Chapter 14

Inside the carriage on the way to the earl's estate, Trevor and I briefly reviewed the plan. Omar would be monitored and made to work at the earl's house.

"Of course, it won't be easy for you to escape, but it's not impossible. We don't intend to tie you up and just make you sit there all day. However, if I receive a serious report that you are working diligently at the earl's house, I plan to ask my husband to reduce your punishment. You won't be hanged or spend your life in prison."

When Opal said this, Omar looked back at her with suspicion. Far from being intimidated by his gaze, Opal smiled.

"Besides, you are currently penniless. I made sure to inform any decent moneylender that you have no means of repaying a loan from Lubo. So if you want to gamble as you did before, you'll have to ask an indecent moneylender."

Omar seemed to understand what kind of outcome that would lead to. If he still chose to borrow money and gamble, it would no longer be Opal's concern. Ideally, he should be sent to prison immediately, but that would expose Hubert's lack of supervision. If that happened, the public would also learn about Hubert's debt and the circumstances surrounding Opal's marriage to him. Opal considered this and decided to take a more lenient approach.

According to Trevor, this year should be a good harvest. Therefore, Opal planned to invest her own wealth in the duke's estate to update the farming tools used by the peasants. After making their work easier and successfully completing the harvest, she would start improving the peasants' houses and roads. The road improvement project would take several years due to its scale, but Trevor also agreed that, given the fertile land of the duke's estate, it would be fine as long as there were no major disasters. Even if she divorced next year and Hubert took over, it shouldn't be a problem. If this plan failed, the only thing Opal would lose would be her personal wealth.

After returning to the earl's estate, Opal explained Omar's situation to the butler, Orton, and entrusted him with it. Two days later, she set off for the capital again with Trevor. She hoped that by sharing this plan, Hubert might change his irritable attitude, which was likely due to his debt. When Opal arrived at the duke's mansion in the capital, only the butler, Romit, was there to greet her. Despite this, Opal entered the house and asked Romit:

"Where is my husband?"

"…He is in the south tea room."

"Is that so… Do you know his schedule for tomorrow afternoon?"

"I haven't been informed of any specific plans…"

"Then please tell him that I want to meet him in the study after lunch tomorrow. I have something important to discuss, and I will have a guest with me, so please let him know."

"…Understood."

Leaving the dissatisfied Romit behind, Opal went to the guest room assigned to her. She then asked the disgruntled Beth to prepare a bath and returned to the attic room. It seemed that the attic had not been cleaned while she was away. On her way back to the guest room, she instructed a passing maid to clean the attic room quickly. Opal then soaked in the prepared bath.

Afterward, Opal had Beth help her change and had dinner in the attic room before lying down on the hard bed. Although Hubert must have known she had returned, he neither came to see her nor called for her. She was disappointed by this, and even more disappointed by her own disappointment.

(I thought that some time and distance might help him calm down, but it seems to have been in vain…)

Sighing, Opal soon fell asleep, likely due to the fatigue from the journey. When she woke up the next time, the sun was already high. She entered the guest room, rang the bell, and Beth appeared reluctantly to help her change. After having breakfast and lunch in the guest room, Opal waited for Trevor's visit. Trevor had gone to the earl's estate after Opal got off the carriage at the duke's mansion yesterday.

If her father were to blame her, she could explain the reasons. However, Opal suspected that her father knew everything and had married her to Hubert to enjoy how she would handle the situation. Realizing this, Opal felt both anger and resignation about what her father had done for her life.

While hoping that Hubert's 'sweetness' would improve, Opal reviewed the promissory notes and loan records she had brought back, as well as the management ledgers of the duke's estate. Hearing the sound of a carriage, she peeked out of a window that overlooked the entrance and saw the simple carriage of the Holloway earl's family.

"Here we go."

Muttering to herself, Opal put the ledgers into a large bag and carried it downstairs. She met Romit, who was there to greet the visitors, and placed the bag on the spot, waiting for Trevor to enter.

"Hello, Trevor. Thank you for coming today."

"Not at all, it's for you, my lady."

Hearing Opal and Trevor's conversation, Romit showed a look of disgust. As a butler, he should not show his feelings, no matter what he thinks. While feeling exasperated that the mansion was not functioning properly as a duke's residence, Opal smiled and asked Romit:

"Is my husband in the study?"

"Yes, he is."

"Then I will guide him. Can you prepare some tea?"

"…Understood."

As Romit turned to leave, Trevor casually picked up Opal's bag and chuckled.

"More than I imagined."

"Isn't it? So, be prepared for what's to come."

"It won't be easy, will it?"

As they headed to the study, Opal warned Trevor, who responded with a somewhat cheerful tone. If Trevor hadn't been there, Opal might not have been as confident. Even if Hubert didn't listen to her, he would surely listen to Trevor, the earl's estate manager, especially since she had clear evidence.

Gathering her courage, Opal knocked on the study door and received a response from Hubert. However, when she entered the study with Trevor, she realized that the conversation would not be easy upon seeing Hubert's face, which she hadn't seen in nearly a month. Hubert looked extremely irritable.

"Oh, oh."

Opal almost flinched but steeled herself when she heard Trevor's quiet voice from behind. She didn't want to show any weakness in front of Trevor.

"Hubert, it's been a while. I have returned safely."

Although she had returned yesterday, Hubert said nothing in response to Opal's greeting. Instead, he rudely asked Trevor:

"Who are you?"

"He is Trevor Littton, the manager of the Holloway earl's estate, which belongs to my father."

"The manager of the Holloway earl's estate…? Why is he here?"

Hubert, being a duke, was in a position to ask such questions, but his lack of respect for someone older was embarrassing for Opal. Moreover, his tone became even more condescending after learning Trevor's position. Of course, Hubert's attitude towards the duke's household staff was generous, and this was likely because Trevor was on Opal's side. Still, it was too childish. Opal restrained herself from responding and managed to smile.

"Hubert, may I sit down? I have something to discuss."

"…Fine."

Hubert reluctantly agreed and sat on the sofa. Opal sat across from him, but Trevor remained standing beside her.