How To Get My Husband On My Side

Chapter 13

"I know that Lady Furiana is an old friend. I don't want you to worry about it, either."

I saw her clenching her hands. "... Everyone was shocked to hear that you had collapsed."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you. I didn't think something like that would happen."

"It's our fault." Her sharp tone when interrupting me was the same as Izek's. They were siblings, after all.

I smiled awkwardly and nudged the porridge with the spoon again.

It was silent for a moment.

"I've never seen him that upset before." She had a faraway look in her eyes.

"I..." I didn't know what to say.

"It's not your fault that he got upset. Anyway, I'm glad you've recovered faster than expected. If you're feeling well, why don't you join us this weekend for our horseback riding party?"

The party that Ellenia and Freya held every summer? Of course I had to join. It was the perfect opportunity to leave a good impression on social circles.

"Thank you for inviting me. Of course I'll go."

***

The horseback riding party.

The party wasn't really about riding horses, but more of an outdoor gathering where young nobles came together under the pretext of horseback riding to build friendships, catch up on gossip and to seek lovers. A social gathering club is technically what it was.

As the club was led by Duke Omerta and Marquis Furiana's daughters, only important Northern nobles could attend. During my first banquet, I hadn't made much of an impression, so I had to try harder and socialize to make my presence known.

I had to use all the opportunities I had as much as I could for the next half year or so.

The clothes I had ordered from the tailor were yet to arrive, so I chose the simplest-looking dress I had brought from home. A sky blue dress with ruffled sleeves cut off from the elbow and my hair tied up in a long braid with blue ribbons.

"Are you sure you want to keep it this way, My Lady?"

The bold-faced maid who was combing my hair glanced at the drawer I had left open.

I left it open on purpose. The hair ornaments I had brought from Romagna were extravagant enough to make her eyes pop out of their sockets.

Cesare had given them all to me, so I didn't care how eye-catching they were.

"Hmm, why? What do you think would look better?"

"... I don't think that is something I can give my opinion on, My Lady."

"Then, how about you choose one for me? And while we're at it, let's pick one for you as well."

The hands threading the ribbon through my hair stopped. A moment filled with only silence passed.

Doubt slowly spread over the maid's face, her eyes brimming with surprise. It was only natural. Either way, I grinned at her through the mirror.

Like always, act like a half-witted fool, and be jolly kind to everyone.

"You mean, for me? But, how come...?"

"It's just... You've been taking such good care of me for the past few days while I was sick. I don't use these much anyway, so I wanted to give you something as a gift. Choose whichever one you like."

The maid kept looking at me with wariness in her eyes, but she was also greedily taking in the colorful accessories. Even the smallest hairpins in that drawer would be enough to exceed her yearly salary.