How To Get My Husband On My Side

Chapter 4

"I asked the to make the dishes light since I thought you might have an upset stomach."

"No, everything is delicious. I guess I was just really nervous. Thank you for your concern."

What here didn't suit my taste?

The scent of cherry jam applied smoothly on thin bread, hot onion soup, and fish meat covered with a sauce I'd never heard of were all definitely very tempting.

I was always madly hungry.

It's not that I never wanted to eat, but that I ate at places where I had no choice but to throw up. In that sense, a ball-like occasion was more comfortable. No one cared about who ate what in those events.

The only person who could control me was mysel, after all.

Ellenia, who stared at me for a while, gave a tight smile, and soon told me to finish up.

After a while, the empty plates were taken away. A fragrant tea and simple dessert came out.

"As you know, here in Elendale, it's busy every summer, so I ask for your understanding that my brother might be a little late. My father will not return to the capital until the end of the month due to issues with the fief. I'm sorry for the lack of hospitality."

"Oh, no, I'm fine, I do not mind it."

"I have been living in this mansion since my mother's death. I hold the duty of managing household affairs, but I shall keep the Lady's preference in mind. If there is anything that displeases you or if you are uncomfortable, feel free to give the head maid any orders."

Ah, 'the Lady'. A strange and awkward title.

I pretended to fiddle with the teacup, my eyes gazing downwards. "Thank you for your consideration, but I'd rather things stay the same for now. I'm not familiar with the customs here yet and I'm afraid I'll cause trouble if I go too far."

With that impassive look on her face, Ellenia, who had put the teacup down, looked straight into my eyes again. "There is nothing to worry about. No one would dare think of you like that."

Formal words. Businesslike reactions.

Nevertheless, there were signs of her being surprised and anxious. I smiled innocently as if I didn't know anything and changed the subject. "More importantly, I'd like to ask you something else."

"Feel free to ask me anything."

"Could you please call me Ruby for the time being?"

Ellenia did not reply immediately.

I looked carefully at her perfect poker face and pretended to swallow in nervousness. "As you know, I'm a stranger here, and even though I knew what was coming, I'm honestly clueless on how to adjust. If I had someone like you as a friend, I'd have a lot of courage..."

"All right."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Uwah, thank you!"

As I leaned forward and held her hands with a wide smile, I felt her trembling. I quickly let go and moved away, stuttering with embarrassment, "I'm sorry, I'm being rude."

"It's fine."

"T-Then can I call you Ellen?"

"It would be nice to be comfortable with each other."

I couldn't imagine this cold beauty being comfortable with anyone. She calmly lowered her eyes. Then, she added, as if she was sighing, "It's not good to act too kind. Too much humility can cause misunderstanding."