Chapter 10 - The Count's Fief
"Congratulations, my lady. I was so surprised when I received your letter about your marriage. But are you sure it is all right for you to be back so soon? Where is the Duke? Surely you have not had a fight already..."
After a warm embrace, Marcia launched into her usual chatter, and Opal had to fight back tears as she laughed.
"Oh, how rude of you! The Duke was too busy to come with me, but there was something important I absolutely had to confirm. Besides, I was supposed to come home at the end of the season, but I ended up getting married instead, so I wanted to greet everyone properly. I truly wanted to come with the Duke, my husband, but we will have to save that for another time. Everything happened in such a rush."
As she walked slowly into the manor, Opal hated herself for the lies spilling from her lips. Still, it was necessary to keep everyone from worrying. Not everything was a lie, however.
"Is Trevor here now?"
"Yes. Will you be seeing him later?"
"No. I think I will rest for today. This is important, so I would like to be well rested. I want to ask him tomorrow, whenever he has time. Could you ask Trevor about his schedule for me?"
"Of course, my lady."
Opal made her request to Orton, the butler, and then headed to her own room, which was just as she had left it. The room was always kept ready for her to use, and Opal let out a deep breath, feeling as though she could finally breathe after months away.
"Welcome home, my lady! Oh, I mean, Your Grace?"
"Stop it, Nadia. Please, just as you always have."
Nadia, the maid, emerged from the room's washroom, her face lighting up the moment she saw Opal. Marcia often scolded the cheerful and innocent Nadia for her lack of etiquette, but she was beloved by everyone all the same. Opal was one of her biggest fans, which earned her a mild scolding from Marcia, who would say, "It is because you spoil her, my lady."
Feeling that she was truly home, the tension drained from her body, and Opal sank onto the chaise lounge.
"You must be tired, my lady. Your bath will be ready shortly, please wait just a moment."
"Thank you, Nadia."
Nadia must have started preparing the bath as soon as she heard of Opal's return. The thoughtful gesture made her happy enough to forget her fatigue. The words that followed, however, made Opal's heart skip a beat.
"Not at all, everyone is so happy that you have returned, even if it is only for a little while. And so am I! I mean, I was absolutely dumbfounded when I heard you had married the Duke. I just knew there had to be a story behind this shocking marriage."
"Oh?"
"Well, you are so clever and cautious, unlike me, so for you to marry in such a hurry, it must have been something special. The Duke must be incredibly handsome, right?"
"Oh, yes. I suppose so."
"What is he like? The Duke, I mean."
"Let's see... I first met him three years ago, and we danced just once. The Duke is not fond of socializing and rarely appears in public, so I was completely swept off my feet."
"Oh, my!"
"And then, we met again... recently... and before I knew it, we were married."
"Oh, my, my! How passionate!"
Nadia raised her voice from the washroom, its door still open. Opal answered carefully, trying not to tell any more lies. Nadia seemed to have reached her own conclusions and was buzzing with excitement. As Opal wrestled with her guilt, wondering what she would do if asked a more probing question, Marcia entered carrying a basin of hot water.
"Just as I thought. You were bothering my lady with your chatter, weren't you, Nadia?"
"What? But I want to know all about my lady's love story."
"Her, love story?"
"Exactly! Marcia-san, you just do not understand a maiden's heart."
"Enough of that. Hurry up and carry the water!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Undeterred by Marcia's scolding, Nadia left the room with a spring in her step. Opal giggled at their familiar exchange. This truly felt like home.
"I am sorry for returning so suddenly without any notice, Marcia. I must be making everyone so busy."
"Whatever are you saying, my lady? You do not need to give us notice. You are welcome to come home anytime. Even though you are married, this is still your home."
"Oh, but this is Father's house."
"Now that you mention it, I suppose it is," Marcia said, and they both laughed, making a joke of the fact that the Count had not returned to his fief in years. Then, as if remembering something, Marcia tapped the empty basin.
"Oh, yes, that is right. A message from Orton-san. Trevor-san said he will be in his study all afternoon tomorrow."
"Is that so? Thank you, Marcia. In that case, I think I will have my afternoon tea in the study."
"Very well. I will prepare it and bring it to the study for you."
"Yes, please."
While they discussed the next day's plans, Nadia and another maid appeared with more basins, and the tub was soon full of hot water. Opal took her bath, then had a light dinner and relaxed. She had never realized how much she should have appreciated this time, this treatment, which she had always taken for granted. She truly had been blessed. The thought made her wonder if it was all right to just leave Hubert like this.
That feels like I am just running away...
Her natural, competitive spirit began to flare up, and Opal grew increasingly frustrated. Fleeing without a fight was something only a coward would do.
Besides, something is very wrong with this situation. Why should I be treated like such an outcast? Is it not my dowry that is paying for that angel's medical bills?
While it was certainly a pity that the girl had an incurable illness, their attitude was atrocious. It was not that she wanted them to grovel in gratitude. She just wanted a little respect. Their comment about her having bought the Duke with money suggested that the people of the household were not entirely ignorant of the situation. Their attitude, therefore, was most likely a reflection of their master's.
He can be as reluctant as he wants. The feeling is mutual!
Opal involuntarily punched a cushion. Bofutto. And again. The small act of violence eased her anger slightly. She took a deep breath, in and out, steadying herself. Being cooped up in that attic room must have caused a great deal of stress to build up. She decided she would go riding in the morning and, with that resolution made, decided to go to sleep.
Well, at any rate, I understand what Father meant now. My husband is just too soft.
With a weary sigh, Opal snuggled into the fluffy down futon for the first time in what felt like an eternity and closed her eyes. She must have been more tired than she thought, for she fell asleep almost instantly, without another thought crossing her mind.