WMHMS - Chapter 7

"You make a lovely couple."

To think of Viscountess Enisha saying that, and Carcel and I sitting across from her, affectionately like a married couple

It was a scene I couldn't even have imagined before.

The next day, I was ruminating on how on earth the situation had turned out this way.

'How did it end up like this?'

The woman with the noble gaze sitting across from me finally smiled kindly.

"Indeed. Building a ranch is your wish, and since your husband says so, I will sell it."

"You won't regret this."

Just then, Carcel turned around and spoke affectionately.

"Madam, is everything exactly as you wanted? Please feel free to tell me if you need anything else or if there are any parts to adjust."

"Yes? Yes!"

"Honestly, considering the value of this land isn't that high, buying it at this price and paying 5% of the future profits for 10 years does seem somewhat unilaterally advantageous to the other party, but..."

At those words, I turned away from Carcel, showing the whites of my eyes like a puppy that had secretly picked something up from the floor.

"Even so, if that is your wish, Madam, I will proceed under these conditions." 

"Yes!"

Then, Viscountess Enisha, who was sitting opposite, laughed elegantly.

"The husband really loves his wife. You two make a great couple."

"I chased after my wife and barely managed to marry her, so I don't want to lose her."

"You're in your prime... I know it's rude to ask this, but do you have children?"

"I have one daughter."

What kind of daughter is this!

I sat next to him, looked up, and was astonished.

So, the reason the situation got this twisted was... It was all the result of a series of coincidences.

The fastest way to make a fortune that I remember is, as expected.

"Real estate!"

Land is the best.

No matter where you go, tangible assets are always the best.

I had absolutely no talent for business. Not to mention a wealthy husband to divorce, and no family to lend me the initial capital.

'In short, with nothing but meager information to offer, the only thing I can do is invest in real estate. That’s what I mean.'

Among them is a villainous supporting character who is Linea's rival, and that child's name is Janice.

Janice's parents were already wealthy for generations, but they rose even higher in social status by coincidentally purchasing this very 'land'.

It was to the extent that the noble family even coveted the position of Empress.

There was only one reason why that was possible.

A magic stone, a highly efficient energy source containing enough magical power to last for over 100 years with just one.

Because this overflowed deep underground in the land bought for a pittance from Viscountess Enisha.

In this worldview, society was gradually transitioning into the modern era, and various magical tools were developing.

The one thing that absolutely must go into this magical artifact is the magic stone!

And compared to the massive demand, mines yielding magic stones were extremely rare, so the price was practically whatever the seller demanded.

Thanks to this, Janice considers marrying the Crown Prince with that magical ore as a dowry.

In fact, the imperial family evaluated Janice as being more suitable to be Empress because of this.

Of course, since it is a fantasy novel, Linea's loveliness and kind heart prevail.

To me right now, this world was reality, not a fantasy novel.

'So now that I have become the owner of the Magic Stone Mine, I must pave a smooth path for Linea.'

Of course, if I just succeed, my future will be a path of flowers.

It was while I was walking out to the main road to catch a horse-drawn carriage, filled with hope after returning from the bank near my house early in the morning.

The black carriage stopped right next to me.

"...Again?"

Thinking that, the coachman opened the door of the carriage that had stopped next to me.

Inside, as expected.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Madam."

"Is it... a coincidence?"

"As you said, it is indeed an inevitability disguised as coincidence."

Having said that, Carcel tilted his head, flashing a charming smile that was uncharacteristic of his fierce-looking face.

That alone added a boyish charm to the sensual atmosphere, making me feel mesmerized.

'He really is seriously handsome.'

For a moment, I felt like saliva was about to drip out, so I wiped the corners of my mouth.

"Actually, I happened to find the item you left behind yesterday. I would like to give it to you, but I don't think the Count's family would be pleased with me sending a messenger."

"Yes."

You have at least some sense.

He chuckled softly, as if he himself found it absurd, and continued speaking to me.

"To be honest, I waited on purpose... because I wanted to see your face at least one more time."

