The Duchess of the Attic

Opal sighed small as he waved at the people lining up along the road.

They won't see Opal because they're all bowing their heads.

I hadn't been informed in advance about visiting the Duke's territory, but they still passed it on.

Even if I expected that, I didn't expect these greetings.

(When you arrive at the consulate, first you have to tell them that you don't need this kind of greeting)

He couldn't hide the status quo of the territory even if he was able to greet him, so he could see what was going on in the territory as it was, so this sudden visit can also be described as a success.

I don't suspect anyone managing this land is doing something wrong, but most people try to hide it if the land is not well managed.

As far as this land is concerned, we know from prior reports that poverty is not the fault of administrators.

That's why Opal came to correct them.

Of course I don't think everything can be solved, but I can't do anything without starting.

(Just... I'm curious to see the fright in everyone's expression...)

Not fatigue or apathy from poverty, but obviously against Opal - against the Duchess, the wife of the lord.

But some of them were hiding the rebellion, suggesting that future plans could not be easily advanced.

Opal, who eventually entered the grounds of the House of the Duke of Botzelli, was surprised to see the consulate visible in the distance.

My mouth remains open when I am in Naja.

"I've never seen a castle so amazing!

"Right." The royal palace in the north is what I used to call it. "

I heard the story, but I just didn't imagine it would be so majestic and beautiful.

The consulate of the House of the Duke of Botzeli is also known as the Royal Palace of the North and "Pearl Castle".

That was because several generations ago the Duke family held so much power that it bisected the state that it threatened the royal family.

Built in that era, this consulate was heavily used of milky white stone that could not be mined in the region, as if to boast power.

It would be called Pearl Castle not only because of its colour, but also because it used the sea route to carry stone.

(It's hard to use land to carry all this stone from a region)

Opal thought of the stone region in his head.

There are also many mountainous areas in the north, including this Duke of Botzeri territory, which when it comes to transporting stone materials from other parts of the country would have been a considerable heavy labor, which should have taken both funding and time.

As a result, many of the ore produced from mines located in the Duke's territory is exported by sea to foreign countries - the Kingdom of Société et al.

Conversely, they are often imported from foreign countries.

(The stone was probably transported from the Kingdom of Société...)

There are bigger quarries in the north than the man-tests owned by the Opals.

There is also a large port in that area, where imports and exports flourish.

Most of the silver mined from the Duke's silver mines was also exported and transported to that port.

I guess that largely accounted for as a source of funding for the anti-King's Brotherhood eight years ago.

The Duke of Botzelli's territory was further away from the King's Capital, sandwiching mountainous areas between them and independently securing trade routes, so it should have been a threat to the Royal Family even now.

That was eight years ago.

Yet King Alessandro did not make the land his direct jurisdiction, either because Claude is so trusted or because the royal family is not yet equipped with enough power to manage it?

(Well, the latter would be bigger)

Reminded me of King Alessandro, who had no loose ends, Opal sighed.

The land is still too difficult for the young princes to rule.

The last few years seemed to be managed by surrogates, but the reforms could not seem to be broken.

A report from my predecessor that I had heard earlier stated that the people on this land were quite closed and would not accept newcomers.

I guess that's where I decided to throw the whole thing at Claude.

Besides, the timing is too good, so it should have been a judgment after knowing the power and financial power of Opal to rebuild the Duke of McCloud.

(Grab it, but come back...)

I feel like all sorts of thoughts are hidden by Alessandro's casual word.

The sudden call from Alessandro to Claude also began when Opal was to come alone in the first place.

(Terrible, isn't it, Your Majesty? You make your newlywed husband work so hard. So I will definitely enrich this land and give it back!

Opal was rather angry with Alessandro.

As this land is an important hub, it will in the future be exchanged for some undisputed royal land.

I don't care because that's a natural procedure.

That's why I'm not even going to take my hands off it at all.

Motivated Opal consolidated his hands and his determination.

There goes Naja's voice.

"Ma'am, I'm so scared of your face. They'll all tremble."

"Oh, excuse me."

Apparently, she had wrinkles between her eyebrows and hardened to the point of her face.

The maid and maid sitting across the street giggled as Opal deliberately answered the highway.

They were both asked to come with us from the Marquis de Roussel residence.

If you notice, the consulate, which was visible far away, is now standing in front of you.

In the front entrance, the servants lined up in front of a wide open door.

"I wonder if I can do it well..."

"It's up to you to do it! Your wife is here."

Naja was confident and encouraged by the words of the maid, who murmured anxiously.

Opal snorted and responded with a smile, and the maid as well as the other maid seemed relieved.

Eight years ago at the Duke of McCloud's house, Opal fought alone.

But he was free because he was alone.

(Can you protect everyone to me...)

That much thought, Opal denied his weakness.

Naja taught me how to be a samurai in order to help Opal.

The other two are moving on and accompanying me on this journey to take care of Opal.

Everyone is definitely on Opal's side.

(Well, we haven't decided yet that there's hostility to the servants here, but we're forbidden to be alarmed, right?)

Though Opal is now the Lady of the Lords, he is formerly an enemy land.

Opal took a big, deep breath and then smiled.

"Well, shall we go"

"Yes!"

The three responded well to the quiet Opal's call.

Then the carriage door opened and Opal slowly stepped down to the home of the Duke of Botzelli.