I’m In Trouble Because My Husband Is So Cute - Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

…Was there a viable approach to crafting a favorable impression? Iellie furrowed her brows, deep in contemplation.

‘I don’t know anyone else… like Countess Laurent, I want to do something about it.’

Recalling her long bad relationship with the Countess, she looked out of the window and blinked her eyes.

“Oh, is it raining?”

Drop, drop.

Seeing the light raindrops gradually grow in intensity, evolving into a gentle early summer shower, she furrowed her brow in response.

“Did Zachary have an umbrella?”

Though he would likely arrive in the carriage, he could potentially get wet between the carriage and the front door. In truth, the employees would likely offer him an umbrella even without her intervention, but her conscience nagged at her nonetheless…

“…Alright. Let’s go get him.”

In any case, her next destination was the administrative office, where she intended to review the advancement of her planned tasks.

Thinking so, she rose from her seat and exited the building, only to be met with a heavy downpour.

“Oh, my God.”

Shwaaa—

The rain cascaded down. The distinct aroma of the summer rain intermingled with the scent of wet earth. She headed towards the waiting carriage. Mary, who was holding up the umbrella, opened her mouth anxiously.

“Are you going to the administrative office when it’s raining like this?”

“Yes, Zachary probably doesn’t have an umbrella.”

“But the Madam can send someone else.”

“I want to see Zachary anyway.”

When she answered with a grin, Mary saw Iellie off, looking like she knew it already.

“Then have a safe trip, Madam.”

“…You don’t have to be so quickly convinced, Mary.”

“Though you really meant it anyway.”

Was she taking it for granted? Iellie poured the complaint into her mouth and placed her body into the carriage.

 

* * *

From the administrative office, Zachary glanced out the window. The rain was descending steadily. Despite being an early summer shower, the overcast sky indicated that it would persist.

‘…Huh?’

He furrowed his brow and fixed his gaze on the scene beyond the window. A carriage maneuvered through the rain and halted before the administrative office. Beneath the shelter of an open umbrella, hair the color of pink Asha blossoms fluttered.

“Len?”

In this rain, why did she come all the way here?

As he rushed outside, Iellie, who had recently disembarked from the carriage, widened her eyes. Brimming with delight, she exclaimed in a joyful tone.

“Zachary!”

“What are you doing here?”

“It’s raining, so I came to pick up my husband.”

Seeing Iellie smile brightly, Zachary took the umbrella from her hand and tilted it towards her.

“Zachary, your shoulders are getting wet.”

“It’s better than you getting wet.”

“If you say that, there is no point in me coming here.”

Saying so, she pursed her lips and tilted the umbrella back towards him. In the meanwhile, the administrators came out.

“Welcome, Duchess.”

“Nice to meet you all. Are things going well?”

She was only going to get back with Zachary, so Iellie questioned the administrators under the umbrella.

“Yes. We posted the report in writing.”

“Yes, I saw that. It seems to be fine. However…”

Iellie narrowed her eyes and twisted her head. Noticing the puzzled looks on the administrators’ countenances, she asked them again.

“Everything else is fine, though I have a few questions about the oyster farming business.”

“The oyster farming business?”

“Yes.”

Zachary, who was standing next to her, tilted his head. Iellie spoke in a clear voice.

“I always read the reports sent by the administrators. But…”

“Yes, Duchess.”

“I think there is a need to be more selective about the people selected for the support project.”

The administrators appeared slightly uneasy. Iellie’s nature was generally affable, yet she also exhibited a meticulous and unyielding approach towards her tasks. Then, she concluded with a firm tone.

“This business is to support the fishermen in the north.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“I hope there will be no cheating and taking advantage of the budget. Understand?”

When she spoke again with force, the administrators, who became serious, nodded their heads in reply.

“We’ll take a look, Duchess.”

“Thank you.”

Iellie, who left after the greeting, turned around. Zachary asked, quickly throwing an umbrella over her head.

“Did something bother you?”

“No, it wasn’t like that.”

Recalling her thoughts while reading the document provided by the administrators, Iellie spoke with composure.

“For some reason, it seems that there will be nobles who will be trying to step in negatively.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Honestly, if you farm oysters and sell them, the profit itself will be very high.”

Raw oysters with translucent interiors were considered a luxury delicacy across the empire. This was due to their scarcity despite significant demand. The festival had been meticulously devised and promoted, with a designated budget allocated to incentivize aquaculture in order to address the supply shortage.

“If aquaculture is successful, those who enter the aquaculture business will benefit greatly. furthermore…”

Iellie, who was in the carriage, glanced at Zachary. She said in a calm voice.

“…The Duchy also supports a certain budget, so even if they fail, the damage to the project is minimal.”

“I know.”

“Then, will the nobles leave this delicious prey as it is?”

Zachary understood the point. The nobles must have known that this business would be of great benefit.

“Well, they’re afraid of the Duchy’s eyes, so they won’t intervene if possible, though…”

Her words trailed off. Such actions were expected from noble families with a semblance of sensibility. Nevertheless, even though everyone might possess a fundamental understanding, the concept of truth was often elusive.

“…Still, there are families everywhere that don’t know their place.”

For example, like County Laurent’s.

The words almost came out reflexively, and she gulped it down.

‘Anyway, Count Laurent’s family is Zachary’s maternal family.’

She must choose her words carefully, but there was no need for her to be overly cautious. On the other hand, Zachary, however, remarked with a cynical expression.

“Are you talking about Count Laurent’s family?”

“….”

“You don’t have to be so careful with your words, they were the first family that came to my mind.”

Zachary chuckled and gave her a reassuring pat on the back of her hand. After making sure that she had regained her composure, he posed a gentle question.

“Come to think of it, is the preparation for the salon going well?”

“I don’t know if things are going well… Anyway, I plan to open soon.”

“You’re good at anything, so you’ll be fine this time as well.”

Iellie offered a slightly uneasy smile. Indeed, there were moments when Zachary’s trust in her bordered on being excessive. She smiled, shifting her gaze away, and then her attention was drawn to the window.

Amidst the pouring rain, a small creature caught her eye.

“…A dog?”

“Huh?”

“Hey, stop the carriage quickly.”

Surprised, she tapped him on the shoulder. The carriage stopped, and she stepped out.

“Look at this, a dog.”

Her expression turned sympathetic as she gazed down at the dog. The dog appeared to be pregnant since its small frame contrasted with the noticeably swollen belly.

As she observed the dog, she pulled her lips.

‘…They look alike.’

The dog’s fur, now wet and covered in mud, sported a shade of light brown. The similarity it bore to the dog she had cared for in her past life stirred a sense of fondness within her. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for the dog as it licked her hand and wagged its tail in a seemingly helpless manner.

“Child, I’ll take you.”

“….”

Gently, she scooped up the dog into her arms.

Zachary furrowed his brows as his gaze fixed on her silently. Once again, that unsettling sensation arose – a vague fear that the woman in front of him might abruptly vanish into another world.

“Len.”

“Huh?”

Holding the dog close, she shifted her attention to him. He lightly pressed his lips together, a mixture of emotions crossing his expression at the sight.

‘…It’s okay, she promised not to leave me.’

After a brief pause, Zachary tried to smile.

“Nothing. Shall we head back now?”

As Iellie agreed with a nod, the two of them got back into the carriage. As she cuddled the dog affectionately, an uneasy sensation settled in Zachary’s chest, like small pebbles tumbling within.