Chapter 45

"Ah, you really are... a terrible, devil-like person!"

"Really? But Lady, you are such a kind person? Well, you can be a bit stubborn, strict, and inflexible, but you can't ignore someone in trouble because you are so emotional! There's no way you would cross the sea just to be a spectator."

"Najya..."

While Beth sobbed and pleaded, Najya, who had been silent all along, could no longer hold back.

Although she suddenly interrupted to argue, the content was a bit awkward, and Opal couldn't help but smile wryly, unsure of what to say.

However, Beth, surprised by the appearance of a new person, stopped her tears.

"Who are you?"

"I am the Lady's maid. I have known her for a long time."

When Beth, though frightened, asked, Najya answered proudly.

This seemed to displease Beth, who glared at Najya.

"I was a maid too. But this person is very cold—"

"Ha!? That's impossible! There is no one as angelic as the Lady!"

"Um, Najya? Your words are very kind, but this isn't the time... Beth, could you let us into the room?"

With Najya's intervention, the conversation was about to go off track, and Opal, who was afraid of being left out, hurriedly interjected.

It was better to avoid standing at the entrance and arguing, which would attract attention and tire everyone out.

When she suggested that Beth let them into the room, Beth, distracted by Najya's appearance, obediently led them in.

The interior, as decrepit as the exterior, was as expected, but Opal was surprised by the lack of furniture.

There was a small round table and a chair on a worn carpet.

There was no fireplace, no sofa, no bench, and no chest.

While Opal, born into wealth, might not know much about the common people's lives, it was clear that life in this room was impoverished.

However, when she took another step inside, she saw a door and felt a sense of relief.

"Is there another room behind that door?"

"It's just a bedroom that's full with a bed."

"Then where do you cook? Where are the bathroom and the washroom?"

"They are all communal. Do you have any more questions?"

Beth, who seemed ready to give birth at any moment, stood with her hands on her hips, challenging Opal to complain.

Although Opal felt sympathy, she maintained her usual assertive attitude and smiled.

"Then I'll ask without hesitation. Who is the father of your child?"

The straightforward question made Beth gasp.

Her face turned slightly pale, but there was no sign of fear or disgust.

Opal suppressed her urge to press further and opened the door without permission.

"What are you doing!?"

"Unwelcome guests are impolite."

Saying this, Opal sat on a small bed without a mattress.

Despite the hard feeling of the floor beneath the blanket, Opal did not show it on her face and gestured for Beth to sit.

"Standing for too long must be uncomfortable. Let's sit and talk."

"I'm not your maid anymore!"

"Yes, that's true. I have a capable maid now, so I don't need a rebellious one."

While inwardly praying that Beth wouldn't be stubborn, Opal smiled again.

Seeing Opal's seemingly wicked attitude, Najya grinned.

Beth, overwhelmed by the audacity of the two intruders, seemed to have given up and sighed heavily, sitting next to Opal.

"…Why did you come here?"

"Because I was angry after hearing your story."

"Angry at me?"

"At you and everyone around you."

Beth, stung by Opal's harsh words, almost cried but held back.

Opal took a basket from Najya, who was standing at the entrance of the small bedroom, and handed it to Beth.

"It's a bit late, but it's a gift."

"A gift?"

"Yes. I didn't know what you liked, so I had them pack some non-perishable items."

When Opal removed the cloth covering the basket, Beth's face lit up.

It seemed she had been cutting back on her meals.

"Does the father of your child provide any support?"

"That is…"

"He is quite irresponsible, isn't he?"

"Lord Kymont is not irresponsible! He promised to come for me!"

Beth mentioned the father's name but didn't seem to realize it.

While glaring at Opal, her eyes betrayed her anxiety.

Her words seemed more to reassure herself than to convince Opal.

Kymont had pursued Opal several times when she was single, and she remembered him well.

After reading the report Claude had prepared, she was disappointed to find that he hadn't changed.

While she was relieved that Beth hadn't been forced, she felt sorry for Beth, who seemed to be deceived.

"…Are you still in contact with him?"

"Now… I'm waiting for the dust to settle. If the matter becomes too noisy, Lord Kymont might be disowned by the Earl. If that happens, he will be removed from the list of heirs, and our life together will become difficult. So, the Earl will speak to him at the right time."

"See…"

While Opal answered calmly, she was inwardly furious.

According to Claude's report, Jeff Kymont, the second son of the Earl, had already inherited a significant fortune.

Yet, he let Beth dream of a sweet future without providing any support and was still living a frivolous and decadent life.

"Well, I'll be going now. I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion."

Saying this, Opal stood up and helped Beth, who was trying to stand.

Beth looked at Opal in surprise.

"Actually, I wanted to say that you don't need to see me off, but you need to check the locks."

As Opal and Beth left the bedroom, Najya hurriedly stood up from the chair.

She seemed more embarrassed about sitting in the only chair without Beth's permission than worried about being scolded for resting.

However, Beth, who seemed to be in a state of awkwardness, followed Opal without paying attention to such details.

Opal stood at the door leading outside and turned to look at Beth intently.

"Life has its share of very difficult and sad moments, but it also has many happy and joyful moments. So, please take care of yourself and don't overexert yourself."

"…Yes."

Beth's voice was small and weak, but her face did not show despair.

Opal smiled gently, as if to encourage her, and left the old, cramped room with Najya.