ¡°¡­¡­mistress. Please hold a different meaning for my name¡± ¡°About what~?¡± I look the other way. Even to Bellis, who I was continuously scared of, I am able to lightheartedly talk to him! Even if his appearance and attitude are scary, he is really a kind person, I feel it watching Mimosa attentively! Oops, things to do, things to do. ¡°Have the flower seeds I requested arrived? ¡°Yes. They have already been planted¡± ¡°Waa! thanks!¡± ¡°From now on the garden¡¯s flowers are changing little by little so please tell me the things you notice and if there are to be additions.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± It is the garden from the previous generation so the flower choices and arrangement seem~ sober. There are camellias where roses would be nice? No no, having calmness is good but I think I want a bit more gorgeousness, so I discussed it with Bellis. Bellis also tending the layout according to the previous madam¡¯s liking, so if he knows my liking, he is willing and gives ready consent to change it. He has started work on remodelling the garden little by little. The flowers growing in the splendid greenhouse facility are also chosen and grown in order to suitably decorate the mansion. Probably because, just like this, I go around the household, now everyone has stopped promoting ¡°Will you embroider?¡± or ¡°How about lace work?¡±! ¡­¡­everyone has given up on me doing mistress-like things? But, the servants have also been able to considerably throw off their reserve! Furthermore, as I think I am fitting in with the duke households servants~, just like that 2 months passed quickly. Authors note: Thank you for today as well£¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© Viola once again customized the duke household. (haha) As everyone is saying ¡°the husband is fine and absence is good¡±!! T/N: All the towns and regions mentioned in this chapter are real places around Europe. Chapter 14 Ch.14 Rainy Day A long spell of rain is continuing. In this capital city Rosia, twice a year, there is a period where rain falls for around a month, It is the first rainy season since I came to the duke house. On rainy days it is basically free time. What cleaning and laundry that can be done is limited so if they have a small amount of work then the earlier the servants do it. All the same I cannot snatch away their work ! After I enjoyed breakfast with the maids, I writhe in pain on top of a comfortable couch in my room. It is a first since coming to the duke house~. ¡°Free, free, free~! But I don¡¯t want to embroider. Lace work is also impossible~ my body will become weak~!¡± ¡°Mistress¡­¡­¡± Dahlia and Mimosa watch over me wriggling amazed. But it cannot be helped. For me who everyday, not just in the mansion, but in the spacious garden I darts here and there and being told have mistress-like refined time in my room is similar to agony! That is why I do things like reading, I like it? But all day long, and for many days to pass the time like this then certainly, that will be ¡®I won¡¯t¡¯. I am going insane. I also like books but I like moving more. Even though I do say so myself, I have balance between movement and stillness! I writhe in pain, on the couch for quite a time when, Lotus, lightly knocks on the room door, and enters. ¡°Mistress, if the you have nothing to do with the time how about taking something like dance lessons?¡± Lotus proposes, smiling. ¡°Dancing?¡± I look blankly at the unexpected suggestion. Where and how is this suggestion related? ¡°That is correct. If you dance your body can move and because, it seems that when just-in-case-it-is-needed it will remain imprinted in your body¡± ¡°¡­¡­I don¡¯t think ¡®a case-where-it-is-needed¡¯ will ever come~¡± Now and in the future, I do not have any plans to go to social places where dancing is necessary? ¡°Well, I would not say that.¡± And yet Lotus hangs on with a smile. What is this?, this big smiling face with a feeling of pressure. I guess it is only me who feels like I somehow cannot refuse? ¡°~~~~ understood¡± ¡°Well then, let me guide you to the lesson area¡± I was beaten down my opponent¡¯s persistence and reluctantly agree and Lotus¡¯ smile grows bigger and bigger. Just in case, I have made a debut in high society. Just in case, I am able to social dance. But after all it is ¡®just in case¡¯ ¡°Do not lower your gaze! The corners of your mouth are coming down! Attach a smile!! Straighten your back!!!¡± Unforgiving coaching comes in mercilessly. ¡°Yesssss~~~!!¡± I, at length, respond in a miserable voice. It¡¯s painful~ it¡¯s sad~ ¡­¡­I wanna cry! Lotus is a demon coach. Lotus apparently has his dance coaching diploma, so he is very skillful. As for me, I am at the level of being able to dance ¡®just in case¡¯ at things like parties, so there is room for improvement from Lotus sensei. More truthfully, I am made to start again from basic posture. ¡°From now on, on rainy days let us do dancing lessons. It will be very good for Mistress¡¯ muscles,¡± He eloquently said with a big smile but I am flopped on the wall couch in exhaustion. In spite of there only being one lesson this morning, this is my state of affairs. Ah again, I regret I gave in to Lotus¡¯ pressuring smile. After the strict dance lesson that exceeded the category for ¡®a good exercise for killing time¡¯, I have a light lunch and I am groggy in my room. ¡°Oh, mistress! Are you still restless?¡± said Mimosa as she approaches me stretched out on the couch. ¡°Because it was intense~! Lotus is a demon, a demon!¡± Ah~also, my body is awkward all over. This will be a complete muscle pain course tomorrow! I massage my lower back, ¡°It seems he has really worked you hard. If the fatigue continues tomorrow that will not be good. Here, mistress, please leave it to us!¡± Mimosa said smiling a big smile. Uh huh, sometime ago it was this kind of situation. And in that smile there is the pressure ¡®you can not refuse¡¯. ¡°Un, understood¡± I answer with an awkward smile, ¡°Well then please wait just a moment!¡± Said Mimosa as she flew out of the like a hurricane. A few minutes later, I think, Mimosa comes back with several maids and gently, ¡°From now on we will polish mistress to a sparkle!¡± She said, again smiling a big grin. ¡­¡­what is going to happen next?! A few hours later. From head to toe I was polished to a sparkle. I see. It was a full aesthetic course! ¡°I have wanted to this all along! Mistress still has some more room for improvement, so I¡¯m looking forward to it~¡± Come to think of it, Mimosa has occasionally tried to dress me up, she urged to polish me up and had excitedly taken my hand! Her heart¡¯s desire came true, Mimosa is terribly satisfied. However, as for me certainly I got physically fatigued but, it seems like something mental has been scraped off. I was jostled (no sorry, massaged!) by several maids, a coating of a nice smelling perfume was put on, as always to finish different hair and makeup was applied, a dress, not the servants uniform, was put on me. Certainly a lovely mistress as been completed! ¡°¡­¡­it¡¯s lovely, thanks¡­¡­¡± The me reflected in the mirror is like a different person. No~ the makeup skills are high, the sense of choice for the dress and accessories is good quality, Mimosa possesses splendid skills. I was so transformed, involuntarily it seemed suspiciously like ¡®special makeup?¡¯ Wealthy socialite wives do this everyday? ¡­..I found out it is not suitable for me. Long live the servant life!! Hooray for natural makeup! I am certainly more exhausted than those days where I go and wander around the mansion. Although half of my soul has flown somewhere, when heading towards the servants dining room to have dinner with Dahlia and Mimosa like usual, Dahlia said one thing, ¡°From now on, on rainy days it will be good to spend them like this, we have found this quite fulfilling.¡± Grin. Dahlia¡¯s smile also gives off the feeling of not being able to resist something¡­¡­ T/N: No authors note today. Chapter 15 Ch.15 Mission! At last the rainy season ended. I have never longed for sunny days this much! Despite Lotus sensei being a demon coach, in the dance lessons, I have steadily improved, and thanks to the full course brush up by Mimosa and her aesthetic troops (before I knew they were formed!), by the time the rainy season ended, I feel that my skin was able to unmasked. Yes, my complexion has certainly become better than before! My cheek also has elasticity?. Thanks to the dance lessons my usual posture improved as well? Yes, I am very very grateful. Is it regrettable that I will not show it to anybody? Showing it is not necessary. While doing this, another month passed and it has become three months since I came to the duke house. Knock, knock, knock. ¡°Excuse me¡± I am decorating the reception room with flowers supplied from Bellis¡¯ place when with a light knocking sound Lotus shows up. ¡°Oh, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Usually, Lotus secludes himself in his office and works, but he specially comes to where I am. I wonder what on earth the errand is? Thinking about it, it does not seem to be very good news. ¡°Yes, mistress. A little while ago this letter was delivered so I thought you might want to look over it so I brought it over.¡± While saying this, he hands over specially made stationery with the Physalis family crest I had seen before.¡­¡­even just staring I can feel the tendons in my right hand hurt! ¡­¡­no that¡¯s not it. Wh~ere did that shake-kuma figurine[1] go~ ¡­¡­that is also different. I fixedly stare at the traumatic envelope, ¡°It is from the previous duke. They would like to come and visit to see the state of affairs so they are inquiring about when would be best.¡± Explains Lotus. ¡°Oh, indeed! But this, I can not decide¡± So that means the married couple, my parents-in-law come, I¡¯ll have to act like ¡®I am doing well with my husband!¡¯. It will be a very inconvenient thing, ¡°Yes¡± ¡°Let¡¯s discuss it when the Duke comes back.¡± I say, but we have still only had lip service conversations~. But this affects the contract so the Duke and I have to precisely bounce ideas off each other to obtain a fine-tuned integrated whole! I have enormous debt to get paid so I intend to do my job precisely and reliably!! At the evening hour, I hear from Mimosa that the Duke has returned, I change into plain clothing like always and hurry to the entrance. There it seems Lotus has already finished report, ¡°I have heard the letter¡¯s passage from Lotus. I am sorry for these circumstances but I will reply for it to be in one weeks time.¡± ¡°Yes¡± Because of the Duke¡¯s circumstances I am able to have a comfortable servants life. Because I also don¡¯t socialise, whenever I am free, arrangements have been brought on for when I do so bring it on! ¡°They will probably be staying for 2 to 3 days so I will be returning to stay here.¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± The married couple, my parents-in-law, also staying? Well, that is to be supposed, but it is completely beyond what I expected for the Duke to go as far as to return! To my unintentional reply, the Duke tightly raises one eyebrow and, ¡°Is there something?¡± He asks. There is¡­¡­a inconvenience but I cannot say that! ¡°N, nononono! It is okay!¡± I hurriedly affirm. And then giving one nod to my positive affirmation and the Duke set up a concrete plan. ¡°As my parents will stay in the parlor, it should be arranged that I stay in the married couple¡¯s bedroom¡­¡­¡± The Duke looks a little awkward. His face is pensive like he has been hit the face with a fist, what are you thinking?! ¡°That is right. But I will bring a simple bed to the bedroom, so I will rest there. Duke. please use the bed.¡± If we want to show the appearance we have a good relationship, it out of the question for married couples to sleep in separate rooms. I also understand this much so I will not be upset if it is said that I have to share the same room with the Duke! But please pardon sharing the same bed. To my as-usual-candid response, the Duke has a complicated expression. ¡°¡­¡­I should be the one there, [T/N: on the simple bed]¡± The Duke is trying to be thoughtful for once but, ¡°No, because it is okay¡± I do not have pride but if I am left alone, I¡¯m the owner of the ability to sleep on the couch or anywhere. With a firm smile I overcome his resistance. ¡°¡­¡­thank you very much. By the way, what is your pet name?¡± After solving the bedroom problem, the Duke gently asked. What is this? I feel the subject suddenly jumped? ¡°It is Vii, but is something wrong?¡± ¡°I thought it shows people are close when they call each other by their pet name.¡± Oooh! As expected of the Duke. His ingenuity is rich,because certainly calling someone by their pet name it will be mistaken for increased intimacy! ¡°That is right.¡± ¡°Well then, on the day I will call you that.¡± ¡°Understood¡± ¡°You¡­¡­¡± ¡°Me? I will call you Duke as usual?¡±[T/N: remember ¡®Duke¡¯ here can also mean ¡®my husband¡¯] What is it? It seems ridiculous have such various disparities in marriage and to do things like childishly be called by pet names? ¡°¡­¡­understood. Well then, in this I will.¡± The Duke gave a bitter smile. The business meeting relating to my parents-in-law¡¯ visitation of calamity finishes and as usual the Duke quickly turns back in order to return to the detached building. ¡°Well then, I will prepare the guest room and I will arrange a bed for Mistress¡¯s room.¡± After seeing the Duke out, Lotus opens his mouth. As excepted he is a superior butler. While we were having our business meeting without saying anything, he silently took notes. I wondered if he had vanished into the air. Furthermore, even though while pretending not to listen he remembers every single word and phrase! He does good work! ¡°The guest room is troublesome so I will prepare it! Anything is good for the bed. If there is none, putting two couches together is good enough¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Lotus stays silent. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Please let me prepare a bed!¡± He¡¯s smiling but, again there is an atmosphere of not being able to say consent or refuse. ¡°Ye,yes. understood!¡± I became overwhelmed. [T/N: by Lotus] Author note: Thank you for today as well£¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© The Duke appeared after a long time (haha) he was in attendance continuously for a short while (haha) No, from now on he will come out more and more¡­¡­£¨£þ¨Œ£þ£»£© T/N: [1] This sentence (¡­¡­¤¤¤ä¡¢¤¸¤ã¤Ê¤¯¤Æ¡£¤¢¡«¡¢¤¢¤Î¥·¥ã¥±¥¯¥Þ¤ÎÖÃÎï¤É¤³¤¤¤Ã¤¿¤±¤Ê¡«¡£¡­¡­¤½¤ì¤âß`¤¦¤¯¤Æ) I struggled with so hard on what it meant but what I think she is referring to is a Salmon-Bear mascot figurine, something like this: (Taken from a post by the author ?¡ä???`?) Chapter 16 Ch.16 The Visit A week after then. We were very busy making preparations¡­¡­but this was not the case, other than preparing the guest room for my parents-in-law¡¯s visit and bringing a cot into my room, I spent my daily life as usual. There was no such thing as ¡®Visitors are coming! We have to do an immense tidy up!!¡¯. Because everyday, everyone, enjoyably cleans and decorates! And then finally the appointed day of the visit. In order to ¡®Let us eat lunch together¡¯ my parents-in-law¡¯ arrival is planned for the afternoon, so in the morning I replaced the flowers in the mansion. They are flowers that I told Bellis to order and grow. They bloomed beautifully with great trouble, so I think they are perfect for hospitality. As expected, today I cannot wander aimlessly in a servant¡¯s uniform, so I wear an orange dress Mimosa has carefully selected. When I tried to do my usual habit of rolling up my sleeves I was scolded. Ah, of course the Duke has not yet shown up? Surely at this time he is probably reluctantly parting. It would be disagreeable to be ¡®kicked by a horse¡¯ so my course of action is leave to it alone. ¡°I wonder with this the preparations are completed?¡± The dining room table is also decorated with flowers, also Carthame is at this time in the kitchen and if the highly praised lunch is lined up it will be perfection! The preparations have been done to this point so I asked Mimosa. ¡°Yes, it is flawless! Now all there is to do, is to wait for their arrival.¡± As soon a Mimosa finished saying this, the dining room door opens, ¡°Mistress, it seems the previous ducal couple has arrived.¡± Lotus called out to us. ¡°Understood. Let¡¯s hurry. We have to greet them.¡± I put on a ¡®OK-I will do my best-¡¯ fighting spirit. The mission of the perfect wife has already begun! Oh, I forgot the Duke. ¡°Lotus. The Duke is?¡± I said, having left the dining room while going towards the entrance way at a quick pace. ¡°Just now a maid with the Duke has gone to call him¡± As expected of Lotus, there is no oversight. ¡°If that¡¯s the case that is excellent¡± If you are late please give your own excuse~ Meeting the parents-in-law at the entrance way. I have not met up with my parents-in-law since the wedding. I am a little nervous. These parents-in-law. I heard they handed over the peerage to the Duke when he turned twenty and simultaneously left this mansion, after that, in the territory, the married couple are, with no outsiders present, spending their time all lovey dovey. (Conversation with Mimosa) The Duke¡¯s job is a knight and moreover he is an elite so he is sometimes busy, the management of the territory is wholly done by my father-in-law. (conversation with Lotus) I drag that information out of the corner of my brain and revise them. While doing this Lotus quietly opened the door to the entrance way. And then I entered and¡­¡­ ¡°Well, Viola-chan! It¡¯s been a long time! Have you been well?¡± While smiling and laughing, my mother-in-law rushed over to me. Yeah, she has a beautiful youthful face that does not look like she is in her forties and furthermore has a twenty four year old son! From the left open door light was flowing in, shining from her back, it is completely like a halo shining. Her beautiful golden hair glistens and dazzles my eyes, in comparison to outside and the slightly darker entrance way, I can see it slightly flickering. Well, that seems to not be the only reason. The Duke¡¯s beautiful molding was handed over by this person. Admitting a glittery beautiful aura is good but, my plain manner is promoted, so I want to refrain from her coming very close. ¡°I have heard various stories from Lotus. It seems you are doing splendid¡± A tall-statured gentleman with calm dark narrow laughing pupils, my father-in-law, enters at ease after my mother-in-law. [The Duke] got his stature and colouring from him. His slightly curly dark hair is neatly combed down, his figure is stylishly dressed in apparently well tailored clothes, he is even charming enough to promptly deceive young women. While embracing mother-in-law¡¯s shoulder, getting close, he moreover seems like a sample of a gentleman. I suffer from understanding how that (brute) son[1] was completed, from these two gentle people ¡­¡­that quickly slipped out. No, more than that mother-in-law¡¯s words from before. What kind of ¡®various¡¯ is ¡®various¡¯? Was it a frank ¡®various¡¯ or was it a sugar-coated ¡®various¡¯, which one was it? I will have to carefully talk about this later! Well, setting that aside, I have not also greeted. ¡°Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, welcome. It has been a long time. By all rights it should have been me who came to you, I am very thankful for you coming all the way from afar.¡± Hooray! I said my greeting without fumbling!! I kept a triumphant pose for sure in my heart but I couldn¡¯t stop a smile of satisfaction. In contrast to my satisfied smile, my father-in-law was smiling bitterly. Surely, if I continue more than this then I will certainly bite my tongue. I also want to avoid a bloody tragedy. ¡°That is right, isn¡¯t it. Sorry.¡± I obediently agreed to do as I usually do. ¡°Like that is good~! Because we are are roughly parents and child¡± My mother-in-law also agreed. ¡°Very soon the lunch preparations will be put in order, so let us go to the dining room. Today Carthame has been in high spirits!¡± I returned back to my usual tone without reservation, but when I thought to guide them to dining room and exchange a look with Lotus, ¡°Sorry for being late. I was taking a stroll in the garden for a short time¡± Everyone looks back at that voice all at once, when the entrance way door is once again opened gallantly and the Duke enters. ¡­¡­ah, I forgot this person. Unconsciously careless, with my usual habit, I dispelled the Duke¡¯s existence. Close call©`. Right right, the maid went to go call him. And, is that an excuse? ¡®Liar¡¯ can be heard penetrating into the minds of all the servants present! ¡°Is that so? It has also been a while since we last saw you.¡± Ah, father-in-law, ignored the hello excuse! ¡°Yes, it was been a while¡± The Duke just like father-in-law refreshing smile with narrowed eyes. ¡°You look well, it is good¡± Mother-in-law is also smiling with delight. These two people of similar beauty lined up, is a sight for sore eyes! [T/N: seeing something beautiful or precious] for a mediocre girl like me, I am just a smidgin jealous. There is so much glittering, I wonder should I try wearing sunglasses. However, it is not the case, it is a deeply emotional reunion. Ah, I do not feel moved at all. ¡°Everyone, it seems the lunch preparations have been setup,¡± Lotus cut in with clever timing. Authors note: Thank you fo today as well£¨*£Þ£­£Þ*£© The Duke, his existence is weak of course¡­¡­ T/N: [1] ¡®son¡¯ and ¡®brute¡¯ here are one word in the original, using the kanji to mean ¡®brute¡¯ and the reading of the kanji to mean ¡®son¡¯. Chapter 17 Ch.17 Harmony After Lotus¡¯s words we decide to go towards the dining room. Things like eating in the main dining room, only happened on the first day. From the second day I intruded into the servant¡¯s dining room. This morning I ate there also, this way suits to a T but I can¡¯t say this. From Lotus¡¯s guidance, father-in-law and the Duke, behind then mother-in-law and I follow their figures and start moving but as soon as we leave the entrance way mother-in-law suddenly stood still, ¡°Wow, such pretty flowers! I wonder, were there these flower varieties at the house? She said while looking my way. Ahead of my mother-in-law¡¯s gaze are the entrance flower vases I placed there this morning. The flowers arranged there were the variety I asked Bellis to order and grow. They are a newcomer so it is no wonder mother-in-law does not know. ¡°These are the latest I asked Bellis to order¡± I answer and, ¡°Huuhhh?! Bellis did?? Mother-in-law is exaggeratedly surprised. ¡°Yes. Bellis has ordered and grown flowers to my liking¡± Bellis (Demon king), is skilled so he grew them very skillfully~. It¡¯s bad about his unsociable deferential treatment! ¡°Ohhhhh!! Bellis has opened up?! Mother-in-law puts her hands on her cheeks. Is it that much of a surprise? ¡°Yes, he is a extremely gentle person¡± ¡°Viola-chan, you are doing well. Haha, these flowers, are very very lovely!¡± Mother-in-law completely changes from a surprised face, now to a tender, sparkling, smiling face. Uh huh, it seems like something in my mother-in-law has been acknowledged. Was there some sort of barrier? ¡°Truly. It is a good thing to be greeted by flowers in the entrance¡± Father-in-law also turned towards this way, giving a smile. ¡°I am very happy you said that! Bellis will also be delighted¡± I also became happy. Because Bellis¡¯ great work is being praised! ¡°Ah, not Bellis, are we not saying that Viola-chan has made the mansion gorgeous like this?¡± ¡°Oh, me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Mother-in-law is smiling and giggling. But I, only decorated with the beautifully bloomed flowers~? It somehow feels like I am snatching Bellis¡¯ achievement. In that manner, we are stopped in front of the flower vases but, ¡°Look, the meal will completely cool down. Let us go¡± Said the Duke¡¯s calm voice, once again starting movement. Ooh, the Duke was here! Until now he was very quiet (because he didn¡¯t make an utterance!), his existence had completely changed into air. We follow behind the Duke and father-in-law but, the Duke is looking here and there smiling. He is himself and, yet, not himself? Well, for the Duke it as been quite a long time since he last lived in the main residence. Furthermore, isn¡¯t it the first time entering since I came here? I did things like decorate with nice flowers everyday and replaced the fabrics and furniture, I enjoyed spending my time customizing with the servants, so I think the impression has completely changed. It has wholly gone in the direction of ¡®feels young again¡¯. ¡°Oh~ it completely feels young again! Uh huh isn¡¯t the cheerful atmosphere great!¡± ¡°Yes, yes! Viola-chan, your sense is great~!¡± Mother-in-law and father-in-law also praised me again. Just the Duke remained reserved as ever. We hardly sit down in the dining room, the maids lying in wait, carry in the lunch. This is a roughly a relative lunch so, the arrangement is father-in-law and mother-in-law are matched up on the inner side and the Duke and I are matched up this side. Today, as expected, it is impossible to eat the servants food. It will be a one-on-one fight with intestinal terrorists. Do your best my good bacteria!! Once when consulting the menu beforehand, ¡°Please make my dishes slightly less¡± ¡°Vi, Mada~me¡± ¡°Certainly. I will pay attention to make a mistake with the platters!¡± I secretly made necessary arrangements with Carthame and the maids in charge of the errand boys! ¡°The main dish is herb stir-fried chicken, from a Reinean source¡± Lotus with a elegant movement serves the platter in front of father-in-law. Ooh, today¡¯s cooking is as proposed by a cook from the region of Reine! Aah, I wanted to eat today¡¯s servant meal. There is also a dish brought in front of me who has made petit trips to the servants dining room. The lovely light brown fried colour is quite beautiful. As expected of Carthame, his skills are super¡­¡­well, great. The Reine specialty herb is used and that unique aroma also incites the appetite! Staring at the plate and thinking these things when, ¡°Oh? Isn¡¯t this the Reine region¡¯s local cuisine?¡± Father-in-law gave a happy voice. ¡°Yes, that is right¡± Lotus answers. ¡°As I thought. We went on a trip before and the cuisine there was delicious¡± ¡°Yes, it was¡± Father and mother-in-law, gaze at each other and smile at each other and blush¡­¡­, please do this somewhere else. I had heard they were actively in love but it has developed in front of my eyes¡­¡­ eew, violently sweet. ¡°I never thought I would be able to eat it at this house¡± Said father-in-law coming out of their two person world, ¡°That is right. Lately, various places with local cuisines has been increasing. Has Vi noticed this?¡± The Duke who had been quite up to this point suddenly spoke. Furthermore he called me by my pet name! Ah~it startled me. I was unprepared because he had turned into air. On that subject, the ¡®travelling feeling from local cuisine and supplies¡¯ has been secretly adopted into the meals taken to the Duke and Calendula. I think it¡¯s not to the degree of noticing but, in the manner of things like source and art of cooking. ¡°Ye,yes, well¡­¡­ the cooks are also studying and because these apprentice cooks, seem to come from various regions¡± Well, I cannot talk about it in detail so I sugarcoat and explain. ¡°Really? So that was how it was¡± Oh? The Duke seems a little surprised and raised one eyebrow quickly*. The Duke is personally surprised to become aware of this! He is secretly surprised at Lotus and others, it just does not show on his face. ¡°You have thought of very interesting things, Viola and Carthame have¡± Father-in-law said in a admiring like way but I merely just wanted to eat unusual and rare things~. Studying and so on is a postscript just cause! ¡°Cercis do you call Viola, Vi? Mother-in-law. Is that the place you held onto! We are talking about local cuisine right now? Talking about studying cooking? And yet, why that! I endure collapsing when, ¡°Yes, that is right¡± The Duke answers nonchalantly smiling. Amazing acting ability! His face is entirely as if what?, as if he has always calls [me that]! ¡°That¡¯s adorable! I wonder is it alright if I also call you Vi-chan?¡± Mother-in-law petitioned me with a sparkling smile. Wow! It is a sight for sore eyes [1] ¡°Of course¡± Smile. I respond, as a ordinary daughter-in-law, giving a smile with all my might. Uh huh, a smile is zero yen(dollars) a smile isn¡¯t a crime. Even though I¡¯m ordinary a smile is good. Uh huh. My eyes were hit by beautiful sight for sore eyes face, and I am a smidgin sulky. Harmoniously lunch comes to an end, even moving to the reception room the father mother-in-law couple¡¯s waa¨Ckya¨C[2] (mainly mother-in-law¡¯s) continue. At any rate, in name and in reality, the trousseau [things a bride brings with her] from the warehouse have been revived and are enshrined in the reception room. Mother-in-law at last cried! If I were to speak of the Duke, when he entered the reception room, once again after a little while he turned into air. Turning into air seems to be the state of affairs in which he spends time processing his intracerebral data.. The result of my personal observation. Because though he did know I had customized as I pleased, he did not know to what extent I had~ The results of the home visit. I am very pleasing to the parents-in-law couple. I have become a good daughter-in-law! I have done a good job! Authors note: Thank you for today as well£¨£Þ£­£Þ£© Fundamentally the Duke is not so much chatty. T/N: [1] This was in the last chapter but the kanji for the sore eyes she is talking about means from seeing something beautiful or precious. Not how in english we would say ¡®sight for sore eyes¡¯ is when we see something after a long time. [2] These are exclamations of wonder. Like ¡®wow¡¯ or ¡®ooh¡¯ Chapter 18 - Various Conversations Ch.18 Various Conversations Evening. After escorting the parents-in-law couple to the guest room, the Duke and I retire to my room. Ah~ while the parents are here I will be staying in the same room as the Duke. I don¡¯t think I will feel at ease at all, but this is also a mission. There is no margin to say anything. I obediently follow the Duke silently walking in front of me. *door opening sound* Opening the door to the room the Duke solidifies. ¡°¡­¡­this is?¡± Quickly entering inside, with his hand still holding the door knob, he had come to a halt there looking over the inside of the room. ¡°yes?¡± I guess there is some sort of inconvenience? I brought in a cot? Obliquely looking up from behind, at the Duke¡¯s face that is in a slightly higher place, in order to ask him, ¡°It has become a very different impression¡­¡­¡± The Duke said standing alone. Aah! About the room¡¯s impression? Come to think it, the Duke has not come here since the day of the wedding ceremony. Since then it has been maintained considerably to my liking! Although the furniture was left as is. The Duke is looking at the many patchwork pieces dotted around the room. Things like the bed covers, knee blanket and cushions. I do not do unproductive things like embroidery, but I am willing do these kind of practical things. Ah, things like the curtains everyone sewed~. At that time these were made with remaining cloth, but even if I do say so myself it is easily is like a artistic masterpiece! ¡°Aah, errr, there was a lot of pretty cloth, so when there was time I made it by patching it together!¡± I am very proud in my heart of these things but, just as the Duke remembered, ¡°Come to think of it the handkerchief you gave me was also skilled¡± He said isolated. ¡°Well, for you to say that is a honour!¡± Aah, that. He only looked at it once. I also make such things. ¡°However, it has really entirely transformed the impression¡­¡­¡± The Duke once again calmly muttered. Putting his hand on his mouth, thinking. ¡°Does it not look good?¡± Even if at this late moment it is said he cannot stomach it, it will be troublesome. ¡°No, that is not so¡± The Duke loosens his slightly clever eyes and looks in my direction. Originally it was a simple room with a white basis, but thanks to the existence of patchwork it has been finished into quite a country mood. Woody texture is more warm and nice than white but, I cannot say it is a luxury! It is decorated with my favourite flowers, and I was allowed to customize it into a pleasant room. ¡°You are standing around talking at the doorway, so please enter inside¡± Dahlia called from inside. Mimosa is preparing tea beside the couch. There are no things to tell the the Duke while drinking tea. To not let things be prepared for me is surely prepared for me is my strong point! The Duke sat down in the couch from before, so after considering for a short time, I sat down in a chair diagonally in front. I thought there would be no face-to-face~. ¡°Today I have only been surprised¡± Again the Duke opened up like before. Despite saying he is surprised he is archaic smiling as always. Well, this is probably his basic face. ¡°Is that so?¡± But that reminds me he often solidified and turned into air and processed data. ¡°Yes. It certainly has been a long time since coming here, but somehow here and there has completely changed and I was surprised¡± The Duke¡¯s eyes once again wander here and there. Because I was allowed to touched here and there without noticed~. Replacing all the furniture or decorating. I wonder did I do it a bit too much? Mimosa carried over the tea. The Duke reached out his hand towards it, his hand is like a knight¡¯s, a little rough but, his fingers movement is also long, they are delicate and flexible. While looking with slightly upturned eyes at the Duke elegantly putting the cup to his mouth, ¡°Does it not look good?¡±, I ask one more time timidly, ¡°No, I am the one who said do as you like, so it is not all interfering¡± He answered not looking here. It seems his eyes are closed, he is enjoying the trailing note of the tea. His pretty long lashes cast a shadow on his face. Damn, why are his longer and have more volume than mine?! ¡°If that¡¯s the case then that¡¯s good¡± ¡°The servants also somehow look like they are having fun lately¡­¡­¡± ¡°?¡± The Duke opened his eyes at last and looks over here. Lately? No, but haven¡¯t they looked like they are having fun all along? I tilt my head to the side and look, ¡°The detached building should also be decorated with flowers. I did not think of it before. But the maids plainly did their job, doing such things like this¡± The Duke explained. ¡°Indeed¡± Come think of it, the Duke¡¯s accompanying maid is holding the left over flowers. ¡°Calen was surprised¡± Ah~ in the end, conversation is carried to her. And that the Duke was not the one to notice the change and she was the one to notice it. Yeah yeah, I am certainly listening! ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Besides that also the cooking¡± That¡¯s right!, the Duke had noticed. ¡°Th, that¡­¡­¡± ¡°I did not notice the change, but Calen noticed in the beginning. Because she has gone around various regions. She even knows things about different countries¡± Ah~ yeah yeah again her is it? Until a little while ago his expression was indifferent and yet in the act of talking about Calendula he cannot stop giving an enchanted face. Is this fondly speaking of a loved one? It seems so? Ah, there is a chill floating from Dahlia and others awaiting at the wall, but the Duke, talking about Calendula, does not notice at all. I also pretend I do not notice. ¡°Ah, is that so?¡± ¡°Well, from now on also it is good to do as you want. That is what I thought¡± Hooray, I received authorisation! ¡°Thank you!¡± ¡°Well then, tomorrow I have to go out to my job, so I will leave my parents to you. I heard they will return home after staying for tomorrow¡± ¡°Understood¡± Tomorrow, ifI endure for one day, I can once again return to my comfortable servant life! I will do my best! ¡°Well then, shall we turn in?¡± ¡°yes!¡± The Duke said and went to the bathroom in his own study adjacent to this room. I had agreed beforehand to as always do all my preparations in this room, so the line has thoroughly been clearly, distinctly, indicated! There is no gray zone! However, this kind of conversation-like conversation, business discussion¡­¡­rather has it not happened since we came to enter this marriage~? Look,today isthe day of those brutish conditions! The next day. In the main dining room again I had breakfast together with parents-in-law couple and the Duke, after seeing the Duke off towards work, we went towards the garden. Because mother-in-law said she would like to see the completely changed garden. Well, if I was to use one word for the garden it would be that it feels young again. Because there was a selection of a number of calm flowers, but through the request of the maids and I, showy varieties have increased. The garden, with good weather brimming with light, is deep green and with multicoloured flowers is a dazzling beauty to the eyes. I was a little worried about removing mother-in-law¡¯s choices but, ¡°Well, the garden has also become gorgeous and lovely!!¡± Mother-in-law praised with shining eyes. Ah~thank goodness. ¡°It is because Bellis(Demon King) has worked earnestly everyday and have me his assistance¡± ¡°Puh! Bellis has opened up this extent? Vi-chan you are amazing. Bellis, although he has a beautiful face is unsociable so it was probably hard to approach him?¡± ¡°Right, yes, well. At first. But by looking at his attitude towards things like his work and Mimosa, I realized his disposition is that of a good person!¡± ¡°Aah, already, something, thank you! Vi-chan!¡± Why is mother-in-law deeply emotional. It seems that something has again been acknowledged. And suddenly~ hugged me closely. Choke. She looks slender but is a unexpected strong woman! ¡°Ye, yesssss~¡± Ow ow. ¡°Look, if you closely hug her so strongly, it will be painful for Viola¡± He said while giggling, but please stop lookingand stop your wife¡¯s use of force! ¡°Ah, I beg your pardon!¡± Ohohohoho~ and slightly loosened her strength. ¡°¡­¡­no¡± My soul has run out as a result. Lazily strolling the garden, before we knew it we had come to the vicinity of the detached building. Wa, isn¡¯t this risky? ¡­¡­incidentally in a hurry I became distracted. ¡®What~shall we~do, we came to the detached building~¡¯ when I appealed to Dahlia with my eyes. ¡°I thought ¡®what to do?¡¯ when I heard about the friendship with the wandering dancer¡± Father-in-law said while looking at the detached building. Saying that, does father-in-law know about her? ¡°uu,mm¡± I don¡¯t know what would be a good answer so I mumble. Because I cannot say unpleasant things. For the time being, I will wait for father-in-law¡¯s words. ¡°Even with how much we opposed, they stubbornly did not separate, so I had almost given up. When suddenly and precipitately a letter was sent saying ¡®I have separated from her. I have decided to marry a young woman from the Euphorbia house¡¯ I rubbed my eyes many times over. I turned the letter over time and time again¡± Ah, the Duke wrote a downright lie letter. I see I see. ¡°Oh!¡± I agree for the time being. ¡°Lotus also confirmed it so it seems like it is the truth¡± Ah, Lotus, you too? I give a sidelong glance to Lotus and he forcefully averts his eyes. It is a crime of conscience! Father-in-law slowly looks from the detached building towards me, ¡°However, he found such a great daughter-in-law and isn¡¯t he is also doing pretty good?¡± Smile. ¡­¡­well, even if that is said right to one¡¯s face. ¡°That¡¯s right~ I doubted my eyes once I saw a real woman~¡± Mother-in-law, unexpectedly you are severe on your son. Excessively smiling and saying brutish things, I am convinced they are parent and child! Tsu, the Duke and her are high praise in a relationship but surely the Duke and Lotus skillfully deceived those nearby. I should not say ridiculous things. But, me who was selected from amongst people by the Duke who was no eye for women, was suspected to maybe not be a worthy woman? Wow! I will yield to being plain¡­¡­ ¡°From now on also I ask you to treat him well.¡± Ah, that kind of thing is all right! Because that exactly intersects with the contract! T/N: No author¡¯s comment today. I was so excited that they were finally having a conversation and then I found out his parents think Calendula left, I was back to fuming at him. His character better be redeemed a lot and hopefully soon but anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Chapter 19 - Suddenly Returning Home. Ch.19 Suddenly Returning Home. The Duke and I have fabricated a web of lies, but my parents-in-law couple consented to this act with great delight and went back home the next day. They left with these words ¡®Next, you should come to the territory. Ah, if he is busy just Viola will be fine¡¯. Uh huh, it I will selfishly go if it is just me! So that means as the parents-in-law couple returned home the Duke also returned to the detached building and I returned to my comfortable servant life at last! Pretty dresses are lovely but, as I thought, I like the servant uniform! A dress is very much a thing for a curvy woman. Moreover on the other hand the servant uniform magically replaces ¡®flat and slippery¡¯ with ¡®neat and clean¡¯¡­¡­! I have tears of gratitude. Seeing off my parents-in-law, who will be eating lunch someplace else, with a face full of smiles, I swiftly dash to return to my room. And then quickly change into the servant uniform and life recharge! ¡°Ah~! What a feeling of liberalisation !¡± It is slightly bad manners, but I dive on the bed with a fwump! This spacious gorgeous bed is also mine! ¡°Mistress. Since no one is looking it is fine but¡­¡­¡± With a bitter smile Dahlia breathe a sigh. ¡°Yes, I know. Just for 10 minutes, okay? I beg Dahlia while rubbing my cheeks on the supreme texture of the sheets. To be able to do this on the sheets with my face without no makeup, whoopee! When in front of my parents-in-law I had to wear special makeup¡­¡­well, rather, I had a ¡®good wife¡¯ natural makeup ver. [look]. I was fearful my skin might stop breathing. ¡°Understood. I think it would be good to have a short afternoon nap¡± ¡°Yes, just for 10 minutes¡­¡­¡± If I close my eyes for a bit and recharge, I can once again enjoy the servant life¡­¡­sigh It seems I was more tired than I thought. When I eventually came to, it was long past daytime, and close to the evening. I was surprised by the room that had completely become dim and rose up in a start. I guess this was a afternoon nap or rather a serious sleep?, I ended up deeply entering alone. And yet if Dahlia and Mimosa could have woken me up it would have been good! Aah! I ended up missing out on the servant lunch I was looking forward to¡­¡­I¡¯m heartbroken. I am hanging my head on my bed alone, when Mimosa enters with a knock on the door. ¡°Mistress, are you awake? ¡°Yes. I ended up sleeping with all my might¡± ¡°You were sleeping well, so you woke up without us waking you. You were undoubtedly tired¡± Mimosa said with a sympathising like kind smiling look. Yeah, I have been healed. Just a little revived. ¡°That¡¯s right. It looks like moving around like usual with everyone is more suited to me¡± ¡°Uu, mm. In it¡¯s own way that is a little bit¡­¡­¡± Mimosa changed to a bitter smile. Well, this certainly not a Mistress-like remark! A week after that. I have been so far enjoying ¡®a fun servant life¡¯ with the servants, but the unexpected suddenly came along. ¡°Mistress, Master has returned,¡± Mimosa informed me of the Duke¡¯s return home. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll hurry,¡± I say and half run towards the entrance. Ah, lately I have the stunt of changing to match the Duke¡¯s estimated returning home time imprinted in my body. Because if everytime I change from the servant uniform with a kerfuffle it will someday come out with tattered clothing! The makeup, taking into consideration my skin breathing, is very light makeup, so it takes the blink of time. The reluctant-looking Mimosa ignores the dash. I arrive at the entrance way and as usual the Duke and Lotus are conversing. The Duke notices me as I cheerfully turn up. ¡°I have presently returned,¡± he said and sweetly smiled. Uh huh, that is probably a very sparkly insincere smile. Even knowing it is a insincere smile it is a sight for sore eyes. I unintentionally ended up becoming fascinated by it like a idiot, but I did my best and held my ground, ¡°Welcome home, Duke¡± I give a zero money smile and say my usual words. And usually after giving those lip services, okay we breakup~and yet only today the next words to come out of the Duke¡¯s mouth no one could have predicted. ¡°Was not today also particularly different and peaceful above all. Aah, shall I listen to your story of today while eating dinner?¡± Oh? That¡¯s strange? I have a feeling I am hearing a auditory hallucination-. ¡°O, kay?¡± ¡°So, it will be during the meal¡± The Duke again presses me who awkwardly replied, for an answer. Uh huh, this was clearly heard. But it seems like my brain refuses to accurately deal with it, I still cannot comprehend. However, it seems like I am not the only one with this collapse of affairs, the usually calm, cool and collected Lotus has also been disturbed. Suddenly he understood where it is difficult to understand, of course, a superior butler. Such a vibe is also being transmitted from Dahlia and Mimosa in waiting behind me. Only the Duke does not notice this delicate atmosphere. Incredible. The Duke said today, at the main house, will eat dinner, with me. My brain refused to think, but it unwillingly started activity. Seriously? ¡­¡­no, the disturbance is still not settled. ¡°Will dinner be eaten here? Lotus quickly finished the disturbance and confirmed with the Duke. ¡°That is what I am saying,¡± Said the Duke with his eyebrow raised in a slightly displeased, and is frustrated no one could understand it at once, but it was because of you(the Duke) that we were thrust down into the depths of disturbance! ¡°Certainly. Until the preparations can be made please wait in the reception room,¡± Lotus politely accepts. ¡°Got it,¡± The Duke says with a nod, stepping forward towards the reception room. ¡­¡­where should I go? No, before that, an emergency meeting! ¡°I fell into complete failure to understand for a moment~! As expected Lotus, your recovery was fast!