Chapter 22 - Investment
The day of Hubert’s arrival had finally come. Despite having prepared in advance, the Estate was in a flurry from the morning on. Only Omar and Lind knew that most of the duchy now belonged to Opal, and everyone else was giddy with excitement at the lord’s return after seventeen years. Amidst it all, Opal remained alone, sequestered in her room, gazing vacantly outside.
What on earth could have caused this change of heart, she wondered. Could it be that he now had enough money to buy back this Estate as well?
Opal’s perspective on Hubert had changed considerably after hearing that he, a boy of just twelve, had been trapped in a carriage for two days with the bodies of his parents. It was understandable that those around him had become overly protective. If he began living with Lady Northem and Stella after his parents died, then it was only natural that he would treat the frail Stella with special care. Losing someone precious is a painful, bitter, and sorrowful thing.
Opal, too, had been terribly grieved when she lost her mother. She could now recall those memories with a sense of peace, but only because she had people who supported her. Yet one of those people, Claude, was no longer here.
Sometime after moving to the Estate, Opal had written a letter to Claude. In it, she described how she had seized the land from Hubert. The contents were like a confession, and Opal later regretted it. She had written it out of a desperate need to tell someone, but she worried that even Claude must have been appalled. And as she waited anxiously for a reply, the letter that arrived was not from him, but from his mother, the Baroness.
It seemed that Claude’s whereabouts had been unknown ever since he left home after graduating from university. The Baroness was terribly worried, but she promised to forward the letter as soon as she knew where he was. Yet now, three years later, there was still no word. Fearing something might have happened to him, Opal had written several times to her family’s estate, only to receive replies from the butler, Orton, expressing similar concern that Claude’s location remained a mystery.
If only she had talked to him more that last time they met. She should have asked him what he planned to do after graduation. But she had been so preoccupied with her own affairs, her mind filled with the realization that she loved Claude and the worries of her married life with Hubert, that she had put it off. She tried to recall Claude from that day, but all that came to mind was his awkward smile.
Please, just be well.
She didn't mind if they never met again. It was fine if he hated her. As long as he was healthy and happy, that was all that mattered. She wasn’t sure if she was still in love with him, but he was, without a doubt, a precious person to her.
Perhaps this is how My Lord Husband feels about Stella.
After his investments succeeded, he had bought a new house for Stella even before buying back his own mansion in the Royal Capital. That must be it. Even if he could not express his feelings, perhaps making Stella even a little happier brought Hubert happiness as well. If that was the case, then it should not be long now. Gazing at the magnificent carriage bearing the ducal family crest as it approached, Opal let out a deep breath and headed for the entrance hall to greet him.
"It has been a long time, My Lord Husband. How was your journey here?"
"Ah, yes. It has been a while, Opal. Fortunately, the weather was good to us."
"I am very pleased to hear that."
Opal greeted Hubert with a gentle smile as he entered the Estate, giving him a warm welcome. They had all decided beforehand to do whatever they could to help him forget his unpleasant memories. But there were many others more overjoyed than Opal at Hubert’s long-awaited return. She quickly took a step back, yielding her place to the butler, Lind, and the housekeeper, Debby.
The Estate erupted with joy at the reunion after seventeen years. Lind and Hubert shared a firm handshake. Watching the scene, overflowing with smiling faces, Opal herself felt a sense of happiness. It made her long to return to her own family’s estate.
It seemed Hubert, too, was able to forget the dreadful memories of the past for now. That evening, a feast prepared by the chef’s masterful hand filled the dining table. For what could be called the first time, Opal and Hubert enjoyed a meal together in a peaceful atmosphere.
But the next day, what Hubert revealed to her in the study left Opal stunned. Her vision swam, but she knew she had to hear the details. She forced her mouth to open.
"…My Lord Husband, could you please say that one more time?"
"I said I bought the land in Mantest. It would be a mistake not to acquire it."
