Chapter 33

"Given that, please cooperate, Mr. Husband."

In the study, I talked about the details of the tea party with Michelle and asked for his cooperation. Mr. Husband, who was bracing himself for some conditions, took the invitation to the tea party and fiddled with it in his hand. To my surprise, he nodded without much fuss.

"On that day, I happen to have work at the palace. I can probably show up for a little while."

I would have preferred if he could stay from the beginning to the end. Having a shield makes a big difference. However, since he has work, I had to endure. If I complained here and he decided not to go, that would be the worst.

But it's strange. This isn't like the usual Mr. Husband.

Usually, he would definitely propose some kind of trade-off.

"What? I will show up properly."

Because I was looking at him with suspicion, Mr. Husband's brows furrowed. After all, it's not like he's doing it willingly. I don't trust Mr. Husband.

"So? How was Mademoiselle Andret?"

While I was staring at Mr. Husband, who was looking at the invitation, he suddenly asked about Michelle. What about Michelle?

"How was she? She seemed relieved?"

When I recalled her face at the tea party, she also seemed a bit tired. She must have been the most nervous today when we were talking. She seems to be having a hard time too.

"So?"

So?

Um... What exactly does Mr. Husband want to know?

"Did you become a bit closer?"

Mr. Husband asked me, not quite getting the point.

"Close...? Well, I think we became a bit closer?"

At the very least, we went from strangers to acquaintances. Besides, I'm supposed to join Michelle's faction... — Oh!

"Did something go wrong?"

The Lindbergh Duke family doesn't belong to any faction. If I had to say, they are neutral.

However, they don't favor any faction. After all, doing so would disrupt the balance of power among the factions. In other words, it's not desirable to lead a faction.

"There's no problem. From the outside, it doesn't look like I'm favoring any faction. The problem is the Princess's attitude, which is inappropriate for a royal."

And it's because the adults around her are turning a blind eye that she's suffering! Mr. Husband, as a relative of the royal family, you should know that you're partly to blame, right?

"By the way, since you're attending the tea party hosted by the royal family, you must keep your promise. Of course, this includes the tea party you hosted today."

"I understand, it's about the tea and snacks, right?"

Exactly, that's it!

Honestly, attending a tea party that smells of trouble and inconvenience is not something I look forward to, but that's what keeps me going!

"You seem more willing than usual?"

"Of course! Mr. Husband should study more about the importance of sweets for women."

"Is that so?"

Mr. Husband chuckled. Something seems different today. He seems kinder. No, but I shouldn't let my guard down.

I remember someone saying that when a usually cold husband suddenly becomes kind, it's because he's hiding something. And most of the time, it's related to infidelity!

Suddenly, I recalled Mr. Husband asking about Michelle. How was she? Did we become closer? Could it be that Mr. Husband wants to take Michelle as a concubine? Besides, Michelle was also unusually attentive to my reactions.

Oh, wait, could it be?

In our country, which practices monogamy, concubines are sometimes taken to ensure an heir. My Verdigo family is somewhat similar. Though, it's a very rare case where a concubine becomes the official wife.

Mr. Husband said I don't need to have children. And the other day, I also expressed my reluctance.

So, could it be that he wants to take someone in to ensure an heir? But I already said it was fine. Is he trying to be considerate?

If it's Michelle, I would welcome her. But would the Andret Duke family, even if it's the Lindbergh Duke family, really offer their daughter as a concubine? Maybe there's something I don't know, like the Andret Duke family having a weakness that Mr. Husband is exploiting? Or some political reason?

But if that's the case, maybe he wanted me to lead a faction. It would look strange for the official wife to join the faction of a concubine. Since my position is weak, I would have to protect her. I need to show the Lindbergh Duke family's power to the Princess and make her back off.

Yeah, it's a far-fetched idea, but it seems to fit... Should I ask or keep quiet?

After all, there are future considerations, but how do you bring up something like this normally? Should I say I agree to taking a concubine? Or should I be more indirect...

"What are you thinking?"

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Mr. Husband. I was at a loss, but decided to ask properly.

"Mr. Husband, are you thinking about taking Michelle as a concubine?"

"Huh?"

"No, you've been asking about Michelle a lot, how she was, if we became closer, and you agreed to attend the tea party without any conditions. That's not like the usual Mr. Husband."

The moment I said that, Mr. Husband, still seated, looked up at me with a more terrifying expression than usual, his lips curling up.

"So, that's how you interpret it... Interesting. I was simply offering to help out of pure goodwill and was worried about how your first tea party as a duchess went—... I see, I see?"

Mr. Husband slowly stood up from his chair and walked towards me. The setting sun coming through the window made the scene even more terrifying.

H-H-Heee! It's s-scary!!

"Perhaps I should just go as usual."

"Eh? Eh? Kyaa!"

Before I knew it, I was pushed down onto the desk.

"According to what I heard, being kind can deepen a couple's relationship. I tried to follow the advice, but it seems to have had the opposite effect."

Hey!

Are you saying that, Mr. Husband!?

I know that it's useless for someone with zero trust to suddenly do something like that!

"Furthermore, I need to make sure you never think of that ridiculous idea about a terrifying relationship with the Andret Duke's daughter again."

Wait, is he really angry!?

Even I can tell he's really angry! Just because I said something off the mark, why is he so angry!!?