¡± As soon as the Duke had disappeared towards the reception room immediately Lotus, Dahlia Mimosa and me assemble a natural circle, from here we work on our counter-plan. The entrance way reverberates voices well, so everyone brings their foreheads together and talk in whispering tones. ¡°To be entrusted with praise is an honour, but all the same, I also blanked out for a moment,¡± Lotus with a bitter smile. ¡°I thought it was as if they were a foreign country¡¯s words coming out. I was completely unable to understand,¡± Next it is Dahlia who is saying this, Mimosa is also eagerly nodding her head. It seems like it wasn¡¯t just me who had their brain refuse to understand. No, this is not the place to have this kind of coming out convention now. ¡°For now we cannot do this here. Lotus talk to Carthame and ask him to make the preparations for dinner,¡± My brain at last comes alive, I think we should execute this fully. ¡°Certainly¡± Lotus nods in assent. After confirming that, I next turn towards Dahlia. ¡°Dahlia get the maids who are not onbreak to instruct the errand boys,¡± ¡°Understood¡± Dahlia suddenly nods in assent. ¡°Mimosa together with me shall entertain the Duke¡± ¡°Okay¡± ¡°I¡­¡­mmm~, today it cannot be helped I will have dinner together with the Duke. Ah, but please relay to Carthame and the maids to give me a half portion. No more, break!¡± ¡°¡°Certainly¡±¡± Giving that reply, Lotus and Dahlia disappear towards the kitchen at a quick pace. Mimosa and I go towards the reception room. Ah~, just as I thought the long-awaited peaceful everyday had returned~ I wonder what kind turn of events will also turn up. Only this am I unable to understand as it is. T/N: UPDATE: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! sorry for today¡¯s later release, I was on a airplane, I also wasn¡¯t able to do a very close edit so sorry for any mistakes. I am only holiday starting now for around 6 days. This doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll completely stop releasing during this time but they will not be as regular. Thanks for the support! I¡¯ll see you in the next one Chapter 20 - Awkward Dinner Mimosa and I hurriedly pursue the Duke and go towards the reception room, but oh dear! I wonder, what would be good conversation to make? I am not skillful in social interactions and I cannot imagine being able to fill the silent spaces~ Aah, I shouldn¡¯t have sent Lotus to be a messenger. About now I¡¯m regretting that! It is not just us who are rushing down the corridor. The inside mansion servants are extremely secretive and making a commotion. They are always together so it seems they know. Everyone is very flustered~. Because the Duke who wasn¡¯t supposed to come back, came back! The Duke is already at home on a couch in the reception room. Ah~again, how far am I supposed to tie the situation together? I feel uneasy. ¡°I have kept you waiting. Aah, I will make some tea¡± ¡°Yes. Please do¡± First of all hospitality number 1, let us drink delicious tea. I think with this I will stall and yet, ¡°Mistress, I will do it¡± Mimosa said smiling snatching away the tea utensils from my hand. What? Mimosa insists on me immediately going into personal combat with the Duke!? ¡°¡­¡­please¡± But making tea is essentially a maids job. I hand them over tearfully. Mmm~ is there possibly something besides this to prepare? That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right, hospitality number 2, eating delicious confectionery! ¡°Well then, I will prepare the tea cakes¡­¡­¡± I think of something good, and immediately go to return, ¡°I will do that as well¡± Mimosa cut me down with a big smile. A~Ah ¡°¡­¡­well, please¡± I cannot let the disappointment show on my face. I stop the useless resistance, and with only a slightly stiff smile, and like the other day, I sit on a couch diagonal to the Duke. However, my worry ended in absurd fear. Because, while the tea could not be prepared, Lotus called us to come! Well, relatively seriously, today I can see a halo shining on Lotus. Not just Lotus. Everyday the servants work harmoniously in high spirits with me, but of course they servants only the ruling power duke house could have, when it¡¯s important their true strength is amazing~ I have fallen love with them! We move to the main dining, arriving at one¡¯s own seat. The Duke is in the so-called birthday seat. He is seated in a seat of high distinction.. I am sitting in a relatively humble position. Well, thank goodness the main dining room is big~! At first I thought ¡®what is this uselessly big dining room table¡¯, but now I feel grateful as long as my position is far from the Duke¡¯s. ¡°What did you do today? The end dessert was finally carried in, the Duke asked me a question. Hm? What have we been talking about until then? Until then we only talked about harmless and inoffensive things like ¡®this is ¡®delicious¡¯ or ¡®is this also local cuisine?¡¯! The natural conversation is about cooking and enjoyment while cooking. Carthame and those servants under him understand this so they took the situation into consideration and made the smart move of working out the cooking and the gap between dishes to be brought in bit by bit. It¡¯s like~ when I finish eating I am waiting for the next dish in high spirits? It is quite a~ doggy like dinner[1]. As expected the Duke made a dubious face, but I pretend not to notice and keep eating intently. And it became the dessert part and the finally the Duke¡¯s words from before. ¡°Today?¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°Today¡¯s weather was very nice, so I went for a walk in the garden, had a afternoon nap. I also ate lunch on the terrace!¡± Umm, I sugarcoat in various ways. Going to the garden is the truth, but I slipped in with Bellis and all the gardeners and did things like pull out weeds. The weather was good so as to not get sunburnt, while I did it Mimosa nervously stuck to me with a parasol. As a result everyone had a cooked picnic, I was tired so I indulged in slumber on the terrace. A place I made pretty, with my favourite flowers growing is a fun thing, a fun thing! ¡­¡­ah, I cannot say this to the Duke. Ah~, thinking about things like wondering if those flowers will bloom soon, I unintentionally [sweetly] smile. ¡°It sounds fun above all. The garden, has completely changed¡± My smile is probably strange, I am steadily-like watched and properly meet in the eyes. Moreover a glittery smile is attached. ¡°That is right. Because Bellis has helped me improve it in various ways¡± However listening to my speech, immediately that glittery smile is put away. ¡°Hmm. is that so?¡± Oh?. a somewhat indifferent reply while shaking. Ah, he politely brought up the subject! So he did it to broaden the conversation. Sorry, I wasn¡¯t tactful in various ways. After that the Duke silently drank the after-meal tea. His long legs are crossed, him leaning his back on a chair relaxed truly makes a picture. While watching over this elegant state of affairs, the next doubt quickly takes place energetically. ¡­¡­this person, after this what will he do? Perhaps I think it isn¡¯t just me. Softly looking at Lotus in waiting on the side of the wall, Lotus is shaking his head a little. Dahlia, Mimosa and the rest are the same, Do I watch over this trend?, or do I ready myself and enquire? Watching over this while thinking about what¡¯s to be done, the Duke, finishes his tea, puts it in his saucer without any sound, ¡°Well then, with this, please excuse me.¡± Saying this he raised his body. Although the next movement has come, my intelligence is still not sufficient. Perhaps he will retire to his room (there is a study interposing next to opposite the room I use, it is a room for the personal use of the Duke). ¡°To the detached building, right?¡± I asked representing everyone here. ¡°Yes, that is right,¡± The Duke emphasising whether I was bothered about, quickly raised his eyebrow. Everyone you heard, right~! You heard he will return to the detached building~! Well, thank goodness, thank goodness. If he stayed here like this, my pace of life would be disturbed, how should I put up with it, mumble mumble mumb¡­¡­ ahem. Anyway, for the returning to the detached building, everyone goes together to the entrance to see him off. ¡°Well, then¡± To the Duke who is looking over his shoulder in front of the door Lotu is holding open, all the servants present with a face full of smiles, ¡°¡°¡°¡°Good night! Master¡±¡±¡±¡± Bowing in 45 times! They give a steady greeting. ¡°Good night¡± Of course I also have a face full of smiles! ¡°¡­¡­¡± Oh? The Duke made a complicated facial expression, but let¡¯s decide not to have seen it. Like this he turns back and leaves the entrance way. [sound of door closing] The door quietly closes. Lotus goes outside for a short while to see him off. ¡°¡­¡­that was surprising¡­¡­¡± Tentatively in a low voice, I say. ¡°Really did. Master doing things like eating dinner here, how many years since he has behaved like this?¡± Dahlia also muttered in a low voice. ¡°I wonder what kind of turn of events there will be ¡° Mimosa also has a face of wonder. ¡°Who knows~? Well, it was probably simply on a whim. Aah, I¡¯ve already ended up worn out. Sorry everyone. You probably have yet to have a evening meal? It has already ended so please be at ease¡± ¡°¡°¡°¡°Yes! Thank you very much¡±¡±¡± In the end I do not know why he came to eat dinner, but for now everyone around me is tired so I decided to dismiss them without deep thought. T/N: [1] Not exactly sure what the author meant. It could mean she¡¯s been served like a dog, she is not in control of what she gets. Or according to the english thesaurus it could mean she¡¯s being served in a classy or posh way. Not sure which or if it even means either of those Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter, see you in the next one! Chapter 21 - The Whimsy Continues Ch.21 The Whimsy Continues The Duke¡¯s abrupt return, or should I say dinner, at the main house has everyone, including me, in the mansion greatly confused! It is the hot topic at the servant¡¯s dining room the next morning. ¡°Yesterday it was probably difficult for everyone? Are there not those who did not get a break?¡±, I asked while looking around at the maids sitting at breakfast. Because even for me it is time to eat the food provided. ¡°That is okay but companion-sama was in a bad mood so it was difficult¡±, answered an accompanying maid to the Duke who was on duty at the detached building. She shrugged her shoulders with a stunned expression. ¡°Calendula did not know?¡± ¡°While he was returning here, the escort knight who always accompanies the master, went to the detached building to give a verbal message.¡± ¡°Ah~, I see, I see¡± Because there was not the situation where a messenger went out from here to the detached building. I did not have such a scope or sense of duty but did it quickly occur to the Duke and he took action? ¡°Companion-sama did not do things like accost us, so there was not something like real harm, but she did look dissatisfied with eating dinner alone¡± ¡°I see. If you eat delicious things alone in solitary you cannot experience the deliciousness¡± So I also for that reason eat here¡­¡­aha¡î ¡°Well, we pretend not to see so it does not matter,¡± the maid declared nonchalantly. ¡°Tha, that¡¯s right-¡± The person who gave the clear explanation is a handsome man [T/N: the escort knight]. She unintentionally ended up being overwhelmed. However, it was not only that day that was unusual. ¡°Huh? Have you come here to eat today as well?¡± It ended up involuntarily coming out of my mouth. Awawa. ¡°Can I not?¡± The Duke once again quickly raised his eyebrows. ¡°Never never. It is not absurd at all¡± My head is shaking. Risky, risky, my real motive ended up coming out. It is a week from that day [T/N: the last Duke dinner]. After returning home, the Duke once again told us he will eat here. As expected, it is the second time so no one was as disturbed as last time. ¡®Please tell Carthame to prepare the meal!¡¯ I exchange looks with Lotus, and he gives a small nod. ¡®Please arrange the waitress maids!¡¯ I exchange looks with Dahlia. Dahlia also gives a small nod. ¡®Please arrange tea and confectioneries!¡¯ I exchange looks with Mimosa. Already there is no emergency meeting like last time. We quickly confirm what we should do, and disperse to our places. And the high speed dinner without the utmost conversation finishes and the the Duke returns to the detached building like last time. All the servants present including me, smile from the bottom of our hearts and see him off. But he gives the same complicated expression. Well, I don¡¯t worry about it deeply. At first it was one day in a week. 2 days, 3 days; that increased little by little. As expected, because of returning here in succession, and because I have become used to being able to be prepared, The moment the Duke uttered, ¡°Today I will eat here¡± Lotus and the rest, including me, quickly adapted. That is the Duke¡¯s dinner preparation, my dinner preparation, the waitress maids[1] arrangement and so on are lumped together and has been named ¡®Master¡¯s shift¡¯ and, ¡°Master¡¯s shift has come~in¡± The servants soundless voices can be heard. With this frequent returning here, that lady has also not been silent. That is right, the detached-building companion, Calendula. Someone turned up when I was cleaning the entrance again by chance. ¡°I want to meet the Mistress. I wonder if you could convey the message.¡± Phuuu~ high-handed! Who is it?! Calendula. Yes. Today also Calendula did not recognise me, connecting me as just a servant. That is right, by no means that the young ordinary hair-in-braids-and-face-with-no-makeup (close to natural makeup) woman in front of her eyes is a thing like the mistress. Today Calendula is wearing a crimson red dress the same colour as her eyes. She has an hourglass figure so the firm open design neckline is lively, a variety of romance is¡­¡­[sigh of relief], through this association the charm of her body is much more promoted. Coupled together with hair grown to her waist, she is a bewitching beautiful woman. However, this Calendula¡¯s ruby eyes conveys a strong and serious impression, her mouth is a in a tight arch and yet it is scary! I think of a demon glaring at the obviously lower-position-me is not good~! ¡°Oh, the Mistress. Please wait just a minute¡± The Mistress, however that is me. The Mistress, ended up unintentionally faltering and fumbling at that strong impression conveyed from the eyes. Let¡¯s talk to Lotus for now. Let¡¯s do that. For sure today it will probably be the Viva¡îfighting scene?! ¡°Lotus~! Calendula burst into the entrance way again~¡± I came to talk these things in Lotus¡¯s office. ¡°She came?¡± However Lotus is the very image of indifference. He quickly pushed up his silver rimmed glasses with his middle finger. ¡°¡®She came?¡¯, you said?¡± I ask not understanding Lotus¡¯s indifference, then a laugh slipped out, ¡°By no means! No, nowadays Master completing his dinner here is increasing. The maids have been inquiring as to the state of affairs over there¡± Lotus nonchalantly answers. The maids, can do as far as spy activities! The housekeeping maids are watching! ¡°Ooh~! It was like that¡± ¡°Yes. Lately it seems she has been continuously in a displeased state, so I was anticipating that she would come here soon¡± ¡°I see~!¡± Calm analysis. Still superior persistence¡­¡­is already great. ¡°I think you not yet appearing would be good. Today also I will deal with this¡± ¡°Understood! Well then I will sightsee quietly from hiding!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± No, look! From now on it is as research material. If there is a time when Lotus is not there when she intrudes how should I deal with it. Ah, at that time Dahlia will. Lotus is smiling bitterly but I do not mind. I quietly keep close behind Lotus going towards the entrance way in a quick pace. I decided to watch the state of the two people and secured a position from the opposite direction in a place I can see but not be seen (no, if I am seen that would unskillful). ¡°I have kept you waiting¡± Lotus greeted Calendula, expressionless unlike usual. ¡°Oh. I said I want to meet the Mistress and yet, I wonder why did the butler come¡± Calendula, her face is smiling and yet again her eyes are not smiling. ¡°The Mistress is feels unwell today, and is resting¡± Ooh, Lotus, nonchalantly lied! Although, I have been lively till now. ¡°Oh, that is dreadful. By all means I should visit her¡± Calendula will also not lose. Her mouth deepens into a smile. ¡°Her temperature is a little high, so unfortunately only her attendants can enter her room¡± ¡°Hmm. Well then, it cannot be helped. I will visit when she is healthy again¡± Calendula unexpectedly withdrew quickly. As usual, irritated at Lotus¡¯ expressionlessness, she declared this with a slightly stiff face, it seems anytime Calendula will tut-tut. A ¡®chi¡¯ sound can be heard in my heart¡¯s ear. ¡°Yes, I would like you to do so¡± Facing each other Lotus is persistently composed. Calendula, to the end severely glaring at the expressionless Lotus, then with a wave of her crimson red dress left the entrance way. ¡°I wonder if she will come again?¡± I leave my cover, and stand next to Lotus. I stare fixedly at the door Calendula left out of. Lotus has already returned to the usual Lotus but, ¡°I fear it is likely¡± ¡°Well then, next time for sure it will be a fighting scene?!¡± I cannot confront as a uniform wearing servant, so tell Mimosa to do special make up¡­¡­no, it would probably be better to receive full make and perfectly dress up?! Lotus bitterly smiled at my slight cheerful tremble, ¡°¡­¡­please restrain¡­¡­¡± He said briefly. Oh, really? What a shame. T/N: [1] in the past I have used this as ¡°errand boy¡± or ¡°maids in charge of the errand boys¡± but it really means ¡®waitress maids¡¯. Sorry for any confusion. Chapter 22 - Evening Party is an Option Ch.22 Evening Party is an Option The Duke¡¯s whimsy has continued since then, in the end of one month he is returning here almost everyday. Everyday, only Lotus meets the Duke on his return. Simultaneously while Lotus goes towards the entrance way either Dahlia or Mimosa comes to call me. By all rights the butler and maids should have to greet all together, but look! in our case I think it is special? The Duke leaves immediately after ¡®affairs communication¡¯ with Lotus, so a long time ago the Duke himself said ¡®everyone not greeting is fine¡¯. The Duke. It was important so he said it twice. So it does not mean they are lacking in their greeting. The other servants are pressed by dinner preparations and such, well, they are doing various jobs. But lately, however, around when the Duke returns, around the entrance way the servants from here and there come to observe the situation. Because they have to do the shift according to the Duke¡¯s speech! The Duke¡¯s, ¡°Today here¡­¡­¡± As soon as they heard those words, ¡®Master¡¯s shift as come~in!!¡¯ that soundless voice flies around. As always the Duke is the only one not to notice. Ignorance is bliss. Seated at breakfast, ¡°But how did it come to be that it rapidly approached this direction~?¡± This question unintentionally came out of my mouth, while I poked at today¡¯s lovely delicious salad. So so. Eating in the servant dining room as ended up being only for breakfast and lunch. I am quite heartbroken. And the topic with the servants lately is solely this. Rather it is consumed by this. ¡°He did not fight or something with companion-sama?¡± Mimosa says carelessly, while tearing bread with all her might. ¡°Ah~ Companion-sama, has been displeased lately, right~¡¯ Said the maid attached to the Duke. ¡°That¡¯s right~¡± ¡°Seems like it¡± ¡°There hasn¡¯t been any kind of outburst of anger towards us, however the atmosphere has been tense¡± ¡°Oh~, that¡¯s difficult¡± ¡°So it is inevitable that service days here at the main residence are enjoyable.¡± ¡°I agree, I agree¡± Said several maids. Uh huh, this variety is probable. But this is things about the detached building. ¡°Well, whatever we do we will go at our pace¡± It is not necessary to be influenced by the other side! Because instead my concern with this could be conflict with the contract! ¡°¡°¡°ye-s¡±¡±¡± That Evening. The minute the Duke took a seat at the dining table, Lotus and the waitress maids brought in soup. Today is also a high speed dinner. Good luck kitchen! As always, the Duke has a unhappy or dubious face at the high speed but, ¡°Lotus. From here on progress the meal a bit more slowly. Convey this also to Carthame¡± The Duke said facing Lotus, who putting it down without a sound, served the soup in front of the Duke. ¡°Is it so hasty?¡± ¡°Yes, hasty. There is not even time to enjoy conversation¡± ¡°Is it like that?¡± The Duke is sullen at Lotus, who is acting innocent. Oh no. At last it ended up being pointed out. This was a high speed dinner that Carthame and such did with great effort taking in the situation and they made this smart move and yet. Che. ¡­¡­ah, I ended up flustered. Because however the Duke is this Duke house¡¯s head for the present? The Duke¡¯s order is above my instructions? Lotus and such have no choice but to listen. In the actual hierarchy the Duke is excluded, but superficially he is in the high-end. I mean, there is no need to enjoy dinner slowly? ¡­¡­em, it is disturbed again. ¡°Please do it like that from today¡± ¡°Certainly¡± I listen to the Duke and Lotus¡¯ conversation like it is somebody else¡¯s problem, but I suddenly came to my senses. Ah~. what on earth is good to say? Well then, in the end, the anxiety in my heart ends, today also like always, from the dessert hit, the conversation begun. hoh. ¡°Today what did you do?¡± It begins from the usual fixed form conversation ¡°Today it was raining so I had dancing lessons with Lotus¡± Yeah, yeah. As usual the rainy day schedule continues. Of course there is also the full course esthetic due to the ¡®esthetic troops¡¯ after dancing! Relating to the esthetic I omitted. ¡°Is that so? I think Lotus would be a good teacher? The Duke said while gently smiling. ¡°Yes¡± But to be exact he is a demon coach. Today also I awkwardly became muddled up. ¡°So today¡¯s entrance way flowers were not replaced¡± The Duke¡¯s pretty exceptionally dark eyes look directly here. ¡°?¡± Eh? The entrance way flowers? I incline my head to the side blankly, then ¡°They were the same as yesterday¡± The Duke¡¯s said, looking down elegantly at his tea cup as he brings it to his mouth. I am surprised at the Duke noticing that the entrance way flowers had not been changed! Today was the rainy day schedule, so I could not do the household things. But I am a little happy he noticed those pretty flowers! ¡°Ah, yes, that is so. Because today I could not go to Bellis¡¯s area¡± I am surprised and answer while unintentionally staring at the Duke but, ¡°Is that so?¡± Hmmm, the Duke said while draining his tea. More than that it seems it is the conversation end. Oh. It seems the Duke dislikes Bellis. Previously when it is a Bellis conversation, it felt like he became ill humoured. He is a good-looking mutual, I wonder if there is somehow the existence of a rival-like mentality? I think perhaps it is the Duke¡¯s one-way traffic. And, like that, the cup is returned to the saucer and, ¡°Well then, good night¡± Saying that preparations were made for him to return and he returned home. The next morning, I turned up in the servants dining room to take breakfast and Carthame rushed over. ¡°Mada~me, I am sorry¡± He says and quickly giving my hand a chu [T/N: kissing noise]. It is a firm chu with a extremely exaggerated grief-stricken expression. As usual, an elegant technique. Already I do not notice it. Finally it seems I have adapted! I firmly recover the hand that Carthame has taken, ¡°Well, it is not Carthame¡¯s fault. Oh-boy. From now on I have to enjoy the conversation¡± What is this forced feeling, having to forcibly enjoy it, I wonder how do I do that? ¡°I cannot fill it bit by bit to the degree I have up until today, but we will prepare as much as we can¡± Carthame says while winking at me hanging my head. ¡°Yes, please do so¡± Today trustworthiness can be seen, in Carthame. The style of dinner being eaten here everyday, and after that returning to the detached building has not changed. And as usual with the ¡®yes, today also was strange~¡¯ feeling, ¡°¡°¡°¡°Have a good night, master!¡±¡±¡±¡± The servants smiling faces, are always top grade¡î The detached building¡¯s Calendula, has come intruding here several times since then. At first, for sure, she kept up a smiling face, but lately she is not even hiding the displeasure. I have been caught at the entrance way again, but within Calendula, I am probably categorized as ¡®a useless young girl¡¯. I am only told to go call Lotus or Dahlia. And she does not recognises me as the mistress herself at all. Well, recognising would be more strange. Because at any rate the uniformed me is a young girl who is extremely ordinary and has no merit anywhere. Calendula surely wants to say ¡®this, thieving cat!!¡¯ to the Mistress (me). Me, who thinks I want to hear those rule of right and striking words, is probably idly curious?! But if I let her say that after this, it will be a ¡®I guess this somber and large cat is a hindrance here but I am tied firmly like a pet cat~¡¯ feeling. Ah, normal cats are not tied. Well, at present that kind of fighting scene does not develop. Because the capable Lotus always turns her away at the front door. Ah~, every time I am sorry. Or perhaps I should say, around this time today I think if they are fighting (this, is everyone at the main residences opinion) the Duke should quickly reconcile and return over there. But. The Duke¡¯s whimsy is still continuing contrary to our speculation, and further development is expected. I hear of the Duke¡¯s return and go towards the entrance way, the Duke hands over one letter envelope. ¡°What is this?¡± The envelope is a pleasant-to-touch, high quality white paper, pretending to be commonplace. The address is to the Duke. Turning it around looking, it is sealed with gold beeswax. This seal, is a coat of arms I have seen somewhere~ ¡­¡­that¡¯s not it, isn¡¯t this the royal family¡¯s coat of arms! This is not a certain shojo manga. I do not have any relationship with the royal family and such, so I look up at the Duke in a hurry from the super famous coat of arms I know, ¡°It is a written invitation from the royal palace. This time it has been decided to hold a evening party, and the invitation has come for you and I¡± The Duke informed me with a faint smile ¡°Huh?! A evening, party? Pachi, pachi, pachi! I blink repeatedly. I mean, it has been just 4 months after getting married. However, we have never gone out to such a meeting. Did they invite the wrong people? I have become very blank. ¡°Yes that is right. So you will come with me? He said extremely naturally with a gentle smile but. ¡°U~mmm, but I wonder is this an option?¡± I unintentionally ended up answering this way. Author¡¯s note: The Duke is struggling at the main house (haha) Chapter 23 - Concerning the Evening Party Ch.23 Concerning the Evening Party Am I participating in the evening party? Not to boast, but I have set foot in the royal palace, and so forth, once at the time of the wedding. My parents, with minimum socialising visited several times, but they could not afford to bring me with them. ¡°Is it an, option?¡± Maybe not understanding the meaning the Duke makes a taken-aback expression. ¡°Yes. I think in the first negotiation there was not talk about going out to social occasion¡± I explain about the reason I said option. When the contents of the contract were explained, nothing was said about social events. I think, surely, it is an option [outside the contract]. It is a noble duke house, so it seems that there has been a lot of social and evening party invites so far. (Mimosa discussion). But to those it seems he participated by taking Calendula with him (Dahlia discussion). So this time I expected he would do the same as usual, but as he is still eating dinner here, I guess the Duke has not made peace with Calendula. Therefore him not inviting her to the evening party, equals taking me, probably. In listening to the core of ¡®Are you fighting or something with her?¡¯ once and for all, I think there is something, ¡°U-mm, errr, are you not going with her?¡± I gently try ask. ¡°Yes, well¡± The Duke answers evasively ¡°Is she unwell?¡± I try asking, getting to the core a little more, ¡°No, well, yeah. Something like that¡± He answers, evasively, and furthermore, he does not meet my gaze. This is certainly fighting! However thinking properly, this is a official evening party invitation from the royal family. It is not like a private meeting held at a noble household somewhere. It is a formal event, so would not attending with Calendula be clumsy? Therefore those that think that the Duke reluctantly brought the conversation to me are right. So the Duke¡¯s evasive responses! Well I have consented a little inside me, so I look up at the Duke staring straight at those dark beautiful eyes, ¡°Understood. When is it?¡± I tightly nod. ¡°In two weeks time¡± Maybe because he obtained my consent, the Duke, who had a flustered feeling up till now, his eye¡¯s focus and meet mine. If it is in two weeks time, there is plenty of time. Eh? Plenty for what? It is plenty for deciding on various preparations! There will be interactions with young women who are predicted to be mainly set on being unkind. It is probably destiny? But well, that boohoo. ¡°Understood. Mimosa, is there a dress?¡± Listening to the Duke¡¯s reply I look over shoulder, I confirm with Mimosa who is in waiting there. Because there are a lot of dresses that I have not yet even looked over in the clothing room wing! In accordance with what I originally declared, I frequently wear the same dresses that are simplistic and easy to wear. I carefully ignore the begrudged Mimosa¡¯s looks. Of course my most favourite after all is said and done is the uniform. ¡°Yes, is it okay¡± ¡°Also a way of accessorizing?¡± ¡°Of course there is¡± Mimosa nods smiling sweetly. It seems ¡®fufufu~ I can dress her up without going easy~¡¯ can be heard from Mimosa¡¯s mind. I have become worried about what kind of special make-up she will apply. The Duke silently listened to such an exchange of Mimosa and I but, ¡°No, this I say is unreasonable so let¡¯s have a dress made new¡± He proposes, furnished with a pleasant and sparkling smile. Huhh? A new dress in addition? Although there is a great amount of new dresses? Will I not be cursed to be a wasteful monster!!! ¡°No! That is unthinkable! There are many still like new dresses that have been prepared here, the dresses I received at the time of the marriage is like a mountain, so a new one would be wasteful!¡± Moreover from looking at each and every dress, they are delicate and workmanship has been put it them, in short they are only high-class items using the highest grade fabrics! Although there are new articles, still a further one will be made new?! This gap in money sense, it¡¯s probably a big deep unfillable crevasse? Giving a sidelong glance to me, who became dumbfounded and protesting, Mimosa delightfully answers, ¡°Certainly. I will immediately arrange a dressmaker!¡± I have never before seen Mimosa smile like this at following the Duke¡¯s instructions! I am in a daze at Mimosa¡¯s sudden change, in contrast, the Duke faces Mimosa, giving one satisfied nod, then this time he faces Dahlia in waiting on the other side, ¡°Having new jewellery made in addition to this would be good. Dahlia, please arrange this¡± The Duke carelessly instructed. ¡°Certainly¡± Dahlia also follows the instructions normally. Nonono, wait a minute! but I don¡¯t remember saying yeah? ¡°Eh, wai, wait a minute please! Because there is a lot of kinds of jewellery that has yet to be worn! It is again a curse decision! Squandering I oppo©`se! Waste I oppo©`se! Luxury is my opponent©`!! Those three people completely ignore impatient me, and talk about arrangements for merchants. Somehow the position is not reversed like usual? I feel like I have been left behind? ¡°Ah~[exasperation], I wonder why it is a evening party? I don¡¯t need a new dress! I rarely use jewellery!!¡± I am more angry about this wastefulness than attending the evening party and so on. So this is the rich¡¯s ordinary! I wiggle on the couch in my room in a huff by myself my anger not being smoothed over. ¡°Companion-sama is constantly having dresses and jewellery made new, so it would be good if Mistress also does it without reserve! Rather it is good to pester even more¡± Looking at Mimosa saying that, she is broadly grinning. Uh huh, is that a black smile? ¡°Is that so, you know this well¡± ¡°Very, it is information from the maid who accompanies Master¡± Ooh. An information leak ¡°Well, the kind of bills also show it¡± Dahlia also nonchalantly added. She is expressionless so she is ordinarily scary. ¡°Is, is that right. Did he always participate evening parties with her?¡± I have often said it, but it has been 4 months since the wedding. During this there probably has been a dime a dozen evening parties and such held. ¡°Yes. However Master is busy with work related things, so even if he participated it was around 2, 3 times in a month¡± As expected of Dahlia, as a head maid, she knows the Duke¡¯s schedule very well. ¡°A evening parties at the royal palace? Did he participate in those with her as well?¡± ¡°Still there are social rules, so, so far he has participated alone. Besides evening parties at the royal palace, this time will be the first time after the wedding¡± ¡°Is that so¡± I nonchalantly chime in with remarks to information I¡¯ve heard for the first time, but there Dahlia and Mimosa came all the way over. ¡°So, let us make new a dress and jewellery, without fail¡± ¡°Let us¡± Smile. Dahlia and Mimosa¡¯s full face smiles are SCARY. I almost fell off the couch at the tempo of their stepping back. Chapter 24 - Preparations Ch.24 Preparations It cannot be helped so from the next day the plan is immediately carried out, preparations for going to the evening party begin. It is just one but making new dresses is difficult. At the time of my social debut I received a present of a dress from my parents, but that was not custom-made but pre-made. The dresses received as engagement gifts, and the dresses arranged after the wedding in the residence are also like that. And so, it is my first time having a dress fully custom-made for me. I am disinterested in dresses and fashion and such, however a madame who seems to know the capital¡¯s ultra famous haute couture, has personally come to take measurements. Such a VIP, right on the heels of yesterday, rushed over to do it, of course as expected of the noble duke house, oops I¡¯ve ended up admiring a strange point. I was nervous about what kind of self-important madame would come but, ¡°Wow, a lovely Mistress! You have a long, slender and well-proportioned figure, so the dressmaking shall be worthwhile¡± She is a graceful older women, with a soft smile like flowers blooming. Ho. But how can you make ¡®the style nice¡¯ if you get that I am flat-chested wrong? Ah, was she being polite? Uh, huh that¡¯s it. First of all measurements. This is embarrassing. In front of the madame, Dahlia, Mimosa and several other maids, I appear in my underwear, lifting my arms high, turning backwards and this and that. I am steadily and precisely measured from top to bottom. I think, ¡®what an embarrassing play¡¯. That finishes and this time it is the design. I do not know very much, so for such things it is time for Mimosa¡¯s huge strong point. ¡°A design that can appeal to the Mistress¡¯s neat and tidy front¡­¡­¡± ¡°She is also tall so, a shapely design would be more becoming¡­¡­¡± Before my eyes a discussion concerning the design, and from that source the madame is fluently drawing the design. I end up being fascinated at the skillful drawing that does not seem like it was improvised. I am more glued to madame¡¯s skill rather than the design. After a short while the design is settled, next is the material. Highest grade silk is the best to touch, it is calmly glossy, moreover it is light, it is perfect. They will use it liberally. It is extremely expensive. The feel of it is too good, it is to the degree of ending up being spellbound. The colour is a safe light blue. How did it become like this? ¡« Sudden reflection on yesterday¡¯s conversation ¡« ¡°But my clothes¡­¡­¡± The Duke who had ordered Dahlia and Mimosa to arrange the dress and accessories, would probably plan to give instructions on his own clothing but, ¡°In that case, there is some that was made new the other day that has not been worn once. The plan was to wear at a evening party but you were absent from it as it overlapped with official business¡± Said Dahlia looking unconcerned. ¡°Ah, aah. That¡¯s right.¡± Having completely forgetting the existence of such clothing, the Duke is amazed. ¡®Well then, Master will wear that¡¯ ¡°¡­¡­.all right¡± Thus the Duke¡¯s clothing was decided just like that. Later in a conversation I asked Dahlia, it seems that a urgent business trip came up and a evening party was cancelled. Come to think of it around the time we got married there was such a business trip. But I was completely oblivious to it That¡¯s it, end of reflection. I mean, if the Duke can use something he has, it is also fine for me to use something I already have, right¡« I say but Dahlia and Mimosa said ¡®let¡¯s make these¡¯ with smiles and drawing near, I gave up. And, those clothes of the Duke¡¯s are light blue, so the dress¡¯s colour is to be made to match that. I think it is not necessary to have a couple-look though¡« Won¡¯t we look like a cringey couple? Consequently we will appear intimate? Ah, really? The appointment comes to an end and madame said such things as ¡®here, I¡¯ll exert my skills!¡¯and hurriedly left. And next is the jeweler. This he is also a super famous jewelry shop owner also in the capital came around. The duke household. Sure enough their ability is different. Today I really, am reminded of this many times over. The dress has not yet been completed, so the image and colour from a little while ago is conveyed then, while saying ¡®I see, I see¡¯ he rustled in his luggage in hand and soon after, ¡°How about something like this?¡± The owner says, taking out a solid crimson velvet box. It is grandly opened immediately, to the overwhelming dazzling beautifulness, ¡®my eyes, my eyes!!¡¯ I cover my eyes and at the same time stagger¡­¡­did not happen but, it is true that it is dizzyingly dazzling. Setting that aside, what first appears from inside is a collaboration of sapphires and diamonds, a magnificent article of rare beauty. Even though things may seem this way- it is simple because an abundant of jewels are used. ¡°Please try it on¡± He says sweetly smiling and handing it over, but my hands are shaking! Sure enough, I must accept this? I hesitate and cannot move when, ¡°Let us look at your face reflection¡± Says Mimosa receiving it instead of me, she fastens it to me neck. Mimosa, thanks for the nice back up! Looking in the mirror, it is certainly lovely. However the sad reality is the accessories are too beautiful and my face looks blank¡­¡­ depressing¡« I am sulking at my plainess by myself, but to such things I am unconcerned. ¡°Wow!, it suits her nicely! Mimosa squints, ¡°It suits Mistress¡¯s eye colour well. It is very nice¡± Dahlia also smiles, ¡°I also prepared others just in case, but I think this is the best one¡± The owner also endorses it. ¡­¡­it is obviously expensive. The dress from before is also though. Yeah, I do dare to ask the price for this. I think If I hear it, it must absolutely be on a fainting level. ¡°¡­¡­well then, with this¡­¡­¡± What will be, will be. I make a decision. The dress and accessory appointments end up completely taking up the time, when I notice it is evening. Though I know it is bad manners, I stretch out on the couch in my room. Because only Dahlia and Mimosa can see me! ¡°Ah¡« I couldn¡¯t do anything today¡± Cleaning¡«, decorating¡«, gardening and such¡« I could not even wear the uniform today. ¡°Well, occasionally there are days like this¡± Mimosa, while giggling, places a cup with hot steam rising from it before me. ¡°I didn¡¯t know going to a evening party would be difficult like this¡«¡± What on earth have the evening parties been up till now? At the most I would come up with accessories and wear the same dress but¡­ Is it not because there was not such a fuss? ¡°In a little while, dance and manner lessons will take more time than mansion things¡± Ehhh¡«?! What was that just now?! Having a quick glance at the voice heard from behind Mimosa, Dahlia says this with a exceedingly big smile. This is a pattern that cannot be refused. Learning, I am. ¡°gu¡­..¡± My throat has been blocked by Dahlia¡¯s words and smiling face, ¡°Please leave your weariness recovery and polish up to me!!¡± This also Mimosa says with a exceedingly big smile, holding my fist. Why is¡«it¡« although social evening parties are optional¡« I wonder why everyone is enthusiastic like this? Chapter 25 - Now, to War! Ch.25 Now, to War! The dress was completed a week later. I was made top priority. No, truly, I am sorry. The other day, with the purchased accessories all together, one could sum it up in one phrase ¡®Ah¡« it is more than wonderful!¡¯. The regretful thing is the model wearing it¡­¡­rather, it is me. The two weeks till the evening party. As a result of Lotus-sensei¡¯s dance lesson and the efforts of the esthetic troops, I have the feeling I have become quite like a young wife of a good family. Though that is thoroughly subjective. Only focusing dancing and esthetics would pile up stress, so properly (£¿) I was allowed to participate in the housework. My personality has been completely grasped by Lotus and Dahlia etc. And then the very day of the evening party approached. Preparation is tiring before the departure for war, so by means of the esthetic troops; a moderate brush up, and after that Mimosa applies special make-up, the feeling is completely a robot¡­¡­no, it is someone else. ¡°Today¡¯s Mistress is even more beautiful¡«!¡± Mimosa is peeping at the mirror from behind me and her eyes are sparkling. As Mimosa said, in there is reflected a graceful young woman, no young wife! Even if i do say so myself it is an admirable transformation. I feel it is like comparing before and after portraits. ¡°Mimosa¡¯s skill is fully shown. Amazing. I am a different person.¡± The more I look at it, it does not seem like myself. My eyes, which are double lidded by nature but not large like this, now, on account of them becoming visible, are big beautiful and wide open. This is the benefit of eye make-up! The normal lips which usually do not have anything worthy of special mention also give off a plump and glossy charming shine. Let¡¯s pay attention so that I do not eat too much food! The super famous haute couture quality dress, is also as expected with just the right measurements taken here and there, it fits perfectly. The ¡®flat-chestedness¡¯ is also shown around more of a fuller look feeling. ¡°Like this, it is not thick makeup? However, it is entirely Mistress natural person¡± Mimosa is dissatisfied at my calm reaction. ¡°You¡¯re kidding¡« Mimosa¡¯s skills are amazing. You do not have to be modest¡«¡± Mimosa and I have such a conversation then, ¡°No, Mistress is beautiful. Now, put this on and it will be complete¡± Dahlia says, putting on the accessories. By the way the things that were ordered, is a necklace, which today also is glittering, piercing my eyes, and earrings to match that. With those added to my body, it is all done. With this and that, the preparations are finished and there is a knock on my door, ¡°Mistress, are you ready? Master has come to summon you¡± Lotus¡¯s voice is heard. With Lotus guiding, I go to the entrance way, and there the Duke, who has finished preparing, is already waiting. As usual the Duke is dreamy, but his dressed-up-for-an-evening-party appearance is, uselessly to my wish for it to be slightly distinguished from me, sparkling. To this appearance, if it was an ordinary young lady she would probably feel dizzy. The same hue of clothing, when the two people are lined up, are at a level, that, without excuse, is couple-clothing. ¡°Aah! Today¡¯s you are beautiful!¡± The Duke who sees me, is surprised and gazing in wonder at the full change. The true meaning can be seen from him saying ¡®today¡¯s¡¯ not ¡®today also¡¯. It is fine, because I am always subdued. ¡°It is because the maids did their best. Is it not strange?