Chapter 138 – From Wife to Fiancee–Isn’t This A Downgrade?!

[Dear my husband, I mean, my fiance, Allen.

Isn’t it funny how our relationship has changed?

Technically, we were married until yesterday.

And technically, we are engaged today.

Shouldn’t it be the other way round?

Why did my status evolve from “wife” to “fiancée”? Isn’t that a downgrade?!!

Honestly, I thought it was all formality. But who would have thought that they were serious about upholding every single proper rule?!

“Engaged couples shouldn’t live together before marriage”. 

Sure, there’s that rule, but… shouldn’t they make an exception in our case?

I have been living in the Schwartzen manor all this time, as your wife, hello?

What’s the point of separating us now?!]]

Unable to complain directly to her husband-turned-fiancé, Ann could only pour her frustrations into the piece of paper in front of her, writing furiously until her hand cramped.
When she finished, she folded the letter, slipped it into an envelope, and pressed a wax seal over the flap.

“Here, please send this to the Schwartzen residence,” she instructed.

A maid quickly approached, accepted the letter with a bow, and replied, “Yes, Eldest Miss.”

Ann shivered. Even she got goosebumps hearing herself being addressed that way.

That’s right.

Due to the absurd rule and the need to follow the formality in all situations, including her absurd situation, Ann had moved from the Schwartzen residence.

Obviously, to her ‘maiden’ home, the Doussier family’s residence.

Or more precisely, the Doussier family’s villa in the capital city, for they needed to handle the adoption of their three new daughters as well as the eldest’s impending marriage to Duke Allen of Schwartzen house. 

Since she’d only be here temporarily, Ann brought only a few belongings from the Schwartzen house. Everything else was provided by her new family.

Still, it was lucky that she didn’t need to move all the way to the Doussier viscounty.

The Doussier family would return to their viscounty only after her marriage to Allen.

***

That afternoon, Ann had a small tea party with her two adorable newly adopted little sisters.

The maid poured tea for each of them, but when she reached Faye, Faye glanced nervously at her cup.

“Still not used to it?” Ann asked Faye when she noticed this.

“Mhm— I mean, yes. I used to be the one doing all these things for you, Ann-s… Ann-neesama…” Faye blushed as she corrected herself.

GAH!! CUTE! THE CUTEST!! I LOVE BEING CALLED NEE-SAMA!!!

Ann forced herself to sip her tea with grace while the inner version of her was already standing on a stage with two glow sticks, cheering like a crazed idol fan.

“Faye-neesama! Try this!” Little Fina cut a piece of cake and fed it to her sister with her fork.

“…!!”

Faye tried to hide her reaction, but Ann saw it immediately — her thoughts were written all over her face: Cute! My new little sister is so cute!

‘Fufufu, now you know how I feel, right, Faye?’ Ann smirked.

Unfortunately, her smirk came out looking more like a villainess plotting world domination, which startled the nearby maid so much that she quickly averted her eyes.

After finishing her duties, Ann gestured for the maid to leave them alone. The quick-witted maid happily obliged.

The maid, in her mind: Finally, I’m free! This eldest miss’ expressions can be terrifying at times… How come the little misses aren’t scared at all?!

Answer: they’d already built up immunity…

“How do you feel living here?” Ann finally asked. She was concerned about how the two children were doing with the new environment that was very different from the one they had known before.

“I like it here! Many delicious food! Comfy room! The servants are so nice to me! Oh, Mommy and Daddy are good to me, too!” Fina happily answered.

Then, as if remembering something, she pouted a bit, “But I don’t like the classes…”

Ann chuckled.

Right… The moment we moved in, Viscountess Vanessa wasted no time hiring tutors. It’s unpleasant, but still necessary.

She probably arranged it quickly out of consideration, so nobody could mock us for being from commoner origins.

Ann thought to herself. 

The viscountess prioritized etiquette lessons for Faye and Fina, while also starting their formal education.

