The Duchess of the Attic

Opal, who returned to King's Capital after fifteen days of itinerary, was attending a certain ball the following day.

Because the information I purchased in advance showed that Keymont would attend as well.

It was too late to give a reply of attendance, but the organizers, the Viscounts of Cloisel, were pleased to welcome them.

And as soon as I finished greeting the couple, Opal was surrounded by a lot of people.

"Marquise Roussel, do you remember me?

"Of course I remember, Countess Keemont. It's good to see you again."

Opal was smiling and answering, but inside he was in a hurry for a little miscalculation.

The Countess of Keymont is Keymont's mother, who is the object of this one, as well as a heavy town in the social world.

Keymont may not appear at the ball in the presence of his mother for a moment.

In that case, we have to choose another night club carefully so that we don't bowl in with the Huberts.

Besides, the Countess Keymont was very narrow and arrogant in character, and she used to say about her bachelorette Opal: 'Such a mundane daughter should be tightened out of a social setting'.

When I was in the depressed mood that I might be spending tonight without any fruit, I heard a nostalgic voice followed.

"Long time no see, Opal. I heard you were home, but I didn't see you at all, so I was worried. Where did you want it?

"... Long time no see, Chiara. The purpose of my return was to inspect the territory, so I was away from the King's Capital for a while."

"An inspection of the territory? I wish I didn't have to do such a hassle, let someone handle it? And that's not what ladies do."

"Really?"

Opal laughed affectionately, thinking that where he pushed his unsolicited values had not changed from the old days.

Chiara was close until before she had that scandal, but she's been ignoring Opal ever since.

Not only the two of them, but most of the people surrounding Opal were similar.

That's why I'm not angry.

Of course, I felt hurt and regretted at the time, but it didn't matter since I realized that my pride was actually just broken, not my heart.

I don't care what anyone tells me.

(Well, I feel pretty lonely that I don't have any friends in the social world...)

Even the kingdom of Tysey has just made many enemies.

King Alessandro is hard to say on his side and would not be a friend.

Then I would at least like to consolidate the ground in the Kingdom of Société, the strength of Opal.

Opal, who thought so, was smiling and answering to those who spoke to him one after another so that he could be at all at Claude's power.

But the problem is Countess Keymont.

I don't think Keymont, who is said to be a prodigal, will attend the same ball as his mother, so they must have overlapped without knowing each other's plans.

If Keymont shows up here and implements the plan, he will shame the Countess and buy a grudge.

Opal worried about changing the plan and decided it should still be implemented.

We all need to know who Keymont is.

Opal turned his attention to those in the venue, convinced he was okay.

Most of them will just be happy with the new scandal.

Some people will dislike Opal's behavior, but they can't figure out how to fit in with those opponents.

You'd rather have more allies, even thin, than spend your effort on such opponents.

Opal was watching his opponents carefully, smiling and listening to the people surrounding him.

Many of the people gathered here want something Opal has.

Eight years ago, the mundane daughter, with her enormous money, became the former Duchess of McCloud and Marquis Roussell.

Besides, he is also one of the best bourgeoisies in the country.

The women were trying to draw Opal's attention to how they could get worthy men and how they could get them to deal with them.

Still, while I was talking to various people, I had quite a conversation with some people and Opal was able to enjoy it wholeheartedly.

From now on, society is changing more and more.

The development of industry has made it possible for people of civilian origin to gain access to the wealth that the upper classes had long monopolized.

Those who understand and accept the matter, and who also strive, do not look at Opal with colored glasses.

Think reciprocally, listen properly to Opal's opinion, and express your opinion.

Serious arguments, even in opposition, stimulated stubborn opals, giving birth to new views and goals.

Wealth creates power.

And wealth and power rule many people.

Opal thought with a slow view of the people dancing gracefully.

I wonder how many others are in this besides the earlier ones who can keep up with the changes of the times to come.

(I heard rumors Viscount Croisel was an advanced idea, but it was true...)

Many people still think old or bad, but there are many relatively advanced people in this venue who were taught that Opal was the one who was trapped in stereotypes.

Tonight we were able to talk about investments not only with men but also with women.

It was a joy for Opal and his chest swelled in anticipation.

(Maybe we'll get along soon)

Opal turned his attention to the woman who had just spoken a little while earlier as she twitched.

Roana, the courtier of Viscount Cloiselle, the organizer of this ball, probably hadn't made her debut yet by the time Opal had a face in this social world.

You look calm because of the way you think, but you should be five years younger than Opal.

