Chapter 31

The next day.

The carriage from the Rucel Marquis's mansion arrived at the royal castle without taking much time.

Of course, Opal had realized the castle was close by as soon as she arrived at the mansion, but what surprised her was that they didn't stop once until they reached the carriage entrance at the front of the castle.

This alone revealed Claude's position within the castle.

"…Hey, I know it's a bit late to ask, but what position does Claude hold in the castle?"

"Oh, right. I haven't explained that yet. He's a secretary."

"Wait, you don't mean the Secretary to the King, do you?"

"Well, I was going to resign because I'm leaving the King's side this time, but it's been put on hold, so I think I'll probably be reinstated."

"Are the people in this country's social circles all fools? To reject the Secretary to the King…"

"Officially, they are very favorable. They even flatter me. But behind my back, they say whatever they want. So, Opal, if you hear something you don't know about the country's customs, just ignore it. It's a new custom created to exclude foreigners."

"If that's the case, leave it to me."

When Opal answered with a proud chest, Claude laughed happily.

His smile gave her courage.

"That's right. There are many women who appear weak, but Claude chose me."

Opal's strong personality hasn't changed since she was a child.

Since he proposed to her, saying he liked such a strong-willed woman, she should trust Claude.

Thinking this, Opal's anxiety disappeared.

"Before we go into battle, can you tell me who Claude doesn't want as an enemy?"

"Oh, that's easy. The only person I don't want as an enemy is Opal."

"Claude… I'm asking seriously."

"Yeah, I'm answering seriously too."

Opal glared at Claude, who was joking.

But Claude kept smiling.

In the end, Opal couldn't suppress the laughter rising in her and asked more seriously.

"But surely you can't make the King your enemy, right?"

"On the contrary, Opal. The King doesn't want me as an enemy."

"…That's quite a bold statement. If someone heard it, it could be considered disrespectful."

"The King would laugh and agree."

Looking at Claude's smiling face, Opal sighed deeply.

Although he was joking, there must be something.

In these eight years, Opal had grown despite her struggles, but Claude had grown even more.

He might have even risked his life.

Thinking this, Opal became anxious again.

Was this marriage really the right choice?

Was there a more suitable woman in this country to support Claude?

Thinking this far, Opal suddenly realized.

She had just regained her confidence, so why was she being so timid?

If Claude needed support, she could be it.

Opal was still a newcomer in this country, but she had knowledge, experience, and wealth.

She wasn't a young girl who would sulk and hide in the attic anymore.

Her emotional instability was due to nervousness, and anyone would be nervous about meeting the King of this country.

"…Claude"

"Yeah, are you okay?"

"I am nervous, but I'm fine. It's just that you might regret choosing me."

"I won't."

"Then I'll make you regret it. You'll wonder why you got such a strong-willed wife."

"That sounds exciting."

This time, Claude laughed out loud, and the people passing by turned to look in surprise.

They were already drawing attention, but now they were being looked at without restraint.

But Opal, who had lived in the countryside for a while, was used to people's gazes and didn't mind.

Even if they were malicious, it didn't matter.

And Claude also didn't seem to mind, looking dignified.

Moreover, the maid Najya, who accompanied them, walked a little behind without flinching, looking around curiously.

"Thank you for coming with me, Najya."

"It's my pleasure, Miss! To bring me to such a wonderful place!"

Opal smiled at Najya, who maintained her own pace, and then looked forward.

Najya had apparently worked as a maid-in-training at a marquis's house through the connections of Opal's father, the Holloway Marquis.

She did this to become a proper maid and be by Opal's side, as Opal had no allies in her previous marriage to the MacLaud Duke.

When Opal heard this from the Holloway Marquis's housekeeper, Marcia, she was moved and asked Najya to come with her for this marriage.

There might be many enemies in this country.

But with two strong allies right by her side, Opal regained her confidence and smiled at the people who were looking at her curiously.

"Opal, don't be so charming. I might go mad with jealousy."

"Do you not trust me?"

"It's not a problem with you, but with me. I trust you, but I can't control the hearts of those who fall for you. But I can't stand the idea of Opal existing in other men's hearts."

"I agree. I get jealous even if Claude exists in other women's hearts."

"I'm jealous of both of you!"

Najya, who had been listening to their banter, interrupted without hesitation.

Although it was impolite for a servant, neither Opal nor Claude minded and laughed.

Just then, they seemed to have arrived at their destination, and Claude stopped to knock on the door, then opened it without waiting for a response.

"The King will be informed of our arrival, so he'll call us soon. Let's wait here until then."

After checking the room, Claude gestured for Opal to enter first. Najya followed, entering the room hesitantly, and Claude closed the door.

He then rang the bell, and a young girl in the uniform of a royal castle maid appeared. Claude asked her to prepare tea, not in a commanding tone, which made Opal happy.

No matter what position he held, Claude hadn't changed.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing."

"Okay?"

Claude asked, looking curious at Opal's smile.

Since she couldn't explain her warm feelings well, Opal gave a safe answer, and Claude didn't press further.

Just then, a knock sounded, and when Claude responded, a man's voice was heard.

It seemed to be a friend, and Claude quickly opened the door and invited him in.

"Opal, I'm sorry to do this so suddenly, but I want to introduce you to my friend. This is Erik Bapott, the Baron of Prado. Erik, this is my fiancée, soon to be my wife, Opal. Well, I've talked about Opal so much that there's no need to introduce her."

"Yeah, I know. I've heard so much about her that I'm tired of it."

Opal stood up to greet the man, and Claude introduced them.

Erik seemed very close to Claude, but Opal had a gut feeling.

He harbored hostility towards her.

"Nice to meet you, Baron Prado. I'm Opal Holloway."

"Not MacLaud?"

"Erik!"

"Just kidding, Claude. Nice to meet you, Miss Holloway. Claude has always been admired by many young and beautiful ladies, but I understand why he chose you. You are very beautiful."

"Thank you."

Opal's intuition was correct, and Erik was nothing but sarcastic.

Claude seemed to notice immediately, but Opal smiled to show that she was fine, and he backed off.

She couldn't stand being protected by Claude alone.

Claude, sensing Opal's determination, sighed as if giving up.