The Duchess of the Attic

The next day.

From the Marquis's residence in Roussel to the Royal Castle, it didn't take much time to arrive by carriage.

Of course, the proximity of the Royal Castle was noticed as soon as he came to the Mansion, but what surprised Opal was that he proceeded without ever stopping until the carriage dropped in front of the Royal Castle.

That's all I can see about Claude's position within the royal castle.

"... hey now what position does Claude hold in the royal castle?

"Oh well. I haven't explained it yet, but I'm your secretary."

"That doesn't mean you're secretary to the king, does it?

"This time, I offered to resign because I'm leaving beside His Majesty... because I'm still on hold, and I think I'm probably going to be reinstated"

"Are all the social circles in this country stupid? I can't believe you won't accept the Secretary of the King..."

"On the face of it, it's very favorable. Instead, he snuggles around with me. Sounds like you're just saying whatever you want back there. So Opal too... if they say something they don't know is a custom in this country, you can ignore it. It's a new custom to eliminate foreigners."

"If that's the case, I'll take care of it"

Claude laughed pleasantly as Opal answered with his chest stretched.

That smile gives Opal courage.

(That's right. The weak woman - there are a lot of women who look weak, but still Claude chose me)

Opal's intensity of mind hasn't changed since he was young.

You proposed to me by saying you like opals like that, so you just have to trust Claude.

With that in mind, Opal's anxiety disappeared.

"Well, why don't you tell me who Claude doesn't want to turn to his enemies, though I'll ask him before we go to battle?

"Oh, that's easy. The only reason I don't want to turn to my enemies is because Opal is alone."

"Claude...... I'm really asking."

"Yeah. That's why I'm really answering that, too."

Opal stares at Claude making jokes.

But Claude stayed smiling.

In the end Opal suppressed the laughter that engulfed him more than his anger, and inquired further in serious condition.

"But just couldn't turn His Majesty against the enemy?

"The other way around, Opal. Your Majesty doesn't want to turn me against the enemy."

"... that's a much stronger statement. If someone asks you, you'll be guilty of disrespect.

"Your Majesty would laugh and say you're right."

Staring at Claude's face, who remained smiling unchanged, Opal sighed loudly.

There must be something about it, though it is deluded by jokes.

Opal was also going to grow up struggling the past eight years, but I guess Claude was more than that.

I'm sure I just didn't tell you, and maybe there was an exchange of lives.

Thinking about it made Opal anxious again.

I wonder if this marriage is really right.

I was wondering if there would be a woman in this country who would be more of a shield behind Claude.

That's all I thought about, Opal got annoyed.

I just felt confident earlier, what are you feeling weak about?

If Claude needs a back shield, you just have to be yourself.

Opal is still a newcomer in this country, but he has knowledge, experience and wealth.

Because she's not a little girl who's stuck in her own situation and locked herself in the attic anymore.

Emotional instability is due to tension, and everyone would be upset if they were to see the king of this country from now on.

"... Claude"

"Yeah, you okay?

"I'm nervous, but I'm fine. But Claude might regret choosing me."

"I won't."

"Then I'll make you regret it. I wonder how you got such a strong wife."

"That's exciting."

Now to Claude, who speaks up and laughs, the people who go out look back in surprise.

Even though it was in the spotlight, it was now not hesitant to be seen.

But even though Opal has been pulling into the country for a while, I'm used to people's gaze, so I don't care.

It doesn't matter if it's malicious.

And Claude doesn't look like he cared again, he's grand.

Moreover, the samurai Naja, who had accompanied her, was not frightened, but seemed rare and frightened as she walked a little behind her.

"Thanks for hanging out with me, Naja"

"It is up to me to thank you, my lady! I can't believe you brought me to such a lovely place!

Opal smiled and responded to Naja, who still wouldn't break his pace, before turning forward.

Naja apparently worked as a samurai apprentice for a certain Marquis family during the past few years in a handout of Count Holloway, Opal's father.

It was also because I was determined to be a fine samurai and be beside Opal for Opal, who had no allies in his ex-husband, the Duke of McCloud family.

Opal, Marcia, the housekeeper at the Count Holloway's, was thrilled to hear about it, and asked him if he could follow me this time.

Perhaps there are many opal enemies in this country as well.

Still, there are two powerful allies right beside me.

Having completely regained his confidence, Opal smiled at the people who were turning their gaze to see even rare things.

"Opal, don't be too attractive to me. You're going crazy for jealousy."

"You don't believe me?

"It's not about Opal, it's about me. I believe in Opal, but you can't even interfere with the mind of the one who likes Opal, can you? But I can't allow Opal to exist in the minds of other men."

"I agree. I'd be jealous if Claude just existed in the hearts of other women."

"I'll be jealous of you both, though!

Naja hastily interrupted and stopped the exchange between the two, which was clearly just a love affair.

As a servant, I'm only disrespectful, but I laugh without worrying about Opal or Claude.

So they just got to the room of interest, and Claude pulled over and knocked and opened the door without waiting for a response.

"Your Majesty will be telling us that we have arrived, so it will take a while for us to call you. Until then, let's just wait here and relax."

Claude, who gently checked inside and urged him to enter the opal first, then told him that Naja would reluctantly enter the room as well, closing the door.

And ring the bell.

A young daughter in this royal castle maid-like uniform showed up as soon as possible and asked Claude to prepare her tea.

The lack of instructional form seems to be Claude, making Opal happy.

Whatever your position, Claude still hasn't changed.

"What's wrong?

"No, it's nothing."

"Really?"

Claude asked if he wondered about the smiling opal.

I didn't feel like I could successfully explain this warmth, so when Opal answered without difficulty, Claude didn't pursue it in depth either.

A knock sounds there, and if Claude responds, a man's voice.

Apparently a friend, Claude immediately opened the door and invited him indoors.

"Opal, I'm sorry for the rush, but I'd like you to meet my friend. He is Erik Bapot. Baron Prado. Erik, this is Opal, my fiancée and soon to be my wife. Well, we're talking about Opal, so I guess I don't have to introduce you now."

"Oh, right. I'm sick and tired of hearing it."

If Opal gets up and welcomes a man, Claude will make an introduction.

The man - Erik was very close to Claude, but Opal intuited.

He is hostile to himself, he said.

"Nice to meet you, Baron Prado. Opal Holloway."

"Not McCloud?

"Eric!"

"It's a joke, Claude. Nice to meet you, Miss Ho (...) Lo (...) U (...) Ye (...) I (...) Miss Claude has always been favored by many young and beautiful ladies, but I see why I chose you. So beautiful."

"- Thank you."

Opal's intuition was right, and Erik wanted to hate it everywhere.

Claude seems to have noticed right away too, but when you make Opal laugh that he's okay, he pulls.

I just can't stand being sheltered here by Claude, etc.

Claude, who sensed Opal's will, sighed like he'd given up somewhere.