Chapter 55

"Ah! You're Cave's son! I'm sorry for not recognizing you right away."

"No, it's... I take after my mother, so it can't be helped. Still, my mother passed away ten years ago, so it's just what people say. My father often said that if my mother were alive, she would have made the duke's house even more comfortable."

"That's right... But Cave was very kind to me even on his own. I'm just sorry I couldn't properly thank him at the end, but I wonder if the letter of gratitude I sent reached him?"

"Yes. My father was moved to tears. However, he was disappointed that he couldn't write a reply. He could read, but he couldn't write..."

When she heard the name of Cave, the coachman of the MacLaud Duke's household, Opal came out from behind Claude and took Alan's hand, delighted.

Cave was the only servant who had been kind to Opal when she was isolated in the duke's household. At some point, he had mentioned that he was thinking of sending his son to work, which led to the arrangement for the servants to receive education.

As Opal was reminiscing happily, Claude's cool voice sounded.

"Opal, it's nice to reminisce, but what's the purpose of coming here?"

"Oh, that's right."

"H-hold on a moment!"

Opal, who had completely forgotten her purpose, was prompted by Claude to request a correction to the article. However, this time the editor-in-chief exclaimed in a panic.

"Is this the Lady Opal! The one from the article, last night, the former Duchess MacLaud, Opal Holloway!?"

"That's correct. I would like to answer that, but there is a slight error, so I came here today to request a correction."

"R-really... The former Duchess MacLaud, Opal Holloway..."

"No, that's why—"

"It's real! It's a scoop!"

Without listening to Opal, the editor-in-chief's shout caused a commotion in the office. Everyone stood up and rushed toward Opal, but Claude's stern voice rang out.

"Quiet!"

Though his voice wasn't particularly loud, everyone stopped immediately. When the office became quiet again, he continued slowly.

"I appreciate your welcome, but if everyone moves at once in this small room, someone might get hurt. Please calm down."

"S-sorry, Lord Claude. I got carried away... Look, everyone, return to your seats."

Everyone seemed to calm down at Claude's matter-of-fact words. When the editor-in-chief shooed them away, they obediently returned to their seats. However, they kept glancing at Opal while pretending to work.

"I'm sorry for the commotion. I found this morning's newspaper very interesting. I especially appreciate the favorable coverage of last night's incident."

"It's not just favorable; it's the truth!"

"...I won't ask where you got the information last night. But the article is inaccurate, so I want it corrected."

"Wh-what!?"

When Opal thanked him for the article, Alan's face lit up. However, when she mentioned the correction, the editor-in-chief was surprised, and Alan looked uncomfortable. He probably knew about her remarriage.

"The correction I want is my name. I have remarried to the Marquis Lucel of the Kingdom of Taisei, so I am now Lady Opal Lucel."

"Huh... Marquis Lucel?"

The editor-in-chief reacted again. While Claude knew about the Marquis Lucel, the editor-in-chief did not. And while Alan knew about the Marquis Lucel, he didn't know his true identity.

"Wait, this is Marquis Lucel? But Marquis Lucel is an old, wealthy—"

"Grandpa, you thought?"

Claude continued where Alan hesitated. Alan's expression became even more uncomfortable, and Claude chuckled.

"Perhaps you were keeping the remarriage a secret to protect Opal's reputation?"

"That's... yes."

Claude's observation made Alan nod. Opal, not understanding, tilted her head.

"If people knew that you divorced the Duke MacLaud and received a settlement, then remarried an old, wealthy man, they might not have a good impression."

"Oh, I see."

To Opal, her reputation didn't matter, but if it could lead to better donations and support for the charity, it would be better. Realizing this, Opal smiled gratefully at Alan.

"Thank you, Alan. You were thinking about the charity."

"Eh? No, that's—"

"But I'm not ashamed of anything. In fact, I'm proud of it, so I would like a correction article."

"...Yes."

"No, no, wait a moment!"

Just as Opal and Alan reached an agreement, the editor-in-chief's voice cut in. He actually inserted himself between them.

"Do you have a complaint?"

"No, not a complaint, but a question! Lord Claude is Marquis Lucel of the Kingdom of Taisei!?"

"I have the honor of being a marquis now."

"At this point, the title doesn't matter. The relationship between Lord Claude and the Lucel family!"

The editor-in-chief grabbed a random piece of paper and pen from a nearby desk. The others in the office, thinking "the title does matter," kept quiet and waited for Claude's response. Claude glanced at Opal, smiled, and turned back to the editor-in-chief.

"I'll tell you. But I'll charge for the interview."

"Y-yes. I'll pay the standard fee."

"Then I'll charge ten times that."

"That's outrageous!"

"Ah, I think it's worth it. My husband, Marquis Lucel, is a mystery in the Kingdom of Sosie. So much so that rumors of him being an old, wealthy man have spread. And last night, he finally appeared, but most people still don't know his true identity. It's sure to be a big scoop."

"A big scoop..."

Opal added, understanding Claude's plan. The editor-in-chief seemed intrigued. Claude pressed on.

"All the interview fees will be donated to the charity Opal founded, in the name of this newspaper."

"Even if it's used for publicity?"

"Of course. I'll talk to the CEO."

"Thank you! Then, to a private room. Hey, Alan."

"Y-yes!"

The editor-in-chief, almost dancing, headed to a small room. Opal and Claude followed, and Alan hurried back to his desk to prepare his writing tools. The interview didn't take long. However, the next morning's newspaper featured the dramatic romance of Opal and Claude, capturing the hearts of the people, especially women.