Who Will Have the Last Laugh?

　After that, my husband said, “Well, I’ll just have to put up with things for a while and try to build trust.”

　By all means, please do!

　He’s not a nice person, but he’s trustworthy, said Miss Michelle, so I’m looking forward to seeing what my husband will do from now on.

　I’ll also talk to Ragnard, of course.

　I don’t think that his claim was a joke or a lie, but I wanted to hear from Ragnard himself, so I rushed to the office of the general butler that Ragnard uses.

　Perhaps he knew what I was there to ask, so he didn’t seem surprised and offered me a seat and poured me some tea.

　Yeah, it was pretty much as my husband had said.

　That is, unless he’s conspiring with my husband to lie to me, but everything is probably true.

　I have known Ragnard for a long time, and he knows me better than anyone else.

　There was just one thing Ragnard added.

“I don’t know what would make you happy, Risha. That’s why I wanted you to try many things. I’m sure there were many things I forced you to give up, but I want you to do what you want if possible. However, if you want to start something, you need to have something to start with.”

　Oh, you mean money?

　Ragnard, did you think of my husband as a money-grubber?

　My husband said that he was a man worthy of Ragnard’s trust, but it wasn’t about his character or private affairs, it was mostly about his financial power?

　Did you know that, Husband?

　I felt a little sorry for my husband.

“Miss Risha, I am deeply sorry. I really should have apologized sooner, but I didn’t get the chance…”

　Ragnard bows tightly.

　This is the first time I’ve seen Ragnard regret something like this.

　But I’m not holding a grudge against him.

　He’s the one who raised me and protected me, and even now, he is sacrificing himself and breaking his bones for me.

　I wanted him to spend his old age relaxing, but Ragnard had to work for my husband until his death.

　That’s probably a good thing, though, because Ragnard seems to be having fun.

　Besides, my husband seems to be relying on him, so there’s nothing much I can say if they have a good relationship.

　On a spur of a moment, I mischievously asked Ragnard.

“If we were to quarrel, whose side would you take?”

　Ragnarok smiled serenely and answered.

“It depends on what it’s about, and what you say.”

　Tch. 

　That’s a sly way of putting it.

　Well, one of the roles of the chief butler is to stop his master when he’s in the wrong.

　I want him to side with me. In most cases, my husband’s at fault.

　I sipped my tea as our conversation came to an end.

　Then there were a few knocks on the door from outside. Before Ragnard could reply, the door opened.

　My husband is the only one capable of this.

　Normally, he would have just opened the door or called for me without question, but he seemed to have taken care of it at least.

“Have you finished your conversation?”

“Yes, Sir. Would you like some tea? And your companion behind you?”

　At Ragnard’s words, I looked at the person who had come in with my husband.

　Then my eyes widened in surprise.

“Long time no see, Miss Risha.”

“Miss Michelle ―― No, Mister?”

“You’ve heard about me from Claude, haven’t you?”

　He had cut off his long hair and was wearing a masculine outfit.

　In this way, he certainly looks like a man.

　He’s more cute than cool, though.

　Ragnard left his seat, and the two of them sat down opposite me.

　After pouring tea for the two of them as well, Ragnard stood behind my husband.

“So, let’s start again. Nice to meet you, Duchess of Lindbeld. My name is Michel Roux. I look forward to working with you. Please call me Michel.”

“Roux?”

“Yes, that’s my mother’s family name. It’s no longer in existence, but Claude arranged for me to take that family name.”

“Er…How about the Marquis of Andrette?”

“Oh, I’ve cut ties with them. From the very start, they saw me as a useful piece of equipment, and if I had been treated better for the work I did, I would have worked for nothing.”

　Miss Michelle ―― hep, Michel presented a radiant, refreshed face as he smiled and said such things without care.

“Well, I’ll tell you more later.”

“I brought Michel here because I wanted us to talk with him about the future.

“What future?”

“Michel has come under the protection of the Lindbeld dukedom and will be working for us. His main task will be to protect you.”

“Uh?”

“You’ll certainly have more opportunities to go out, but I can’t let you go alone. I don’t think you’d like to have a knight accompany you, so let him do it instead.”

“Yes-yes. You can leave the ladies’ tea party to me. I’ve always liked cross-dressing. Girl’s talk, you know?”

　…Husband said it. As you can see, he’s an oddball.

　No, really, he’s too eccentric.

　What does it mean when a man is enjoying himself with glee and joins a ladies’ tea party?

　Moreover, the world is such a remarkable place because he’ll be the perfect beauty in his outfit.

“I look forward to working with you in the future, Madam. Oh, and of course, if you have any problems with Master Claude, I’m here to help! I’m more of a woman’s ally. By the way, if there’s anything you want to retaliate for, please let me join you.”

　Can you spout such things next to my husband, who will be your employer onwards?

　Michel, your heart of steel makes me jealous.

　Or rather, you’re absolutely a grinning criminal, like the other day!

“He has a complicated personality, but he’s skilled. Just make sure you go out with him in moderation.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to accidentally spill Claude’s secrets.”

　What secrets? I’m so curious!

　But my husband glares at Michel with a frozen glow in his crimson eyes.

　If he were Diego, he would have frozen immediately, but Michel was aloof and didn’t seem to be affected at all.

“Cough, I’ll leave that for later. I won’t go up against my employer out of the blue.”

　Michel, your character is too unique.

　I think I’m going to be really tired, but mainly me.

　Don’t tell me, Husband…Are you sure you didn’t just impose … on me because you were getting tired of him?

　As I looked at him, our eyes met, and his mouth lifted up in a smile.

　I knew it! You pushed him to me!

　Please don’t force troublesome people on me like you force work on me!

　Where’s the trust building?

　Hmph! Despite expressing my anger, my husband didn’t seem to want to withdraw.

　Michel and Ragnard looked at me and my husband happily.