Chapter 4

Avan returned to the Marquess's mansion around noon.

"Sorry about last night. I suddenly got a call that the young lady of my childhood friend's baron family was unwell, so I rushed over, worried about her."

So, it wasn't because you were out partying too much and got tired?

"You're healthy, and we have many more nights ahead, so it's not a problem, right?"

I have a hard time with that, you know? Not to mention, we haven't even had our first night together yet.

As soon as I saw him, I pasted a smile on my face and nodded occasionally to show that I was listening, even though his apology seemed more like an excuse.

"Anyway, the current head of the baron family passed away in an accident recently, and now the young lady is living alone, feeling very lonely. She's all alone in that big mansion."

Do you think that's pitiful? I wish you'd stop your dramatic act; it's really annoying.

That mansion is already mortgaged due to the head's debts, and she's about to be evicted. I checked that out when I went to the bank yesterday. Information is important.

And of course, I know you don't have the means to pay off her debts. The Marquess's finances are in shambles due to the previous Marquess's extravagance. Only the Marquess's side thinks they can hide it...

But even so, it's a profitable business for Roseville, so it's fine. However, I know that if I leave it to Avan, even that profit will be gone in no time.

That's why the last time, my goal was to endure for three years and then annul the marriage contract.

"I can't just leave her alone when she's unwell like last night. So, I want to invite her to stay here for a while. I won't have to worry, and you'll make your first friend in the capital. It's a win-win, isn't it?"

What a brilliant idea, don't look so smug. Your nose is flaring too much; it's disgusting.

Why do I have to be friends with a nasty vixen like her? I have the right to choose... although Alice probably doesn't want to be friends with me either.

But if I object, you'll start yelling that I have no heart and won't stop until I agree. It's too much trouble, so I won't refuse, but whether I accept it or not is none of your business.

"......Fine, if you're worried, go ahead and help her."

"Great! That's wonderful. Actually, I've already brought her here. Alice, come over here."

You're really something. You didn't even consider the possibility of refusal.

If you were going to force it, you didn't need to ask. ...But you needed the pretense of helping a poor girl.

While I was thinking this, Alice, who had been called, walked quietly to Avan's side and clung to his arm.

Her long, light chestnut hair, loosely curled, reached her back, tied with a cute pink ribbon. She smiled brightly without bowing, her large green eyes looking like they might spill over.

"Let me introduce you. This is Alice, the daughter of Baron Teed. She's the only daughter of the Baroness Teed, who was my nursemaid, and a dear friend since childhood."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Alice. Avan and I have been friends since we were little, nice to meet you."

Alice's smile showed no intention of being a burden. She seemed quite energetic, despite being so unwell last night that Avan had to rush over.

What was her illness? Hmm... a headache?

"Yes, nice to meet you. ...Ah, Avan-sama, I also have something to report. Please have everyone come in."

As I spoke, the servants who had arrived from the border baron's house in the early morning lined up behind me and bowed to him in unison.

It takes ten days by carriage from our family's territory to the capital, even if you hurry.

I had expected it to take a month for the letter I entrusted to the driver, Thomas, to reach my parents and for the servants to arrive.

But it seems my parents, thinking I would need help in my new home, sent the servants to the capital right after me.

Thomas met them on the way and they hurried to the capital together.

"I've been here for a week, and I noticed that the number of servants seems insufficient for the size of the mansion. They are all trustworthy people who have worked for the border baron's family."

While introducing everyone to him, I subtly implied that the servants here were untrained and lacking in etiquette. Thanks to their slow return, I had enough time to brief them on the situation here, so they are all ready for action.

"Huh? W-What are you doing on your own?"

"I heard that you inherited the title upon marriage and that the previous Marquess couple will retire to the manor in the territory. I understand that this mansion has been handed over to me and Avan-sama.

In that case, I am the lady of the house... Please rest assured, I will manage the household properly. It is the wife's duty to maintain the Marquess's mansion both inside and out."

"Y-Yes... If there are no problems, that's fine."

"Then, I'll introduce the key personnel first. This is the steward, Andor, the housekeeper, Maria, and the captain of the knights, Sir Isra. Please remember them."

As I called out their names, the three stepped forward and bowed respectfully. Avan stared at them with a blank expression, but after a while, he snapped out of it and raised his voice at me.

"Steward? We already have a butler, and you appointed a housekeeper without permission...!"

"Avan-sama, I heard that Mr. Howl, the butler, has served since your grandfather's time."

"Yes, he's a loyal servant who has served our family for many years..."

"Then you didn't know, Avan-sama. Mr. Howl has repeatedly asked me to review the accounts of this mansion. I couldn't make any decisions without understanding the household's finances. ...And I found out something unfortunate. Mr. Howl has been embezzling a significant amount of money."

"......What?"

"......The accounts were full of holes that even a child could spot. When I confronted him, he confessed. It's an intolerable act of disrespect and insult to the Marquess's... master to continue such behavior under the guise of trust. Furthermore, the maids assigned to me... all of them were thieves. It's unacceptable to have untrained thieves serving as maids to the Marquess's wife. It sets a bad example for the other servants."

I bluntly informed him that the embezzlers and thieves had been isolated.

His shock at my unexpected words was clearly visible on his face. As I watched him struggle to respond, I continued.

"I have locked the three of them in an empty room. May I decide their punishment?"

Thanks to the three years I spent observing this man, I knew his weaknesses and dislikes well.

He hates paperwork and is useless in court, holding a nominal position just to maintain the Marquess's reputation.

This kind of work is usually left to me.

"Alright, I'll leave the punishment to you. I need to show Alice to her room, so that's all for today."

"Understood."

I got his word. Now I can confidently clean up the mess in this house.

I watched Avan and Alice ascend the stairs to the second floor with a refreshing feeling.

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