Chapter 123

Epilogue. Their stories that have not yet been told — 02

Marie unexpectedly welcomed the treasurer who had come in the morning.

As she served him a cup of tea, the treasurer handed her some papers. He then mentioned that from now on, she would manage all the property.

“That’s right. The Count has promised to leave everything to Madam. There are three more mines besides those listed in this document. One is a gold mine, and the other two are diamond mines.”

Marie held up her trembling hand and stopped the treasurer from continuing the explanation.

While she wondered before how Kentrail was able to maintain his wealth without going to work at the Palace anymore, it seemed that he was able to buy several capital mansions with just one year’s rent of his estate.

Not only that, but he had various real estate and mines, in addition to an amount of money that she would never have touched in her lifetime.

“Ah, come to think of it, Madam, your estate will be assigned soon. Will you manage them separately? If that’s not the case, shall I merge it with the Count’s family for the time being?”

“Estate…”

“Since you have become a noble, His Majesty will bestow some of the territories the royal family had. Well… usually it’s just a return of the land the family originally owned, but…”

She couldn’t hear the rest of the words.

‘Estate…’

It was only then that she realized what kind of world this place was.

“It’s good that the rent comes in, but there will be more things you have to do.”

The treasurer said that it would be better to visit the estate in person at least twice a year and gave several recommendations. Marie realized what Kentrail meant when he said before marriage that being a noble wouldn’t be all good. Since he had a territory, he had to take responsibility for it himself.

“Please take it back.”

After the treasurer was gone, Marie went looking for Kentrail. He was reading a book leisurely in his study.

“I like living on my allowance.”

“Ah, don’t tease me. I can’t manage it, and my hands are already shaking.”

“The treasurer will take care of it. You just have to read the documents and sign them.”

“I can’t… I absolutely can’t.”

Kentrail shrugged his shoulders helplessly at her strong refusal. Then, with a serious face, he asked again.

“Do I really take care of it again? I don’t care if you do it. Everything of mine is yours.”

He had summoned the treasurer and told the treasurer he was willing to hand over to her if she wished.

“If you don’t take it, I might have nightmares every day. I feel like money is holding me down.”

“Alright.”

After her strong refusal, he again took over the family’s economic power.

“Still, what should I do with my family? I’m married to you, so I don’t think I’ll be in charge of my family…”

“If you want to take over, do it.”

“Huh? Weren’t we supposed to follow one family once married in the Kingdom?”

Whether a man or a woman, once married, only one family could be in charge. It was to prevent one force from becoming too strong.

“That’s right. If you want, I’ll hand over the Count’s family to Brielle early and follow you.”

Marie was surprised to know that he was not talking empty words. Kentrail also revealed that his feelings for her were much deeper than she thought.

She was grateful for his heart.

“…No. I’m not good enough to be a family head. I wish it were Barry or Ellie instead of me… Since the children are still young, the treasurer said that the estate will be granted soon.”

“Yes. Most of the nobles’ power comes from the estate, so it’s better to accept it. Well, let’s do this. Until the children are a bit older, I will help manage the estate and let’s take a closer look at which of the two children should be in charge of the estate and share our opinions.”

“Yes.”

She was relieved to have him. To express her gratitude, Marie hugged him as hard as she could before trying to let go. Though Kentrail, who pulled her back, raised his hand and ran it through her hair.

“Do not hesitate to say what you want to do.”

“You, too. When you were young, your dream was not to become the chancellor.”

“That’s right, but now my dream has changed.”

“What is it?”

He lifted her a little from his arms and looked at her face.

“Being next to you. Just that.”

“….”

“The future I envision is always standing next to you. Whatever you do, I want to be by your side.”

“Me, too. Right now, I only want that one next to you.”

The eyes of the two people facing each other deepened. Marie removed her hand from his back, and touched his face. Along with the soft touch of his skin, he could feel his beard that had grown in half a day.

Being attached like this, the tip of her nose smelled his cool scent.

The two headed to the bedroom in the daytime on the pretext of being newlyweds.

After Marie and Kentrail got married, they rarely separated except during work hours. But recently, she has started making time for herself.

“What about the wife?”

“Madam…”

Hearing Kentrail’s question, the butler evaded his words as if he was puzzled.

“Is she at the mansion?”

“Yes. Just wait a little bit, and she’ll come down.”

Where did she go?

Even though he looked for her as soon as he came out of the study after work, all the employees did was look at him with troubled answers. If he pursued it, he could find out where Marie was, but he couldn’t because she would have asked them to keep it a secret.

“Haa, I see. I will go see Brielle first.”

In the end, he sighed and turned to the butler.

“That is…”

However, what came back was once again an awkward reply. Apparently, the two of them, Marie and Brielle, were doing something.

Kentrail eventually headed back to the study, wondering what the two of them were doing.

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