The Duchess of the Attic

"Opal, do you have a minute?

"Yeah, it's okay."

Opal, who was writing a letter in his room, put the pen down in answer to Claude, who came into the room.

This way of saying Claude means we have important stories to talk about.

Standing up, next to the bench where Claude sat, Opal also lowered his back.

"I just received a call from Your Majesty"

"You mean something happened?

"Probably. I hope it's not that important, but I think I'll be home late. That's why I can't escort you to tonight's night club."

"Okay. I'll be alone tonight."

"Sorry."

"I have nothing to apologize for. I'm used to the social world here, and I don't care if I'm alone."

The events in the Kingdom of Société were still well communicated to the social community in this country, and the content of the invitation, which was only my in-laws prior to my return, varied and was so welcoming that it could be seen from the text.

Still regret attending alone.

Claude sighed if Opal answered with a grin hiding the feeling.

"Opal is too dependable, don't get lonely every now and then"

"I am strong, hiding my feelings of loneliness. What we know which to prioritize"

"I'm sorry. That was my fault."

Claude immediately apologized when he heard Opal's words, which he joked and answered.

I wish I could be obstinate or sweet here, but it is quite a challenge for Opal.

Thinking about what to give back, Claude suddenly kissed Opal and stood up.

"... Huh?

"Forget about my earlier self. I knew Opal was Opal."

"Hey, what's that!

Because of the long period of childhood tampering like brothers and sisters, there's usually nothing you can do about it to feel like a lover to each other.

So all of a sudden, even when you're kissed, your head even delays understanding.

Leaving such an opal, Claude headed to the exit and turned in front of the door.

"Well, I'll be there."

"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead."

Claude smiled out gladly as Opal hurried up and returned the drop-off words.

So I realized I should have dropped him off at the front door, but now there's no time to chase him any further.

Opal breathed out loudly as he sat in the bench again, staring at the closed door.

"I'm still not used to it..."

Not much for a month after we got married.

We've spent a lot more time together, but usually there's no sweet atmosphere between us, so I get confused when it comes to accidental occasions.

But it also seems Claude enjoys it and somewhat regrets it.

(I wonder if Claude doesn't miss tonight in the first place... that's not true)

I guess my earlier self was the expression of Claude's feelings.

But even if we miss each other, we have a lot to do away with.

Opal has a job that Claude doesn't quite understand about the first socialization he's had.

Nevertheless, even if you didn't tell me about Claude's job description, I had somehow imagined it.

The kingdom of Tysey survived the crisis of plague and civil war and is now richer than the kingdom of Socieux, but there are still anti-Kings - old princesses.

Over the past few days, Opal had attended as many invited tea parties and nightclubs as possible.

Make me laugh like I'm just interested there.

Then the women would be happy to tell us all sorts of things, but many of the rumors were disturbing that they would not normally realise they would just listen.

(Nevertheless, I wonder where the sources of funding for the anti-Kings...)

I have funds for any activity.

Even though there are aristocrats sneaking in behind us, where are they spreading that money from?

In the four years since King Alessandro took the throne, he should have examined it so that he could not have hidden property or anything else.

(... so Claude was looking into the thieves in the Kingdom of Socieux?

The gold and jewellery allegedly taken by the thief amounts to a considerable sum.

We managed to flush them down to the kingdom of Tysey, and we may have lost the rest in the territory of the Marquis of Thames - playing in the city of Novoli and elsewhere.

It was also believed that Claude had embarked on an investigation, suspicious of being a source of funds for the anti-Kings because no gold items taken by Keymonts had been discovered for some time.

(It's just speculation, but this is a good fit, isn't it?)

Opal was convinced and satisfied with his thoughts in the carriage home.

Probably asking Claude a question won't answer it yet, but if it's resolved, he'll tell me.

Looking forward to matching the answers then, Opal's return to the mansion disappointed me.

Claude sent me a rush letter and said I couldn't get home for a while.

"For a while, I wonder how long..."

Not that I could get an answer match tonight, but Opal has been pretty disappointed.

Tomorrow he had promised to discuss how to proceed with the reform of the Duke of Botzeri, which he had just given with the Duke.

The Duke's territory is stretched with many of the best land to grow cereals, but the inhabitants are apparently exhausted by imposing impossible heavy taxes because of the delays in modernization and also because they were a considerable source of funding during the civil unrest ahead.

(And there must have been some mines...)

It seems that the lead mine at the northernmost end of the mine continues to be finely mined, but given its impact on bodies such as dust, it would be better to close it because it is not profitable.

I decided to go on an inspection soon, including all of them.

From planning to execution, Opal can do everything by himself.

I just wanted to accomplish it with someone - Claude.

But Claude's "for a while" doesn't know how long, so Opal is the only way to go.

"Fine. I can go ahead on my own. 'Cause that's my specialty!

Opal, who solidified his resolve, proclaimed himself highly in a room where no one was present.