Chapter 71

"Madam—Lady Opal!"

"Naja! You're safe! I'm so relieved..."

The day after Opal was locked in the attic.

Naja rushed into the room.

She looked uninjured and energetic, and Opal, relieved, hugged Naja.

Naja also hugged Opal without hesitation, feeling all over her body to make sure there were no injuries.

"I'm glad. Madam, you're safe too, right? If even a single hair on your head was hurt, I would never forgive Julian!"

"You're quite a brave maid. Wasn't there no need for you to worry?"

"How do you address Madam! That's impolite!"

"It's fine, Naja. There's no point in worrying about Julian."

"But—"

Naja confronted Julian, who was leaning against the wall at the room's entrance.

Opal grabbed Naja's arm to stop her and smiled at Julian.

"We have some women's talk to do. Could you bring us some tea?"

"...Alright. But don't think you can escape."

Julian closed the attic door with a smirk.

The sound of the lock being turned followed immediately.

It didn't seem like a very strong lock, but if they tried to break it, the noise would alert the household.

Opal patted Naja's hand, who looked worried.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine. Julian won't harm us."

"You shouldn't trust a guy like him!"

Naja strongly objected to Opal's words.

But then she looked as if she might cry.

"I'm sorry, Madam. I should have been more cautious... Madam, you didn't trust Julian from the beginning, did you..."

"Don't worry, Naja. We knew the risks when we came here. I didn't think we would be killed, but I didn't expect to be locked up..."

"It's okay, Madam. I'll find a way to get you out!"

"No, don't do anything reckless. Claude will definitely come to our rescue. We'll make sure we don't get in his way when he does."

While answering jokingly, Opal held Naja's hands and looked her straight in the eye.

Naja nodded obediently.

Julian returned with a tray of tea, skillfully carrying it.

"Surprisingly strong, aren't you?"

"I'm not like those arrogant nobles who just give orders."

"Madam doesn't act arrogantly! She always takes action herself!"

"Thank you, Naja. Julian must have grown up twisted. It's a pity."

"Shut up."

Julian huffed and placed the tray on a small table.

Naja immediately poured tea into a cup and took a sip.

"There's no poison in it."

"Even if there was, you don't need to taste it, Naja."

"No, I can't let that slide."

Naja poured tea into a new cup, apparently judging that there was no poison.

Opal's life could be used as a shield, so she wouldn't be killed for now.

But if Naja was satisfied, that was fine, so Opal took the tea.

"Thank you."

"No, it's quite good."

Opal took a sip of the tea and nodded.

As expected of a servant in a duke's household.

It was a pity there were no sweets to go with the tea.

But there was something more important.

Opal put the cup back on the table and smiled at Julian, who was looking at her sarcastically.

"If we have to stay in this attic, I'd like some books to pass the time."

"Quite a big attitude. Do you know your place?"

"Yes. I'm the last trump card. If I'm used as a shield, Claude definitely won't make a move, and if you need money, I have assets."

"You're really cheeky."

"Well, isn't that old news? I've been told that since I was young."

"Fine, but don't get too cheeky. You're the trump card, but the maid here is expendable."

"Wha—"

Naja started to object, but Opal quickly raised her hand to stop her.

Julian smirked and left the attic.

The sound of the lock being turned echoed.

"Madam, why didn't you let me speak!"

"Naja is important to me. But unfortunately, to them, Julian is right. I don't want to put you in danger."

"But I don't want to be a burden..."

Opal laughed to encourage Naja, who had become completely dejected.

Naja looked surprised.

"Having you here means I don't have to push myself. Claude will surely be grateful to you."

"But is Lord Claude alright!?"

Naja seemed to realize that the anti-royalists were serious.

Opal nodded with a smile.

"Claude will be fine. He'll come to our rescue soon. He's used to it."

"Used to it?"

"Yes. When we were young, we often played a game where I was the captured princess and Claude was the knight who came to save me. But since I always tried to escape on my own, Claude often complained that it made his job harder. So with you here, I won't do anything reckless, and he can save us with peace of mind."

"Marcia often told me that Madam was a tomboy, and it's true."

Opal winked playfully, and Naja started to giggle.

It seemed she had relaxed.

Finally, Opal could also relax, and they laughed together.

Thank you all for your support.

Today, November 30th (Saturday), is the release date for the comic version of "The Duchess in the Attic"!

Please pick up the beautiful story of Opal drawn by Makoto Hayashi!

There's also a special bonus comic with Claude!

For more details, please check the activity report.

Additionally, although I've been on a long break, I'll try to continue updating until the end.

Please continue to support both the comic and novel versions of "The Duchess in the Attic"!