The Duchess of the Attic

"Looks like you're doing well."

"Thank you, Julian. So, why are you still here?

When Opal saw the loading of the arriving farming machine, he was also able to meet with two of Omer's personal men who were dispatched.

And I set out to visit the lead mine first, but for some reason Julian is accompanying me.

Julian chuckles if he speaks such a question.

"Mr. Connally was worried about his wife. I've visited Pasma Harbor several times, and they thought it would be safe to offer me."

"Yeah, that would be nice. But I'm on my way to the mine. Shouldn't you go back to Connally?

"But the miners are worried because there are so many rough people and the mines are dangerous again."

"Connally? But I guess it's hard for you to deal with it."

"Does your wife think of me that way?

"Yeah. I have no idea what Julian has been up to."

Julian moans holding her chest with one hand as she serves dinner in a moving inn.

Pretending to be hurt by Opal's words is too white.

This time on the road, Opal and Julian always mistook each other for being close because of the way they interacted, or even Naja.

For that reason, Naja was told by Julian, and now in the next room, Opal has a dress to wear tomorrow.

"I knew I should have brought another one..."

No other female servants had been brought to this inspection, so she was straining one Naja.

There have been no reports of thieves leaving, but more escorts said the journey to the mine would also be dangerous, and it was decided that as few women as possible would be better off with their feet together.

Opal's luggage is surprisingly few as an aristocratic woman, and I've only brought a few dresses.

For this reason, as an opal, I think I can dress the same every day, but Naja wouldn't let me.

It makes me dress differently every day by inventing something like that.

"Very good lady..."

"I'm a proud maid. - I won't allow you to put your hands on her."

Julian, who looked into the neighbor's room when she was caught by Opal, squealed like an unexpected thing.

Opal replied only naturally when he heard it, but advises him in a tight tone as soon as possible.

Naja and Julian are getting pretty close on this journey.

"Rest assured. My position is ample."

"- Yes, that's fine."

Opal didn't miss a grin that made Julian look like a fool of himself when he lowered his head deeply.

Julian makes this grin look good for a long time.

But Opal kept eating without saying anything.

Tomorrow we will arrive in the town at the foot of the mine.

That way they have a house owned by the Duke of Botzelli, so there should be a more decent servant there.

Opal told himself it was patience until then.

And the next day.

Opal, who went into town, was stunned by the difference from the man-test.

Of course I understand that man-testing is a pretty easy place to work.

That's how I've worked hard as a manager.

"That's kind of scary..."

Naja shrugged as she watched the town through the window with Opal.

I guess the men are out to work.

There are only women, children and old people in town, but they looked resentfully at the carriage Opal rode.

The body is all thin.

"This looks pretty tough."

Opal joked and said, but he was actually a little scared.

But I remember how I felt the first time I stepped into the Duke McCloud house.

Even then I really wanted to run back.

Still, his mean, stubborn personality got in the way of Opal.

Now we have to fight regardless of our intentions or anything.

Determined to be something to lose, Opal fainted when he saw the mansion-like building of the Duke's house.

"Wow..."

I also know exactly how Naja felt when she raised her voice to weakness.

Standing in a small, high place overlooking a poor town, the mansion was like a noble mansion in the king's capital.

And it was a plenty of fat men who welcomed the Opal who arrived.

"Welcome aboard, Duchess of Botzelli. I am entrusted with the management of this town, including the lead mine, my name is Cole"

"Cole, thank you for staying for a while."

Cole bowed respectfully in his tailored clothes.

All the servants of the mansion, who refrain from behind it, are not like the people of the town. They are also blood-colored and in good condition.

If they show inequality so close, they will have no choice but to resent the Dukes.

Cole started talking to Opal when he stepped into the mansion.

The content was how well I was ruling this land, my talent in running it without running a deficit at all, even with a small amount of mining - in short, I was bragging.

"- It seems that all the people who work in this mansion are not from this land. They built this mansion about ten years ago, and they moved it to this land."

"I knew you would"

Opal, who was sick and tired of being bragged about Cole, who was also present during dinner, gave me the information Naja had just purchased for me.

Sigh leaks from Opal at such expected content.

Even if it makes life easier for the people of the town in the near future, there's no way it's going to work out with the people in the mansion who have lived ever filled up.

I thought this problem had to be solved too, but Opal, who was tired, fell asleep as soon as he got into bed.

- The next morning.

When I asked for guidance to the mine, the words of rejection returned from Cole, who was so loving.

"I'm sorry, but I can't show you your wife to the mountains"

"Why?"

'Cause of course it's dangerous.'

"Oh, don't worry. Getting into a pit is something I'm used to because I've had many experiences in the past. Anyway, I'm going on an inspection. If you can't do it today, even tomorrow. If you can't, follow the others."

I smiled sparingly but didn't let him say yes or no.

And go on even further.

"And then, yeah. I was wondering if you could prepare some material on mine mining volumes and export destinations. I'll go to the study later."

"And is that material?

"That's right. If you managed it properly, you'd have a record, wouldn't you? You'll be busy too, so you don't have to be present. I might ask you some questions later, though."

- Yes, sir.

Opal, reluctantly but satisfied with the accepted call, took his seat.

Once you get back to your room and get lightly familiar, then head to the study.

When he entered the study, Cole had already piled up some material on his desk.

"These are the materials from the last five years. I will be away for a while as I will arrange a visit to the mine. So if you don't know, please ask later"

"Thanks, Cole. That would help."

When Opal smiled thankfully, Cole lowered his head before leaving the study.

Opal from then on was immersed in reading the material.

As Cole praised himself for painting, the material is well prepared.

But somehow Opal felt uncomfortable.

The numbers are too pretty for words.

Knock sounded as Opal stood up and examined the bookshelf wondering if there was any other material.

"I brought you some tea"

"Thank you. Will you put it there?

When Opal answered without even raising his face from the material he was looking through, he suddenly felt signs of people behind his back after a while.

The moment I try to turn a surprise, I get a strong shock on my shoulder.

Opal couldn't raise his voice, and he lost consciousness.