Alto Belgrande, a young viscount of the Belgrande Viscountcy, is known for his unattractive appearance and stout physique, earning him the moniker "Ugly Man of the Countryside." Despite his appearance, he is a promising young noble. His capable, white-haired butler, Sebastian, delivers a letter from the influential Duke of Jasmine in the capital. The letter reveals that Duke Jasmine's daughter, Christina, has had her engagement to Prince Limbolt Grejas, the first in line for the throne, broken off. The Duke, grateful for Alto's previous gift for Christina's engagement party, proposes an engagement between Christina and Alto, sending her to his estate for bridal training within a week.
Alto, though surprised, accepts the proposal and begins preparations to host the Duke and Christina. He enlists the help of the estate's oldest servant, a wise old woman, to prepare historical furnishings and tableware. He also commissions Nobu, a renowned hunter, to procure the legendary "Lord of the Forest," a boar he has pursued for forty years, for a celebratory feast. Additionally, he requests the finest vegetables from the local agricultural cooperative, led by Fransson.
Sebastian, after investigating, reveals the truth behind the broken engagement: Prince Limbolt was infatuated with a baron's daughter, Judith Blufrench, and publicly renounced his engagement to Christina at a party, accusing her of mistreatment. This caused a scandal, leading to the Prince's imprisonment and Christina's social ostracization. Duke Jasmine, enraged and seeking a suitable match for his daughter away from the capital's machinations, chose Alto, a distant viscount, believing Christina could find peace in his rural domain.
Upon their arrival, Alto welcomes Duke Jasmine and Christina. Christina, still visibly shaken by the events in the capital, is polite but distant. Alto escorts them to their luxurious guest rooms, prepared with historical artifacts. During dinner, Alto serves local specialties, including the forty-year-old boar meat and regional wine, impressing both Christina and her father. Christina, despite her initial reservations about Alto's appearance, finds herself intrigued by his kindness and the simple charm of his territory. She begins to open up, asking Alto about local customs like the "carp streamers" (koinobori) displayed outside homes.
The next morning, Duke Jasmine departs, leaving Christina behind for a month to acclimate to the region and assess Alto as a potential husband. Alto, though initially self-conscious about his appearance and tendency to sweat, is touched when Christina reassures him that his sweat is not a concern. They go for a walk to the beautiful Bilene Lake, where Alto explains the significance of the carp streamers and the freedom from social hierarchy in his territory. He expresses his hope that Christina will one day choose to live there as his wife. Christina, visibly more at ease, begins to call him "Alto-san" instead of "Viscount," a subtle shift indicating a growing connection. The chapters conclude with Alto holding Christina's hand as they return to the estate, a tentative hope for their future blooming.
