The Duchess of the Attic

The day after Opal and Claude returned to King's Capital.

Before facing Hubert, whom he had just visited, Opal breathed heavily in front of the door to the living room.

Claude shakes Opal's hand like that once and for all before letting go.

"Thank you, Claude"

"No, because I'm nervous too"

"And Claude?

"I guess it's because I still can't believe my luck. But look at me because I'm better."

To Opal, surprised by the unexpected words, Claude told him like a prank before opening the door.

There is one Hubert in the reception room, who stands up to see Claude and Opal.

Hubert, who had not seen him in about a year for Opal, had not changed in particular, but seemed a little tired.

"Hey, long time no see. McCloud."

"Roussel.... You're really married."

Hubert exchanged hands with Claude, but his gaze turned to Opal.

Claude gently releases Hubert's hand and pulls him next door with his arm around Opal's hips.

"I don't know if I need to introduce you, but it's my wife Opal."

"Long time no see, my lord"

"Oh, oh...... Um, did you two get to know each other through a man-test investment?

Opal hesitated to ask the question and glimpsed Claude.

I was wondering if I could tell you who the Marquis Roussel is - the third son of the Baron family of the Kingdom of Société.

But it seems that the trick led to Hubert's misunderstanding, which turns his face into something sword-soaked.

"How long have you two been seeing each other?

"McCloud, me and Opal are childhood friends."

"... childhood tame? You two?

When Claude answered the question, Hubert just opened his eyes saying he couldn't believe it.

He still hasn't passed on Claude's origins to his country.

Deciding that Claude himself did not seem particularly intent on hiding it, Opal began a detailed explanation.

"Claude is from the Kingdom of Socieux. Claude's parents' baroness and father's Earl Holloway's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor's neighbor

"Roussel - No, Claude Fred..."

Hubert muttered Claude's name and seemed to compare it to the Société Kingdom Nobility Register in his head.

Though they have the title, Claude's parents may not be well known to the younger generation because they don't even go out to King's Capital every year during the social season.

Still, Hubert thought of it, staring seriously at Claude again.

"... how did a man from the Baron family of the Kingdom of Socieux become the Marquis of the Kingdom of Tysey?

"My maternal grandfather was the head of my predecessor's Roussel family. And his successor unfortunately died from the plague eight years ago. I don't know much about me from other countries because I was in a civil war or something."

"But then at least five years ago, even when I met him for support... is that why Count Holloway introduced you? Have you guys been in touch?

Hubert, who was grumbling bitterly, asked to pack Opal and Claude as a hack.

It was as if they suspected that there had been infidelity in the past, and Opal was upset.

"Me and Claude saw each other once when I first got married and returned to Earl Territory... just a few months before that day, so much so that there was no tone out of Claude. Yet I was in touch with my father, and I can't believe he was Marquis Roussel..."

As I should have explained to Hubert, Opal gradually went to Claude - and my father got angry with me, too.

Opal is always a loser at the heart of things.

"How worried I was about the development of a man-test that inspired me to know the Marquis Roussel in the first place"

"Shh, I'm sorry..."

"It's not a matter of apologizing. I'm still mad at you."

"Yes, no, then what..."

For some reason, Hubert was dull when the subject changed and he was suddenly blamed.

From such Hubert to Claude, Opal shifts his gaze to kick ass.

"And Claude!

"Yeah."

"Yeah, not!

"Yes."

Claude is somewhere fun, I guess, because I miss him.

Opal is more obstinate than angry.

Opal hastily regained his normal mind when he realized he was becoming quite childish.

"I have a lot to say to you, but I'll do that later. Anyway, now I'm asking for your Excellency's help. Your letter said you had a consultation about Stella's future, but what does that mean?

What was written in the letter from Hubert was that he wanted to talk to Opal about Stella, who somehow became someone else in red.

Opal is hated by Stella in the first place, and Mrs. Northam will hate Opal's involvement with Stella as well.

And yet Opal didn't understand why Hubert wanted to talk to me until he came all the way here to see me.

"Actually... I also thought it was time to remarry in order to succeed, and I chose one of the blind candidates whose opponents - Miss Marienne of the Count Ruffon family - had offered the conditions for marriage."

Hearing Hubert's words, Opal managed to turn his face into a grin that was going to pull him off.

It sounds a lot more selfish on its own, but a marriage between nobles would have no choice.

Maybe it's a conditional offer because they're convinced too.

"What are the conditions?

"Stella and I have asked in writing... to cut off any ties with Stella."

"- That means a formal contract that needs to be signed, right?

"Oh."

Miss Marienne said - she may actually be the mother, but as I heard, she's not quite out of line.

Knowing the rumors that Stella is not Hubert's mistress is probably a condition to establish her decency and position as a wife.

The fact that there is talk going on about the conditions of marriage should be a well-known fact even if you are not officially engaged.

It would be a bit of a scandal if we were to have a breakthrough here - a huge scandal on the women's side.

Besides, if the reason is stellar entanglement, the fact becomes like a public acknowledgement of the relationship between the two of us, even if it's different.

(So, what do you want me to do...)

If Opal swallows a sigh about to leak and glimpses next door, Claude looks back with a sympathetic subtle look.

Claude holds me back that I can do whatever I want, so you can do whatever you want.

Having concluded so, Opal glanced back at Hubert sitting across the street as he exhaled lightly.

"In short, Your Excellency has to choose between Mr. Stella and Miss Marienne, right?

"It is."

Opal giggled at Hubert, who nodded somewhere relieved.

"Then you will have trouble talking to me, so make your own decision"