Chapter 18

When she returned to the duke's mansion, it was almost time for dinner, and the butler Romit and the housekeeper gave her an annoyed look.

Despite this, Opal was unperturbed. She announced that she would have dinner with Hubert and others, and to Romit's surprise, she ordered him to send Beth to the guest room to help her change. She added that she was also thirsty and wanted tea brought to her.

Romit and the housekeeper, suppressing their anger, began to move accordingly.

(Well, at least they're still trying to hide their anger... I suppose that's a good sign...)

When she entered the guest room, Beth soon arrived with a sullen expression. The tray she carried was placed so roughly that the teacups clinked loudly.

"Beth, I don't know what you're so upset about, but if you chip any of these teacups, can you afford to pay for them?"

"Sir never blames us servants for our mistakes."

"True, for ordinary mistakes. But if you handle them so roughly that they break, I don't think the master of this house will be pleased."

Beth said nothing in response to Opal's words, but her defiant gaze spoke volumes. Opal, unconcerned, took a sip of tea and grimaced. Instantly, Beth's expression turned smug.

"Can't you even make a decent cup of tea? This is very bitter and cold. If this continues, you should start looking for another job. I'll make sure to write in your reference that you can't make tea properly."

"What, who do you think you are..."

Opal, no longer willing to tolerate this, spoke condescendingly to Beth. She had never treated the servants this way before, but she felt no need to be considerate of the duke's household.

Beth's face turned red as she started to retort, but Opal raised a hand to stop her.

"Actually, I am someone important. Not because of my status, but because I am the lady of this house, and you are employed here. If you don't want to acknowledge that, you can leave. In that case, whether we meet on a street corner or in someone else's mansion, we will have no connection. So, you won't have to hear me speak condescendingly to you anymore. Now, do as you please. I will wear a crimson dress for tonight's dinner. Will you prepare it for me, or not?"

Beth turned pale and trembled, but after hearing Opal's ultimatum, she entered the wardrobe room with a look of regret and began to prepare silently.

"By the way, if you plan to tell Romit and the others about me, there's something else I want you to pass on. After dinner, I will have an important conversation with Sir and Mrs. Northam. However, it concerns you all as well, so anyone interested, not just Romit, is welcome to join us in the living room."

Opal said this with a smile, and Beth, who had been combing Opal's hair forcefully, stopped abruptly. She seemed puzzled that any servant could join the conversation between the masters. However, when their eyes met in the mirror, Beth pursed her lips and nodded.

"...Understood."

After a moment, Beth quietly acknowledged. She finally sensed something was different about Opal's unusually assertive attitude. But Opal had made up her mind. She needed to show Hubert, Mrs. Northam, and the servants that she was not content with the current situation. She was also willing to be lenient with those who changed their behavior. Despite her apprehension about the upcoming turmoil, Opal stood up and headed to the dinner table.

When she entered the room, Hubert, who was already seated, stood up but did not escort her to her seat. Mrs. Northam remained seated, but Opal, not minding, noticed that Hubert's fashionable jacket had been tailored. She idly considered this as she sat down. Hubert immediately launched into an attack.

"Who do you think you are? I hear you threatened to fire Beth earlier?"

"You have quite the ear. However, that information is incorrect."

"In what way?"

"I wasn't threatening; I was serious. I've been thinking about it for a while. The servants here are swayed by personal feelings and do not fulfill their duties. I've warned Beth several times, but she hasn't improved, so I gave her a final warning."

"You have no right to—"

"I do. I am the lady of this house. It is my responsibility to manage the servants, not something Sir should be concerned about."

"Wha—"

Hubert was speechless, perhaps sensing the stronger resolve in Opal's firm tone. Mrs. Northam, who had been smirking, was now wide-eyed. The serving maid and footman looked uneasy, and the butler Romit, who was pouring wine, pulled the bottle away from the glass to steady his shaking hand. Noticing the situation, Hubert cleared his throat.

"Such matters should not be discussed in front of everyone."

"You started it. Besides, it seems you already know. After dinner, I have an important announcement in the living room. As I told Beth, it concerns the servants of this house, so anyone interested is welcome to join. Please don't be offended."

Hubert, who had never been spoken to so strongly before, said nothing more and continued his meal, though he kept glancing at Opal. Mrs. Northam, seemingly unable to eat, had barely touched her plate. Opal, on the other hand, ate her meal properly.

"Shall we have tea in the living room first?"

"Y-yes..."

When the meal ended and Opal stood up to speak, Mrs. Northam nodded anxiously. Hubert also stood up.

"I think I'll have tea as well today."

"...I see."

Hubert seemed eager to hear Opal's news and was willing to forego his usual post-dinner drinks. However, Opal intended to return to her room to retrieve something important for the conversation.

"Mrs. Northam, I need to go back to my room to get something. Can you prepare the tea?"

"Y-yes, of course."

Mrs. Northam answered nervously, and Hubert narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Opal, feeling his gaze on her back, left the room, returned to the guest room, and retrieved a few documents from her lightened bag before entering the living room.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting."

In the living room, Romit, the housekeeper, Beth, and several other maids and footmen were already waiting. Hubert and Mrs. Northam were seated on the sofa, and neither had touched their tea. Opal sat across from Hubert at the prepared cup and began.

"Since yesterday, all the properties of this mansion, the duchy, and the manors within the duchy are now mine. Therefore, I am giving you all five days to decide whether to leave or stay."

She directed her first words to Hubert and Mrs. Northam, then to the servants. Hubert immediately showed his anger.

"What nonsense! It's true that the duchy was saved by your dowry, but that doesn't give you any rights! Don't cause a commotion with such foolish talk!"

"Saved? That's not true. The duchy was only temporarily saved by my dowry. You've been borrowing money against the duchy's land, believing Omar's promises that 'next year will be better,' haven't you?... The moneylender must be very tight-lipped. But if things continue like this, you'll soon have to borrow again."

Humiliated in front of the servants, Hubert's face turned red with shame. Opal, however, remained calm. Seeing her cold expression, Hubert's anger grew, and he raised his voice in a way he never had before.

"Get out! I will divorce you! Leave this house immediately!"

"Sir, if you want a divorce, you should be the one to leave. Yesterday afternoon, you signed the documents transferring all the land and properties to me."