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 23

“We should start planning the wedding as soon as possible.”

At Serge’s words for the first time, Angelique wrinkled her brow and said, “We guess I have to do it.”

She was in the library with Serge, discussing the estate’s future management, and they are now taking a break and drinking tea.

“Do you not want a wedding?”

“That’s not true, but…”

A wedding in this context refers to a “noble wedding.” To announce their marriage, there is usually a big party and a small parade.

Because most noble families’ daughters get engaged during their school years and marry as soon as they graduate, the wedding season lasts from summer to fall.

Angelique felt she had missed the best time to marry now that the Autumn Festival had passed.

“I believe we should do it correctly; Oto-sama is looking forward to it. But a wedding like this does necessitate some planning, doesn’t it? “

Right now, Angelique has so many things to think about that she can’t turn her attention to them.

Serge and Angelique are now officially husband and wife, thanks to the king’s will and the exchange of rings.

The marriage has been completed.

They were a long way from the capital, and there didn’t seem to be any point in hurrying now.

Even if they rushed to make preparations now, it would be winter.

‘I’ve heard that winters in Bourg are bitterly cold…’

“How about we put it off until next spring?”

“That’s quite a while away. But, given that it’s you, I wouldn’t be surprised if you said, “Let’s just do without it.” I’m relieved to hear you’re willing to do it.”

“You can do without it if you don’t have to do it, right?”

“I don’t mind if you don’t want to.”

Angelique is relieved that Serge is not concerned with appearances or publicity.

‘It’s only that…’

Angelique looked sullenly at her handsome husband’s face.

“I believe it will be fine without it, but… it’s not that I don’t want to…”

Serge laughs softly, as he always does.

“I’m guessing you’re too preoccupied with the estate right now.”

“…Yes.”

“You can do whatever you want; it doesn’t bother me to be mocked as worthless; it’s just a fact.”

“That’s not true Serge.”

A truly worthless person wouldn’t be so open about it; they try so hard to hide it so they look big and respectable, like Ernest.

‘It’s rude to name someone in particular as a bad example,’ she muttered to herself, shaking her head.

“Angelique, if you have some free time, why not pay a visit to Sari and Lasse?”

“…Alright.”

‘I’ve always wanted to go there.’

She’s been thinking about the road and bridge construction priorities for a while now, but she’s been stuck in the library for so long that she’s starting to feel stuffy.

She cowered in the cold of the withering trees as she left the castle with Serge.

October has already passed, and Bourg is feeling the full force of winter.

She has heard that because of the low rainfall, there is no heavy snow in winter, but because the temperature is low, it snows when it rains.

The earth also begins to freeze, making it difficult for land reclamation teams to work. She liked to visit the area as often as possible to thank them for their efforts.

When they arrived at the dragon stables, Erik and Jean greeted them.

Sari and Lasse’s backs have a saddle-like attachment.

“We’re about to depart for flight training.”

“Can Sari and Lasse fly?”

“They can, of course.”

Flying is as natural to dragons as walking, and it is by far the fastest mode of transportation.

And Serge, John, and Erick are happy to tell her that they enjoy flying.

They are all fascinated by dragons.

“Would you like to go for a ride?”

“Eh?”

“Sari will take you for a ride. She considers you a friend.”

“How about Lasse? Is he still not fond of me?”

Serge laughed and shook his head.

“He really likes you, which is why you can’t ride him.”

“Why not?”

“Sari will be jealous.”

“Eh?”

Angelique’s eyes widened.

“…I’d be jealous as well.”

“Oh, Serge…”

“I’m serious.”

“Do dragons really care about humans?”

“Yeah. They’re astute and caring. They’re wary and difficult to approach, but once they trust you, they won’t betray you.”

Sari carried John out of the stables.

Angelique felt a shiver run down her spine as she looked at the saddle, which was much taller than the horse.

‘It’s large, as expected.’

In the sunlight, Sari’s rose-colored scales glistened.

“Let’s go, Sari!”

Sari spread her wings at John’s command. Her large body floats up the next moment, and she is soaring into the blue early winter sky in the blink of an eye.

“Amazing…!

Sari, now as small as a bird, circled high above for a while before descending slowly.

“How about it? Do you want to go for a ride?”

Serge inquired, and Angelique shook her head in fear.

‘I can barely ride a horse and don’t think I’ll be able to do it.’

It would be more than just falling off the horse if she fell from such a height. She’s definitely going to die.

“It would be pitiful if Sari was blamed for dropping me.”

“Sari would never drop you.”

“However, I could just fall off on my own.”

“But you won’t fall off so easily.”

Serge claimed that there was no safer ride than a well-traveled dragon, but Angelique refused, saying, “Not today.”

“Alright. Let me know if you ever want to go for a ride.”

She gave a vague nod.

‘I wondered when such a day would come.’