My Contract Husband Resembles the Male Protagonist - Chapter 55
I put down the hoe and pondered.
‘The problem now is that winter is approaching.’
In cold weather, there’s no use for farming tools. Unless you’re a noble with a greenhouse.
Should I target gardening as I initially thought?
But it’s difficult to directly sell farming tools to nobles. They wouldn’t be interested in the first place.
I need a method…
“A good method, a good method…”
Ah. I thought of something.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Just then, there was a sound of books falling.
“Haah. An, Anne. Am I a bit better now?”
Sophia sniffled as she picked herself up from where she had fallen.
She had been tirelessly practicing her graceful walking, day and night.
Thanks to her efforts, Sophia had transformed into a lady much more suitable for the social circles than before.
She often attended gatherings and made good connections at the parties she was first invited to.
‘Sophia is perfect for this.’
I smiled quietly, my eyes shining.
“Who did you say is hosting the salon you’re attending this time?”
“It’s the Countess Clementine.”
Sophia’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Will Anne be going too?!”
Then she realized her mistake and covered her mouth.
“Oh, how could I forget that Anne is hiding. I’m sorry, Anne. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I know. Besides, I wasn’t invited anyway. It’s okay.”
“Oh…”
When I pretended to look dejected and lowered my head, Sophia became flustered and fidgeted around me.
I hunched my shoulders and made sure to fidget with my fingertips.
“Maybe it’s because I haven’t attended a salon in so long… It reminds me of the old days…”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Anne.”
“It’s okay. Coming to Grunwald was lonely, unfamiliar, and difficult, but thanks to your kindness, it reminds me of my days as a noble lady, and I really appreciate it.”
Sophia’s eyes welled up with heartfelt emotion.
“But if I could attend such gatherings… it would be really wonderful, wouldn’t it? I could have become closer to you, Sophia…”
“Oh…!”
Sophia looked like she was about to panic, not knowing what to do.
“Sniffle, Sophia.”
I pretended to wipe away tears and took Sophia’s hand.
“I’m sorry, Anne! I was really thoughtless.”
“Huh, no, how could that be Sophia’s fault?”
I glanced at Sophia.
She was getting paler.
Okay. This should be enough.
I discreetly wiped away my tears and looked at Sophia.
“So, Sophia, I can’t go, but… could you take this hoe with you and think of it as my stand-in?”
“I will! I’ll do that!”
Sophia quickly took the hoe.
“If I just bring this to the salon, will Anne not be sad?”
“Of course…”
I raised my head and wiped away the forced tears.
“Thank you, Sophia.”
“No, it’s my pleasure to be able to help you, Anne.”
Thud! Thud!
That was the sound of my conscience getting hit by arrows.
“But how will this help Anne?”
“The Countess Clementine may not be deeply knowledgeable about gardening, but she is very interested.”
“She seems a bit like that. But why?”
“Tell the Countess that this is a gift for her gardening.”
I placed a note in Sophia’s hand, explaining how to use it.
“If you tell her that this is a special item just for her, she will be very pleased.”
“Really?”
“Gardening is a noblewoman’s art.”
When did I become so skilled at lying…
I spoke shamelessly.
“The Countess will appreciate it and be grateful to you, Sophia. I’m sure of it.”
Sophia nodded, seemingly convinced by my persuasion.
“Yes, I’ll cherish this hoe as if it were Anne herself.”
“Great. Thank you, Sophia.”
There was no place better than a salon for rumors to spread quickly.
Being swept up in it could cost you dearly, but on the flip side, it could also be advantageous.
* * *
Marianne Clementine was an aging countess.
Having lost her child in her youth and recently her husband, she led a solitary life, her only hobby being tending the garden her husband had cultivated.
Oh, and hosting salons.
Regardless, Marianne’s main interest was gardening.
“But isn’t this just labor?”
Marianne was unintentionally experiencing the daily life of a gardener firsthand.
She had taken it upon herself to maintain the greenhouse her husband had left behind, but after a year, she regretted her decision due to her aging body.
“I have my dignity.”
Marianne had been born into a wealthy noble family and married into nobility, upholding the family name.
Once a noblewoman made a statement, she had to follow through for the sake of her pride.
However, whenever she struggled with heavy farming tools or ended up killing plants due to her poor skills, she couldn’t help but regret her words.
“Tsk, tsk.”
Marianne blamed herself for her mistakes.
“The best place to host a salon is the greenhouse.”
There was nothing she could do about the mess she had made.
She would rather burn it all down than show this disarray to her guests.
That was Marianne’s pride.
“My lady, the drawing room is prepared. The young ladies have all arrived.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Gazing at the ruined greenhouse left a bitter taste in her mouth. Marianne straightened her back and walked away.
“Good afternoon, Countess.”
“Oh, isn’t it the young lady from Grunwald?”
A young lady with brown hair approached.
It was Sophia, the Countess of Grunwald, whom Marianne had met a few times. She was an unusually gentle noblewoman, one who left an impression without trying.
If her son had lived and had children, wouldn’t he have had such a cute granddaughter?
Sometimes she thought so.
She had lost her child, and this young lady had lost her parents at an early age.
Perhaps because of the shared similar pain, she found herself listening to this young lady with unusual interest.
“I have a gift for you, Countess.”
