Chapter 69

11:00 AM, I also plan to post.

Since it became too long, I split it into two parts.

However, both are longer than usual.

"Um... why did it end up like this, Michelle...?"

"I would be at a loss if you asked me, Lady Reisha. Didn't you get carried away and end up here, Lady Reisha?"

"But, she didn't give me a chance to say no."

"Wow, it was quite a momentum and intensity. It seems like the kind of thing Claude-sama isn't good at."

Her husband said it was his nemesis.

As we were whispering to each other, the woman who was leading us turned around.

I was trembling, thinking she might have heard our conversation, but she walked over and firmly grabbed my arm.

"Come on, Lady Reisha! Let's go with enthusiasm!"

Rosamonde, who had taken off her dress and was wearing clothes like a common citizen, looked incredibly excited with a radiant smile.

Now, how did it come to this?

It all started yesterday.

Yesterday, after having breakfast outside with my husband, we returned to the castle and I was writing the plans for a research project that had failed in the past.

I wrote down whatever came to mind, and since I had a tea appointment with Rosamonde, I went to the parlor when she called me.

As the lady of the house, I was the one hosting, so I was inviting the people I met yesterday.

Although it was the day after yesterday, I had already been informed that they were coming today.

"Thank you for the invitation."

Yes, she's beautiful.

She's quite a bit older, but she has a youthful energy.

Perhaps even a powerful presence.

However, unlike yesterday, she doesn't have any attendants or followers with her.

"Are you alone?"

"Yes, I thought I would talk about the Lindbergh Dukedom today, so I asked them to stay behind."

Her smile and ominous words.

It means she doesn't want others to hear.

I silently wished for a gentle conversation and offered her tea.

We both took a sip of tea, and first, we sized each other up.

But she seemed at ease.

No wonder.

When it comes to the Lindbergh Dukedom, she clearly knows more.

She's quite formidable.

She quietly put down her cup and fixed her gaze on me.

I naturally straightened my back.

"By the way, how much do you know about the Lindbergh Dukedom, Lady Reisha?"

"I have studied the general history and family members."

I read the reports gathered by my excellent demon butler.

"Then, do you know about the businesses the Lindbergh Dukedom is involved in?"

"I am still studying in detail, but I have heard from my husband."

The dukedom spans from north to south and guards the eastern border.

There are significant regional differences within the dukedom.

The wealthiest area is in the south.

It has fertile farmland and is part of the country's granary.

Additionally, horse breeding is one of the businesses, which is managed by the lord.

While they have a wide range of activities, these two are the main sources of income.

If they do too much, it might harm the businesses of other regions, so they are cautious.

In that sense, the meat research project might be seen as a threat by other regions that specialize in meat.

However, they are aiming for a high-end market, so there should be room for coexistence.

"I have always thought that I would marry Claude-sama in the future. Therefore, I studied not only my own territory but also the Lindbergh Dukedom and broadened my knowledge by studying abroad."

Rosamonde looked at me intently.

Even with the princess and the outrageous houseguest Elise, she might have thought the most about the Lindbergh Dukedom among the three.

It's hard to tell if she's accusing me or saying that I am more suitable, you country girl!

"Yet, in the end, you were chosen. I have been favored by the previous duke since childhood and was encouraged to broaden my knowledge. I have been working hard following his advice, believing that he wanted me to be Claude-sama's wife..."

Their ages were well-matched. A slightly older husband is ideal.

Moreover, knowing each other since childhood is a significant reason for marriage.

If we believe Rosamonde, she was also favored by the previous duke, Claude-sama's grandfather.

Given that, she must have believed she would become the duchess one day.

"It is unacceptable for someone who knows nothing about the Lindbergh Dukedom to be chosen for a love marriage, not a political marriage. To be honest, I am disappointed in Claude-sama. Everyone thought he would marry the son of the previous duke."

Hmm? Love marriage? Rather, my marriage to Claude-sama is closer to a political marriage, but from the outside, it might look like a love marriage.

Moreover, I have been making it seem that way since I came here, so I can't deny it.

By the way, how bad was my father-in-law as a lord?

He is often criticized.

"However, I can see that you have the spirit to drive away those who are beyond their station and selfish women, so I will give you a passing grade."

T-Thank you...

I didn't take the lead, but... well, it's fine. No need to say more.

"Although it's a passing grade, it seems you still don't know much about the Lindbergh Dukedom, so I will teach you a little."

The preamble was long, but it might be good that it ended with just a bit of resentment.

Moreover, it's true that I know less about the Lindbergh Dukedom and the Lindbergh territory than Rosamonde, so I decided to listen gratefully to whatever she said.

"You may not know, but there is a significant wealth gap between the north and south of the Lindbergh Dukedom. The north, which has no industry, has been suffering from poverty for a long time, and I have always been pained by this."

I know that.

That's why there is improper coal mining.

"In fact, I have been studying the wealth gap for a long time. As a noble of this country, I believe we should always be with the people, and I have studied policies in other countries. However, the wealth gap is the same everywhere. So, I started by investigating the causes of poverty."

Yes, I think that's a noble idea. Few noble daughters think this deeply. Even among men, there are few with such lofty ideals.

"I started by investigating the poverty in the Lindbergh Dukedom, which I might marry into. If I knew beforehand, I could take action immediately after marriage. Recently, I heard that some money is flowing into the north, and I thought a new industry might have emerged. It turned out there is a coal mine! I think we should take advantage of this."

What... Rosamonde. Were you doing such things with the assumption of marriage...?

"Coal mines can make money. Of course, I have also investigated this. I know that the coal is deep underground. However, if we proceed properly, it is safe. If the coal mine can make money, we can save them. Yet, Claude-sama wants to close the mine... That's the height of folly."

"Who told you that...?"

"My father. He is genuinely worried about the young Claude-sama, and I have also advised him."

When did this happen? Well, even without meeting in person, a letter would have been fine.

Originally, Rosamonde is staying in this territory, but she is from another territory.

I understand that she investigated the marriage family because there was a high possibility of marriage, but each territory has its own circumstances...

Moreover, the mine is already closed, or rather, it was closed from the beginning.

"If you are the wife of the lord, it is your duty to stop the lord if he is on the wrong path."

"No, the coal mine is already closed, and the people who are mining improperly are the ones who are wrong."

"Then, what about the people who came to my father? They said they wanted to advise Claude-sama."

When I glanced at Michelle, she nodded.

This is something I need to report to my husband.

"Well, that's a minor issue. At least, as a member of the duchy, I need to know more about the people who have sought help from other territories."

Does she understand that this is fundamentally wrong?

Why would they appeal to the lord of another territory? And why would he listen?

It's unnecessary, right?

If it's improper governance, there are specialized places to file complaints, and they would investigate enthusiastically.

This is quite well-known, you know?

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