Chapter 34 - The Audience
"Your Majesty, you go too far."
"But you do not deny it."
"I am only asking that you refrain from making comments that demean Opal."
It was Claude who protested Alessandro's sudden remark. Only a handful of people should have known about the situation with Hubert's fortune at the time, but Alessandro must have managed to investigate it somehow. He might not have known the exact details of their dealings, but it wouldn't be impossible to infer from Hubert's financial situation at the time, the fact that Opal's uncle and his fellow legal officers were visiting the ducal house, and Opal's subsequent actions. It was unlikely Claude had told him, so Opal found herself marveling at Alessandro's sharp perception. He had probably even investigated the debts of Omar, the duke's land administrator.
"Regarding Your Majesty's recent statement, may I offer my own opinion?"
"You may."
Even if his words were true, she had to offer a rebuttal. She didn't care what he thought of her, but she didn't want to cause trouble for Claude.
"Regarding Duke McLeod's fortune, I do not know how Your Majesty came by this information, but it became mine through legitimate procedures. Therefore, I have no reason to be ashamed. It is simply that many aspects would be inconvenient if they were to become public knowledge, and it is not something worth broadcasting, so everyone has simply remained silent."
"I see. A rather boring answer, but I suppose it is a safe one."
With those words, Opal realized she had been tested. She was smiling, but she was frustrated with her own slowness. Perhaps noticing this, Claude directed a stern gaze at Alessandro.
"Your Majesty, that is quite enough."
"Don't be so angry, Claude. I admit, that was malicious of me. I just thought that a woman who would falter at something like this would not be fit to be your wife. I am sorry, Opal."
"No, there is no need for an apology."
"You see, Claude? Opal has forgiven me. So you should stop being so irritable."
This was beyond a matter of forgiveness, but that was a problem for Opal's own heart. She shifted her focus and gave Claude a reassuring smile. Then, Alessandro continued cheerfully.
"There are still many enemies to you and me in this country. In that respect, I have no worries about Opal. You have found a wonderful woman, Claude."
"I proposed to Opal because I love her, not for the sake of this country or for Your Majesty. Therefore, I have no intention of using her, and I ask that Your Majesty be of the same mind."
"But it seems Opal is of that mind, is she not?"
Even when Claude stated his position firmly, Alessandro remained unperturbed and smiled at Opal. He had apparently reached that conclusion by watching her continuous smile.
"...I will not try to stop Opal's actions. No, I cannot stop them. It would have been nice if Opal were the type of woman to meekly hide in my shadow, but she is not. What's more, it is that very part of her that I fell in love with, so there is nothing I can do. In fact, I may be the one hiding in her shadow."
"If you do such a thing, I will be the one to drag you out."
Claude, who had been answering with a note of resignation, was laughing by the end. In short, this audience was not to grant permission for the marriage or to judge Opal's character, but to tell her that she was free to act as she pleased. To put it bluntly, it was a command to stop hiding and make her public debut at once.
His Majesty's niece, the talk of marriage to the princess who was the last remnant of the previous king, was likely a sentiment voiced by the opposition. A simple way of thinking would be that a marriage between Claude, the right hand of the current king, and the princess would strengthen Claude's ties to the royal family and could silence the opposition. But if a son were born between them, it could become the spark for a new conflict. What's more, Claude himself could lead the charge to place his own son on the throne. Even if Claude had no such intention, suspicion would arise in Alessandro and those around them, creating a rift.
(I believe the princess is turning twenty two this year... Marrying her off to royalty in another country could lead to her being used in a similar way. It's a difficult problem...)
The princess's marriage had likely been put on hold due to the country being ravaged by plague and civil war. And now, she was in a delicate position. Alessandro had two sons, but they were still in their early teens, so even with support, he couldn't make any rash moves until they were more established themselves. Alessandro's wife, who should have been queen, had died in the plague, so I had heard that Alessandro himself was receiving many marriage proposals. It wasn't apparent from the outside, but this country was still unstable.
"Then, I will ask you directly, Opal. Will you attend the ball to be held the day after tomorrow, a ball to celebrate the opening of the new railway line?"
If she was being challenged, she would accept. It seemed Alessandro had grasped even that aspect of her personality.
"I wish to follow Claude's lead. I could not imagine having any escort other than Claude."
"You heard her. What will you do, Claude?"
"If that is what Opal wishes, then we will attend. I would not want to be thought of as running away."
"Then it is decided. I feel I have learned how to handle you."
"Do not get too carried away. I might just take back my earlier promise. With that, we will take our leave."
Claude replied with what must have been his umpteenth sigh of the day, then announced their departure. He stood at the same time as the apparently satisfied Alessandro and offered his hand to Opal.
"This was enjoyable, Opal. I eagerly await seeing you again the day after tomorrow."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. We will take our leave now."
Taking Claude's hand to stand, Opal also bid farewell to Alessandro and departed. Escorted by Claude, she returned to the waiting room. She still felt the curious gazes of those around them, but now a sense of relief allowed her to show a bit of composure.
By coming to the royal castle and speaking with Alessandro directly, she had gained a small understanding of the country's current situation, something she couldn't have gleaned from books and other preliminary research alone. And, as Eric had said, many women had probably approached Claude. A single man with such favorable prospects as Claude was rare, and above all, Claude himself was a charming man.
(Well, that might be a slightly biased view...)
Just because Claude was getting married, it was unlikely that all those women would gracefully back down. Not only women, but men with ambition or hostility must also be trying to get close to Claude. If that was the case, some would surely appear who would try to use Opal.
(I can understand why His Majesty had me investigated, but still, this is not something that could be done in just a few months...)
Opal wondered just how long Alessandro had had his eye on her. She casually glanced at Claude, and their eyes met perfectly.
"Are you tired?"
"No, I'm fine. I was just wondering when His Majesty first learned about me..."
"Ah, that would be about eight years ago, I think?"
"Eight years?"
"I think it was around then. I told His Majesty about you not long after we first met. After that, you came up in conversation from time to time."
"...I won't ask about the contents."
"Oh?"
Part of her wanted to know, but Opal decided it was better not to touch the subject and fell silent. Claude seemed to mean no harm, and was smiling cheerfully. He had probably just spoken of her as a childhood friend, but five years ago, when Claude had sent investment and engineers to Mantest, Alessandro had met Hubert and likely investigated her more thoroughly then. In those days, sending engineers to foreign countries must have been a gamble.
She had worried about whether she was truly worthy of Claude, but now, Opal's resolve was firm. She had no backing in this country, and she might not be able to have children, but she had connections in the Sosylle Kingdom, she had wealth, and she could manage a fief. Since she had received permission from King Alessandro, she just had to fight as she saw fit in this country's social circles. Whether it was the opposition faction or not, Claude's enemies were her enemies.
(But, I have to be careful not to turn Claude's friends, his allies, into enemies...)
Remembering Eric, Opal swallowed a sigh and looked up at Claude walking beside her. Just one year ago, she never would have imagined such happiness awaited her.
"Opal... if you stare at me like that, I won't be able to control my impulses, so could you please stop?"
"What?"
"Or, are you saying it's all right if I kiss you, right here, right now?"
"D, don't say such foolish things!"
"But I'm serious."
Flustered by Claude's words, Opal quickly faced forward and quickened her pace, hearing his amused laughter behind her. She shot Claude a light glare before finally entering the room where Nadia was waiting.