Chapter 37

"Wh-What are you doing…"

"I've seen many foolish men, but you are beyond redemption."

Saying this to the stunned Eriq, Opal stood up to leave the room. Suddenly, her arm was grabbed.

"What a woman!"

"What a man!"

Eriq, seemingly losing himself in anger, glared at Opal. However, when Opal looked down at her grabbed arm and repeated similar words, Eriq hastily let go. It seemed he still had a bit of reason left.

"What are you going to do about these wet clothes?"

"Oh, don't worry. Any ordinary woman would have a handkerchief, so you could borrow one. Unfortunately, I don't have a handkerchief to lend to someone like you."

"Can I go out in front of everyone like this?"

"Is that so? If you're talking about an ordinary woman—someone who doesn't make a fuss even when in danger, doesn't eat even when hungry, takes full responsibility for not being able to bear an heir, and accepts being divorced and left penniless without a word—such a virtuous woman would be lenient, wouldn't she? No, they wouldn't even have an opinion, so there's no problem."

"What nonsense…"

Eriq stopped speaking and then blushed. He finally seemed to understand that each of Opal's words was a reflection of his own.

"That's not true—"

"Eriq, don't say another word. It only exposes your foolishness."

Interrupting Eriq's attempt to defend himself was a man Opal didn't know. But his identity was soon clear.

"Brother, why would you say such a thing…"

"It's because you and she are not of the same rank."

"That's not—"

"Be quiet, Eriq. —Miss Holloway, my brother was extremely rude."

"…I think the rudeness is on your part. Viscount Amadi?"

She called his name as if asking, since she hadn't been introduced. The man, who seemed to be Viscount Amadi, smiled and made a grand bow.

"You are quite right. I am Viscount Amadi Turi Bapott. My foolish brother and I have been rude."

"…I am Opal Holloway. But what I'm saying isn't because I haven't been introduced. It's about your words."

"Mine?"

Hearing Opal's words, Turi's pleasant expression turned to one of suspicion. However, Opal nodded with a smile.

"What do you mean by 'rank'? If I were of a lower 'rank' than your brother, what would you have done? Would you have ignored his rudeness or come to my aid? Either way, it's a despicable action. You were drinking carelessly while my back was turned, even as your brother berated me. Regardless of my 'rank,' both of you have shown improper behavior towards a woman."

Opal had noticed Turi entering the room as soon as she sat down. But Eriq, driven by anger, seemed to have no time to look around. Eriq was now apparently angry at Opal's attitude towards Turi. He opened his mouth to say something but was stopped by Turi's hand.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to, but it seems I have caused you discomfort."

Hearing Turi's insincere apology, Opal's heart grew cold. In contrast, her smile deepened.

"You didn't mean to? Have you ever considered how much your words and actions can hurt someone? Do you think that 'I didn't mean to' excuses everything? 'I didn't mean to' is no excuse. But if you can't take responsibility just because you didn't mean to, perhaps you should give up your position and honor. Instead of offering a superficial apology."

Eriq's foolishness angered her, and Turi's arrogance was unbearable. Nearly ten years ago, Opal had been hurt many times by the 'innocent' games and bets of so-called gentlemen. The cost of one scandal was high, and the wounds from that time still lingered.

Eriq and Turi, who had never been spoken to like this before, looked at Opal as if she were a rare animal. Raised as the heir to a marquessate, Turi and his brother Eriq were likely taught to be rulers. During the plague and the struggle for the throne eight years ago, their arrogance probably turned into strength, earning them titles and power regardless of their family. This might have boosted their confidence, but in the coming era, the arrogance of the nobility would be a hindrance. While she didn't want to ruin her friendship with Claude and Turi or Eriq, she also didn't want to compromise her principles. Opal's smile vanished, and she coldly declared:

"Please continue your friendship with Claude. But try to avoid me as much as possible. I will also try to avoid you."

As Opal turned to leave, Claude happened to be entering. He must have heard the conversation, for he quickly stood beside Opal and gave Eriq and Turi a stern look.

"I support Opal. So even though I invited you, I don't want you at the wedding."

Claude firmly declared this before Eriq and Turi could say anything, and he led the surprised Opal away. Opal followed without greeting them.

"…I'm sorry."

"Opal, your bad habit is taking on responsibilities that aren't yours. So you end up apologizing for things you shouldn't."

"Claude…"

Claude, who looked tired, sighed. Opal didn't think her stance was wrong, but she regretted that it might have caused trouble for Claude's friends.

"You've caused unnecessary trouble between friends. …I'm sorry, Claude."

"That's not the point. If a friendship can be broken by someone joining, it wasn't a strong relationship. They are capable in their work, but that doesn't excuse their insensitivity. If they don't abandon their arrogant, rank-bound thinking, they won't keep up with the changes in the coming era."

"But…"

"Don't worry. They're not stupid. They'll realize what the problem is. I, too, need to change. In the past few years, we've achieved a lot by pushing forward relentlessly, but I think we've lost sight of our surroundings. If we don't open up this closed society, it will eventually rot and collapse, or be destroyed from the outside."

"…So, should I be the one to open the hole?"

"No, Opal, do what you want. The king probably hoped for that too, didn't he?"

Claude, of course, had noticed Alessandro's intentions during their audience two days ago. Regret didn't suit Opal. She should use her failures to improve and move forward. Resolved, she nodded firmly.

"You can trust me with that."

Suddenly, she realized where they were heading and panicked.

"Claude, aren't we going back to the venue?"

"I've already fulfilled my obligations, so it's fine."

"But we haven't greeted the king."

"Don't worry. The king understands."

"What about your parents?"

"My mother said she's fulfilled her duty and went back to the carriage with my father."

"Then we shouldn't keep them waiting too long…"

"Don't worry. Since we're together, they might even prefer we don't disturb them."

Claude exaggeratedly showed his exasperation, and Opal laughed. When they reached the carriage, the baron and baroness were indeed already inside.

"Oh, it's good that you took your time."

The baroness's words made Claude give a knowing look, and Opal bit her lip to suppress a laugh. She was about to become part of this warm family. Shaking off her bad mood, Opal looked forward to the wedding in two days.