(Oh, what shall I do? What happens to friends? Shake hands to be your friend?)

Opal, who had no friend-like friends other than Claude, bothered.

It doesn't help to mention Claude, who has been my friend since I was a child and realized it.

I was familiarly spoken from behind when I thought that if adults make friends, they would start by giving cards.

"Hi, Marquise Roussel. I'm surprised to see you here."

"... Sir Keemont"

"I heard from the last ball I saw you that you disappeared like you had hidden in a cloud, but I'm lucky to see you at the ball that you attended again like this. Or is it fate?

"It's a coincidence."

Opal smiled and truncated, but Keymont nodded and didn't give up.

When he suddenly took Opal's hand, he spoke to his back.

"Then you should be destined from now on"

I want to slap you in the face.

Desperately suppressing such a build-up of anger, Opal simply waved his hands away with momentum.

"I wonder how many women you've made cry?

"Perhaps the number needed to satisfy you."

"You suck. Instead of talking to you if it's true, I don't even want to see your face. But Sir Keemont has something to tell you."

"Oh, what is it?

Opal manages to be polite, though I felt sick about Keymont's grin when he sees him in.

I have a lot to tell you.

Even though it had nothing to do with Opal directly, I couldn't keep my mouth shut when I thought of Beth and the women and children I talked to at the institution.

"I'm sure the deputy will contact you tomorrow, but I'd like some property sharing to help you pay alimony"

"... what? What are you talking about, you?"

"You?"

All around Opal's remarks, Keymont was violently upset.

Of course, that's what Opal expected, but it's just frustrating to call you "you".

"I don't remember you calling me that, though?

"What do you call a mundane woman like you?

Many women breathed much more.

Some of them cover their mouths like they don't feel well and leave the spot.

But Opal didn't move one eyebrow, and he looked at Keymont chilly.

"There's nothing between me and you! I just danced once or twice in the past!

"Yeah, you're right. Between me and you. Except for dancing halfway through the prom the other day, I just danced once in the past. And yet somehow you were talking as if you were in a deep relationship with me, right?

"Oh, that..."

No one was dancing on the floor now and Opal and Keymont were collecting all ears and eyes.

Apparently, she was in another room. The Countess Keymont is rushing to hear the noise.

In it, Keymont stared at Opal by distorting his face to anger.

"That just got in tune on the spot! Any man would take off his wings when he was younger!? The way we drink, the number of women, we compete to make stupid noises!

Keymont appealed to the men around him to seek his consent.

But what returns is a chilling gaze and silence for both men and women.

"Maybe it was just a foolish fuss to you. But what happens to a woman who's been discredited? I was hit with disgraceful rumors, but fortunately there were people who believed in me, so I managed to get back on my feet. What about the other women? What about the women who were actually tricked into hurting their honor and caged their children by you?

"Other women?

"The maiden of the Duke of McCloud family, who used to serve as my maid of honor, is caged with your child. Also in the protective facilities I support, two women who have had your child have been dismissed from their jobs in the mansion where they worked and are protected by their parents and children, respectively. All three said you promised to marry me."

Keymont showed impatience in Opal's words, but quickly lowered his chest.

That's where my mother came in.

"Jeb. What the hell is all this fuss? Did something happen with the Marquise Roussel?

"Or, Mother. No, it's no big deal. I'm surprised the Marquise suddenly puts me in a difficult position."

"What do you mean?

The Countess provoked hostility toward Opal, as if to protect her young child.

With the support of such a mother, Keymont returns to his arrogant attitude.

"If you think of someone else because you say other women, aren't you just a servant? You know, I wouldn't marry a servant or anything, but I don't even know that. It's about stupid people, like believing what stupid women say. You don't even know if you're really my kid in the first place."

"... you won't deny that you promised to marry a servant woman and forced her into a relationship"

"What's wrong with that? You're just a servant, right? Instead, there's as much."

"This girl was just confused by a humble woman. No sardines to blame."

I didn't even think Opal had anyone so far trapped in terrible voter consciousness and blind to the current.

Few of the privileged classes have thought like Keymont or the Countess.

But in this day and age, most people wear the art of fixing it.

In fact, I obviously don't agree with the Keymonts, but I took the sympathizers for granted.

"Really...... Now, it's hard to work without help during pregnancy and childcare, so you're financially responsible."

"Huh? So what are you talking about? There's no way you're paying me!

"Then I will do everything in my power to remove all your possessions."

Opal proclaimed pale, unchanged, against Keymont, who no longer concealed his frustration.

And only those who knew exactly what that word meant were shocked.