The Duchess of the Attic

"Is...?

Hubert shrugged at Opal, who seemed cold and gave the natural answer.

But return to me with Claude's cough to mislead the laugh.

"Yes, no. I'm talking to you because I can't decide."

"So why did you give it to someone else's me?

"It... you have been my wife for seven years. You know a lot about Stella, don't you? And now you're abandoning Stella?

"...... so that has nothing to do with me anymore because of the past. As the Duke of McCloud, you should decide for yourself, because you are responsible for the future."

I felt nostalgic, sick of this unmeshed conversation, and Opal was still sick of it.

Hubert seems shocked when it comes to it. The upset is on his face.

"It will be hard to cut the edge with Stella, who grew up like a true sibling, but if you're going to think about the future of the Duke McCloud family, I wonder if that choice is also necessary. If this time, even if you don't get along well with Miss Marienne, other ladies might believe the rumors and ask for similar terms. Besides, you trust Stella quite a bit so she doesn't have any trouble with her life ahead of her, right? Of course, money isn't everything, but Mrs. Stella has Mrs. Northam and old-fashioned servants - because Romit and Beth are beside her too -"

"Beth is gone"

In the end, Claude looked interesting at the opal he was consulting, but Hubert gradually became discouraged.

And suddenly I turned my face and blocked Opal's words.

"... no Beth? Is something wrong?

Opal was surprised to hear that Beth wasn't around to admire Stella so much.

But soon I smile at the thought of a reason.

"You're married, aren't you?

"No. But Beth seems to have a child in her belly, and Mrs. Northam fired her"

"... what?

Opal now gave a frightened reply to Hubert's answer, which revealed contempt.

Though I understand it with my head, I have a strong feeling that it is not.

Yet Hubert restates seriously.

"Beth is trying to have a child without a father. You can't be hiring such a person."

"Well! Beth is a virgin gesture, isn't she! It's a miracle."

"That's not true, is it? Beth won't tell me her father's name!

Opal, angry at Hubert's words, deliberately rejoiced.

Then Claude laughs, and Hubert roughs up his voice.

Hearing the words, Opal also continued not to hide his contempt.

"So don't you have a father? Seems like a very irresponsible man though."

In the words of a chilling opal, Hubert seems to have finally noticed his rudeness.

An instant of agitation appeared on his face, but he immediately gave a stark look.

"Still, it doesn't make any difference that Beth acted irresponsibly"

"Why should a woman in a weak position always fight alone?

"What?

"No...... I don't know the details. I'm not going to say anything more about Beth. Anyway, if you're thinking about the future of the House of the Duke of McCloud, I think it would be best if Miss Marienne's terms were upheld."

He was an opal who became emotional remembering past events that had discredited his own reputation, but returned to me with Claude's hands softly overlaid.

"But then there's too much Stella..."

"So why don't we have another discussion with Miss Marienne? Or if Stella were married, things would change."

"I can't do that. I've invited a few of my friends to the mansion to meet Stella, and each time Stella has a terrible seizure. Apparently, I think I have to get married, and I feel pressured."

"Put your friend in the mansion...?

"Oh."

Opal, who was expressing his opinions in a serious consultation with himself, inquired as a

I could have expected Stella to be reluctant to marry a man other than Hubert, but I noticed when I heard about inviting a friend to the mansion.

If prized Beth chooses to deal with them - maybe she was forced to do it a little bit - I thought she might be one of Hubert's friends.

Some of Hubert's friends had seen Opal face to face at night clubs and such during his bachelor years as well.

Some of them have problems with bare behavior, and Opal has been made uncomfortable.

It wasn't until after I got married that I found out I was a friend of Hubert's, but I thought later that Hubert's terrible attitude might be because he was being blown into lies about Opal by them.

(You can't say to a duke opponent over thirty that a friend is like an overprotective mother who should choose, can you? Nevertheless, leaving Beth alone like this also......)

Claude pounds gently at the hand of the opal he was unintentionally thinking about.

If he looked up at what was going on, Claude smiled to encourage him before turning back to Hubert.

"It's early to say the return of Opal, but I think we'll go to the Kingdom of Socieux soon. I'm looking forward to introducing you to the bride of the future at that time, as you'll probably show your face to the social world."

"No, but..."

"Opal would have already answered your consultation, wouldn't he? All you have to do is draw your own conclusions."

Hubert tried to say something to Claude, who had finally told him he wanted him to go home.

But Claude stands up a little more clearly.

When this happened, Hubert also had to lift his hips, and Opal stood up with Claude's hand.

"I wish you luck, McCloud."

"- Oh, thank you. Opal, Roussel, be happy."

"Of course I am."

"... thank you, my lord"

Claude and Hubert shook hands and Opal replied with a gentle smile.

Seems like a greeting to me, but given my current relationship, I can't help it.

"Opal, I'm sorry for everything."

"No, I'm very sorry I couldn't help you."

"Enough is enough. You're interrupting, Roussel."

"- McCloud, I've heard rumors in the Kingdom of Société that there are going to be thieves recently, okay?

"Oh. I was already tied up with that one. Apparently, they broke up, and the leader was killed and became a U.N. crowd."

"Right."

The thief's story was the first for Opal, but they've already solved it.

The last time Hubert saw Opal, he turned his heel back and boarded the carriage he had been waiting for.

And as the carriage ran out, Opal looked up at Claude.

"Are you sure?

"You care about a woman named Beth, don't you?

Despite the terminal inquiry, it seems to have passed right on to Claude.

Besides, he even understands what Opal wants.

"But could His Majesty forgive me?

"It's okay. Because Your Majesty knows."

"That Claude is going home?

"My priorities."

I think I understand the meaning of this word and it's different.

We're going to know Claude very well, but when King Alessandro gets involved, it gets harder as soon as possible.

"It's been eight years."

"Totally agree, but I don't think it was the eight years I needed"

"Totally agree."

Opal replied so, laughing face to face with Claude.

Laughing lightens my heart.

Remembering that Hubert and I had never laughed together, Opal swore to his heart to take care of this laugh.