Chapter 70

Thirsty...

Such a thought crossed her mind, and Opal suddenly awoke.

She tried to open her eyes and sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her shoulder and back, causing her to groan and remain lying down.

Then, a low laugh came from the direction of her feet.

"Good morning, Duchess."

"...Julian, where are we?"

"Where do you think?"

"---The attic."

"Of course, you know well."

Julian, who had been sitting in a chair, made a sound as if he was standing up from the floor.

Then, his footsteps slowly approached, and Julian came into view.

His face bore the usual mocking smile.

"Who gave you the order to do something as ridiculous as this? Connelly? Cole? Either way, it will be exposed soon. When that happens, you won't be safe. What do you plan to do?"

"It doesn't matter to me."

"Getting involved in something like this makes you a fool."

"Better than thinking you're smart."

"I don't think I'm smart."

"Then it's subconscious."

"Ha!?"

Opal had initially tried to remain calm, but she couldn't tolerate Julian's words.

She shouted loudly, and Julian pressed his hands on the bed as if to intimidate her.

"Shut up. Don't make a loud noise. Otherwise, I'll have to gag you."

"Are you going to kill me?"

"...There was a plan to make it look like an accident in the mine. But that would attract too many people. Cole wants to drive the king's supporters out of this land as soon as possible."

"If that's the case, isn't keeping me captive a bad move? If I don't return soon, Najya will worry and tell the knights to search for me. Then, the entire mansion will be searched."

"She would if she could move."

"I told you not to lay a hand on Najya!"

As soon as the conversation turned to Najya, Opal pushed Julian away in anger.

She managed to sit up, but Julian, standing beside the bed, still looked down at her.

"You don't have to be so angry. I just took away your freedom of movement. But if you don't behave, I can't guarantee her safety."

"---What do you want me to do?"

"I'm glad you're being cooperative. Just write a letter. Something like, 'I fell in love with Julian. So we will live a modest life together. Please don't search for us.' It's a runaway letter."

"Claude will laugh so hard when he reads that letter."

Imagining Claude's reaction, Opal smiled.

Julian shrugged as if it didn't matter.

"It doesn't matter if he doesn't believe it. As long as others do. Connelly will testify that 'The lady was particularly fond of Julian.' The people in the mansion and the knights who accompanied us on the trip will understand."

"Connelly introduced you to me on purpose, to seduce me?"

"Apparently, 'The lady was neglected by her husband and felt lonely.'"

"How kind. But Najya won't believe it."

"Ah, that's why I restrained her too. Write in the letter that you're taking her with you. When the knights set out to find you, I'll let you see her again."

Relieved that Najya was safe, Opal let out a sigh.

Julian wouldn't mistreat Najya; he knew that if anything happened to her, Opal wouldn't cooperate.

"So, what's your plan now? Pretending that I ran away with you might buy us some time. But Claude will search for me as soon as he finds out."

"Touching marital love. But that's only if Claude is safe, right?"

"What do you mean?"

Opal glared at Julian, disturbed by his words.

Julian smiled at her.

"Alessandro has been on the throne for four years. Don't you think that's enough time? The anti-royalist faction hasn't lost. They've just been silent, regaining their strength."

"You can't be planning a rebellion now. If you do, the people will suffer."

"The people don't matter to Connelly and his ilk."

"Then, I must protect His Majesty Alessandro at all costs. Claude must feel the same. So, I will do what I must."

"...You're free to say what you want. But what you should do now is write the letter."

Julian sighed and handed her a sheet of paper.

It was the same paper Opal usually used.

Though it annoyed her that he had gone through her belongings, she wrote a plausible note as instructed.

Julian read it and nodded in satisfaction.

"I'm glad you're being cooperative. Of course, there are many guards in the mansion, so trying to escape would be futile."

"What about Najya?"

"I'll let you see her once the knights have safely left the mansion."

With that, Julian took the letter and left the attic.

The sound of the door locking echoed loudly.

Opal let out a breath and lay back down on the hard bed.

For now, she should remain calm until she could confirm Najya's safety.

Then, she would think about what to do next.

In the past, she had locked herself in the attic voluntarily.

But this time was different.

Now, with her freedom restricted, how could she stop the anti-royalists' reckless actions?

No, she didn't need to stop them. Claude and the others must already have the information.

Still, she was concerned that Claude had allowed her to go to the Duchy of Botticelli alone.

She couldn't help but doubt, though she didn't want to.

No, that couldn't be. They wouldn't use her as bait...

But if Claude didn't intend to, Alessandro might have.

That could be why Claude was suddenly given a task.

If that's the case... No matter what, once this matter is resolved, I'll give His Majesty a piece of my mind!

Opal clenched her delicate right hand and raised it high toward the ceiling.

---

The manga adaptation of "The Duchess in the Attic" by Makoto Hayashi has started serialization with beautiful illustrations!

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