“I’m doing just fine.”

I smiled broadly. Father let out a relieved sigh. I reached out my hand to Father, who sat across from me on the sofa.

“Father, have you ever wanted to cry?”

Father, holding my hand, tilted his head.

“I have.”

“Can you cry well now?”

At my question, Father tilted his head, then shook it.

“After your mother died, I became unable to cry.”

Father’s voice sounded bitter.

“Then shall I help you cry?”

“How would you do that?”

Father looked at me with curious eyes. I took out the tea I had prepared in advance.

“If I drink this, I’ll be able to cry?”

“Yes!”

“So this is the dragon’s gift.”

Father drank the tea without a word. As Father drank the tea, I cast magic on him. This amount should be better. Father shed tears.

“I’m really crying!”

“It’s okay to cry if you want to.”

Father choked up. He thought of those who had betrayed him. The last person he thought of was Mother. Father didn’t sob. He just cried quietly, shedding tears steadily.

“Do you feel a bit better now?”

Father looked at me with dazed eyes.

“I think so.”

His gentle smile seemed a bit lighter. If before he had been carrying heavy emotions around, now he wasn’t.

“What on earth is going on?”

“The tea has magic that makes you cry.”

“Really?”

“Only Luden knows about this.”

Father was impressed.

“I’ve thought of something I want to do with this.”

The ability test was complete.

“What will you do?”

“I’m going to open a counseling center.”

There were no counseling centers in the Duke Empire. If I had this ability, there would probably be demand for it.

“Will you counsel people about their troubles?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay? If you counsel people often, you’ll have to hear a lot of negative stories.”

At his words, I nodded.

“It will be rewarding.”

I felt like I could find satisfaction in making many people’s hearts even a little lighter.

“Is there anything the family can help with?”

I had the money Luden gave me before. I could use that for startup capital.

“Not yet.”

“If you need help, feel free to ask anytime.”

Father’s words were reassuring.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t forget to say this.

* * *

I selected a location to open the counseling center. I thought a busy commercial district would be good, so I chose that location and picked a building that didn’t belong to the Charlot family. 

I had to think about when I would part ways with Luden later. The construction proceeded smoothly. After organizing the documents that came up in the morning, I was drinking tea with Anan.

“The Charlot family has many good locations too.”

At Anan’s words, I shook my head.

“I can’t tell existing shops to leave.”

Anan was disappointed that I was doing business somewhere other than a Charlot building when I said I was starting a business. But my reasoning was correct. Actually, if I could continue my married life with Luden, I would have done it there. I set down my teacup for now.

“A counseling center, how fascinating.”

“Right?”

“If it goes well, will you train disciples and open a second location?”

At Anan’s question, I shook my head. It wasn’t a professional counseling center to that degree. Just something like listening to people’s stories? 

I had never worked professionally at a counseling center, so there was no way I could do that. And if a second location opened, it would become troublesome.

“Anan, please come too. If you have something upsetting, you can share it.”

Anan shook her head.

“I don’t have anything like that.”

We finished our tea time with laughter. They said the building construction would take a month, so by the time it was all finished, it would probably be cold winter.

“By the way, do you have a letter to send to Luden? I’ll send it together when I send mine.”

“Should I?”

Two weeks had passed since Luden left. Anan suggested we write letters together, saying it seemed like a good time to send one now. I had already written a letter. There wasn’t much content. Except for the story about opening a counseling center.

“I hope Luden will be happy when he sees it.”

I hoped my letter wouldn’t be burdensome yet. That’s what I wished for.

* * *

A week had already passed since Luden came to Samart, the frontier of the Duke Empire, for knight training. Luden woke up and looked at Prince Reytan, who was sleeping with his belly sticking out on the bunk below his bed. 

Prince Reytan had voluntarily participated in knight training. Even though it wasn’t mandatory. At that news, the people began to pay attention to Reytan. 

Not to be outdone, Lorina, the Empress’s daughter, entered the military. Luden washed up, changed into his knight training uniform, and woke Reytan.

“Your Highness, please wake up.”

At Luden’s words, Reytan’s eyes snapped open.

“Ah, is it morning?”

“Yes.”

“I am hungry though.”

He sprang up. Seeing that Luden had already changed clothes, he looked at him with curiosity.

“You’re always so diligent.”

He smiled quietly and entered his room. Reytan, who entered the shower room, began washing while humming. Watching him, Luden turned around. Shortly after, Reytan came out wearing a robe after washing and changed his clothes.

“Let’s hurry.”

Reytan lightly tapped Luden’s shoulder. Luden opened the door. In the dining hall, nobles who were family heads or heirs participating in knight training were lined up. There were also knights active at the frontier.