I tried hard to hide my face turning bright red at those words.

'He's a lunatic. A lunatic.'

How can he say something like that so nonchalantly?

At the sight of that alluring face that suddenly flared up and smiled, my heart fluttered, and I took a deep breath.

'That's cheating. Smiling with that kind of expression on your face.'

It was a very appealing face.

"I really only intended to hand this over and leave today."

“What is it?”

"You dropped your handkerchief that day."

What he took out of his pocket was my handkerchief.

"Ah. I didn't even realize it was gone."

At those words, Carcel laughed softly.

"Actually... seeing the handkerchief you left behind made me happy, as it seemed like I had a chance to speak to you at least once more." 

"Eek."

I didn't know what to do, so my face turned bright red.

The Marquis got out of the carriage and approached me. Then he held out a neatly folded handkerchief to me.

"Thank you"

I took the handkerchief, but in an instant, his fingertips, which seemed twice the size of my hand, brushed past my palm.

I opened my eyes wide at the inexplicable, strange tickling sensation I felt for a moment.

I was out of breath...

The Marquis asked, giving me a picture-perfect smile as if nothing had happened.

"If you are going somewhere, I will give you a ride."

"... It's okay."

“Is it really not possible?”

Why are you opening your eyes like that again?

I couldn't take my eyes off him for a moment as he looked down at me with a faint smile.

I eventually gave in to that persuasive look and nodded once.

"Oh!"

I nodded unconsciously! Seizing the opportunity with just that, he quickly reached out his hand to me.

"Thank you"

I gently took his hand and got into the carriage.

The hands, which were bigger and sturdier than expected, were not wearing gloves today.

So the sensation of bare skin touching bare skin, slowly crumbling, and then falling away was strange.

However, the Marquis entered the carriage with a nonchalant smile, as if nothing had happened, and a hidden grin.

"Where shall I take you?"

"First, you have to go to the nearest Imperial Bank and then to 4 Luton."

"All right."

The Marquis opened the window connected to the coachman's seat, told him the destination, and then turned his head back to me.

"Have you had your meal?"

“Not yet.”

Because of what happened yesterday, my mother-in-law in the kitchen told me that from now on, I should buy my own meals with the money I earn.

She said she couldn't even give a single piece of bread.

That’s exactly why I was thinking of taking care of some urgent business and eating out.

"I thought so, so I prepared this."

"Yes?"

"You seem like a busy person, so I wanted to share a meal with you, even if it's just like this."

I wondered where that delicious smell was coming from.

What he held out was a basket.

“Is it a lunch box?”

"Yes. It’s nothing special, but it’s enough to grab a quick bite."

Carcel, having said that, opened the basket.

"Wow."

Inside was a soup that looked savory enough to make your mouth water, and a sandwich packed with thick meat.

He calmly finished setting the table, even handing over plates and napkins from inside.

Growl.

Because I hadn't eaten properly at the Count's mansion for a while, my stomach suddenly made a loud noise.

My cheeks flushed because I felt embarrassed, as if my flaws had been exposed.

"I'm sorry, I had to leave in a hurry today."

"I'm hungry too."

To think he had breakfast inside a carriage with just a simple table set up.

'It's just like dining in a limousine.'

I could no longer resist the temptation and started eating the soup.

As soon as the hot and savory soup flowed down my esophagus, it had a moving taste.

“It’s really delicious.”

"That is a relief. The chef working at our house is very skilled. If Madam happens to visit, he will prepare an even more delicious meal than this."

I gave an awkward smile at those words, which subtly implied that he wanted to invite me to his house.

'I need to find out about Marquis Rivandel at the Information Guild.'

Come to think of it, the timing of his appearance was so exquisite that it was confusing, but if Marquis Rivandel really did have goodwill toward me...

'Linea is not my biological daughter, and my husband is dead. So, in fact, if I want to take Linea out of the Count's estate, money isn't the only thing I need.'

Under imperial law, there are conditions for taking a non-biological child upon divorce or the death of a spouse.

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