It’s good I already taught Faye how to read and write. She won’t fall behind too much.

Ann gave herself a proud little nod.

Still, she hadn’t expected to be given tutors as well. Luckily, thanks to Miss Simone’s brutal training, she could at least handle etiquette and manners. Her only struggles were with history and other subjects that differed from the modern world.

As for the rest…

I can’t believe Viscountess Vanessa herself would tutor me! It’s a ‘pre-marital’ education… Sure, as if I haven’t been living with my husband already…

But it’s still good to get instructions on how to manage household accounts, overseeing the servants, and so on.

Now, as a duchess-to-be, I need to do well for the sake of my new family as well as the people of the duchy.

“Ann-neesama?” Fina’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Huh? Ah, right… Classes. They’re important so nobody will bully you, okay? Do your best.” Ann patted her head.

“Mmmmm… Okay,” Fina nodded reluctantly.

“Good girl,” Ann smiled looking at the sweet and obedient girl. I hope you’ll be able to be happy and experience a good childhood this time.

“What about you, Faye?” Ann asked Faye, who had been keeping silent. 

“…,” Faye showed a wry smile.

“I… Things are really good here. I am just not used to it… The Viscount and Viscountess… They are good people. I can tell from how the servants treat us. They even told me I don’t have to see them as replacements for my real parents… only as a new set of parents who will take care of me. They didn’t even force me to call them ‘mother’ or ‘father’ right away. I… I feel bad about it…,” Faye said with a sad gaze.

Ah, right. Unlike Fina, Faye had memories of her biological parents, so of course… The same goes for me too, actually… 

“It’s okay. Let’s take our time,” Ann patted Faye’s head as she sympathized with her experience.

Out of the three of them, only Fina had called the viscount and viscountess “father” and “mother” immediately.
Despite being the “bonus adoption,” she had quickly stolen their hearts.

It was the classic pattern: the eldest trained strictly, the middle educated seriously, the youngest pampered endlessly.

Ann could already imagine that saying being used to describe the Doussiers in the future.

“And… Ann-s— no, Ann-neesama…” Faye’s expression suddenly turned sorrowful.

“What’s wrong, Faye?” Ann asked nervously.

“O-once you get married… and we return to the viscounty… we won’t be able to see you every day anymore…”

Ann froze.

From her adult perspective, this was a wonderful chance for Faye: being lifted in status as a noble, even though she was just a commoner and a halfling. But to a child, Faye was only focused on how it meant she couldn’t see Ann every day like before.

Sure, they might not be able to meet each other that often despite finally being sisters. Still, it would be better for Faye’s future to be the adopted daughter of a viscount, rather than a duchess’ maid. 

“Aww… Faye… I understand how you feel. But it’s not like we will never see each other again. I mean, maybe we can’t meet each other every day like before, but the viscounty isn’t that far! We have teleportation service too. We can meet each other plenty,” Ann tried to cheer Faye up.

“Really? You promise?” Faye asked.

“Yes! Your big sister promises.” Ann hooked her pinky with Faye’s.

“Then… can I come often?” Faye asked.

“Why don’t I visit the viscounty instead? You’ll come to the capital plenty for balls and events, but I won’t get as many chances to go there. After all, it’s supposed to be my maiden home…”

“Ah… then alright,” Faye agreed with a small smile.

Ann didn’t say the rest of her thoughts.

It’d be better for them to not be in the capital often. Though the plot has strayed so much, I am sure the previous king’s faction will still stir up troubles. The rebellion… It will definitely happen in the future. And the place that will surely be affected the most will be none other than the capital city where the royal castle is located. 

Ann’s gaze shifted to Fina, who was enjoying the strawberry shortcake with a very joyous expression.

Though I am sure the king won’t be able to figure out what actually happened to his daughter… I don’t feel safe having Fina encounter any of the rebels. If they figure it out… 

Yeah, it’s better for the two of them to be far away from that chaos.

