Chapter 83

After returning to the capital by ship, Opal and Claude went straight to the palace.

Claude had said that she could go by herself since she must be tired, but Opal insisted on accompanying him, saying she was fine.

The palace was still in turmoil due to the rebellion.

The government officials were moving about busily, and the nobles were whispering in various corners.

They all looked surprised when they saw Opal and Claude, and although they tried to speak to them, they couldn't get close due to the two's unapproachable smiles.

"--- Hello, Opal. I'm glad you've returned safely."

"... To receive such kind words from you is truly an honor."

"Indeed, you are still angry."

In the same room where she had first been received, Opal reported her return to Alessandro, who greeted her as if nothing had happened.

Opal smiled and bowed slightly, but her inner anger was clearly conveyed.

Despite this, Alessandro seemed to be in high spirits.

"Using you as bait was a decision I made forcefully, and Claude was quite opposed to it. Therefore, do not blame Claude."

"I am not blaming Claude. He took good care of my safety, I believe. However, there are no absolutes in anything, so I couldn't feel completely at ease. Still, Claude respected my will and allowed me to go to the duchy."

In short, Claude had respected Opal's will, not Alessandro's, and Opal answered with a smile.

Therefore, she was not angry with Claude.

Opal continued with a deep smile.

"However, if you had informed me beforehand, I could have handled the situation better, and I feel regretful about that."

"No, it was sufficient. What more could you have done? Thanks to your efforts, we were able to cut off the rebels' funding without interfering in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Sosie, through the Duke of MacLeod and his servants."

"Omar, the land steward, and Lubo, the financier."

"Yes. Especially to Lubo, please convey my sincere gratitude. After all, he provided us with clear evidence. Now we can finally punish them. By the way, is there anything you would like as a reward? Opal, is there anything you desire?"

"Then may I ask for one thing?"

"Yes, what is it?"

Of course, Opal didn't need any reward.

She had done what was expected, and she would thank Hubert, Omar, and Lubo later.

Alessandro's arrogant attitude was necessary, and she understood that.

However, once she had decided to do something, she would see it through.

When she glanced at Claude, he smiled as if he understood her feelings.

"Then, may I punch Your Majesty?"

"What?"

"Just one punch will do. Of course, I don't want anything else."

Alessandro's eyes widened in surprise, but then he laughed loudly.

Claude, as usual, was neither surprised nor tried to stop her.

"Very well. I have made you suffer and caused you inconvenience. Considering what you have done for this country, which you have only recently joined, a few punches are nothing. Go ahead, it's fine."

Saying this, Alessandro offered his cheek.

Opal stepped forward a few paces, approached the seated Alessandro, and punched him.

"!"

"Opal, is your hand okay?"

"It's fine; I'm wearing gloves."

"Don't overdo it."

"I did hold back."

Claude was more concerned about Opal's hand than Alessandro, who was holding his cheek in pain.

Opal ignored Alessandro and showed her hand to the worried Claude, opening and closing it to demonstrate that she was fine.

"... Claude"

"Yes, what is it?"

"The one to worry about... is different, isn't it...?"

"Of course, it's natural to worry about a fragile woman—your wife."

Alessandro, still in pain, grumbled.

However, Claude not only ignored him but also sighed and began lecturing.

"Ultimately, you brought this upon yourself. If I could, I would punch you ten times, but I'm restraining myself. Who would agree to using their precious wife as bait? No one, right? Not even you. I accepted the role of the decoy, but I made sure we couldn't meet up. I fulfilled my assigned role because it was what Opal wanted. Please don't push us any further. Otherwise, I'll defect."

"... I'm sorry."

"Well, I'll forgive you this time. Let's cool your cheek, shall we?"

Alessandro reluctantly apologized, and Claude went to call the attendant waiting in the next room.

During this time, Opal was trying to suppress her laughter.

"Is it swollen enough to laugh about?"

"Just a little... But it's not that noticeable. It's not red."

Opal found it funny to hear Claude's lecture again after a long time.

In the past, Opal was often lectured as well.

Alessandro, who knew this, was deliberately pouting.

"You two are a matched pair."

"Thank you."

"I'm not complimenting you."

"I'm still angry. For making Claude a target for bandits. And for putting Claude in many dangerous situations, right?"

"... I'm sorry. But I don't regret it. I have many flaws, but I am confident in my ability to judge people. I don't do things without a good chance of success."

"You are complimenting me."

When Opal laughed, Alessandro laughed too.

But he soon groaned in pain.

Claude returned at that moment.

"Then, we will take our leave."

"Yes, see you tomorrow."

"Yes, understood."

"Please take care, Your Majesty. We will take our leave."

Opal followed Claude as he made the farewell greeting.

The attendant who entered the room with ice was surprised to see Alessandro's cheek.

Alessandro explained that he had hit his cheek on the chair.

"Opal's hand needs to be cooled too."

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine."

"... Alright."

Although Opal didn't feel any pain and didn't need to cool her hand, Claude wouldn't budge.

True to his worried nature, Opal decided to comply this time.

She could tell how worried Claude had been during their separation.

Opal had also been full of worry and anxiety.

The fact that they were now standing next to each other was a miracle.

Opal held Claude's hand, not his arm, with her right hand, which was not in pain.

Claude seemed surprised for a moment but then laughed out loud.

Opal also laughed out loud, and the two of them, like children, held hands and headed home.

Thank you all for your support.

Today, the second part of the first chapter of the comic adaptation of "The Villainess, Sometimes Serious, Later a Saint" was released on the free site [Comic PASH!].

Please look forward to Erika, drawn by Mr. Takeura Sugu.

Thank you very much! (*´∀`*)ノ