Chapter 26 - Reunion
Back in her father's fief for the first time in a long while, Opal climbed a tree she had known since childhood and gazed into the distance. But while her eyes saw a peaceful landscape, her mind was occupied with something else entirely. Two days ago, her father had summoned her to his mansion in the Royal Capital, and the story he told her had shaken her to her core. Perhaps even more so than when she was ordered to marry Hubert.
Over ten years ago, when Opal had just made her social debut and was hit by that scandal, Claude had apparently come to her father to ask for permission to propose. At the time, her father had dismissed Claude, who was just a university student, and sent him away. Yet three years later, Claude had returned to ask for Opal's hand once again.
What’s more, despite being from a Baron's Family, Claude had earned his own wages through labor and used that to build a fortune through investments. Of course, to her father, it was a paltry sum, not even thirty percent of Opal's dowry, but he said he had been faintly moved by Claude’s spirit. However, her father had already finalized the contract with Hubert, and Opal's future was set.
Even if Claude had amassed a fortune and they could have lived without touching Opal's dowry, being the wife of a duke versus the wife of a mere gentleman were two vastly different things. Besides, Opal did not need to be saved. Concluding this, her father had told Claude that Opal's marriage was already decided. Claude had apparently offered a small word of congratulations and left.
"I figured that even if you married your childhood friend who suddenly developed a chivalrous spirit, you would both quickly grow bored of each other and come to regret it. I thought it would suit your nature better to face adversity in a ducal house," her father had explained.
"...Why are you telling me this now?"
"I knew that once you turned twenty, you intended to live in the country without marrying. So I thought if I forced you to marry, you would try to make the marriage work out of sheer defiance toward me. But my judgment was a grave error. You acted in a way I never predicted and wasted seven years. And in the end, you're living in seclusion in the country anyway. Even though you still have other options."
"This... this life is what I wanted."
Opal replied resolutely to her father’s confession, though he had remained silent when she divorced Hubert. In truth, her heart felt like it was being crushed.
On the last day she had seen him, Claude had congratulated her on her marriage. If she hadn't been so stubborn, if she had confided in him and asked for his help, would he have saved her? She had wondered this so many times, only to be exasperated by her own foolishness.
Her prince on a white horse had been right beside her since childhood, but she herself had failed to notice. To then ask for help only when she was in trouble was the height of audacity. She was sure Claude would have helped her if she had asked. But that would have burdened him with a heavy sin and responsibility.
So, it was for the best this way. The seven years since her marriage to Hubert had brought much hardship, but the people of the duchy had been lifted from poverty, and Hubert had grown as a duke. For Opal, it was as if her unreliable younger brother had finally learned to stand on his own two feet, and she felt a certain sense of accomplishment.
Naturally, their divorce was still the talk of high society nearly a year later. While there were many unhappily married couples in society, actual divorces were rare. Most concluded that the Duke had given up on Opal after seven years of marriage with no signs of pregnancy. However, it was Hubert who refuted this. He said that Opal was not the kind of woman the rumors before their marriage had made her out to be. He explained that their marriage had been a contract, one where Opal had extended a hand to save him when he was in dire straits, and that after their marriage, she had been nothing but devoted to and supportive of him. He went even further, saying that he owed everything he was today to Opal. He confessed that he had wanted to continue the marriage but had been rejected, finishing his story with a wry smile.
Everyone had no choice but to believe this story, surprising as it was. Of course, there were many questions, but no one would dare contradict the Duke, and moreover, no one had seen Opal engage in any extravagant behavior after her marriage. On the contrary, it was a fact that she had remained secluded in the ducal fief. Thus, Opal's honor was restored, but for her, it hardly mattered. She simply hoped Hubert would marry again soon and find happiness this time.
That shouldn't be too difficult. Hubert was now quite wealthy and considered the best possible match in society, causing a stir among unmarried women and their mothers. And since Hubert did need an heir, considering his age, he would likely marry soon. Apparently, Hubert had recently been growing close to a certain woman. She was said to be famous for being young yet level-headed and dependable, though Opal's father said "strong-willed" was a more accurate description.
"Furthermore, that girl has an even more powerful, hot-tempered mother. If he marries her, the house of Duke McLeod will be taken over by that mother and daughter," her father had said with a laugh.
Recalling her father's words, Opal sighed. The problem was Stella's presence. Hubert might see Stella as only a sister, but it was clear Stella felt differently. Opal wondered how the new wife would view Stella’s presence, and how Hubert planned to handle it, before reminding herself that it was no longer her concern.
She was now living modestly in the small house on the land her grandmother had left her, just as she had planned before her marriage. She did not know what became of the deed transfer documents she returned to Hubert, but all the money from when he bought back the land and mansions had been paid to her. In fact, he had even paid for the remaining portion of the fief.
