The Atrocious Duke'S Wife
Chapter 53: The Useless King

THIS WORK IS FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS, EVENTS, PLACES, ARE JUST A DELUSION. PLEASE READERS BE WISE IN RESPONDING.

Su-it's done.

I stared intently at this handkerchief of my own that was in front of me.

With my favorite citrus fruit motif, in each seams there is a lot of effort contained in it.

Because lately I've been stressed enough thinking about this and that. Sheet by sheet, and other things that could make my head explode.

So to relieve my stress, I asked Elise to teach me to sew, because I was so bad at it..

Agh, it's finally done. The results of my efforts to make this almost a month really paid off.

Well. although there is a little technical error when there is an untidy and irregular stitching.

When I wanted to break down my body, suddenly the sound of knocking came back.

Immediately I opened the door to my room and saw who was the culprit who knocked on it.

"Elise? What's up?" my many.

"Ah, Mistress. Below is Mr. Count Beronald. He wants to meet you" Elise said.

Count Beronald? What's he looking for me these nights?

"Alright, you told him to wait for me for a second.  I'll be right down, "I order.

"Okay, Madam."

After that Elise immediately came down to fulfill my orders. Count Beronald, is that it?

Why did he suddenly want to meet me? Is there anything important?

I better see him now.

.

.

.

.

"Please drink it first, Count," I said with a smile.

"Thank you, Duchess."

We were in the living room, sitting on the sofa facing us. Patiently, I have to wait for what Count Beronald is about to tell me.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your time these nights, Duchess. Actually I wanted to talk about this this last afternoon, but I'm pretty busy."

"No need, after all you must have important things to say to want to meet me these nights."

"Yes, you're right Duchess. Actually, I'm here to talk about the economy of our kingdom" he explained.

"Economy? Is there something wrong with our economy?" I raised my eyebrows next to my.

"Yes. Lately, I've seen the number of people dying of hunger increasing."

"Died hungry? Didn't we overcome that? And also, didn't we get a lot of groceries from the neighboring region a few weeks ago?"

I was really confused, because I had bought a lot of food that could be said to be cheap.

Even I distributed food yesterday to people who need it, then how can the death rate due to hunger increase?

"We also had time to give jobs to the unemployed who have families, so what is the cause?" my pedicabs.

"That's because.perhaps because of the new policy of His Majesty the King, the Duchess," interrupted the Count in doubt.

"New policy? What's it say?"

"The men are required to join the great war this time, Duchess

I was immediately surprised to hear it. "War?! You mean, the whole guy? Not restricted by any age?"

"Not the entire Duchess's age, only from sixteen to forty. I hear, the purpose of His Majesty the King is to rule over the entire kingdom that is around us. Therefore, the war this time lacked soldiers and troops, so His Majesty the King forced all men to participate in this war" explained Count Beronald at length.

"Perhaps, this is also the reason why the war this time lasted so long" he added.

Unknowingly, I clenched both my hands tightly.

"Is it because the source of livelihood of the head of the family is not there that many people die of hunger?" terka.

"Yes, that's right Duchess. The whole town and village are now occupied by many women. The only men left are the elderly."

"Are the people not protesting about this? Do they take this kind of policy for granted?" my many.

"Actually the people are also protesting a lot about this, Duchess. However, His Majesty the King threatened if anyone defied his orders, then the person would be beheaded right then and there."

That kind of king?! To abandon the people for personal gratification and selfishness, that is a cowardly King! Now I'm more convinced that he really was a traitor in that war!

"Then why don't you join the war, Count?" my many.

"Because the King made an exception to the male nobles needed to run the affairs of the kingdom," he explained making me nod.

"We cannot oppose either, as nobles like us are already obliged to serve the Royal family" the Count said.

"Therefore, Duchess. I'm here to find your solution and opinion. Because I can only trust you. And I can't stand to see the people suffering continuously anymore" he said.

I can't believe there are still nobles who care deeply about the people like Count Beronald.

I also do not want to see the commoners who continue to suffer, because it is also not their fault they were born in a family that is not adequate.

"I will help as much as I can, Count," I replied with a sweet smile.

"Thank you, Duchess."

"So, do you have anything that might solve this problem, Count?"

Count seemed to be thinking while stroking his chin. "I've been thinking about this for a long time.... I think maybe we should ask His Majesty the King to change this policy" he said to my surprise.

"please? Didn't you say that His Majesty the King will not forgive anyone who does not accept his decision? Then what makes you think that His Majesty the King might consider our request?"

"But is there any other way than that, Duchess? All the people left are women and old men. If we give them a job, can they do it?"

I was silent for a moment.

"We also cannot provide free food continuously, because the number of people who are hungry is not small."

"Even now foodstuffs such as bread, wheat, and others are getting less and less because there are no workers who produce them. We can only rely on the groceries from the neighboring Kingdom that are not yet our enemies."

What the hell is going on now? How can things get complicated like this?

Can't you see what you've done to this kingdom, selfish and useless King?

Wait a minute, didn't the Count say that the remaining people were women and elderly men?

Don't we still have workers?

"Oh yes, Count. Is there a neighboring area that might be in need of clothes and such?"

"dress? There may be, Duchess. If not wrong area in the east it is very difficult to find clothes," said the Count recalled.

"Then, how can the women in the village grow wheat and grow other crops such as vegetables and fruits?" tanyaku.

"It seems possible, because it's so easy, right?" timang Count's.

A smile review imprinted on my face. "In that case, we might just be able to solve the problem this time."

...🥀...

"Mrs, where are you going to rush this early in the morning?" elise asked when she saw me getting ready.

Simple ordinary clothes are attached to my body, because today I will do a pretty tiring job.