¡± I slightly pick up my dress and give a curtsey. ¡°What is strange! It suits you immensely. Having a new dress made was worth it¡± The Duke who had returned from his surprise, after running his gaze from my head to toe, smiled a satisfied looking grin. This gaze does not make me feel that there is any atom of bad manners or unpleasantness however I feel his advanced skills. ¡°For giving these, the so-lovely dress and accessories, thank you very much¡± If possible there will not be anymore need for these waste of moneys, so I gulp so that it seems they will continue to the back of my throat. Let¡¯s just convey thanks. ¡°This much is good, so with pleasure, have as many as you like¡± The Duke answers with another glittering smile, but no really, there is no need. ¡°ohohohoho¡«¡± Let¡¯s smile and be devious. ¡°It will be time soon¡± Lotus who had been silently listening to our conversation up until now, suggests departing. Hearing that voice Dahlia helps me put on my coat. ¡°Aah, soon is it. Well then, let us go¡± The Duke says holding out his hand in my direction, but this is a escorting¡«¡­thing, right? Already, from now on, the performance has begun. Roger that. ¡°Yes¡± Obediently I put my hand on the Duke¡¯s hand. The royal palace evening party. I wonder what kind of thing it will be. I am looking forward to it a little. Unkind young woman? Come on! What is the Duke¡¯s goal? With all my power I will yield and give it! ¡°Today I am counting on you¡± In the carriage on the way to the royal palace, the Duke and I are sitting opposite each other. Before the Duke talked. ¡°Yes. I will do my best at what I can do¡± I did the dance lessons properly, so ¡®with just this you can dance, so it will be okay¡¯ Lotus gave his seal of approval. The special makeup also looks good, so you might say I will probably manage someway or another. ¡°Thanks. Please try not to get separated from me as much as is possible¡± ¡°Understood¡± The carriage quietly passed through the royal palace gate. As expected of the royal palace. Glitter glitter, sparkle sparkle. Dazzling and immense. Again I cover my eyes, staggering backwards along the wall. It is not just the lighting and decorations. Every person here has the sparkling attribute. It seems like somehow they all seem like luminous bodies. Somebody, sunglasses PLEASE! ¡°The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Physalis¡«¡± As soon as the Duke and I stand together at the party hall entrance, at the voice of the introduction of the chamberlain, the eyes all at once flyover. The Duke is accustomed to this kind of situation, so he has his usual great smile, but I think I am quite stiff. Though it is my personal point of view so I cannot confirm it. Ah¡«, it feels like the laser beams of the gazes are burning. This sensation, is the same feeling from at the time of the wedding ceremony! A fleeting look at the place, there are many groups of young ladies who are hiding their mouths with fans and are exchanging whispers for some reason with their neighbours. It is not just young ladies, I see madams also. The Duke, is popular regardless of age! Aah, but the Duke himself likes Onee-samas [T/N: older women], so are not madams also available? ¡°First of all we have to go greet His Majesty the King¡± After whispering this in my ear, the Duke puts his hand on my back to escort me. This embracing back situation. It is quite embarrassing. With all eyes filed upon us, we walk forwards towards the throne. After finishing greeting their Majesties, the King and Queen and the guests of honour without accident, we peck at a light meal and drink delicious beverages at the party hall (I am masking my true character, rather I am being careful to not remove the special makeup, so I am only eating and drinking the minimum!), while working hard to socialise with this superior over there, this subordinate over here, the evening is passing suitably. Meanwhile as I was told I am a hanger-on¡­¡­no, we are participating together. ¡°Leader Physalis. Just a minute¡­¡­¡± Saying this, is a tense handsome man greets the Duke, at the time of the height of the party. ¡°What. ¡­¡­aaah, this is my subordinate. Excuse me for a little while¡± After replying to handsome man-san, he introduces this person to me, but here it is difficult to talk, so saying one word to me, the two people go towards the terrace. I ended up being by myself. By nature I do not have an interest in socialising, and I did not have this kind of money so there should not be a single acquaintance of mine here. ¡°Yeah, it seems good to become a wallflower here¡± I, who concluded that after looking around in a circle, decided to move along the wall with a glass with drink in it, in one hand. However after a little while, at the place called, the wall, ¡°Are you the duchess of Physalis?¡± I ended up being detained by a the voice of a slightly harsh young woman. Has it come? Has it come?! The promised event?! Chapter 26 - Event? Ch.26 Event? Authors Note: Ah-well, last chapter¡¯s ending is a bit agitating£¨£­£­£»£©Firstly I will apologise. Sorry! Looking back at the caller, there are four young ladies. I say young ladies, but I do not know which house¡¯s. It is my first time meeting them. The voice that called out to me, was a young lady wearing a cute fluttering pink dress. She stepped out in front so she is probably the leader type? No. Is this the promised event?! Will it not probably be ill-speech, something like ¡®It is strange for someone like you matched with the Duke!¡¯?! Eh? Is it not exciting? No no, do not be absurd! ¡°Ye, yes. That is correct?¡± I reply, my eyes slightly shaking with a hesitating flavour. And after that I wait excited for what kind of rule-of-right words fly out but. ¡°Wow! You are a more lovely person than the rumours!¡± She says and her slightly slanted almonds eyes narrow and she smiles. I want to give praise to me who did not fall senseless. ¡°The Duke, is dreamy to such a degree so, are you not struggling in many ways?¡± The one who seems concerned, by her manner of speaking, like she is somehow implying something in a roundabout way, is the pink fluttering young lady who came up to talk to me. She is called Iris daughter of Sanguinea marquis house. At first sight she has severe looking almond eyes, but there is charm when she makes them narrow. She is a level-headed beautiful person, but it makes we wonder how about her dress preferences. She told me she is older than me by two years. ¡°Yes, well¡­¡­¡± I answer with an ironic smile to this hard to answer question. How should I put it? I am not struggling, rather I am allowed to do as I please. However, if it was an ordinary lady it would be an unbearable state of affairs, but I do not struggle with that either, so I say nothing. ¡°The rumours, right. I have heard a lot¡­¡­¡± The one who said this difficult thing to talk about to me, looks at me with upturned eyes. She is the plump, charming daughter of the Crocus count house. Certainly, if I was a fretful type wife it would be severe state of existing. But I have the servants, and instead, is the Duke not needed? Or so I have been thinking lately? That is why. ¡°It is okay. The Duke is a very kind person¡± *Ufufufu*, this time let¡¯s give a fleeting ironic smile. Now I notice it, where are the malicious ladies prepared for war, rather I am surrounded by nice ladies. Huh©`? There was supposed to be a fighting scene? Fighting scene, where are you? I incline my head in doubt in my heart at the harmonious atmosphere; it is very far apart from my anticipations, rather my expectations. ¡°At usual parties, that, it seems he escorts a different person¡± Ah¡«, they know about Her existence. ¡°Despite being married, I am a bit worried, wondering if that is okay¡± ¡°Well¡± It seems normal. Complaining that the Duke should do better. ¡°I think [she] is meddlesome¡± ¡°He has such a beautiful wife and he escorts another person, something is wrong with him!¡± I see, the ladies are favourable to the sympathy vote! Beautiful or lovely are thoroughly social courtesies, so on this occasion I will splendidly ignore it. Our speech and conduct does not particularly have an ulterior motive or such, so we are chattering as we are. It appears that everyone knew that the Duke went out to evening parties with Her. Therefore, it seems they wanted to refrain from a marriage with the very rich, dreamy and elite because of how, with it, it would be very likely, they would be slighted. The plan was to give up with my whole energy, but it seems that is not necessary. And more and more concerned ¡®I wonder if you are okay?¡¯ voices are being raised for me who was placed in such a situation. In reality it is a contract marriage with every expectation involved, so there is no such bitter emotion, but I cannot say such a thing at this place even if my mouth bursts! ¡°Oh, ohohoho¡«¡± Let¡¯s give an acceptable laugh! Well then, it is disappointing there was no fight scene but we finished without an unnecessary fight so shall we say it is good. For a while the five of us talked about various things harmoniously but, ¡°Aah, Vi©`. Here you are. I was looking for you¡± The Duke said, approaching, having finished his conversation with his subordinate. Aah, I forgot this person¡¯s existence again. It is a bad habit! ¡°Sorry. I was having an enjoyable conversation with everyone here¡± I introduce the ladies to the Duke who is approaching here. It seems the Duke did not know the ladies, and while standing next to me and embracing my back, ¡°Is that so. My wife has been in your care. From now on also please continue to get along well¡± He says with his usual glittering smile floating. Speaking of the reaction of the nearby ladies who saw this! Has it not became ¡®Blush¡«¡«¡«¡¯ before my eyes?! Certainly the Duke¡¯s smile has this much destructive power. ¡­¡­popularity ¡°¡°¡°¡°Ye, yes¡«¡«¡«!!¡±¡±¡±¡± Heart eyes are probably what these are. Although, to their own husbands they think ¡®[mine¡¯s] a little ne¡«¡± because even if I am purely ornamental he is the best. It is a quick change in their behaviour. From the sympathy votes, the favourable interactions I have everywhere, I go in the hall, it results in me ending up looking around searching for ¡®where is the fighting scene¡«?¡¯. And yet I had long been prepared for this¡« Eventually, ¡°Shall we dance?¡± the Duke invited me. Come to think of it we have just been eating and drinking and chattering, and we have not danced at all. At the beginning of the lesson I thought ¡®but I will not be going to a place to show this off!¡¯ and yet, well, just as Lotus says, ¡®there was no loss at being prepared¡¯. Foresight, as expected of Lotus, he is a superior¡­¡­, I¡¯ve said that enough, right. After dancing several pieces with the Duke, regardless of age, one by one, ¡®Shall we dance?¡¯ [T/N: originally in english] came. I didn¡¯t refuse and continued dancing as is. How many dances, how many people I danced with, already I cannot definitely recall. I feel I have done a lifetime of dancing. But one thing I can say is, I have cultivated physical strength from doing habitual housework, and thanks to Lotus¡¯s strict demon-teaching I finish without losing face. No rather I could be praised for being skillful. I am grateful to Lotus! While I am dancing with other people, the Duke is having a friendly chat with his friends and workmates, however it seems he is exactly mindful of my person, and our eyes meet intermittently. Everytime he gives a smile, but it is okay, I do not make a mistake! Because I will perfectly play my part to the end! When my back is gradually starting to ache, still the next invitation comes. As expected it might be relentless¡« and I secretly hesitate then, ¡°Around now my wife will be getting tired, so please return her¡± The Duke says, taking my back extremely naturally. Oooh, Duke! Nice Follow up!! Thanks to that I was able to successfully finish up the dance. Thanks thanks. And then I take a drink and a pause. *¡°fuuuu¡«¡«¡«¡±* Champagne after dancing is the best! I can¡¯t stand this fizziness¡«!![T/N: because it is so good] it soaks in throughout my body¡«! While thinking about the old man joke I am savoring the champagne when, ¡° I expect you are probably tired? Thank you for accompanying me. Now shall we leave?¡± Maybe because I was very amusing, the Duke is looking at me while softly making his dark eyes narrow, chuckling and smiling. Ah, I was seen. This is a bit embarrassing. But it is good to be a natural person in this way¡« ¡°Yes. I would be glad to¡± After this reply, this time I slightly keep up appearances and drain the champagne with a graceful gesture. With this, at last, the optional event is at an end! When we arrive at the mansion, it has become quite late. ¡°¡°¡°Welcome home¡±¡±¡± And yet Lotus, Dahlia and Mimosa have come to greet us at the entrance way. Aah, I feel like I have come home¡«!! ¡°Tadaima[1] we have returned¡± ¡°Tadaima, I am sorry it is late¡± We enter a step into the entrance way and, Mimosa takes our coats. With this there will be a goodnight farewell to the Duke and afterwards it is time for sleeping. Let¡¯s persist for a bit longer! Thinking this, I turn round to the Duke to give the farewell. ¡°Many thanks for today. Aah, Lotus. Today, it is already late, so I will be sleeping here. Please prepare the room.¡± First, the word of thanks he said are for me. After that are words released to Lotus who is in waiting. Huh©`? Am I too tired and am having an auditory hallucination again¡«??? T/N: [1] ¡®tadaima¡¯ is a Japanese greeting a person says when they return home. The rough English translation is ¡®I¡¯m home!¡¯ Chapter 27 - Together Again Ch.27 Together Again ¡°Many thanks for today. Aah, Lotus. Today it is already late so I will be sleeping here. Please prepare the room.¡± Hmmm, what did this person just say? ¡­¡­after a long time there is an intense disturbance. Lotus, Dahlia and Mimosa have also secretly stiffened. It has been a long time since a severe earthquake has come. ¡°¡­¡­certainly¡± Again Lotus quickly recovers. And the feeling of the unvoiced latest arrangement of ¡®the Master shift, quickly deploy¡«!! Go go¡«!!¡¯ reverberates around the entrance way. Today it is different from the usual pattern but it will probably be okay? ¡°Will you shortly go to bed?¡± The Duke swapped his gaze from Lotus to me and asked this. I bump into the dark eyes¡­¡­then, I wake up from my daydream. ¡°Ye, yes. Because today was so tiring¡± Please release already¡­¡­, cough. No, well, because the optional event is supposed to be ended. Not knowing what to he is going to say next I tilt my head sideways, ¡°Is that so. Because I thought of having tea or something. Well, that can be on another occasion. Good night. Please prepare my tea in the room¡± After facing me and softly smiling, the Duke ordered Lotus to prepare tea. ¡°I wonder if the Master shift is okay?¡± While the Duke¡¯s attention has strayed from me I stealthily whisper in Dahlia¡¯s ear. ¡°Probably. Because some time ago I caught many people going up to the second floor from the corner of my eyes¡± Dahlia also lowered her voice to reply. ¡°As always they are inquiring the state of affairs of the entrance way. Thank goodness¡± As expected they are superior servants. They are doing a good job. ¡°Yes¡± We are talking with our two faces close together but, ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Now I notice it the Duke is watching us with a dubious expression. ¡°Ah, eh, no, it is nothing! Ohohohoho¡«, I forcibly make a smile! ¡°Is that so? Well then good night¡± ¡°Good night¡± I am already completely exhausted, so I¡¯ll accept him at his word without reservation. I decide to retire to my room along with Dahlia and Mimosa. ¡°Ah¡«that was shocking. I ended up stiffening again from him saying unexpected things¡«¡± Having undone my army clothes¡­¡­I mean fancy clothes, finished bathing, changed into completely refreshing night-clothes, I dive *fwump* on the bed which has splendid cushioning. I am fully aware that it is bad manners, but Dahlia and Mimosa are not warning me yet. It is essential to give up! This room¡¯s sofa is good and the bed is good, it is extremely comfortable, so I unintentionally I end up *lazily rolling about*. No, are there many people who wriggling around? That, the story has gone astray. ¡°Really. It also went pure white for a moment for me as well¡± ¡°Me too¡«¡± Dahlia and Mimosa are both smiling wryly. ¡°The Duke¡¯s recent actions, I do not understand at all¡«¡± I query Dahlia and Mimosa while lazing about on the bed, ¡°Well, should I say it is astounding¡­¡­¡± ¡°This unlikely thing is continuing¡± They reply in similarly way, weighing up the Duke¡¯s true motive. ¡°I wonder is the quarrel with Her is becoming mired in a mess?¡± ¡°Although up until now there has not been such a thing¡­¡­¡± ¡°You also have not touched the detached building¡± ¡°If Master keeps coming here frequently like this, it will become more and more tangled¡± ¡°That¡¯s right~¡± ¡°Although, Master also maybe has some kind of intention, this point we have to wait and see¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Just as Dahlia said. ¡­¡­fuaa~ today was tiring~ I wonder if I will be able to wake up tomorrow? Uaa, wait a sec, I wonder is breakfast going to be together with the Duke?¡± Staying the night over here, means breakfast will be eaten here. ¡°I fear that is likely. Mistress what will you do?¡± Dahlia nods. ¡°As I thought would not [eating] together be unpleasant [for him]? There will probably [be times when] I oversleep or something like that? ¡°Well it should be okay if you do not do it together though¡­¡­¡± Dahlia smiles bitterly. ¡°¡­¡­okay, uh huh. Together¡­¡­ waaah, my meals~~~!! Even under normal circumstances I have been not getting my evening meal and have been sulky~! Dahlia~, can you please relay this to Carthame? Say I am looking forward to the lunch meal!¡± Nevertheless thinking about ¡®I wonder which region today¡¯s meal is from~?¡¯ is my enjoyment! Moreover I regret from the bottom of my heart that the fun meal times sitting together with everybody have decreased! ¡°Yes, of course I will¡± ¡°Today it is already late. See you tomorrow¡± My usual bedtime has passed by a long time ago. I am sorry for Dahlia, Mimosa, all the servants working overtime. ¡°¡°Good night, Mistress¡±¡± ¡°Goodnight¡± The two people bow and leave the room. Tomorrow not changing into a good wife style would be no good. Let¡¯s be careful so as not to do my usual habit and change into the servant uniform! But is She really fine? I am not concerned about the kind of state of affairs that around me, but I wish I am pardoned from the effects spreading to those seemingly uninvolved. However today was tiring. Social events are things that shave off both physical and mental strength. Today¡¯s evening party had Re-debut feeling. Me ¡®The¡îone left out of the loop¡¯ who had experienced only a few social events, my foundation is a wallflower, dancing and conversing I mostly did not do, so it was a human being observation paradise. However the situation has changed and I have become a person close to the focus and it is this tiring! Fuu, tired~¡­¡­*sleeping peacefully* I fell fast into a dreamless sleep, and when I recover consciousness it is the fresh morning. Even I am proud of myself for waking up properly. Dahlia and Mimosa have not yet realized and come in, so like this I pull the futon over my head and indulge in inactivity, then after a short time there is a light knock sound and two people appear together. ¡°¡°Good morning, Mistress¡±¡± ¡°Morning¡± While Dahlia hangs a stole on my scarf, Mimosa gleefully disappears into the clothing room [T/N: wardrobe]. Today because it is not the servant uniform it seems she is picking it out cheerfully. ¡°The Duke is?¡± First of all I probably have to confirm. Thinking this I confirm with Dahlia and, ¡°Yes, he is eating breakfast here so I heard he is being served¡± Looking at her calmly replying without becoming confused or making a fuss, the Master shift probably already is taking place. Is that so. Uh huh, I was not all expecting something like ¡®he left early etc. and has already left~¡±? ¡°Understood. If the preparation is done let us go to the dining room¡±¡± While sitting in a chair in front of the dresser getting prepared, I reply to Dahlia in the mirror. I finish preparing and go to the dining room, the Duke is seated at a place at the table. ¡°Good morning¡± ¡°Good morning¡± The Duke is already wearing the knight¡¯s uniform. I wonder when he had prepared a change of clothes for here? That dashing uniform, it seems to have the effect of making the Duke¡¯s attractiveness stand out. Usually I only see him in the evenings, so looking at him because of the bright morning sun and it seems different. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Before I know the Duke who is sitting down is inquiring of me. Danger danger. I staringly surveyed him too much! This is dodgier. I can not master the skill of looking up and down and yet it not looking like a ill-mannered gaze! ¡°No. It is nothing.¡± *smile*. First of all smile and lie~. The skills that I have are something like this. At the same time the Duke is seated, foods are carried in one by one. That¡¯s right ¡®s¡¯. The Duke¡¯s breakfast as usual is like a smorgasbord! Chapter 28 - Stomachache! Ch. 28 Stomachache! On the hu~ge dining room table breakfast dishes are lined up one by one. That is right, everyday the Duke¡¯s preferences change! I completely forgot. But the other day when father and mother-in-law came the feeling was not like this. Hmm, isn¡¯t that strange-? In front of me similarly there a dishes steadily lined up. The amount as of course given to me moderately but, the contents are completely the same as the Duke. that is to say they are the highest grade raw materials. Wow~, this is intense in the morning. I¡¯m glad I said something in addition to Carthame! Unconsciously my head is full with [what] the lunch meal. Not finishing it and getting cursed to be a wasteful goblin, or to sink by the the increase of intestinal terrorism, I have two options. Personally getting cursed to be wasteful goblin is worse. When I would leave some behind I would scolded by my mother. Does this have no connection? Well how destined to poverty I am. If I leave some behind I think it will be more of a terrorism battle. While the dishes are glaring at me, I open up my own intracerebral meeting and decide on ¡®resolute terrorism battle¡¯ ¡°Well then shall we eat?¡± I return to reality at last with the Duke¡¯s voice. ¡°yes¡± With determination in my chest, I take my fork and knife. Now, fight. ¡­¡­it¡¯s only breakfast and it¡¯s grandiose. Ten minutes later. The direct conclusion was ¡®complete defeat to the terrorism¡¯. Delicious. To the point of unintentionally groaning it is very delicious. As one would expect of cuisines that Carthame has diligently made. Through Carthame and the other¡¯s consideration, there is only one or two mouthfuls on the dishes in front of me. At the early stage I was digesting well and able to savour the dishes but, around after I passed the middle stage, my stomach collapsed. At once it started hurting. It seems that this has apparently reached its threshold. And yet while eating a light salad type I was putting-on eating but, suddenly the limit came. Still more a sharp pain came with it. Aah, no good~!! ¡°*growl*¡­..¡± *thud*! ¡°¡­¡­ow~~~!!!¡± I put my hand on my stomach and, my body doubles over in pain incidentally I bang my forehead on the table. ¡°Viola?!¡± ¡°Eek!! Mistress!!¡± ¡°Mistress?! Are you okay?!¡± To my sudden change, I saw the Duke quickly left his seat and hurriedly came over. I know Lotus and Dahlia also Mimosa are panicking but, for the time being my stomach and forehead hurt. The forehead, misfortunes seldom come alone. ¡°I¡¯m, oh, kay. My stomach, suddenly, painful¡­¡­¡± My stomach hurts so I can put effort in. ¡°Are you okay? Dahlia, I will take her to her room!¡± The Duke rushes over to me cowering in my seat like this then, he takes my back and under my knees into his arms, *lift* he ended up holding my body up in his arms. ¡°Yes!¡± Dahlia seems to be following behind the Duke. ¡°You look pale. Maybe there was something spoiled in it. But it seems that there is nothing especially odd with me¡­¡­¡± The Duke declared with a grave countenance but, yeah, this, is not food poisoning it is just over eating and having been done in by gourmet food. Although I feel it is very exaggerated~ ¡°Ummm, that is¡­¡­¡± Dahlia¡¯s voice is nervous on the occasion of recalling my stomachache. Because speaking of this food poisoning it will become Dahlia¡¯s husband, Carthame¡¯s fault. Here it is hard to reply. ¡°Well, that [can be sorted out afterwards. First of all hurry to prepare the bedroom¡± ¡°Yes, certainly¡± I listen as the exchange of conversation buzzes overhead. Uh huh, as it is Carthame will certainly end up getting blamed. After I will properly emphasis Carthame¡¯s innocence so, please forgive me for not being able to defend him right now! We arrive at my room, I am put on my bed. ¡°I will call the doctor so, you are to rest¡± The Duke peers into my face while he lifts the strawberry blonde bangs hanging on my forehead. ¡°Thi, s, is, exag, gerating. ¡­¡­herbs, effective, for stomach, aches, will be, enough¡± Now my words are broken but, they can probably understand. Effective for stomachaches, or should I say digestion acceleration herbs. ¡°No, just in case getting examined will be better¡± The Duke again has a grim face. Even if a doctor is called over, he will laugh at me and let slip something like ¡®she rapidly ate high-grade foodstuffs so her stomach was surprised and it caused a stomachache, hahahahaha~¡î¡± ¡°No, really, I am, ok, ay. Mi, mosa, can, you ask, for some, herbs?¡± Holding back the Duke who is desperately hanging on, I ask Mimosa in order to get some herbs from Bellis¡¯ place. Of course do not forget to have ¡®get digestion acceleration herbs!¡¯ ¡®roger!¡¯ eye contact! Ah~ already it hurts and cold sweat is coming out. Mimosa, herbs as soon as possible PLEASE!! ¡°Certainly!! I will go in a hurry!!¡± She says and turning back, Mimosa dashes out of the room. ¡°Is it really fine to not call a doctor?¡± The Duke once again argues. No really, it will only be embarrassing so please stop. With all my strength[:] ¡°ye,s¡± I try give a smile on my strengthless face but, ¡°Does it hurt that much?! Ohhaa, really¡­¡­¡± Did my face seem bent in agony? Is that right? Mimosa who dashed out of the room is replaced, this time Carthame rushed in. ¡°Mada~m!! I heard the state of your stomach is bad! Are you okay? I am sorry!¡± Saying this at the same time he slides to the bedside, he lines up across from the Duke and takes my hand to give the usual *chu*! He is elegant as usual. But he does not have his usual facial expression full of self-confidence, the end of his eyebrows are hanging and he has an anxious look. Even when good-looking men lower the ends of their eyebrows they do not look miserable. I¡¯m jealous. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m, okay. If I lie, down, I will, get better¡± My hand does not have much strength but I am going to pull it and regain it from Carthame as usual, before that the Duke moves, he peels off Carthame¡¯s hand with a *pe*! Thank you! I thought for a moment, now as the Duke gasping my hand he regained from Carthame, ¡°Carthame, did you cook properly today?¡± He says to Carthame in low voice like the ground is talking. The Duke, falsely accused Carthame! I mean, all the servants in the mansion know that the cause of my stomachache is ¡®because she ate gourmet food¡¯. The one who doesn¡¯t know¡­¡­ ahaha~ ¡°Of course, as usual I paid careful attention and wholeheartedly made it. There is not such a thing as a deficient spot¡± Carthame says to the Duke with his eyes lowered respectfully but, the Duke¡¯s sharp eyes remain piercing. The Duke is probably mad at the servant¡¯s scandal (?). But it is impolite to say that , the usual meals are much more suitable but, they are made more easily than the things that go to the Duke and Her. It is a mysterious fact, that that person had not broken his stomach. Awawa. Because my intestinal bacteria could not firmly cut through it, it has ended up extreme. Moreover because it hurts I can not talk very well so, I cannot give defense or an explanation! Somehow or another a disagree~able air is floating around. ¡°Master, if you do not leave soon then you will end up being late. Please leave Mistress to us¡± Lotus¡¯ voice unconcernedly strikes and cuts through this place¡¯s air. Chapter 29 - In the Maid’s Conversation Ch.29 In the Maid¡¯s Conversation ¡°If you do not leave soon then, you really will not be on time¡± Persistently indifferent, Lotus again requested the non-moving Duke. ¡°but there is no way I will leave her like this. Her complexion is bad, even after settling down a bit more¡± The Duke is still persistent. ¡°Nevertheless, was not today going to be a important meeting?¡± As expected of Lotus. He has a firm understanding of the Duke¡¯s schedule. ¡°¡­¡­¡± The Duke who is kneeling at the bedside holding my hand tightens his grip. Bringing up the subject of the important meeting the Duke seems to be lost for words. I mean, being late for an important meeting is strictly prohibited! As a working adult! ¡°¡­¡­I got it. But report on her condition¡± The Duke¡¯s has become a little sulky. No, excuse me. It is not such a exaggerated thing to the degree of calling it condition. It is uncomfortable and I become a little smaller inside the futon. ¡°Certainly¡± After Lotus respectfully acknowledging gave a bow of his head in assent to the Duke, again facing me he once again tightly grasped the hand he recovered and has not yet let go of, ¡°I¡¯m off but, I¡¯ll return home as soon as possible. Until then please rest. Dahlia, if it seems her condition is changing call the doctor¡± While also looking worried he smiles pleasantly. ¡°Ye, ss¡± ¡°Certainly¡± And then the Duke, who at last releases my hand, quickly puts on his uniform coat he receives from his accompanying maid, ¡°Well then, please earnestly stay put¡± After another reminder he and Lotus leave the room together. ¡°Huha~~~. Ow, ww¡± The Duke left and, most of the strength has gone out from my body but the stomach pain has not yet lessened. ¡°Mimosa will probably return very soon. Just endure it a little more¡± Dahlia says as she gently strokes the side of my stomach. ¡°If I had thinned out the number of dishes it would have been better. Madam, I am sorry for not being sensible¡± Carthame is again feeling despondent. ¡°If I had also been helpful it would have been better. I am sorry¡± Dahlia said apologetically with the end of her eyebrow lowered. The married couple quickly lowered their heads together but, the who could not persist is me! ¡°No, no. ¡­¡­ow¡± I want to speak but I cannot talk. ¡°Mistress please do not speak anymore because we are fine!¡± Dahlia stopped in hot haste. Right at that time. There is a hurried knock on the door, Mimosa *clattering* enters. In her hand she is holding a cup with a green coloured soup in it. She has crushed up medicinal herbs for me. There was no time to boil them so, in emergency procedures this is sufficient. ¡°I have kept you waiting!! Mistress, quickly drink!¡± Saying this she hands over the cup with the medicine in it but, it is a very garish green. Or perhaps I should say it is dark green. It is syrupy and my nose seems to be paralysed by the dense grassy-smell of various mixed kinds of medicinal plants. If I drink this I will become comfortable. But by no means will it be a delicious thing. If I was able to I would not want to drink it. But for the sake of becoming comfortable it cannot be helped. ¡­¡­I came close to an endless loop of thoughts. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to fight against the intestinal terror than drink this¡­¡­my spirit came close to giving in but, I accidentally raise my gaze and, I happen to meet everyone¡¯s earnest look so, I somehow or another, am able to be fired up. I am raised up by Mimosa, and she puts a lot of cushions behind my back and I lean against them, I drain the medicine soup in one gulp. Mint and lemon are pungent, it is not as unpleasant as I thought. Surely Mimosa and Bellis came up with it in order for it to be easy to drink. I¡¯m grateful~ Immediately as I drink it the mint benefit appears, my stomach vicinity is refreshed. The stomachache is still there but, it seems that the stomach constriction is instantly sorted out. ho. ¡°Ah~¡­¡­ thanks. It has become a bit more, comfortable¡± I can now talk smoother than some time ago. ¡°Haa~! Thank goodnesss~!! I will give a massage so your stomach becomes a little more comfortable¡± Mimosa gives a broad smile from relief. Saying this she starts to push on the acupuncture points in center of my stomach. ¡°Ah~, that¡¯s effective~!¡± It reaches the undersurface of my stomach exactly. Feels good. ¡°It is good it has become comfortable. In just a little bit please go to sleep. Just before noon I will bring medicine soup again¡± Dahlia is also seems relieved, her face returned to normal. ¡°Yes. Thanks¡± ¡°Today please rest here shortly¡± ¡°If one does not move one cannot digest. If it settles down how about I go out to the garden?¡± Dahlia once more faces me with a sober face. ¡°¡­¡­ Please do not over do it¡± *sigh of exasperation* Mistress~, she gives a resigning sigh along with reluctant acceptance. Well after all I have gourmet food poisoning from overeating so, it is not something to the degree of staying in bed. ¡°I won¡¯t. Just newly arrived flowers are growing¡± I will not run around! I will not do such things that will hurt my side [stitch] like that, am I not saying such things? I look at Dahlia¡¯s face of resignation with upturned eyes. ¡°Understood. Mimosa, please supervise her¡± *sulky*, do you not believe me? Dahlia is exchanging looks with Mimosa and nodding. ¡°Yes! Certainly!¡± In response to Dahlia¡¯s expectations, Mimosa swings her head front-to-back in a big way. I end up lying down and sleeping for a little while and, when I wake up my stomach-ache has disappeared once and for all. There is still a feeling of inflation but, if it does not hurt it¡¯s not a problem! ¡°Have you woken up? How is the pain?¡± Dahlia, who noticed I have woken up, approaches in order to see the situation in full detail. ¡°Yes, the pain has completely disappeared. Thanks¡± The stiffness from the pain has also disappeared, completely. I am a trifle stiff. ¡°If you rest for a bit longer I will bring in the medicine. What will you do for lunch?¡± This time there is time so, it seems they will prepare the boiled things. It will be like tea so, it will be much easier to drink than the crude medicine, I don¡¯t need to prepare myself for the worst so I am happy. ¡°I¡¯ll pass on lunch. Instead I wonder if shall I have light meal at afternoon tea time¡± ¡°Certainly¡± Saying this, Dahlia leaves the room in order to give various instructions. After drinking the medicine I change into the uniform and go out to the garden. Today in order to accelerate digestion let¡¯s go for it and work! I pull out weeds and plant flowers according to Bellis¡¯ instructions. Bellis is the high-end of the hierarchy in the territory of the garden! He will be angry if something unplanned is planted in an unplanned place. I know that if it is done the way of the instructions it will become a garden of wonderful harmony so, I stopped arranging as I please. With things I want to plant to suit myself, I received a trifling space for my personal use so I do it there. After a little while my stomach has also diminished. Right then Bellis said, ¡°Soon it is time for break. Mistress and Mimosa shall we go the dining room?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, let¡¯s call it a night for today. If the Duke comes back early it will troublesome¡± I get up and, brush off the dirt attached to my knees and skirt. The light meal has probably been prepared in the dining room (of course the servant dining), today I will pass on breaking in the garden. ¡°Bellis¡¯ share of tea has been prepared on the greenhouse table. Well then Mistress, let us return¡± Saying this Mimosa urged me to the main residence. In the servants dining, it has exactly overlapped with the maids rest time, it is a place where you brew your cup of tea as you please, and have tea cake sweets. ¡°Mistress, are you okay now?¡± ¡°Do not overdo it too much, it would be better to leave the work for later¡± ¡°That¡¯s right~¡± Etcetera, etcetera. The maids see my recovered figure and while feeling relieved the greet me. ¡°Sorry to worry you! I¡¯m okay now, sorry¡± While answering this I also prepare my light meal and sit at my seat. ¡°You are probably also tired from today¡± ¡°Maybe that¡¯s right~¡± That¡¯s right. There is also that, surely. Because it was a tiring~ situation both mentally and physically. The quality and quantity! (mainly quality) coupled with the existence of the Duke there, I succumbed to the terror! While I am nodding my head *uh huh* at various things that ring a bell I gulp down my light meal. ¡°Speaking of yesterday, Companion-sama lost her temper~¡± The maid who was on duty at the detached building yesterday said with reproachful eyes. ¡°Uh-huh, probably because Master suddenly said he would stay at the main residence¡± ¡°Right¡± ¡°He eats dinner here everyday so, she is as displeased as she could possibly be¡± ¡°It does not mean that she picks a fight so it is good but, lately, her brows are always wrinkled¡± To that extent she is more obsessed with her beauty~ her wrinkles were certainly increasing as it was¡± ¡°Dresses and jewels, lately it seems she cannot receive them brand new as she pleases?¡± ¡°She does not need anymore because she possesses that much¡± ¡°Hmm~?¡± It is not just the Duke¡¯s maid, other maids also join in the conversation. Until then I have just been silently listening to the conversation and absorbed in eating but, ¡° The Duke and Her, are quarreling, right?¡± The thing that has been on my mind continuously ended up leaving my mouth. Thereupon, ¡°¡°¡°Huh? No?¡±¡±¡± The Duke¡¯s maids say uniformly say with fabergasted faces. ¡°Oh. Then I wonder why does he come here everyday to eat dinner?¡± I incline my head and think. If they aren¡¯t fighting then what on earth is going on? Chapter 30 - The Duke’s Interest? Ch.30 The Duke¡¯s Interest? They weren¡¯t fighting? Well then why does the Duke return here everyday? ¡°I wonder is there something here that attracts him?¡± I inadvertently speak but, I suddenly feel eyes on me so I raise my face and, the maids are looking over here. They are staring~. Still, ¡°Is it, me?¡± I timidly try asking, along with the gesture of pointing at my nose. Whereupon, is not everyone swinging their heads front-to-back in a big way?!! They are really *shake shake*! ¡°Well, that is right¡± ¡°Speaking of things that have changed here, of course it is Mistress and¡­¡­¡± ¡°Mistress and, the mansion¡¯s atmosphere¡± The maids unanimously say. And then, ¡°Mistress, this is a chance for rehabilitation!¡± The maids simultaneously lean their bodies forward. ¡°Reha, rehabilitation?!¡± I am pushed by the maids vigor and unintentionally edge back in my chair. ¡°Rehabilitation in order to have Master, who has ended up engrossed in a love affair, return to the original normal, splendid head of the family!¡± ¡°Huh?! ummm~?! Yeah, maids. With my charms and ability, that seems impossible. Please do not gaze at me with such expecting eyes full of sparkle! ¡°Oh look, everyone. Rest time is ending soon. Please do not trouble Mistress with questions¡± The one who said this and stopped the conversation is, Dahlia who has come to call me. *smack smack*, she lightly claps her hands and everyone returns to reality. ¡°¡°¡°¡°ye~~~s¡±¡±¡±¡± Saying this, everyone disperses, cup in hand. I have finished my light meal so I end my break. As I leave my seat with plate and cup in hand, Mimosa snatches them away . Dahlia watches this with a wry smile but, ¡°Some time ago there was a message from Master and, he will be returning home earlier than usual. I think for the sake of concern it would be better to already be quietly in your room¡± A message was reported by way of Lotus. ¡°Well, is that so? Then I will maintain resting in my room¡± To discover me aimlessly wandering in a servant uniform would be a disaster. Moreover today with the stomach-ache I was told to have complete bed rest. Which reminds me the intestinal terror has completely calmed down. Thank goodness. ¡°Yes¡± With one nod, we continue with Dahlia leading and leave the dining room. Even though I am in the room there is nothing special to do and am close to rotting away. I do not know when the Duke will return so, I am wriggling on the couch as usual when, ¡°Master has returned¡± Mimosa turns up. Today the way of announcement was really fast. The time is still on the verge of evening. ¡°Understood. I will go¡± I say and stand up from the couch whereupon, ¡°Aah, today¡¯s greeting is all right. Tadaima I have returned. A voice that is not supposed to be heard here can be heard from behind Mimosa. ¡°Du, Duke?!¡± I believe I have rolled off [the couch] rather than stood up. To that extent, it is because in here there is an extremely unnatural person! Mimosa conveyed his approach then, the Duke enters inside the room with a gallant gait. The ends of his eyebrows are hanging a little, is he worried about me? He holds me back by the hand, as I stand up (no, rather I have fallen down). ¡°How is your condition? I heard from the report that it did not grow worse and went towards recovery¡± He says and, with his long legs he comes to where I¡¯m sitting just like that and, kneeling across from me, he takes a quick look at my complexion. How shall I put it?, His face is close! I reflexively bend back a couple centimeters and endure it, ¡°Yes. Because the medicine was also effective and, as time passed it calmed down¡± Although I am hit my his too-close-glittering-countenance and have broken into a cold sweat, I somehow or another am able to smile and answer! ¡°Glad to hear that. It is a relief you have recovered to the extent of being able to stroll in the garden¡± His worried face clears up and, it has completely returned to his usual sparkling smile. ¡°Yes¡± Lotus reported and changed ¡®pulling weeds in the garden¡¯ to ¡®stroll in the garden¡¯. I mean, is it not necessary to report as far as my actions? Well, it is fine though. ¡°However, just in case take this¡± The Duke says and, holds out the thing in his hand to me. From a glance it seems it is a small bouquet of tied up grass. I mean, there are no flowers. It is an extremely bright green grass bundle. What am I to do with this. I am not a cow, is this to eat? ¡­¡­.no, that is impossible. The Duke gives a faint smile to me, who has become absent-minded, ¡°I received this from the medical garden inside the palace. They are nothing but medicinal plants effective for stomach-aches¡± Saying this, he lets me take hold of the grass bunch rather the medicinal plant bunch. ¡°Oh, from the inside palace?¡± ¡°Yes that¡¯s right¡± The Duke smiles sweetly. The medicinal garden inside the palace is a place where medicinal plants are perfectly pesticide-free and organically and carefully cultivated in detail and, they are of course for the medicine of the royal family.The medicine used in the royal palace is entirely cultivated there. It is a very rare item that ordinary people cannot obtain. He has obtained and been given super-precious medicinal plants from such a special place! Duke, did you abuse a little of your authority? ¡°Was it all right?¡± I timidly try to ask. ¡°To this extent, it is nothing. The royal couple was also worried about you¡± With a nonchalant smile he somehow speaks of inexcusable things. This person. Huuuuuh? The royal couple?? For me those words are too detached from this life, already words will not come out. I am startled and with my eyes wide open I open and close my mouth when, ¡°I unexpectedly met them in the medicine garden. When I said my wife has a stomach-ache they quickly gave them especially.¡± Haa~!! He ended up saying as far as the stomach-ache?!! Yeah, if it had been a stomachache it would be fine but, if it was the case of it being said that I overate and was hit by gourmet food, I would never again be able personally meet them. Ah, but the Duke hasn¡¯t known from the start. Thank goodness he does not know~! ¡°Is, is that so~¡± Ahahahaha~, now only a dry smile comes out. [typo: the writer wrote ¡®thirsty¡¯ not ¡®dry¡¯ they sound the same] ¡°Dahlia, please make this into medicine¡± ¡°Certainly¡± I hand over the medicinal plant bundle to Dahlia¡¯s outstretched hand then, Dahlia leaves the room in order to make them into medicine. They are medicinal plants so, that will not be a medicated green juice¡­..it will make a medicine juice. Again I have to needlessly ready myself. Staring after Dahlia leaving I do nothing when, ¡°What will you do for dinner today?¡± The Duke questioned. As expected although it will be half portions I do not have the courage to eat gourmet food again. My stomach terrorist will just become active. I mean I want to eat a simple meal. ¡°Today I will keep it quiet. I will leave it at just a light meal so, Duke, please, eat without reserve? It is inexcusable to do it alone so, shall it be prepared in the detached building?¡± I try to say ¡®please- return to the detached building¡¯ in an indirect way. Because it is convenient for me that way. ¡°No, that, without having to go that far, I will eat alone. Moreover I am still worried, today I will also stay here.