Although her uncle had mediated, Hubert had been adamant about paying, and in the end, Opal had relented. The letters Hubert sent several times after the divorce might have been about that matter. But Opal, though she felt it was cold, had sent them all back unopened with a request to communicate through her representative, so she would never know for sure. However, the letters stopped coming around the time the financial matters were settled, so she assumed that was the case.
And so, Opal had invested the payment from Hubert back into Mantest. She intended to use the profits to improve the working conditions for those at Mantest. A good working environment would lead to good work, which would in turn be returned as profit. She had seen this firsthand in the duchy. Furthermore, Opal planned to use the fortune she grew through investment to establish an organization to support women's independence.
(It's strange that just because someone is a woman, they can't secure financing for a business or find a job.)
With a new goal in mind, Opal was full of motivation. She had just been feeling a little sentimental after what her father had told her. Just as Opal renewed her resolve, she heard a familiar set of footsteps from behind her. Thinking it couldn't be, she turned around. And gasped.
"It's been a while, Opal. But I don't need to ask if you're well."
"...No. As you can see, I'm well enough to climb trees. But more importantly, it's been far too long, Claude."
From up in the tree, she couldn't see Claude’s face clearly. His footsteps were the same, but his voice seemed a little lower. Wondering if it was because his way of speaking had changed, Opal pressed a hand to her stinging nose.
"Come on down, Opal. It's been a long time, let me see your face properly."
"I went to all the trouble of climbing up here, why should I bother coming down? You could just climb up."
"Don't be ridiculous. If I climbed up too, the tree couldn't take it, right? We're not kids anymore."
"...I suppose not."
She knew she was being difficult, but she didn’t want Claude to see her face on the verge of tears, so she stubbornly held her ground. Claude replied with a wry smile. His words seemed to describe their current situation perfectly, and Opal couldn't think of a clever response.
They used to climb this tree together all the time, sitting side by side and gazing into the distance, but they couldn't do that anymore. The girl who used to welcome Claude home from boarding school with a joyful hug was nowhere to be found. And now, after hearing that story from her father, she felt too pathetic and ashamed to face him.
"Just come down. If you don't, I'll drag you down."
"W, wait! All right! I get it, so stop it, Claude!"
Ignoring Opal's feelings, Claude came to the base of the tree and tried to pull her leg, just like in the old days. She quickly moved it out of the way, but then he grabbed her skirt and pulled. When Opal cried uncle, Claude's assault finally stopped. Looking down, she could see Claude’s grinning face, and her earlier sentimentality vanished, her tears receding.
She could have climbed higher, out of Claude's reach if she really tried, but her pride wouldn't allow it. And because Claude knew her personality so well, he was waiting with a mischievous grin for her to come down.
"...If you were a gentleman, wouldn't you turn around for a moment?"
"Why? You never used to say that."
"Because it was easier to get down back then. Now it takes a bit of effort."
"Then I should definitely watch. I'll catch you if it gets dangerous."
"...Thank you."
Claude raised an eyebrow slightly at Opal's uncharacteristically sincere acceptance, but said nothing. Opal hiked up her knees under her skirt, grabbed a thick branch with a practiced hand, and hugged the trunk. Praying that her undergarments wouldn't be visible, Opal descended as boldly as ever. However, her body didn’t move like it used to, and she slipped. Claude’s arms shot out instantly to support her. He lifted her effortlessly and gently set her down on the ground.
"...Thank you, Claude."
"I didn't think I'd actually have to help you. You've lost your touch, Opal."
"It’s not my touch I've lost, it's my stamina. I'm almost twenty-seven, you know?"
Opal replied with a laugh and casually moved away from Claude. Seeing him again after so long, she noticed the last traces of boyhood had vanished, replaced by the full presence of a grown man. Compared to this newly charming Claude, she wondered how she must look, and she cast her eyes downward. But that felt like she was running away, which wasn't like her at all. So Opal lifted her head, looked Claude straight in the eye, and smiled.
"I don't need to ask if you're well, either. You helped me out just fine. Thank you, really."
"Yeah, I'm well. Anyway, it's not like I did anything worth that much thanks. Is something wrong?"
"Of course something is wrong. I haven't heard from you in nearly eight years, do you have any idea how worried I was... And all that time, you were in contact with my father."
Opal clenched her right hand into a fist and lightly tapped Claude's chest. He didn't try to avoid it, just furrowed his brow and looked down at her. He hesitated slightly, then spoke.
"...You heard?"
"I did. That you are Marquis Rousel of Taisey Kingdom."