Chapter 30

It was the third day since Claude's arrival at his mansion in the capital of the Taisei Kingdom. Opal and Claude's family had finally settled down, and Opal was enjoying afternoon tea with Claude. With their wedding just a few days away, they were also allowed to spend time alone in the mansion.

Claude and Opal could talk endlessly, but suddenly a silence fell, and then Claude quietly spoke up.

"…Opal"

"What is it, Claude?"

Opal knew that when Claude spoke like this, it was about something important, so she put the cup she was holding back on the table. Claude then continued hesitantly.

"Even though you accepted my proposal and I brought you to this country, it might be cowardly to say this now…"

"---Are you saying that you might run into a past lover or a mistress in the future?"

"Of course not! I would never be so unfaithful!"

"Then what's the problem?"

Opal smiled as she asked, but she felt relieved inside. She had been married for about a year, and she didn't want to meet Claude's past lovers. Compared to that, she could handle anything. ---No, if he said, "We can't get married after all," she would probably be devastated.

"Actually… why do you assume it's about past lovers or mistresses…? Don't you think it could be ongoing?"

"If it were ongoing, Claude would never have proposed to me. By the way, I'm not worried about you cheating."

"…I'm glad you trust me."

"Yes. Because if Claude were just cheating, you would tell me honestly. If you had fallen in love with someone else, you would tell me."

"Being told that with a smile, I don't know whether to be happy or sad."

"Oh, I didn't want to burden you. But to be honest, I would be devastated. So I'll keep working hard so Claude won't leave me. But maybe my stubbornness isn't cute."

Opal thought her strong personality was a strength, but sometimes she envied weak women. Her complaint ended up sounding like a sigh. Claude looked at her in surprise.

"…Did I say something strange?"

"No… I never thought you would think of yourself as not cute."

"Really? Don't most people not think of themselves as cute?"

"Not really. I think quite a few women do."

"Then men do too. But those are people with a lot of self-confidence, and they're not considered normal."

"You're as strict as ever."

Opal, who answered with a haughty tone, regretted her unappealing words. But she knew Claude had dated women before. Thinking about it, she didn't know much about Claude since he entered the boarding school. She realized she knew almost nothing about what he had done in this country during the eight years they hadn't seen each other.

"…Is there some reason you can't get married now?"

"No! Even if there were, I would still marry Opal. I don't want to be swayed by nonsense."

"Then what is it?"

After hearing Claude's words, Opal should have said she was happy, but she felt too embarrassed to say it. She had never cared about such things before, but now she wanted Claude to find her cute. She wasn't used to this feeling. Looking at Claude, she thought he might see through everything, which made her even more frustrated and stubborn, creating a vicious cycle.

"Actually, about me… I'm not well accepted in the social circles of the Taisei Kingdom."

"Oh, what a coincidence. I'm the same in my homeland, the Kingdom of Sosie."

"It's not a laughing matter."

"But you're laughing."

Claude's confession was not a big deal to Opal. She responded with her true feelings, and Claude laughed and complained.

"Well, what can I do? You make me laugh. You're still Opal."

"Of course. So, even though you're a marquis and about to be elevated to a duke, not being accepted is strange. I believe it's not strange for you to inherit the former Boccelli duchy. After all, your ancestor, the third Earl Lucel, married a Boccelli duchess, right?"

"True, the Lucel family is a prestigious one and is related to the Boccelli duchy. But some people mock my origins, saying I'm a foreigner. They don't say it to my face, but they talk behind my back."

"Well, what a coincidence. I'm also talked about behind my back."

When Opal answered in the same way, Claude laughed out loud. Opal glared at him playfully, but soon started laughing too. After they both calmed down, Claude spoke happily.

"Still, I only have Opal."

"W-What are you saying? You won't get anything by saying that."

"But you will marry me, right?"

"Of course. It's a promise."

"Even though you might have a hard time in the social circles?"

"I won't have a hard time. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You're a hero. Be proud."

"…Thank you, Opal."

Claude's soft smile and gratitude made him look handsome, and Opal turned her face away. Still, she couldn't help but say, blushing.

"This country has a well-developed railway network and advanced technology, yet the thinking is very old-fashioned. It's unexpected."

"The old-fashioned thinking is among the social circles—essentially the upper class. They don't like the fact that commoners with new ideas are becoming wealthy. The civil war eight years ago was planned by conservative nobles, led by the Boccelli duchy, who opposed the king's idea of making the country a better place for everyone. Now, reformers like me are in important positions, but there are many moderates who are actually conservatives. I'm called a hero just to gain popularity with the people. It's easier to rally the people with a clear symbol of justice, right?"

"…That makes it sound like you're being used. Is that okay with you?"

"I thought it was fine. But if Opal doesn't like it, I'll retire to my estate and focus on estate management."

Though he said it jokingly, Opal knew Claude was serious. He might not want to abandon the people, but he didn't care about the power struggles in the royal palace. To achieve true ideals, power is necessary. Claude must understand this, yet he is considerate of Opal's feelings. If so, Opal wanted to respond to his feelings.

"Claude, what I hate the most is running away. Strategic retreats are sometimes necessary, but I don't like running away without fighting. So, I will fight. With Claude."

"…"

"…Claude?"

Even though she thought her words might sound a bit arrogant, she was being honest. But Claude remained silent. Embarrassed, she called out to him, and Claude seemed startled.

"Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just so impressed by how cool Opal looked."

"…Are you teasing me?"

"I'm serious. I just… no, I felt very relieved."

Claude's relieved expression seemed genuine. Opal was worried that her past marriage would tarnish Claude's reputation, but Claude was always concerned about her. She was ready to fight for Claude, but the next thing he said made her hesitate.

"Sorry, but can you fight with me tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Actually, I'm scheduled to go to the royal palace tomorrow to report our marriage. So, can we report to the king together?"

"Oh, tomorrow, to the king… Why didn't you say that first!?"

"If I said it first, you would have definitely said you'd go. But I didn't want you to push yourself. The king doesn't care about such details, so it's fine if Opal doesn't appear. You don't have to deal with the troublesome social circles."

Claude was indeed considerate of Opal. The social circles were indeed troublesome, and Opal hated them, but she was willing to work hard for Claude. However, she didn't want to be a burden to him, so she put on a haughty face and declared clearly.

"I'll take that as a challenge. After I marry Claude, I'll make the troublesome social circles enjoyable. And I'll take control of the social circles of the Taisei Kingdom."

Claude's eyes widened at Opal's bold declaration, but he quickly smiled and replied.

"Of course, Opal. You're reliable."

Thus, Opal's new battle began.