Chapter 31

"Let's get straight to the point. We're both busy, after all."

"Yes, that's right."

"I should be the one who's free, right? But because of someone, I've got more work. Ah, I mean obligations, not work, right?"

"Didn't you, sir, guarantee me a minimum standard of living? If I remember correctly, after the last incident, I thought it would be the minimum standard of living for a noble lady?"

"Yes, after many negotiations, and sometimes a bit of physical effort, I managed to secure the minimum standard of living for a noble lady."

"Lagnarth was on my side and promised to improve my daily care and meals. The meals have definitely improved, and now I eat all three meals with you. As for the work at the annex, it seems he came back here because it was more comfortable. There's a proper office here, and staying here is even better than the annex."

"Sometimes, work from the palace comes in when I'm not around, but that's the best time. I want to send them off with a 'you don't have to be here all the time.'"

"There's a saying that a husband is best when he's healthy and away. It's really true!"

"But, getting back to the topic, the minimum standard of living for a noble lady includes tea time!"

"You will strictly adhere to tea time. And the accompanying tea snacks are also part of your obligations, you know."

"Reisha, I feel like you're treating me like a pampered daughter."

"Ah, I feel like I'm being mocked a lot."

"Do you know what the life of a low-ranking noble is like?"

"M-maybe... ..."

"The category of noble lady is broad. I focused on the life of a low-ranking noble. Even so, the treatment is more than sufficient, right?"

"Wait, wait a minute! I'm fulfilling my duties as a duchess!"

"Look, household management and sometimes the head of the household's work are the minimum obligations to maintain the minimum standard of living for a noble lady. Right, Lagnarth?"

"That's correct."

"Hey! Why is it like this? Is it just that I lack understanding? I feel like I'm on the verge of defeat no matter what I say."

"Well, I'm not that cruel. If you really want to eat tea snacks, why don't you participate in or host a tea party?"

"Ah, absolutely not. Social obligations are the most troublesome."

"Alright, if you attend a tea party once, I'll guarantee tea snacks for a month. If you host a tea party, I'll guarantee them for six months. If you attend a royal tea party, I'll guarantee them for a year."

"Ah, so that's how it is? But, sir, do you really think I'll attend a royal tea party? With a mischievous princess waiting for me? I wouldn't go if I had normal nerves. But if I had normal nerves, I wouldn't refuse a royal tea party. Since I'm not normal, I have the option of not going."

"Hmm, as I was thinking, you hesitated. Then, sir, continued."

"There's another option to fully guarantee the life of a duchess."

"What is it?"

I immediately jumped at it. But I regretted it as soon as I did. Sir's face looked like a villain's. He smiled and said:

"Spending the night with me and having a child."

"I'll pass."

I said it immediately. Of course, I understand that it's better to have a child as a duchess, but sir is scary. I feel a sense of fear, not knowing what might happen. He's very experienced with women, but I'm a beginner. Plus, I don't trust him.

I'm not sure how serious sir's current statement is, but I feel like I've been toyed with to some extent, given his shrug of disappointment.

"So, what will you do?"

"Um... ..."

Actually, when I think about it, it doesn't seem so bad. If I attend or host tea parties, I'll get tea snacks for a limited time. Hosting is troublesome, but attending once a month is manageable. I can endure that.

Besides, sir didn't specify the scale of the tea party... He might be planning something. Since I received an invitation to a tea party from Michelle after the last incident, it might be a good opportunity.

"Alright, I'll request that the tea snacks be guaranteed as part of my social obligations."

Sweet treats are important nutrients for women. Without them, life lacks color.

"Just to confirm, are the tea parties limited to women only?"

Well, tea parties are generally centered around women, but like Elise's tea party, it's fine to invite men. In fact, large-scale daytime social events, even if called tea parties, can be as formal as evening social events. Such large-scale events are rare, and I don't want to attend or host them.

"No, men can join women's tea parties, but not in a one-on-one setting."

"I understand. I won't engage in any suspicious behavior."

I have common sense, sir.

"Any other conditions?"

Well, it's not good to decide everything without preparation. You could give me some time to think, too.

"Sir, to be honest, I'm busy with various things and don't have much time to think. If something comes up, can we update the contract then? You might have some ideas too."

If everything is set in stone now, I won't have any room to maneuver. That would be a problem.

"I think the latter option is the easiest for me."

"Let me say this: it was you, sir, who said I don't have to have a child."

"You said it, but there are many ways to avoid having a child."

"Ah, I don't understand. Why do I need to spend the night with you if I'm not having a child?"

In other words, why do I need to spend the night with you if I'm not having a child?

"You don't understand...?"

"No, I don't understand at all."

Lagnarth looked troubled and glanced at sir, who returned a questioning look.

"Still, not a child...?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't handle such matters..."

"There's no choice... Is there anyone suitable?"

"Yes, they are scheduled to come here this week."

What's going on? They seem to understand each other. In the midst of feeling excluded, I asked the maids with my eyes if they understood what these two were talking about. All three of them looked at sir with sympathetic eyes.

"Huh? Is this making me look like the bad guy?"

If you have time, please bookmark and support me with a rating of ☆☆☆☆☆ below the ad.