Chapter 40

The wedding with Hubert was very cold.

After the ceremony, which proceeded in a matter-of-fact manner, ended, the few attendees offered perfunctory words of congratulations, and there was no reception.

Now, not only the attendees but also the villagers who had gathered around the chapel were offering their blessings.

Opal was delighted to receive such pure congratulations from so many people.

"Claude, what should I do..."

"Are you okay? What happened?"

"It might sound really cliché... but..."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I'm scared of being too happy."

She never thought she would say such words.

She thought she would be laughed at, but Claude nodded seriously and placed his hand over Opal's, which was resting on his arm.

"I'm scared too. I feel like it's a dream. I couldn't sleep last night either."

"Claude..."

Hearing Claude, who always seemed so confident, admit his weakness, Opal felt a tightness in her chest.

They had just gotten married and officially become husband and wife, yet she felt as if she were still in a one-sided love, her heart racing.

At the same time, she remembered something she needed to tell him, and her face turned red.

"Um, I need to tell you—"

"Claude! Stop admiring your bride and come on!"

Opal's words were interrupted by the teasing of Claude's eldest brother.

The two of them, who had stopped just outside the chapel, must have looked like they were staring at each other.

They were, but Opal turned to the crowd, blushing and smiling.

She felt a bit embarrassed because the people of the baron's household had known her since she was a child.

Claude seemed to notice that she was about to say something but, understanding her feelings, did not press her and instead glared at his brother exaggeratedly.

"It's not as bad as when you got married, but I'm not losing in terms of feelings."

Saying this, Claude turned a mischievous smile toward his sister-in-law and then looked back at Opal.

Opal, pushing aside her embarrassment, returned his smile.

Surrounded by everyone's blessings and smiles, they got into the carriage, and Opal let out a big sigh.

Next, there was a reception at the manor.

"Are you tired?"

"No, I'm fine. But my chest feels so full it hurts."

Pressing her chest, Opal answered, and Claude smiled gently without saying anything.

It was this side of Claude that made Opal weak.

He could reassure her even without words.

"Claude is so unfair."

"What do you mean?"

"It seems like you know everything about me."

"I don't know everything."

"But you know more about me than I know about you. For example..."

"For example?"

Trying to say it all at once, Opal hesitated.

After all, Claude might not have considered that they had been married for seven years without anything happening.

Still, she believed Claude would understand.

"W-well, I've never... you know, had that kind of experience."

"Experience with what?"

"Y-you know what I mean!"

Embarrassed, her tone became harsher.

Now, her stubborn side showed, and she couldn't be honest.

Claude looked at her curiously.

"That kind of experience...?"

"H-husband and wife things."

Unable to bear Claude's gaze, Opal turned her face away and looked out the window.

However, she wasn't really looking at the scenery; all her nerves were focused on Claude.

"Wait, but you've been married for seven years, right?"

"Well, we lived separately."

"Even so..."

While Opal answered confidently, she began to feel anxious about Claude's reaction.

She thought it wasn't a big deal, but perhaps it was a problem.

"Is it that strange? Is there a problem? Am I not good enough?"

"No way! There's no problem with you! The problem is with me—"

As Opal, who had lost all her energy, asked, Claude strongly denied it.

He started to say something but then closed his mouth.

"With you?"

"Nothing, it's nothing."

Despite Opal's best efforts to open up, Claude didn't give a proper answer.

This made Opal feel indignant, and she forgot her embarrassment.

"Claude, talk properly."

"It's not a big deal, don't worry about it."

"I will worry. It just makes me more curious."

"Then, I'll tell you later."

"What? Later when? I can't wait that long."

"I can't wait either! Why are you saying this now, here!"

"Well, I didn't know when to say it! Why are you angry! Is it really not okay!?"

"No, it's not that! It's not your fault! It's just—"

"Is something wrong? Are you fighting already?"

Neither Opal nor Claude noticed that the carriage had stopped.

Moreover, because they didn't get out, Opal's father opened the door himself.

He might have called out to them, but Opal glared at her father in frustration.

"Father, don't just open it."

"Opal, if you don't control that strong-willed nature, you'll be abandoned."

"That's one of Opal's charms."

Claude, who was always calm, smiled and defended Opal, making her unable to say anything more.

The earl shrugged and left the scene, looking exasperated.

"Bad. We've kept everyone waiting."

Seeing the line of servants in front of the manor, Claude muttered apologetically.

After receiving the servants' blessings, Opal and Claude would have to welcome the reception guests.

Her father had returned early, probably planning to leave early.

Perhaps this was his way of giving advice.

(He's not just clumsy...)

Opal, helped by Claude, got out of the carriage and watched her father's retreating back.

Claude squeezed her hand and leaned closer.

"I love everything about you, Opal."

"W-well, I find it embarrassing when you say things like that."

"Sorry."

"...I'm lying."

"Huh?"

Claude, who had defended her against her father, was embarrassed, and she ended up saying something negative.

But Claude didn't get angry; he apologized.

Disliking her inability to be honest, Opal squeezed his hand back and, gathering her courage, revealed her true feelings.

"It's embarrassing, but... I like it even more. I love you, Claude."

"Thank you, Opal. I'm really happy. But still, saying that now—"

"Congratulations on your marriage!"

Claude, blushing slightly, tried to say something but was interrupted by the butler's words of congratulations on behalf of the servants.

From then on, everything happened quickly, and they welcomed the night without having a chance to talk privately.