“Is that person His Highness the Prince?”

“Who’s that person next to him?”

“That’s Marquis Charlot!”

“He’s incredibly handsome.”

“So what, he’s already married.”

“There’s no second wife.”

“The Charlot family only has one wife.”

They whispered constantly. Rather than whispering about Reytan, they talked more about Luden.

“I see you here.”

Lorina walked over to where Reytan and Luden were sitting.

“What brings you here, sister?”

“I have business with Luden.”

At Lorina’s words, Luden’s eyes twitched.

“You have something to say to me?”

“Please eat, you two.”

Luden stood up from his seat. Lorina had come close and showed signs of discomfort.

“Ah, and don’t call me by my name. Even if you’re Her Highness the Princess, you must observe etiquette.”

Luden spoke coldly to Lorina. Lorina’s face flushed. How dare he ignore me like that. She bit her lip. Watching that, Reytan held back his laughter and stayed quiet.

“Sister, if you have something to say, please sit down.”

“No.”

Lorina turned and went elsewhere. Watching that, Reytan chewed his meat. Of course, the meat wasn’t nearly as tasty as what he ate at the imperial palace.

“Interesting.”

Lorina always thought she was the best. If things didn’t go her way, she got irritated, and thanks to that, she had achieved everything she wanted until now. It seemed Luden had become her target this time.

“Luden, you’re impressive.”

Princess Lorina, cherished by the Emperor and born to the Empress. There weren’t many people who could stand up to her. But Luden was cleanly ignoring her. What would happen going forward?

“I like it.”

Reytan nodded. Annelia had said in a letter before knight training that he would come to like Luden. She was right.

* * *

Returning to his room, Luden gasped for breath. He felt unpleasant being called by his name by a woman who wasn’t his wife. When Annelia called his name, it felt good. When Lorina called it, he didn’t feel good.

“You ate well. Don’t feel too bad!”

At Reytan’s words, Luden sighed.

“Sister is originally like that. She doesn’t look around her well.”

Luden couldn’t understand why Lorina was interested in him. And he was already a married man. Even though one could have two wives, the Charlot family had traditionally only had one. 

Luden had no intention of breaking that rule. It was when Luden was frowning. There was a knock, and a lower-ranking soldier opened the door and entered.

“What is it?”

“It’s training time. And a letter has arrived for Marquis Charlot.”

A letter—it might be from Annelia. Luden quickly walked over and looked at the letter. It was from Anan and Annelia.

“It’s from my wife.”

“I’m envious. I need a woman who’ll send me letters too.”

Saying that, Reytan left the room so Luden could read the letter comfortably. Luden quickly opened the letter envelope. He read Annelia’s first.

“A counseling center?”

She said she had something she wanted to do, and now she was opening a counseling center. Would people really pay money just because they wanted to talk? 

Luden frowned. And it said to take care. 

There wasn’t much other content, but it contained Annelia’s daily life. Luden gently stroked the letter with his fingertips. Then he read Anan’s letter. Anan wrote that Annelia had been struggling since Luden left.

“Annelia wouldn’t do that?”

But Mother wasn’t someone who would say such things for no reason. What on earth was Annelia thinking? He couldn’t understand her behavior.

* * *

A month passed and the building was completed. As winter approached, I opened the counseling center. A week passed after that, but not a single customer came.

“Ugh!”

It wasn’t that I didn’t have money to pay rent right away, but still, having no customers at all was a bit much! It had become a place where friends visited and hung out rather than customers.

“No people today either.”

Sorean came with cookies. Next to him was Kanarosa, dressed up prettily, probably for a date today.

“What should we do?”

Kanarosa said gloomily. She seemed genuinely worried.

“It can’t be helped. It’s an unfamiliar business.”

I tried to mutter nonchalantly, but I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

“Let’s eat cookies first and then think.”

Sorean offered me a cookie. I quickly ate the cookie and felt happy. Blowing away my worries for just a moment. Today too, I spent time chatting with friends. If I kept losing money like this, I’d have to close the business. Worry crept in gradually.

“Lady Annelia, are you attending the imperial palace banquet this time?”

In winter, a ball was held at the imperial palace.

“I have to go.”

As the Marquis Charlot’s wife, attending was natural. Kanarosa smiled brightly.

“I’m attending too!”

“Then let’s have fun together.”

Kanarosa spoke happily. Then Sorean suddenly pulled Kanarosa toward him.

“You have to have fun with me first.”

Why are you jealous of me! Sorean’s look at me was unusual. Kanarosa quickly held Sorean’s hand tightly.

