The Duchess of the Attic

"Naja, it's time for a meal. Help me."

"Can I get out of here?

"If you're with me. Of course, don't think you can get away with it. Naturally, no one in this mansion is going to help you, not even the townspeople."

Julian peeked into the attic and spoke to Naja.

The yang is already quite inclined if you notice.

Opal was obsessed with the book Julian carried for me and forgot the passage of time.

Naja seemed to be dressing up and fixing just a few of the opals during that time.

"Are the people in your mansion cooperative, and the people in town threatened?

"Don't pinch the extra mouth, ma'am"

Naja was apparently also left to take care of Opal's surroundings.

Fortunately, there were two beds in the attic that I could eat and sleep with Naja.

I don't want to leave Naja as long as I can.

"Naja, never leave Julian when you leave this room"

"But madam, Julian..."

"Because I'm the most trustworthy person in this mansion. I don't mean it."

"... ok"

"Hurry up."

Julian interrupts the conversation between Opal and Naja as irritated.

Naja nodded at Opal's concern, although she seemed unwilling again.

After the two of them left, Opal stood up and looked out the small window.

(Unfortunately, there are no trees that could fly away...)

Of course I'm not going to leave Naja and run away, but I won't have a choice but to think about it.

Tree climbing was Opal's favorite play.

But even the tallest trees in this mansion are up to the third floor, and have not reached the attic.

Besides, even if you can climb that tree, it's only up to about the height upstairs that you can support in your adult weight.

Opal tried to reach for the window and open it.

I guess the rattling noise is bad construction because it's not that old a building.

I wasn't particularly concerned about it in the master bedroom, but I can tell it was out of hand in the attic.

"Don't think about how reckless it is to jump into a tree and run away."

"... you're going to jump rather than fly away."

Opal looked back and replied to Julian's ridiculous words when he came back.

He wasn't aware of the sound of unlocking it because he was pointing his consciousness out the window.

And then, uh, I wonder if it really is.

"Ma'am, your meal is quite good."

"Thank you, Naja"

Naja's tray that came in is well cooked.

Opal, while thanking him, turned his attention to the tray Julian had.

The tray has several empty vessels and a glass of water.

Julian left without saying anything more when he put the tray on the table.

It sounds locked at the same time.

"You didn't lock it earlier..."

"Oh, speaking of which, yes! Your wife was able to escape, but she was accidental..."

Naja, who was arranging the dishes, answered Opal's grunt with dismay.

But Opal laughs and shakes his head.

"I wouldn't run away if I knew. They just tried it."

"Tried?

"Yep. Whether I put Naja down and run. Whether they're after the escape gap or not."

Opal laughed bitterly, not even thinking about running out the door or anything.

I only thought of myself as out the window. I'm crazy.

But Naja still seems to be depressed that she is getting her feet together.

"I knew your wife would have gotten more physical without me..."

"Don't be silly. You said that earlier, didn't you? Because Naja will be here, I can stay unscrupulous. Because Naja's here, I can still be normal."

Opal held Naja's hand and smiled to encourage her.

I want to brave Naja more if she doesn't have to worry, but now it's hard too.

I'm sure the help will come in a few days.

Opal was so sure, but he didn't say it.

From then on, the two of us shared a meal and decided to enjoy it until dessert and go to bed early at night.

"Naja, will you leave the window?

"Aren't you cold?

"It's okay. Rather because of the daytime sun, this room is just about right because it's hot"

"Right."

Speaking to Naja, who tried to close the window, Opal lay down on the bed.

Due to its high location, insects rarely enter, and pleasant night breezes come in through slight gaps.

Naja must have been tired.

Opal was relieved that Naja was asleep because he heard a lovely sleep after a while.

(Two days after I ran off. Of course the knight has gone on a search, because Cole will rush to Connally to deliver my letter... to the King's Capital - is it enough that His Majesty Alessandro will know for seven days? No, I'm sure it's sooner. I wonder if it's the seventh day that spreads throughout the country as rumors. Rumors must have left before you locked me in here.)

Opal exhaled lightly and began to think about what was to come as he sorted out his head.

We know Alessandro won't believe this rundown story.

Rather, it would be as much as I had anticipated earlier.

Claude must have also known that Opal was just headed for the Duke of Botzelli's territory and there was no way he wouldn't go out to the mine.

And yet you haven't said anything...

Opal heard a faint noise and woke his body all the way up.

I thought it was the sound of the wind, but it's still different.

Softly out of bed, Opal breathed trying to get close to the window.

Hold your mouth with both hands to avoid screaming.

I thought I saw a shadow outside the window, and the shadow slowly opened the window and came inside.

"-Hey, Opal. Long time no see."

You can't go wrong in the darkness with only the stars.

Little whispers are the usual gentle, slightly lower, gentle voice.

Opal wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry at the kind of swallowing words that he said he'd seen him in the city for a bit.

But before thinking about it, Opal jumped into Claude's chest.