The Foolish Wife Refuses to Be a Push-Over

The warp at the entrance to Count Root’s territory was located at a mountain peak. Because of that, we could see Count Root’s territory at a glance from the mountaintop.

Wide plains and beautiful mountains were visible in the distance. Green trees grew densely, covering the mountains. And rocks jutting out here and there made the scenery even more beautiful.

I looked around admiringly.

“I heard they deliberately placed the warp here because Count Root’s scenery is beautiful.”

At Sorean’s words, I nodded.

“Luden, isn’t it pretty?”

Luden agreed too.

“It’s beautiful.”

True to his usual self, he didn’t exclaim or cheer, but Luden still examined the scenery for quite a while.

We descended from the mountain peak along a well-maintained road by carriage and went to Count Root’s castle. We crossed the bridge passing through the castle and entered without undergoing separate identity checks.

He said we’d go to the diamond mine tomorrow. I was incredibly excited.

“Ah, and. I’m sure you all know well that you absolutely must not go near the dragon’s lair.”

Dragons lived in Count Root’s territory. Dragons were friendly to humans, so they didn’t particularly care as long as people didn’t enter their territory.

“I know that well too.”

Dragon territory was marked with red rope. Count Root’s territory was probably marked that way too, right?

I fell asleep with Luden, looking forward to seeing the diamond mine.

In my sleep, it seemed like Luden was touching my cheek with tender eyes.

It must have just been a dream.

* * *

The next day arrived. Sorean, Luden, and I boarded the same carriage. It was so Sorean could guide us to the diamond mine.

He said we’d go to the diamond mine through warp.

“Did you raise the miners’ wages?”

At Luden’s words, Sorean spoke matter-of-factly.

“Of course. That way they’ll work excitedly, won’t they?”

Sorean said that and looked at me.

“Ah, is this a story Annelia doesn’t know?”

“I know about it.”

Luden had mentioned raising the miners’ salaries. I thought it would be implemented, but I didn’t know it had already been executed.

“The diamond quality is good, so you’ll be very satisfied. It’s better than what I showed you as a sample.”

Sorean spoke proudly.

The diamond Sorean showed as a sample was pretty too, but how pretty must it be for him to say this? I was incredibly curious.

I was about to ask more about the diamonds when I suddenly felt a strange energy.

“Wait a moment.”

Luden and Sorean’s gazes turned to me.

“I feel a strange energy.”

Luden tilted his head.

“Energy?”

“It feels like something’s there.”

Sorean stopped the carriage. I got out of the carriage and walked toward where I felt the energy.

Where I felt the energy, there was an egg slightly larger than two eggs.

“What is this?”

Luden asked. Then Sorean shook his head too.

“It looks like a beast’s egg.”

“Hmm.”

I made a sound and cradled the egg in my arms. Then the energy I felt from the egg disappeared.

“Annelia?”

“I’m taking it. I want to raise it.”

The egg was incredibly warm. Luden frowned.

“Understood. But it might not hatch.”

“Won’t it hatch if I just keep it warm?”

I knew it was wishful thinking, but the egg seemed like it was asking me to take it.

It was strange, but I really felt that way.

* * *

The warp was located inside the diamond mine. I held the egg in my arms and looked around the diamond mine. Flames blazed fiercely and miners were entering the mine riding square vehicles.

“Hey, Sorean!”

And a man with blonde hair was walking over. The man with a scar on his face looked to be in his early thirties.

“Is work going well?”

“Of course, everyone’s overflowing with motivation since wages went up. They’re competing to do overtime since you give allowances for it.”

At his words, Sorean smiled brightly.

“The person who raised wages has come.”

“What?”

“Say hello, this is Marquis Charlot.”

At his words, the man quickly bowed his head.

“I greet the Marquis.”

“And that’s the Marquis’s wife.”

“She’s beautiful.”

He looked at Luden and me admiringly. Luden, who had been expressionless, looked at him and asked.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Dain, who oversees this place.”

“So you’re Dain.”

Luden began walking among the people. Then everyone looked at us and murmured.

“Everyone stop gawking and work!”

Dain quickly shouted toward the surroundings. His voice was incredibly loud and echoed.

“What are you curious about?”

“Is there mined diamond?”

“Here it is.”

Dain pulled out a piece from his chest. Luden, who had been examining the piece closely, looked at Sorean with surprised eyes. Then Sorean put strength into the corners of his mouth. Seeing Luden’s admiration, he seemed satisfied. He spoke to Dain like praising him.

“The quality is truly good.”

“Marquis Charlot made a good contract.”

“I can spend a bit more money. I’ll invest more.”

“Thank you.”