¡± The Duke¡¯s face, which up until now was sparkling and smiling changes into a stiff smile. The Duke. now not only dinner but staying too? ¡°No do not worry, like that. Today I rested all day so tomorrow I will return to normal¡± ¡°However¡­¡­¡± Looking up at my face his eyebrows are frowning. Duke, I thought you were a cat but, is it a dog? He seems like an animal with a droopy tail. ¡°If you have something I will go and report it at once¡± Maybe unable to see such a Duke, Lotus sends a lifeboat. Uh, to assist who? ¡°¡­¡­understood. Please have complete rest and quiet. Well then, see you tomorrow¡± The Duke leaves slightly withered. Chapter 31 - Viva☆Fighting Scene Ch.31 Viva¡îFighting Scene Politely sending out the Duke, today is a day in a long time without a Master shift! When the last time I was able eat a [simple] meal for dinner? I am happy and end up grinning! With a light skipping-like gait I arrive at the servant dining room. In there is a smiling Dahlia lying in wait with a super valuable medicine soup in hand. ¡°Mistress, please drink this before the meal¡± *smile* Today¡¯s smile is extraordinarily scary. ¡°Yes! I will drink!¡± I accepted it immediately but, the good feeling is muddled. It seems somehow extremely effective~ I have to be resolved. If I do not drink this there will be no meal! *gulp gulp gulp*~! Phuahh~! With hand on hip I chug it down, women are courageous. Nevertheless it has been devised to be easily drunk, I can feel Dahlia¡¯s regard for me. I¡¯m grateful. After that, it is dinner with the maids after such a long time. Today¡¯s meal is Lovens¡¯ local cuisine, Lovens-style tourte [T/N: Pie]. Inside the round pie is vegetables cooked together with tomato paste and it is a fully healthy gem. I am enjoying eating while the maids are make a din but, unexpectedly, wondering if forcibly sending the Duke away to the detached building was bad, I unusually end up remembering the Duke. It seemed like he was worried about me at the time, even though the same thing is impossible. Even if it was as little as taking part, it would be good. However, over there is his beloved sweetheart so, someone like me should stay out it. Yeah, that is my conclusion ¡°What happened? Is the state of your stomach unwell again?¡± Mimosa looks, with a worried looking face at me who has somewhat fallen into silence. ¡°No no. Thanks also to the royal palace purveyor¡¯s appreciated medicinal plants I am already okay! The simple meal after a long time is delicious and I was engrossed in deep emotion! Aha! *grin* let¡¯s falsify. ¡°Yes! It is extremely delicious~!¡± Mimosa also undauntedly grins. Uh huh. It seems I have perfectly lied. And then the next morning. I am eating breakfast in the servant dining room as usual when, ¡°Mistress, the Dukd has come here¡± Dahlia came to call me in hot confusion, ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°He is at the entrance¡± ¡°huuuuh?!¡± If it were ¡®as usual¡¯, the Duke would go out straight from the detached building without visiting the main residence but, for today only what is to be done? I mean, I am, in the servant uniform!! No, I should be glad he did not return immediately to my empty room! ¡°Please wear this, it should be camouflaging¡± Saying this she hung a large stole from my shoulders. If it is firmly held together at the front you will not know there is a servant uniform. Nice follow! Dahlia! With a ¡®just a moment ago I left my room~¡¯-like face, I hurry to the Duke¡¯s location. ¡°I have kept you waiting. Good Morning¡± Looking at me who ran up in a hurry, ¡°Good morning. How is your health this morning?¡± Looking at the obviously healthy me, the Duke eyes loosen with relief. It seems he has not noticed the servant uniform. Safe! ¡°Thanks to the medicines I ate, I am completely recovered¡± They were effective, and that rich medicinal soup was the final blow. I remember that flavour, so please pardon momentary bitter countenance. ¡°That is good. I will report it to their Majesties¡± ¡°No, that¡­¡­¡± Such things as the situation of a retainer¡¯ wife¡¯s stomach-ache, their Majesties probably do not want to hear! ¡°Well, setting that aside. Today I will also return home ahead of the time so, please do not overdo it too much¡± ¡°Huh?! ¡­¡­no, ye, yes. Understood¡± I am momentarily surprised and my eyes widen but, I stood firm! It is probably awkward but a smile should be being seen. ¡°Well then, I¡¯m off¡± ¡°¡°¡°Have a good day¡±¡±¡± ¤Ð¤¿¤à¡£[T/N: ¡°batamu¡± a author¡¯s word that is untranslatable, honestly no idea what it means] ¡°¡­¡­the Duke, I wonder what he wanted to do?¡± I mutter after the Duke leaves while staring at the entrance way door. ¡°He is probably worried about Mistress¡± ¡°Yeah, well, right. That Only was heard. But I wonder what kind of curious turn of events is this? I tilt my head. I think it is not like him to be this panicked at me getting a stomach-ache. In the first place the one who had the spoiled stomach was me, not Her. If She was forced to bed rest by stomach pain, it would be a serious affair for the Duke. ¡°Has he not come to seem to care for Mistress?¡± ¡°Up to now he has thought a great deal of you?¡± Like that Dahlia gives me a bitter smile. Good grief. Lately I do not understand the things the Duke does, very well. Today it is raining so, it is the customary rainy day events. In order to furthermore resolve yesterday¡¯s overeating (mainly in the way of weight), throughout the morning is dance lessons, lunch interposed then after that esthetics, and then dance lessons once more until dinner, it is quite a hard schedule. I will do my best! Thanks to Lotus¡¯ hard intensive training, I have reached the point of being able to dance to any tune. Nowadays having to fly around in circles in a basic way has gone! This is growth! I have been praised by Dahlia that my posture has also become better from usual, my agility has also become pretty. Moreover even at that evening party, I finished without embarrassment! The esthetic troops lead by Mimosa are steadily progressing, various things have been added to the course ¡®mud clay facial pack¡¯, ¡®skin whitening facial pack¡¯ etcetera, etcetera. All of the group members, under commanding officer Mimosa, looks like they are enjoying (they are breathing a bit heavy¡î) giving me a massage so I cannot say ¡®no¡¯. Thanks to that my complexion is furthermore nicely bright, in addition, it is springy. After the esthetic full course it is time for the customary special make-up. It is known that today after this I have dance lessons again so, sweat and tear resistant, flawless makeup is applied. Uh huh, thicker than usual, a different person more than usual. Through Mimosa choice of ¡®Today is gloomy from the rain so, let us do a cheerful look¡¯, I dressed in a rose coloured easy-to-dance-in light dress and again move to the lesson area. Already yesterday¡¯s overeating has been more than resolved, rather I think I am using minus energy but, I do not have the courage on hand to say ¡®no¡¯ to this dance. And I do not know at anytime I could be recruited for a dinner party option! In a sense I should probably say it is a good to have a place to be introduced at? ¡­¡­yeah, even if I do say so myself it was positive enough to surprise me. Just when I approach the entrance way led by Dahlia followed by Mimosa. ¡°Oh is it not the head maids? Well, is that the Mistress?¡± Thus, a familiar voice can be heard from the direction of the entrance way entry. ¡°As I always say but, if you give a preliminary announcement I will lead you¡± Dahlia says expressionally as she takes care to hide me behind her back, standing between Calendula and I. Uh huh, expressionlessness is SCARY. ¡°I thought I did not have to that formal. Sorry¡± *Ohohohoho~*, Calendula bewitchingly laughs but her eyes are not smiling. These two people¡¯s relationship seems bad. I secretly peek from behind Dahlia¡¯s back. Today, also, her black dress, firmly opened by her perfectly made breasts, is doubly sexy. ¡°And. What is your business with the Mistress?¡± ¡°No, I have been thinking I would give my greetings for the first time. She was always absent so, I thought such a thing as a Mistress in reality is not here¡± Covering her mouth with a folding fan in her hand her sidelong glance over here is very disagreeable! Or perhaps I should say, that I am the Mistress has finally been exposed. Well, even though I have been exposed as my usual lower-servant-position-me before, I will probably be registered as a different person from special-makeup-me now. Calendula and Dahlia¡¯s glare (going past me) meet when, ¡°Sorry, but Mistress has been busy and, was not able to readily meet. If you had given communication of you visit beforehand adjustments could have been made¡± This time Lotus¡¯s voice forces its way through from inside. Uh huh, this also it is a completely different tone of voice from his usual tone. Surely he came to meet me who, no matter how much time had passed, did not appear at the lesson area. ¡°I wonder is not always being absent like this from the start? Even though I have heard that she does not go socializing at all. I wonder where, and what on earth, is she always doing?¡± Calendula glares at Lotus with a slightly cutting feeling. If it was like usual she would have quickly withdrew her eyes and yet, today she is somehow persistent. Ah, I wonder is it because she finally discovered me? Lotus quickly comes in front of Dahlia, ¡°This cannot just be disclosed to people outside of the Physalis family¡± He indifferently declares with is cool-headed butler face only seen in front of Calendula. ¡°nn¡­¡­¡± Calendula hearing this suddenly her face flushes, her beautiful eyebrows rise, *slap* The folding fan is skillfully forcibly closed. Hya~ it is a Hanya[1]. There is a Hanya here~! I am shielded safely in a spot behind Dahlia who is behind Lotus, I am only watching the battle of Lotus and Dahlia VS Calendula. I¡¯m cowardly. I want to participate in the battle but, Dahlia¡¯s hand is out in front of me as if ¡®it is no good for you to come out!¡¯ so, I am restrained. ¡°It is about the duke household so, please withdraw¡± Without being surprised by Calendula¡¯s look, Lotus also coldly says undauntedly not averting his gaze from Calendula¡¯s ruby eyes. It seems it is an important point so he says it twice. And then from the opposite side Mimosa is holding open the entrance way door as if ¡®returning is this way¡î¡¯. I mean, Mimosa, you were behind me until some time ago, right? How should I say quick work! Calendula who is grasping the folding fan to the extent that the grasping knuckles have become white, is going to say something, those charming trembling lips open when. ¡°That is right, Calen. Could you please leave?¡± Oh!, it is a voice I have heard before. T/N: °ãÈô/Hanya ¨C is the name of a noh mask of a grinning, horned demoness (represents a woman¡¯s rage and jealousy) Chapter 32 - Monologue Ch.32 Monologue ¡°Calen, can you please leave?¡± Is not the one who has entered while giving this reminder, the Duke?! Well, of course. Today he has returned early as announced. ¡°Cercis!¡± ¡°I mentioned it many times. It seems the time has come for me too to come to my senses.¡± The Duke shows a serious face that is different than usual, to Calendula who has quickly turned her head. His normal way of smiling is now not there. He straightforwardly looks at Calendula with those dark beautiful eyes. ¡°I have received good from you, Calen. However, I can say, with confidence, things as they are, are not good¡± It would be better if they had the conversation of their two-people-world by themselves. Lotus, Dahlia, Mimosa and I have been quite left behind by the Duke and Calendula, who have completely entered their two-people-world, ¡°Shall we leave this place for a bit?¡± ¡°I think so¡± Dahlia and I whisperingly discuss when, the Duke says, ¡°Please all of you listen to this as well¡± What good ears he has, even though we were exchanging with fairly concealed voices. It can¡¯t be helped, ¡°Yes¡± I reluctantly nod my head. It is really like a lover¡¯s quarrel. What kind of Batsu game[1] is this, being present at a lover¡¯s quarrel! ¡°All along I have been running away from the heavy responsibility called ¡®The duke family¡¯. I had to reliably protect this household[2] alone. ¡­¡­it was lonely. However I was unable to perceive this loneliness around me. It was a dilemma,¡± while steadily staring at Calendula, the Duke began his monologue. Ah, but I feel I have heard this speech somewhere, ah, was it Dahlia who said as such? Dahlia and other¡¯s conjectures are kind of right on the money! ¡°Around me everyone could only see me as ¡®the heir to the duke family¡¯. No-one would look at me as just me. At that time Calen said ¡®duke family heir? What is that, is it something delicious?¡± and laughed it away.¡± ¡°Fufu, there was also such a thing,¡± The Duke unintentionally smiles sadly but, Calendula said very nice words! Did those words end up shooting through his heart, *throb*?. Is that right? ¡°Life with Calen was pleasure-filled and enjoyable. Such things as me being heir or the duke family, and my responsibility I completely ended up abandoning.¡± The moment they heard those words, Lotus and Dahlia firmly grasped their hands into a fists. Uh huh, this part has been difficult for you all! ¡°Even approaching the main building was unpleasant. Until now it was probably a reaction to the feelings of oppression,¡± letting his gaze fall, the Duke is chewing his lips. From here Calendula¡¯s face cannot be seen but, she is quiet and listening to the Duke¡¯s speech. ¡°I could not help being surprised at the change of the mansion that I had stepped into after a long time. The servants are lively, it is overflowing with flowers and light, and more than anything it seemed enjoyable,¡± saying this the Duke turns his gaze towards me. Hm? What is it? ¡°After Viola came, this mansion has changed.¡± unh? Me? Following the Duke¡¯s gaze, Calendula also looks at me. ¡°Until then this mansion has seemed only cold and inhuman but, things appear warm and human.¡± It was, because I kept at diligently cleaned, did laundry and decorated everyday! ¡°At first, I became interested in Viola, who was easy-going and easily handling the responsibility of ¡®the noble duke family¡¯s mistress¡¯, that I had selfishly pushed on her.¡± Dear me! Was his interest attracted by such a point? ¡°And then, I wanted to know more about Viola and through increasing the time we passed together, I have begun to have a favourable impression towards the figure who is supporting the duke household without acting stiffly.¡± Well, it has proceeded from the level of ¡®interest¡¯ to ¡®favourable impression¡¯! However, ¡®supporting the duke household¡¯ is overestimating things. Rather, as the mistress of the household, I have just been enjoying spending it as a servant so, I involuntarily end up being bashful at the excessive praise. ¡°She was lived modestly without demanding anything even if I do not care if she does and, she has spared no effort for the sake of improving her skills¡± That would be the dance lessons? Mimosa¡¯s esthetic things? Both were by coercion though¡­¡­ well that¡¯s fine. ¡°Oh, in that case, does it not look like I have been just demanding without doing anything?¡± Calendula is giving a offended intense gaze. ¡°Actually the one who gave without refusing is me. However, has it not only been wasteful?¡± In opposition to that gaze, the Duke is also makes his eyes scrutinising. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± ¡°Viola has not even been demanding? She is a person who even if I buy something as a gift it would still be an excess so she would end up refraining.¡± ¡°An¡­ and?¡± ¡°Even though I took her out to a evening party that she did not feel like going to, she managed to be perfectly sociable. As a dignified duchess. As soon as you did not feel like doing it you gave up dancing, and flatly refused invitations.¡± ¡°Obviously. I have had enough of socializing, and the like, where such consideration is [needed to be] taken¡± *Hohohohoho*, Calendula laughs. ¡°That¡¯s right. I also thought that before but, after looking at Viola, I thought ¡®that¡¯s not right¡¯. Overdoing it is not necessary, however, the minimum manners are necessary. Viola took perfect consideration to her surroundings, in high society, which it seems she surely does not like¡± Ooh, Duke! Here is a place which I greatky wish to agree to. Hereupon recieving these words, ¡°But, it is a society that has not relation to me¡± Calendula said while smiling fearlessly *nii*. ¡°That¡¯s right. So as I said I think I should come to my senses,¡± In contrast to Calendula, *fu*, the Duke really acutely narrows his eyes. ¡°Oh¡± To such change in the Duke¡¯s expression, some time ago her smiling face stiffened, with half opened eyes staring at the Duke, Calendula is grasping her folding fan in her hand *tightly*. ¡°I believe I want to protect Viola who has bravely kept at it without resenting me who has forced demon-like terms on her and neglected her. So, Calendula, let¡¯s break up.¡± The Duke stares directly at Calendula¡¯s ruby eyes and, clearly declares this. Huhhhh?! He is breaking up with his girlfriend?! Wait a minute, there is various [people] panicking!! T/N: [1] A Batsu game is a game in which the winner forces the loser to undergo a punishment, which usually involves experiencing or doing something unpleasant. [2] ¼Ò ¨C Also means lineage, family, family name, house ect. Hey everyone, I¡¯m back!! Finally finished my studies! I will hopefully be back to regular posting now. Hope you enjoy the chapter! Chapter 33 - True Feelings Ch.33 True Feelings Wait a second, Duke. Just now, did you say that you will break up with your sweetheart? Moreover, somehow the cause of it, is me? And I have been left out of the conversation? What is this?, this situation! ¡°Umm~, can I have a word?¡± The eyes of all the people in this place instantly jump over to me who has uttered this. I am very sorry to force my way through the space of the Duke and Calendula¡¯s staring at each other (glaring?) but, it is because I think here, through, the courage I have summoned up, I must get confirmation. ¡°What is it?¡± The Duke removes his gaze away and, looks in my direction. Later than the Duke, Calendula also faces my direction. ¡°I am very sorry for interrupting such an exciting [conversation] but, there is something I want to confirm.¡± ¡°Something to confirm?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± I come forth from hiding behind Dahlia, to a place where I am able to directly see the Duke. however, as ever, Lotus is between Calendula and I. ¡°You said you will break up with your sweetheart but, in that situation how will the contract with me end up? ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Eh?¡± The Duke and Calendula simultaneously become stare in wonder. ¡°After all, I am a decoration wife based on your sweetheart? What is it called if She is gone? Originally it was to cover up.¡± I think it is not that surprising? Did I say something odd? I tilt my head and think but, nothing comes to mind. ¡°Well, that is right¡­¡­¡± ¡°Therefore, it means my position has become delicate.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°After all, if Duke, and your sweetheart, you can now you can probably go out with anyone? To borrow Duke¡¯s words, just because Her origins are like that, you are unable to get married. If it is a person of suitable social status there would be no problem at all.¡± ¡°Certainly, as I said.¡± ¡°If that is the case, the decorative me will become unnecessary. Rather perhaps I should say a hinderance.¡± ¡°But what I said was to break up with Calen, not to break off the marriage with you, Viola! Rather I think Viola is pleasant so I think, for sure, that I want to break up!¡± In a hurry the Duke comes over to me walking briskly with those long legs. Coming close to me his face is at a higher position than me so I have to look up at him, which is painful. However while I plainly focus on those dark pupils, ¡°Even though you have abruptly said such things, I have not looked or thought of you, Duke, in such a manner, so it is troubling.¡± At last I have ended up saying my true feelings. ¡°Is it like that, after all?¡± Listening to my true feelings the Duke is obviously crestfallen and drops his shoulders. His beautiful eyebrows are also now miserably drawn in a frown. ¡°Because, did not Duke say in the beginning that you have a beloved sweetheart?¡± By no means, who would have thought that, that target would shift to me! ¡°At that time it was true! However the more I encountered you, the more I talked with you I was charmed by Viola!¡± The Duke declares testily, his face going red. ¡°For arguments sake, let us assume that is true, is it not two-timing, so to speak, if you are coming and going between the detached building and here?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± As expected it is awkward, he averts his gaze. ¡°There are a lot of rich people who are surrounded by lovers, so this is not a crime in itself, but Duke, you thought you cherished Her to the extent that you proposed a contract with me and yet, it is disappointing.¡± His gaze is averted but, I say this while still glaring at the Duke¡¯s face. I declared it with a breather! Fu, it is refreshing. ¡°Viola¡­¡­¡± The Duke, perhaps to give a rebuttal, returns his gaze to me and opens mouth when. ¡°Ahahahahaha!!!¡± Earth-shattering light-hearted laughter abruptly resounds in the entrance way. Everyone is startled at this abrupt thing and converge their gazes in the direction of that laughter. There is Calendula who has been silently listening to me and the Duke¡¯s back and forth. Her mouth is concealed by the fan but, she is holding her stomach in extreme amusement and laughing greatly. Certainly the roar of laughter was this. ¡°Ca¡­ Calen?!¡± The Duke is surprised, his eyes are blinking. ¡°I wonder what happened?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know?¡± Me and Dahlia¡¯s eyes meet and make eye contact. On the opposite side Mimosa is also flabbergasted but, only Lotus is standing calm (no, rather in coldhearted-butler-mode) as always. In such a surrounding atmosphere Calendula is unconcernedly crying and laughing. ¡°Ah~, is it amusing! Cercis, your feelings are not being conveyed to Mistress in the slightest!!¡± Surely she is insane?! Or so we thought, but it seems like the situation was that Calendula was filled with laughter at the Duke and I¡¯s difference in communication. Thank goodness. While wiping her tears that have seeped out from laughing too much with her pretty finger, ¡°What is this difference in communication! Ah-I ended up laughing strangely. Sorry, Cercis. I dislike incompetence. I wonder when such incompetence was reached?¡± ¡°Haa?!¡± Again the Duke is startled at Calendula¡¯s sudden change and now he is suddenly recognized as incompetent so, his beautiful face is stiffened from the shock. He has probably not been told such things until now so, I estimate it did considerate damage. My condolences. ¡°Such an incompetent you, from here I refuse. You say you break up with me? It is laughable. Such a effeminate man, Mistress, I gift this present!¡± Saying this Calendula looks in my direction. ¡°No, no, no, no¡± I express ¡®no¡¯ while energetically crossing my hands in front of my body then, ¡°Ahahaha! Your Wife also said she has no need from you! What to do? Cercis. Well, at best you will have a hard time not breaking up with your Wife! Even though you, Wife, is such a pretty, interesting and level-headed person, you are wasteful.¡± Again seemingly in amusement her body twist and, she holds down her stomach. The roar of laughter does not stop. ¡°Calen!¡± ¡°Well, anyhow, my love and everything else for Cercis has completely disappeared by being shown this incompetent appearance! I will quickly go from this place. Ah, the dresses and jewellery I will receive instead of consolation money. Well then, Mistress, I give my best regards for later!¡± Huh? Huh? No way, she is passing the whole thing onto me, doing nothing herself?! ¡°Huh? Sweat-heart is¡­¡­¡± ¡°As I have been so far, I will make a living as a dancer so it is okay. It is not necessary to worry. Women are courageous things,¡± *broad grin*, this smile is a dark smiling face. Uh huh, it seems she will be okay. And then Calendula elegantly puffs out her dress hem and turns back, with a unhesitating manner of walking, she proceeds to gallantly go out of the door where Mimosa is waiting, holding it open. Aah, surely she has gone with the wind! ¡­¡­the Duke is left behind. He is certainly dumb-founded. I have beaten the hell out of him, Calendula has also beaten the hell out off him. Now there is no chance to stand up. It seems he is in the depths of shock. He is so shocked his complexion is also, is passing from blue to white. He has transformed into a petit maimed man. Chapter 34 - Contract Renewal Ch.34 Contract Renewal While waving *bye-bye* behind her, Calendula leaves out the opposite side of the door, that Mimosa is holding open, like a really fresh gust of wind. On the other hand, before my eyes, the Duke has stiffened like a hare depicted in a marble carving. Without knowing what would be good to call out to Calendula, I silently see off that back and Lotus and Dahlia also keep silent. These two people don¡¯t have any sort of expression placed on their face so, there is no way of knowing how they feel. Well. What should I do with this solidified sculpture(Duke). He is serving as an entrance-way decorative stone statue. Not. His beautiful dark eyes are not focused on a point although they are open, his pupils also seem open. However, at this rate he will be standing in the entrance way forever and frozen like this. Not to mention that transporting this tall figured, wonderfully styled and nice Duke manually would be hard labour so, he must be removed by his own two legs. I flutter my hand in front of the Duke¡¯s eyes. ¡°Duke, Duke? She ended up leaving? Is it okay not to chase after her~?¡± O-i, is your consciousness there? My hand is swinging in a buzz. Whereupon the eyes, that until then were not clear wherever they looked, their radiance abruptly returns and then clashes with mine. In that moment the Duke, who has suddenly returned from his small trip, is surprised and takes a step back. *mugyuu!!* [Surprise] ¡°*guee*¡­¡­¡± [speechlessness] [T/N: both Onomatopoeia words] Both of the Duke¡¯s arms are gently wrapped around my body. Or, should I say, it is with all his strength, or should I say, that the feeling of being blocked by facing a stone wall is impressive. My soul or something is almost close to flying out! I think all my backbones have been taken away. ¡°Du¡­ Duke!! It hurts, it hurts!!¡± I beat the Duke¡¯s back a lot with my hands, which I can just manage to move freely. I have a feeling that the only damage I can do is less than a neko punch[1] to the Duke, who trains regularly as a knight. It is vexing! Not loosening up his grip at all I am in the situation of being tightly held and hugged close. I am struggling to mumble then, ¡°Viola!! I will not ask you to leave?!¡± The Duke¡¯s voice descends from overhead. It is not his usual calm, pleasing-to-the-ear voice, it is a voice oozing impatience and is a little raised. ¡°Huh?¡± I stare with eyes of amazement *what, what did you say?* and, the strength of the arms embracing me furthermore gets intense. *squeeze* My back! Because my back is being bent!! ¡°Viola, let¡¯s have the discussion once again! Not a marriage bound by a contract like up till now, one for the sake of being a properly married couple!!¡± I will discuss this so please loosen your strength and please do not rub your cheek on my head!! ¡°We cannot easily have a talk here so, let us move to the reception room.¡± No sooner than I say this, The Duke momentarily releases me, who he was hugging close, when this time he *lift* ends up holding me up in his arms. And then, like this, he is turning back to the reception room like it is nothing. But, why am I being carried with a princess hug? Today my stomach and everywhere is not unhealthy though? ¡°Umm~, why are we moving with me held up in your arms?¡± I worship the Duke¡¯s beautiful countenance with upturned eyes. I modestly convey my feelings of doubt towards this situation but, ¡°It is in order so that Viola does not end up escaping,¡± the Duke declares, with an unusually serious expression, while looking at me who is slightly below. The clever eyes are as lovely as possible but, I think that there is no need to waste the loveliness in such a useless place. I mean, I will not escape so sincerely please let me down! I feel like running away from Lotus, Dahlia and Mimosa¡¯s lukewarm gazes! ¡°I will not escape and, the reception room is right there!¡± I struggle *flap flap* to get let down. ¡°Well then it will be a moment longer. It is dangerous to struggle. Look, we have arrived.¡± While exchanging this conversation, with the Duke¡¯s long legs, we end up arriving at the reception room just like that. Seriously what kind of S&M play is this? While thinking this, I am softly placed on the couch and without a moment¡¯s delay the Duke takes a seat next me. I mean, there is a lot of sitting places like opposite or diagonally and yet, he sits next to me! The distance is so close! It is a couch where three people can easily sit but, for some reason he is stuck close. Already there is too many contradicting things and it has become troublesome. ¡°First of all is the most important thing, we will not cancel the marriage,¡± the Duke clearly declares as the first thing he says. Certainly it starts from there. Because it has been a contractual marriage from the start based on his sweetheart. ¡°But She is no longer here? Besides also Duke and I did not marry based on love, rather it was with a completely unknown nearby stranger¡± ¡°Such things, in this world, there is a great quantity! Things like political marriages of convenience are common everywhere.¡± ¡°Well, that is right¡± It is an aristocratic society so it is common knowledge that marriages are made for the purpose of mutual household connections. Or rather maybe marriages from love are more rare. This country is still an open-minded one towards things like social status difference, though. ¡°There are many married couples who become close after getting married.¡± ¡°That is right.¡± ¡°So, you and I can think of it as ¡®merely a political marriage of convenience.¡¯¡± The Duke is unusually eloquent. However he does not have his usual archaic smile. I am being stared at in a slightly prickly-like seriousness and, is this feeling like there is somehow a edge of a cliff right behind me, merely a hallucination? Like this clause of ¡®decoration wife¡¯ will be deleted. And next is a important clause. That is the problem of my family¡¯s debts. They have already been fully paid by the Duke¡¯s duke-household ability. ¡°In which case what shall be done about the debts shouldered by Duke? They were paid in exchange for me becoming a decoration wife.¡± I ask the Duke while being ready to possibly be told ¡®pay with your life¡¯ when, ¡°If that¡¯s the case would it not be nice if we thought of it as betrothal money that I have given to the earl¡¯s household? It was given under that pretense from the start and, if it is for the sake of gaining you, that amount of money is not a regret. Please accept it.¡± It is quite a quick reply. But no, it is not an amount of money on the level of ¡®please accept it¡¯¡­¡­ I have lost to the Duke, who is persevering to the extent of reforming the unequal contract. ¡°Well then that is the first one. I have decided to live here everyday from now on.¡± Uh huh, if it was an ordinary marriage this would be very obvious but, regarding this person he is not ordinary. Having to reform this contract it from such a rudimentary place, we must have been bound a strange contract from the start! ¡°Yes¡± ¡°The room I will use will be my personal room I have been using so far¡± Glad to hear that. ¡°Yes¡± ¡°As soon as the detached building is put in order, my luggage will be brought over here. Please use your personal bedroom the same as always.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± However, as far as the Duke completely moving over here is concerned, various problems, particularly in relation to meals, will spring forth¡­¡­ ¡°As I promised in the beginning, it is alright to freely do as you please but,¡± ¡°but?¡± I cut in the middle of the speech and look slightly doubtful at the Duke who is looking closely at my face. What is this, this delicate distance. ¡°With the exception of me, lovers are absolutely prohibited.¡± A love prohibition with the exception of the Duke has been incorporated into the contract. T/N: [1] è¥Ñ¥ó¥Á ¨C a cat¡¯s punch is referring to a punch with little to no damage like a cat¡¯s punch. Something soft and adorable like this: Chapter 35 - In the Midst of Negotiations! Ch.35 In the Midst of Negotiations! ¡®Coexistence daily living¡¯, ¡®annulment of the decoration wife clause¡¯, ¡®lovers besides the Duke are prohibited¡¯ ¨Cthese have been laid out by the Duke in the contents of the contract reform but, this exceeds the category of reforming, is it just me who thinks that the new contract is now equivalent to a blank-paper annulment? ¡­¡­well, although, whichever way is fine. In this way the number one worry of my family¡¯s debt problem, has been settled under the form of ¡®betrothal money¡¯ so I have no problems. The Duke also added, ¡°Socializing and the like; it is fine to do so only in the necessary spheres so please bear with it.¡± One more addition is made. This is preparation in regards to my previous ¡®optional¡¯ remarks! Shoot, have optional items also been firmly included?! Oops¡­¡­sorry, I got agitated. ¡°Understood.¡± I crush my agitation and, answer as calm as possible. It seems like the Duke has not noticed my agitation and, gives a satisfied nod to my answer. ¡°That is all for now from me. If there is something we will discuss it when the occasion arises.¡± ¡°That is so,¡± with a sense of resignation I nod my head in assent when, ¡°Is there not anything from you?¡± unexpectedly the Duke asks my opinion. ¡°Conditions from me?¡± I never thought that I would be asked such a thing, so, I blankly tilt my head to the side. ¡°That is correct. Is it not unfair to you if it is just conditions from me? Although in truth the best thing would be for you, Viola, to be by my side like a normal married couple, without such arrangements¡±, the Duke says while smiling faintly. Unexpectedly I have been fed swe~et words but, such things, I will ignore. ¡°¡­¡­if that¡¯s the case, it is about meals.¡± Conditions from me? Requests? If I were to name those, there is only one. From now on, living with the Duke together everyday, means also sharing eating habits. This way will be mainly painful for me, so after a little thinking I open my mouth and ask. The Duke¡¯s shoulders drop at my great ignoring but, I proceed in the way of not seeing this also. This time it is the Duke who is staring blankly at me suddenly speaking of meals. ¡°Meals, is it? Has there been some point that is unsatisfactory?¡± His eyebrows quickly rise. Oh no. Again Carthame has ended up coming under false doubt! ¡°Nononono!! Unsatisfactory and the such are out of the question! Rather it is too extravagant and it is troublesome and yet, um ahh¡­¡± I am denying the Duke¡¯s misunderstanding in hot haste so, my mouth unintentionally ends up slipping. ¡°Too extravagant?¡± The Duke again has a dubious face and is frowning at this sort of verbal slip of mine. ¡°No, um, that, more than enough is satisfactory but, for me it is too much. Particularly breakfast! No matter how you see it, that is too much, it is too wasteful.¡± ¡°Breakfast?¡± ¡°Yes. The quantity is the amount to ask ¡®how many people is the meal for?¡¯. Clearly it is impossible for me to eat that much, I will end up being forced to go to bed with a stomach-ache again.¡± Evenings are fine. Eating at morning and noon, the stomach is properly working so, I can somehow combat it if it is a half portion. It is mornings that are the problem because my good quantity and good quality intestinal bacterias are still half asleep and have to work as soon as they get up for that breakfast. It is like the completely unarmed things are combating a dynamite opponent. I will probably end up breaking down before I am able to get accustomed to this lifestyle! ¡°That must not happen! Viola, you generally eat little.¡± The Duke has an over reaction to my ¡®I might end up forced in bed¡¯. He firmly leans his body forward. I mean, Duke. The so called ¡®generally eating little¡¯ is more of a simple diet but¡­¡­ well, I do not dare to state it. ¡°Therefore, allow the amount, even just my share, to be restrained from being excessive. ¡­¡­. Is Duke, also able to eat all of that degree of an amount everyday?¡± ¡°No, yeah, well, I do not eat all of it.¡± The Duke says with bad enunciation, suddenly averting his gaze in spite of having been looking at me closely up until then. ¡°In front of father-in-law and others, usually, it was to the extent of bread, soup, main dish and salad, right?¡± ¡°Yes. because when my parents were here it was always the same, decided-upon menu, so it is always matched to that.¡± ¡°Well, changing tastes like this everyday, if one does such wasteful things they will end up being cursed as a wasteful monster!¡± Moreover things like ¡®not eating everything¡¯, un-bel-eive-able! ¡°huh¡­¡­?¡± The Duke is surprised at my abrupt ¡®wasteful monster¡¯ theory. It seems like from this reaction that he did not know about wasteful monsters! Yes, yes, I will kindly, carefully and thoroughly teach him of course! ¡°First of all, it is the meaning of wasteful monster, it is the revengeful ghost of the wasted food and, every evening it stands by your bedside and says ¡®wasteful¡­¡­wasteful¡­¡­¡¯ ¡­¡­(the rest is omitted1). At any rate, being wasteful is no good!!¡± ¡°¡­¡­yes¡± the Duke slightly pulls away at my talk of the ¡®wasteful monster¡¯ but I do not mind. ¡°Do you understand? Well, then, what shall be done from now on?¡± ¡°Yes I do. ..¡­.on this occasion let¡¯s agree with you. I will be unable to contain myself with worry if you are forced to bed. The wasteful monster and so on will stop.¡± The Duke puts his hand on his chin and answers while thinking. Unfortunately the story of the monster was not really received. It is regrettable! However it seems the extravagant meals will be ended. ¡°Thank you. Well then I will straightforwardly convey this to Carthame.¡± With this there will be peace from my intestinal terror for the time being. ¡°Understood. Asides from this?¡± ¡°Asides from this¡­..at present there is not anything particular. This also if I have problems I will consult with you at all such times.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± With this, the present contract reform has ended peacefully (?). The Duke and I eat dinner together. ¡°Tonight, please regret your break up with your sweetheart?¡± And, at night I politely show him out to the detached building. Calendula. If we had not met like this we may have unexpectedly been friends. If you come to Rosia, you must tell me to please get in touch! T/N: [1] I think this means she went on about it for a while but the rest of it is omitted. Chapter 36 - A New Daily Routine Ch.36 A New Daily Routine A few days later after the ¡®abrupt contract reformation¡¯ has been done, after the chaotic fighting scene (?)1. Calendula has left the detached the building, after finishing putting her various affairs in order. At that time Lotus had to send the grumbling Duke, ¡®Because I will also see her off!¡¯ forcibly off to work for a short while, saying to him ¡®It is unknown when the departure preparations will be able to be done so please go to work! Lateness is strictly prohibited!¡¯. Lotus, Dahlia, Mimosa and I sent off the Duke leaving, riding in a plain carriage that has been prepared for him. It seems that Calendula has aimed for a time when the Duke is not here. ¡®We are already broken up so, yeah. Thanks, I am much obliged to you. See you¡± hahaha, Calendula laughs bewitchingly and rides off in a carriage. ¡°We did not have a relationship from the start so, although she says she¡¯s leaving there is no actual feelings~.¡± My true opinion comes out while staring fixedly at the carriage becoming smaller. ¡°That is right. I have also never been an attendant over there so, I only know stories from the group of maids in charge of that area,¡± Mimosa answers in waiting half a step behind me. ¡°Is that so? ¡­¡­oh, that¡¯s right. The luggage seemed pretty compact but, I wonder what was done with the dresses and such? Was there not quite a lot of them?¡± If I¡¯m not mistaken it seemed that there was three or four large style trunks trunk cases that were loaded into the carriage. ¡°I received a report from a maid that she saved the minimum necessary dresses and a majority of the dresses were disposed of.¡± To this Lotus answers. ¡°Well. That is as is expected.¡± Constricting the bulky things to compact! She is accustomed to travelling. ¡°Jewellery is not so bulky so, it appears that they were kept¡± ¡°Right. Rather that selling them now, selling them each time it is needed is better¡± As expected of Calendula, if it is her, she will also be okay after this. This is the way I feel. If there is a person leaving there is also a person coming. Next the Duke¡¯s luggage is rapidly brought in. Although I say luggage¡­ it is clothes, books, documents and the like. The furniture and such is provided for the detached building. Dahlia takes charge and promptly stows them away in the study and the Duke¡¯s bedroom. ¡°Uh~huh, having the Duke¡¯s luggage being brought in before my eyes in this way, makes you feel that this is really happening whether one likes it or not~¡± I am observing the situation of the moving in from the corridor. It is beyond doubt that from today I will be completely living together with the Duke. ¡°That is right. Me also, I only served Master here for a year when I was a apprentice so, in actuality it is my first time for something similar,¡± Mimosa wryly smiles. ¡°Oh, it was like that! Well, although it is called living together, it will be to the extent of coming face to face with him in the mornings and evenings, so it is okay¡± At times when the Duke is not here I can freely do as I have been doing until now. Evening. The time for the Duke¡¯s return home is drawing near so, as usual I change my clothes in my room and am standing by. The timing in this area is already perfect. ¡°Master has returned¡± Dahlia has come to the place where Mimosa is doing up my loose hair to call me. ¡°I will go now,¡± I stand up and go towards the entrance. ¡°Welcome home, Master.¡± I swiftly go towards the entrance way and, I am surprised that [the amount of people] for some reason are increased today. No, is that wrong? The Duke¡¯s personal maids are also here greeting. Because if it was as usual it would only be Lotus, me, Dahlia and Mimosa. When the remainder of the servants must enter the Master shift, they kill their breath and incline their ears to the situation in the entrance way but, they do not appear! The stealth skills of the servants here are a magnificent thing. Today welcoming, including me, are seven people overall. It has increased. [The Duke] was up until then talking with Lotus with a serious face and yet, on discovering my appearance, he broadly smiles and he says ¡°tadaima [I¡¯m home], Viola¡±. It certainly is a ¡®broad smile¡¯ because his smile is stretched all out. He has suddenly smiled himself silly. This Person!. While my innermost thoughts are surprised at this change, I welcome him with the guise of serenity as usual. ¡°You have worked hard today [T/N: Japanese greeting for after finishing work].¡± ¡°It seems that my luggage has been moved without a hitch. Thank you also for seeing off Calendula.¡± I will pretend I do not see his tightly lowered eyebrows. In this way it appears the Duke has penetrated our daily routine little by little. Although now there is still a sense of discomfort~. Speaking of other things that have changed, something has been added to the customary rainy day events. ¡°Huh? From now on we will have tea? Dahlia smilingly informed me, whose soul had gone on a trip somewhere, of this, after the demon teacher [Lotus]¡¯s strict lessons. No, right now I do not want tea, I want a rest. Sincerely. More than tea, Vamos¡îSiesta [T/N: ¡°Let¡¯s go nap¡± in Spanish]. Dahlia¡¯s sentence has made my mouth stiff with a cramp but this appearance is ignored. ¡°Yes, it will be from now on. If you are tired, how about some sweet milk tea?¡± I should have noticed the persistent smiling Dahlia was ¡®strange¡¯. However, it is impossible for me, who is tired, to make cool judgements. ¡°Waa! It is sweet and delicious white tea! Tea made by Dahlia is the best!¡± etc. I carelessly end up being lured in. Let¡¯s say it plainly. This was a ¡®sweet trap¡¯. Certainly there is delicious white tea. Moreover to match this, there are delicious tea cakes. However¡­ ¡°Yes, here you sit up straight.¡± ¡°Hold the cup in your hand like this.¡± ¡°Do it so that you do not make a sound.¡± Uh huh, this is with certainty a manners lesson. ¡°Dahlia~, this is a manners lesson?¡± ¡°Nooo, Mistress. Tea, it is tea. It is a rest.¡± ¡°No way!~¡± ¡°You do not know at any time when this sort of etiquette may be required so remember them little by little.¡± *smile*. Of course Dahlia is smiling. ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be at such a tired time~¡± If it was at a vigourous time I could do it properly! I put in this thought and look up at Dahlia but, ¡°When you are for sure tired, your underlying potential is demonstrated.¡± *pishiri* [smack], My meagre resistance is shutdown. ¡°*gugu* [groan]¡± Now, no matter what I say, I do not feel I will win. Well, from the start I was not a opponent that could win. ¡°Now, now, don¡¯t say that. If it is Mistress, [the etiquette] will be immediately acquired by you. Ah, oh yes, some time ago there was a report from Lotus that the Duke is busy with his work tonight and his return home will be late.