Chapter 86

As she was led into the grand hall by the attendant, Opal noticed that many people had already gathered. Everyone seemed to be busy with gossip, but they fell silent when they recognized Opal and her companions. However, they soon began whispering again, causing a stir throughout the hall. From the snippets of conversation she overheard, it seemed that people were not talking about Opal's elopement, but about Eirik, or more precisely, Eirik's family. Someone must have heard about the morning commotion at the Vaport household and spread the news quickly.

"Still love to gossip about others, don't they?"

"It makes them feel superior."

"Naja was disappointed, but it's for the best that she didn't come here. She might have been poisoned by the atmosphere."

"Is Opal really okay?"

"She seems fine."

Opal sat in the chair she was shown, which was on the dais where the king's throne was placed. She spread her hands slightly in a dramatic gesture, which drew attention, but Claude smiled softly, not minding. They both quickly returned to serious expressions, worried about Naja. Since this incident had involved Naja, they wanted to let her see it through if she wished. However, they couldn't push her, so they promised to tell her everything later before leaving the mansion.

Opal glanced around the gathered crowd. There were no chairs for the spectators, regardless of their status, so they stood. The nobles, as usual, positioned themselves closest to the dais, where the royal guards stood in a semicircle. Despite entering late, Eirik stood at the very front. However, no one tried to talk to him, the former favorite.

(So quick to turn their backs...)

The people who had fawned over him just yesterday were now easily turning their backs and throwing contemptuous words and glances. Opal had experienced this herself and had seen it many times. Eirik had been one of the top candidates for a bridegroom, alongside his brother Turi. Now, even though Eirik was not yet implicated, everyone treated him as if he were a criminal, showing their disgust and keeping their distance.

"Should we have them leave?"

"No, this is reality, and he'll realize it soon. ...I'm sure he will."

Eirik glared at the people whispering about him and repeatedly shot Opal angry looks, as if blaming her. Eirik probably didn't want to accept how cruel the world could be. When Opal looked away from Eirik, a large commotion spread through the hall.

Then, the instigators of the current turmoil, Baron Vaport and Viscount Amaidi Turi, appeared, followed by several other nobles. Konari and Cole were also among them, their hands bound in front of them, looking humiliated. Only Baron Vaport and Turi stood proudly, facing forward. However, when Turi saw Claude, he gasped and quickly turned his face away.

(He must have known Claude had returned... Even if their friendship was a lie, it still hurts.)

Opal felt sad, knowing that Claude must have initially trusted Turi. Given Claude's character, he must have struggled with the decision. Thinking about this, Opal felt a bit down, but Claude placed his hand over hers.

"I'm fine. I acted based on my beliefs. They must have had their reasons."

Nodding slightly at Claude's whisper, Opal refocused on the rebellious nobles. During the previous civil war, Turi had sided with Alessandro, while Baron Vaport and the other nobles had been neutral. This incident was orchestrated by Alessandro to expose the anti-royalist faction.

(Four years ago, when they cooperated in the development of the Mantes, the king must have already suspected a connection between the Seamus Duke of the Sosie Kingdom and the anti-royalist faction.)

Considering that Alessandro knew about Omar, he probably intended to involve Opal in this even if she hadn't been divorced. Of course, Claude didn't aid them solely for this reason. She preferred to think that personal feelings played a significant role.

(In short, the anti-Alessandro faction had been gradually cornered for over four years.)

Indeed, everyone had been manipulated by Alessandro. Not just the rebels, but Opal, Claude, and even Hubert had been dancing to Alessandro's tune. This thought made her angry, but also gave her a sense of pride. Having such a strong king was reassuring. That's why Claude had supported Alessandro for so long.

(Being used is frustrating, but if it makes everyone a little happier, it's not so bad. And we managed to gather more evidence than the king expected, which is something to be proud of. Thanks to that, we were able to deliver a decisive blow.)

Thinking of Alessandro's surprised face, expecting a slap, Opal smiled inwardly. She often had wrestling matches with her brother as a child. Recalling those days, Opal felt a surge of anger again. She and her brother had never gotten along. How many times had she been scolded by Trevor and Marcia, and how many times had she made her mother sad because of her brother?

"Opal, are you okay?"

"I was just remembering something from my childhood."

"Oh, I see."

Claude, sensing a change in Opal's mood, seemed to understand when she mentioned her brother. He knew well that their relationship was strained, having often failed in his attempts to mediate between them.

As Claude suppressed a laugh and took a deep breath, a door near the dais opened. Only the royal family was allowed to use that door. As expected, King Alessandro himself entered through it.