Chapter 16

"Ah! Claude, it's been a while!"

"Indeed. I thought we wouldn't meet this year... I didn't expect you to be in the earl's territory, Duchess."

The next day, after returning to the earl's manor, Claude, her childhood friend, came to visit. Opal was overjoyed to see him after a year, but Claude seemed somewhat awkward, smiling uneasily.

Of course, if a childhood friend suddenly became a wife, it would be confusing. Especially since this marriage had no engagement period and the ceremony was simple.

"Stop it, Claude. Call me by my name as you always did."

"...Then, where is His Grace?"

"He's in the capital. This time, it's a bit... personal. But more importantly, Claude, did you graduate from university? Congratulations."

"---Somehow. Well, thank you."

When asked about Hubert, Opal felt uncomfortable and changed the subject. Claude then smiled wryly and talked about university as usual, but the atmosphere was different. Their positions had clearly changed: Duchess and the third son of a baron who had just graduated from university. Opal realized her true feelings too late.

(I... I liked Claude...)

At first, Claude came to play as a friend of her brother, but he included her in the group because she persistently followed him around. When Claude went to boarding school, she was very sad and cried for days. Still, he came to visit her during long holidays, understanding her loneliness. When her mother died, he even skipped school to attend the funeral and comforted her as she tried not to cry.

But Claude's position meant that his father would never approve of their relationship, so she unconsciously suppressed her feelings. Additionally, Claude's mother, who married against her family's wishes, couldn't return to her hometown and seemed lonely, as Claude himself said.

(Well, even before any opposition, I'm probably like a sister to Claude... But if...)

Opal always realized things too late. No matter how much she regretted, time moved forward, and she had to move forward too. She decided to see things through and even if this important friend turned away, she would persevere.

"Well, I'll be going now."

"Thank you, Claude."

"...For what?"

"For coming to see me."

"That's not something to thank me for. Besides, we might not meet again for a while."

"Not meet? But once the social season starts—"

"I have no intention of attending such formal events. Besides, I doubt a poor third son of a baron would be welcomed."

"But that's not true..."

Claude silenced Opal with a shake of his head. They both knew it was the truth.

"Be happy, Opal."

"...Thank you. You be happy too, Claude."

"I'll try. ---See you!"

Leaving the same parting words as always, Claude ran out of the front door. Familiar with the place, he waved to Opal as he ran to the stables. Claude's house was only a short ride away. Opal wanted to ask him what he planned to do next but couldn't bring herself to say it. Sighing deeply, she returned to the living room, where Trevor knocked and entered.

"Was Lord Claude well?"

"Yes. But it's not the same as before. He seems reserved."

"That's understandable. By the way, about the steward of the duchy..."

"Have you found anyone suitable?"

"It's difficult. Since His Grace hasn't approved Omar's dismissal, we can't openly recruit. For now, we're using one of your subordinates as a temporary replacement, but it's a problem if issues arise."

"Then, why not bring Omar back? If Trevor checks regularly, it should be fine."

Naja, who had been standing in the corner, interjected with a casual tone. Normally, this would be inappropriate, but Opal didn't mind. However, the suggestion was impractical.

"Naja's idea is good, but it's not feasible."

"Why not?"

"Currently, as the duchess, I'm relying on Trevor and others for emergency management. Trevor is employed by my father, Horoway Earl. Supervising the duchy would violate his contract with my father, who might see it as overstepping his authority."

"That's true, Naja. But thanks to your suggestion, I have an idea."

When Opal explained in a resigned tone, Trevor agreed. Then, he smiled and proposed a solution.

"What's your idea?"

"Bring Omar back to the duchy. From the old ledgers, it's clear that Omar managed the estate well when the previous duke was alive. He has the ability, so it would be a waste not to use it. And you, Opal, can supervise him."

"Me?"

"Yes. His Grace seems uninterested in the estate, so there shouldn't be a problem. You don't like the capital much, do you? Why not spend some quiet time in the duchy?"

"That's true..."

Hearing Trevor's proposal, Opal pondered. The land was originally from her grandmother, and she had been learning estate management from Trevor. Managing alone would be difficult, but supervising Omar might be possible. If her plan worked, she would naturally live in the duchy.

"I'm not very confident, but it's worth a try. ...By the way, how is Omar? Is he working properly?"

"Yes. Reluctantly, but he's helping with farm work and hasn't tried to escape. If he can quit gambling, he could be a good steward."

"Then, let's consider bringing Omar back to the duchy. More accurately, let's focus on preventing his escape."

Opal seemed to see a bright future for the duchy and ended the conversation with a joke. The next challenge was to get through her uncle's visit the next day, as he hadn't yet approved of the situation.

The next day, the manor welcomed her uncle, who hadn't visited since her mother's funeral, though he used to come often. His troubled smile reminded Opal of the happy times when her mother was alive.

(If Mother were still here...)

Realizing her weakness, Opal clenched her fists and steeled herself. The meeting in the study, involving Trevor and her uncle, included Omar and was eventually resolved.

That night, Opal and her uncle had dinner together for the first time in a long while. She listened to stories about foreign lands. In the kingdom of Taishi, a plague had recently spread, and even the king had died. A conflict over succession had erupted between the late king's illegitimate son and the king's younger brother, leading to a civil war. Despite the younger brother being the legitimate heir, some powerful nobles supported the illegitimate prince.

"Even as the plague subsides, they're fighting over succession. It's a waste of time."

"Are you safe, Uncle?"

"Yes, I was already in another country when the plague started. However, there are doubts about the prince's authenticity. I met the younger brother once, and he was a fine man. That's why he's a threat to the ambitious nobles. The problem is that they've spread rumors of a tragic love affair between the late king and a common woman, gaining the support of the plague-weary people. If this continues, the younger brother's succession is in danger."

"Even so, it might lead to war..."

"Taishi is rich in resources and technologically advanced, so the stakes are high. If it comes to war, it will affect our country's development. I hope it can be avoided."

"Is there any way to prove the prince is a fraud?"

"Be careful, Opal. It's not confirmed, and you shouldn't say such things in public."

"I know. I've grown up, and I won't act foolishly like I used to."

Opal deliberately raised her chin, and her uncle smiled wryly, realizing she was referring to the fateful ball.

"You're still impulsive, but I plan to settle in this country. If you need anything, come to me."

"Thank you, Uncle. It's very reassuring."

That night, Opal couldn't sleep. The dice had been cast. Despite everything, she still harbored a sliver of hope for Hubert's response. The results would come in a few days. All she could do now was wait.