Actually, diamond mines require a lot of initial capital. The reason the Root family couldn’t develop the diamond mine was lack of money. So while looking for investors, Luden stepped forward and made the contract.

Then, the egg wriggled.

Was it trying to hatch?

I paid attention to the egg while touring the diamond mine.

It felt like something would pop out of the egg at any moment.

* * *

After thoroughly touring the diamond mine and examining the ledgers, we moved to the next location. There was a lake near the diamond mine, and I was looking forward to it since they said the scenery there was amazing.

The carriage stopped and Luden and I walked to the lake. The lake was so wide we couldn’t see its end.

Small boats were waiting. It seemed people rode small boats here and looked around.

“Luden, let’s hurry and get on.”

I’d prepared for today. I deliberately wore clothes convenient for activities and wore a hat to block the sunlight. Luden came along.

I was excited riding the small boat. I looked around and cheered every time the boat swayed.

“This is so fun.”

“Do you like riding boats?”

“Yes! I like it even more because I’m with Luden.”

Such sincerity came out. Luden’s ears heated up. I could see him desperately suppressing his emotions.

“You’re truly dangerous.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re skilled at seduction.”

I’d occasionally seduced Luden, but not now.

I felt a bit wronged and glared at him. Then he pressed my cheek firmly.

The person steering the boat sang for us. The small boat moved and went around here and there.

A bird flew up into the sky. But one bird approached me.

Was it asking for food? I threw feed and then the bird flew there and ate.

How cute.

I admired it while stroking the egg. Then the egg reacted again.

“Will you really raise it if something hatches?”

At Luden’s question, I nodded.

“Of course.”

“Then we’ll need to decide on a name.”

Luden pondered seriously. I also pondered since I hadn’t thought of a name either.

I looked at the sky and smiled. It was leisurely and quiet. I was resting with Luden in a place with beautiful scenery.

I suddenly thought I was happy. Though it was happiness that wouldn’t last long.

* * *

After sightseeing near the diamond mine, we departed for the Charlot family’s territory through warp. Of course, we parted with Sorean early. He didn’t need to go to the Charlot family’s territory.

Unlike the Root family’s territory, the Charlot family’s territory had a warp in the city center.

Regian was the largest city in Charlot territory. Going a bit further in was also where the Charlot family’s castle was located.

The place we arrived at by warp was Regian. I looked around the territory with curious eyes. People also looked with curious eyes when they discovered the carriage stamped with the Charlot family’s seal.

Under the knights’ protection, we headed to Charlot Castle.

“I’ll show you around Regian later.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

At his words, I gave up looking out the window and sat beside him.

“I’ll look around slowly later.”

He nodded satisfactorily at my words.

“I originally came to the territory often, but recently I couldn’t come often because of work. Still, I have time to walk around with Annelia.”

He firmly grasped my hand.

“Everyone will welcome Annelia.”

“Does everyone know I’m coming to the territory?”

“Of course. They’ll welcome you with open arms.”

Since I married Luden, I’d need to get along well with the territory’s people too.

I was slightly worried. I always got nervous meeting strangers.

I looked at the hand Luden held and said.

“I’m nervous, so don’t let go.”

Luden tilted his head and smiled.

“Seduction should only happen in bed.”

“I’m not seducing you.”

“To me, it’s seduction.”

I didn’t intend that, but Luden kept teasing.

Does he enjoy making me flustered?

“If I really seduced you, it wouldn’t be just this much.”

I went out provocatively. I tapped Luden’s chest with my hand.

“I would have kissed here and knocked Luden down.”

It was also something I occasionally did in bed.

Luden’s ears heated up again.

“I won’t do it now. Because it’s broad daylight and we have to meet people! We have to sightsee too.”

I wanted to see Luden flustered. But I didn’t know this was digging my own grave.

The carriage stopped and Luden greeted the people around. I also greeted and was introduced to them one by one.

The butler’s name was Knon. He said he was the son of Jens, the butler at the capital’s mansion. Father and son resembled each other, so I could recognize him immediately.

After appropriate introductions, Luden opened the door. He showed me around the room where I’d stay.

It was a room with a different feeling from the capital. It had a similar feeling to Luden’s room at the mansion.

I was looking at the antique furniture when Luden suddenly embraced me from behind.

“Annelia.”

It was the voice he made right before kissing.

“Luden? What are you trying to do?”

“I’m going to kiss you.”

He breathed while embracing me for a while. This was why he told others to wait outside.

“You can’t kiss me.”

“Why not? You seduced me.”

He turned my body around, then pushed me to the wall and started kissing. At his tender kiss, I closed my eyes and accepted it.

Because of my actions in the carriage, he blazed more fiercely than usual.