Chapter 34

The inspection team had returned home after some time, and one day, an announcement was made to the people from the palace. It was that a mutual non-aggression pact had been signed between our Kingdom of Romane and the neighboring Kingdom of Holland.

According to Lord Alexandre, there had been many twists and turns leading up to this point, but it was certain that it would go down in history as one of the last great achievements of His Majesty.

The people rejoiced. After all, it was always the common soldiers, mostly from the lower classes, who were sent to the front lines and lost their lives in war.

The sense of relief that there would be no war with the neighboring country was immense. The festive atmosphere loosened people's purse strings.

"Yes, they're selling well, the ponies."

Amidst this festive atmosphere, the wedding of the First Prince Gried and the daughter of a marquis, Harberry Twice, took place.

Amid the blessings of the people who had gathered on both sides of the road, the two of them, riding in a splendid carriage, shone brightly.

I turned sixteen. In this country, that means I am an adult.

Wearing a dress designed for adults, I saw off the carriage at the palace with Lord Alexandre.

While the carriage was away, I had to change for the banquet and converse with dignitaries from other countries, making it a busy time.

The carriage left, and as the gathered people dispersed, various colors of personal autonomous vehicles drove through the streets.

Over the course of a year, the number of subcontracted factories for pony manufacturing had increased to three, and now much more refined designs of ponies were being sold.

Occasionally, large four-seater autonomous vehicles with seats could be seen, but those were still the property of nobles and wealthy merchants.

In the Kingdom of Holland, ponies were also being sold, and preparations for local production were proceeding smoothly.

At sixteen, I was suffering from the tightness of the corset I was not used to, unable to eat anything despite being hungry, and just sipping sweetened hot milk to get by.

"Marianne, this is the price you pay for not wearing a corset to the evening party, isn't it?"

Sister Katharina, looking cool, was nibbling on a sandwich and smiling wryly at me.

"Sister, how can you eat so much? I can't even manage a single bite. Next time, I want to invent a dress that makes women look beautiful without a corset. It's too unreasonable that only women have to endure such suffering!"

"Oh, that's a good idea. A dress that is both comfortable and beautiful. It will definitely sell."

Her smile was a bit unbecoming of a young lady.

Beside her was the deputy leader of the inspection team.

During the inspection, Peter, the sales representative, who was usually quiet, asked sharp questions when faced with the actual product.

With the decision to produce locally in Holland, frequent meetings between the two countries led to a mutual understanding, and they eventually became engaged.

He is said to plan to join the marquis family as a son-in-law, but Sister has no intention of retiring from business even after marriage. Rather, she is eager to expand her business dealings with both our country and Holland.

Father came to my side, gently placed his hand on my head, and gazed at the palace garden outside the window, lost in thought.

"Next will be Marianne's wedding."

Lord Alexandre and I were to be married next year, and he was to become a duke with the right of succession to the throne.

□ □ □ □ □

Ten years have passed since Prince Gried's wedding. I am twenty-six, and my husband, Lord Alexandre, is thirty-one.

His Majesty the King, suffering from poor health, abdicated recently, and Prince Gried became the king of this country.

Unfortunately, Prince Gried and Queen Harberry have not had a child after ten years. Queen Harberry herself offered to take a second wife, but Prince Gried refused her request, stating that he needed no one other than Queen Harberry.

However, there is little worry in the palace or the country. This is because the eldest son of the ducal family is eager to become the next king, and both the parliament and the people support him.

"Mother, I'm home! You're still reading? You and Nico are in the exact same position and posture as when I left at noon!"

The eldest son, Harold, is six years old. The tone he uses to scold me when he returns from sword training is exactly like Sister Katharina's. His dark blonde hair, which looks brown, is stuck to his forehead with sweat. I need to give him a bath. If he catches a cold, the former king, who dotes on him, will surely make a big fuss.

Incidentally, the title of the book I was reading is "The Clan of the Wheat Ear," published in Holland. It is a true story about the life of a single genius who loved freedom and invention. In the final chapter, I am mentioned as one of the clan members.

The second son, Nicholas, is three years old and is crouching at my feet. Nico is watching the war of the ants.

He can't take his eyes off the black ants attacking the reddish-brown ant nest and carrying off the eggs and larvae to their own nest. He has golden hair and emerald eyes, and both inside and out, he resembles me.

In the cradle next to my chair, Flora, a girl named after my mother, has black hair and black eyes, and her beautiful features are a perfect match for her father.

"How was today's training?"

"The teacher praised me a lot! The language teacher also praised me for my proficiency in Hollandish!"

Once, my husband was worried and asked, "If the king has a child, Harold won't become king. He will have to live as the second in line. Do you still have the resolve to work hard to become king?"

At the time, five-year-old Harold answered without hesitation, "If that happens, I will take over Aunt Katharina's company, so there's no need to worry!"

Sister Katharina... When did you make such a secret agreement with a child, just because you can't have children?

Our home has three new-generation small autonomous vehicles and two new-generation large autonomous vehicles, all fueled by gas.

The streets are filled with colorful ponies, and on the well-maintained cobblestone roads, pegasi also run from town to town.

It's about time for my husband to come home. He is the Duke of Romane, the president of the Alexandre Trading Company, and a board member of the Landfuria Autonomous Vehicle Corporation.

According to Sister Katharina, my husband is a late bloomer. No, that's a bit rude, even if he is a classmate from school.

"I'm home, Marie."

"Welcome back, Alexandre. How was work?"

"The single-seater pony you designed is a huge hit. Reservations are already pouring in even before sales start next week."

"Actually, I've come up with a good way to efficiently improve the roads connecting all the towns. Then, with ponies, we can go anywhere..."

"..."

I suddenly realized that Lord Alexandre was staring at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I shouldn't be talking about work when you're tired."

"No, it's not that. I was just captivated by your lively face. You... are becoming more and more beautiful."

"Wh-What!"

"Father, Mother, it's time for dinner. The food will get cold."

I blushed and looked down, and my eldest son scolded me with a frown.

I gently closed the book I was reading and headed for the mansion.

In the stories I read as a child, there were tales of stepmothers' daughters being the villainous young ladies who were punished, but I am now living a life surrounded by many happinesses and freedom.

The sequel, "The Not-So-Elegant Daily Life of Duchess Marianne," has started. I hope you will read it.

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