Chapter 25 - The Ceremony
"...Even if you say we should officially marry... My Lord, you and I are already married, are we not?"
Opal’s words, once she managed to find her voice, were perfectly reasonable. At this, Hubert’s face grew even redder as he pressed on.
"Y, yes, but that was in name only. I... back when we first married, I treated you so horribly. It’s no excuse, but at the time my mind was so full of my debts and Stella that I can only think I wasn't in my right mind. Even so, I’ve been drawn to you since we first danced together ten years ago. Then we were married under those circumstances, my pride was wounded, and I foolishly took it out on you. I am truly sorry."
"That is... all in the past now. I also did a terrible thing, tricking you to take your lands."
"No, that doesn’t matter. That’s what it took for me to open my eyes. Of course, I resented you at first, but I soon understood why you resorted to such actions. My world until then had been far too narrow. When I realized that, I understood what a wonderful person you are, and that I wasn't mistaken when I was first captivated by you. However, I no longer had any right to confess my feelings to you. That's why I resolved that when I bought back all the land, I would propose to you again properly."
Listening to Hubert's confession, Opal understood that this was why he had been in such a rush to purchase the Mantest land, and she felt a pang of regret. If she had simply supported him from the start instead of arrogantly testing him, he would not have had to take such a risky path. At the time, Hubert had said something about living there with Stella, so Opal had just assumed it had something to do with her. Come to think of it, that was what he said would happen if he failed, she recalled, only now remembering Stella.
"I thought... that you were in love with Stella-san..."
"Stella? Of course not! To me, Stella is just like a younger sister!"
Seeing Opal's surprise, Hubert’s face flushed again as he hurriedly explained.
"Of course I care for Stella. But it’s the love one has for family, completely different from what I feel for you. Although... there was a time I foolishly hoped you might get jealous over her."
"Is, is that so..."
"Yes. I love you, Opal. Please, will you marry me again?"
Stunned by this first-ever proposal from Hubert, Opal stared intently at him as he knelt at her feet. She had dreamed of this moment long ago. But now, it was all too late. Her resolve had not wavered since that day seven years ago.
"I am sorry, My Lord. I cannot accept your proposal."
Hearing Opal’s refusal, Hubert looked as though he could not believe his ears. Still, Opal continued in a level tone.
"Seven years ago, when I tricked you and made your fief and mansions my own, I made a decision. I decided that once you had bought back half of the assets you had lost, I would return everything. And then, I would ask for a divorce."
"Th, there’s no need for that. I will buy them from you properly. So please..."
"Please divorce me, My Lord. Please set me free."
"Free...? Why? Why..."
"To be honest, when I first danced with you, I was very much captivated. Had you proposed to me then, I would have jumped for joy. But after that, I was caught up in a scandal. Nothing had actually happened, yet society would not forgive me. So I became stubborn, and no matter what lies were spread or what whispers I heard behind my back, I pretended to enjoy myself in society."
Now it was Hubert’s turn to be surprised by Opal’s confession. Opal thought to herself how foolish she had been back then. In the end, they had both been young and foolish.
"I knew that once I turned twenty, I would be independent from my father and free to use my grandmother’s inheritance. I thought I just had to endure until then, that I would soon be able to live peacefully in the country. It was then that I was ordered to marry you. I was furious, and I believe I was quite impertinent and rebellious after we were married."
"That's not true. It was I who should have acted more like the elder one. Despite the great debt I owed to you and your father, I... we treated you far too cruelly."
Hubert begged for forgiveness, but Opal only offered a sad smile and stood up.
"Opal?"
"My Lord, please have a seat. And could you wait just a moment?"
With that, Opal went into the room assigned to her and returned to the living area. She placed the documents she was holding on the table. Hubert glanced at them quizzically, and then his eyes widened.
"I intended to give these to you after today's ceremony. The money you paid to buy back the land has been invested in Mantest, and as I said earlier, I promise to return all of that to you as well. So please, sign these divorce papers."
Hubert stared, dumbfounded, at the divorce papers placed next to the documents used to fraudulently transfer the property deeds. Opal gave him a wry smile and added.
"Of course, please be sure to read them carefully before you sign this time. You should find they are nothing more than simple divorce papers."
"Can we... not start over?"
"...You said you think of Stella-san as a sister, did you not? For quite some time now, I too... have only been able to think of you as family. So it would be impossible for me to see you as a man from now on. However, the final decision to divorce rests with you. If you refuse, then I suppose it cannot be helped. You will need an heir, so I will..."
"That's enough! ...Please, don't say any more."
Looking utterly distraught, Hubert cut Opal off. Though Opal had phrased it vaguely, for a long time now, since around the time she had tricked him out of his fortune, she could only think of Hubert as a troublesome younger brother, despite him being older. And she had been fired by a strange sense of mission, feeling she had to make this tantrum-prone brother into a respectable duke. Though he had disappointed her four years ago, she could not bring herself to abandon him, but now she felt confident he would be all right and had proposed the divorce. Thinking of the worst-case scenario, she had even asked her legal representative to keep an eye on the ducal fief’s affairs in the future.
However, it was natural that Hubert would need an heir, and she had been prepared to accept it if he insisted. She had thought he would resent her, but she had never imagined Hubert harbored romantic feelings for her, so her worst-case scenario regarding a child had been something else entirely. That she would be forced to produce an heir in place of Stella, who could not have children.
