Chapter 15

Trevor probably judged from Hubert's attitude that it was better to remain standing.

At that moment, Romit appeared with tea.

He cast a mocking expression at the standing Trevor but silently prepared tea for the three of them on the table.

Normally, it should have been Opal, the lady of the house, who served the tea, but it was clear that no one intended to do so.

When Romit left the study, Hubert spoke again, sounding exasperated.

"So, why did you bring this person here? Is it to complain about the duchy? It seems you have been grumbling about the duchy's decline and even went to play in Novori."

"…Who told you that?"

"Omar. He wrote to me as soon as you left for Novori. He probably thought he had a duty to report on you. Omar is serious and often keeps me informed."

At Hubert's words, Opal almost laughed.

Did he think that frequent communication made Omar trustworthy?

If so, Hubert was far too naive and immature.

Trevor, who was looking down and coughing, seemed to be trying to hide his laughter.

"Then, let me be honest. Omar is not trustworthy. There have been no disasters in the duchy for several years. Therefore, I suspect that Omar is embezzling—"

"Nonsense! There's no need to say any more!"

"But we have found evidence. Omar has been using the embezzled money for gambling and has even accumulated debts."

"Is that your claim? You could easily fabricate such evidence with the help of that man! Omar was a person my late father trusted and hired. It's unbelievable that you would mock someone who has worked for the duchy for so long!"

Opal was the one who found it unbelievable.

Hubert, who refused to listen to Opal and dismissed her claims as nonsense, was shouting in anger.

It seemed that even Trevor was unusually surprised.

Moreover, Hubert seemed to be getting more excited by his own voice.

"Indeed, both this place and that land were saved by your money. But the title is mine, and it will remain mine! I will decide who to hire. I have no intention of letting you and your father, the earl, have your way! The conversation is over. Get out of here!"

"…Understood. Excuse me."

Hubert must have been in a bad mood.

Perhaps something had happened with Stella, Opal thought kindly.

If they waited a while, Hubert might calm down and listen.

As Opal left the study, she saw Stella and Lady Northam on the other side of the corridor, and her mood changed.

Stella had a very malicious smile, and Lady Northam had a satisfied one, as if they had heard Hubert's shouting.

"Oh, is that the rumored…?"

"Yes, that's right. But I'm sorry, I can't introduce you. My husband has forbidden me to meet her."

"She seems like a very malicious angel. It might be impolite to say this, but is her life really in danger?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because she doesn't seem to be. If she had an old-fashioned doctor, he might be quite old. Perhaps it would be better to have another doctor examine her."

"…Yes, I'll suggest it when my husband is in a good mood. But I'm really sorry. I appreciate you coming all the way to the capital, but this is how it turned out."

As Opal and Trevor headed for the front door, they spoke in low voices.

They were also annoyed that the butler, Romit, had not appeared at all.

"It's fine. We managed to take a trip to the capital for a change. The earldom has been too smooth and boring lately. How do you plan to convince the duke? You could bring Omar, or perhaps the steward of the duchy's manor, Lind, to testify?"

Trevor stopped at the front door and said this.

His servant was waiting with the door open, as if urging him to leave quickly.

Opal hesitated for a moment and then smiled and replied.

"…No, it's fine. I just think I'll visit the earldom again in a while. If possible, I'd like you to consider a new steward candidate by then."

"Understood. I… we are on your side. We support you in this fight."

"Thank you, Trevor. Be careful."

Opal didn't care if the servant had heard everything.

Trevor also left the house, leaving words of encouragement.

Opal watched the carriage Trevor boarded until it turned the corner, then immediately retreated to the attic.

Neither the butler nor Hubert appeared.

Sitting at the crude desk, Opal reflected that her approach had been wrong.

Omar was a steward hired by Hubert's father, and mocking him was tantamount to mocking the late duke.

If the late duke were still alive, it's unclear what would have happened to Omar.

Opal felt a surge of sympathy for Hubert but decided to write a letter.

The reply arrived the next morning, and Opal, surprised by the speed, quickly opened and read it.

"Prepare a visiting dress for this afternoon. I'm going out."

"Where are you going?"

"…Why should I have to tell you where I'm going? Beth?"

"I apologize for being presumptuous."

"I forgive you."

Normally, Opal would never speak to anyone like this, but she had reached her limit with Beth's constant bad mood.

Beth might have noticed that the sender was male, even if she couldn't read.

That might be why she asked such a question.

If so, Romit, who was aware that the sender was male, might have reported it to Hubert.

As she was about to leave in the carriage, Opal was stopped by Hubert.

"Where are you going?"

"…You've never shown interest in my actions before. Why ask now?"

"I don't want you to meet a man in a carriage with the duchy's coat of arms. If it's a rendezvous, do it secretly."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm going to my uncle's house. He has returned to the capital after a long time and wants to see me."

"…Then go ahead!"

"I will."

In truth, her uncle had invited Hubert as well, knowing that she was married, but she didn't mention it.

Hubert would probably decline anyway, and she was tired of the hassle.

It seemed that Hubert truly had no interest in Opal.

He didn't even notice the heavy bag she was carrying, which contained loan documents.

After visiting her uncle, Opal was delighted to see him after a year.

However, when she brought up the matter, her uncle was shocked and opposed it.

She managed to convince him by explaining the current situation and promising to protect it in the future.

Afterward, Opal agreed to meet at the earl's manor and returned to the duchy, leaving for the earl's manor the next day.

Opal had asked for permission to visit the earldom after returning from her uncle's house, but Hubert only said, "Go ahead," as if he had no interest.

The only change was that the duchy's carriage driver, Kieve, treated Opal with proper respect as the duchess.

Despite the irony, Opal felt her troubled heart healing as the manor came into view.