While she was going around here and there, Mark, the real estate agent, worked diligently.

After a while, he selected several mansions in the suburbs. Not the quaintly decorated suburbs, but mansions standing alone in vast, sprawling fields. Most were abandoned houses where the original owners’ families had disappeared long ago.

She carefully examined the sketches he presented and selected candidates for purchase.

‘The problem is the cost……’

The suburban mansions cost more than she expected. Though they were relatively cheap, a mansion was still a mansion.

The mine she bought earlier was fine since it was before spending much of the budget, but this time the situation was different. Having already spent quite a bit of money, she couldn’t boldly say she would buy it right away.

What should she do?

“Sparkle, good boy. Come here.”

While pondering, she tapped the edge of the golden bird’s cage hanging by the table, and the bird flew over to rub its beak against her finger. Its affectionate behavior was quite adorable.

“Would you like to have a friend?”

“Chirp!”

Sparkle answered with a clear voice.

How was the research at the Magic Tower progressing? Though it hadn’t been long since she offered sponsorship, she was already looking forward to it.

‘Maybe I should have asked when I wanted to receive an interim report.’

Having thought that far, she quietly took the calendar placed on the side table and examined the dates. The silver-framed calendar, where numbers were changed monthly, had already changed its numbers several times since she came to this world.

‘……Come to think of it.’

While looking at those numbers, she suddenly thought.

‘When is Rashid’s birthday?’

Alisa’s birthday was when winter met spring. That is, shortly before she fell into the water. Coincidentally, she shared the same birthday with her.

But when was Rashid’s? She tried to recall Alisa’s memories.

‘It’s not right away…… I don’t think.’

The birthday she finally remembered was when autumn met winter. That meant it was about three months from now.

‘Should I do something for him?’

But she hesitated, worried it might seem too intimate. Still, he was her husband and housemate, so it seemed right to do something.

‘I should at least congratulate him.’

That much was clear. She sank into thoughts about what to do for the gradually approaching day.

That’s when it happened.

“My lady, His Grace is here.”

Another maid announced Rashid’s visit.

It was still midday. The late summer sun was high, and the light pouring through the windows was straight. Usually at this time, Rashid would be at the palace for official duties, or busy with work in the mansion’s office.

What could it be at this hour?

“……Let him in.”

She answered reluctantly.

The door opened and Rashid entered the room.

There hadn’t been enough time to forget the incident from the night of the banquet, so her face inevitably turned red. I must be crazy. Suppressing the urge to slap her own cheeks, she gave him a slight nod in greeting.

Rashid sat down naturally. She sat down beside him and instructed Macy to bring tea.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

Rashid got straight to the point, as if satisfied with that.

“I heard you visited the Magic Tower.”

“Ah, yes.”

The news travels fast. He knows everything.

“And with the Imperial Princess.”

“How did you know?”

“How could I, as a Duke, not know that the Duchess met with the head of the Magic Tower?”

Well, that makes sense. She accepted that.

“After buying the birdcage last time, I became a bit interested in magic. I had already mentioned wanting to sponsor their research.”

“Did they suggest it?”

“They do now. They didn’t at first, but they reconsidered.”

“That’s rare.”

Though he said it was rare, Rashid didn’t seem particularly surprised. His face was peaceful like a calm lake.

Sometimes playful and occasionally cold, he generally had little emotional fluctuation and remained serene. As if nothing could make him happy, and nothing could hurt him……

Soon Macy came with a tray. The rich aroma of black tea lingered around her nose. She watched as the clear reddish-brown liquid smoothly slid into the teacup.

She dismissed Macy after she poured the tea. Only after the door closed with a thud did Rashid continue.

“The mages of the Magic Tower usually try not to get involved with nobles.”

Rashid put a couple of sugar cubes in his cup. That’s going to be sweet. She felt her mouth tingle just thinking about it.

“That’s certainly true. But don’t you think they recognized my sincerity when I approached genuinely? I just wanted to have enjoyable and productive discussions with them.”

She lifted her teacup and took a sip. The flavor was rich and the taste smooth. There’s no need to add sugar to make it sweet, what a peculiar taste.

“They think I decided to sponsor them to get my hands on interesting items first. Which is actually true.”

It was comfortable with Rashid because she didn’t need to put on an act. Since he already knew everything, he was someone she could convey her intentions and goals to as they were.

“Since interaction between the Magic Tower and nobles is rare, rumors will spread quickly. Even more so with Her Highness the Imperial Princess involved. I’ll make sure to explain well to others so it won’t cause you any trouble.”

She preemptively addressed any concerns Rashid might have.

At her words, Rashid smiled slightly and drank his tea. His demeanor was extremely elegant. Though she saw him every day, he looked newly handsome each time.

“By the way, you came at a good time. I had something to tell you.”

“Yes.”

“I’m planning to purchase a small mansion in the suburbs.”

“Separation is not an option.”

Rashid cut her off sharply. His gentle gaze instantly turned sharp.

No, wait. That’s not what I meant. Listen to the end before answering. Even if that was my intention, we’ll be separated forever after divorce anyway, so what’s wrong with starting a bit early?

“That’s not it…… I want to use it like a villa.”

“If it’s a villa, we already have plenty. One near Lake Calderin, one in Elzaim Forest, one on the eastern coast, and……”

“Yes, I know. But I thought it would be nice to have one closer to here.”

She cut off his words. Rashid crossed his arms and stared at her intently. His attitude suggested he was willing to hear her out.

“And the purpose is a bit different. I want to use it as a day trip mansion. I’ll make a small farmhouse in the garden, and create a vegetable garden in front of it. When hosting parties, we could do farm experience activities there. Oh, and build a glass greenhouse too.”

“Farm experience?”

Rashid’s eyes narrowed.

“It’s a small pastoral entertainment. It will be fun. I’ll display artworks and decorations in the inner hall like an exhibition room.”

She enthusiastically explained what she had imagined. She hoped he would be at least somewhat intrigued.

If it had been within her given budget, she would have just gone ahead without such detailed explanation…. But since she’s the one who needs it right now, there’s no choice.

No, later she should subtly spread the story about how she had to beg Rashid because she was short on money. Looking at the bigger picture, such rumors would help achieve her goal.

“There’s nothing to worry about. It’s for entertainment and banquet purposes.”

“Do as you please.”

Rashid slouched in his seat. His sulky expression looked quite displeased.

‘He’s like a child……’

Sometimes she wondered what he was thinking. It would be so nice if the right sentences would just pop up at times like this. An ability she couldn’t use at will was like a chicken rib.

“But I think I’ll be a bit short with my given budget. There’s the purchase cost plus construction expenses. So I’d like to request additional funds.”

“I understand the initial budget wasn’t small.”

“Well… that’s true.”

What’s this, why is he being so stingy?

…But then again, she had already spent too much money.

“But anyway, the mansion will become part of the Duke’s property. Like the mine in Count Samoa’s territory.”

“We already have plenty of both mansions and mines.”

Well, of course you do.

“And there’s also what you promised……”

She trailed off while carefully watching Rashid’s reaction.

The promise, of course, referred to the note written when they discussed divorce. That very note stating he would agree to a divorce under appropriate circumstances, and that she could use the family’s assets until then.

‘It was good of me that I made him sign it.’

At the time, she had him write the agreement just to be sure when she was uncertain, but looking back now, it was an excellent decision.

Indeed, everything should be kept in writing. Words fly away easily, making them difficult to prove. People can simply deny what they said. Especially in a world without voice recorders, this was even more true.