“Of course.”

Kanarosa smiled with her eyes. Her beaming eye-smile was lovely. Then Sorean, his face flushed, turned his head away. Just watching them was a heartwarming couple.

* * *

The day of the imperial palace banquet arrived. Since I didn’t have a partner, I ended up going with Father. Going with another man would break the contract. Lella dressed me up carefully. 

I put on hair ornaments and chose a black dress suitable for winter. I wore black shoes and even black gloves—complete! 

After greeting Anan properly, I went downstairs. Father stood there dressed handsomely. He said his business was going better than before, so now he could afford to buy decent clothes. I took Father’s hand and got into the carriage.

“Still no customers?”

At Father’s words, I nodded sadly.

“I think I need to advertise.”

Should I place an ad in the newspaper?

“Even if you advertise, I’m not sure if people will come.”

The best thing would be word of mouth. Well, to do business, there needs to be merit. Some advertising, and professionalism too. Thinking about that, I felt gloomy because it seemed I had no advantages at all.

“I think I’ll cry if it fails.”

Father laughed.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to at least prevent it from failing.”

“No, please don’t!”

I spoke firmly, but Father didn’t back down either.

“Didn’t I live because of you?”

Well, that was true. Anyway, Father’s words about helping prevent failure made me feel reassured.

* * *

The banquet hall was crowded with people. Everyone wore fancy clothes and held fans that sparkled. I walked elegantly with Caromiel. At the far end were Kanarosa and Sorean.

“Welcome!”

Kanarosa quickly waved her hand. I walked over with Father.

“Oh my, seeing the Duke here.”

Kanarosa quickly lowered her hand and greeted him. Sorean also bowed his head.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness the Princess. And Count Root.”

Father and Sorean exchanged formal greetings. Kanarosa and I held hands and talked about various things. Then Kajiian entered, gave well-wishes to those attending the ball, and danced with the Empress.

“Oh dear.”

Father looked at one place and clicked his tongue.

“What’s wrong?”

Father shook his head.

“That’s not right.”

So what was happening?

“Count Pahel is dancing with his mistress.”

I had heard about Count Pahel too. He was a man who abandoned his first wife after falling deeply for his mistress. Count Pahel had a political marriage. His wife was the daughter of a wealthy commoner merchant. 

He ignored his wife, and once the family’s circumstances improved a bit, he openly took his mistress around. Of course, having a mistress wasn’t a problem in noble society. Both men and women had mistresses. 

The problem was treating the mistress like a wife. Honestly, I couldn’t understand having a mistress at all. But it was the rule of this world, so I had to understand it somewhat.

“Dancing with his mistress at such a public event, leaving his wife…”

“He said he wants to divorce his wife.”

I was shocked. Then would he return all the money his wife brought? What about the compensation for all the effort his wife made to build up the family until now? I was furious.

“What kind of law is that!”

Father nodded.

“I don’t understand it either. A wife is someone to be cherished.”

Well, I knew not all husbands were like that. Finding the Countess was easy. Everyone was looking at her with sympathetic gazes. 

The lady, dressed appropriately for the imperial palace ball, was drinking wine alone. Despite her husband’s insane behavior, she was surprisingly calm. 

Hm? Usually in this situation, one would be depressed or have a sad expression. She was instead calmly watching her husband. Like she had resigned herself to everything.

“Really.”

After finishing dancing with Father, I approached the Countess. Her name was Sallen, right?

“Hello.”

At my approach, she looked up.

“Marquis Charlot’s wife?”

“You know me?”

“I saw you from afar. You’re a famous person in high society these days.”

Sallen elegantly drank her wine glass. With her long brown hair pinned up and gold earrings, she wasn’t a stunning beauty, but she had something that drew people’s hearts. Looking at the graceful beauty, I poured wine for her.

“Thank you.”

Her eyes looked indifferent. Even with me beside her, she had no curiosity.

“I’m running a business.”

Sallen nodded.

“Would you like to come visit once?”

At my invitation, Sallen was flustered.

“What kind of place is it?”

“A counseling center.”

It would be an unfamiliar term. Sallen, who had tilted her head, chuckled.

“I don’t think I’ll have any reason to go. Even though my husband does strange things, I don’t need counseling.”

She rejected my invitation sharply like that. As expected, it’s not easy. On the way back after the imperial palace banquet ended, I recalled Sallen’s expression. She had indifferent eyes with no emotion. 

Should I just not do business like this? 

Everyone said I should just do something like a high-class tea house. They said that would suit me better. I decided that if there were no customers for a month, I would run the counseling center and cafe together.