Chapter 67

From the next day, Opal struggled to persuade Duncan. She showed him the large scythes she had brought and explained, but Duncan listened silently and did not nod in agreement. When it was suggested to try it out in practice, even having one of the guard knights cut a thicket they found during a stroll did not work. Opal could fire Duncan, but that would be a last resort.

(Duncan is strict and solid, stubborn, but he seems to be well-respected by the people of the domain...)

Opal sighed deeply as she gazed at the neatly maintained garden from her room’s window. How could she convince Duncan of the advantages of using the scythes? She could order the people of the domain to use the scythes directly without going through Duncan, but that would not earn his trust. Konari always watched Opal’s struggles with Duncan with a satisfied look.

According to Najja, the servants of the manor were obedient to Konari, but Duncan seemed to draw a line. The servants’ polite but cold attitude was not because they disliked Opal, but because they feared Konari, as she had learned over the past few days. Konari was also a problem for the new duchy, but he could not be fired immediately. Stuck, Opal sighed again and turned her attention to the window. Then she spotted someone and stood up.

“I’m going for a walk.”

“Madam?”

“It’s fine. I’ll be in the garden, so I don’t need an escort.”

“Please wait a moment, then.”

Najja said this, went into the wardrobe room, and returned quickly. She held an umbrella and offered gloves.

“The sun is quite strong today. Would you prefer a hat?”

“No, the umbrella is fine. Thank you, Najja.”

With Najja’s help, Opal put on the gloves, took the umbrella, and left the room. As she descended the stairs, Konari appeared, but she told him she was just going for a walk in the garden and went outside. Fortunately, the person she was looking for was still in the garden, and Opal approached and called out while holding the umbrella.

“What are you doing, Julian?”

“I’m picking dead flowers, Madam.”

“You are? Isn’t that the gardener’s job?”

“There’s nothing else for me to do right now, so I offered to help.”

“Julian did?”

“Yes.”

Opal was surprised by the unexpected words but said nothing more. Julian bowed slightly and returned to his work. After watching him silently for a while, Opal spoke again.

“How did you get into everyone’s circle, Julian?”

“...By respecting others, not forgetting to smile and be grateful, and taking the lead. Everyone is afraid of new things, so it’s natural to be exclusive.”

“Everyone is the same, I see...”

Opal said this almost to herself and tilted the umbrella to look up at the sky. Autumn came early in this duchy in the north. There was no time to waste.

“Thank you, Julian. I’m sorry for interrupting your work.”

“No, it’s my pleasure to be of service to you, Madam.”

Opal raised an eyebrow at Julian’s exaggerated bow but said nothing and returned to the manor. She went straight to the wardrobe room.

“Madam, are you looking for something?”

“Najja, do you have any clothes that are easy to move in for farm work?”

“Farm work? You, Madam?”

“Yes. I’ve been giving orders so far, but if I do the work myself, maybe Duncan will be convinced.”

“...Wouldn’t it be faster to fire Duncan?”

“Well, that’s one option, but I want to observe a bit more.”

“I understand. Then, please wear my clothes.”

“Oh, that’s not good. They might get dirty or torn.”

The situation was different from when she had disguised herself to visit Beth. When Opal refused, Najja laughed.

“Compared to your dresses, it’s not a big deal. But if you bought a dress from a peasant, it might cause resentment. My clothes are just right.”

“Just right...”

Indeed, if Opal suddenly dressed like a peasant, she would stand out and some might think she was mocking them. She was different from Julian, who was hired as a servant. Even if the clothes were easy to move in, if they were made of high-quality silk, it would be hard to convey her sincerity.

“I understand. Then, let’s exchange one of my dresses for your clothes.”

“Thank you!”

Opal had given away dresses she no longer wore to Najja and others before, but this time she would let Najja choose. This way, they would both feel a little more satisfied. Opal tried on the clothes Najja brought and informed the knights of the plan for the next day.

---

The next day, Opal, who had heard that a long-fallow field would be prepared for the next year, went out with the knights and the scythes. The knights were quite surprised when they saw Opal in the straw hat Najja had prepared, but not as much as Duncan. Duncan looked at Opal closely and sighed.

“What do you intend to do now?”

“I want to help.”

Opal answered with a smile, but Duncan only raised his eyebrows. The farmers, however, were shocked and murmured. She continued.

“If we work together, we might get in the way, but if we take charge of that plot, it should be fine. I think more hands are better.”

“...Very well, then.”

Duncan reluctantly accepted, and Opal nodded in response. She respected him—Duncan. She did not forget to smile and be grateful. But Opal was the employer, and Duncan was the employee. She would not force him to use the scythes, but she was not willing to make any more concessions.

By the time Opal and the others finished cutting the grass in one plot, the farmers were only halfway done. Opal had been of little help, but the clear difference made Duncan frown.

“Should we cut the grass in that plot next?”

“—Yes.”

“Then, let’s get started. Oh, but...”

As Opal was about to head to the next plot, she turned around. Duncan stood still, and the farmers were watching.

“I brought extra scythes in case the blades get dull. But they seem to be holding up, so if you’d like, you can use them. There should be enough for everyone.”

The choice was Duncan’s. Whether to accept the scythes—and Opal—or reject them. If he rejected them, she would have to fire him, but after clearly showing the convenience of the scythes to the farmers, firing Duncan would not cause much backlash. Excuses like “the devil’s tool” would not work. The farmers were looking enviously at the scythes lined up by the field. Duncan glanced at the scythes and then back at Opal, raising his hands in surrender.

“May I take you up on your offer? In that case, you will have to teach everyone how to use them.”

“Yes, of course. It’s easy, so you’ll be better at it than me in no time.”

Opal was so happy she wanted to shout, but she answered calmly, and Duncan laughed out loud. As expected, the farmers quickly learned how to use the scythes, and Opal became completely useless.

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Thank you all for your continued support.

Today, December 10th (Monday), is the release date for the second volume of "The Duchess in the Attic"! Additionally, a manga adaptation has been decided! For more details, please check the activity report. Thank you very much!