The Marriage Life in the Grand Duke Family Is Too Easy, Though - Chapter 17

The atmosphere at the snack party was silent as if cold water had been poured.

 

Even if there was music, there was only a small amount of gossip, so it felt quiet.

 

Diana left crying, thus everyone was awkwardly chewing on the cookies.

 

After all, one of their closest friends went out in a wind of tears, so it was natural for them to save themselves.

 

‘Will this pick on Mother more?’

 

Social gatherings are under the jurisdiction of the wife. Even if the Grand Duchess and the Grand Princess harmonized and treated guests well, it wasn’t enough.

 

What if this news goes to Elena Hadellus?

 

I didn’t know if she might send me a look of contempt while saying, “I thought you were quite silent these days.”

 

‘It can’t be like that!’

 

In order to successfully complete this meeting, I pulled out my secret weapon from my bag.

 

***

 

A few days ago.

 

“What is it?”

 

I tilted my head as I watched Hannah, Vivian, and Shuli laugh and play around.

 

At first glance, it looked like a dice, but unlike regular dice, which were six-sided, they were thirteen-sided.

 

Each side had a number written on it, but when I looked at the plate next to it, the code of conduct was written on each number.

 

Hannah explained, rolling a dice over her hand.

 

“Ah, it’s a popular dice game among commoners. Amy told me.”

 

If it was Amy, it was the name of the stable keeper’s daughter.

 

“It’s a game where you perform actions that match the numbers you roll, and it’s quite fun.”

 

“The rules of conduct depend on the person who decides. Would you like to take a look?”

 

Shuli put out the number plate and added an explanation. I read the penalties carefully.

 

Do three front rolls, write your name with your buttocks, sing a song, give cookies to someone who has run far, clean the bathroom, etc.

 

It was about embarrassing or troubling the person who got caught.

 

Come to think of it, in my previous life, there was a game where you roll dice and drink alcohol.

 

‘Here, there is no difference.’

 

Unlike my previous life, there was no computer or smartphone, but it didn’t seem like they didn’t have anything to play with.

 

“It sounds fun.”

 

As I was interested in the dice, Shuli pulled out five stones from her pocket.

 

“If the dice game is difficult, the game with these stones is also fun.”

 

“Huh? This…”

 

“It’s a game called ‘Petra’. It’s a game of throwing stones on the floor and catching them one by one.”

 

Alright. I know this one. Because this was a game called ‘Gong-Gi’ in my previous life.

 

I was tinkering with the stones with my hands and thinking. The only games the nobles played were chess and cards.

 

In a nutshell, there are only games where they roll their minds a lot, but there has never been a game that is so simple they can do it with their hands.

 

‘Chess and card games are a little difficult for children to be interested in.’

 

As it turns out, the best thing for children to do was run around and grow up. It won’t be too late to play the game of sitting up and using one’s mind noblely.

 

‘I think it would be okay to do it with the kids if they were smaller.’

 

Even if it’s a commoner’s game, if it’s fun, it’s great. Here, if the design was refined a little more, it would definitely have a good response.

 

Soon, a lot of ladies and lords will gather for the Flower Festival, so I guess I can play with them then.

 

I thought the response would be good if I stopped by and sent it as a souvenir.

 

I said as if I had a brilliant idea.

 

“Vivian, can you make several of these Petra? Make it a little smaller.”

 

“How much?”

 

“Enough to be given to the guests who come to the snack party.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Vivian widened her eyes the moment I said that I would give those as presents to the guests. And when I saidㅡ

 

“If possible, make it into a jewel.”

 

“Pardon meee?!”

 

Even Hannah and Shuli had no choice but to ask in a loud voice.

 

***

 

Everyone’s attention turned to this side when I poured the balls of stone on the table.

 

Neatly crafted, colorful jewels shone brilliantly on the table.

 

It was made with various color combinations to win the hearts of children, so it naturally drew attention.

 

“Is this the jewel you bought?”

 

At that moment, a lady who was standing in front of me, plucked up her courage and spoke to her. I said with a bashful smile.

 

“This is a game tool called Petra. I thought about what would be fun to do with the people who came today, and I made it.”

 

“Petra?”

 

The lady tilted her head as if she was unfamiliar. A lord, who was next to her at that time, pretended to be innocent.

 

“Isn’t Petra a game played by commoners? I remember seeing the stable keeper picking up stones and playing.”

 

The lord looked unhappy at first glance. It was full of nuances as to whether they were going to play a game played by commoners here.

 

Those who were interested in the jewels turned their eyes at the lord’s remarks. With a look of less interest, they whispered among them.

 

What is it, disturbers are twisting and messing around?

 

Grumbling inside, I said with a smile.

