"......Well, I mean, Ipsy is a minor language, so it’s not practical unless you’re a merchant trading with the eastern regions."
Mrs. Liu Liu said with a wry smile.
I let out a sigh of relief. ...I don’t know why I felt relieved. I nodded and smiled.
"That’s right. It’s just a hobby, really, and there’s no chance to use it. I’m grateful to my grandmother for leaving me the books and to my father for giving me the opportunity to study."
"Right. Personally, I’m really happy because it’s from my homeland. As for the upper nobility, the language of the peninsula country, Flaria, is the norm."
...Oh...
"Preferably, I’d like you to learn it too, Marie, once you become a duchess, but I won’t push it. We’ll have an interpreter at meetings, and Cyrus will write all the documents."
"......Ah, ah......"
My whole body stiffened.
...What should I do? Is it okay? ...No, I should say it.
From the way Mrs. Liu Liu spoke, it seemed to be acceptable... perhaps even necessary. Most importantly, I don’t want to be a burden to Lord Cyrus. Rather, it would surely be helpful.
I swallowed and confessed.
"---I can. I can speak Flaria and Shaina, the language of the eastern central continent... though I can only read and write Shaina."
"Really?"
Mrs. Liu Liu exclaimed loudly.
"A baron’s daughter? I mean, isn’t there no opportunity to learn or use it?"
"No... Shadelan is close to the borders of those two countries, and many immigrants have settled as tenant farmers. Shadelan has to manage their housing and employment. Also, orders and invoices, communication is often done through letters."
"Did you handle it, Marie? That’s the accounting of the baron’s household... no, it’s the main business management, isn’t it?"
"......! Uh, well......"
Why is she asking me this? Cold sweat trickled down my back. What should I do—should I say it?
Will she dislike me?
Will I be kicked out of this castle?
---It’s impudent for a woman to count numbers. Never tell anyone outside the family that you can do academics---
Father’s words came to mind. A lesson he instilled in me from a young age, a common sense in my world, a lesson for my own good.
It was very embarrassing for both the family and me.
If the in-laws found out, they might dislike me immediately...
Emerald eyes stared at me intently.
...When I first met her, I immediately looked away. The gaze of the confident duchess was so strong that I was afraid to meet it head-on.
But... upon reflection, she resembles Lord Cyrus a lot. She is the one who gave birth to and raised him. I can’t talk to the upper nobility, the ‘duchess,’ but perhaps she can...
I nodded again.
"...Yes. I attended a city school and focused on business studies. ...I’m not sure how much that means. I’ve been handling Shadelan’s accounting for the past five years."
"...Hmm..."
Mrs. Liu Liu didn’t cheer as she did before. She propped her cheek and looked up at me without a smile.
I hurriedly waved my hands.
"Ah! But it’s just a part. The head of the household is still my father, so he handles the planning. I’m just assisting. I only get to handle simple tasks."
"...Simple tasks. The accounting of a region and the creation of documents in four languages."
"Yes. I really enjoy writing letters!"
I asserted this strongly. Indeed, practice makes perfect. I learned foreign languages for this purpose and improved through them. The exchange of living words enhanced my language skills.
I loved writing letters. It was my only real connection to others. Days were spent on housework, side jobs, and accounting, and I was mocked as a ‘ragged girl’ at school, so I hardly went out.
The addresses I received and the signatures I sent were mostly my father, mother, and sister Anastasia, but not mine...
Even as a ghostwriter for the family, I could converse with others.
It was very enjoyable to share the changing seasons and inquire about each other’s well-being.
"...Beautiful handwriting."
After reading my letter, Mrs. Liu Liu said.
"Marie, if it’s okay, can I ask you to handle all the lists? You write quickly, and there are no other languages besides the four."
"Yes! Thank you!"
When I answered immediately, she and Wolfgang burst out laughing. They laughed at why I was thanking her, but I didn’t find it funny.
I immediately started writing the addresses in the kingdom’s language.
The stationery, pen, and ink were so smooth and easy to write with. As expected, the earl’s castle uses high-quality items.
With just a little ink, the words flowed smoothly without smudging. It felt so good, I could write forever.
Midway through, I came across a few names I had corresponded with in Shadelan. I remember this family got married in the spring, so I wrote, “I would like to learn the secret to a happy marriage from my seniors.”
This address... is it still covered in snow? I should add a note to take care not to overexert yourself.
There were many people I didn’t know, but they were all coming to our engagement ceremony. I was happy. I wonder what kind of people they are...
Thank you, I look forward to meeting you.
Before I could write many more, Mrs. Liu Liu called a halt.
"Sign it with your name, not the Duke of Granado’s."
"......Is that okay?"
She smiled and nodded.
"Of course. It’s only natural, right? Those beautiful words were written by you, Marie."
---Right, now that you mention it, it’s only natural.
I nodded, shaking my head. ---A small drop of water fell from somewhere, blurring the words on the page. I looked up, thinking it might be a leak, but there was no sign of it. However, the stationery was getting wet.
"Hey... Marie?"
"Madam!?"
...What’s this? It’s strange.
Why? It seems I’m crying.
I don’t understand. Why? Even when I did difficult work in the Shadelan household, even when I was called ugly, even when my mother hit me and told me to die, I never cried.
---Why?
Pon, Mrs. Liu Liu’s hand landed on my head and started petting it, moving side to side.
"Hey, Marie. To be honest, I didn’t expect much. A girl from a provincial noble family who hasn’t been to the social scene. I thought, well, she probably doesn’t have much education."
"Yes..."
"But... I guess I was wrong. I thought, well, it can’t be helped. As long as she can bear Cyrus’s children, I can support her in areas where she’s lacking."
"Yes... I’m sorry. Thank you—"
"But, correction!"
She roughly ruffled my hair. As my vision blurred, I was tightly hugged.
"Welcome, Marie! I’m so happy that my son’s wife is you!"
"Li... Mrs. Liu Liu?"
"I like you. ...I may not be a good mother-in-law, but please get along with me."
Mrs. Liu Liu is a much smaller woman than me. I hunched my back and barely managed to bury my head in her small arms.
It was not a comfortable position, and my back hurt.
Still---something felt calming.
"U... Uh... Ah..."
"Oh? What’s wrong, why are you crying?"
"...I don’t... know... but—uh. Ah. Ah. Ah..."
Tears wouldn’t stop flowing.
I wrapped my arms around her back and clung to her.
And I cried out loud, like a baby, sobbing uncontrollably.