Chapter 17

A few days later in the morning, Opal, who had returned to the duke's mansion in the capital, went downstairs when she heard someone visiting. She then headed for the study and knocked on the door. When she heard a voice asking who it was, she responded, and the butler, Romit, opened the door with a puzzled expression.

"I have something I need to ask of you, sir. May I come in?"

Romit, looking somewhat reluctant, stepped back and let Opal in. Then, Hubert, who had been sitting at the desk, looked up at Opal with a puzzled expression.

"What do you want?"

"Good morning, sir. I noticed someone visited just now. If you have guests this afternoon, I thought it would be good to know."

Hubert's face turned slightly red, realizing he hadn't greeted her. He must have felt embarrassed for forgetting his manners, even if he disliked her. However, his face stiffened at Opal's next question.

"There's no need for me to report every visitor to you."

"But I am still the lady of this house. It is my duty to entertain guests, so you should let me know if someone is coming."

"If the visitor was for you, I would certainly tell you. But this time, it's my guest. Your hospitality is not needed."

"Who is the visitor, then?"

Despite being treated coldly by Hubert, Opal persisted. Romit, who had been watching, left the study with a hidden smile in his expressionless face. Hubert, seemingly worn out by Opal's persistence, spoke irritably.

"The person who came earlier was just delivering a letter from Omar."

"So there are no visitors, then?"

"Jonathan Kenjitt and another man are coming with some documents. But they only need my signature, so it has nothing to do with you!"

"Really, it has nothing to do with me?"

Hubert, perhaps realizing he had become too heated, took a deep breath and answered Opal's question in a calmer, mocking tone.

"You said Omar was doing something wrong, didn't you? But I trust him. That's my answer. Now, can you please leave?"

Opal suppressed her disappointment and nodded calmly.

"Understood."

Praising herself for not letting her voice tremble, Opal left the study and returned to the attic. When she heard the sound of a carriage in the afternoon, indicating that visitors had arrived, she stayed in her room. She sat quietly and waited, but she was neither called nor heard angry footsteps approaching her room. When she heard the carriage again, she knew the visitors had left. Despite her resolve, tears streamed down her cheeks. But she quickly wiped them away, thinking she shouldn't cry over such a thing.

That night, the servants rejoiced when Beth told them that Opal had gone to bed without eating dinner. They thought that finally, the intruder had understood her place in the mansion. On the other hand, Hubert felt uncomfortable. He wondered if he had been too rude that morning and if his attitude toward her had been unfair. While having dinner with the cheerful Lady Northam, Hubert was troubled.

The next day, Opal went to her uncle's mansion as if nothing had happened. Her uncle greeted her warmly and gave her documents, telling her she didn't need to force herself to continue her marriage. But Opal smiled and shook her head.

"Since we are married, I don't intend to separate. I will do what I need to do."

"Opal... That foolish young man doesn't deserve such generosity."

"Even so, I can't abandon the people of the duchy."

"I see... You are very much like your mother."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Opal's face lit up, and the atmosphere between them relaxed. She listened to stories about her mother and left the mansion feeling happy. However, once in the carriage, she changed her expression and signaled to the driver, Kieve, to change the destination.

"Kieve is probably the only one at the duke's mansion who doesn't have a grudge against me..."

But that might change in the future. Feeling sad about this, Opal planned to spend most of her time at the duchy's manor, where she would have her own carriage.

When she arrived at the Holloway Earl's mansion—her family home—Opal was warmly welcomed. She hadn't returned since her marriage.

"I'm sorry for the sudden visit. I'm sure it's a surprise."

"It's a pleasant surprise."

"Don't be so formal, my lady. You've returned to the family estate many times, but you haven't visited here since your marriage."

Surrounded by the butler and housekeeper, Opal felt tears welling up but forced a smile. She was genuinely happy but overwhelmed by various emotions, making it hard to express her joy to everyone. When a servant tried to take her bag, she refused. Then, she composed herself and asked the butler.

"Is Father still out?"

"No, he's at home. He's working in his study and has instructed that no one disturb him."

"I see... But it's fine. I'll tell him it's not your fault."

Surprised, the butler tried to stop her, but Opal knocked lightly on the study door and entered without waiting for a response. Her father, hearing the commotion, didn't seem too surprised. He raised an eyebrow, looking up from his documents.

"As you heard, I disregarded the instructions and entered this room, so no one else is to blame."

"I understand. Do you have a reason to convince me? I won't listen to silly complaints about your marriage."

"Unfortunately, I don't have a marriage to complain about. I'm here to inform you of something that will surely interest you and to make a request."

Opal didn't greet her father, but he didn't seem to mind. Everything was the same as before, and Opal didn't need to force a smile or suppress her feelings. She stated her purpose matter-of-factly, took out documents from her bag, and laid them on top of her father's work.

"Here is the proof of the duke's 'leniency,' as you mentioned before. Evidence of the land manager's misconduct—forged ledgers—and evidence of his gambling addiction—loan ledgers."

"I already know about that. Has your husband finally realized it?"

"If that were the case, why would these documents be here? The duke didn't believe me when I reported the manager's misconduct. I tried to get Trevor to be a witness, but the duke seemed to think we were trying to take over the duchy."

"---I see. Your husband is not 'lenient' but 'foolish.'"

"Can you please stop referring to him as my husband? Wasn't he chosen by you? It has nothing to do with me."

The earl was surprised by Opal's words. He had often thought that if Opal had been a son, things would have been different. She appeared to be a spoiled daughter but was actually quite intelligent and determined. He had considered making her his successor, not in title but in other matters, and had given her an education that was unnecessary for a lady.

When Opal made her debut in society, he had no intention of marrying her to men interested only in her wealth or to boring men. However, the scandal changed everything. The earl was quite angry at Opal's recklessness but found it interesting. When he noticed that Opal and the duke were attracted to each other at their first dance, he decided to marry her to the duke for a suitable reason. He thought Opal would quickly realize the problem and, despite initial resistance, work with the duke to improve the duchy. Love might even develop. But his plan had failed. The earl was intrigued by what the duke had done to make Opal speak so coldly but didn't say anything. Instead, he looked at the last document Opal placed and widened his eyes.

"Are you sure about this?"

"I... have stopped dreaming. No prince on a white horse came to save me. So, I decided to take action, even if it means taking the white horse for myself."

"Do you think the prince on the white horse was held back?"

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind. What is your request?"

"First, I would like you to keep these documents in your safe."

"Hmm. That's a good idea. I'll do it. But there's something else, isn't there?"

"Yes. The second thing is... if the duke comes to seek advice, I would like you to accept him."

"---Very well. It's doubtful that the foolish young man will come to me, but if he does, I'll accept him."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

Opal smiled wryly. Both her father and uncle called Hubert a foolish young man. She thought they were probably right. With a grateful heart, she left the earl's mansion and returned to the duke's mansion.