The Duchess of the Attic

Until the ceremony three days later, Opal did not even face the Duke.

This fringe caused a devastating earthquake in the social world, but rumors aroused various speculations about Opal stirring up the young Duke, who is already pregnant, who seems to be struggling to maintain a vast territory, who still needs assets, etc.

Even a young duke, Hubert is seven years older than Opal.

Even though Opal was almost nineteen years old, Opal grinned at rumors told by the samurai, wondering how to stifle a twenty-six-year-old man.

But to maintain a vast territory is not a mistake, though.

Apparently, the Duke hides the debt thing well.

Again, any marriage decided for any reason, Opal coming to the ceremony was trembling with tension.

I wonder how the hell Hubert felt accepting this marriage.

Apparently I can pay off all my debts with Opal's bribes, and since my father gave me a lot of cash as a wedding celebration again, am I thankful that I - the Duke's family - was saved?

He doesn't seem to be in the mood because of Opal's reputation.

In fact, there were no flowers or anything as a pre-nuptial gift, so I'm probably sure.

Still, one of the samurai said that Opal's stigma would snow if we had our first night, so maybe it's okay.

He must be a sweet man.

I'm just curious about the words my father told me yesterday.

"McCloud seems to surround his mistress, but what his wife wants, one or both of his mistresses, is a big deal"

At first it was a shocked opal, but I managed to think calmly over the last three years because the impudent men had told me things I didn't even want to know.

I guess a single man would have no choice.

But will he surround his mistress even if he marries?

That may be when you are judged inferior as a wife.

The more I thought about it, the more Opal got scared of this marriage, but the church music began to sound and by encouraging the bride to enter, I decided I couldn't run anymore.

The face of the father walking next door is fun.

Opal shifted his gaze from his neighbour's father to the front.

The groom waiting in front of the altar keeps his back turned and doesn't even try to look back.

The appearance disturbed the marriage that was about to begin, but Opal squeezed his temper and moved his legs forward.

When I finally stood next to the groom, I was lightly out of breath and my fingertips were completely cold.

The groom doesn't even try to gaze at such an opal.

The attending seat faintly obsesses the unusual sight.

Hubert, the groom. It is just a hopeful and rather qualitative ceremony, with only a few relatives of each other in the row.

Neither Opal nor Hubert had invited any friends as one.

The two of us stated the words of the oath as they stood, signed the oath and the ceremony ended.

If it were meant to be, then there would be a celebratory seat - something where a reception would be set up, but without even that, the attendees would leave with a leak of dissatisfaction.

No matter how many relatives, I wonder if this odd wedding will be another rumor.

"Um..."

"I'm not in the mood to celebrate, so you don't need a seat to celebrate, do you?

Opal's words, which he wanted to ask what he would do after this, were blocked by his cold voice.

And for the first time today - the first time in three years, to be exact, Hubert's voice is the word now.

Disappointed Opal pulled back without saying anything.

Then I can put him in the carriage at the Duke's house.

The luggage that was supposed to be transported to the house my grandmother left for me had already been transported to the Duke's house in King's Capital.

Apparently, outside of the season, the Duke has spent years in the King's Capital without ever returning to his territory.

Opal, in his carriage, gently stroked the bilload of seats that he apparently had just recently replaced.

Then he snorts like Hubert sitting across the street making a fool of himself.

"Have you been satisfied knowing how your money was spent?

"Mine, money?

"With your money, the seat was replaced. I've repaired some of the other mansions, and I've made sure your room is satisfactory."

"... thank you"

Opal thanked me, knowing that he had set up a room or carriage to welcome himself, though not bluffing.

But it didn't seem to convey that feeling.

Hubert just flaunted his face.

"You don't need to thank me. I'm a man bought by you parents and kids for money, so it's natural to do what I can for you. But there are things I can't do. I want you to know that now."

"- Yes."

I really wanted to say no, but Opal shut his mouth that it wouldn't make sense to him right now.

Apparently, Hubert is quite averse to his predicament.

Opal's father said he waited three years, but I guess in the meantime he made an effort to do something about becoming Hubert.

Without that bearing fruit, we are hitting Opal with frustration that led to an unwanted marriage.

After a while, I decided that if I found out Opal wasn't a rumoured woman, I'm sure Hubert's attitude would change as well.

"No matter how much money you parents and children gave me, that house is mine. I won't let you talk."

"But my mistress..."

"I already have the role of Mistress"

"Huh?"

"It's my father's cousin, Mrs. Northam. She and her husband took care of me when I lost my parents at a very young age. Her husband died seven years ago, but until then, he had replaced his father. So just because I'm married, you can't kick her and her daughter - Stella out of the house."

"Of course it is."

I heard Hubert lost his parents at an early age, but I didn't even think about kicking anyone out who raised me instead.

I didn't even know there were such people in the first place.

It's just normal for Opal, Hubert's married wife, to cut up the house as her mistress, but that's dude I decided to tell her.

A moment later, that Lady Northam might say it herself.

"Again about Stella, but she doesn't know the world because she's very weak and has barely been out there. I wouldn't want people like you to meet me if I were you, but I wouldn't have a choice. As far as possible, you stay away from Stella."

"... how old is Stella?

"I'll be twenty this year"

Opal was taken aback and unable to return the words.

Nothing but insults, such as being told not to come near women who are older than themselves because they don't want to adversely affect them.

And I found out that Opal was watching this marriage sweetly.

I was wondering if you could take the time to see who you really are, even if it started with the exchange of money at first.

Still, it could change if we celebrate our first night.

I suppressed my anger thinking I might be able to pull out words of apology from Hubert tomorrow morning.

If they apologize, let's forgive them immediately without a lot of trouble.

So if we discuss what's to come properly, this marriage should work out pretty well.

Maybe even a warm family you've been dreaming about can get it after a while.

When I had that hope, I found out that the carriage had stopped and arrived at the Duke's house.

Hubert just got off, and Opal, who borrowed his hand from his servant and got off the carriage, looked up at the large mansion of the Duke's house and breathed.

Surely if the mansion, which is supposed to be for Wang Du's stay, is so splendid, maintenance costs will be tough.

With that in mind, Opal slowly went up the stairs to the front door.