I’m Going to Marry a Poor Count in the Middle of Nowhere and I’m Going to Work Hard to Reform My Territory - Chapter 10

The living room and hall on the first floor were both in disrepair.

The east side dining room was slightly better.

While the living room was piled high with broken couches and sofas, they drank tea at the dinner table.

The tea itself was usually tasty.

“I apologize for not having any snacks.”

Serge expresses regret.

“Don’t worry. I’m a meat eater.”

Everyone responded with a collective “Huh?” to Angelique’s response.

Angelique is a duchess by any standard. She is tall for a girl, but slender, fair-skinned, and beautifully coiffed. Serge deduced that he thought a sweet sugar confection would be ideal for her.

“I assumed all young ladies enjoyed sweets…”

Doni, the cook, expressed surprise.

To be honest, there are no pastry chefs at the castle.

The cook can make pastries, but he’s no match for a professional. He assured her, somewhat dubiously, that he would do his best if she told him she wanted to eat them whenever she wanted.

Nonetheless, Angelique expressed her gratitude.

She made a mental note, despite her love of meat, that a pastry chef would be required sooner or later.

She was also introduced to Emire the butler, Erick and John, who are both serving as servants and gatekeepers, and Mrs. Cello, a new arrival for Angelique’s needs, was also introduced to her.

Is that all?

The number of servants was far fewer than she had anticipated.

It was no surprise that the place was difficult to keep clean.

She determined that she needed to get a broom.

But there had been a lot of people carrying Angelique’s belongings earlier.

“Are they from one of the nearby fiefdoms?”

Serge leans in, as if this is the most important question.

“Those men are dragon riders.”

“Dragon…riders?”

“That’s why I chose this Bourg as my territory rather than another.”

“…Wait a second…”

Dragons…

“Do dragons really exist?”

Serge simply nodded.

“They’re up in the north forest.”

That’s why he came to Bourg, he says.

Serge goes on to say that he once met a dragon while walking in the forest on the outskirts of the north.

“At the time, I was six years old.”

“Six years old…”

Serge was the same age as Ernest and would turn twenty-two this year.

Six years old equates to sixteen years ago.

Angelique gave a cautious nod.

Could he be mistaken?

She was tempted to say something like that.

But Angelique remained silent.

Angelique frequently visits her family’s territory day-care center where the children are cared for.

Children may believe that what they see in their dreams is true, or they may be unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality.

Everything is true for them.

Others should not simply dismiss what they believe as a lie.

Besides…

Some of them may be correct.

Sometimes they’re telling you what they actually saw, not what they imagined or fantasized about.

You might accuse an honest person of being a liar if you say to such a child, “What you’re saying is a lie,” “It’s all a fantasy,” or “It’s not true.”

She didn’t want to say that what someone said was “a lie” because she didn’t have the full picture.

I don’t want to doubt them if I can avoid it.

Despite the fact that they are 22 years old.

Even if it was 16 years ago.

The castle servants exchanged glances as Angelique nodded silently, neither denying nor questioning.

Serge inquired.

“Are you sure you believe me?”

“I lack the experience and knowledge to deny or cast doubt.”

Dragons, as far as Angelique is aware, are considered fantasy creatures. But, she continued, that simply means no one has yet encountered the real thing.

“Wow! the lady did not deny it, but she would like to confirm whether or not it is true.”

Erick yelled.

“Danna-sama, this lady is fantastic.”

John happily nodded.

“I see she’s more than just a lovely young lady.”

Serge’s blue eyes glowed.

“Will you meet my dragons after tea?”

“Your dragons? True dragons? If such a thing exists… I’d like to see them!”

Angelique’s eyes widened and her face lit up as everyone turned to look at her.

Serge became acutely aware that (feeling) something had struck him.

The butler, Emire, laughed.

“I hope the wedding is a grand event.”

Then, in hushed tones, he added, “As much as possible.”