Chapter 70

Today, Chapter 2

"Understand? As a duchess, you must thoroughly know the people you are supposed to protect in the Lindbergh Duchy. Do you understand this? You still don't know much about this Lindbergh Duchy. In other words, you must know how the people actually live."

While her words had a point, I had to put a stop to Rosalimondo's enthusiasm, who was leaning forward, convinced that her arguments were absolutely correct.

"Um... Excuse me, may I speak?"

"What is it? We were just getting to the good part."

"No, um... What exactly are you trying to tell me, Lady Rosalimondo? Do you want me to know about the poor in the Lindbergh Duchy?"

Rosalimondo blinked and drew a curve with her lips.

"You are quite perceptive. Many old-fashioned people think that knowing the history of the house and serving the head of the house as a lady of the house is the right way to be a wife. However, it is now the time when women are also stepping out into the world. We don't need a mere puppet who just follows orders. Especially in this vast Lindbergh Duchy, a wife needs to have the same level of knowledge as the lord to manage the duchy."

Hmm, my husband didn't seem to want a puppet either.

"In other words, I believe that getting closer to the people and learning about them is more important than studying history. However, my thoughts were dismissed by Claude. No matter how much I pleaded, my words were only seen as those of someone from another duchy. But we can't just let it be. They are also the people of this duchy, after all."

Somehow, it sounds like a righteous argument, but personally, I think history is important. Understanding the path taken and the decisions made is the key to knowing this land and its people, and the future is a development of that.

"We can't neglect the foundation."

"That's why I want to impart my wisdom to you. And stopping the wise Claude from making mistakes is one of your important roles."

She might not be a completely good person, but at least she doesn't seem to be a bundle of malice. Her words, though a bit off, conveyed her concern for the people. However, I wonder why she cares so much about the Lindbergh Duchy. As a daughter of a noble family, she should be most concerned about her own duchy. If she were married or engaged, it would make sense, but at this stage, it doesn't seem necessary to be so deeply concerned.

"Um, I have a question... Did you like my husband, Lady Rosalimondo?"

Is it because she genuinely likes my husband and wants to be of help? Or is it because she thinks the family she will live with for the rest of her life is more important than her own duchy?

"If asked whether I like or dislike him, I would naturally say I like him, but if asked whether there is any romantic feeling, I can only say there isn't."

"Huh?"

"He has status, money, and a fine appearance, but his personality is twisted. He doesn't listen to others, including me."

Rosalimondo snorted.

I agree with the part about not reporting or consulting, Lady Rosalimondo. However, I don't think he doesn't listen to others. At least, he listens to me seriously and gives clear instructions on what needs to be improved.

"Still, I thought there was no one more suitable as a duchess than me. Do you think a shallow noble lady who only sees Claude's status, money, and appearance can be the lady of this land?"

Well...

"I have been known as a talented girl since childhood. I always thought my intelligence should be used for the development of the country. However, the royal princes, who are my marriage prospects, only affirm the whims of a spoiled girl. The only decent one is the Crown Prince, but his engagement was already decided when I was born."

Yeah, Michelle. Your face confirms that my ears weren't playing tricks on me. She is extremely overconfident.

"That's why I thought the next best option was the ducal family, the guardians of this country. I even reconsidered and thought that the role of protecting the people was more suitable than marrying into the royal family. I believe my policies will benefit this duchy and, by extension, the country."

...Wait, is this...?

"Claude seems to think I might tell you unnecessary things, but that's not true. Helping the weak is the duty of those in power. Since you didn't flinch even in front of me and the other noble ladies, I understand that you married Claude with a certain resolve. Therefore, as an elder and a relative of the Lindbergh ducal family, it is my duty to guide you where you lack."

I realized that her appearance was a test.

And her words, which were both helpful and not, made me think. While her words were correct, implementing them seemed impractical. Equality for all—or at least a certain level of prosperity—is an ideal, but it's not realistic. Even with the best policies, there will always be people who are disadvantaged, and these people often have power and money. At the very least, proper groundwork is necessary.

"There are many interesting policies in other countries that we don't have. Some are innovative, and we need to be flexible in acquiring new knowledge. Since you are younger than me, please learn new things diligently."

I thought about her firm words. Should I refuse or listen? I decided to listen, just to be polite.

"Could you give an example?"

"In other countries, there is a policy where the royal family and nobles live among the common people for a certain period to understand their lives. This helps them understand what the people need now, what will be necessary in the future, and what they are struggling with."

Ah, I've heard of that. From Ragnarot. But when I heard the continuation, I was disappointed.

"Um, do you know the behind-the-scenes details of that policy?"

"Behind-the-scenes details? Yes, of course. There are some preferential treatments, right?"

The preferential treatments mean that the noble children are accepted, and in return, they will be favored in the future. Accepting them means having the credit and resources to do so, and it leads to connections. However, it actually leads to collusion. In the countries that have implemented this policy, there is a tight collusion between the nobles and merchants, and even those who don't actually live among the common people pretend to. The merchants and upper class who are colluding benefit from this. I heard that the policy was introduced when the country was newly formed. At that time, the policy worked as intended and was supported by the common people, but now there is resistance to the policy in some areas. It seems that Rosalimondo doesn't know the true behind-the-scenes details.

"Um, that policy has already failed. Collusion has occurred between the nobles and the accepting side, and any new initiatives are crushed..."

"Well, but that's just a lack of power, isn't it? It's wrong to attribute your lack of power to collusion."

"No, it wasn't really welcomed by the people."

"That's not true. I studied in that country and conducted thorough research. You've never been there, so are you just believing what others say?"

She has a point. I, who have only heard rumors, can only remain silent. But... I think she was probably only introduced to people who would say what she wanted to hear. I imagine she said the same thing to my husband, and he dismissed her. Thinking about it, my husband might have thought the same as me. Suddenly, I thought that the previous duchy's practice of letting my husband play with the children of the duchy when he was young might have been similar to this policy. It helped him understand the people he needed to protect and the life in the duchy.

"Even if what you say is true, at least understanding the lives of the poor and learning about their struggles, and thinking about how to eliminate poverty and promote their production activities, will surely lead to the development of the duchy. If income increases, more support can be provided to those in need."

Rosalimondo's words are logical. Of course, logic isn't always right. However, I believe that striving to get closer to the ideal, even if it's difficult to achieve, is not wrong. Rosalimondo, who was listening to me, continued with a slightly smug look.

"To do that, we should live among the people. So, let's go."

She stood up and looked down at me.

Wait, where to?

I was a bit slow to react to Rosalimondo's words.

"The preparations are already made. So, please come with just yourself. Let's experience how the people of the Lindbergh Duchy live."

Wait, hold on.

This is all too sudden, Rosalimondo.

It's good to be inspired by policies from other countries, but please wait a moment!

Michelle and I are frozen, unable to keep up with the sudden proposal!

"This is my first attempt, but with three of us, I'm sure we can come up with good ideas."

First attempt?

And three... Does that mean Michelle, who is standing behind, is included too?

"Experiencing the lives of the people will be a good experience. It's the best way to understand the Lindbergh Duchy. Only by being accepted by the people can you be recognized as a lady of the house."

No,

Isn't this just because you're interested?

I want to say that, but Rosalimondo's momentum is too strong, and I can't close my mouth.

Actually, I think I understand why my husband called her his nemesis. Her overwhelming presence and pressure don't allow for any interruptions. On the contrary, I admire my husband for being able to brush her off, which is quite impressive in its own way.

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