The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 91

“Madam, will it really be okay?”

“Of course. Is there anything to worry about?”

“But, Madaaam, isn’t there some sort of contest with Duchess Nord?”

The coffeehouse, which had about thirty tables, was completely empty except for Nina and Marsha.

“I just took a quick look over there, and it’s like a festival on their side. Shouldn’t we do something too? What if we lose at this rate?”

“Even if we bring in a lot of people now, it’s impossible to manage them all.”

It wasn’t as if their plan was designed for a large audience to begin with.

“Still, it’s making me nervous…”

“There’s no need to worry. What’s important is showing how well I understand the purpose of this charity event.”

Nina understood Marsha’s anxiety.

With everyone bustling around, it was only natural for her lady-in-waiting to feel uneasy when her mistress appeared so relaxed.

“Marsha, we just need to stick to the plan. Everything will be fine.”

Nina smiled reassuringly at her nervous maid, enjoying a brief moment of calm.

And so, they waited.

“Excuse me, Duchess Bayern. Are you here?”

“Come in. I’ve been expecting you.”

Nina rose from her seat and greeted five men as they entered with a bright smile.

They had finally arrived.

The long-awaited members of the Lawyers’ Association.

***

Tap, tap, clink.

Ash was neatly stacking rough wooden crates.

With a height approaching 190 cm, a sturdy build, muscles that seemed to have been sculpted by a master artisan, and a face as beautiful as a statue, his appearance alone drew every gaze in the vicinity.

Though dressed simply, like one would for camping, his natural dignity and imposing aura didn’t diminish just because he was engaged in manual labor.

“Your Grace, you should pace yourself.”

Completely unaware of the attention he was attracting, Ash frowned as he continued tidying up.

“If I take it slow, when will I finish?”

“That’s for the others to figure out.”

If noblewomen contributed to charity by sharing knowledge, noblemen helped by doing physical work.

But who among the nobles would willingly labor under the scorching sun?

Ash, too, found it unpleasant, but as a member of the Bayern household—a key pillar supporting the imperial family—he had no choice but to lead by example during the imperial charity event, regardless of his personal preferences.

Of course, Hozi knew this all too well.

Ash straightened up, wiping the sweat trickling down his jaw with the back of his hand.

“If you don’t want to be accused of idling, stop joking around. So, what’s my wife doing?”

Hozi smirked.

“Why don’t you go see for yourself?”

“……”

Ash briefly considered punching Hozi in the face but ultimately decided against it.

Though insolent and insubordinate, this cheeky subordinate of his was still loyal.

Firing him would feel like overkill, even if the thought occasionally crossed his mind.

“…Don’t make me ask twice.”

Hadn’t he excused Hozi from manual labor specifically to keep an eye on his wife’s activities?

Ash glared coldly, making it clear he wouldn’t tolerate further nonsense, prompting Hozi to raise a figurative white flag.

“She spent about an hour or two resting at the coffeehouse and has now begun operations with five men I’ve never seen before.”

“…Men? Operations?”

Ash’s eyes narrowed slightly.

As far as he knew, his wife didn’t have male acquaintances.

He felt a strange and inexplicable irritation, though he dismissed it quickly.

“Does it bother you?”

“…Of course it does. If she loses, Duke Nord will be insufferably smug.”

Not that winning would be much better.

After all, he couldn’t predict what intentions the Crown Prince of Osk might have toward Nina.

“But what do you mean by ‘operations’?”

“Exactly as I said. She’s set up a legal consultation booth.”

“……”

Word had already spread among the nobles about the rivalry between Duchess Bayern and Duchess Nord over the Osk delegation.

The unexpected competition had become a spectacle during the otherwise monotonous charity period, and some had even started placing bets on the winner.

Unbeknownst to the participants, all eyes were now on the two duchesses.