 

“Right. It’s a game developed by commoners. They usually pick up stones and play.”

 

“Why did you bring that? There are chess boards and cards.”

 

“Right. There is no need for us to play commoners’ games.”

 

As the lord took the lead, the others began to speak one by one.

 

I didn’t expect this kind of atmosphere, so I shrugged lightly.

 

After all, if only one person is caught, the reaction follows. Besides, this isn’t just for fun.

 

“Hmm, is that so? It’s a pity, it was specially made.”

 

With the feeling that only one person would be taken, I deliberately put on a timid expression, and the young lady who spoke to me first said.

 

“I will try it. I think it will be fun.”

 

Then aren’t you supposed to pick up a jewel and roll it around?

 

At a glance, it was obvious that she didn’t know the rules. I was just about to explain the rules.

 

“I will do it too. I remember doing it before.”

 

Akid came forward and said that he would do it as well.

 

“Ah! That would be easier to explain.”

 

Three people were the right number for a demonstration game. I was sure that once I started playing, people around me would be interested.

 

“Great. Originally, it’s fun to play in a team of two with four people, but since there are only three of us, it would be nice to have an individual exhibition…”

 

Just like that, I was just about to briefly explain the Petra rules.

 

“I wondered if the Grand Princess enjoys some bizarre games, but it seems that the Grand Prince taught her.”

 

The lord, who first showed dissatisfaction by saying that it was a commoners’ game, narrowed his brows and gave off a disgusted look.

 

It seemed that when he said his full name earlier, he was Max from the Count Donald family.

 

I don’t know whether it’s McDonald or Donald Duck, but I couldn’t bear him openly humiliating Akid for his birthplace.

 

“What does that mean now?”

 

I shot at the lord, who made the first sniper remark.

 

It was obviously because he knew that Akid had lived like a commoner for 13 years.

 

When I reacted sharply, Young-shik trembled and pretended.

 

“Ah, I’m just saying this because it’s such a shame to spend precious jewels on such a game.”

 

What are you pretending that this is not?

 

Max spoke leisurely, as if I was overreacting. However, it was clear that he looked down on Akid out of his gaze.

 

‘Ha, I was going to clear him with my snout of a hound, but why are there so many people messing with my Akid?’

 

Even if I could tolerate him touching me, I couldn’t stand the same thing happening to Akid. I crossed my arms and raised my chin and fired at Max.

 

“Sir Donald, are you saying that the Hadellus family is in such a difficult situation that we don’t even want to waste these jewels?”

 

“Yes? N-No!”

 

Max shook his head in surprise.

 

It seemed like he didn’t think I would bring Hadellus. He added words like an excuse.

 

“I-I didn’t mean that, it’s because the Grand Prince seems to know Petra well…”

 

“Doesn’t that sound like a sarcastic remark about my husband’s origins?”

 

When I said it directly, Max’s face turned white.

 

He seemed puzzled because it was a completely different way of speaking than nobles usually preferred euphemism to direct expression.

 

As expected, he didn’t know that Loena was famous for her snout of a hound.

 

This is just a weak level, but I saw that he was scared.

 

“Even if Sir Donald doesn’t worry about it, the Hadellus Castle is overflowing with jewels like this. And my husband is the heir to the Grand Duchy of Hadellus, which is more precious than those jewels.”

 

“S-S-Sorry. Never did I mean that…”

 

“Don’t say you didn’t mean it. Unless you’re saying I’m accusing the lord with useless words.”

 

When I reacted coldly, the lord was taken aback and began to apologize.

 

I let out a deep sigh in the cooling atmosphere again and added as if explaining.

 

“And I didn’t bring this here simply to play the trivial games commoners play. Hannah, bring it.”

 

“Yes, Young Madam.”

 

Hannah, who was waiting by my side, politely responded to my order, and she hurried out.

 

Moments later, Hannah brought in a trolley full of small boxes.

 

Hadellus’ seal was stamped on the box. I open one of the boxes, as Max looks puzzled.

 

The box contained a set of jeweled Petra as accessories. It also had Hadellus’ seal engraved on it.

 

Each ball stone was inscribed with a pattern of laurel leaves wrapped around white snowflakes like wings and filled with gold.

 

It was a design that looked luxurious at a glance by putting a lot of effort into the craftsmanship.

 

I smiled refreshingly, adjusting the angle so that it could be seen clearly.

 

“As you can see, it was a gift from me to the distinguished guests who came today.”

 

“You mean this jewel to everyone here?”

 

“Absolutely.”

 

Max stuttered, and I responded with a snort.

 

“Of course, Sir Donald, who despises it as a commoners’ game, doesn’t seem to need it.”

 

It was only a matter of time before Max’s face turned to stone at those words.