IDMH - Chapter 39
I Decided My Husband
As I told Perdes, as soon as I got off the train, I boarded the prepared carriage and headed to the Duchy of Leopold.
When I left, I didn't feel particularly excited or anything. I was just anxious to get back and put the plans I had made into practice.
However, when the small Duchy of Leopold came into view beyond the hill, my heart started pounding and my heart fluttered with excitement.
I felt like I was back in my hometown after suffering in a foreign country for a long time.
"You look in a good mood."
Perdes said after seeing my expression from across the room.
"I guess it's good to be back in the duchy?"
"Good. This is my hometown and my everything."
Okay. The Duchy of Leopold and the Duchy were everything to me. Therefore, it could never be taken away from the Emperor.
"Did you understand everything I said, Your Highness?"
I strengthened my resolve again and asked Perdes.
"I understood everything."
"Tell me."
"First, don't ever let anyone other than the Lady, your escort, and Jack know that I'm normal. Second..."
Perdes recited what I had told him as if he had been waiting for it.
"... Lastly, you may wander around the Duke's residence as you please, but never go to the basement."
"Yes, that's right."
I was worried that I would not be able to understand everything in time because it was announced too late, but my worry was for no reason. He memorized everything with amazing perfection.
"You must never forget them. You must keep it."
"Okay."
As we talked about other things, including other things to be careful about, we arrived at the duchy.
A familiar yet cozy street came into view. The faces of people walking around the streets were filled with smiles as bright as the sunny weather. I guess I'll have to protect their smiles this time.
I felt sick to my stomach as the determination to do so and the fear of what would happen if I failed coexisted.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my upset stomach.
Soon, Duke Leopold's residence was seen with its back to a large mountain. Perdes also burst out in admiration upon discovering the Duke's residence.
"It's a beautiful mansion."
"Thank you for your kind words."
"I'm not nicely saying this, I'm saying this sincerely. It's a really beautiful mansion."
Even though it was a compliment to the mansion and not me, it made me feel good as if I had been praised.
"But what is that mountain?"
What Perdes pointed to was the mountain right behind the Duke's residence.
"The snow on other mountains has not yet melted, but on that mountain, all the snow has melted."
"It's not that the snow has melted, it's that it never piled up in the first place. That mountain is a volcano."
I was even more embarrassed by the barrage of questions and asked back.
"Are you asking because you don't know?"
"Then?"
You really don't know anything. Well, since he didn't receive a proper education, it's natural that he doesn't know.
"I don't have time right now, so I'll tell you everything step by step later."
To answer all of Perdes' questions, there was a lot to say, starting with the history of Leopold's estate. I had to set aside a day even if I couldn't do it, including the time he needed to understand.
"You must tell me later."
"Sure."
When the conversation was almost over, the carriage stopped. They arrived at the Duke's residence.
Sir Aldor, who was escorting me on horseback outside, opened the carriage door and held out his hand to me.
"Miss!"
"The Lady has arrived!"
As soon as I took the hand and got off, I heard the powerful voices of the workers.
Everyone welcomes me... I thought so, but why is everyone's expression like that?
The expression on his face was strange, as he seemed both happy and angry.
In particular, the expressions on the faces of those who had worked at Duke Leopold's residence for a long time, like Hannes, were unpleasant.
"Why is everyone doing this, Butler?"
"... Are you really asking because you don't know, Miss?"
So, are you asking because you don't know, or are you afraid to ask because you know?
When I looked at him with that meaning in mind, Hanes let out a deep sigh.
It was the same for other users.
"Everyone, stop sighing and speak properly. Why are you doing that?"
Even though I urged them to answer out of frustration, they didn't say anything and just looked behind me. What they were looking at was Perdes, who had come down behind me.
"..."
Perdes, wearing an idiot mask, looked like a slightly lacking person to anyone.
I had planned to gather the employees separately later and formally introduce them to Perdes, but there was no need to do so. Because most of them were gathered here.
