Chapter 8

Some time after the commotion on payday, during the afternoon tea, Avan came to the room.

Well, since we are formally a married couple, I can be lenient about his sudden appearance, but isn't it a breach of manners to barge in without knocking?

It was a good thing I was prepared, as I heard the voice of the maid in the corridor trying to stop him.

Reluctantly, I put the cup back on the saucer and placed it on the table. I picked up the fan that had been lying beside me, opened it slightly, and covered my mouth before turning to face Avan.

I wonder if the matter he came for will be over before the tea gets cold...

The maid who tried to stop him at the entrance had gone to call the guard knight, so I felt a bit more at ease as I turned my gaze to him.

"Lord Avan, it's been a while. It's rare for you to come to my room."

"…Huh?"

I guess he's troubled because I was acting like I was still in love with him during the wedding ceremony.

Just thinking about it makes me shiver.

Do you still expect me to act like I've been missing you and am happy to see you...?

He looks flustered at my completely uninterested and expressionless face.

It's fine to bring a woman to the mansion where your newlywed wife lives, just because you're childhood friends.

You know I've been busy every day, yet you only visit the palace once or twice a week on a whim.

Despite your meager income and lack of ability, you continue to lead a life of reckless spending, bringing your so-called childhood friend's lover around every day.

You even continue your physical relationship with your childhood friend while living under the same roof as your wife.

And you've left your wife alone for nearly two months without even an apology. Any woman would be utterly disappointed and lose all affection and love.

"A, ah... I have something to ask you. It's... something you haven't received yet..."

"What are you talking about? I don't recall any specific agreement?"

It's the dowry, right? I know, but I'll pretend I don't.

With his pride higher than the mountains surrounding the capital, he probably finds it difficult to directly ask for the dowry. He probably thinks it should be offered by me.

"Um, it's that... something you received from your parents? For... no, for the Marquess family."

"Could it be... J...?"

"J...!!"

"J... J... Hmm... Could it be Jildel fruits? You said they were delicious when you visited Roswell... I'm sorry, but it's not the season for them to bear fruit yet."

Jildel is a small, juicy fruit native to the Roswell region, popular with both tourists and locals during the summer. Of course, I love them too.

His slightly forward-leaning body seemed to collapse. Is he that desperate? I smiled and replied, "I'll ask my mother to send them when the season comes."

"That's very kind of you, but that's not what I meant! ...Ah, forget it! It's the dowry, right? You must have received it, right? You've been busy, so it might have slipped your mind. I'm not going to blame you for that, but... my father has been asking if you've confirmed it yet."

That's what you say now. Did you just think of it?

Still, has your pride been broken? You were desperately trying to think of words starting with "J"...

"I did bring the dowry, but there's nothing for you or the Marquess family."

"What are you talking about? The dowry is for me and the marital family!"

"I'm sorry, but when we signed the marriage contract, the Marquess family didn't provide any preparation money or engagement gift, not even a single riel. My father understands our financial situation, so he didn't say anything about it.

In such cases, the dowry provided by the Roswell family is meant for me to maintain my dignity. Please understand."

"What! That's not acceptable!"

"As I explained earlier, it is acceptable.

I am now the Marquess's wife. To maintain the dignity of the Marquess family, I must wear appropriate attire and accessories.

Money is also needed to maintain the mansion and employ staff to keep the estate's dignity. Until the Marquess family's finances improve, I am covering all these expenses with my dowry. If you need additional funds, please discuss it with Andor."

I closed the fan with a snap, indicating the end of the conversation.

"That guy is no good! He's completely inflexible!"

You've already tried, haven't you?

"As I said, the Marquess family has no financial leeway. Please use the monthly budget provided to you as much as possible."

"I, I need it now! It will be a problem if it's not available next time!! Any money, whether for the business or the mansion, will do, just give it to me!"

"Well, it's simple subtraction. If you take the necessary budget and then try to add it later, the business won't stand. You don't want to lose your title or go bankrupt because you can't pay the noble tax, do you?"

You'll become a commoner! I emphasized this clearly, and he winced, hesitating.

"...Sigh, I see. It's my fault for not explaining the budget limits. I can lend you some of my personal assets interest-free. I'll prepare it, so please collect it from Andor tomorrow."

"R, really? ...That would be great! Thank you! As soon as possible, please!"

"Yes, for my dear husband."

I forced a smile.

I didn't want to push him too far and make him overly cautious, but when I smiled, that foolish man...

'He was just pouting because I didn't pay attention to him. What a silly woman.'

That's how he interpreted it, I guess. ...What a fool.

Refusing him outright would make him overly resentful, and always agreeing would make him overconfident. So, I blamed the Marquess family's negligence and gave him a small escape route.

He didn't even ask about the amount of the dowry or my personal assets, which shows his lack of thoroughness and low ability...

Well, I wouldn't tell him even if he asked. The amount I lend him will become his debt, but he doesn't seem to realize that.

I asked Andor, who entered the room after Avan left, to prepare a carriage and a guard knight for a trip to the bank.

I also told him to lend a certain amount of money from my assets to Avan as extra funds and to prepare a loan document.

"The amount should be about 60% of what that man asked for. Too much or too little wouldn't be good."

Andor told me the amount Avan had demanded. 60% of that, got it.

Satisfied with the effective conversation, I finished the lukewarm tea and called the maid to the room.

After getting ready to go out, I rode in the Marquess family's carriage with the knight and headed to the bank.

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