Hokuou Kizoku to Moukinzuma no Yukiguni Karigurashi

Chapter 64: Like a Noble

Volume 2 — The Honeymoon of the Northern Nobleman and the Raptor Wife

After dinner, I was called by mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law that there was something something they wanted to talk about.

A secret talk maybe, I thought as I headed to the room. When I opened the doors, I was greeted by two women with scary faces and my father-in-law who looked uncomfortable.

I sat down next to father-in-law.

“Ritzhard-san, I heard that you do not drink?”

“Ah, yes. Please don’t mind me.”

The drink on the table was left alone, and instead brother-in-law’s wife poured some juice for me. Meanwhile, mother-in-law kept opening and closing her fan.

“So, what might it be?”

Snap. As if they planned it out beforehand, they stopped moving simultaneously. I became scared, so I looked towards father-in-law to request help. However, father-in-law also looked terrified.

Sister-in-law opened her mouth first.

{Note: She’s the brother-in-law’s wife, but for convenience’s sake I’ll make it sister-in-law.}

“Since Sieglinde would start worrying if we kept you for too long, I’ll say this honestly. Ritzhard-san, you are overworking.”

“!?”

“Of course, working is not bad. However, before that, are you not a noble?”

“Are you saying, that mother-in-law and sister-in-law are angry because I did not act like a noble?”

“Yes!”

“W-Wait, it was I who requested Ritzhard-kun’s help with”

“Father-in-law, please remain silent!!”

“……Yes.”

Though I was the one who said that I wanted to help out, I decided that it would be better not say anything unnecessary here so I watched on. I felt sorry, but the two amazons in front of me were too scary. Father-in-law, I won’t forget your sacrifice.

“There’s still more that I want to say!”

“!?”

The talk wasn’t over, nor was her anger gone. I pondered whether I should hide behind father-in-law’s back, which was trembling, but I decided to fix my posture and listen.

“You are neglecting Sieg too much!”

I don’t have anything to say against that. Really, I’m only meeting Sieg in the morning and in the evening, and for the rest I’m at the ranch.

When I thought about lazing around without doing any work, I felt bad so I ended up helping even when they didn’t ask me to.

“Sieglinde-san was always looking forward to meeting Ritzhard-san, but to never spend a day with her!”

I’m sorry. That was the only thing I could think.

“Any objections?”

“No, nothing.”

I was overwhelmed by sister-in-law’s force. Rather, mother-in-law is scarier, saying nothing with a smiling face.

“Ritzhard-san!”

“Yes!”

“Starting from tomorrow, under mother-in-law’s guidance, you will live like a noble!”

“……”

What do you mean by living like a noble!? Or so I thought but I thought that I would end up receiving another long lecture so I could only answer, “Yes, surely~.”

◇◇◇

After receiving that declaration, they coolly let me go. I thought of having a drink with father-in-law, but he was still left in the room. I wanted to rescue him, but there was sister-in-law and mother-in-law so I could only return to my room while praying for him with teary eyes.

In the bedroom, Sieg was already waiting on the bed.

“You’re late.”

“Nn, I was with father-in-law.”

We were being scolded, I couldn’t say that.

But then I remembered that she felt annoyed at me being so friendly with father-in-law, so I quickly changed the topic to the schedule tomorrow.

“Ah, tomorrow, I’ll be with mother-in-law.”

“What did you say!?”

“Of course, with Sieg as well.”

“With me?”

“Yeah.”

Her sharp eyes returned to normal.

She almost thought that I was getting friendly with mother-in-law as well. Dangerous.

“How did it turn out like that?”

“Well, I thought it might be good to learn what it is to live like a noble.”

“You don’t really have to change though?”

“Is that so~?”

I won’t tell her about them getting angry. So, I told her that I wanted to learn.

“I don’t think that there were any problems.”

“N~n.”

Come to think of it, even though I am a count, I didn’t live like a noble. Back home, I was no different from the villagers and had no dignity as a lord.

Maybe there is a fatal flaw in my behaviour. Maybe the villagers will see me in a different light if I fix that.

“Well, experiencing it isn’t a bad idea.”

“That’s true.”

While talking, I changed and climbed into the bed.

“That’s how it is, so please take care of me starting from tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

I gave her a goodnight kiss on the forehead and went to sleep.

◇◇◇

In this country, the season for high society is autumn. From grand balls held by the king himself to small tea parties held by noble madams, there are many opportunities for socialising.

Today, there is a luncheon held here.

“Ritzhard-san and Sieglinde-san, you only need to come to the meal. Until then, you may rest.”

“Thank you, sister-in-law.”

With sister-in-law’s orders, Sieg and I waited in a room.

“We haven’t felt this in a long time, have we.”

“Indeed.”

It really has been sometime since we relaxed together like this.

As always, Sieg woke up early. Maybe because of the luncheon. her makeup was thicker that usual.

She was wearing rouge on her lips. They almost looked like ripe seasonal fruits.

However, I cannot taste them. If I do as my desire leads, her lipsticks will be ruined.

“Right, Sieg, let’s play games!!”

To disguise my immoral thoughts, I asked Sieg if she wanted to play.

“Then, why don’t we wager something?”

Sieg suggested. Of course, I answered.

“What should we wager?”

“How about the right to order one another forever?”

“Nn, well, alright.”

What should I say. I would be happy to listen to Sieg’s wishes, and I would be happy to make her do what I want, so it wasn’t much of a wager.

“What is it?”

“No, nothing!”

I had a sly smile again, so I was suspected.

The result: I lost. It was a clean defeat. It’s not as if I thought that it would be better to be ordered around by Sieg, it was an earnest match.

To the winner, Sieg, I kneeled on one knee like a knight swearing his loyalty to his liege.

“What is your order, my queen?”

Since her cute nieces are princesses, Sieg is the queen. Of course that’s just inside my head.

“Then,”

“Yes.”

“Here, from now on, live as you wish.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t mind if you want to go out to the ranch all day, and I don’t mind if you want to stay alone when you’re tired.”

“Why so suddenly?”

“You were told something by sister-in-law or mother, weren’t you?”

“N-No, n-not really.”

“Tell me the truth.”

“……They did.”

Surprising, Sieg saw through everything.

From the posture of swearing loyalty, I bent another knee and changed to the reflecting posture of a foreign country.

“So, Ritz, you have to listen to my orders.”

“To live as I wish?”

“Indeed.”

I never heard of such an order.

When I looked at Sieg in my confusion, she had a warm smile. My chest tightened.

How can I explain this feeling.

I almost wanted to cry.