Chapter 58

"Madam Rucel, you're coming back, right!?"

"Thank you, Madam Rucel!"

"Please come back again!"

"Your home is here, Marquis!"

Amid the crowd of Mantes' people, Opal got into the carriage with Claude, waving and smiling.

They would head to the railway station a little further away, switch to a locomotive, and then go to the port.

They were finally returning to Taishi Kingdom.

Opal, sitting next to Claude, let out a sigh of relief as the carriage started moving.

Ever since that newspaper article, Opal and Claude were always welcomed wherever they went.

Though she tried to meet their expectations, Opal felt uncomfortable, as if she were deceiving everyone.

"It seems the shortage of manpower is still the main issue."

"On the bright side, everything else is going smoothly."

After successfully sending Beth to the facility in the capital, Opal received a visit from Hubert the next morning.

He came to apologize and express gratitude for the recent media coverage about Beth.

Hubert also reported that, after discussions with Marianne and her parents, the Ruffon Count and Countess, they had decided to postpone the engagement.

Stella, too, had decided to live in a place far from the capital.

Although Opal had things to say, she chose to listen and then they discussed Mantes together.

Now, Opal and Claude had just finished their inspection of Mantes.

The mineral deposits were abundant, and the land was developing steadily, but the supply was not keeping up with demand due to a shortage of manpower.

Of course, there were other minor issues, but they needed to address each one.

However, Opal already had a plan to solve the manpower shortage.

"Have the arrangements been made?"

"Yes, that's why I specifically asked Alan to come along. Alan doesn't want to write false articles."

"False articles...?"

"Regarding my name, it's not that he wrote lies, but that he didn't write the truth."

"It's all in how you say it."

Opal is not only the Marchioness of Rucel but also the former Duchess of MacLeod.

Both titles are correct, so sometimes she uses the higher one, and sometimes both.

However, she prefers to use Claude's title rather than Hubert's.

"Do you not want to see the draft?"

"No, it's fine. Alan's articles can be a bit exaggerated at times, but they are very easy and clear to read. If Alan writes something negative about the work in Mantes, it means he had a negative impression, which is something we might not have noticed. I want to read that."

"But what if the crucial workers don't gather because of that?"

"Then we'll have to make efforts to gather them. Until then, we might have to reduce production. ...Of course, this is my opinion. If Claude, Father, or the Duke of MacLeod disagree, I will follow their decision."

"Your words sound like you're ready for a fight."

Claude laughed.

To address the manpower shortage in Mantes, they decided to place a recruitment advertisement in the most widely read newspaper.

However, Opal suggested that it would be better to have a journalist conduct an interview.

Ordinary advertisements are mundane, but an interview article would make the work more understandable and interesting to readers.

They also told Alan to conduct interviews with the miners without disrupting their work.

Of course, Opal and Claude promised to listen to and address the concerns of the workers in Mantes.

"I thought you were opposing it because you were being negative, unlike your opinion yesterday."

"I am in favor. The Earl of Holloway and the Duke of MacLeod have entrusted this to us. However, there are all kinds of people in the world, and some will interpret this negatively, which could become a hindrance in the future."

"I understand. I've received more than enough malice in the past. That's why I can face it, and I know the world isn't full of malice."

"But if something happens, Opal will be the one standing at the forefront."

Opal had noticed Claude's bad mood since they arrived in Mantes and smiled when she realized the cause.

She decided to publicize her role as one of the managers of Mantes' land development, using her fame to become a prominent figure.

Claude was worried about this, but he didn't oppose it because he recognized its effectiveness and respected Opal's opinion.

"If I don't step forward and something happens in Mantes, Claude might be the one standing at the forefront. It could be Father or the Duke. In any case, we will all work together to solve the problem."

"But there's a difference between us and Opal—"

Claude stopped mid-sentence, looking regretful when he saw Opal's expression.

Claude wasn't rejecting Opal, but the world was.

Opal, feeling hurt, forced a smile.

"I'm going to hear a lot of 'That's why women—' in the future. I'll get angry, and I'll cry out of frustration, but I'll face it. I want Claude to be there for me. If you tell me it'll be okay as you always do, it really will be."

"Then leave it to me. It's my specialty."

Claude answered with a laugh, but his eyes were serious.

Opal, feeling her heart warm, looked into his eyes without averting her gaze.

"Thank you, Claude."

"I haven't done anything."

"You've done everything."

Claude gazed at Opal, then gently touched her soft cheek.

—He was going to kiss her.

Just as Opal closed her eyes, her cheek was pinched.

"Hey!"

"Your cheeks are still easy to pinch."

"Wh-What do you mean? They're not easy to pinch at all!"

She slapped his hand away in protest, but Claude just grinned.

Claude had a habit of suddenly pinching her cheeks.

"Look, if you don't smile, the reputation of the Marchioness of Rucel will be ruined."

"The Marchioness of Rucel doesn't care about her reputation."

With that, Opal stomped on Claude's foot hard.

Claude groaned in pain, leaning forward, and Opal said in a composed voice:

"Look, if you don't smile, the reputation of the Marquis of Rucel will be ruined."

"Opal—"

Claude was about to complain when a knock on the carriage door interrupted him.

Opal answered with a cheerful voice, and the door opened.

"Let's make sure the reputation of the Marquis and Marchioness of Rucel is solid."

"Stubborn and can't stand losing?"

"I don't care even if I am."

"Just kidding."

The two of them lightly bickered as they got out of the carriage, smiling and waving to the crowd.

They waved to the people gathered at the station as they boarded the special carriage.

The journey to the port would be quick, and they would arrive in Taishi Kingdom by evening.

"Well, are you ready to return to Taishi Kingdom?"

"I don't need to be ready."

"Then let's go."

Nodding at Opal's confident response, Claude signaled the station master waiting outside.

The whistle blew loudly, the carriage shook, and they started moving.

Opal and Claude smiled and waved out the window to the people seeing them off.