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“Royalty is coming?”
Dante told me about the royal visit while we were in bed. Just before falling asleep, we were lying next to each other when he hesitated and then spoke.
“Yes. Normally, it's the hostess's job to prepare for guests, but if you don't want to, you can leave it to Barhan...”
“No, I'll do it.”
“You don't have to strain yourself. You are not in good health.”
Oh, here we go again with the health talk. It's annoying to hear about my health every time, like a recurring refrain. Anyone would think I was seriously ill.
Swallowing my frustration, I firmly repeated myself.
“No, as the hostess, it's my duty. I want to do it. I'll do a good job. You trust me, right? Do you not trust me?”
“...No, I trust you.”
“Yes. I'll live up to that trust.”
Dante seemed to have more to say but finally just nodded. Instead, he added a cautionary piece of advice.
“Don't overexert yourself, and if you need help, don't hesitate to ask for it.”
“Yes, I will. After all, it's my first time with this kind of thing, so I'll be clumsy on my own.”
I answered cheerfully, signaling the end of the conversation by lying down first. I looked at Dante, who was still sitting up, and patted the empty bed.
“Lie down quickly. Hurry up.”
Again, Dante obediently lay down without a word.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Madam.”
“Yep.”
The next day, after finishing my meal, I sat alone in my room drinking tea and planning for the royal visit.
“These wretched people are finally coming, huh?”
I ground my teeth in frustration. Dante had told me they were coming to celebrate our marriage, but I knew that wasn't the whole story. Actually, it's not even partly true. They're not coming to celebrate; they're coming to inspect our marriage.
If I didn't have faint memories of the original story, I would have foolishly believed they were really coming to congratulate us.
In the original story, the royal family comes twice to monitor Dante. The first time is to monitor his marriage to me, and the second time is to monitor his marriage to the original heroine, Flora.
In both cases, the royal family is greatly disappointed. The first marriage had them clicking their tongues at my sight of trembling and gagging whenever I met the male lead's eyes, thinking, 'There's no hope for this.' The second marriage had them feeling the male lead and heroine were too distant due to their excessive consideration for each other, thinking, 'This isn't good either.'
As a result, the emperor calls Richter in for a severe reprimand and constantly pressures the wives to have children as soon as possible.
Oh, just thinking about it again makes me exasperated. Who are they to meddle in someone else's marriage and family planning like they're our parents? Don't they have anything better to do? Why not focus on their own children?
Because of this, the original Dante despised the royal family. I think there was another reason, but I don't remember it. But what does it matter? If someone who is so generous that he gives money and a house for a smooth divorce hates them, it must be their fault.
Therefore, I decided to hate the royal family too. As someone who wishes for Dante's happiness, I should dislike anyone he dislikes.
Moreover, I had plenty of reasons to dislike the royal family myself. Being married off through their mediation, pressured to have children, and having to walk on eggshells. Now, I like this place and I'm living happily, and I can just ignore whatever the royal family says as 'the barking of dogs,' but the timid original me must have felt like dying. How hard it must have been for her to be pushed to have a child with a man she needed courage just to make eye contact with.
Anyway, for various reasons, I decided to prepare for this royal visit properly. I'll give them such a splendid reception that they won't dare think of meddling with us. I'll loosen their vigilance and, taking advantage of their carelessness, show a beautiful farewell with the male lead and smack the royal family on the back!
Ah, just thinking about it is thrilling.
...So far, so perfect, but soon I encountered a problem.
“So, what exactly am I supposed to do?”
I knew the hostess oversees guest preparations, but I didn't know the specifics. After pondering for a moment, I decided to ask Dante for help. It might seem silly to ask for help after boasting I would handle it well, but it’s better than wasting time.
It was about time to go out to the fields, so I quickly changed into work clothes. When I went outside, Dante was already waiting, wearing his colorful work pants. I felt proud. I didn't expect him to wear them so comfortably.
After a light greeting, we started working. I watered the plants with a watering can, and Dante fertilized the soil. As the work was almost done, I slyly asked.
“You want to know how to prepare for guests?”
“Yes. It's embarrassing, but I have no knowledge of such things. I was never taught.”
Honestly, a normal young lady would have learned this early on. But as an illegitimate child neglected and abused at home, I never had the chance to learn.
Thankfully, Dante kindly answered without any sign of doubt.
“To put it simply, think of it as deciding the overall atmosphere.”
“The overall atmosphere?”
Dante plunged a large shovel into the ground as he replied.
“The atmosphere of the mansion, the dining atmosphere, the garden atmosphere. You decide what kind of atmosphere you want to greet the guests with, and then oversee, manage, and review it.”
Oh, so I need to set the theme of the house and then decide the details? Things like what kind of menu the meals and desserts should have, the feeling the garden should exude, how to decorate the mansion, etc. I set these general details, relay them to the subordinates, and then review and adjust the progress. That’s my job.
It sounded tough but also manageable. I could probably pull this off.
“...But really, you don’t have to push yourself. Actually, the Richter family doesn’t particularly welcome royal visits.”
Dante's sudden direct dislike surprised me, and I looked at him with wide eyes. His face seemed stiff.
Oh, I know that expression. It's the look of regret after saying something. The face of wishing he hadn’t spoken.
Well, it must be nerve-wracking to badmouth the royal family, even in front of your wife.
I nodded in understanding and added my own complaint.
“I don't particularly welcome them either. Somehow, the royal family feels a bit off…”
I joined in the badmouthing. When someone is complaining, joining in can be refreshing and foster camaraderie.
I took it a step further.
“Honestly, they are too high-handed. Forcing a marriage and then coming to ‘celebrate’ it. We’re not animals in a cage. Right? By the way, I’m very happy with my marriage.”
Dante showed an uncharacteristic look of surprise before laughing. Wow. His beauty is overwhelming when he laughs.
“Then why put so much effort into preparing for guests you don’t like? You could just prepare minimally.”
“You have to treat unpleasant guests even better.”
“Pardon?”
Oh, he’s oblivious here. Well, a kind-hearted man wouldn’t know about such high-level tricks.
“When you treat enemies, you must show that you are very happy and living well. Like, no matter what you do, I am very happy and splendid. Get it?”
“Ah.”
His tone showed realization, and I nodded proudly, adding more.
“And I am really very happy and love the North. So I want to show off that this is a wonderful place. Even though it’s a forced marriage, I love my husband and the North very much. Like that.”
Most importantly, I didn't want to create any vulnerabilities. If I showed I disliked them and treated them poorly, I’d just give them more to criticize.
I smirked mischievously, unaware of the look on Dante's face.
“Is something bothering you, Duke?”
“...Hmm? What?”
Dante's response to Barhan's question was delayed by half a beat. He had been like that all day, seemingly distracted, his gaze often wandering to the void.
What could be bothering the Duke so much? After a moment of thought, Barhan cautiously asked.
“Did the Duchess say something?”
“How did you…?”
The reaction came quickly. Dante, surprised, then looked down at the papers, closing his mouth tightly.
“It's not that.”
“Ha ha. Whatever it was, it must have been good news.”
“I told you it wasn’t that. Now, get out.”
With an awkward dismissal, Barhan laughed heartily and left the room.
“That's good to hear. Ha ha.”
Muttering to himself till the end, Barhan exited. As soon as the door closed, Dante exhaled a long breath.
“Ha. Damn.”
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