"Oh yeah, Elise. I didn't have a meeting with anyone today, did I?" many ensure.

My hands can't stop putting on and putting a white cloth on my head.

"Yes for today there is none, because the other nobles are busy facing and responding to the new policy of His Majesty the King now," Elise said, recalling.

"good. Then you want to come with me?" bargained.

I turned to him with my hands still busy tying my long hair.

"I will go to one village and another, because I will carry out an important mission" I said, twisting my eyes.

"What mission matters? You've always been mysterious" grumbled Elise, a tiny ruckus from my lips.

The flashback

"In that case, we might just be able to solve the problem this time."

"How, Duchess?"

"Look, Count. We're going to get the women to be the heads of the family while their husbands are at war out there" I explained.

"Women as the head of the family? How could it be, Duchess?" ask the Count a little surprised.

"Yes, women who will make money and work to meet the needs of their children. They'll grow crops to produce food and they'll sew and embroider or something and then we'll sell them to areas in need."

"But what about their children, the Duchess? It is the duty of women to care for and support their children. If women are going to work, then who will look after their children?" sela Count with a surprised face.

I knew he would ask that. But of course I have a solution to that problem.

"We're going to take their kids to a place like an orphanage. Let the manager take care of them, and the manager will be paid. How's it?"

The count looked doubtful.

"How, Count? That's my solution. And I think that's the best solution."

"But can women really do it? Honestly, I doubt your solution a little."

"Do you think women are creatures that can't do anything?" my question kept him quiet.

"Do you think women only serve as child-carers and child-carers?" I continued and he remained silent again.

"Women can do many things, and women are not as a display that is only praised for its beauty."

"If men can do it, then why can't women? Women and men are human beings, they live and breathe in the same world. Then what makes you think that women can't do this kind of work?"

My babble was long with a smile. Soon Count Beronald opened his voice.

"The Duchess...." He hung up his words while looking at me deeply.

"You are great" he praised as he gave a thumbs up.

I chuckled at him too, not thinking that Count Beronald was a nobleman who was not stiff and demented.

"You're overreacting, Count," chortled me.

He looks smiling. "You're very different now, Duchess. You now look more confident."

"Does the Count know me?" manya curious. Because he said as if he had known me for a long time.

"Yes, our father was both friends. I used to play with you when I was a kid. You were my best friend first," he said to me a little surprised.

"Then why are you being so formal?"

"Yes, since you lost your memory, I don't think you know me anymore. And it turns out I was right, you really don't remember me" she said, making me feel bad.

"Then, this is how it is. Let's say we just met, and we'll be friends" I suggested.

"All right, then. My name is Frostend Beronald, greetings. Later, we will become best friends" he said, introducing himself as he reached out.

"My name is Cassandra de Floniouse, greetings." We shook hands and smiled.

"Call me Frost. Because it's so bad to hear the Count's call from your lips."

"alright. And also don't be too stiff, just call my name."

"Cassie. Can I call you that? Because I used to call you that."

Cassie, huh? Just this time people called me with such a cute nickname.

Somehow it seems like I've heard Cassie's call in a cartoon.

Usually people would call me Cassandra, just like she always called me that.

And the call of my love, I somehow want to hear that call again.

"Cassie's? You okay?"

Frost waved his hand to wake me up.

"Ah, yes I am fine," I replied.

"Did anyone disturb your mind?"

"none. I-I'm just sleepy." It's true, I feel sleepy now.

"All right, then I'll go home first. Again, sorry to bother you all these nights."

"Ah no need, you're not nodding at all."

"Then, when are we going to launch our plan, Cassie?"

"Tomorrow, do you have time?"

"Alright, then I'll come back here."

I nodded and Frost finally came home and disappeared from before me.

Flashback off

"So you want to make a new revolution?" ask Elise.

I chuckle. "What revolution? You're overreacting, Elise. I only help people who are in trouble," I obviously made him nod in understanding.

"Oh yes, I did not expect that you used to be friends with Mr. Count Beronald, Madam," said Elise.

"Why indeed?" I raised my eyebrows next to my.

"Ah, I just remembered that you had lost your memory. So, Mr. Count Beronald is a single man who is the target of all noble ladies in this Kingdom, Madam."

"really?" I'm a little surprised. No wonder, because he is a little handsome.

But not as handsome as Arlen. Why am I comparing him to Frost?!

Oh my God, I miss him so much?!

"Mistress?" call Elise wake me up.

"Yes?"

"You daydream a lot" said Elise. But not long after that now both of his eyebrows raised up. "Do you miss Mr Duke, Madam? Hohoho~"

"No, I'm just thinking a little bit about the situation, that's all," I said.

"There's no need to be shy like that, ma'am. I know, you must miss Mr. Duke very much, right?"

"Have it, instead of you continuing to behave like that and no work, you better come with me" I said.

"Eh but, Madam! I still have a lot of work to do! I had to cook, mop the floor, clean the windows of the house, clean the shed, water the plants, and-"

"Alright, alright. Then you finish your work, I'll leave now, "cut me as I smother her mouth so she stops talking.

"Be careful on the road, ma'am. And take it easy, madam. Master Duke will miss you too. I want to withdraw!!"

With her crashing sound, Elise immediately fled down the stairs making me anxious to make.

"Hey, go back, you annoying old aunt!" I shouted and I could hear Elise's laughter from below.

God, how did he know I missed that guy?

The heat began to creep up on my face, but I immediately brushed it off. I went down and went to my destination.

If he fights to end the war, then I must also fight to restore normalcy as before.

We both have to solve the problem made by that King tol*l.

^^I Become Wife of the Atrocious Duke^^^

^^^27 December 2020^^^