¡± This skill of putting me down and then bringing me up, is amazing. ¡°Huh?! So that means, today I can eat my meal with everyone?!¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°Oh! It will be a simple meal for dinner after a long time~!¡± It will be a noisy meal together with the servants after such a long time! At once my spirits rise. ¡°Well then please persist at it a bit longer¡± Dahlia urges me, who is flying high at the simple meal dinner, with a smile and, ¡°Yes! I will persist!¡± I declare my persistence in high spirits. ¡­¡­somehow, have I been lured by bait? Chapter 37 - Socialising is a Aristocrat’s Job Ch.37 Socialising is a Aristocrat¡¯s Job Now that it has come to be that the Duke returns to the main building everyday, the number of people welcoming him home has slightly increased and the Master shift has been normalized. These have gradually become ordinary. ¡°A invitation to a party has come¡± The Duke quickly says on returning home, while holding out a white envelope. Woah, what is this Deja vu? Thinking this, I accept the envelope while my cheeks cramp, I end up hurriedly turning it over and checking if it is the usual coat of arms! On the envelope was not the usual coat of arms, it was different. It is still sealed with a famous house¡¯s coat of arms. The Duke watches my reaction to the wax seal of the coat of arms while smiling and, ¡°This it is not from the palace. It is a written invitation from the duke house of Argentea,¡± he gives a supplementary explanation. ¡°The duke house of Argentea, is it?¡± I look up at the Duke¡¯s face which is higher than mine and blink my eyes several times. The duke house of Argentea are noted aristocrats next to the Physallis household. They are equal to the Physallis household and compared to a poor noble family like mine they are an existence high above the clouds. ¡°Yes. I said that I would not insist on you socialising but, please do not refuse this place. We have had a friendship with that house since long ago, also the sons there are my childhood friends¡±, the Duke slightly lowers his eyebrows and gives me a request. ¡°Was it like that? Understood.¡± If there is such circumstances then not even I cannot refuse. Well I am also not eager though. Seeing me nod my head back-and-forward, the Duke seems relieved and returns to his usual archaic smile and says, ¡°That¡¯s good. The evening party is two weeks from now. Aah, your dress has to be newly made!¡± ¡°yess?¡± Again This Person has made a wasteful utterance! I lightly open my eyes to the Duke¡¯s wealthy socialite speech. The dresses in the clothing room that I have not yet worn are like a mountain (it is not a expression of exaggeration!) and the dress I wore last time to the evening party I have still only worn once. I think it would be fine if it were remade or something? ¡°I will make a request to the madame again. What colour should it be this time?¡± Contrary to my non-wasteful soul, the Duke is already full of intention to make things new. I am beginning to be deluded by that entrancing, sparkling face. Uh, hey, is it his intention to have matching couple outfits again?! We will appear as a painfully sickly sweet couple so I wish to refuse it with all my energy! ¡°Nononono, can you please wait ju~~st a minute?¡± I hurriedly put the brakes on the Duke who is already ready to talk with the haute couture madame. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I do not need it to be made new again. There a heap of new dresses and, there is also the dress that was made last time?¡± ¡°You cannot wear such a dress that you have worn once before! Moreover the things in the house are dresses for home wear¡±, the Duke declares. His eyes that have been smiling silly are stretched as far as possible but, I cry at the gap in values at this declaration of the dresses made with an abundance of all the highest grade fabrics such as silk, chiffon, antique lace and the like, are ¡®home wear¡¯. ¡°Uu~. It would be fine if we remade them though~¡± I protest with somewhat watery eyes but, ¡°You may say you want it remade but, will you tailor it this time? It is a present from me so please accept it without reservations¡± I end up being rejected by the Duke whose face has completely changed from being stretched imposingly into a full face smile. In the end after that, ¡°He said he will give it so let¡¯s accept it! What kind of design will it be this time?~¡± Mimosa rubs her hands together with a ¡®I will decorate her with all my power¡¯-somehow predatory-like smile ¡®kufufufufu~¡¯, ¡°It is the Duke¡¯s intention so, Mistress there is nothing to worry about.¡± I am soothed by Dahlia who has made ¡®now, now calm down¡¯ delicious tea and comforts me. ¡°Sigh. I will presume on his goodwill.¡± Although I say this, I diligently start remaking the dress from last time. Even though I will not be wearing it this time, there will be sometime to wear it, right? and, if I like I can give it to my younger sister. I will not waste it! And now the night of the evening party. I am wearing a slightly calm violet dress. Again it is a gem of all the haute couture madame and Mimosa¡¯s might. This is also a design that more than covers my flat chest. It switches up below the chest, the silhouette elegantly drapes out, the design is already at the level of worship, madame! It is the wish of the Duke, who is escorting me next door, to be ¡®a perfect pair this time again¡¯ but, there I do my best to avoid him and, I do not commit myself to the technique of matching our colours everywhere. We turn towards the assembly hall of the evening party, after giving our greetings to the host of tonight, the married couple of the Argentea family, and to their sons, the Duke¡¯s childhood friends. Tonight also, I am ready just in case I am faced with the false charge ¡®someone like you!¡¯. Come at me anytime! When we tread one step into the assembly, at once everyone¡¯s gazes fly over the Duke and I. Ah~seriously, you are burning with your gazes so~please~stop~! However as if maybe dodging my readiness, I am broken by dance invitations from gentlemen regardless of age. ¡°Duchess today you are also beautiful. Well, will you dance one song with me?¡± and, Women¡¯s group invitations from a bunch of madams. ¡°Leave the men alone and come chat with us.¡± For the time being, with the mind of ¡®this is socialising, this is a aristocrat¡¯s job¡¯, to every invitation I answer ¡°with pleasure¡± and smile sweetly! While I am working hard at my socialising job, it seems the Duke is also busy dancing and chatting while also tentatively watching over with me with a anxious gaze. I am dancing with intense concentration, ¡®don¡¯t make a wrong step¡¯, ¡®don¡¯t miss a beat¡¯ when, ¡°However, Duchess you are skilled at dancing¡± My gentleman partner praises me. Um, can you not talk to me too much? Because I will take the wrong step! ¡°Is that so? Am I not frantic with not making mistakes?¡± This is serious. Things like chatting while dance, for me this is a fairly high class skill. Because it is at the level of doing things like not letting the recent smiling mask pasted on at length to come unstuck! ¡°That is not the case. There is no one who is handling dancing so easily with such composure,¡± says this partner, smiling. Sorry, I forgot his name. ¡°It is very kind of you to give your praise,¡± I hide my eyes and feeling slightly awkward like I show shyness. ¡°Most likely you have learnt from a good dance teacher¡± ¡°Yes, a demon¡­¡­¡± ¡°Demon?!¡± ¡°No, it is nothing! Ohohohoho~ He is a extremely good teacher!¡± ¡°Right.¡± Dangerous, dangerous. ¡®Demon coach¡¯ or the likes of that slipped out. I cover my verbal slip with a laugh and, afterwards I am able to safely finish dancing while talking harmlessly. Let¡¯s be careful. In the women¡¯s groups with the madams, it is only people who seem are not too different in age to my mother, it is now more of a ¡®ladies group¡¯ than a ¡®women¡¯s group¡¯. Everyone is kind but, what should I say? Is it a generation gap? The conversations don¡¯t meet? Because they like gardening but it is only as far as bonsai trees, I do not yet have a desire for that yet! I casually take a glass to moisten my dry throat and I am drinking, with my mind flying off somewhere when, ¡°Mistress, your conduct is very pretty.¡± My actions are praised by a countess from such-and-such a place (I cannot remember her name). ¡°Is that so?¡± I do not remember doing such praiseworthy like things so I look slightly doubtful. ¡°Yes, Mistress your conduct is very elegant in its entirety! It is to the extent of wanting my daughter to also follow your example,¡± so-and-so marchioness (similar to before) also declares her thoughts of agreement and, gives a big nod. ¡°Undoubtedly it has assuredly been firmly attached to your body,¡± says the countess again. It has been attached to my body or perhaps I should say, it has been driven in¡­¡­ Anyway the harvest of today¡¯s evening party. It has been confirmed that the ¡®rainy day customs¡¯ in their entirety have not been pointless. I must respect the servants! Yeah, it is good I listened to everyone¡¯s words! I will follow them from now also! While doing this and that I interject my aidzuchi[1] into the madams¡¯ conversation when, ¡°Viola, it has been a while!¡± My name is called from behind me with a voice like a nice bright bell passing by. Oh? I have a memory of hearing this voice? I turn my head back while thinking this and, there is Iris from the Sanguinea marquee house, who I was acquainted with at several intervals at the evening party last time, narrowing her almond eyes in delight. Today also she has a lovely baby blue fluttering dress. Uh huh, she is not different from my impression of her the other day! ¡°Well, Iris. how do you do? ¡­¡­everyone, please excuse me for a little while.¡± After I excuse myself from the ¡®ladies group¡¯ with a single word, I go towards Iris¡¯s spot. T/N: [1] Ïàé³ ¨C aidzuchi speech used when listening to a person speak in Japanese to ¡°show¡± you are ¡°listening¡± (not necessarily understanding), it is mostly things like ¡®yes¡¯ ¡®uh huh¡¯ etc. Chapter 38 - The Way of Settling a Great Fuss Ch.38 The Way of Settling a Great Fuss I am rescued from the womens group by Iris, I thought that it would be good to become wallflowers like this but, in the blink of an eye I end up being surrounded by the same noble¡¯s daughters as last time. These people are participating in this evening party also! I, who had absolutely no interest in who was participating, did not know but, surely everyone checked their invitations with each other before coming. ¡°Everyone, how do you do as well?¡± I elegantly smile at the misses surrounding me, however, not a word was breathed about even having to frantically match names and faces in my mind, this a socialising skill! The daughter of the Crocus count family, the daughter of Nasturtium marquis family, the daughter of the Columbine count family, I eagerly drag their names from the bottom of my memory. Unfortunately their first names¡­¡­ yeah but good luck, my brain cells! ¡°Has it been since the evening party at the castle? Viola, I have not caught sight of your appearance since then, I was wondering what to do.¡± Was the chubby one the Crocus count¡¯s daughter? ¡°The Duke has also not come to evening parties at all.¡± The one saying this is, seemingly well matched with me, lanky¡­..no excuse me, she is the long and slender daughter of the Nasturtium marquis. Come to think of it, lately the Duke as not gone to evening parties and the like at all. Because for some reason he has been returning to the main building. I mean, misses. How to you know my movements in such a way? ¡°Um~, how do you know this so well?¡±, I ask the question. Then, ¡°¡°¡°¡°Because we usually participate in evening parties, of course!¡±¡±¡±¡± They brightly laugh, ohohohoho~. Uh huh, a true aristocrat is like this. It is outside my norm. ¡°But I cannot find a good way to meet you.¡± ¡°Right, right. Viola you are already married so we do not have a relationship but, it is big problem for us!¡± ¡°¡°¡°¡°right~!¡±¡±¡±¡± It is unmarried women that are talking it over in sync. That is to say they also do not have a fianc¨¦. They still have the desire to have a marriage from love, it seems they are dreamers. They are young maidens indeed. It seems that participating in these sort of events also serves as marriage matchmaking for single young women and sons so, their antennas spread out here and there, and so various gossip probably comes in. Moreover it seems our bad percentage of participating in evening parties has been caught. I earnestly bear the unintentional cramp in my face and, ¡°Is that so?~, therefore you had good knowledge of it~ ohohohoho~. The Duke has been busy with work so, by no means have we been able to participate in these sort of events,¡± I laugh. I cannot say ¡®socialising is bothersome¡¯, even if my mouth tears. The ends justifies the means. ¡°If you cannot come to evening parties, would you be available for something like a tea party?¡± I return my sense at the lovely Iris¡¯ voice and, in it she is expecting something and the pupils of her almond eyes are sparkling *kirakira [twinkle]* ¡°A tea¡­party? Where? I blankly look slightly doubtful then, ¡°I have heard that the Duke family¡¯s gardens are magnificent. I hope to see it on one occasion¡± Iris sweetly smiles. How did they know that the Duke family¡¯s house gardens are wonderful? Currently visitors and the like are mostly not invited. No, they are really wonderful? But it is the Devil king (Bellis)¡¯s mighty work! ¡°The madame from ¡®Haute Couture de Fleur¡¯ told me.¡± The one who answers my question is the daughter of the Columbine count family who has been only quietly listening to the conversation until now. I mean, did you read my mind? ¡®Haute Couture de Fleur¡¯ is the official name for the ultra-luxury brand that usually makes my dresses. ¡°Besides that also the owner of ¡®Pommier¡¯ said so¡± ¡®Pommier¡¯ is the super famous jewellery store that made my jewellery last time. The contents of the leaked gossip of the duke household, that should be almost be secluded completely to just the premises (although it is not such a exaggerated thing), originated from the regular tradesmen! Because it is not likely that the house servants, who are the owners of ultra first-class skills, would talk glibly about the mansion¡¯s matters. ¡°Is that so? Um, I cannot decide at my own discretion so I will ask the Duke¡± ¡°Please do!¡± I intend to indirectly say ¡®see~you~later¡¯ but ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± What is this?, the women are staring at me with *kirakira [twinkle]* eyes. It is not my imagination that I feel a silent pressure here also. ¡°¡­¡­right now?¡± ¡°Yes. Right now!¡± Is that right? Getting the Duke¡¯s confirmation right away, they wish to come over to the duke household¡¯s dwelling, so much? Well, it is a well known fact that the Duke is an only child so it is improbable that there would be an ulterior motive like monopolizing on a marriage match with another young man from the duke family. The wish is to purely to come and have a good time at the duke household which rarely opens their doors. ¡°Understood. I will go ask the Duke and come¡± Yield to the pressure of the *kirakira* eyes I decide to go look for the Duke in the party assembly hall that is teeming will lots of people. However without any trouble I am able to discover the Duke. It is because of his sparkling, beautiful, superiorly tall stature so it would be more strange if he did not stand out. The Duke is somewhat separated from me by a window. It is just men talking so I think of not wanting to approach, yet the pressure of ¡®quickly, quickly¡¯ is pushing me hard from behind It can¡¯t be helped, I commence moving towards the Duke a little, ¡°Are you duchess Physallis?¡± Someone calls out from my side. ¡°Yes? That¡¯s right, but¡­¡­¡± I look a the owner of the voice and, a young woman, a complete stranger, is standing there. Is she a noble¡¯s daughter from somewhere? I do not know her at all but, without caring about me who is staring blankly, ¡°*fuun [pshaw-laugh]*. You are re-ally ordinary. I wonder what is good about a ordinary woman[1] like you?¡± The young woman says with a sneer placed on her lips, while she waves the fan in her hand *fuasafuasa [sound of fanning]. Moreover while she is at it, she runs her gaze from the scalp of my head to the end of my feet for a just~a second! Wait, this is it, this! Is surely an event! Last time at the evening party I received a dodge but, tonight it will be the real personal experience! Thank you, someplace¡¯s noble¡¯s daughter! As you might expect from attaching a false charge to me, this noble woman is a pretty person. The bridge of her nose prettily passes by her large double-lidded indigo eyes and, her seasonal cherry like lips are glossy and beautiful. Her stature is slender and tall but, different from me she is well proportioned. I¡¯m je..jealous¡­¡­leaving that behind. She is full of the aura of a person with confidence in herself. However. ¡°Very well. But I also have no inkling of what is good about me. By the way miss which noble¡¯s daughter are you?¡± I inform her without covering up the truth and, ¡°Hm, ah¡­¡­! You do not know¡­me?¡± Her facial expression is surprised, her indigo eyes open almost falling out. Hm? Are you such a celebrity? ¡°Yes, sorry. It is my first time meeting you? Or have I meet you somewhere?¡± Although I think this is rude, the other person also had a rude manner of speaking so I will not be reserved! ¡°I am..this Argentea family¡¯s eldest daughter, Verbena¡± She closes her fan that she has been gracefully fanning until just a few minutes ago *bachin [whack]* and scowls at me. Huh? But some time ago I greeted the children from here but, this person¡­..excuse me¡­Verbena, was not there? ¡°You were not there when we gave our greetings some time ago?¡± ¡°Some time ago¡­¡­! You two came while I was not there for a moment!¡± ¡°Well, was it like that? That was impolite of us¡± Ah-, she is such an arrogant¡­¡­*cough*, high prided woman. ¡°It really was rude. Really I wonder what is good about such a child?¡± She says with a amazed tone but, again what are these righteous words!! Opposite to Verbena¡¯s threatening aura, I am trembling in excitement. ¡°It is true. I also have no inkling. You could directly ask the Duke? If you like I will accompany you¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± ¡°After all even if the Duke¡¯s feelings are asked by me, how else are you supposed to know?¡± Verbena looks like a deer in the headlights. Her beauty is spoiled. Did she think I would even cry? It is not likely. I am not such a character. Verbena tightly grasps her fan trembling all over, at me who has no sign of collapsing at all. ¡°You, that¡¯s enoug¡­¡­¡± In the instant the insult is part-way said with a low voice like something has fallen and is creeping on the ground, ¡°Ooh. What are you planning to do to my wife?¡± Saying this is the Duke who has softly entered between Verbena and I. ¡°Oh, Duke¡± ¡°Cercis!!¡± Mine and Verbena¡¯s voices accidentally overlap. ¡°Vi-. What was said by Verbena?¡± The Duke turns just his head to me while protecting my back, ¡°Yes. She asked why you, Duke, chose me and, she wants to know what is good about someone like me¡± I frankly tell him. Whereupon Verbena who is startled by my overly frank words, ¡°Eh?, wai, what are you saying? O, ohohohohoho!¡± Although beautiful face stiffens she laughs and tries to lie. ¡°Is that so? Verbena?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Maybe thinking that it will be hard to cover up her lie, Verbena silently hangs her head in shame. ¡°What, such a thing, I will talk about as much as you like!¡± The Duke suddenly gives a broad smile. ¡°ehh?¡± ¡°Huhh??¡± Verbena raises her head in surprise. What is This Person saying?! I become like the straight man in a comedy. In a way like *hiki-n[1]* without worrying about the frozen atmosphere, ¡°Viola is, well to say the least, her greatest charm is probably her courage? Ah, she is courageous but she is not the type who is fickle. She is also level-headed and, despite being considerably younger than me¡­¡­¡± The Duke ends up boast about me at last! Moreover it is furnished with a full face smile like ¡®I cannot say anymore than this¡¯! N-O-!! Someone stop him~!! What is this shy play!! No one says anything but, there are a lot of people around? Up till now have they just been watching over our exchange with bated breath? How long the conversation continued it is already unsure in my memory. The Duke who is talking and smiling refreshingly is holding me around the shoulders, my soul ends up being sent somewhere by the shy play. In front of me is Verbena who is apologising while weeping ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s enough. I¡¯m sorry¡± Chapter 39 - Tea Party Ch.39 Tea Party *Chun, chun [chirping]*, *pii, pii [wind sounds]* The weather is peaceful and the wind carries a strong smell of verdure enough to induce drowsiness. It gently passes on between us. This is the garden the Physalis household takes pride in. On a table that as been specially prepared there are many sweet smelling sweets and amber coloured tea is steaming deliciously. Today is a lucky day, for the first time a tea party is being held at the duke family¡¯s home. This time the invitees are four people; first of all, the daughter of marquis Sanguinea, Iris, who looked after me at the party¨Cand the daughter of marquis Nasturtium, the daughter of count Crocus and the daughter of count Columbine. From the start they are the ones who it bring up, ¡°However I was surprised at the evening party the other day!¡± Ohohohoho, Iris laughs with a rolling bell like lovely tone. Around the table, everyone is gracefully enjoying their tea. ¡°Viola, the Duke is doting to that extent?¡± The Daughter of count Crocus faintly smiles. ¡°There were various rumours but, with that¡­ they were swept clean!¡± ¡°It was my first time seeing such a Duke.¡± ¡°¡°¡°¡°Right~!!¡±¡±¡±¡± The young woman look like they are enjoying themselves having a lively conversation in high spirits but, in contrast, my face is twitching. Please-stop-! Because for me that is nothing more than dark history!! ¡°That, that is not it, ah, hahaha¡­¡­¡± Although dejected, I feebly laugh. That evening party. In the presence of everyone the Duke ended up swiftly ¡®Wife boasting¡¯. What a humiliation it was! My soul or something had a out-of-body experience. Verbena fell into the bull¡¯s-eye of a trap and ended up stepping on a landmine. The three of us were the center of attention but, the ones who broke it up were the hosts of the evening. ¡°Hey, give up already~. Sorry for hindering you, Cercis!¡± the Argentea siblings say with a nice smile while dragging out Verbena. ¡°It¡¯s okay! The conversation is still lacking but, maybe at some other time!¡± The Duke smiles refreshingly with his hand held up. Wait a sec! There won¡¯t be a next time! So stop? It is not the time to be having a out-of-body experience so, I hurriedly restore my soul to my body and come to my senses. ¡°Aah, Vi-. Are you alright? Verbena didn¡¯t do something to you did she?¡± Feeling anxious the Duke examines my expression but, I cannot say that I greatly suffered from your soul attack more than Verbena. ¡°There is nothing. Because Duke, you entered between us¡± I answer while my mouth twitches, ¡°It is good I came in time¡± Again he smiles refreshingly. ¡°By the way, it seems you were looking for me, was there something?¡± ¡°Eh? Ah! That¡¯s right. Umm, I think I want to give a tea party at home but, what do you think?¡± Oh, yes. My business was completely dispelled by Verbena¡¯s drama. The Duke has a dubious face for a moment to my sudden talk of a tea party but, instantly it becomes his original smiling face, ¡°That would be nice! By all means please invite your friends¡± Immediately the OK appears. ¡°Yes. Thank you.¡± ¡°If you tell Lotus and Dahlia they will immediately make preparations. They will surely be delighted to do so.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Why, they would be delighted, I decided not to go into right now. ¡­¡­oh. I ended up recalling the dark history. Nothing was more noticeable than from that day on the gazes of everyone around me changed from being prickly to heart-warming! ¡°Viola?¡± The daughter of marquis Nasturtium dubiously looks at me who has taken a small trip in wrong direction. ¡°Ah, sorry! The weather is too nice so I ended up zoning out¡± Ohohohoho~. Like that, today¡¯s tea party was held. ¡°Well, still, I am glad it seems it has settled down¡± Fufufu, Iris smiles. Today also she is wearing lovely fluttering pink. ¡°Thank you¡± ¡°Right, right. Although it is Verbena, the Argentea family and Physalis family get along very well and the sons are also childhood friends so, in that way Verbena was a highly plausible candidate for the wife of the Duke of Physalis¡± ¡°Oh, was that right?¡± Me, who mostly did not show my face in high society, does not take part in things I have no interest in, so I do not know such things as the gossip and this and that. I lend my ear to Iris¡¯s explanation but, it is good enough information for me to admire this person~ ¡°But in actuality there was no such things as an engagement and, Verbena was smitten with the Duke but the Duke¡­¡­well? And, moreover the one suddenly proposed marriage to was not herself as she thought but Viola who had not had any interactions at all until now. She was probably mortified. Her age is also 20 which is around the time you feel a little impatient.¡± ¡°Right~¡± Or perhaps it should be said that, no matter how much that brute¡­¡­er, rather the Duke is, there is no way he could say ¡®let¡¯s have a contract marriage¡¯ to someone who truly likes him. Her pride also seems high, for her to do such a thing would be like running headlong into a quagmire. Therefore the Duke chose me not Verbena. ¡°Well, I cannot say that just about Verbena. I am also already 20.¡± Sticking out her out her tongue Iris comes out with her age ¡°I am also 20,¡±says the daughter of count Crocus. ¡°I am 21,¡± says the daughter of count Columbine and, ¡°I am 19.¡± Out of the group of people the daughter of marquis Nasturtium is the youngest. Uh huh, everyone certainly is approaching the risky marriageable age. ¡°¡°¡°¡°So we diligently participate in evening parties and, we must get gossip and fine men!¡±¡±¡±¡± Again they harmonise beautifully but, this also a very carnivorous remark. ¡°Talking of being invited to today¡¯s tea party, many people were envious of me~¡± The daughter of count Crocus smiles while she drinks her tea. ¡°Huh? Of our house¡¯s tea party?¡± Why? I look slightly doubtful and, ¡°There are a lot of people who wish to become close with you, Viola.¡± ¡°Eh? eh?¡± The doubt increasingly deepens at the daughter of count Columbine¡¯s words. ¡°Neat and cute, behaves gracefully and is good at both dancing and socialising. Wanting to become close with such a lovely person is natural, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Huuuh? That¡­who are you talking about?!¡± I end up greatly opening my eyes. Who on earth is she describing? If I¡¯m not mistaken she is supposed to be talking about me? A completely different person has been formed? ¡°Of course naturally it is Viola!¡± Iris declares. Wait, wait a minute, let¡¯s calm down, me. Have I not somehow become some great thing? I mean, it is a dreadful misunderstanding. ¡°I, I, am not such a personnnnn!¡± I already have teary eyes. ¡°You do not have to be humble to such an extent? In actuality you, Viola, are a extremely lovely person,¡± Iris smiles and her almond eyes narrow. Heeeeee! With both the other day¡¯s black history and this misunderstanding, I cannot show my face in high society anymore~!! Chapter 40 - Visitors Again Ch.40 Visitors Again The first tea party ended successfully, ¡°Another time please by all means come to my house!!¡± With these unanimous words, the ladies returned home in good humour. At once the feeling of my mentality having completely splintered and fallen was intense so, for tidying up I am allowed to hurriedly retire to my room. I am in my usual home position of diving into the soft and comfortable couch. ¡°When did I end up becoming a neat and sweet, madam~?!¡± I writhe in embarrassment while I grip a nearby cushion close. ¡°Well, Mistress. That is not incorrect,¡± Mimosa watches over me, who is cowering, with a smile. ¡°How can I have the nerve to participate in parties and the like in high society anymore? I am too embarrassed! I will return to being a shut-in again like I have until now!¡± My face is buried in the cushion, my head (face) is hidden but my bottom is sticking out. ¡°However it seems that will be difficult,¡± Dahlia says to such a me, lowering her eyebrows apologetically. Good gracious, what could be difficult? I lift my face from the cushion and blink several times at Dahlia who is saying strange things. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Yes. Party and tea party invitations will steadily be delivered more than recently.¡± What. ¡°NO~~~~~!!!!¡± I thought it would be the reverse. In contrast to me who is greatly perplexed Dahlia states the truth with a faint smile. ¡°It seems Mistress¡¯s status in high society has risen rapidly, since the evening party the other day. Not just because of that awakening of the Duke¡¯s, more than that, it seems that Mistress¡¯s own charms are being very praised¡­¡­¡± What. ¡°NO~~~~~!!!!¡± Please do not say anymore? Because I will really end up having a out-of-body experience! I cover my face with a cushion and, cover my ears. Please do not speak of the dark history in front of everybody?! ¡°There there, Mistress. It is not necessary to participate in all of them.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Dahlia says with a gentle tone of voice and rubs my back like she is soothing me who is greatly disturbed. ¡°Yes. Because not all of them will be only invitations from entirely good intentions. In exchange with even just a friendship with Physalis you gain prestige in society so, there are also families who are aiming for that.¡± She is speaking with a gentle tone but, the contents of what she is saying are frightening. Scary! High society is scary! Until now because I was a declining aristocrat, I was completely left out from such a muddy high society so it was quiet. For the super first-class there are super first-class hardships. Despite being on the couch, I unintentionally slide back and my cheeks twitch. ¡°Mistress you do not have to be so worried! Because it will be properly dealt with by Lotus and I,¡± she says with a dazzling smile to me who is spooked at hearing the behind the scenes of high society. To the side of Dahlia, Mimosa is also vigorously nodding and, is smiling in a similar way. What will be dealt with how? ¡­¡­no, I cannot interfere with nice smiling faces of Dahlia and Mimosa. Uh huh. It¡¯s okay. They are extremely reassuring wicked smiling faces! ¡°¡­¡­thanks. I will rely on you.¡± Aah, I will be protected by everyone! In the meantime, one of the Duke¡¯s attending maids turns up to notify of the Duke¡¯s return home. ¡°Excuse me Mistress. The Duke has returned¡± ¡°Aah, is it already that time?¡± It is not the situation to be struggling with such things as the scary high society and my dark history. Today I had a tea party so as such I am dressed up so I do not have to get changed but, I was idling on the couch so my dress is quite dishevelled. I hurriedly get up from the couch and, I am fixing and grooming the wrinkled dress when, ¡°Umm~. Still more¡­ there are visitors¡­¡­¡± The maid hesitantly advises with upturned eyes. ¡°Oh, who is it?¡± Dahlia asks the maid with her usual stern head-maid face, ¡°They are the Duke¡¯s coworkers¡±, The maid returns to her normal serious work face and answers. ¡°Coworkers¡­ so that means, knights?¡± I ask the maid while Mimosa fixes my clothing. ¡°That is right. They are from the special duty division.¡± ¡°Oh~! We have to hurry at once. ¡­¡­thanks, Mimosa. Now, let¡¯s go¡± Mimosa rapidly fixes me up as far as makeup, and I hurry to the entrance way. However what is this? It is the first time the Duke has brought friends over. ¡°Welcome home, Duke!¡± I go towards the entrance way in a half run. As always the Duke is talking with Lotus but, today, ¡°Hello~ Madam!!¡± ¡°Excuse us for disturbing you~!¡± ¡°Wa! She is really a pretty person!¡± ¡°Uo~, she genuinely is~!¡± ¡°She is a dreamlike Madame~!!¡± ¡°Kyaa~, she is a beautiful person~!!¡± There is a noisy crowd of people talking. Exactly how many people did he bring along? I mean, what is a ¡®dreamlike madam¡¯?! ¡­¡­*cough* I have become unsettled. In the normally peaceful entrance way, there are people wearing the knights uniform being noisy. No sooner than I show appearance in the entrance way, the knights surround me. How many people are there? There are also women. ¡°Uh, umm~!¡± Wai, ¡­ d o n o t c r u s h m e !! I am tall and thin but, I am surrounded by knights with better statures and builds than me and I have no way out!! I am panicking when, ¡°Hey!! Do not swarm Viola!¡± Saying this the Duke pulls me towards himself by my shoulder with a jerk and rescues me from the encircling net. Ho. I¡¯m saved. ¡°Wel¡­ welcome back Duke! This is also very well-attended¡­¡­¡± I say welcome back again while looking up at his nearby beautiful face mixed with a wry smile, ¡°I am sorry it is without warning. They said they must come no matter what and would not listen¡­¡­ They are my subordinates from the special duty division.¡± The Duke is weary. ¡°Oh, is that so? Then we must show hospitality,¡± I say while looking out over the faces of the knights and, everyone¡¯s whole face is smiling and they are nodding every moment. This feeling of being looked at with judgy eyes, is my persecution complex, right? ¡°No, it is okay to give them alcohol and drinking snacks instead,¡± The Duke gazes with half-open-eyes at the these knights. ¡°Huh~!? Leader is cruel~!!¡± ¡°Madam is an angel~!¡± ¡°Blow it up~!¡± Wow, it is a storm of booing. Well, for now I peel off the Duke¡¯s hand that has been tightly embracing my shoulders *rip*, ¡°That¡¯s not going to happen. They are people who assist the Duke so we will courteously show hospitality! Everyone, please wait just a minute in the salon. Rosa, please lead everyone to the salon.¡± ¡°Yes, Mistress,¡± I give out directions to one of the Duke¡¯s nearby attending maids. Immediately there is a huddle after the Duke and the knights are driven from the entrance way. ¡°Lotus, how many people were there in total?¡± ¡°Altogether there is 15.¡± ¡°As I thought! Thanks. Well then, please request Carthame to prepare the meal. To buy time something like hors d¡¯oeuvres will be fine! Ah, also plenty of alcohol.¡± ¡°Certainly.¡± As soon as I say this Lotus hurries to the kitchen. To see him off are the next instructions. ¡°Dahlia has arranged the maids but, today please send around some people to the salon as well.¡± ¡°Understood. I will also immediately prepare some tea.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± saying this, Dahlia disappears in the direction of the servant dining room. ¡°Mimosa and I and, afterwards with the helpers from Dahlia, will show hospitality,¡± I instruct the left-over Mimosa. ¡°Certainly.¡± Chapter 41 - Leader and Vice-Leader Ch.41 Leader and Vice-Leader In spite of encountering an emergency visitor shift, as usual the high spec servants of the duke household fully exhibit their reserve strength, and in a short while they have dealt with it! The Duke probably does not know of such hardships. I earnestly pray that they do not usurp him one day. Mimosa and I arrive in the salon, already aperitifs, tea, light drinking snacks and sweets have been prepared. It was all done in the time we were in the entrance way. What quick work! There is nothing but admiration. Two maids immediately dispatched by Dahlia link up with us and so the hospitality in the salon starts! Making tea and delivering glasses of alcohol, while serving, I roughly look and I sense that it seems that there are a lot of young people. And no matter who it is, there are only people who have quite well-featured faces. Scary face group?sweet group?cool group?flashy group and so on, it seems every kind is gathered. Is there an item on being good-looking in the exam for becoming a knight? The figures of such dreamy people dashingly wearing the knights uniform is a sight for sore eyes. Although called a company of knights the special duty division are a group of elite intellectuals so they do not need to be muscular and macho. However, even though they are placed inside such a all-smiles-good-looking-men-paradise, Mimosa and the rest of the maids easily handle their jobs without a single change in their complexion. As expected of first-class servants. I cannot just aimlessly observe my surroundings, I also should learn from observation! There are 3 woman knights. They are also great drool-worthy beauties . ¡­¡­oops, dangerous dangerous. I was about to do something wrong. No, but beautiful things should be praised as beautiful! The three people are slender and tall (more than me~!) the place that comes out, comes out properly. Their hips as expected of knights are firmly built but still even from the uniform their feminine pretty line is clearly distinct. Is it military regulations?, that their beautiful hair be gathered up without a single strand of hair loose. Aah, my observing has rapidly become like a perverted old man¡¯s¡­¡­ nah, yeah, nevermind! However, the Duke looks at these beautiful woman everyday nearby and yet, he often feels like looking at someone like me? By the way the Duke¡¯s beauty, despite being in such a paradise of beautiful men and beautiful women, it surpasses the rest? ¡°Sorry, Vi-. My subordinates heard information from somewhere about you having a tea party at the house today and threw a tantrum saying ¡®we want to come no matter what¡¯¡± I am detained by the Duke while distributing tea to the visitors. He slightly lowers his eyebrows and is apologetic. ¡°Do not worry about it. Everyone will cope with it¡± I say while pleasantly and gracefully smiling but of course this is lip service. Because I think that, visitors are requested to make an appointment. If they do not everyone will be a whirl of busyness. The Duke breathes a sigh of relief at my downright lying, smiling face but, to that, ¡°You can¡¯t put down your own elite~! Leader!¡± One of the knights forces their way between the Duke and I. ¡°What, Corydalis¡± The Duke¡¯s tender facial expression is immediately erased and, glances at that knight with a low voice. ¡°We are a intelligence gathering~operation system? It¡¯s a piece of cake to fetch information on a tea party meeting¡± The knight declares with a ready smile, not at all concerned, perhaps familiar with the Duke¡¯s glare. However the contents of what he said, wait a second? Intelligence is a piece of cake? Of course, they are the intelligence service. Well then, was there a great leak of the duke house¡¯s news? That, has my wearing the servant uniform and slipping in with the servants been exposed to these people?! I arrive at this thinking and quickly I feel the blood draining from my face. ¡®Oh my, a duke household scandal?! The duchess daily life is wearing a servant uniform and slipping in with the servants?!¡¯ such a headline comes to mind in my head *baban*. Aah, this is very bad! The knight in hurry at such a change in my complexion, ¡°Ah? Umm the source of the information was the invited women? Because the guards here at the estate are impregnable. They can easily defeat us as opponents so, they are very excellent servants! So much so that I want to be scouted here if possible¡± gives an explanation like he interpreted my electric waves. ¡°Oh, was that so?¡± Ah~I was surprised. It seems like they do not know my usual behaviour. I breathe a sigh of relief and my cheeks loosen. As expected the duke family¡¯s servants are perfectly professional! ¡°This estate has a hedge cleverly calculated to obstruct looking in and even taking a glimpse would be out of the question and the servants are tight-lipped. Even the regular tradesmen do not gossip about the estate. It truly is difficult.¡± Bellis, good job! Servants, good job! The knight smiles bitterly but, I think he does not have to spy on his superiors house? ¡°Do not investigate my house!¡± Of course the Duke also thinks the same but, he makes a sour face like he has consumed a bitter bug. ¡°Because even if I ask you will not inform me. Ah, but at the duke house the one leaking information the most is just Leader~¡± The knight smiles broadly. I unintentionally become close to spouting at the knight¡¯s comment. Even though at great pains the servants conceal the news, the duke in question himself thoughtlessly went out to high society taking his lover¡­¡­right. Lotus and the other¡¯s troubles came to nothing¡­¡­ Until quite recently he has taken his lover but contrary to expectations, this time he took his legal wife and moreover in the presence of everyone he grandly spoke fondly of me. Ouch. It hurts too much, Duke¡­¡­ I am greatly perplexed. To these knight¡¯s words, ¡°Shut up. Be quiet already Corydalis!¡± The Duke¡¯s face is increasingly bitter. ¡°Yes ye~s. Aah, Madam, my greeting is late but, I am vice-leader Corydalis. Please call me Cory! At work I have a strictly superior-subordinate relationship with Leader but, in private he is a close friend so, I am pleased to make your acquaintance!¡± The knight splendidly ignores the Duke¡¯s heavily shrugged shoulders and sour face but, faces me with a lovely twinkling smiling face and gives his name. This person has a very well-featured face. His rascal like blue eyes are right now fully smiling and narrow. ¡°So it is Cory¡­.¡± ¡°Corydalis is fine!¡± ¡°Corydalis. Nice to meet you I am Viola¡± The Duke¡¯s voice covers mine so I decide to call him ¡®Corydalis¡¯. ¡°This Person, his private life is not something to be praised but, he can do his job. Despite his appearance.¡± ¡°Despite his appearance is too much. Moreover what-do-you-mean by ¡®not something to be praised¡¯¡± ¡°I-mean-that. Would you like to hear it in front of everyone?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± After getting a clue the Duke averts his eyes and says no more. It is too easy to understand. Corydalis cheerfully looking at such a Duke, ¡°Before he was the special duty division he was sent to the corps called the first platoon, ah, I was also though¡­¡­¡± I don¡¯t know why but he ended up starting to chat about things from the Duke¡¯s personal history to his military gains. The Duke looks quite uncomfortable and, I do not understand very well what he is trying to say. For now I will keep him company. After a short time Lotus shows up in the salon, and informs us that the dinner preparations are done. Corydalis¡¯ ¡®Duke lecture¡¯ finishes at last. Fuu. Which punishment game is this? Chapter 42 - The Banquet in Full Swing Ch.42 The Banquet in Full Swing With Lotus¡¯ guidance we move to the main dining room and, in there a great amount of alcohol and delicious food has already been prepared. In a formal like way the food is lined up on the dining room table in a buffet style, and it is surrounded by several small tables that have been set up. As soon as the banquet starts, the food and drinks are consumed one after another. Every person here are nothing but owners of slender and proportionate figures and yet, I look and wonder where does such a large quantity of food go. ¡°Although intelligence work is our specialty our foundation is as knights so, everyday we have training. Therefore it is a test to one¡¯s strength so everybody eats well,¡± a beautiful female knight comes next to me and explains this to me at some point. She is beautiful One-sama, very much unlike a knight but for a while now she has been eating and drinking heartily. ¡°Is that so?~ I was surprised. Everyone has very nice figures so, I was wondering where they were stowing away all that food¡± ¡°I think Leader is also?¡± One-sama peeks a look at me with her wine red eyes while brushing her beautiful silky golden fringe to the side. If you stare at those eyes, which are so lovely to the extent that you may think you have somehow been awakened to a no-good world. Although my inner thoughts are in a flutter, I think back upon what One Sama said and the scene of the Duke eating and say, ¡°¡­¡­now that you mention it, it does seem so¡± At breakfast, as expected, he does not eat everything but at dinner he eats quite an amount. Midway I meet with some intestinal terror so I end up giving up but¡­..aah, I¡¯ve ended up loosening my own dark history again. Secretly crestfallen I lower my head in my heart, but on the surface I feign a casual appearance, ¡°And, Leader is a person who can do his job very well¡± This time a One-sama-with-slightly-peculiar-bronze-hair enters from the side, which reminds me, until today, I have never heard about things related to the Duke¡¯s work. The first time was before when vice-leader Corydalis talked endlessly about it. I mean, it is best I do not have an interest though! ¡°He does not talk about work very often so, I did not know.¡± I can¡¯t say I didn¡¯t listen because I was not interested so, vaguely, I smile and lie. Besides, I have heard that it is an organisation that even to family you cannot give very detailed accounts concerning the work so, I think that even if someone like me asked, no answer would be returned. Ah, sorry I don¡¯t feel like listening. It is important so I said it twice. ¡°We haven¡¯t stood at the front line of a battle but our organisation works behind-the-scenes. ¡± Next is a One-sama with silver thread like hair and she smiles at me with a extremely lovely smile. Uh, when did she come to my side? ¡­¡­huh? Now that I notice, the female knights are all surrounding me. Viva¡îHarem!! ¡­¡­not, *cough*, excuse me. It is once again the situation of a women¡¯s assembly. ¡°Leader¡¯s leadership is precise and not useless.