Now, let’s discuss what occurred next.
“Lo-Lord Ce-Ce-Cecil!! This is awful!”
When I returned to our shared chambers after completing my tasks, Bertia hurried toward me. Noticing her agitated demeanor, I tilted my head in curiosity.
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
Then, assuming it was the same as usual, I settled onto the sofa. Eager to discover today’s topic, I readied myself to listen. Bertia attempted to sit in the chair opposite me, but I took her hand and guided her to sit beside me.
“Now that I’m the Crown Princess, I intend to leverage my past life’s memories to enhance the kingdom’s prosperity through what I call ‘domestic affairs cheats,’” she explained.
Ah, the usual puzzling statements. “Tia, could you clarify what you mean by ‘domestic affairs cheats’ first?”
“In my past life, the world possessed a considerably advanced cultural level. In many ways, it was more developed than this one. I believe I can leverage that knowledge to enhance this kingdom. But… but!!” Tears filled her eyes as she appeared heartbroken.
To soothe her, I tenderly stroked her back and urged her to go on.
“I know of many useful things that could benefit this kingdom. However, because I didn’t study well in my previous life, I’m aware of these things, but I don’t fully understand how they operate!”
With that, Bertia buried her face in my chest and began to cry. She threw herself into my arms with such sincerity, a hallmark of our marital bond.
While I was incredibly happy about this, her tight embrace nearly made me choke. It was somewhat painful as well.
“I believed that by pulling you away from the heroine, I needed to strive to be a valuable Crown Princess for the kingdom. But I just can’t do it!”
“Tia, please calm down. You’re already doing more than sufficient.”
The core reason is that your presence inspires me to manage my responsibilities efficiently. Your profound care for the citizens of this country motivates me to emulate that same dedication. You are taking on a tremendously vital role as Crown Princess.
However, there’s more to consider…
“Tia, you’ve been getting letters from princesses and prominent noblewomen from everywhere lately, haven’t you?”
“Yes. They’re all very kind to me,” she replied, tears still flowing but clearly delighted by the messages.
“I heard you’re receiving letters requesting guidance on wedding plans?”
“Yes! They complimented our wedding arrangements and are seeking tips for their own ceremonies!”
“I’ve heard that some are even willing to pay for your suggestions?”
“Indeed, a few individuals have made such proposals. Just recently, Princess Lysonna of the Umyuve Kingdom asked for my help.”
“Ah, the princess who was so intent on the bouquet toss. I heard she found her perfect match and got engaged afterward. Tia, a wedding is a monumental occasion for royalty, isn’t it?”
As I talked to Bertia, I remembered Princess Lysonna’s intense gaze fixed on the bouquet. “Yes, I’ve heard some people dedicate years to planning it.”
“Exactly. Due to its significance and visibility, they spare no expense to ensure everything is perfect. It’s that crucial.”
“You also indulged many of my whims for our wedding, Lord Cecil.”
“Your whims were charming and not too expensive… But aside from that, do you grasp the significance of being invited to assist with such an important event, Tia?”
Bertia blinked, absorbing the significance of my words, “Yes. I assume it indicates that they trust and appreciate my taste and opinion?”
“Precisely. They view you as someone capable of enhancing their most significant day. That’s quite meaningful.”
Bertia’s tears started to dry as she took in the compliment, a gentle smile appearing on her lips. “You see, Tia? You’re already having a big impact. Your thoughts and your kindness—they truly matter.”
“Thank you, Lord Cecil. I will strive to be a good Crown Princess and support you and the kingdom.” With this, Bertia appeared to regain her composure, and the sparkle returned to her eyes.
“…?” Bertia tilted her head, clearly confused, which made me chuckle. As always, she seemed entirely unaware of such matters.
When foreign royalty participates in significant events, it serves to ‘sell a favor.’ This showcases our strong ties with those nations, positioning us well for future requests. Moreover, both royals and nobility invest heavily in weddings. By managing these requests, considerable income can be generated, potentially laying a solid foundation for starting a business.
“It’s a cheat in domestic affairs!” Bertia exclaimed, her face glowing with excitement.
“I’m not entirely convinced about that… however, it would be advantageous to foster a strong relationship with both Princess Lysonna’s homeland and her fiancé’s nation, as both are important for enhancing our maritime routes.”
As a royal family member, these connections are truly priceless. However, the more excited Bertia became, the more anxious I felt. Why was that?
“You can count on me! Princess Lysonna and I have a lot in common—we enjoy similar things, making our talks about the wedding quite engaging. I’m thrilled to help her out as a friend!” she exclaimed enthusiastically.
“For financial decisions, please consult with either Lady Joanna or me. Do you understand?”
I’m concerned that relying solely on Bertia could result in excessively lenient choices.
“Lord Cecil, I’m capable of simple calculations!”
“The sums at stake will be significant, so this is just for verification. Even those overseeing the kingdom’s finances continuously check one another to prevent errors. It’s slightly different, but think of it in that way.”
“Oh, so it’s a form of double-checking.”
“Double? Yes, somewhat like that. In any case, let’s ensure someone is there to help you avoid any mistakes.”
“Understood! I will ensure everything is double-checked to avoid any mistakes!”
“Good, thank you.”
“Leave it to me!”
Several months later, Bertia’s wedding magazine, “Berti,” was set to launch. At that moment, I had no inkling of how incredibly popular it would eventually be among women envisioning their weddings.
“Bertia, you truly amuse me,” I remarked, a hint of a smile on my face.
“I want nothing more than for you to be as happy as can be, Cecil!”
Simply having you near fills me with immense joy, yet your desire to elevate my happiness even further surprises me?
I couldn’t stop admiring my self-proclaimed villainess wife. Not that I planned to. “Tia, let’s create a lot of happiness together from now on.”
“Yes, definitely!”