I thought it would be better to introduce him now instead of wasting time, but as I was about to do so, Hannes approached Perdes.
My heart sank.
What if Harness makes strange noises to Perdes?
I know he's not making fun of me like other nobles, but because he's genuinely worried about me. Still, I wished I hadn't done it.
"Hanness..."
So I tried to stop him, but Sir Aldor stretched out his hand and stopped me. While I was looking at him for a moment, Hanes arrived in front of Perdes.
"Nice to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Hannes, and I am Duke Leopold's general butler."
Hannes bowed towards Perdes and greeted him more politely than ever.
"It is a great honor to meet His Royal Highness like this."
"It is an honor, Your Royal Highness."
It was the same for other users.
The spring sunlight, more brilliant than ever, shone brightly on the bowed workers.
***
"I thought I would be ignored."
After thoroughly washing away the dust that had accumulated during the long journey. Perdes, whom I met again, spoke as if talking to himself.
"Otherwise, I thought they were just pretending to be nice while the Lady watched... No. They really welcomed me."
Perdes' eyes were slightly shaking as he looked at the teacup.
"How is that possible? I heard that their precious Young Lady is engaged to an idiot for half a penny. How can they truly welcome ilne?"
"It's because they respect my choice."
Before Perdes arrived, I had already asked Hannes the reason. Then Hannes smiled and said as if asking something so obvious.
"No matter who His Highness the Prince is, he is the person you chose, and he is your fiancé, so it is only natural that I welcome him with all my heart... He said."
"Huh."
Perdes laughed as if it was absurd. His feelings were exactly my feelings.
I was prepared to hear harsh nagging from Hannes, but hearing that story made me feel relieved, at the same time, my heart was heavy. Because I was afraid that they would not be able to repay me as much as they believed in me and followed me.
If I think about it, even in my first life, Hannes and the workers didn't say anything about my return after marrying Chernosor.
Just like now, they politely followed Chernosor's words. Well, at that time Chernosor officially became Duke Leopold.
However, Chernosor was rumored to be the Emperor's favorite Prince, so it was natural. On the other hand, Perdes was not.
He wasn't officially a Duke, and he was a Prince with a bad reputation, so it was very burdensome to trust only me and welcome him.
"Well, that's good."
Perdes, who had no way of knowing how I felt, crossed his arms and muttered.
"I was worried that Duke Leopold's servants would turn out like courtiers, but that won't happen."
"That will never happen."
Because I won't let that happen.
Perdes looked at me silently, as if he didn't believe what I was saying.
"You can believe that it really won't happen."
When I emphasized it again, Perdes shook his head.
"I didn't mean it that way."
"Then...?"
"I think the Young Lady is having a hard time."
I'm having a hard time?
"Having a lot of people who trust and follow you means that there are a lot of people you have to take responsibility for."
Perdes spoke in an indifferent voice as he raised his teacup.
"I thought that would be really difficult. That's why I watched it because it was sad."
"I'm so happy that so many people believe in me and follow me."
Listening to Perdes' words, I remembered how Chernosor had taunted me in my first life. Even when I see the same thing, my reaction can be so different.
"You don't look good. Where does it hurt?"
"It's not that, I'm just a little tired."
"You've come a long way, so you're probably tired."
Perdes nodded in understanding and stood up.
"I was going to hear a story I didn't hear before, but I guess I'll have to postpone it until later."
"Sorry."
"You don't even have to apologize. Then get some rest."
After Perdes left, I drank some more tea and then stood up. The place I headed was not the bed, but the desk.
I wasn't lying when I told Perdes that I was tired. I was so tired that I could fall asleep as soon as I buried my face in the pillow, but I had work to do.
I had to make sure that the family vassals were doing their job properly while I was away. They need my permission, so they have no choice but to process the documents that have been waiting for them.
And...
"I should write a letter first."
Other things were important, but this was the most important to me right now.
I carefully wrote the letter on high-quality stationery that I only use to send to important people.
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