Chapter 37 - The Ball
"Wh, what do you…"
"I have seen many foolish men in my time, but you are a hopelessly foolish man."
With that parting shot to the dumbfounded Eric, Opal stood up to leave the room. He grabbed her arm instantly.
"What kind of woman are you!"
"What kind of man are you, I wonder."
Eric, seemingly having lost himself to rage, glared down at Opal. But when she glanced down at her captured arm and repeated his words in a similar tone, he hastily let go. It seemed he had that much reason left.
"What am I supposed to do about these wet clothes?"
"Oh, don't you worry. A ‘normal’ woman, as you call them, would surely have a handkerchief. Why don't you borrow one? Unfortunately, I do not have a handkerchief to lend to someone like you."
"How can I appear before everyone looking like this!"
"Why not? A ‘normal’ woman, as you say, a chaste woman who fits a certain criteria, who doesn’t make a fuss when she feels she’s in danger, who doesn’t eat when she’s hungry, who bears the full responsibility for being unable to produce an heir, and who silently accepts being divorced and cast out without a penny, would surely be lenient with you, would she not? No, she would be more concerned for your well being, Baron. It would be impossible for her to have an opinion, so there is no problem at all."
"What nonsense are you…"
Eric stopped mid sentence. His face turned red. He must have finally understood that every word Opal spoke was a reflection of the ones he had thrown at her.
"That's not what I…"
"Eric, say no more. As she said, you are only exposing your own foolishness."
The man who cut off Eric's attempt at an explanation was a stranger to Opal. But his identity quickly became clear.
"Brother, why would you say that…"
"Because you and she are of a different caliber."
"That’s not…"
"Silence, Eric. Miss Holloway, my younger brother has been terribly rude."
"…I believe you are the one being rude. Viscount Amady?"
She said his name like a question because they had not yet been introduced. At that, the man she presumed to be Viscount Amady smiled and gave an ostentatious bow.
"You are quite right. I am Thierry Baphot, Viscount Amady. My apologies for my foolish brother and myself."
"…I am Opal Holloway. But my objection was not because we hadn't been introduced. It was in response to your words, Viscount."
"Mine?"
Thierry's pleasant expression soured into a suspicious one at Opal's statement. But Opal simply smiled and nodded.
"What is this ‘caliber’ you speak of? What would you have done if my ‘caliber’ had been inferior to your brother’s? Would you have ignored his rude behavior? Or would you have stepped in to help? Either way, your actions would have been despicable. While your brother was berating me, you stood with your back to us, drinking nonchalantly. Whatever my ‘caliber’ may be, it is certain that neither of you knows how to treat a woman."
Opal had noticed Thierry enter the room shortly after she had sat down. But Eric, apparently blinded by rage, had no attention to spare for his surroundings. And now, Eric seemed to be growing angry once more at Opal's tone toward Thierry. He opened his mouth to say something but was silenced by a gesture from Thierry.
"My apologies. I meant no harm, but it seems I have made you uncomfortable."
Thierry's words, which were not an apology at all, caused Opal’s heart to grow cold. In stark contrast to her feelings, her smile deepened again.
"You meant no harm? Have you ever considered how much your words and actions might hurt someone? An innocent rumor, a harmless prank. Do you believe that as long as there is no ill intent, everything is permissible? The words ‘I meant no harm’ are not a license to do as you please. But if you cannot take responsibility for your own words and deeds simply because you meant no harm, then perhaps you should renounce your title and honor. Rather than offering me a perfunctory apology like ‘my apologies’."
Eric’s foolishness had angered her, but Thierry’s arrogance was something Opal could not tolerate. Nearly a decade ago, she had been the target of so called gentlemen's harmless pranks and bets, and she had been hurt time and time again. The price for a single scandal had been steep. And the wounds from that time still followed her.
Eric and Thierry stared at Opal as if she were some exotic creature, likely never having been spoken to in such a manner. As the heir to a marquisate and his younger brother, they had probably been taught to be rulers. Perhaps their arrogance had transformed into strength during the civil war eight years ago, earning them titles independent of their family. That might have become the source of their confidence, but the arrogance peculiar to the nobility would be a hindrance in the coming era. If possible, she did not want to destroy the friendship between Claude and Thierry or Eric, but she would not bend her own principles either. Opal let the smile fade from her face and spoke coolly.
"Please, continue your friendship with Claude. However, I would ask that you avoid appearing before me as much as possible. I shall do my best to avoid you as well."
As Opal turned toward the exit, Claude was just walking in. He must have overheard, because he quickly moved to Opal's side and shot Eric and Thierry a severe look.
"I support Opal. So, though it is a shame to have invited you, please do not come to the wedding."
With that firm declaration, Claude prompted a surprised Opal to turn and leave before Eric or Thierry could say a word. Opal obeyed without so much as a farewell to the two men.
"…I’m sorry."
"Your worst habit, Opal, is trying to take responsibility for things you don't need to. That's why you apologize for things that aren't your fault."
"Claude…"
Claude sighed, looking somewhat weary. She did not think her arguments had been wrong, but she regretted picking a fight with Claude’s friends, wondering if there might have been a different way to handle things.
"I’ve caused an unnecessary rift between you and your friends. …I’m sorry, Claude."
"Again, it’s not something you need to apologize for. If a friendship is so fragile that it breaks just because someone else joins the picture, then that’s all it was worth. They’re good at their jobs. But that doesn’t excuse their insensitivity. If those two don’t shed their arrogant, class bound thinking, they won’t be able to keep up with the changes of the coming era."
"But…"
"Don’t worry, they aren't fools. They'll realize what the problem is. I'm talking a big game, but I need to change myself, too. For the past few years, we’ve been pushing forward relentlessly, and while we’ve accomplished some things because of that, I think we lost sight of what was around us. If we don't open a window in this closed off society, it will eventually rot and collapse. Or it will be destroyed from the outside."
"…So, should I be the one to open that window?"
"No, Opal, you should do as you please. His Majesty wanted that as well, didn't he?"
Claude, of course, had also been aware of Alessandro's intentions during the audience two days prior. Regret was not in Opal’s nature. If she had time for that, she should learn from her mistakes and apply them to the future. With that thought, Opal nodded firmly.
"You can count on me for that."
Then it suddenly dawned on her where they were heading, and she grew flustered.
"Claude, aren't we going back to the ballroom?"
"No, we’ve fulfilled our obligations, so it’s fine."
"But we haven't even said our farewells to His Majesty."
"It's alright. His Majesty understands."
"What about your parents?"
"My mother said she's done her duty, so she and my father have already returned to the carriage."
"Well then, I hope we haven't kept them waiting too long…"
"Don't worry about it. Since they're together, they might even tell us not to bother them."
Claude made a theatrically weary face, and Opal laughed. When they reached the carriage, the Baron and Baroness were indeed already inside, waiting.
"Oh, you could have stayed longer, you know."
At the Baroness's words, Claude shot Opal a look that said, "See?" Opal bit her lip to hold back a laugh. Soon, she would be a member of this warm family. Pushing aside the unpleasant feelings, Opal decided to look forward to the wedding, now just two days away.