Chapter 113

Chapter 113

Iellie didn’t focus only on the sweet honeymoon. It was because she didn’t want to neglect the Duchess’ affairs either.

Being the obvious Mistress, she devoted herself to her work with passion. The people of the Duke’s castle also happily accepted her. The atmosphere when the madam was present and when she was not was drastically different.

“Isn’t the atmosphere in the castle very bright?”

“That’s right. It’s hard to imagine now when Madam wasn’t here.”

The maids chatted happily.

Iellie, who became the mistress, did a number of things. While taking care of domestic affairs, she pondered how to make the lives of the people of the estate more comfortable. In addition, what she came up with was to create a place where local residents could directly submit complaints and receive services.

‘So, like the district office?’

She was lost in thought. If the territory was divided into districts and a district office was installed in each district, wouldn’t the lives of the local residents be much more comfortable?

Iellie pondered over and over again.

‘If I select local administrators and entrust them with the work, I’ll be able to understand the inconveniences of the locals more quickly.’

She was reminded of that because there was a limit to the ability to hear the stories of local residents directly. She, of course, intended to leave a window through which they could appeal directly to her.

Organizing her thoughts, she turned to Zachary.

“So that’s what I mean.”

“Huh?”

When Zachary opened his eyes wide and looked at her, she smiled.

“I want to set up a new institution, can’t I?”

The light green eyes stared at Zachary.

Do anything you want.

He almost said so casually.

“You can do whatever you want, but what institution?”

“Hmm. I mean… don’t you think this kind of institution would be fine?”

As she turned around and faced Zachary, Iellie seemed to collect her thoughts for a moment before she spoke without hesitation.

“To create an organization that handles the complaints of local residents.”

“Complaints from local residents?”

“Yes. Tax issues, as well as general welfare issues for the local residents…”

While she enthusiastically continued her explanation, Zachary, who had just been looking at her lovingly, suddenly became serious. Iellie’s explanation felt partly valid. Wasn’t that a really good idea?

“Honestly, I know that most of the nobles are not very interested in the lives of the people of the territory.”

Straightening her index finger and wiggling it a couple of times, she gazed at Zachary with piercing eyes.

“I don’t think that is ever the case. It is our duty to make the villagers happy.”

“You’re right.”

“Right? Don’t you think so, too?”

The light green eyes shone brightly, and Zachary nodded his head. It was a great way. There was a limit to dispatching administrators to observe the lives of the people of the territory. It would be most efficient to listen directly to their complaints.

“Good idea.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

As she smiled brightly, he gently caressed her cheek and whispered affectionately.

“But don’t overdo it, okay?”

“Don’t mention it. I’m just doing what I have to do.”

“Because you tend to work too hard on everything.”

Zachary spoke with a serious face.

Well, I think you tend to worry too much about me.

Iellie swallowed the words. Instead, she reached out and squeezed her husband’s hand, and smiled.

“More than that, Zachary, you see… I want to take a look around the Duchy.”

“The Duchy? Why?”

“I thought it would be best to meet the administrators first to create the institution I mentioned earlier.”

As expected, his wife was commendable. Zachary laughed bitterly and shook his head at her.

“No, don’t overdo it.”

“It’s obviously not overdoing it. Am I not Duchess Hessenweitz now?”

She spoke with passionate eyes. Iellie continued, holding his hand tightly.

“Isn’t it time to inspect the territory once in a while? I mean…”

“Alright.”

“As expected, Zachary! I’ll do my best!”

Iellie, who was excited, smiled with a happy expression though Zachary’s words weren’t over yet.

“Come with me instead.”

“…What?”

At his words, she turned to him.

…What was he talking about? She was bewildered.

“Why are you coming with me?”

“You said you were inspecting the estate?”

“Yes, it is, but…”

“Then, go with me.”

No, the conversation was just going round and round right now. Even though she stared at him, he just shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t like you being alone. I’m worried.”

“No, what is there to worry about? Is there any city with better security than the Duchy?”

When the astonished woman asked him back, Zachary replied with a face that embraced all the worldly problems.

“But you were dragged away by thugs before once?”

“What?”

“Because of what happened back then, I don’t want to keep you out of my sight.”

…When on earth was he talking about?

She was devastated. It was during the Asha Festival, so there were many vagrants, and there were no escorts. Most of all, wasn’t it when they were very young?

“Well, Zachary, comparing then and now is a bit—”

“I can’t. If you want to inspect the territory, go with me.”

Nonetheless, her husband was too stubborn. Iellie, who swallowed her sigh, finally nodded her head.

“Okay, I’ll come with you. It is not difficult.”

Even if they go together, there wouldn’t be any big problems. Meanwhile, hearing those words, Zachary’s face brightened.

“Then, are we going on a date?”

“…Aren’t you going to work?”

“It’s okay to think of both.”

Honestly, maybe that was what he was aiming for. Iellie glanced at Zachary with suspicious eyes, but he was still smiling. In the end, she also laughed at that boyish smile.

The next day.

The two looked around the Dchy while riding in the carriage. Spring was in full bloom, and now it was close to late spring. All the petals of Asha, which had been in full bloom, had now fallen, and instead, trees that had changed their colors to dark green lightly swayed their branches.

Iellie looked out of the window with a smile.

“The weather has become very warm.”

“I know.”

Zachary smiled faintly as he leaned his arm against the window. She glanced at him.

‘…He’s my husband, but he’s handsome.’

She smiled with satisfaction. Suddenly, the Asha festival, where they went to play alone when they first met, came to mind. At that time, the two of them went to the cafe alone, and Zachary ordered a lot of her favorite food.

‘And, I think we had an interesting conversation then.’

Iellie rested her chin and glanced at Zachary. Yes, did they talk about marriage?

“Um… a good-looking figure that perfectly suits my tastes, a good body, a good personality, and a very rich man?”

Her husband’s shocked face when she excitedly presented her ideal husband at that time was incredibly cute.

“That’s you.”

“…What?”

“You’re handsome, kind, and very rich.”

When she said that, his expression relaxed.

Iellie chuckled at the thought. At the same time, Zachary glanced at her, wondering why his wife was laughing all of a sudden. It was suspicious.

He asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Why are you laughing like that?”

“Huh? No, it just reminded me of the old days.”

“The old days?”

“Yes.”

She nodded her head. Zachary narrowed his brows, but Iellie just shrugged.

“Wouldn’t it be better not to listen?”

“…Well, I think it’s because I’m looking at your expression.”

He replied with a sullen face. Reminiscing about her husband’s childhood, her eyes became dim again. At the same time, the carriage stopped. Zachary climbed out of the carriage.

“Here, you can get off. Lady.”

“Thank you, kind gentleman.”

Saying so, he respectfully extended his hand.

Looking at the neat escort posture that can only be seen in etiquette textbooks, her eyes curled. Iellie responded in the same tone to his playful remark, and she joined her hand with his.

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