"And… how did you procure the funds? It has not been very long since you bought back the fief…"
"You need not worry. It’s true the area is barren land for now, but it is certain there is a mine there. A railway has already been partially laid. If we can just extend it to the urban centers, we can make a solid profit."
"I am asking about the funds to purchase that land! It must have carried an enormous price tag! How did you procure that kind of money?"
Hubert’s explanation was something anyone interested in investments would know. Frustrated by his evasiveness, Opal pressed him.
"I, of course, used all the funds I had on hand and borrowed money using the Royal Capital mansion and the fief as collateral."
"My Lord Husband… surely you know why that land, why Mantest, was left in a state of partial development? It is true that a mine lies dormant there. But it requires enormous expense and technology to transport the excavated ore. The previous owner went bankrupt for that very reason. A deep valley cuts through the wilderness between that mine and the city. It is not yet possible with our country’s technology to run a railway across that valley. Even if it were possible, imagine the cost. How will you raise those funds? And even if you do, it will take a great many years to recover your investment."
If the succession crisis in Taisey Kingdom had not erupted, the development of Mantest might have succeeded. With that country’s engineers and technology, they could have built a railway even across the valley. But in the end, the plan to connect the mine and the city by rail was abandoned. The land, left untouched for three years, was far too great a risk for any investor to touch. Even Opal’s father, while remarking that it was a shame, had judged it a property that would not yield a sufficient return at present.
"I intend to recruit investors for the development funds. I hope you will cooperate as well."
"…What did my father say?"
At Opal’s question, a faint blush colored Hubert’s cheeks. That alone was answer enough.
"The Count said… he would consider it once engineers were secured. Of course, he said he couldn't provide the full amount, so we would need to find other investors. But if the Count invests, others will gladly follow. So it will be fine."
Opal wanted to scold him, to ask him what exactly would be fine. Securing those crucial engineers was next to impossible right now. The very reason engineers had become so valuable was that so many had lost their lives to the plague that spread through Taisey Kingdom, followed by the civil war. And now, they were protected by the new king, making it difficult for them to leave the country. Then, it suddenly occurred to Opal that the price of Mantest, that untouched treasure trove, was far too great to be covered by Hubert’s assets alone.
"…My Lord Husband, were your assets truly enough to purchase the land in Mantest? Or did you not purchase all of it?"
"Well… I used the entire duchy as collateral."
"The entire duchy…?"
It took Opal a moment to comprehend Hubert’s answer. To be honest, she did not want to comprehend it.
"Surely… surely you do not mean this Estate and the lands in my name as well?"
"All of that is something you wrested from me. Besides, if this development succeeds, you will acquire something that satisfies you. What is wrong with that?"
"But that is a crime! To use my property as collateral without permission!"
"Did you not do something that was practically a crime yourself?"
"That is completely different from this!"
"Be that as it may, if you remain silent, there will be no problem."
"How could you…"
Hubert’s resolute words sent another wave of dizziness through Opal. She had thought Hubert had changed over these three years. That his ability to come to the Estate was a sign he had overcome his emotional wounds. But while Hubert may have developed a talent for investing under her father’s tutelage, his arrogance, it seemed, had not changed at all.
Even geniuses can fail. Opal knew for a fact that even her father had failed in his investments several times. The reason he had walked a path of success until now was that he always assumed the worst. Opal, too, had learned from the painful failure that had ruined her reputation, and ever since, she had lived her life always assuming the worst. On that foundation, she strove to achieve the best.
"My Lord Husband, if… if this investment ends in failure, what will you do?"
"I have no intention of letting it fail. But… in the unlikely event it does not go well, we can live on the farmland in the suburbs with Stella and the others. From there, I will simply have to start investing again with the assets I have set aside for Stella and grow them."
"I see…"
With that, Hubert stared intently at Opal. It was true that Opal had swindled the duchy from him, and in the eyes of the world, it was naturally considered his. That was why he could use it as collateral without needing the title deeds. But none of that mattered anymore. What was important now was how to protect the fief and its people. Opal let out a long breath, then slowly rose to her feet and left the study.