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°There is no discrimination between men and women.¡± ¡°Well¡± ¡°It is quick and its performance is good.¡± ¡°Ohh¡± For some reason the One-sama¡¯s have ganged up and have begun to swiftly talk and inform me that ¡®Leader is capable person in whatever way¡¯. ¡°I was already prepared for destruction that time of that infiltration operation~¡± The blonde One-sama smiles bitterly. Saying things like that, I do not entirely understand but I give my suitable *hmm, uh huh*s. ¡°Right, right. It was a close call, they fell for Leader¡¯s trick well and before we could realise it everyone was safe and had returned alive.¡± The silver-haired One-sama looks off somewhere into the distance with nostalgia. ¡°Truly, that time it was such clear leadership~¡± Bronze haired One-sama absentmindedly smiles. Meritorious deeds in battle, accomplishments in literary and military arts, reputation at work and so on. I only interject with ¡®ohh¡¯, ¡®well¡¯, ¡®is that so¡¯ and so on. It was the same as before, today is a day for being unduly informed about the Duke. Drink, eat, drink again. The One-sama¡¯s become steadily talkative. In a good mood they amuse themselves with talking about the Duke. The praising of the Duke to the skies like this. ¡°Umm~? Everyone you are the Duke¡¯s fans right?¡± At last I see my chance and interpose. ¡°By no means!¡± ¡°Right right! Although he is a good person as a boss¡± ¡°His private life, well!¡± ¡°¡°¡°Moreover we are married!¡±¡±¡± The three of them answer all together with nice smiles. And then from there, ¡°Such a thing like grandly taking a mistress after getting married, no way!¡± ¡°Really! If it was my husband I would strangle him¡± ¡°Slighting a lovely wife like this? I feel like ¡®don¡¯t be a screw off¡¯¡± While the pace of drinking steadily rises, this time the One-sama begin to evaluate the Duke¡¯s private life. Moreover, it has suddenly changed from before and become quite harsh. Before they were informing and advocating, ¡®the Duke is splendid in whatever way¡¯ to such an extent and yet, how quick is their change of attitude! And it is not my imagination that gradually their eyes have fixed on me, right! S o m e o n e h e l p m e!! I cannot stop these rapid drinking One-samas, my eyes get teary, ¡°Wow! You guys what did you say to Mistress?!¡± Corydalis from before says impatiently, turning around. ¡°Uh, we were explaining how Leader is a good-for-nothing¡­..huh?¡± The One-samas are completely drunk. Hearing this, Corydalis is furthermore impatient, ¡°argghh, that¡¯s unpleasant! Hey! Tear these guys away from Mistress~!!¡± He gives orders to the nearby knights. ¡°¡°¡°Yes!¡±¡±¡± ¡°Hey! We are still talking with Mistress so don¡¯t interfere!¡± The knights are collecting the One-samas and, the One-samas are standing firm as if fighting for victory. ¡°Even though I took such with great pains to tell my daughter-in-law Cercis¡¯s good parts! It seems you guys have made my great efforts come to nothing!¡± ¡°Uh~, we also told her?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just the direction shifted a little along the way~¡± ¡°Not a little!¡± ¡°Is it not the truth?~¡± ¡°That¡¯s no good!¡± Corydalis is greatly perplexed. ¡°Vi-! Did something happen?!¡± Looking on at the drunk people boisterously scuffling and speaking in this direction, the Duke hurries over here. ¡°Umm, the One-samas have ended up getting drunk¡± I truthfully report to the Duke with a bitter smile. ¡°Good grief, these guys¡­¡­¡± Saying this, the Duke covering his face with one hand, looks up to the heavens. ¡°Well, it looks like they are enjoying themselves so I am glad. ¡°And, did they say something to you?¡± The Duke bends over slightly and peers into my eyes. ¡°Um. various things¡± I lie with a quick smile but, ¡°What various things?¡± The Duke persists more. ¡°Well, it started with Duke¡¯s achievements and leadership and then, they informed that at work you are a splendid person in whatever way to the extent of unpleasantness but, the moment it became about your private life that was a soon a parade of harsh words. There were all kinds of descriptive wor¡­¡­¡± ¡°Vi-?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Can you please stop?¡± because it seems I will be unable to recover¡­..¡± He was curious so I answered and yet, the Duke interrupted me without listening to my conversation to the end, if I look closely he has teary eyes. ¡°Well, it seems all of your subordinates love you, Duke¡­¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­it does not seem like it though¡­¡­¡± I¡¯m not going to argue with you about it! Chapter 43 - Things Known By The Duke Now Ch.43 Things Known By The Duke Now ¡°It is sudden but after tomorrow I am going on a business trip,¡± the Duke hurriedly informed when we meet him in the usual hall for his arrival. Several days after the attack of the entire knight troop. ¡°Huh? A business?¡± It really is sudden, I tilt my head to the side. ¡°That¡¯s right. It will be for around two weeks and, I have to go as far as the vicinity of the southern border. It will be lonely but please look after the mansion for me¡±. The Duke narrows his lovely dark eyes quite acutely and, peeks at my eyes. Mn, but it is uncomfortable. Anyhow, until now, if there is a business trip Lotus just gives an after-report, ¡®the Duke will be on a business trip for ¡ð¡ðdays¡¯ and yet why is it direct this time? Moreover the place of his post also? And then he says he wants for me to securely protect the residence in his absence but, that is within the range of my usual operations. ¡°Yes it will be okay! Lotus and Dahlia are also here so it will not be lonely!!¡± The servants are also here, where will it be lonely?! In spite of my strong answer and sweet smile, the Duke is smiling with a doubtful expression. Even though he has a doubtful expression, it is still lovely, what a enviable appearance! ¡°That is right. I will rely on Lotus and Dahlia heavily so please let your mind be at ease.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Let¡¯s send him off with a full face smile! Exactly two weeks after that. It has been like the time when the Duke lived entirely with his girlfriend in the detached building, and I have enjoyed the servant life. Cleaning, laundry, decoration. Pulling the garden grass and trimming flowers. For the three meals, it is a local cuisine harmoniously eaten in the servant dining room with the servants! It seems like there was a number of party and tea party invitations but, ¡°I think it would be wise to not go to these.¡± Lotus¡¯s judgement filter was there so, I declined them saying, ¡®The Duke is busy so this time, I beg your pardon¡î¡¯. From the start I wasn¡¯t very sociable so, the people who were declined, feel at ease. Like that spending it calmly and enjoyably the time ends up passing by just like that. Alas. And then just like that two weeks ended up passing. ¡°Good morning, Mistress!¡± If it was a guest Lotus would have called me to the entrance way but, the person there was the sparkly blonde haired One-sama from before. ¡°Well, Hello!¡± Today, maybe because she has been entrusted with some mission, One-sama is adored in a dignified beauty. I admire the beauty of the One-sama in my heart and, ceremoniously One-sama hits her hand to her chest, executing a knights greeting. ¡°Today I have come to give a preliminary announcement. Our special division were able to finish our mission safely this time so the main body plans to return to the royal capital in the evening¡±, she states her message. Her mission for today was this, I guess. ¡°Well then, the Duke will proceed to the royal capital like that?¡± ¡°Yes, Leader will visit the royal capital like that and give this time¡¯s report. After that there will be a modest dinner party as a reward and, then he will return home.¡± ¡°Understood. As a result the knight-sama you have also exhausted yourself, thank you for taking the time.¡± ¡°Well then, with this please excuse me,¡± she says and once more gives the greeting then she gallantly leaves the mansion. ¡°There will be a modest banquet? I wonder when will the Duke return?¡± After enjoying dinner with the servants, I decide to wait for the Duke¡¯s return in my room. As I do not know what time it will be, I thought it would be rude to go to bed before he returns, without permission. I thought I would kill time doing an unfinished patchwork, while I have the needle and the cloth in my hand I ask Dahlia. ¡°If it is as usual, it will be fairly late, in the small hours in the morning,¡± Is what she said. ¡°Yeah, still he shows no sign of having stayed up to the early hours of the morning though¡­¡­¡± During the day I move vigorously so my motto is early to bed early to rise. I do not have confidence in being able staying up late. ¡°Do you wish to nap for a little while? If he returns I will wake you up.¡± ¡°Uh huh, but if I end up sleeping halfway through I will not sleep afterwards¡± Uh huh, my head is troubled with, what shall I do¡­. when, *Konkonkonkon*!! The bedroom door is hurriedly knocked on. ¡°It is Mimosa, Mistress! Master has returned!!¡± The owner of the knocking is Mimosa, Dahlia opens the door and she tumbles in. ¡°Huh?! But it is not yet late at night, by any means?¡± ¡°Yes¡± Dahlia also seems surprised. ¡°I, had dinner a little while ago, right?¡± ¡°Yes¡± Duke, isn¡¯t it too early?! ¡­¡­.*cohon [cough]*. If this is true I have to go greet him urgently! My worries about staying up late and so on have been driven off at once though. ¡°The Duke, was there not a reward banquet for him at the palace at this time?¡± I ask Mimosa while hurrying towards the entrance way in a half run, ¡°It appears that he he did not participate in that banquet¡± ¡°Huh?! Is such a thing allowed?!¡± ¡°I do not know that but¡­¡­¡± Anyway there is nothing we can do about him coming home. We hurry to the entrance way. Seeing the Duke after two weeks, he is beautiful as usual but, maybe because he is tired, he is producing a vaguely listless aura. It is lovely in its own way. ¡°Welcome home, Duke!¡± I rush over to the Duke who is talking to Lotus, ¡°Tadaima, I have returned! Aah, Viola. Have you been well?¡± As soon as he said this, my field vision became pitch black. ¡°Huh? eh? Du, Duke?!¡± Yes. It is total darkness because of being suddenly hugged by the Duke. I am panicking at this sudden thing. ¡°I have come home safely! I wanted to see you,sooner, Viola, so I finished quickly with just a report and ditched the banquet!¡± He releases me a little and while peering at my face he says this with a smile but, is such a thing allowed?! ¡°No, hold, just a moment?! You said you ditched it!¡± ¡°Aah, it is okay? I was a little tired from the travel and felt unwell.¡± Liar. You seem very healthy. ¡°Moreover my subordinates were also, as expected, now totally exhausted so, the banquet will be on another day.¡± It is a group boycott? Well, it wasn¡¯t really ditching so I feel relieved. ¡°Is, is that so? ¡­¡­well then, Duke, you have not eaten dinner yet, right?¡± It sounds to me that a banquet wasn¡¯t held. ¡°Yes, that is right. As for me, Viola¡­¡­¡± ¡°I will immediately tell Carthame and he will prepare!!¡± I came close to hearing the Duke¡¯s somewhat questionable utterance but, I ignore it. Ignore! *beri* I peel the Duke¡¯s arms off and, ¡°For now please wait in the reception room!¡± I push the Duke who is for some reason hanging his head crestfallen, into the reception room. I leave the reception room, and just as I was about go to Carthame who is probably in the kitchens when I suddenly encounter the person himself. ¡°Oh, Carthame! Were you not in the kitchen?¡± ¡°I returned to my room for a moment to do an errand but, I was summoned by Dahlia and I was just returning to the kitchen.¡± *Pachin*, Carthame closes one eye. Yeah yeah, a wink is not necessary there. Well, this is Carthame¡¯s modus operandi so really it doesn¡¯t concern me. ¡°Oh, is that so. The Duke¡¯s dinner is suddenly needed. I wonder will it be okay even after now?¡± ¡°It will be no problem at all! Please wait a moment, Madam!¡± On his charming smiling face he has a sweet smile and just like that, he nimbly takes my hand and with a refined gesture, He *Chu-s* the back of my hand! [T/N: ¡®Chu is in English in the raws, haha]. He is as elegant as ever. Aah, already like this have I, who has lost my embarrassment about it, ended up losing my innocence?! ¡­¡­it is not something to lament about. This is also a commonplace event so, ¡°It is sudden so sorry? Well then, I will leave it up to¨C¡± ¡°Viola? Who are you talking wi¡­..haaa?! Carthame!! What are you doing!?¡± Covering my words is the Duke¡¯s voice showing his face from the reception room. Halfway through, the Duke¡¯s usual composure is now evaporated, and his true self has been completely revealed. What the Duke witnessed right at that moment was surely Carthame dropping a kiss on my hand! In a second his gaze is sharp and the Duke is now glaring at Carthame as if to shooting him to death. ¡°Du. Duke!¡± Despite me rushing to call out to the Duke, who is showing off such a dangerous atmosphere, he is still glaring at Carthame, ¡°Viola is my wife! And she a master to you, Carthame!? You seduce such a Viola?! It is declared in a cold voice that it seems to freeze the surroundings. To such a absurd utterance from our point of view, ¡°¡°Huhh?! Never!!¡±¡± Me and Carthame¡¯s voices unintentionally harmonize. ¡°What? Viola, you also stick up for Carthame?¡± The Duke¡¯s, now weapon-like sharp gaze is stuck on me. There is intensity when a beauty gets angry and my spine unintentionally trembles, ¡°I am not sticking up or anything, also isn¡¯t there noy any reason for Carthame to seduce me?!¡± I say while the Duke,whose eyes are carrying a dangerous light, steadily stares at me with his dark eyes. ¡°Why do you say that?!¡± Maybe unable to stand me sticking up for Carthame, the Duke raises his voice more and more. ¡°After all, He has Dahlia as his beloved wife? Isn¡¯t it highly unlikely that he will look at me?!!¡± ¡°¡­¡­ha?¡± ¡°¡®ha?¡¯¡± At my words, the Duke¡¯s attitude up until now disperses with a whack. I also end up getting flabbergasted at the Duke who is also flabbergasted. Timidly, I say slowly in an easy-to-understand manner, ¡°¡­¡­umm, by some chance, Duke, did you not know that Carthame and Dahlia are a married couple?¡± ¡°¡­¡­is that the truth? I didn¡¯t know¡­¡­¡± He awkwardly averts his eyes. ¡°Because when Dahlia and I got married, Master you were still little,¡± Carthame says so as to stick up for the Duke. However, I haven¡¯t yet said enough! ¡°Moreover Carthame¡¯s skinship is merely a greeting. I was also in a flutter at first but there is not a woman in this mansion who responds to it?¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°That is the way it is!¡± I am meaninglessly puffed up with pride. After taking a long hard look at such a me, the Duke removes his gaze and faces Carthame again, ¡°Well then , Carthame.¡± ¡°What is it, Master?¡± Carthame respectfully lowers his gaze and bows. After seeing this satisfied, ¡°From now on skinship with Viola is banned,¡± he says sternly. And Carthame who was told, gives an immediate reply with a very nice smile, ¡°Certainly!¡± I do not understand why Carthame gave an immediate answer with such a nice smile. I never said it, but I, do not steal people?? Chapter 44 - Compromise?? Ch.44 Compromise?? The Duke who has come back from a two week business trip, ¡°I worked for two weeks with no break so, I snatched three days of holiday! It is a short time but I can relax.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°It is only three days but, let¡¯s take it easy¡±. ¡°There will be three days. Understood.¡± ¡°Well then, goodnight.¡± ¡°Goodnight.¡± We have this not great, passing conversation and the Duke retires to his room. The next day. Maybe because the trip this time was very severe, the Duke has not woken even though it is close to midday. ¡°I wonder if he is okay.¡± I ask while peeping over at the door of the Duke who I am concerned about all the same, ¡°He seem quite tired so, he must still be sleeping well¡±. [someone] answers. ¡°Right. Well then, let us let him sleep without waking him up.¡± ¡°Certainly.¡± Let sleeping dogs lie. ¡­¡­ but no, it is his long-awaited holiday so, I cannot be at ease like he, himself said! I softly and quietly go away from the Duke¡¯s room and go towards the main dining room downstairs. I do not know when the Duke will wake up so today, although t will be lonely, I will eat lunch by myself. ¡°After I eat lunch I will go see Bellis. Because I think there be a lot of flowers at their prime¡± ¡°Certainly.¡± As expected when the Duke is here, the servant uniform is sealed up. I choose, and I am wearing, a dress from among the ones on hand with a comparatively easy-to-move, plain design. It is one of the outfits in my heavy rotation though. Well, even if this sets a little dirty it will be okay. Even at lunch time the Duke has not woken up as before. How tired he must be. I become slightly worried wondering what kind of job it was. Of course recovering your physical strength comes first so I will leave him alone like he is and I go out to the gardens together with Mimosa to look for Bellis. It is a nice calm sunny day. Surely the flowers will have also bloomed beautifully! ¡°It is a shame I cannot garden but, I¡¯ll settle for just looking at pretty flowers for now.¡± ¡°That is right. Ah, please do not leave the parasol!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay~!¡± ¡°You absolutely must not blemish your precious lovely skin!¡± ¡°Mimosa you are overprotective! So, I wonder where Bellis is?¡± ¡°Is he not likely in the greenhouse at this time?¡± ¡°As expected Mimosa! You have a hold on Bellis¡¯ pattern of behaviour!¡± Right, right, they are also a lovey-dovey married couple. I think there is less of a gap than the Carthame and Dahlia couple. While I am thinking the smiling-provoking ¡®wow, they are lovey-dovey, these two people!¡¯ I watch Mimosa with a broad grin, Mimosa¡¯s face is slightly dyed with embarrassment. Oh, that¡¯s so cute!! We finally arrive at the greenhouse while Mimosa writhes in shame, as Mimosa said we discover the demon king¡­..rather Bellis. There are many flowers in their prime so, ¡°This would be perfect for the entrance way!¡± ¡°How about these for the dining room?¡± ¡°I think this would be good for the reception room¡± Etcetera Etcetera. The three of us hold up the flowers and carefully inspect this and that. I rarely invited anyone but, still, beautiful flowers are intended to end up being spontaneously picked for public spaces. Personally I like the large-flowered gorgeous ones but it is impossible to throw away the ones that have bloomed small and lovely so, those I have made into small bouquets and adorn my room with them. Uh huh, a life with flowers in it is a very charming one. We complete the first stage of picking the flowers so, we take a small breather and decide to forcibly drag Bellis who says ¡®I am fine¡¯ to tea ¡®now now, together¡¯. The weather is really good and the blue sky is dazzling to the eyes so, we will take a picnic break under the shade a tree in the garden. A tea set and pastries are brought from the mansion, a rug is spread out and I immediately sit down. The degree of softness of the lawn makes a perfect nice cushion. Mimosa prepares delicious tea and Carthame¡¯s delicious pastries. ¡°Ah~what a happy tea time it is! I close my eyes and, enjoy the fruity aroma of the tea when, ¡°Ah, Mistress, you forgot this in the greenhouse¡± While saying this Bellis hands over the small bouquet from before. I planned to adorn my room with it and yet I was careless. ¡°Oh dear, how silly of me. Thanks, Bellis¡± I say my thanks and I am about to accept the bouquet from Bellis when. ¡°Bellis!! What are you doing to Viola?!¡± The sound of footsteps dashing this way *za, za, za [thud]* along with the Duke¡¯s voice can be heard. ¡°¡°¡°Master/Duke?¡±¡±¡± The three of us stare blankly at the owner of the footsteps and voice and, it is the Duke running this way in a great dash. Maybe because the dash is tough, he has a super displeased face. ¡°Bellis! What is that bouquet? Do you plan to flirt with Viola?¡± ¡°Something like that is¡­¡­¡± ¡°No, is it not suspicious, just the two of you in such a place?¡± As soon as he comes to where we are in the blink of an eye, the Duke is vigorously charging as if to grab Bellis. Did he come from getting up as iswith his pretty dark hair slightly dishevelled? But what the Duke said, is strange, right? Me, Mimosa and Bellis, there are three people? Today also the Duke is ghastly. ¡°Duke? What has come over you? You say there is just the two of us, Bellis and I but, Mimosa is also here?¡± The angry Duke gains a little composure as I call out to him. ¡°Mimosa? Huh? ah¡­¡­¡± The Duke, who finally turning his gaze over here, identifies Mimosa and, stops his movements. ¡°Duke you misunderstand something. Me, Mimosa and Bellis are having a tea break, I carelessly left this bouquet in the greenhouse,¡± I say as, I point to the remains of the tea from just now. ¡°Is that right?¡± ¡°Yes. Why did you think that it was just Bellis and I?¡± ¡°I woke up and looked outside from the window and, I saw Viola and Bellis were drawing near each other and walking in the garden so¡­¡­ from my bedroom window, I couldn¡¯t see Mimosa at the tree¡± It seems the Duke is embarrassed. We were also not drawing near each other though. In the space between Bellis and I there are tea utensils and plates with pastries on them and so on, it¡¯s a space for one person easily vacant. Surely the angle from the Duke¡¯s bedroom window showed this. ¡°Because of that you had a strange misunderstanding and run over here.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°¡­¡­um~, yesterday I also told you something similar but, I shall venture to say it today also, Bellis has no reason to put the moves on me.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Maybe even the Duke is also feeling a little deja vu, his mouth moves with a start. ¡°Um~, again right on the heels of yesterday I will unexpectedly ask the same question but, no way Duke. Do you not know that Bellis and Mimosa are a married couple?¡± ¡°Eh? Bellis and Mimosa, a married couple¡­¡­?¡± While mumbling he didn¡¯t know, the Duke sits down on the lawn drained of strength like a thread has been snapped *puchin*. Jeez. Did he not know about this couple as well? I unintentionally raise my face to the sky. ¡°It is because when we got married, Master was no longer coming back here.¡± This time Bellis covers for him. ¡°Putting aside Bellis and Mimosa¡¯s flirty love, you can get a sense of Bellis¡¯ infatuation. Bellis, you are not supposed to look away! Leaving that aside, Duke!¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It seems like yesterday as well, Duke you are too unacquainted with things concerning the mansion!¡± ¡°Eh?!¡± ¡°Duke, you are the head of the duke household so, you should be a bit more, no, much, much more level-headed!!¡± I end up saying a little harshly. ¡°Uuh,¡± It causes the Duke¡¯s beautiful face cramp with a twitch. I think back, wondering if, a little self-importantly, I went too far, so I say, this time with a completely different kind tone, ¡°I know you are busy but, please turn your eyes to the things of the duke house a little? Because I am also trying my best to the best of my poor abilities¡± I say and smile at him., ¡°If Viola says so, from now on I will do things more correctly,¡±e says with a smile of joy despite it being stiff. Oh, signs of rehabilitation have appeared! At any rate it is because the hope of the servants of ¡®please by any means rehabilitate Master!¡¯ is weighing on my shoulders. This is a chance! ¡°Thank you very much. Ah, Duke, would you like some tea? You have been sleeping for sometime so, have you not become hungry?¡± I deepen my smile more and, hold my hand to the Duke who is sitting down. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s try to eat and drink.¡± I lead the Duke, who has obediently taken my hand and stood up, by the hand and show him to the place where the tea set is still spread out on the carpet. The Duke¡¯s quite unpretentious smiling face is something sparkling and beautiful to see. The Duke who has sat down on top of the rug from before is patting a place beside himself *ponpon* while looking up at me. This means sit here, right. I obediently sit there. We settle down as we see fit, ¡°I shall make the tea once again.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s have a light prepared meal brought out here.¡± Saying this, Mimosa holds the tea utensils in her hands and dancing to the same beat, Bellis sends a message to the kitchen. I ended up perfectly observing the two of them meet smiles and for a moment ¡®*grin*¡¯. Aah, today also they are chummy, seeing it warms the heart! ¡°Drinking at ease outside like this is very nice. Aah, I ended up sleeping too much what a waste.¡± The Duke sitting on the rug, with his hands behind his back looks radiantly up into the air, how pretty as a picture it is! ¡°Because the weather is very nice today.¡± Maybe because the weather is nice, my heart is also calm. Yeah, I feel this is first time I have talked at ease with the Duke like this. Maybe because of the weather, it is not bad like this. ¡°I slept too much and I feel sluggish,¡± The Duke chuckles and smiles. ¡°Well, fufufu [SFX: laughter] The afternoon is a gentle breeze comfortable to the cheeks. ¡­¡­I did not notice at all that, watching this situation of ours, from all kinds of places are the figures of the servants. Chapter 45 - Invitation Ch.45 Invitation The night of the first time spending time laid-back with the Duke. After dinner I am relaxing in my room when, . ¡°Viola! How about we go on an outing, tomorrow?¡± Saying this the Duke has expressly come to invite me. ¡°Huh? An, outing?¡± I almost tumble off the couch that I usually sit on, at the suddenness. I somehow answer while I narrowly brace myself and cling to the armrest, blinking my eyes in surprise. However, it is just me who is surprised. Both Dahlia, who is making tea, and Mimosa, who is preparing a bath, are as normal, furthermore they are feigning ignorance. ¡°Right, I thought it would be even nicer to go out once in a while,¡± approaching immediately with his long legs, the Duke gently sits down next to me with a smile. It seems like stars are flickering about. He is too dazzling and is flashing. Far from ¡®once in a while¡¯ rather it will be ¡®the first time¡¯ though. I cannot give an uncouth retort ¡®Well then, who did you go on an outing besides me?! Shameless~~~!!¡¯ or something like that though. ¡°No~? I have not particularly thought of wanting to go on an outing?¡± Rather I am someone with a great love for home. Why, at this time, would he say let¡¯s go on an outing? I incline my head and answer the Duke, ¡°No no, since coming here you have not been on an outing this whole time, right? There are various confectionary shops and new shops where delicious and popular food is served, by all means let¡¯s go!¡± The Duke invites with increasing enthusiasm. I don¡¯t particularly have any interest in the shops he said that are places with delicious food though? I also want to avoid eating gourmet food and encounter intestinal terror, if it is Carthame I am more than satisfied. Rather for me I would be more charmed *gugu[1]* by it being said that there is a cheap and fresh greengrocer. Ah, but I would probably end up being a little charmed by the confectionery shop. ¡°Uh~huh¡­¡­¡± The Duke does not miss me letting my gaze go free for a moment at the talk of a confectionery shop, ¡°The course is that we will have fun from when it becomes tomorrow. Mimosa, tomorrow put in all your skill and prepare Viola.¡± ¡°Certainly!!¡± Unrelated to me who has not answered at all, it seems the outing has been decided inside the Duke and he has given instructions to Mimosa about tomorrow. Mimosa gleefully accepts this kind of request (dressing me up). She replies with a smile on her face. . ¡°Well, cya tomorrow then.¡± ¡°Yes. Good night.¡± Despite my reluctance the plans for tomorrow are settled and it seems the Duke is leaving to his room so I see him off to the door. At the same time he is leaving he looks back at me and, ¡°Tomorrow morning, I will need to wake properly so¡± The Duke looks over here flutteringly. Ng? What is it? ¡°Yes? Well then I will tell Carthame about the preparations for breakfast?¡± So please freely ask Lotus to wake you up! The Duke lightly closes his eyes at my reply, ¡°¡­¡­yes¡± With a slight down-heartened feeling he returns to his room. . . . I make sure the Duke has entered his room then I also return to my room. I have to make arrangements for tomorrow. There is not any special preparations from normal though~. ¡°I wonder what his intentions are, suddenly going on an outing tomorrow?¡± I cannot guess the intentions of the Duke¡¯s words and reveal it in the silence, ¡°That of course is a date! D . A . T . E!¡± ¡°Haaaa? A datee?!¡± Mimosa draws near in high-spirits to me who is sitting on my usual position on the couch. ¡°That is right! He said to polish you more than usual? Aah, I am already excited~! What dress shall it be? Let¡¯s conquer the easy mobility and battle for a young mistress like neat and tidy style. Aah, I must urgently convene the esthetic troops as well! We have to show the world that our mistress is this beautiful!!¡± Mimosa makes a tight fist and gives an impassioned speech. Uh, someone please stop her?! ¡°Wait, Mimosa? Please stop the esthetics and such in the morning?¡± My wish was in vain, nobody stopped so I stopped her myself but it seems my vectoring has turned her in a different direction, ¡°Well, if it so no good in the morning let¡¯s do it now!¡± ¡°Eeh? Ah, Mimosa?! Mi¨Cmo¨Csaa!¡± It looks like my detaining voice is not entering the ears of Mimosa who has exploded with a wild idea and ended up flying out the room to urgently call the esthetic troops. She ended up leaving~ I watch the back of Mimosa as she hurries out the room, ¡°When it comes to Mistress, Mimosa puts in her utmost effort so please let her do this¡± ¡°Huh, that?!¡± Dahlia says with an ironic smile but is it not actually something like ¡®let¡¯s make you pretty for the Duke¡¯s sake?. Somehow I end up giving my consent though¡­¡­ . And then after a short time Mimosa returns with the esthetic troops in order to polish me into beauty. Thanks to that I sleep soundly. The next day, ¡°Wa~, my skin is like mochi~! silky~!¡± ¡°Indeed, indeed!¡± I end up staring fixedly at the mirror in front Mimosa who has a smug expression. Today the Duke wakes up on time and we eat breakfast together, and we go out after the preparations are done. For the sake of today¡¯s outing Mimosa has selected a light Violette dress. The clean design shows my very thin body in a neat and tidy way! It is not a party or tea party so, there are no accessories or anything extravagant, but there is a beautiful choker of a gradient violet jewel. My hair is not all up, it is in a half-up style. It will be brief but the young wife with elegance floating everywhere is complete! ¡°Of course Mimosa is amazing~!¡± While looking at myself, it is like it is another person on the other side of the mirror, let¡¯s award bountiful compliments to Mimosa, who is behind me! ¡°It is because the origin is very good. I only helped a little,¡± Mimosa says smiling across the mirror. . In the entrance way the Duke is already waiting. Today the Duke¡¯s chic outfit is black shirt with a light grey jacket, white culottes with boots the same grey as the jacket. His usual knights uniform is dreamy but today his civilian clothes are simple therefore they further promote the Duke¡¯s splendidness. The beauty of his well-built body is thoroughly conveyed through wearing clothes with a tight silhouette. Unlike me, whose figure is covered by her dress. *kusou* I am sulking. The Duke discovers me who is a bit swayed by his beauty, ¡°Aah, today as always you are even more beautiful! I am completely outshone,¡± he says with a smile but, during my sulking, I unintentionally end up retorting in my heart ¡®liar! It is me who is outshone!¡¯. Well, after all it is my inner voice though. It is not like it reached the Duke, ¡°Sa, well then shall we get going now?¡± He approaches happily, giving me his arm for escort. Although I am dubious ¡®what is this¡¯ at the treatment that has never happened before that I am receiving, ¡°Yes¡± I obediently put my hand on the arm that is held out. Chapter 46 - Outing Date Ch.46 Outing Date A carriage with the duke family¡¯s crest on it, has come alongside the entrance way and, with the Duke¡¯s escort, I board and we depart. ¡°Where are we going today?¡± I ask the Duke, who is sitting in front of me in a good mood, as the carriage starts to move *gotogoto[sound of hooves]* ¡°It is a secret for now¡± he says not telling me. ¡°Is that so?¡± Well, where-ever is fine though. If it were to be said what a good place would be, without hesitation, I hope it would be delicious confectionery shop! I wonder where we¡¯re going~as expected the rocking in high class carriages is gentle~it is so pleasant that I am likely to fall asleep~, I absentmindedly look at the scenery outside the window then, the carriage stops in front of a shop. I set aside the fact that if I had ridden a bit longer I might have fallen asleep. ¡°Now then, we have arrived at our first destination¡±, says the Duke, pulling my hand, as he descends from the carriage. What I see when I descend the carriage is ¨Cthe front of the main building for that super famous haute couture, the one that always makes my dresses. I have lived in the capital since I was born so I have passed by the front of the store. Of course it was on foot. But it is nothing to boast about, never has one of my feet stepped inside. ¡°Du, Duke?¡± In front of the store that I have passed, but haven¡¯t entered till now, and furthermore flinching at the madame and the rest of the staff¡¯s greeting, I unconsciously end up strongly grasping the arm of the Duke who is escorting me. ¡°It is good to show your face in the store once in awhile right? They also have ready-made things, let¡¯s have a look!¡± He is smiling kindly but, that ¡®let¡¯s have a look¡¯ obviously includes ¡®we will be buying¡¯, right? It is absolutely unnecessary though [T/N: She have enough already]. Especially a dress or a dress or a dress and so on. ¡°A dress?¡± I ask, looking diagonally up at the Duke. ¡°We have lots of casual clothes. Moreover we have various accessories. Out here is uncomfortable so please come inside,¡± the madame elegantly gestures at the store¡¯s interior and instructs us so, ¡°Then, well¡­¡­¡± Although reluctantly, I go through the passage of staff who are welcoming with big smiles, and step into a super posh boutique for the first time in my life. ¡°What kind of dress shall we make today?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Of course, a design that promotes Viola¡¯s beauty is prefered. It definitely is madame¡¯s skill.¡± ¡°Well, ohoho Duke you are a sweet talker.¡± I am guided timidly and, the minute that we sit down next to each other on a gorgeous couch, at the far end, that appears to be for the use of customers, some welcoming tea is also served quickly and, such a disquieting (in my opinion though) conversation unfolded between the Duke and the madame. Oi Duke. Are you going to say let¡¯s have more dresses made? I say it often but in my closet and¡­¡­*cough*, it¡¯s tedious, I¡¯ll omit the rest. Well anyway, staying silent like this, things will get carried away and I will end up with dresses being made that I do not need! There is no need for extra expenses! I pull myself together and, I choose a break in their conversation and talk to the Duke, ¡°Ah, Duke? Before [I saw] there was a lovely shirt on display, how about it Duke? I thought it would suit you very well.¡± When we were passing through the store there was a chic dark silk shirt that attractively caught my eye. Expenses for me are unnecessary so here, am I not shifting gears from me to the Duke?! ¡°Is that right?¡± ¡°Yes! Duke you are always busy and do not have time to choose clothes, right? By all means, how about you take this chance to have a look?¡± I feel like one of the shop assistants in the boutique. Don¡¯t forget a sweet zero yen smile! ¡°If you say so Viola¡­¡­¡± He seems a little dissatisfied but, it looks like he is as dissatisfied as he would have you believe. One more push, go, go! ¡°Certainly let¡¯s have a look! Right, Madame?¡± ¡°Please, by all means. If you have time, even tailoring will be no problem,¡± Madame backs me up. ¡°Well then, shall we have a look for a little while?¡­¡­¡± At last the Duke stands up. Together, with me, we return back to the store interior. I managed to completely change the flow of the conversation from a dress for me to looking for clothes for the Duke. Well done, me!! In the end The Duke, in addition to the one I recommended before, also chose another one, that is different in style and colour. In addition he also bought some bottoms and also bought a jacket, rather unenthusiastically I steadily wasted money. ¡°I am happy you chose this for me,¡± he said again with dazzling smile but, the only one I chose on my own was the first black shirt (it is a safe design popular with all people!), the rest I just roughly followed what the madame said and chose those. Yes. ¡°Is, is that so? Ohohohoho~¡± I do not have anything like Mimosa¡¯s sense~. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s take our leave now¡± After the luggage is loaded in the carriage, we board the carriage. We immediately reached our next destination. ¡°It is a restaurant started by the previous head chef of the whole of the royal palace when he retired¡± The one he is informing me about is a super high class famous restaurant, this also is a place everybody knows about. Its status is high and the prices are also expensive. It is a store that the royal family also often come to, travelling incognito. Yes, here was also on my passing by route, if it was me up til now. ¡°¡­¡­¡± This store, which was remodeled from a former aristocrat¡¯s villa, mercilessly brings out an atmosphere of ¡®first-time customers[1] will be rejected¡¯. It seems like the only one feeling this atmosphere is me as the Duke is quite unconcerned. ¡°Duke Physallis, Madam, I was expecting you,¡± a butler-style man gives a greeting in this direction from the lattice gates. It is an Oni-sama[T/N: older brother/man] with glossy rather short blonde hair that is neatly combed down. He is probably older than the Duke? His voice is low and is nice on the ears. ¡­¡­it is not the case that I am admiring this Oni-sama who has a butler appeal. He was expecting us means that a reservation was made. ¡°Ah!!¡± I unintentionally raise my voice at an occasion that came to mind. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± The Duke is surprised at looks at me. ¡°N, no, it is nothing. Sorry¡± ¡°?¡± Is that so? It was like this?¡± £ª£ª£ª Recollection?Just before departing the duke residence £ª£ª£ª ¡°Mistress, please take this,¡± saying this Dahlia hands over two small paper cartridges. ¡°What¡¯s it?¡± ¡°When you think ¡®it¡¯s no good¡¯ please use this.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no good?¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°¡­¡­somehow or another I feel I know.¡± If I sniff the odour *kunkun*, it smells of those medicinal plants from that time. ¡°In the beginning, please drink one. Then when you think even so it is ¡®no good¡¯ please drink another one,¡± Dahlia informs me of the instructions. Uh huh, dosage and administration are straightforward! ¡°Understood¡± I gave a big nod while steadily looking at Dahlia¡¯s eyes, and I drank one on the spot. ¡­¡­with the above, the recollection ended. Dahlia and the others, knew that I would probably be eating out today. Because of that they have given me those powdered medicinal plants to have. Probably because it is expected that I will most likely encounter terror. I am full of tears at Dahlia and the other¡¯s concern. ¡°Now then, shall we go? The food here is truly delicious!¡± The Duke gallantly escorts me. ¡°¡­¡­for me Carthame¡¯s cooking is good¡± I mumble. ¡°Eh? Did you say something?¡± ¡°No~?¡± Together with me being a small eater who will eat whatever (more than that I am anti-terrorist), I take only one or two mouthfuls of each [dish] but be that as it may it is gourmet food. Be that as it may they have used high class ingredients. It is undisputedly delicious but as expected I end up having to drink the other medicine. I think he probably didn¡¯t notice my bad condition. Because going further than I ever thought possible, while I still had room, I thoroughly stir the medicine in the water of the glass and drain it up while the Duke is looking away. Somehow the terrorists let me pass and, the meal safely comes to a close. By now I¡¯m longing for home but, ¡°Now, let¡¯s go to the next one,¡± the Duke joyfully informs me. It seems he will not release me yet. The next place he takes me to, again different from promised, jeweler¡¯s shop. I hear it is a popular shop among young people. Well, that is among the rich nobles though. How long does this person want to shop? Even though I have lots of accessories I feel he will still buy some. ¡°This ring, is cute. Viola, how about you try putting it on?¡± he says and shows me a ring with lots of gems but, when I do the washing it will be a nuisance and, when I clean it will be a nuisance, in various scenes it will be a nuisance so it is rejected. ¡°It is lovely but I have enough at the moment¡± ¡°Really? Well then, necklace?¡± ¡°That also I had new ones made during the time of the evening party¡± ¡°Huh~, earrings¡­¡­¡± ¡°Those also are made as a set with the necklaces? ¡°Umm~, well¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Ah Duke? Over there, are some lovely cuff-links?¡± Persistently¡­¡­*cough*, I guide the Duke¡¯s eyes that are enthusiastically looking here are there, to the cuff-links that are displayed in a showcase. ¡°Aah, they are¡± His gazes returns here after just a fleeting glance so, ¡°I think something like that go well with your shirt! Moreover it looks like it would also go with the shirt we bought today?¡± I press him again. This time I have completely become a jewelry shop assistant! ¡°Would you like to try them on?¡± The owner of this place who has been silently accompanying us till now, fires some cover fire. Thank you Madame and nice owner for the nice back-up! The Duke who was pleased with the cuffs, bought them at the shop. Again my shift change is a success. After that he took we to a cafe he has a membership, when we returned to the mansion it was completely evening time. He didn¡¯t take me to ¡­¡­.a confectionary shop¡­¡­ I drive to the entrance with a distant look in my eyes. Rather than some sort of date, I feel acutely that it was matching up to the Duke¡¯s tastes. But I am glad the Duke was in a good mood from beginning to end. Something mental has been greatly shaved though. ¡°Today was fun¡± The Duke is in a good mood and greatly delighted, ¡°Is that so? I am glad we could go together¡± I cannot honestly answer. Because I am totally exhausted. I am prone to tiredness and I urge on my tired eyes that are about to close and paste a smile on my face, ¡°Are you not interested in dress, jewelry or delicious food?¡± He peers at my tired face and his in-a-good-mood face has a complete change is clouded with concern ¡°That¡¯s right. I am not interested such things¡± ¡°I sensed that¡± The Duke gives a bitter smile. Was my answer a bit too straightforward? I wonder if I said too much, I peep at the Duke¡¯s pretty dark pupils, all of sudden his eyes tenderly narrow, ¡°Well then, next time I will properly research so let¡¯s go on an outing again¡± Incorrigibly another invitation. And what is this so called research? ¡°yes¡± I give a half-hearted reply but, as a result, did I say show me what you¡¯ve got¡­¡­? Chapter 47 - First Date??? The first time going out with my husband left me deadly tired to say clearly. It was a celebrity¡¯s date. A happy date for any noble lady, but not for me. I don¡¯t want expensive dresses or jewelry. I¡¯m not happy at receiving expensive gifts as demonstrations of affect. Surely, I¡¯m completely different from others, but that is how I am. There¡¯s no helping it if he doesn¡¯t understand me. He has always been showered with affection from materialistic ladies. Well, I¡¯m tired. When I returned to my room, I sat down on the sofa as usual. ¡°Fuwa ~~~ !! I¡¯m tired¡± I felt like my blood had finally started to circulate after I took a deep breath and stretched. ¡°Oh, my lady, have you enjoyed today?¡± Dahlia handed me a cup of herbal tea while laughing. ¡°Ummm?¡± I don¡¯t think she would understand my feelings, so let¡¯s best not say anything. ¡°Did he asked you about my thoughts?¡± Dahlia is probably bitterly laughing at my reply. ¡°I think he had the best intentions but¡­ I guess¡­ what he thinks is enjoyable differs from my expectations.¡± ¡°Well, he had the best intentions.¡± ¡°I know, thank you so much for your medicine!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. I heard from Lotus that your husband had booked a restaurant.¡± ¡°I see. Let me know if there¡¯s anything. I¡¯ll rest.¡± ¡± If you¡¯re at the residence, I will help you with anything my lady, but sadly I can¡¯t come to help if you¡¯re away. So forgive me for not helping you at your date.