Chapter 5

Vanessa and the butler, Hans, served tea to Lord Earl and us sisters in the parlor.

Percival stayed in the study to organize the documents, saying that once he had tidied up to a certain extent, he would join us for tea in the parlor.

I really wanted to help with the document organization, but I succumbed to Patricia's silent pressure, which was essentially, "Do you want to keep Lord Earl waiting?"

The high-quality tea, which would be fine to serve even to the head of the earl's family, was a gift from Patricia.

Since the marriage proposal, Lord Earl has been visiting this townhouse more often and has been chatting amicably with my sisters.

Jessica, for instance, was invited to a tea party by a young lady of her age and exclaimed, "Isn't it amazing that the admired Lord Rockwell will become my brother!?" and was met with a chorus of "How wonderful!" from the other young ladies present.

The topics of conversation among girls Jessica's age sometimes include charming gentlemen. Even with a fiancé, such talk is still part of the fun, Jessica says, but...

Yeah... It seems like she's having a good time, and that's the most important thing...

I was worried that Percival might get jealous, but whether it was something Jessica said or Percival's personality, he didn't show any signs of it.

After hearing the details from Patricia, Lord Earl enjoyed the aroma of the tea and murmured, "I see."

"Indeed, things will get busier in the future. Mrs. Russels must be worried about her two daughters' upcoming marriages. She doesn't look well, perhaps due to the stress?"

Jessica and I were startled by Lord Earl's words and looked at Patricia.

She does seem less energetic than usual... Wait, Sister, please don't overdo it, even for your sisters' sake.

"Sister, if you're not feeling well, I'll call for a carriage!"

"Hans! Contact the Russels Company!"

Patricia waved us off with her hand.

"I'm fine, I'm not overworking myself. Thank you for your concern. Lord Rockwell."

Lord Earl nodded and looked at me.

"I was thinking that it might not be good to worry Mrs. Russels... But visiting Grace here does take time."

Hmm... Indeed.

I try to visit the Rockwell residence as much as possible, but it does inconvenience Lord Earl, and he's even visiting me directly...

"How about it, Grace? Before the marriage, would you consider moving to the Rockwell residence? In the future, the development of Eubachar should be handled internally, and this would be the best approach."

I froze at Lord Earl's words.

Move to the Rockwell residence...

Who? Me?

But, isn't that after the marriage? We are engaged, but before the marriage?

I've heard that in some old noble families, there's a custom where the bride-to-be goes to the groom's house to learn the ways of the household before the wedding, but...

Practically speaking, it would prevent information leaks and save a lot of time in consultations, but...

What are you saying all of a sudden!?

Even if we will eventually get married, it's the feeling that matters!?

I mean, this is my first time in this life with dating, engagement, and marriage!

Just because there were guards when we went to the territory, or that the inspection trip with Lord Earl felt like a pre-honeymoon, doesn't mean I want to live together!

Of course, I... I... I do like Lord Earl!!

But, I'm still nervous in front of him, even after last night's ball and today's visit!

And now, to share a life together!?

"Wow, amazing!! Sister Grace, it's like a traditional noble wedding!!"

Jessica!?

"Our family is relatively new nobility, but I've heard that high nobility does have such customs! One of my engaged friends might soon move into her fiancé's house!"

Really?

So, Jessica's friend is marrying into a high noble family?

"Also, Cheryl, who accompanied us on the inspection, was particularly enthusiastic about 'welcoming Lord Wilcox here.'"

Cheryl, the maid assigned to me by the Rockwell family, has been staying at the Wilcox residence to help with the ball preparations and then returning to the Rockwell residence.

She is the daughter of a baronial family that serves the Rockwell family.

As a noble lady, she is more proper than I am.

According to Lord Earl's proposal, Cheryl has been in frequent contact with Patricia, who said, "While Grace is exceptionally talented in managing and developing the territory, she is too frugal, and her sense of a noble lady's surroundings is a bit lacking. Consulting with me is the right choice."

After savoring her tea, Patricia spoke to me.

"Grace, you are indeed more capable than your father and have revitalized the Wilcox family. But..."

Here it comes. Patricia's "but."

I braced myself for the next logical punch.

"You are engaged to Lord Rockwell. Normally, you would be preparing for the wedding. I think it's not a good idea to take on the new territory development project on top of your current business. Shouldn't the priority be to pass the business to Percival, who will be joining the family?"

You're right.

What I should do first is that...

There was a knock on the door, and Percival, who had finished organizing the documents, entered the parlor.

"Grace, I have always helped with your work. I will support the Wilcox family."

"Me too! I'll help protect the viscount's family with Percy!!"

"Percival... Jessica..."

When I said this, Percival and Jessica looked at each other and smiled.

That's right, I can't leave the Wilcox family to anyone but these two.

Percival is indeed a capable heir, and Jessica is showing her hidden talent in fashion design in the textile business.

"If there's anything you don't understand, we'll ask Sister Grace. So, I think it's best for Sister Grace to go to Lord Rockwell's house with all the collected documents and feel at ease!"

...Lord Earl smiled at Jessica's words.

"You're right. Feel at ease and come over with the documents right away."

Lord Earl said that...

"Yes...?"

Right away? What? Did he say right away?

Patricia looked at Hans.

"Hans, gather the documents from the study before Grace changes her mind! She just said 'yes'!"

Patricia said this with a firm tone.

Hans made eye contact with Vanessa, who was also in the room, and bowed before leaving the parlor.

Wait, hold on—!!

I didn't agree! It was a question, right? There was a question mark at the end!

What? Wait, really right away?

"The redecoration of the room in our townhouse where Grace will live, and the layout of the Eubachar lord's mansion that Grace is drawn to—several designs were reconsidered a while ago, and they are now complete. I brought them today, but it's better to look at them at my place."

"Wow! Room redecoration! Sister Grace, that's amazing!"

"Would you like to come, Miss Jessica?"

"Really? Can I!?"

"Since Miss Jessica knows Grace's preferences, she can arrange the rooms in the Eubachar lord's mansion nicely."

"Percival, can you come too? Is that okay?"

"Percival, can you come too? I'm sure you'll be interested in Grace's new office, and you'll be going back and forth often. It would also be helpful if Mrs. Russels could come to check if anything is missing."

As if reading my thoughts, Patricia nodded.

"Yes, I'll inform my husband."

Percival whispered something to Hans and Vanessa, and they headed to the study to pack the documents into an attaché case.

Just then, the housekeeper, Martha, came in and spoke to Patricia.

"Patricia, Grace's personal belongings—"

Wait, Martha.

Why are you consulting Sister and not me?

I can't burden Sister. I need to select my belongings myself.

This will take time, so shouldn't we reschedule?

I mean, moving to the Rockwell residence suddenly will take preparation.

As if reading my mind, Lord Earl said:

"Grace, you don't need to select any other belongings. Just come as you are."

You mean that literally!?

Lord Earl's smile is charming, but it's a bit scary!

What?

Are you serious!?

2/9 The book "The Reincarnated Lady and the Infamous Viscount's Family" ~ A Contract Marriage for Estate Management, Accepted ~ will be released by Kadokawa BOOKS!

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