Chapter 66

The next day.

After finishing breakfast, Opal immediately had the housekeeper show her around the consulate.

The interior was well-maintained, and there didn't seem to be any areas that needed changing.

To indicate that everything was fine as it was, she decided to leave the management of the keys to the consulate to Connelly and the housekeeper as before.

However, she would take the keys to the master bedroom from Connelly and the keys to the study and library from the housekeeper.

The housekeeper, perhaps relieved to know she wouldn't lose her job, relaxed her tense body, but her aloofness remained unchanged.

It was only natural, considering she had only been there for two days.

However, Opal could feel the rejection from everyone, not just the housekeeper, but all the staff working at the consulate.

She was used to such treatment, but the problem was Duncan.

"The house can wait. But we need to address the farmland urgently, and Duncan... "

"Apparently, the previous land manager was Duncan's father. He was stubborn and inflexible, not even allowing the peasants to take a break from work if they were sick or injured. The late Duke liked that about him. As a result, Duncan was raised strictly. But everyone says he still has a bit of compassion."

"I see."

When Opal complained, Naja immediately shared the information she had just gathered.

Unlike the previous MacLeod family, she had such a reliable ally.

Opal deliberately continued to grumble.

"When I suggested new farming tools to Duncan, he called them 'tools of the devil' and rejected them. Are the people around here very religious?"

"Duncan apparently rejects anything he doesn't understand, calling it the work of the devil. He does the same with plagues, railways, and young girls."

"Young girls too? It seems I've found Duncan's weakness."

Opal answered brightly and jokingly, but she was impressed by Naja's information-gathering skills.

She had gathered so much in such a short time.

Naja, who should have been equally wary and isolated, had done an excellent job.

"Thank you so much, Naja."

"It's nothing. If Duncan worships the devil, then I am a follower of the Opal faith."

"Wait, don't believe in strange religions. And Duncan doesn't worship the devil."

When Opal expressed her heartfelt gratitude, Naja smiled and puffed out her chest.

Opal laughed despite herself as she teased her.

After finishing her afternoon tea, she decided to take a walk around the consulate grounds with Claude, her dog.

Naja helped her get ready, and they headed to the front door.

Connelly slowly approached them.

"Madam, where are you going?"

"I'm going to take Claude for a walk."

"Alone?"

"Not far. I just want to look around a bit."

"But..."

"Claude will be with me. He's very smart, so it'll be fine."

Since she was still not used to the land and the people, she had Claude on a leash.

He seemed restless, either because he found it uncomfortable or because he wanted to go outside.

Connelly looked doubtful but said nothing, opening the front door and bowing.

"Thank you, Connelly."

"Have a good day, Madam."

Claude was excited but didn't pull Opal as they descended the front steps.

Opal adjusted her hat and thought about which direction to go.

The consulate grounds were vast, and it would take half a day just to walk around the front garden.

"Well, where should we go, Claude?"

Claude, who was not yet a year old, was mischievous but very smart and had been everyone's favorite companion on the journey.

He sat obediently by Opal's side, waiting for her to decide.

"Let's start by walking around the consulate grounds."

Thinking it wouldn't take too long, Opal started walking.

Claude, who wanted to run, adjusted his pace to match hers.

She thought about asking one of the young servants, who had taken good care of Claude during the trip, to let him run later.

As she walked, she saw another young servant approaching.

"Oh, Julian. Meeting you here is a surprise. Are you also taking a walk?"

"No, Connelly asked me to check on you. This area is densely wooded, and it's easy to get lost if you're not careful."

"I see. Then I should thank Connelly for his concern."

When Opal answered honestly, Julian smiled.

His smile was friendly but had a hint of something deeper, which was probably what appealed to women.

"Madam, I'll take the leash."

"Thank you."

Thinking it would be easier to focus on the conversation, Opal handed the leash to Julian.

Claude looked back once but didn't seem to mind who held the leash and soon looked forward again.

"Until yesterday, you were in the northern port, Passma, right?"

"Yes. I went to import the stone used for the consulate walls. I needed to ensure it was properly unloaded from the ship."

"Importing more stone... Are you planning to expand?"

"For repairs. A large tree fell during last month's storm and damaged the wall. We used up all the spare stone, so we needed to restock. Connelly wants to keep the consulate in perfect condition."

"I see."

Opal looked up at the consulate.

The white walls shone as if they were polished daily.

Maintaining such a grand building must require a significant amount of money.

(Well, that's fine, but if it's at the expense of the peasants, it's wrong.)

Opal decided to review the accounts and continued her walk.

Julian pointed out various things about the grounds and introduced her to gardeners and others they met along the way.

"How long have you been here, Julian?"

"Not very long. That's why everyone is kind to me, a newcomer."

"That's good to hear."

Although she felt he had deftly avoided the question, Opal didn't press further.

If she wanted to know more, she could ask someone else.

She changed the subject.

"What do you think of Duncan?"

"Well... He's strict, but honest, hardworking, and trustworthy."

"You're quite complimentary. Tell me the truth, I won't tell anyone."

"... I don't trust women when they say 'I won't tell anyone.'"

"Oh, then I can't complain, can I?"

Opal laughed at Julian's joking response.

He continued to entertain her with various stories, making her first walk around the grounds a pleasant experience.