It is inevitable for me to get involved in it, but they can avoid it, and they should.

***

Later that day, the three girls were escorted to their lessons. Ann’s was with Viscountess Vanessa herself.

By the end of the intense session, Ann felt half-dead. She was just about to sneak away when Vanessa stopped her.

“Come to the study after you’ve refreshed yourself.”

“Y-yes, ma’am…” Ann resigned herself to her fate.

…Extra class? Did I fail that badly?!

After a quick bath, she entered the study. The viscountess’ maid seated her politely and poured tea.

“Bring it in,” Viscountess Vanessa then instructed the maids. 

Due to how short the instruction was, Ann couldn’t comprehend what item it might be. 

If I were summoned here because I did badly in my earlier session, c-could it be that t-the item they will bring is…?!!

Ann then imagined any form of punishment she could think of.

Belt, ruler, stick, what else can it be…

So, her eyes almost popped out of their sockets when the maids suddenly brought in a pile of paper. The pile made a funny sound effect when the maids put them on top of the table that was in the middle of where Ann and the viscountess were seated.

D-death by endless homework?!!!

Ann almost screamed when she noticed that the paper didn’t seem to be homework or some materials she needed to study. They were… Envelopes?

“Invitations,” Viscountess Vanessa explained while sipping her tea. 

“To noble salons, gatherings, social teas. People are very eager to meet you,” she continued her explanation.

Ann blinked as she checked a few envelopes. And sure enough, the viscountess’ words rang true.

“Me? But I thought the nobles would be reluctant since we claimed that I was born a–”

“A commoner?” Viscountess Vanessa raised her eyebrow. 

“Y-yes…”

“If you are just a commoner orphan that was adopted, sure. But remember, the one who adopted you is the Doussier family. On top of that, you are the fiancee of Allen Schwartzen, so you are a future duchess. Not only that, you are the saintess’ close friend. I believe that is more than enough to make every noble eager to establish a connection with you,” Viscountess Vanessa broke down the train of thoughts that the nobles would have. 

Ann finally was hit with a moment of realization.

Basically, I am the noble society’s hottest new collectible! Wonderful!!

Ann sighed before asking, “Do I need to go to all of them?”

“No.”

“Then… whose invitations should I accept?”

“That’s your decision.”

“Eh? Shouldn’t I help the family build connections?” Ann looked up from the envelopes to look at the viscountess’ face.

“The houses that have good and sincere connection with the Doussier family wouldn’t go through with sending invitations to you. They can just send a letter to me,” Viscountess Vanessa laughed, “So, the nobles who sent you an invitation are either your friends or acquaintances, or… they are the nobles with ulterior motives, who want to get acquainted with you due to who backed you.”

Her smirk looked elegant yet faintly villainous, and Ann suddenly thought.

Yes. She’s the perfect match for my adopted mother. We even have the same scary smile problem.

But she seems like she can control it well, meanwhile I… I’d better ask her for some pointers!

“So, I can just accept and refuse anyone?” Ann asked.

“Yes.”

After receiving Viscountess Vanessa’s affirmation, Ann quickly started separating the letters. Or, more precisely…

“Reject, reject, reject. This one too, reject, reject…,” Ann mostly only scanned through the names and rejected everyone she didn’t know, or everyone that she knew that she thought wouldn’t be sincere to her.

Which translated to… rejecting all of the invitations.

I already have plenty on my plate now! Preparing for my wedding, having to think of the game’s plot, and what about finally enjoying my life?

I have no time to deal with the two-faced nobles!

But suddenly, her hand paused. 

“Hold on…,” She took a closer look at the envelope that was currently in her hands. 

This envelope, and this crest on the wax seal…

Ann opened the envelope and read the content of the invitation.

Unlike the other invitations, she read this one very carefully.

“I’ll accept this invitation.”