Chapter 7

Eight days after Opal moved to the attic room.

When Opal woke up, she stretched widely, loosening the stiffness in her body.

At first, the hard wooden bed made it difficult for her to sleep, but now she was quite used to it.

She could sense the servants starting to move outside the room.

Considering the time, she was sure she wouldn't run into Stella, and even less likely to see Hubert, so this was when Opal chose to be active.

The servants still treated her as if she were invisible, but if she spoke to them, they would respond appropriately.

The first night she slept in the attic, when she went downstairs and spoke to one of the servants, they were quite startled.

She had brought a few dresses to the attic, which she could put on without help, as she had intended to take them to her new home before her marriage. Today, Opal changed and headed downstairs.

Her initial goal—now that she knew the location of the library—was to visit it daily and bring a few books back to the attic.

She spent most of her day in the attic, except for the small morning walk, and returning to her original room for baths and washing.

She would read books, do some light exercise to keep her body moving, embroider, and when tired, do more exercise. She would eat the three meals brought to her and then sleep.

It was a life like that of a well-treated prisoner, but for Opal, this marriage was similar.

(But I'm not a prisoner, and it's getting ridiculous to keep up this stubbornness...)

She had already read most of the books in the library that she liked.

Opal walked slowly between the bookshelves, thinking.

Hubert had said she could do as she pleased as long as she didn't appear before Stella.

In that case, she might as well leave this mansion.

She planned to return to the earl's estate after the season ended.

Her father and brother wouldn't be coming back, so she wouldn't have to face them.

If she said she was going for a short visit home after marriage, the people at the estate would welcome her with joy.

The reason her husband wasn't there would be sufficient: he was busy.

Indeed, she often saw him looking busy with Stella from the small window in the attic.

She would tell Hubert in the morning and leave the next day.

That way, she could arrive at the estate by evening, and if she asked the driver to stay overnight and return, Hubert would only have to endure two days without a carriage.

In the worst case, he could use a hired carriage.

Feeling she had come up with a good plan, Opal hummed a tune as she walked between the bookshelves, but then she noticed a book.

It was a history book of this dukedom.

Looking around, she saw several books about the estate.

Opal realized she didn't know much about where this dukedom's estate was located, so she picked them up.

Even if she was going to be separated in about a year, it wouldn't hurt to know, so she took them back to her room.

She spent the time reading biographies until Beth brought her breakfast.

"Hey, Beth."

"What is it, ma'am?"

"I need to speak with my husband. Could you please ask him to make time for me as soon as possible? And if he specifies a time and place, please tell him I will come to him."

"...Understood."

To avoid what happened with Mrs. Northam, Opal clearly instructed Beth.

Beth, with a blank expression, agreed and left the room.

Beth didn't return for a long time.

Opal, not worried about missing lunch, calmly read the books she had brought from the library.

After the biography, she read a record book about the dukedom's estate, mentally mapping it out as she read. The more recent the records, the more questions Opal had.

(I need to put more effort into this...)

Just as Opal thought this, there was a knock on the door, and lunch was brought in.

Beth glanced at Opal, perhaps displeased that she was reading leisurely, and slightly pouted.

It seemed she was angry that the response to her message was taking so long.

Opal smiled mischievously inside and closed her book.

"Thank you, Beth. Today's lunch looks delicious."

Honestly, it was the kind of food the servants in the earl's household ate, and it didn't seem fitting for a dukedom. But this was probably due to budget cuts.

Opal wondered what the servants here ate, but she couldn't take over Mrs. Northam's duties, so she kept quiet.

For now, the servants didn't seem malnourished.

Then, Opal thought that the problem might not be just the budget, but also Mrs. Northam's lack of experience.

She had never heard of any balls or tea parties being held at the MacLeod dukedom.

Rumors suggested that the duke didn't like socializing and avoided inviting people because of Stella.

However, if Mrs. Northam didn't know how to behave as the lady of the dukedom, it made sense that there were no events.

Of course, financial issues had been significant in recent years.

But managing the household and hosting guests were different.

Only someone who could do both would be recognized as a proper lady of the house.

Many people must have been looking forward to next year because of Opal and Hubert's marriage.

(Ah, what a hassle... But if I don't host any events, my abilities as a lady of the house will be mocked...)

Of course, as a duke, no one would openly criticize him.

But they would gossip behind his back.

Fortunately, her marriage at the end of the season was a blessing in this regard.

(Well, let those who want to talk, talk. After all, I'll be separated at twenty.)

Sitting alone at the dining table, Opal started her meal, stabbing the boiled potatoes with her fork as if venting her frustrations.

She put it in her mouth and chewed slowly.

The seasoning was a bit off, but it wasn't terrible.

"Um, ma'am..."

"Is something wrong?"

"I inquired about Mr. Hubert's availability..."

"Oh, right. What did he say?"

"Um?"

"Yes, what was the response?"

Opal, distracted by other thoughts, seemed to confuse Beth.

If she hadn't been so dramatic, it would have been better, Opal thought coldly as she urged Beth on.

"Mr. Hubert said to come to the south tea room after this meal."

"Where is the south tea room?"

"I will show you the way."

"Thank you."

With a casual response, Opal continued her meal.

Thinking about leaving the mansion tomorrow, it didn't matter anymore.

As long as she had the money she gained from her marriage, the people in the mansion wouldn't care about her.

After finishing her meal, Opal didn't change her clothes or redo her hair. She only checked her face in the cloudy mirror to make sure it wasn't dirty, then followed Beth out of the attic.