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± I can¡¯t thank her enough for her kind consideration! I really enjoy her herbal tea that is just warm to drink. The gentle taste of herbs heals my fatigue. Dahlia is good at making herbal tea. ¡°My lady please rest. Let¡¯s have a relaxing massage when you get up.¡± Said Mimosa. Can I refuse mimosa¡¯s massage? No I can¡¯t refuse! Mimosa gave me a pleasant esthetic body massage after the bath. ¡°¡­ Lady, it¡¯s morning ¡­¡± I can hear Dahlia in the distance. Is this a dream? ¡°N ¡­ I¡¯ll still sleep a little more ¡­¡± I want to sleep and Dahlia continues calling me. There is no plan for today, so I can sleep in the morning, right? I¡¯m always waking up early, but a lot happened yesterday ¡­ How long have I been asleep? When I woke up, the sun was already up. I continued being on the bed for a while, ¡°Are you awake, lady?¡± Saying that, Dahlia approached me with the tray with breakfast. ¡°Good morning, Dahlia. I seem to have overslept.¡± I get an herbal tea from dahlia. The refreshing taste feels nice in the throat, and my head awakens to the comfortable feeling it brings. It is delicious and is a quick drink. ¡°Yeah, I came to wake you up early, but there was no appointments, so I left you to sleep a little more. I think you were tired yesterday.¡± Dahlia smiles gently while pouring another glass of herb tea. ¡°It looks like I was more tired than I thought.¡± ¡°Well, you did something different from the usual itinerary.¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°You will get used to it soon.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t like it. I never will.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Dahlia laughs when she sees my seriousness at the topic. I drank the second cup of tea, handed the glass to Dahlia, and got off the bed. I don¡¯t know what time it is now, but I can¡¯t hang around in my night clothes, so I head to the dresser where Mimosa is waiting. It was a nice weather today, and when I looked out of the window, I thought the sunlight was pleasant. ¡°¡­ what is that?¡± You can always look out at the splendid greenery of this mansion, but today there are a lot of people. It is also around the annex building where most people were concentrated. The annex building was where my husband had her lover. To put it well, it is ¡°an extraordinary space¡± There are a lot of men in a place that is usually quiet. They¡¯re working on something. I asked Dahlia. ¡°It seems that the master is going to remodel the annex, and the workers having been going in and out of there from the morning.¡± She answers indifferently. ¡°Why is he suddenly renovating it? Is it because the building is old?¡± I think it was very beautiful before. Rather¡­ my house¡­ that really needs a hand. How sad¡­ ¡°No, it¡¯s not so old yet. It seems that he¡¯s changing its design.¡± Even though it is not damaged? I can¡¯t really follow a rich man¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Really¡± I can¡¯t understand my husband. Let¡¯s change clothes for the time being. I thought it was totally unrelated to me! ¡°I decided to remodel the annex. It brings you bad memories, so I hope I can change that by renewing everything.¡± Today, for the first time, I found the cause of the ridiculous spending on the annex building as he said that with a very good smile. Was the renovation for me, originally, for me? ¡­ I was struck by the sensation that he would never understand each other. ¡°I never had bad memories about that place!¡± In the first place, my husband and her girlfriend were the rightful couple, so I don¡¯t have any unpleasant memories. My husband, continued with the same thought. ¡°No, now you don¡¯t need to be reminded when you go over there.¡± He¡¯s saying it is natural, but he¡¯s missing the important points. ¡°I have never been to the annex.¡± ¡°Ah¡± Did you forget such a thing? ¡°Then, about the annex becoming a disgusting memory¡­.¡± I started to laugh at this ridiculous thought. ¡°There are no unpleasant memories, so don¡¯t waste more on it!¡± ¡°That¡¯s how you feel ¡­¡± ¡°All this is annoying!¡± Don¡¯t waste any more! ! ¡°If you say so¡­ I¡¯m going to repaint it with memories with you ¡­¡± ¡°Now, let¡¯s have lunch! The dishes will get cold!¡± Let¡¯s eat delicious food! ¡°I didn¡¯t have to renovate the annex, but I wonder what can I do with the unused money now.¡± ¡°¡­ My heart is hurting.¡± ¡°Did you speak?¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°If you spend this much, we¡¯ll go bankrupt.¡± He calmly stands there with a smile. ¡°that will not happen. You can renovate it as you¡¯d like. It¡¯s yours now.¡± ¡°Is it okay to renovate without permission?¡± ¡°You¡¯re this house lady now¡° ¡°You can stay and relax in the separate building.¡± I think this must be his atonement to let me do whatever I like. So let¡¯s do it as he says for now. Chapter 48 - Ch 48 Annex Building The renovation of the annex building that seems to be the atonement of my husband took about 3 days. ¡°Please let it be something simple and nice¡­¡± I¡¯m silently praying after the bad experience with the date. ¡°The renovation is complete! Please take a look inside!¡± In the evening, my husband came home from work. He received the report that the annex building works were completed and immediately went there to confirm it with his own eyes. As soon as he came back to the main house again, he invited me to the annex building. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m tired. I will go see it tomorrow.¡± Anyways, even if I don¡¯t like it, I must say that it¡¯s nice. I didn¡¯t have that much interest from the start, so I responded ¡°I¡¯ll see it later¡± ¡°No, not tomorrow, let¡¯s go now!¡± My husband immediately denied my words and pulled my hand. Isn¡¯t it time for supper soon? I was planning to visit it slowly tomorrow. What does it mean if no one helps me while I¡¯m being dragged away by my husband? Oh¡­ nice friends¡­ Everyone sends us out with a nice smile, but please! Would anyone stop it? No one will help me, it¡¯s no use. ¡°Sir and Mistress, We¡¯ll prepare supper after your return so it¡¯s fine to take your time.¡± Lotus smiled and said, but I don¡¯t want that! I don¡¯t want to take my time with something I don¡¯t have any interest in! I¡¯m rather hungry! ¡°I understand. Let¡¯s go.¡± Contrary to my feelings, my husband happily agreed. What is this¡­ everyone ignores me¡­ Well, there¡¯s no choice¡­ let¡¯s follow him to the separate building! The annex had a small and calm atmosphere. The main house is a ¡°public¡± place where guests are welcomed, so it needs to be magnificent. For me, this small and calm place is more comfortable. Going inside, there is one large living room, one bedroom, and one bathroom. A small kitchen is next to the dining space following the living room. It¡¯s small, but it has all. The extravagant furniture seen when my husband and her girlfriend were flirting has been replaced. Of course, the sofa disappeared, and instead there is a pretty table set now. The outside seems a pleasant garden for a picnic. Everything is good quality, but simple. What a sense of security it gives! My husband was silently watching me as I went checking everywhere curiously. Finally my husband called me out. ¡°How is it? Did you like it?¡± ¡°Yes, very much.¡± ¡°Very good! I listened to everyone¡¯s opinions for this!¡± ¡°really?¡± Did everyone participate in this? ¡°I asked Lotus and the Dahlia what you liked.¡± Wow?! Was my likes researched this time?! I understand now why it¡¯s so to my liking¡­ I mean, it¡¯s so humble! I was surprised at the behavior of my husband. ¡°Well, thank you?¡± ¡°Why is it a question? Well, from now on, you are free to use it. Everything in this mansion is yours.¡± ¡°¡­thanks.. I¡¯ll try to take care of it¡± I¡¯m not confident. After that, when I looked inside the room, I saw a bookcase that was packed with books. As I look closely at what kind of books are on the table, there are quite a few titles. Stories, science, travel guides, cooking books, garden management and planting, and picture books. ¡­¡­ Who is this for? I¡¯m just intrigued. From the side, my husband stares at me while smiling. ¡°Did you like this too? I asked Dahlia and Mimosa what you would like to read!¡± It¡¯s amazing. It certainly caught my interest. I haven¡¯t read many books since I came here, but I guess it¡¯s the result of having someone to chat with every day. Dahlia, Mimosa, seem to be splendid detectives! ¡°It¡¯s amazing! There are so many!¡± ¡°This library is yours in the future, so feel free to take books to read.¡± There was no reason to refuse it, so I picked up two books that looked intriguing. It is a science book and a historical one. Soon I was hungry so I decided to urge my husband to return to the house. For some reason I enjoyed my husband present this time. Chapter 49 - Ch 49 A new debt? I returned to the mansion after a brief visit to the annex building with my husband. When we entered the main building, all the servants greeted us in the same way as before. It¡¯s very embarrassing to come back hand in hand, but my husband doesn¡¯t care at all. Even if I pull my hand away, he doesn¡¯t release it. He seems obsessed with taking my hand. ¡°How was the renovation?¡± Mimosa and Lotus asked. ¡°It was very good.¡± I answered ¡°If you say so, it¡¯s worth the advice.¡± They narrowed their eyes joyfully. After finishing dinner a little later than usual, I decided to go back to my private room and started reading the book that I borrowed. ¡°It¡¯s amazing, both Dahlia and Mimosa. I think I never would have known how much I liked books if it were not for your advice.¡± I looked back at Dahlia and Mimosa while showing them the book I got. ¡°We got the impression that you would like it, from the casual conversations we had everyday¡± First-class, observation skills! Your eyes are so sharp! ¡°Looking closely at your cooking¡­ Pastries books would come handy¡± ¡°You like gardening.. so plants books are a must.¡± I see. There were a lot of hints in my usual behavior! ¡°What about the mystery books and stories?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know a lot of stories that sometimes you share with us?¡± Oh, was that the case? Well, there is no complaint at all because I loved it! ¡°There were a lot of interesting books. Thank you.¡± ¡°Please thank your husband.¡± Dahlia said casually with a smile. ¡± I¡¯m going to sleep today after reading this book.¡± I felt like I wanted to read it, so I went to bed with the book in my hand. ¡°Please read moderately¡± Dahlia paid attention to the bedside candlestick. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± I¡¯m tired anyway. ¡°Now, good night¡± ¡°Good night¡± After the greeting, the two went out of the room, so I read the book while sneaking into the futon. At the end, I broke my promise. I ended not sleeping from the joy of reading. My eyes were red and irritated at the light of the morning sun. It¡¯s always a gentle push to start the day, but today it feels like a transparent knife. I woke up at the usual time, but I was completely exhausted. Almost no sleep. I ended up reading books all night. I was fascinated as I turned the pages. When I think about it, a mystery book gives a twisted feeling that always intrigues you until the culprit is known in the end. Instead of making me sleepy, I couldn¡¯t sleep until I reached the end where the criminal is discovered. However, I thought it was not good to sleep at daytime, so I got up as usual and got out of bed with the face that I had. Everyone worried and I staggered. How bad, to be seen like this. ¡°Good morning¡­ Mistress? Did you sleep well yesterday?¡± Dahlia¡¯s eyes don¡¯t move from my face. She asked me with a little scary voice. ¡°I was a little crazy about the book ¡­ I¡¯m sorry ~¡± I apologize with a small mosquito voice and feel like answering to my mother. She sighed. ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. Please lie down a little after breakfast? For now, let¡¯s fix it with makeup. You can do it, Mimosa?¡± ¡°Of course¡± I instructed Mimosa from sideways. Uh, I¡¯m sorry I won¡¯t do it anymore. I had breakfast with my husband and went to see him off at the entrance as usual. As expected, I took distance from my husband, so I was able to hide it by using Mimosa¡¯s special makeup. When I returned to the salon, I was suddenly attacked by sleepiness. ¡°Kya! Mistress?¡± ¡°Are you okay?¡± It made a very loud noise as I fell at the entrance floor. Seriously servants. I¡¯m sleepy, that¡¯s all. ¡°??¡± I can¡¯t get up from the sleepiness. ¡°Mistress! Are you injured?!¡± As soon as Lotus rushed to me, they moved me from there. the pieces of cracked porcelain were everywhere scattered all over the place. It was dangerous¡­ yeah? ! While holding my head sluggishly, I suddenly realized that I had broken a very expensive and important vase. What to do now?! Alarms kept ringing in my head¡­ Another debt to pay off¡­ ¡°Wow, what should I do Lotus! I broke a vase that seems so important and expensive!!¡± I had a panic. Lotus instead, checked me for injuries. ¡°It¡¯s okay. That¡¯s just a decoration. It¡¯s good if the Mistress isn¡¯t injured.¡± She kept calming me with a gentle voice, but for me it was not ¡°just a decoration¡±. I always saw the servants treat it with extreme care when cleaning it! ! Of course it¡¯s a luxury item. What does it mean to break it down due to lack of sleep?? ¡°No, no, I know that it¡¯s not just a decoration!! What should I do??¡± I have always been careful! How could this have happened! ¡°Please calm down, mistress. Let¡¯s go back to the room.¡± Dahlia comforts me while gently stroking my back, but it¡¯s not very effective because I know I will have to pay it. When I returned to my room, my knees went soft. ¡°It¡¯s not a heirloom or anything like that, so you don¡¯t have to worry Mistress.¡± Dahlia once again spoke to me reassuringly. ¡°That¡¯s not true. I heard that everything in this mansion is important and luxuries!¡± Employee information I heard when cleaning. ¡°But the most important is that the mistress didn¡¯t get injured¡± ¡°Oh, I should have shielded with my body and prevented it from breaking! But all thought is useless at this point¡­ a compensation comes now¡­ I wonder if I can pay it. I cleared my debts and obtained new ones. I can¡¯t even hear the voice of Dahlia comforting me anymore. ¡°No way, please calm down Mistress.¡± Mimosa¡¯s voice is not heard. ¡°How do I compensate ¡­? With work? More than I¡¯m doing now? I can even downgrade to being in servant¡¯s room.¡± When I was thinking about how to compensate for it, Lotus came up to see how I was. ¡°Mistress, you don¡¯t have to worry about that. Of course, you don¡¯t have to pay for it.¡± Lotus said, laughing at me who was still depressed. ¡°But, but ¡­¡± ¡°How about it? Why don¡¯t you go home and visit your family? If you are at home, maybe your mood changes and you manage to calm down?¡± Lotus proposed. But even that suggestion, sounded like an expulsion for me. ¡°Oh, you are sending me home ¡­¡± ¡°No mistress. After visiting your home, you will come back here.¡± Lotus explains slowly. He emphasizes that I¡¯m coming back here after the visit. ¡°¡­ Okay¡± I don¡¯t believe a word of it but I nod anyway. For the time being, I will return to my parents home. ¡°We¡¯ll pick you up soon.¡± Lotus¡¯s words, did not enter my ears, which were completely closed from the shock. Chapter 50 - Ch 50 Returning home For the time being, I got into the duke¡¯s carriage prepared for the return trip. It was heavy and slow. ¡°Because it is your first visit after the marriage, take your time with your family.¡± Lotus and Dahlia send me out with a smile, but I¡¯m not laughing as I¡¯m still depressed. ¡± Thank you for taking care of me all this time ¡­¡± My words were a farewell for life, ¡°¡­ Well, he¡¯ll pick you up soon.¡± Lotus coughs at the comment. ¡°¡­ Let¡¯s hope he lets me return someday¡± Oh, I see. My luggage will be sent later. I have almost no luggage. It will be about one box at most. Everything I use is what the Duke¡¯s prepared. I¡¯m really poor thinking it out. This is the first homecoming since the marriage to the Duke. It feels so nostalgic¡­ Visiting my home after a long time¡­ I look out the window while remembering the good times. After a long time, the carriage stopped. ¡± Mistress? Are you not coming down?¡± Mimosa asks. ¡°I wonder if I¡¯m still sleeping? Is this my home?¡± I rubbed my eyes at the scenery seen through the window of the carriage. The sight in front of me doesn¡¯t look like reality. ¡°That¡¯s right? Have you forgotten?¡± Mimosa answers while laughing. ¡°No, well, it¡¯s very different from what I remember.¡± Even if I rub my eyes, the sight in front of me doesn¡¯t change. Next, I tried pinching my cheek, ¡°Owww¡­!¡± It¡¯s painful. Apparently not a dream. ¡°Oh, Mistress! Your cheeks have turned red! What have you done?¡± Mimosa rushed and grabbed my hand that is pulling my cheek. ¡°But my home is messy! It¡¯s poor and dirty! Not this palace!¡± I clasped my fists and spoke loudly. The last home I saw it, everywhere it was dirty or broken. It had been poorly maintained for years, so there was no helping it. The stone wall was green and black from moss and humidity. The bricks were broken and many missing. In the garden, weeds were everywhere and now it¡¯s an unnamed flower paradise. The stone walls have been cleaned of moss and mushrooms. The ceilings have been repaired with the same fine stone and the collapsed parts replaced. The garden is neatly and beautifully maintained, and luxuriously full of flowers arranged in sculptures. The window frames had been repainted neatly. ¡°How did my family managed to afford such a thing??!!¡± Those words were the first thing that came out of my mouth. I am surprised at how much it has changed. ¡°Well, why don¡¯t you ask your family? You see, everyone is here to greet you!¡± Mimosa said to me. My mother, brother and sister were out at the entrance. ¡°Yes¡± I got ready to get off. ******************************************************************************* ¡°Viola, welcome home. I was surprised because they suddenly said you were coming.¡± It¡¯s hard to tell what happened. However, my mother¡¯s sharp senses noticed it. This is what made me feel that I was back home. ¡°So that happened¡­ Sigh¡­ The first time my daughter visited after such long time was because of clumsiness¡­¡± She¡¯s sharp and protests, ¡°But that only shows that it¡¯s the legitimate you that has come¡± I can¡¯t refute, she¡¯s a sharp mother. ¡°So what did you do this time?¡± ¡°¡­ I have broken a vase that seems to be expensive.¡± ¡°Well!¡± My mother covers my cheeks with both hands. ¡°Uh, I¡¯m sorry ~~~ !!¡± ¡°Vee¡­¡± She sighed. ¡°The vase is very expensive and important. Do we have enough money to compensate it?¡± ¡°What are you talking about? We can¡¯t afford it! Work the solution on your own.¡± Mother and daughter, both went off talking about compensation and labor, ¡°Please wait, both of you! Don¡¯t worry because there is no compensation needed! We sent the mistress home because she was very depressed.¡± In a hurry, Mimosa blocked our thoughts. ¡°Well, is that true?¡± Mother was the first to respond to Mimosa¡¯s word. ¡°Of course!¡± Mimosa said. I looked at mimosa as if asking what did she mean, ¡°That¡¯s right, Vee?¡± ¡°I was told that I had been sent home¡­¡± ¡°So you don¡¯t have to worry?¡± Mother asked seriously, but I don¡¯t understand. ¡°¡­ I don¡¯t feel relaxed about what happened¡± ¡°Mistress, you only came back to rest and recover your spirit.¡± Mimosa told us. I felt refreshed and pampered at their words. Playing with my younger brother and sister who I met after a long time, reading a book and taking a nap. All the sleepiness came to me after feeling the comfort of being at my parents¡¯ home. It¡¯s been a long time since my sister and brother were with me. It seems that my room was turned into a guest room. However, I fell asleep in it immediately. It was already evening when I woke up. When I went to the living room, there was mother carrying the vegetables for dinner. ¡°I¡¯ll be preparing dinner soon, can you help me?¡± She invited me. I¡¯m happy when I think about making dinner with my mother as before. ¡°Let¡¯s make it together!¡± I answered fast and went to the kitchen together with her. The taste of my mother¡¯s cuisine after a long time is true happiness. Today, the main dish is homemade bread and vegetable soup. Humble and nutritious food! ¡°By the way, how is our house so beautiful now? While eating, I remembered the sight at the entrance and asked mother. ¡°Hey, Viola. A while after you got married, help came from the Duke.¡± ¡°Help?¡± ¡°He sent people and materials to repair the house and personnel to take care of the garden.¡± ¡°I see¡± ¡°Everything was done by the Duke. Everything seems to be the Duke¡¯s will.¡± As expected, I should thank my husband! ¡°That¡¯s right. I have to thank my husband.¡± ¡°Please do so!¡± Mom was winking. ¡°Sister, you¡¯re more beautiful than before.¡± Suddenly my brother said while smiling. What does this child say so suddenly? ¡°Isn¡¯t it because Mimosa is doing her best for my beauty treatment every day??¡± ¡°Eh? Is that it?¡± However, mother still does not feel satisfied at the answer. ¡°Uh, how did you get a good posture then?¡± ¡°with a tough teacher for dance lessons?¡± ¡° And how did you become so delicate when smiling?¡± ¡°I did not?¡± Mother is still dissatisfied at the answer. ¡°Maybe, thanks to Dahlia¡¯s manners lesson¡­¡± ¡°Ufufufufu ~¡± Mother laughs meaningfully. What does she want to say? I¡¯m becoming impatient. I can¡¯t come up with any other cause than what I said. ¡°Wow, Viola, you¡¯re so delicate at the meals now. I see the love of Duke Fissaris in your transformation.¡± ¡°What does it have to do with my husband?¡± ¡°Viola! I was surprised to hear that you went home so suddenly!¡± My husband voice sounded in the room freezing me out. I was surprised and stood up, as my husband appeared at the door. My husband has been sent from the Duke¡¯s House instead of my luggage. That¡¯s surprising. Chapter 51 - At home Ch 51 ¨C At home It was a delivery from the Duke¡¯s house ¡­ Originally, my luggage did not come but my husband did. Is this a direct letter of divorce? Wouldn¡¯t it be a fun day with the servants? Oh, I wish I could say goodbye more. Such a regret is terrible, so first of all, it seems that you should not apologize as a person, ¡°My husband! I¡¯m sorry I broke an important ornament! I was a little staggered and I was afraid I thought I should have been able to break this body and break it. I¡¯m really sorry. !! ¡± For now, in the direction of apologetics. I apologized for a breath and bowed down. Let¡¯s accept any reprimand! I had decided to do it, ¡°How was that thing! I heard from Lotus that you did n¡¯t get hurt. Contrary to my expectations, my husband gave me a sigh of relief and gentle words. When I raised my terrible face, there was a husband who smiled in trouble. ¡°It was a very important figurine?¡± Was the servant treated with great care? ¡°You can change as much as you like.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Yes. If you feel so anxious, let ¡¯s go and see the decorations you ¡¯ll place in the space.¡± Just as the husband came up with a good idea, he said with a bright face, ¡°I ¡¯m not confident in the sense, so I ¡¯ll decline it.¡± I declined it carefully. ¡°¡­¡± My husband was laughing at my word. ¡°It ¡¯s not exactly what Mimosa-san said. It ¡¯s good, viola.¡± After a series of conversations between me and her husband, the mother who had been watching silently opened her mouth. Isn¡¯t it because the gaze watching us was so warm? ¡°¡­ I¡¯m glad. I still feel some guilt.¡± ¡°Now, be careful, because we ca n¡¯t compensate for such a high priced product.¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°Duke, you have come to such a busy place in your busy life. Unfortunately, we are in the middle of dinner and will you wait for a while? We will prepare tea.¡± After seeing me as I was answering, I was talking to my husband again. ¡°No, I ¡¯m sorry that I ¡¯ve been here for dinner. ¡°Now I¡¯m sorry, but isn¡¯t Duke still supper yet?¡± ¡°Yes, I came here as soon as I returned home.¡± I ¡¯m sure you ¡¯ve been in a hurry. ¡°Well, then you¡¯ll be hungry. Would you like to join us if you¡¯d like to use my poor food?¡± Saratomo invites her husband for dinner. What is your mother? ! How courageous is it to invite a husband who is used to gastronomy to a rough meal like home? ! I was stunned by the mother¡¯s brave, but when I returned to me, I was in a hurry, ¡°Oh, mother ?! Do you serve this rough meal to your husband?¡± I whispered secretly. ¡°What are you talking about? Hungry is the best spice?¡± ¡°No, no, no, there, it¡¯s different¡± I¡¯ve put in my own thoughts. But my husband ¡°Are you sure you want to be sweet with your words?¡± I got on my mother¡¯s invitation. ¡°Yes, yeah, please. Please wait as we set up a seat next to the viola¡± Also, I don¡¯t care about my concerns, and my mother tells Orchid to bring a chair. As soon as the husband sat down on the chair prepared next to me, the dinner for the husband was prepared, but no matter how you look at the figure of the glittering beautiful husband in front of the rough meal, there is no sense of incompatibility . My husband isn¡¯t moving to see if he is doing information processing in the brain in front of the rough meal that would be the first time. ¡°Well, please?¡± When my mother asks her husband who doesn¡¯t move, ¡°No. I thought it was a very simple meal.¡± A husband who removes his eyes from rough food and answers his face with a smile. Good! You chose the words! ¡°Simple and healthy is the best for your body. If you eat great food every day, you will break your body faster.¡± The mother smiles as if she is losing, but what she says is that she completely denies the meals of the celebrities below the royal family! ! I¡¯m listening to you. ¡°Is that so?¡± My husband listens seriously. ¡°Think about your surroundings. There are many people who have fat in their belly instead of one thing. Let¡¯s have many chronic diseases as well as property.¡± ¡°¡­ as you said¡± But my husband ¡¯s parents were n¡¯t smashed? Are you living a healthy life in the country? Although not applicable to parents, there are other aristocrats who come to mind, so my husband is serious. I also remember a few social occasions. ¡­¡­ There are many applicable people! Will the mother who has taken care of her husband¡¯s relationship still enter the preaching time? ¡°The Duke is still young and I can use the body enough for the training of the knight, but it ¡¯s okay, but I ¡¯m in trouble when I ¡¯m no longer using the future.¡± ¡°I see, i see¡± My husband is impressed with Myo. ¡°Well, I¡¯m just talking about it so please try it first.¡± ¡°Yes. That ¡¯s why her husband, who holds a spoon with an elegant hand, first takes a bite of soup. Growing husbands have elegantly refined meal styles. What kind of amendment works if such a husband looks like a grand meal even if it is a rough meal like ours? ! I was watching over whether it fits my mouth, ¡°Oh, this is delicious! Husband with a surprised expression, raising his face. It looks like a soup that only floats a little. ¡°It ¡¯s good for your mouth? It ¡¯s soup with lots of vegetables, so it ¡¯s gentle on your body and plenty of nutrition.¡± A mother who smiles. I said this is also good, Konohitto. Because it is a vegetable consomme made with lots of scrap vegetables that can¡¯t even be added to a salad, ¡°Vegetable¡± is no mistake! It produces a simple umami taste that is different from the high-quality vegetable consomme made by Cartam. ¡°No, it¡¯s really delicious, this is a taste that my chef doesn¡¯t have.¡± ¡°Cook all the ingredients, this is important. Of course, it is strictly prohibited.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Husband who has a clause that comes to mind the word ¡°Leave¡± is silent. A mother who was in the reaction, ¡°If you leave, there will be a wasteful ghost. That ¡¯s ¡­¡± The theory of how it is not good and what happens when it is left has begun. It¡¯s long when this starts. Since we all know our brothers and sisters, we decided to concentrate on eating just like ¡°Oh! And when I finished eating, ¡°Thanks for the feast. We are going to the living room not to disturb the story. Let¡¯s go to thistle, freesia.¡± ¡°¡±Yes!¡±¡± ¡°Eh? Viola?¡± My husband is looking at me as soon as I want to leave this place. Even if you look at the lustful tail (phantom) with a look of sorrow, the mother ¡¯s thankful story is heard enough to make an octopus in your ear, and so you can make takoyaki. ¡°Please take your husband slowly! Because we will be there.¡± Did you never dedicate your husband to the human companion? Mother¡¯s story continued a little more. After a while my husband was guided to the living room, but it seems to me that I feel a little tired! I was reading picture books with thistle and freesia. ¡°Viola, will we go home soon? Everyone is worried.¡± My husband said that, with a long compass, he quickly approached me and was gently pulled to raise my hand gently. ¡°Yes, then ¡­¡± Close the picture book and sit up to get up, ¡°Oh my sister? Are you going home already?¡± Thistle said, taking another hand that was not drawn by her husband. If you look cute and have eyes that are the same color as me staring at your upper eyes, you must be cute! ¡°Yada, my sister, I want to be more together!¡± This is freesia. I have hugged my waist. Uh, this is also cute! ¡°I hope to come again soon. For now, the people in the house are worried today ¡­¡± My husband tells thistle, ¡°Because my sister took a nap today!¡± In addition, thistle moisturizes her eyes. Uh, brother, I think it was bad! Because I wanted to sleep, I can¡¯t help it! Well, that sleepiness is the root of all evil. ¡°I want you to read more picture books¡± Oh, to Freesia! More power was accumulated in the small hand that was turned around the waist. And I¡¯m not a demon that can be said to be rejected by such a cute brother and sister. ¡°I ¡¯m sorry. Thistle, Freesia ¡­. That ¡¯s my husband, is it OK to go home tomorrow?¡± Looking up at the terrifying husband, ¡°¡­ Wakarimashita ¡­ Please come back tomorrow, are you sure?¡± He gave me permission even though he was angry. ¡°Yes, thank you!¡± I was happy with my husband¡¯s kind consideration, and when I looked up at her husband with zero-circle smiles fully open, my ears became a little red. Well, this beautiful brother and sister loved you! I spilled a sigh just as I did, ¡°I¡¯ll stop here tomorrow to get home from work¡± And my husband is inviting me to pick me up. ¡°Yeah? No matter if my husband doesn¡¯t come directly ¡­¡± Will you go back to the appropriate time on foot? If you continue, ¡°What are you talking about, you are! Please come and pick me up!¡± I was told with a strong tone. That¡¯s right. Temporarily (with temporary emphasis!) If something that would be the Duchess was fluttering on foot, there would have been no shame or hearing. Sumimasen, I didn¡¯t have enough awareness. ¡°Uh, I¡¯m not aware, Sumimasen ¡­¡± ¡°No, yeah, I overspoken because I ¡¯m worried about coming to pick you up. Don¡¯t get me wrong.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± That¡¯s why it exposes the shame of the dukes? Okay, I understand it! Chapter 52 - Let’s go home Ch 52 ¨C Let¡¯s go home I¡¯m very relieved after being pardoned instead of kicked out by my husband. I¡¯m also fully charged with energy after spending time with my family. Of course, the lack of sleep was completely eliminated. After all, my original harder bed (alias cheap bed) made me sleep like a baby. I spent so many years sleeping with that hardiness that my body completely relaxed at its touch. I was able to spend a long time with my younger brother and sister, and I talked a lot with my mother. Especially after her story. I completely revived! After having dinner with the whole family except my father plus the number of my husband¡¯s people and mimosa, we enjoyed tea slowly in the living room. Because my husband who said that would come to pick me up has not yet appeared. Yesterday¡¯s momentum when my husband told me that he would come to escort me back, made me feel like I could leave at that very moment. ¡°I¡¯m glad that you¡¯re all good people. I was wondering what to do if my daughter was bullied.¡± ¡°I was also worried about her poor manners, thinking that she would be a nuisance to everyone.¡± A mother who smiles while defending and embarrassing her daughter at the same time. Yeah, that¡¯s my mother! It will be painful and throbbing to part from her. I¡¯ll miss these situations. ¡°The mansion is so big and nice, yes, your mother will be coming to play this time! Would you like to invite me?¡± ¡°I want to go too sis!¡± ¡°Me too sis!¡± ¡°I¡¯m asking my husband. The garden is so wide and nice¡­ I¡¯d really like for you all to get to know it! Mimosa¡¯s husband is the gardener. He does a wonderful job and is so dedicated.¡± ¡°is that Boris you¡¯re talking about?¡± ¡°Uh ?! Mother, do you know Boris?¡± I couldn¡¯t conceal my surprise. Why do you know him mom!? ¡°Well, I know him. He came to take care of our garden!¡± Mother looked at Mimosa while saying so. I¡¯m new to this fact, ¡°Is that so? Mimosa?¡± I look forward to Mimosa¡¯s answer ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± Mimosa smiles proudly. I was mad again at being left out all this time about this. Oh, but I¡¯m satisfied. My friends are the best! ¡°That¡¯s why it turned out to be a nice and clean garden! It was Boris. He turned the wild grass into a decent garden.¡± He turned a garden full of weeds into a flower paradise¡­ I came back from my delusion and turned my eyes away. Yeah, you can¡¯t use magic! Technic, money to afford the costs, good sense for decoration and human power! ¡°Mimosa¡­ I really don¡¯t know how to thank your husband for having helped my family so much without me asking.¡± For my family, he is our benefactor! My debt made me marry by contract, so I naturally knew that they aren¡¯t obliged to help my family in any way, but he had taken care of my parents house repairs. ¡°Lady, it was your husband who made us do so.¡± ¡°Oh! I must thank him then. I will continue to serve the Duke firmly!¡± ¡°Yes! Me too!¡± Mimosa said. Cleaning, laundry, housework, childcare, I will do everything I can! Is there no childcare? Well, eventually he will find another love and have a child. Let¡¯s prepare for that day! I¡¯ll be the nanny! I am renewing my determination in my heart to serve the Duke¡¯s family! ¡°Don¡¯t break anything this time Viola. Don¡¯t do anything that you have to compensate for.¡± My mom stabbed me with those words. I got scared thinking about what I did. ¡°¡­¡­Yes¡± ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. ¡°Lady Viola, the Duke came¡± My husband came into the living room as I was guided by Orchid to go out. He was not dressed in knight clothes like yesterday. He properly changed to plain clothes this time. Probably he has finished supper at this time. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m sorry for coming so late!¡± I got up and rushed to my husband. Oh, my smile seemed to be exploding today after hearing of the facts. My husband was surprised at such an action at first, but it immediately answered with a sweet smile, ¡°Did you relax, viola?¡± He took my hand naturally. ¡°Yes, thank you very much!¡± ¡°That¡¯s good. Will you come home now?¡± The distance between me and my husband was so close that he was able to take my hand. When I looked up at his face, which was above my head, his eyes showed a sweet smile within, but at that moment I understood the current situation. Hey hey hey hey, what am I doing? Even though I rushed to receive him, I¡¯ve been giving a girl in love signals. I¡¯ve never been so close to anyone, or rather close, like this, but what is this reaction? My face turns red when I get conscious. I naturally regained my hand and casually secured a place far away from my husband. ¡°Would you like to have tea?¡± I said and showed the sofa. ¡°No, it will slow us down.¡± Tea was withheld. If we return too late, it will lead to more work for the employees, ¡°Understood¡± I whispered obediently. In the first place, there is no baggage to take home because I came empty-handed. Mimosa gathers a few things my mother prepared and with that, we¡¯re ready. ¡°Now, mother-in-law, I¡¯m sorry for leaving so soon. I¡¯ll invite you to our home next time.¡± He placed his hand at my waist and turns to my mother while greeting her full of respect. His figure as he gracefully greets my mother with a sparkling smile is truly moving. I was amazed at my thoughts. ¡°Thank you so much for caring for my parents.¡± I was sent off by my family members and sat in the carriage as it started moving. ¡°Covering the debt was your initial promise for the contract, but I didn¡¯t expect you to repair my family¡¯s home.¡± I look straight at the beautiful face of my husband sitting in front while saying that, he looks a little surprised. ¡°Husband?¡± ¡°Oh, sorry¡± ¡°Were you pleased?¡± Well, come here, you never said anything about repairing my home? If it was a benefit of the contract, you have my appreciation. ¡± If you are pleased with it that much, it¡¯s cheap.¡± My husband smiles for some reason while saying so. Hateful. Can you please don¡¯t make those smiles that make my heart go crazy? I think it would be rude to say it, but the flowers flutter just by him smiling. I envy you¡­¡­. More beautiful than a flower¡­ Well, I¡¯m fine for now. ¡°It was not just me, but my whole family was pleased. I cannot thank you enough!¡± ¡°Is that so..¡± Once again, he smiled and turned to look outside the window. I don¡¯t really know what is in that man¡¯s heart. I¡¯m quiet because I¡¯m tired. Usually, my husband provides various topics of conversation, but without that, it is really silent. Only the sound of the wheels stepping on the ground is echoing in the car. If you want to keep silent, you can do that. I¡¯ll quietly sleep a bit. Chapter 53 - Coming back to my husband home Ch 53 ¨C Coming back to my husband home I was silent for a while and left myself to the shaking of the carriage. I felt like I was a little sleepy. As soon as I sat inside, my eyes closed and next thing I knew, I had banged my head against the wall. ¡°Kuu ¡­!¡± I wake up in pain, ¡°Ouuuuchhh¡­ !¡± ¡°Ha ha ha¡­ How can someone sleep this way¡± Until then, my husband who has been looking out the window, quietly looked at me and started laughing without stop. ¡°Uh, I was a little sleepy. Well, it happens sometimes.¡± What a disappointment that my husband saw this side of me. Such poor manners for a lady. ¡°Don¡¯t apologize. Ha ha. Are you okay or does it still hurt?¡± He seems to be worried about me while still laughing. I wonder if I can laugh at this, literally I think I was being stupid. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not so bad. It only hurts a little¡± ¡°Good then. Well, we¡¯ll get there soon. Everyone is looking forward to your return. So show us a cheerful face.¡± ¡°Yes..¡± It seems that the invisible wall between us has melted away. After returning to the original peaceful atmosphere, the carriage had arrived at the Duke house. I get off the carriage and got escorted by my husband while walking through the entrance door. ¡°Welcome home madam and master!¡± Aren¡¯t the servants a little too worked up?! Wow, this is deja vu. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ve never been greeted like this, even on our wedding night. Even if I look closely, not only Lotus, Dahlia, but all of the company maiden and maids, the cook, the cleaners, and the gardener, even the butler, all are here! ! ¡°We just returned guys. Thanks for welcoming us.¡± Slightly pushed by this air, I return the greeting, ¡°Are you good now? Everyone was waiting for your return.¡± My husband approached my ear and said. The employees greeted us with a big smile. In spite of the time, that it was almost the end of the day, and they all must be tired. I am sorry to have made you greet me in this way, but I also feel happy about it. As an apology, I¡¯ll give you all my thanks tomorrow! I went straight to my private room, took a bath and immediately dive into the bed. This fluffy bed is always freshly washed and ironed, it¡¯s so different from my original bed that it is awkward to compare. ¡°After all, this fluffiness is exquisite!¡± While rubbing on the pillow, I remember the warm reception. ¡°Thank you for that.¡± Both Dahlia and Mimosa are smiling while peeking inside the room. ¡°Sorry, I was depressed with myself about what happened. My husband told me that I didn¡¯t have to worry about it, so I was finally able to let it go and come home. So, I will return to my usual self tomorrow!¡± ¡°Good madam! Have a good night!¡± ¡°Good Night you too¡± Dahlia and Mimosa went out of the room after saying those words. I¡¯ll clean everything in the house tomorrow! I must be sure to not break anything this time, so I must not get close to the furniture! This must be enough. Also, if I break a high-end decoration ever again, that time I¡¯ll be kicked out for sure. Oh, but the sheets here are the best. The freshness of soap that smells like flowers, the touch of smoothness. I¡¯m really doing a good job. I absorb the soap¡¯s scent and feel secure. ¡°Viola, Viola¡± A man¡¯s voice reaches my sleeping ears. ¡­ This voice seems to be from my husband, but.. am I dreaming? So sleepy to know¡­ ¡°Viola, get up¡± I hear that voice again. In addition, this time they¡¯re slowly shaking my body. It¡¯s so real to be a dream. But it¡¯s funny, I sleep alone in this private room. And my husband should be sleeping in his room at this time, so I can¡¯t be hearing his voice here. Oh, I can¡¯t wake up, even if I want¡­ so sleepy¡­ Someone gently opens the bed sheets¡­ ¡°~~~~ !!!!!¡± I silently scream! When I open my eyes, there is a wonderful smile of my husband at a very close distance. What is he doing here? ! I was so surprised that my eyes became fully open, and when I moved back, I hit the wall. I thought my heart would stop. No, it might have stopped for a moment. Because I stopped breathing without fail. I understand that this is a reality because of my back pain. What is this situation? ! ¡°Oh, uh, husband?¡± As soon as I realized this is not a dream but a real thing, my heart starts to beat fast and all my blood goes up my face ¡­ ¡°Yes, you finally got up. Good morning Viola¡± My husband smiles refreshingly while sitting on the bed, with crossed legs. ¡°Oh, good morning ¡­? Did I oversleep much?¡± This was the first time he came to wake me up, but it¡¯s true, usually I would oversleep (although I have never overslept so much to wake up past lunch time). I finished changing clothes and looked at my husband awaiting an answer, ¡°No, rather, you woke up much faster than usual.¡± He smiles again. First of all, it¡¯s an abnormal situation for my husband to be here. ¡°Huh? Early? So why are you here then? And Dahlia and Mimosa?¡± Where are my maids, who always wake me up?. Obviously I don¡¯t want to see you, but this is definitely happening. I am very embarrassed. I really want to hide my embarrassment. ¡°They are waiting for us in the hall. It¡¯s just¡­ I wanted to see you, so I came.¡± ¡°Wanted to see me? For what?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a place we need to go before breakfast so please get ready.¡± So that¡¯s why¡­ ¡°Okay?¡± I got off the bed promptly and started combing my hair. ¡°Oh, why don¡¯t I help you get ready ¡­¡± ¡°Thanks but no. I¡¯m going to get up so¡­ Husband, would you please wait at the hall?¡± ¡°¡­¡­Yes¡± As soon as my husband tried to take advantage, my brain awakened. It¡¯s a refreshing morning! I asked my husband to wait at the hall first, and politely kicked him out of the room ¡­. After he left, I sat down on the dresser waiting for Mimosa. ¡°This is bad for my heart¡­ I open my eyes, and what do I see? A sparkling beauty. When I think my heart has stopped, next second it¡¯s furiously beating.¡± Mimosa was combing now my hair. ¡°We were also surprised. It was so early to wake you up madam. Just as I passed by in front of this room, I met master standing in front of the door. I decided to wait, but I never thought that he would come to wake you up. ¡° Dahlia, who prepares my dress for today, answered me. Both Dahlia and Mimosa are laughing. ¡°But ¡­ it¡¯s unjust to attack while the other is sleeping¡­¡± ¡°Ha ha, madam¡­ it¡¯s master way of caring about you¡­¡± Dahlia is happy. For the time being, I rushed to the hall. ¡°This!¡± My husband showed me a houseplant in the place of the broken vase. Beautiful¡­ ¡°Is this?¡± The foliage is in all colors, the small leaves are lush, with small pink flowers in between. There is no eye-catching glory, but it is a pretty potted plant. The flowers give off a sweet fragrance. ¡°Yes, I wonder if I could decorate the entrance with this plant instead of the old fashioned vase. I really wanted to hear your opinion.¡± ¡°The entrance?¡± ¡°Yes, I wonder if this is better than the expensive figurine.¡± Ah ¡­ Is that the vase I broke? I¡¯m guilty¡­ But it¡¯s better for my husband to look for beautiful natural things than to go out to buy luxury goods, or something of that sort. ¡°Yes! I think it¡¯s great!¡± I¡¯m in favor of this beauty. ¡°I thought you would say that. The pots are from the warehouse and the plant replanted from the greenhouse. Did you like it?¡± He smiled relieved. Is the pot reused? wonderful! ! It¡¯s delicate and stylish. This will add to the entrance a soft elegant and comfortable atmosphere. ¡°Thank you! I think it¡¯s wonderful!