"I'm sorry, Opal. I'm too tired today, it's difficult to look over documents. So, could I give you my answer tomorrow?"
"...Yes, of course."
Opal answered Hubert's pained question clearly, then quietly stood up. She left Hubert, his head still bowed, and returned from the living area to her room. She did not say anything more, thinking it was for the best.
She called a maid to remove her makeup. She desperately wanted a bath, but she endured, changed into her nightgown, and got into bed. She was so tired she felt she could fall asleep the moment she closed her eyes, but the faint sounds from the living area kept her awake.
Even so, Opal must have fallen asleep at some point. The next morning, she awoke to the sunlight. It was already late. The maid informed her that Hubert had already left the hotel. What's more, he had apparently left something with the maid for her. Opal accepted the large envelope offered to her and checked its contents on the spot. It was the signed divorce papers. But there was nothing else. Not the documents from when she took the land, nor any letter from Hubert.
Opal took a deep breath, began to get ready, and after a proper breakfast, she left the hotel. Her destination was the Duke's mansion in the Royal Capital. To bring things to a final close, Opal braced herself as she swayed in a carriage instead of taking the train. To be honest, she was dreading seeing Hubert, but there was something she had to do before formally submitting the divorce papers.
Several days later, having steeled herself, Opal arrived at the ducal mansion. She was relieved to hear Hubert had not yet returned, but also slightly worried. But Hubert was a grown man now. Opal told herself it was not her place to worry and instructed the butler, who was surprised by the sudden return of the lady of the house, to gather all the servants. Just then, Stella appeared, pushed in her wheelchair by Beth, with Lady Northem and even Romitt in tow, and glared at Opal.
"Why have you returned so suddenly?"
"Hello, Stella-san. It has been quite a while. And you seem to be looking much healthier."
"Unfortunately for you, Hubert isn't here."
"It seems the medicine is working. I'm glad."
Beth and Romitt watched, stunned, as Opal and Stella continued their conversation, their words completely missing each other. They had probably never seen Stella with such a harsh attitude before.
"Stella, stop it! That is rude!"
"Oh, it's quite all right. But what are all of you doing here together?"
"Ah, um, we are currently staying here so that Stella may see her doctor. For her monthly checkup..."
"Ah, I see. By all means, please stay as long as you like."
At Stella’s impertinent behavior, Lady Northem hurriedly scolded her. Stella still seemed to be as spoiled as ever, and Opal could only feel pity for her. She would have to depend on Hubert for the rest of her life. Just then, the butler returned with the servants.
"My Lady, I have gathered everyone currently in the mansion, but...?"
"Thank you."
Opal smiled and thanked the perplexed butler, then slowly looked around at the assembled staff. It was a shame she could not see Cayve the coachman, but perhaps they would have a chance to meet again someday.
"Thank you all for gathering on such short notice. It's a pity I can't greet everyone, but it can't be helped. I came today to say goodbye."
At Opal’s words, a collective gasp went through the room. The ones who looked most frightened were the long-serving staff, who had apparently misunderstood and thought they were being dismissed.
"The truth is..."
"Stop it! How could you do something so cruel!?"
"...Cruel?"
"Everyone here has served this house since long ago! To fire them is just cruel!"
"Lady Stella..."
At Stella’s moving words, Romitt and the others grew teary-eyed. Opal thought that she truly had not learned a thing, but the angel in the wheelchair no longer had her former ethereal fragility. It seemed time passes for everyone equally. Opal let out a deep sigh and opened her mouth.
"It seems you've misunderstood. The one who is leaving is me."
"...What?"
"My Lord and I are getting a divorce. I've endured for so long, but now I can finally be free. So please, I hope you will celebrate with me."
With a radiant smile she had never before shown in this ducal mansion, Opal made her announcement to the astonished servants. Only the new butler, whom she had informed of the situation to some extent, accepted the news with a gentle smile. Opal looked at the gaping faces of Romitt and Beth, then stared at Stella for a moment before turning back to the servants, to the ones who had served for a long time.
"My Lord... no, Duke McLeod will likely remarry before long, so I hope you will all be respectful and kind to the new duchess this time. It is possible the new lady of the house will be very young, and perhaps inexperienced in her role."
She knew it was spiteful, but Opal felt she was allowed at least this one parting shot. And with just that, she felt as if a weight that had been building for years had been lifted.
"Well then, thank you for these seven years. It was quite enjoyable. Goodbye!"
Opal bid a cheerful farewell to Stella, Romitt, and the others, who were still speechless with shock. She turned on her heel and walked out the main entrance. The weather was fine, and so was Opal's mood. Of course, she had not left a single belonging in this mansion.
Opal descended the stairs to her private carriage that was waiting for her, then turned to look back at the mansion one last time. Lifting her gaze high, she could see the small, dirty, fogged window of the attic room where she had stubbornly holed herself up for that short time. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she thought of how young she had been, but she quickly shook it off and climbed into the carriage.
Her destination was the small estate her grandmother had left her. But before that, she planned to stop by the ducal fief to say her goodbyes. That place had felt more like home than this mansion ever had, so parting would be difficult. Even so, with a clear and bright feeling, Opal set off toward her new life.