¡± Chapter 54 - A big family! Ch 54 ¨C A big family! My favorite potted plant was brought to the entrance. When I was looking at the empty pedestal where once before was the vase on it, my conscience was always hurting, but the potted greenery filled the space and healed my heart. In addition to this, I have been using flowers in that vase for a long time, so the greenery now has increased the refreshing feeling of a welcome after a long journey and it has become a very warm entrance. Looking at it from a little distance, ¡°The greenery gives a good feeling!¡± Looking up at my husband standing by my side, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m glad you were happy.¡± He squeezes his eyes in a soft smile. How dangerously beautiful. Then, after going to the dining room and having breakfast, I sent off my husband as usual. After seeing him off, I immediately change into the maid uniform. Ohh, so long passed since I last used it. I decided to polish the silver cutlery in the kitchen today. Clean is the best! If I polish it with a polishing cloth, it gradually reflects the surroundings like a mirror. I¡¯m glad to see such a change, but I can¡¯t just do the cutlery alone, there¡¯s the silver dishes and trays to polish too. The maids entered while I was putting all my strength into polishing the trays, ¡°Please let us help!¡± ¡°Oh, Thanks so much!!¡± I decided to work while chatting with them. ¡°Master seems happier these days.¡± As I was working happily, I heard the girl¡¯s comment. I was staring with doubt at the girl who spoke that comment without thinking. Could it be true? Remembering about the entrance potted plant, I realize that it must be true. ¡°Really? Oh, is it about the new greenery at the entrance? He must have casually encountered that plant in the garden¡­¡± Oh, did I just see someone making a face like seeing an idiot while looking at me? It¡¯s making me blush!! They don¡¯t believe it!! ¡°Master heard about the incident with the vase and went looking for Dhalia, Mimosa and Lotus asking what could he buy that you would like to replace it. When he told them about buying a new figurine for the vacant place, Lotus refused saying you would not like that, and he was seriously consulting what should he do instead.¡± Oh, please don¡¯t smile at me as if you¡¯re enjoying watching this!! It¡¯s making me blush!! Certainly, my husband¡¯s offer was refused correctly. Because it¡¯s my husband we¡¯re talking about, it¡¯s expected that he wants to buy a decoration so expensive that it would impress. I am the one who broke the vase, but I must definitely prevent wasting cash! ¡°Did he ask Dahlia? What did she said madam would like?¡± Another maiden working with us said. ¡°Madam¡¯s favorite? Something that is not flashy or expensive?¡± Surely!! They can express what I like in one word. ¡°But it must not be something plain.¡± ¡°Yeah!! Cute and warm!¡± The maidens said following my remarks, and the others strongly followed. Cute and warm. How true!! ¡°Madam changed the house in various ways, so the house became younger and brighter.¡± ¡°It¡¯s also lively now.¡± ¡°Madam is an indispensable presence for this Duke¡¯s house!¡± ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating!!!¡± ************************************************************************************ Lunch time came. ¡°So many people today!!¡± I looked around the servant¡¯s dining table and there¡¯s so many people! The maids who always eat together, the gardener and Bellis! The reason why the population density is more than twice the usual this time, is that the the shifts system coincides for everyone and they gathered here. ¡°Occasionally, gathering like this is good.¡± Lotus exclaimed. I always eat with the maidens, but I have never been when everyone is present. This is really extraordinary. Will it become a banquet now? ¡°Someone¡¯s birthday?¡± ¡°No. That¡¯s not the case. Let¡¯s say we just want to have fun.¡± Lotus smiled at me. ¡°Wow, so fun!!! Well, what is for lunch today?¡± Let¡¯s stop thinking. It seems very fun to eat with so many people. I wait for the dishes to come out with a little excitement. As I wait while looking into the kitchen, the food came! ¡°Today we have a whirl-style pasta!¡± Saying that, they brought the freshly cooked food. The cook, doesn¡¯t forget winking if I see his eyes, but since my husband issued the ¡°Viola Contact Prohibition Order¡± the other day, there is no more skinship. It is¡­ a little lonely? I look into the plate while digging in with the sharply polished spoon and fork in my hands. The fragrant herbs stimulate my appetite. They decided to bring all the dishes at once so all the dishes were spread in the table. I have always enjoyed eating with the servants, but today more than usual. ¡°Take the sauce!¡± ¡°Here¡¯s lemon!¡± ¡°Delicious!¡± Etc.. It looks like a popular dining room. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, ¡°We¡¯re glad that you¡¯re having fun.¡± Dahlia smiled. ¡°Yes, it seems like we¡¯ve become a big family.¡± The laughter resounds at my statement, ¡°That¡¯s right madam¡± Dahlia narrowed her smiling eyes. After lunch. ¡°Madam, we received delicious sweets from a merchant that visited recently. Would you like to have some?¡± ¡°And¡­¡± ¡°Delicious herbal tea is in already. How about it?¡± Mimosa and the others proposed. It¡¯s hard to refuse if they recommend it, so I had the sweets and tea, and became full for the day. Oh, I¡¯ll become a fatty if I continue like this, but it¡¯s okay! ¡°This flower has bloomed beautifully¡± I was too surprised when seeing a fieldless flower that had no name in a cute decorated package arriving at me. ¡°¡­ What¡¯s today? What happened?¡± I was on the sofa in my private room lying down, when this happened. ¡°Nothing¡± Dahlia is laughing. ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not true. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be kicked out!! So many strange things are happening¡­ like a goodbye feast?¡± Everybody usually is very good to me, but today is unusual. Afraid of the conclusion, I close my eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not the case. Everybody is happy that you returned. Rather, while you were at your parents home, we were worried about what to do if you didn¡¯t come back¡­ So now.. we¡¯re extremely happy. ¡° Dahlia exhaled and then gently stroked my back. ¡°While I was in my family¡¯s home?¡± ¡°Yes. Is your family okay?¡± Dahlia smiles gently while asking. Is that so? Oh really? I¡¯m a little happy. ¡°Uh ~ I¡¯m glad to know that you worry about me! I won¡¯t leave without telling everyone first and deciding together!¡± It is a powerful declaration! ¡°Yes, please do that.¡± Dahlia said, laughing. I felt that I¡¯m loved here! ! A big family!! Chapter 55 - A sudden visit Ch 55 ¨C A sudden visit ** In dire need of coffee ** We have less and less people that support the site¡­ Happy Easter!! ¡­ After coming back, I am so happy to get to know that my servants and my husband care about me! As long as I don¡¯t get kicked out, I¡¯m renewing my determination to do my best in the Duke¡¯s house. When my welcome back reception ended, the mansion regained its usual calmness. I was devoted to cleaning the glass window with a rag. You can see the outside scenery from the room. Glass is generally popular, the larger the size, the more difficult to get and expensive it becomes. Despite being expensive, the duke¡¯s house uses a wall of glass in each room. As expected, they are rich. And because glass is transparent, it¡¯s worth cleaning it with care. It is a difficult task. I used a ladder to reach near the ceiling. The yellow-green fruit from a tree called citrine, that we have in the garden, is effective in removing dirt from the skin, and has a glazing effect, so it is used for cleaning. This is the wisdom of life that I used when I was at home, but it also has a refreshing scent, so the dirt will fall, the luster will come out, it will have a good scent, it¡¯s three birds with one stone! At first, there were servants who used cleaning detergents, but they liked this citrine cleaning method, and now it has become a classic glass cleaner. By the way, citrine has a strong fertility, so it always has fruits. Until now, it was mostly used to add some flavor to the dishes. The gardener team harvests a lot every day. Oh, I talked a lot about cleaning. ¡°A letter for you madam¡± Lotus appeared in the room. ¡°Well, from father-in-law?¡± I forgot my welcome letter, is it a reminder? Let¡¯s pretend I didn¡¯t notice it came and let¡¯s answer it later. ¡°It seems that they are coming to the capital because they were called from the royal palace.¡± Lotus explained the contents as I was polishing hard the glass. The letters that arrive at the Duke¡¯s family are first read by Lotus unless they are too confidential. When I looked over the letter, the contents were clearly what Lotus said. And ¡°¡­ Hey, don¡¯t you feel that it seems they will come the day after tomorrow?¡± I look up at Lotus with unrelenting eyes, ¡°It appears to be so.¡± Lotus responded calmly, but now it¡¯s already past noon and it¡¯s close to the evening. That means that the preparation time is almost gone. This is so sudden! ¡°Does my husband know this?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t think he knows it yet, because the letter came for you. Unless you have contacted him.¡± ¡°It¡¯s almost evening today¡­ Well, I¡¯ll so my utmost tomorrow to prepare the reception.¡± It¡¯s a beautiful mansion so no much preparation for the house is needed. Don¡¯t panic even if there are sudden visitors! ¡°That¡¯s right¡± ¡°Now, about the preparation of the guest room and food. Oh, yes. I think I will be in the same room with my husband this time, so let¡¯s just prepare the guest room and bring an extra bed into my room.¡± ¡°Okay madam¡± ¡°It seems to be a busy day tomorrow¡± I started thinking about tomorrow¡¯s setup in my head. The same letter seems to have been delivered to my husband¡¯s workplace, as he knew everything when returning at the evening. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the suddenness.¡± My husband lowers his head to me and seems sorry. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s urgent, but I think it will be somehow okay.¡± ¡°The order from the royal palace was urgent ¡­. It seems to be about the territory.¡± I shouldn¡¯t dig into it too much, so let¡¯s change the topic, ¡°Is that so? I¡¯ll be prepare everything. Oh, yeah, your room, this time I¡¯ll bring your bed into my room, okay?¡± I confirm it. ¡°Okay¡± Until then, he had a tired face, but now he suddenly smiled. His switching is fast. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about my bed. We can carry it later.¡± ¡°Oh yeah?¡± He now has a very disappointed face. I continue to think the same, who fast he changes. ¡°It¡¯s okay to sleep on the couch too¡± Really? Are you okay with anywhere? When I looked up at my husband, ¡°That¡¯s obviously not good.¡± I told once and for all. After all, has he ever slept on a sofa before? ¡°I¡¯ll bring your bed in now.¡± He was mumbling something but I couldn¡¯t hear it well. However, I can see that he¡¯s unwilling. The next day, after sending him off, I gathered at the employee¡¯s dining room for an emergency meeting. Of course, it¡¯s about tomorrow¡¯s visit¡±. ¡°The last time they visited we had time to prepare, but this time it¡¯s so sudden. Everyone, please work hard.¡± ¡°Yes!!!¡± ¡°First of all, cleaning the house. There are no particular problems, but just in case.¡± When Lotus instructed the employees of the cleaning team, they responded ¡°Yessss Sirrr!¡± And immediately disappeared to do the labor. After confirming that, Lotus gives instructions one after another. ¡°Laundry team should replace all sheets¡± ¡°Yes!!!!!¡± ¡°Kitchen should order more food than usual. To be able to respond to any request.¡± ¡°of course¡± ¡°About the garden, don¡¯t make any special arrangements¡± ¡°Understood¡± Belis makes a positive expression. ¡°Is it all right to bring flowers for decoration?¡± As Lotus looks at me, ¡°Yes!!!¡± I answered with all my strength. The meeting ended quickly, and each person was assigned a role. The duke¡¯s house is more busy than usual. Careful cleaning and decorations. The flowers are totally replaced. All sheets are now clean and fresh. The merchants come in and out bringing ingredients for the food for tomorrow. Lotus went into the office because of urgent documents. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s about this visit. Then, when I noticed, it was the evening and the sun was completely set. ¡°Oh no! My husband is almost here, I forgot to change my clothes.¡± It¡¯s dangerous. I hurried back to change. A pink light dress on and some fresh hair ornaments, when the door of my room was knocked, ¡°He has returned madam¡­¡± ¡°Is he in the hall¡­¡­?¡± Mimosa is not answering¡­ ¡°Did something happen Mimosa?¡± When I asked again, someone opened the door, and looking back at who it was¡­ ¡°So¡­ He was with you here already¡­¡± Can¡¯t you wait ! ¡­¡­Excuse me but I need privacy! I was too upset. He rushed out to my room after entering the house? ¡°Wife!!!! Long time no see!¡± ¡°How was your day? Al good?¡± With a beautiful smile he exclaimed. ¡°Wow, my wife! You¡¯re beautiful today.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t lie please!¡± ¡°But it¡¯s cute!¡± ¡°???¡± I don¡¯t understand his mood, so I just remain looking at him as if -what do you want?- ¡°I just returned viola. I missed you¡± he answers with a smile Chapter 56 - What is the plan? Ch 56 ¨C What is the plan? ** In dire need of coffee to pass this quarantine period!! ** Thanks for the support that made all this possible!! ¡ª The Knights crowded at the entrance. It¡¯s not just ¡°I¡¯m back¡±, Husband! ! Moreover, the servants are tired.. we¡¯re overwhelmed with all the preparations, but you escaped this difficulty. Absolutely! ¡°Will father-in-law really be here tomorrow?¡± He stretches his arms out and sneak up behind me, ¡°Can you receive them please? I¡¯ll help ¡­ ¡° My husband is really bright. He understands me. ¡°Well, we can start the comfort party a little early¡­ Instead of only one day for father and mother in law, let¡¯s start today one for them and continue tomorrow. There are enough beverages.¡± My eyes are smiling. And what is a comfort party? I would like to comfort the servants if possible! After all this work! But for now¡­ it¡¯s for the knights¡­ it¡¯s a petition from my husband¡­ We have a long way to go until we can rest. ¡°Well, there is no help¡­ Please wait at the salon for the time being.¡± I can¡¯t back out from it now. They are also important people for my husband! ¡°I thought you would say that. Thanks Vio!¡± I can see the smile on his face, and the imaginary tail swinging from his back already. While shrugging my shoulders, I asked one of the maids to guide him to the salon. Fortunately, I have drinks and food prepared. I never thought it would be useful in this situation. ¡°We have a lot of drinks and food. It¡¯s enough for today and tomorrow.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Lotus is happy about this situation. ¡°If there is not enough, let¡¯s buy more tomorrow to receive father and mother in law.¡± ¡°Very well¡± Lotus replied and went readily to the kitchen to bring the plates out. Dahlia is already on guiding the knights. ¡°Now, let¡¯s go to the main hall!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± This time, too, with the help of the servants, the main hall for the banquet is ready. It is a buffet style as before. It¡¯s really fun to use because of the large number of people, and it¡¯s rather formal at the same time if everyone is seated. Formal but relaxing, the feeling it gives is good. The banquet is still in the early stages ¡°I¡¯m sorry to suddenly disturb you today.¡± Said the girl knights. Some gave me souvenirs and sweets from popular stores in the capital. The servants were always talking about those stores, so I really wanted to go there! Even if only one time¡­ ¡°Do you want to come to visit with us some time? We welcome you!¡± I returned the offer with a big smile on my face and said yes! Yeah, I have been caught by the sweets, right? ¡°Great!!! Can I call you violet?¡± The blonde glittering sister asked me while looking into my eyes. You¡¯re too close! Wow beautiful! ! ¡°Well, yes¡­ I think.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good, we¡¯ll be leaving early today. Thanks for the party, it¡¯s nice.¡± She declared with a smiling face. But not everything is sweet about the girls. They will change drastically when alcohol is used. The blond girl, the silver haired girl, and the bronze hair girl, all of them today had a very good amount of alcoholic drinks, and it seems that they have already skipped the ball to go somewhere. The declaration of ¡°I¡¯ll go home early today¡± is the start of the true party for them. By the way, the guys, ermm¡­ knights, also have fun drinking. With this momentum, it is certain to be a headache tomorrow. Lotus, aren¡¯t you also secretly straying from the right path? How is it that I see you with so many empty glasses? Hmm? I think you heard something right now? ¡°Oh, did your husband allowed you to be in the party?¡± ¡°Of course?¡± ¡°I thought he would absolutely refuse¡± Hmm? I can hear some steps from behind. ¡°Well, it was not easy to decide so.¡± Husband? It¡¯s suspicious ~ What are you planning husband? The banquet was held until late at night, and the knights were suddenly pushed into the guests rooms. The top guest room was reserved for tomorrow for father and mother in law. I felt once again that the ability of this mansion to accommodate all the coming people is amazing! I¡¯m glad that I worked hard on cleaning. The good news is that everybody is drunk, so the party ended early. Tomorrow my parents will come, so I can¡¯t oversleep! ! All the employees who were forced to work overtime to prepare this, fell down. I¡¯m sorry I¡¯ll let you sleep now! Let¡¯s do our best again tomorrow! Next morning. The Knights woke up with a light hangover and no one practically was in bad condition, even though they almost drank all of their liquor. That surprised me. These people are just awesome! A healthy breakfast buffet (revival breakfast!) Just looking at it seems that the terrorist activity in the intestines will be activated. My husband said that he would start his work after waiting for the arrival of his mother-in-law, so his subordinates left for the royal palace first. Now that the guests left, we have to clean and prepare. Oh, I want a tea before that? But.. is there time? ¡­¡­ I¡¯m so crazy, comeback to earth Vio! Just like a storm, they suddenly came and left and my father-in-law arrived just next. They arrived early in the morning, going far beyond my expectation, where I expected them to come at noon. ¡°Is all ready? Food and all¡­¡± Next to me who changed my complexion, my husband innocently asks¡­ ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m not worried!¡± This all happened because of the people you brought without any notice husband!!!! ¡­¡­ And while mumbling in my head, I greeted my in laws at the entrance with my husband holding my shoulder. A lineup of all employees. A grand welcome. ¡°¡±¡±¡±¡±Welcome, home parents!¡±¡±¡±¡±¡± As soon as they arrived, father-in-law said that he had something to speak with my husband and left for his study. I¡¯m now having tea with my mother-in-law at the salon. ¡°I was surprised you arrived so early¡± I honestly told mother-in-law, ¡°Ufufu. Actually, we were close to the capital in a business talk.¡± What a surprise. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, we know we overwhelmed you¡­¡± What are you talking about? I¡¯m happy to receive them, it¡¯s just¡­. That all happened so suddenly. Somehow I lost my strength and I fell in the sofa. ¡°Oh, Vee-chan? Firmly ~! I¡¯m apologizing for coming so early, but today I brought a nice souvenir! over here.¡± Mother-in-law sits next to me and calls her maid. The maid came in with a white box that seemed luxurious. ¡°Here! This is your gift.¡± ¡°Thank you¡± While showing me the box I received it from her hands, The finest ruby I¡¯ve ever seen, shines in the open box I received. This is fun is written all over her face? Is my reaction so fun mother in law? No, no ~! I don¡¯t need expensive products! ! The duke¡¯s territory is rich. Just like agricultural products and mineral resources. Among them, rubies and other gems, in the Duke¡¯s territory, are the finest and best quality of the market (Dahlia¡¯s talk). That¡¯s why the dukes are rich. Well, that¡¯s fine, but don¡¯t give me such a high-end and expensive product please¡­ ¡°¡­¡­Thank you¡± I can¡¯t decline. Uh, I¡¯m still working hard to get accustomed ¡­ My hands are trembling, but there¡¯s no way out! I received it. Chapter 57 - Planning crusher ** Help!!, dying for some nice coffee ** Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! ¡ª After a while, my husband and father in law came to the main hall. Apparently, the conversation has ended. ¡°Vee? What happened?¡± My husband seems to notice that something is wrong with me and looked into my face. I can¡¯t say I got a jewel and that made like this, ¡°I was so surprised because I received a very nice present.¡± When I say that and hold the box up, my husband picks it from my hands and looks at the jewelry from every angle, ¡°Oh, this is a stunning Pigeon Blood! Wasn¡¯t this discovered in our lands a long time ago?¡± He sounds so happy¡­ is it so valuable? ¡°Yes, it¡¯s precious if sold to the royal palace or merchants, but this is what I want for my cute daughter in law to wear, so we brought it today as souvenir.¡± Father in law has a soft smile on his face, but I¡¯m more and more pale after this declaration. Is it so precious that can be used by the Royalty?! Just listening to it makes me dizzy. Don¡¯t you think that this goes slightly beyond the category of souvenir?! ¡°With this size, you can make earrings as well as necklaces. ¡ª Please call a jeweler. Let¡¯s adjust it.¡± ¡°How nice! She will look very pretty with it.¡± Mimosa left happily to call a jeweler. Very quick to action as always. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Neither father-in-law nor my husband have been in the hall much time but it¡¯s time to go to the royal palace, so they¡¯re ready to go out without sitting down to have breakfast nor a cup of tea. ¡°Come on¡± We¡¯re going to send them off at the entrance. Me alongside mother-in-law. Today, my husband and father-in-law went out to the castle. Me and my mother-in-law returned inside the mansion and spent the day chattering along. In the morning, ¡°I heard that the annex was renovated! I wanted to see it ~ ¡° ¡°I¡¯ll guide you to the annex.¡± She don¡¯t know when or how it changed, so she¡¯s curious. ¡°It feels more natural and calm than before. Very nice! I like it!¡± ¡°You can stay here if you like it more than the main mansion. Oh, yes, if you want to be alone, you can just spend your day here!¡± Hmm, there is such a usage! I am going to use it from now on, as mother-in-law said. In the afternoon, a jeweler came. We contacted him this morning and he came in the afternoon. How quick! Even the owner of a famous jewelry shop seems so surprised at the quality of the gem that his hands are trembling. Well, if you¡¯re a famous jeweler, unlike me, and saw an incredibly gem, you¡¯d be impressed and tremble. From here on, mother-in-law and Mimosa took control of the situation! From the design to the combination with other stones, they have amazing skills. It seems to be too much fun, they are watching like ¡°It¡¯s nice.. woow so good! I like it already!¡± ¡­ maybe it¡¯s my imagination but it appears to be the same case as when dressing a doll¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s make a dress that suits this¡± ¡î I lost. Better leave them alone! In the evening, my husband and my father-in-law came back from the castle. ¡°What did you do today?¡± Father-in-law asked us at the dinner table. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the annex that has been renovated! It¡¯s really nice! If we¡¯re staying for a long time, it would be good to stay there.¡± Mother-in-law said happily. ¡°It seems to have lost its old facade because I¡¯ve made some drastic changes. I¡¯m sure you, father, will like it too. Please use that for your stay.¡± ¡°Well, yes. Please show me the way.¡± The story is exciting for both the ducal couple and my husband. I just silently concentrate on eating and leave them enjoy the talk. Grilled white fish. If you¡¯re a warm meal with warm vegetables ¡°Now Vee, please take my father to the annex.¡± And here I was enjoying my meal¡­ My husband suddenly sends me out, interrupting the delicious meal. I was about to suffocate with the warm vegetables. After that, it¡¯s the story about the jeweler. My mother-in-law was eagerly speaking about the design and the like while praising her eyes and good fashion sense. The banquet was over, and after dinner, we decided to go sleep. My father-in-law has just arrived this morning and is tired. Father-in-law and my husband left the hall first. ¡°Madam, come here¡­ please¡± But I was kept by Dahlia, who called me without alerting the others. ¡°What, what?¡± I answer while peeking around to see what happened. ¡°Actually, Lotus and all of us have been busy all day today and we didn¡¯t have time to bring an extra bed to your room madam.¡± Dahlia seems to be sorry. ¡°Huh? No extra bed?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry but that¡¯s right. There¡¯s only one bed for both of you.¡± Lotus had to attend my husband and father-in-law since the morning, and after that she was busy with food and drinks. The servants seemed to be busy getting ready for today¡¯s banquets, cleaning up the rooms the knights used, as well as preparing for today. First of all, it is also difficult to carry such huge items as a bed, secretly from the warehouse to the bedroom, and mother and father in law came very early in the morning. It¡¯s understandable. ¡°Mu ¡­¡­. I¡¯ll rest on the couch, don¡¯t worry.¡± I told without much issue. ¡°Please stop it madam! Care for your health!¡± It was Dahlia who cried out. ¡°¡­ Oh wel¡­ what do you want me to do then Dahlia?¡± My husband sent my father-in-law to the room and return to my (now ours) room. My husband said, ¡°What about an extra bed? ¡° I repeated the explanation Dahlia gave. ¡°There is no need for you to apologize.¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t confirm the existence of a bed for you before making you come here, so I¡¯ll take responsibility and sleep on the couch!¡± I told before my husband finished. This sofa is soft and comfortable. Very good for a nap. Hmm? Why are you dropping your shoulders? However, my husband entered a depressed state, ¡°You won¡¯t be able to sleep on the sofa! I will sleep on the sofa!¡± What do you mean, you larger than me and never ever slept of a sofa before? I had a hard rock bed in my original house, so I¡¯m used to this. His feet will be left hanging on the floor if he uses the sofa. ¡°No way! Husband, please use the bed! I¡¯m small enough for the couch¡± ¡°If you sleep on the couch, I¡¯ll sleep on the floor!¡± Oh! Don¡¯t start again. Then the bed is empty? What a waste! ¡°I can¡¯t let you, husband, sleep out of the bed ¡­¡± I¡¯m amazed and sigh, ¡°No! it isn¡¯t okay if I sleep in the bed!¡± Please don¡¯t say it with such a righteous face. Let me break it here. Yeah, I know you¡¯re proud of this bed that is uselessly large. I can sleep with about five people on this bed. That¡¯s why there¡¯s plenty of room and margin for just two people. It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t want to use it like that! I¡¯d like to sleep alone! ¡°Oh my¡­ sigh¡­ I¡¯m tired¡­ Then, from this middle line, you, husband, over there. Don¡¯t trespass the line!¡± I made a line with pillows in the center of the bed. Exactly in the middle! ¡°Even if you don¡¯t draw such a line ¡­¡± Do not pout cutely when you¡¯re an old man. ¡°Well, to sleep! See you tomorrow.¡± ¡°Such coldness¡­¡± ¡°Umm, this isn¡¯t enough ¡­ Oh! Yeah! Mimosa!¡± I called Mimosa to bring something I remembered, ¡¸¡­¡­¡­¡­ Nee! Please¡¹ I said in a small voice at her ear, ¡°I¡¯m smart. I¡¯ll have it now!¡± After saying so and making a big affirmation, she left the room. In the meantime, I went to have a hot water bath. Of course, my husband is also in the room this time. Mimosa brought me a very big teddy bear after I left the bath. I place it next to me, before the line drawn with pillows. ¡°Is this a physical obstacle?¡± Mimosa shows a satisfactory look, ¡°Yes! This is an obstacle!¡± When I and Mimosa were talking secretly while watching it, my husband came back from wearing his pajamas. And he noticed my teddy bear on the bed. ¡°¡­ pink teddy bear ¡­¡± ¡°Yes! I thought I wouldn¡¯t have to trouble you if I roll over with this!¡± The teddy bear is holding a salmon, that¡¯s dressed as the bride, for a wedding celebration (the bear is the groom). I suddenly remembered that It was sleeping in the warehouse for a while and I can see it today! It was helpful! ¡°Thank you for the help today husband!¡± ¡°¡­¡­Yes¡± ¡°Now, good night!¡± ¡°good night¡­¡­¡± After greeting my husband, I sneaked into my side of the bed. My husband seems tired too, and silently lay down on his position. Next morning. My husband was sleeping holding the teddy bear at the borderline. isn¡¯t it uncomfortable to hold? What happened? (Is my sleeping position so bad? Such a mystery¡­) Chapter 58 - Dance lesson ** How are you guys faring in this period? I guess¡­ it¡¯s difficult being inside all the time¡­ The novels and comics make it soooo much better and easy to not get bored¡­!! Much appreciated thanks to the creators of such wonderful stories!! Leave in the comments if you think there¡¯s a novel good enough (interesting) to be translated =) ** ¡ª After seeing my husband happy in the morning and me who conducted myself normally, my father-in-law took breakfast and left us, ¡°I¡¯ll come again! I¡¯ll be contacting you soon!¡± He went home with a really good smile. This is very important; I must be careful. It¡¯s a great deal! But¡­what did he come to do at all? I still don¡¯t know anything about my husband¡¯s work or the duke¡¯s territory. Both my husband and Lotus say, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry.¡± I think this visit must have been important to their business because he talked a lot with Lotus, who helps my husband with territory related matters, but it was a short stay anyway. ¡°I thought they would stay a little longer.¡± ¡°My parents are too busy, but anyway, aren¡¯t they coming again soon? They seem to have liked the annex.¡± When I looked up at my husband who was next to me, and asked why have they liked it so much¡­ the answer came back with a bitter smile from his. ¡°I remodeled it for you Vee. My mother must have been worried that I didn¡¯t forgot my old romance interest and now with this, she had peace of mind.¡± Well, Since then, the usual peaceful days have continued. It¡¯s raining today. The usual rain lesson day. The sound of rain falling can be heard when you wake up in the morning. Coupled with a cloudy sky, it becomes dance practice all day long. Contrary to my expectations¡­ ¡°Good morning! It¡¯s raining today, madam! Let¡¯s change you into a dress! What color of dress do you want to wear today?¡± Mimosa wakes me up with a bright voice even though it was raining. ¡°Uh, my head is spinning. I have a headache today.¡± ¡°What are you talking about! Your complexion is great!¡± My happy and peaceful morning ends after she pulls the futon mercilessly. Being dressed instead of lazing around ? After a dance lesson, I¡¯m going to sleep my eyes out¡­ Mimosa polished me up together with Dahlia. I can¡¯t say anything because I ¡¯m thrilled to see their masterpiece. That¡¯s right. It¡¯s also Lotus instructor¡¯s dance lesson from the morning until night today. Although he has been praising that I have raised my skills in dance, lessons are always held to aim for further heights. Where is the top limit? I¡¯m not aiming for that at all, but Lotus when the time of the lesson, has a different aura, so I can¡¯t say it. What is a scared chicken? ¡°My husband seems to be expectant of my dance lessons results.¡± Dahlia told me that he was crawling out of bed this morning. He was really exhausted it seems. ¡°Oh, you mentioned that at supper yesterday.¡± ¡°How about an announcement of daily results?¡± ¡°Yes, well, I will do my best¡± I don¡¯t think this is a ¡°higher level¡±, but it must be done. When I finished changing to a pretty dress of Mimosa¡¯s choice, and headed to the main dining room, my husband was already seated. Today is a holiday, so it¡¯s not a knight¡¯s uniform but every day¡¯s wear. If I look closely, it is the clothes I bought for him when we went out on a date. Although it was chosen appropriately for the time being (I¡¯m sorry ~ ¡î), anything looks nice if the model is good ~. I should have chosen the most orthodox type. I¡¯m enviable. Such nice looking husband, well, let¡¯s show my smile and white teeth for now. ¡°Good morning. It¡¯s an unfortunate weather, even though it¡¯s a holiday, but it would be fun to go out again when it¡¯s sunny.¡± It¡¯s refreshing to think of walking below the blue sky with him again¡­ or not. If we go out on a date again, I will be wasted, so might as well be happy that it¡¯s raining. ¡°Good morning. If it rains like this, you will be bored.¡± I have a tight schedule, but ne! Mainly it¡¯s just a schedule to have something to do. However, my husband smiled happily, contrary to my slightly heavy mood, ¡°No, I¡¯m looking forward to watching your dance lesson today.¡± What is he saying. ¡°¡­ I don¡¯t know if I can meet your expectations¡± After all, I¡¯m not the best at dancing. ¡°Tap! Tap! Tap!. Tap! Tap Tap! Tap!¡± I take steps according to the clapping time of Lotus instructor. I¡¯m dancing alone because I¡¯m practicing stepping. I breathe in time with the rhythm, but there must be a gracefulness, a smile and elegance too for it to be okay! I¡¯ll do my best! This is a practice area for dancing. It¡¯s amazing. I¡¯d like to run with all my might to see how long this area is! But that would need tremendous guts, to confront Lotus who is overseeing the practice, and my husband, who is present and came to see my progress. Also, I¡¯d embarrass myself. I repeat the same steps from the previous time. Lotus demand increases with each turn, and seems to have reached the most difficult level. Even if you think that you have mastered anything so far, you can¡¯t speak, so just practice. I¡¯m working hard but exhausted already. ¡°I¡¯m going to do it!¡± And my husband, who had been watching with a cool face, stood up. ¡°That¡¯s right. I think master will be a perfect practice partner after such long time.¡± Lotus also smiled and agreed, so my husband took my hand at the center of the floor and was on standby. I saw my husband dancing twice at the Royal Palace and he was good. So I can¡¯t show you shame. I¡¯ll do my best! Dahlia played a dance song on the piano, so I started to dance. ¡°Master, you¡¯re pretty dull.¡± ¡°Uh ¡­¡± ¡°Madam, spine! ¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Master, step!¡± ¡°I know!¡± ¡°Madam, smile¡± ¡°Hiee ~~~¡± Ten minutes later. The guidance of the Lotus, the hardest coach, will enter you without mercy. From my point of view, my husband looks perfect, but from the coach point of view, he¡¯s too out of shape. How much have you practiced husband with the coach¡¯s clapping and Dahlia¡¯s piano? Today¡¯s Lotus feels tougher. As we continued stepping desperately, ¡°We are ready for lunch¡± Finally, the practice is over!! Miko, you¡¯re our savior!! ¡°Master needs to practice again. Madam has improved a lot. So please, come back after lunch to continue. Master and madam.¡± I gave up. When Mr. Lotus concluded the lesson with a good smile, we left the salon towards the dining room. The harsh atmosphere of the previous lesson melts in the air. ¡°It was quite hard today ¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s right ¡­¡± My husband and I are sweating a lot while relaxing on the sofa. I¡¯m holding back my tears from my back pain. ¡°Husband you¡¯re good. Your dance is profound.¡± ¡°Lotus is tough¡± The laughter of my husband is transmitted over my back. ¡°He changes entirely when teaching dance. He¡¯s very hard on everyone. Did you learn to dance with Lotus too?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Ah. He becomes obsessed with the perfect dance when class starts.¡± ¡°Hahaha. Do you think so?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± ¡°But if you can master his lesson, you will be the star anywhere.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Really, the lady who manages to follow Lotus instructions must be amazing.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Yes¡± I was praised. I am honestly happy. ¡°Well, it¡¯s fun even if it¡¯s painful¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Then he looked into my eyes and said with a sweet smile. ¡°Please let¡¯s practice together again.¡± ¡°Ha ha ¡­ If you¡¯d like¡­¡± There is no choice but to answer that. My husband and I had a great time with Lotus at the time of the dance lesson. It¡¯s the first time we spent so long together. Chapter 59 - Rumor Ch 59 ¨C Rumor If you take a break at the servant¡¯s dining, you will come across quite a few merchants. Merchants related to clothing and jewelery go directly to the Lotus office, but merchants who handle ingredients and merchants who handle drinks come to Cartham. This is to promote business negotiations while listening to Cartam¡¯s opinions. There is always a merchant, but according to the shrine maiden, the entrance to the Duke¡¯s family is limited to shops that are quite reliable and safe. In addition to the goods, it is a reasonable price, whether it is management, whether the owner is a reliable person in the first place, and after starting to conduct business after carefully examining such things, it must pass the strict examination. It seems that sales will rise sharply with the foil of ¡°Principal of the Duke of Fisarisu ¡î¡±, so every store seems to be making a big effort as a company. Many shops are working hard and aiming for a narrow gate, so they seem to be able to purchase ¡°better products cheaper¡±. All are the finest ingredients, but they can be purchased at reasonable prices! Nonetheless, it¡¯s Lotus that you can¡¯t neglect market research. It ¡¯s not like that you have money but stingy? By the way, the merchant now seems to have been trading for 10 years. Still, it is because it is the result of such efforts that you can stay at a reasonable price. Well, that was a digression, but today, Cartam, Lotus, and merchants are examining the ingredients and ingredients in the kitchen. I¡¯m looking forward to supper today! We are excited and watching the situation while relaxing in the servant¡¯s dining room. The merchant¡¯s store today is not only suitable for local food but also for local cities and neighboring countries, so it is perfect for local cuisine. Once you have delivered the ingredients you ordered, order the next ingredients and close the negotiations. ¡°Daughter, today we have some sweets that are rarer than our neighbors.¡± That ¡¯s why people ¡¯s good-looking round faces merchant Is Servant dining I smiled towards the people. This merchant¡¯s shop handles not only raw foods such as vegetables and fruits, but also seasonings and sweets, so you will always bring them in when rare items arrive. It ¡¯s different from the bottom of the sleeve because you ¡¯re paying for it. It seems that the servant is said to be luxurious, but this Welfare It ¡¯s okay because it ¡¯s budgeted exactly as part of the plan. These places are also generous, so there is no end to people who want to be servants of the duke. Oh, the story has gone away again. The merchant¡¯s words were a signal, and I had been drinking tea at the servant¡¯s dining and mimosas and shrine maidens who were taking a break with them. And joyfully rush to the kitchen. Today¡¯s confectionery was baked confectionery using plenty of lemons from neighboring countries. It looks cute, imitating the shape of a lemon, and it is a refreshing candy with sweet and sour lemon cream in a soft dough. ¡°It looks delicious! It ¡¯s unique in neighboring countries that it uses so many special lemons!¡± I spill the sigh of exclamation as I breathe in my chest full of sweet and sour smells from the sweets I picked up. Ah, good scent, happy. There are also lemons in the Fleur kingdom, but the specialty lemons in neighboring countries are not only sour but also sweet. It is special and not very popular, and it is very expensive. When I was at my parents¡¯ home, I occasionally saw it being displayed as a featured product at a grocery store where I went shopping. Even when I first came to the Duke¡¯s house How much does it cost you to use it without hesitation? I¡¯m dizzy when I think about it, but I¡¯ll close my eyes. ¡°That¡¯s right, the young lady. And this is a smoked long-established patisserie, so the taste is guaranteed! It ¡¯s okay to serve it to the Duke and his wife.¡± The merchant tells me that I take a baked confectionery in my hand and observe it with a good smile. ¡°That ¡¯s right! I casually uttered the words, but my wife is me wearing a dress before the eyes of you ¡î I can¡¯t say it. I often meet merchants who come and go here, but everyone thinks that it is ¡°Ve-chan of the new paper lady¡±. In fact, I wore my dress and lowered my hair, so I can only see my youngest daughter! It ¡¯s a reality that ca n¡¯t be completely covered. In the first place, you can¡¯t imagine that your wife is dressed up and resting in the kitchen! Lotus, who was careful not to go beyond the story of the Duchess (especially his wife), ¡°Would you like to eat for a break as it is? Please re-brew tea from Mimosa and the merchant.¡± The proposal was made with a smile, so I ended up with the sweetness of the sweets (?) And decided to have tea with the merchant. Well, it ¡¯s a common kitchen scene. The merchants often go to various places to work, so they have a wide range of opinions and also have a lot of information. This fat merchant who enjoys talking about eating and drinking and talking about other countries and locals that he has never been to, is also popular among employees. And when I¡¯m talking about a recent local city, ¡°Speaking of which, there is a rumor that the Duke bought a small house at the edge of the capital city?¡± The merchant said how he suddenly remembered. ¡°A small house?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a small house surrounded by hedges. I went to my ears when I went to a customer near the house, but it seems like I¡¯ve been there several times. Is n¡¯t it? ¡± The merchant strongly affirms Lotus toward Lotus who seems to be suspicious. If you see the eyebrow slightly moved up, is Lotus the first ear? The change is so subtle that merchants aren¡¯t aware of it, but it¡¯s too much reaction for us. But is it another annex now? Rather, the husband has been renovating the annex of the garden during this time, but has it been scattered again? That ¡¯s why I ¡¯m leaning slightly at the merchant ¡¯s blind spot, ¡°It seems that anything is going in and out with a young and beautiful woman.¡± After gently scolding the entrance of the kitchen, the merchant said with a voice. ¡°What is it ??¡± Mimosa cut out first. It ¡¯s just momentum that the merchant gets up and pulls up the chair behind Gattaan. Hannya! Hannya is here! ! Unexpectedly in the momentum of such Mimosa, this time the shrine maiden next to it, ¡°Isn¡¯t it because of this that you broke up with your companion?¡± I could hear the sound of hitting the back teeth and hitting the table with a fist. Uh, this is also a danger! ! Employees other than me instantly said, ¡°Wow, is a new mistress discovered? ! ¡±And came to mind. I¡¯m just crazy about why I¡¯m calm, and my mistress isn¡¯t so upset. After all, is it like a feeling? Yeah, are you just being pushed into this situation? ¡°Eh, ah, that ¡¯s just a rumor, but it ¡¯s a secret to your wife¡­¡± The merchant who was relaxed by the servants who had abandoned the peaceful atmosphere until then said that while holding his face, my wife is here. I don¡¯t know but Buddha. I wouldn¡¯t have thought that this information was so much a land mine. I wiped the sweat that oozed out of my eyes. Servants who spread their sway (or anger). A merchant who wanders. ¡­¡­ What about this air? In a sense that it has become chaotic in a sense, I thought that I could hear a coughing deliberately with Cohon. ¡°I¡¯ll keep this story in one of our hearts, so there¡¯s no need for more outside of it. You have to think about it as being too light. Even if you say ¡° Always calm, Lotus cut the air in cool air today in the expressionless cold butler mode. Thank you! ! Moreover, they care about the merchant. The merchant, who was obsessed with Lotus for the first time, settled with a peony, like a frog swallowed by a snake, ¡°Well, of course! We will be sure to extinguish it! We will report on future information as soon as possible!¡± I was pledged to make more oil sweat. ¡°Okay, so let¡¯s pick up today.¡± After giving a cold glimpse to the merchant who loses the complexion and sweats on the forehead, Lotus shows the exit by hand, ¡°Yes, yes, I ¡¯m going back! The merchant who responded in an uncertain manner, gathered his baggage quickly, and then went out of his way as if he was getting rid of. Because the aura drifting from Lotus was so cold. Have you done bad things to merchants? You can¡¯t imagine that your wife was in your servant. I¡¯m sure that I¡¯m leaning now that I¡¯m thinking about how cold my liver is if I just talk about rumors. Despite rumors, a new suspicion of mistress came to her husband.