Chapter 40 - The Wedding
Her wedding to Hubert had been a cold affair. The ceremony proceeded dispassionately, and when it was over, she received only perfunctory words of blessing from the few attendees. There had not even been a reception. But now, she was being celebrated not only by the guests but also by the villagers who had gathered around the chapel. Opal was overjoyed to receive such pure hearted congratulations from so many people.
"Claude, what should I do..."
"Are you all right? What's wrong?"
"This might sound... terribly cliché, but..."
"Yes? What is it?"
"I'm so happy, it's frightening."
She never thought she would utter such words. She fully expected him to laugh, but Claude just nodded with a serious expression and placed his hand over hers, which was resting on his arm.
"I'm frightened too. I keep thinking this might be a dream. I couldn't sleep at all last night."
"Claude..."
Hearing a moment of weakness from Claude, who always seemed so full of confidence, made Opal's chest tighten with a kyu. They had only just held their wedding and officially become husband and wife, yet her heart was going doki doki, as if she had a one-sided crush. At the same time, she remembered something she had to tell him, and her face turned bright red.
"Um, there's something I have to tell you—"
"Claude! Stop staring at your bride all day and get over here!"
Opal's words were cut off by the teasing of Claude's eldest brother. The two of them had stopped just outside the chapel, and it must have looked as though they were gazing into each other's eyes. They were, in fact, but to hide her bashfulness, Opal turned toward the others and smiled. It was somehow embarrassing, perhaps because the members of the Baron's family had known her since she was a child. Claude seemed to realize she had been about to say something, but he also appeared to understand her feelings and did not press her. Instead, he shot his brother an exaggerated glare.
"I'm not staring as much as you did, brother. Though my feelings are just as deep."
With that, Claude shot his sister-in-law a mischievous grin before turning his gaze back to Opal. Opal pushed her embarrassment aside and returned his smile. Surrounded by everyone's blessings and smiles, they boarded the carriage, and Opal let out a long sigh, fuu. Next was the reception at the estate.
"Are you tired?"
"No, I'm fine. But my heart feels so full it almost hurts."
As Opal replied, pressing a hand to her chest, Claude simply smiled gently without a word. This was the side of Claude that Opal had a weakness for. He could reassure her without needing any words.
"You're not fair, Claude."
"What do you mean?"
"It's like you know everything about me."
"Not everything."
"But you know more about me than I know about you. For example..."
"For example?"
Opal hesitated, though she had intended to say it all at once. Perhaps even Claude could not imagine that she had been married for seven years and yet nothing had ever happened. Still, she was sure that he, of all people, would understand.
"Th, that I've never... you know... e, experienced it."
"Experienced what?"
"You... you know what!"
Her embarrassment made her tone unintentionally harsh. When this happened, her stubborn side came out, and she could not be honest. Claude simply gazed at her, looking puzzled.
"'You know what'...?"
"M, marital matters."
Unable to bear Claude's gaze as he murmured to himself in thought, Opal turned her face away, tsun, and looked out the window. She was not seeing the scenery at all, however. Her every nerve was focused on Claude.
"...Huh? No, but... you were married for seven years, weren't you?"
"But we lived separately."
"Even so..."
Opal answered defiantly, but she was starting to feel anxious about Claude's reaction. She had not thought it was a big deal, but now she began to lose her nerve, wondering if it was a problem after all.
"Is it... is it that strange? Is it a problem? Does this mean you don't want me?"
"Of course not! The problem is that I—"
Opal asked, completely disheartened, and Claude vehemently denied it. He started to say something else, then shut his mouth.
"That you what?"
"—It's nothing."
Opal had confessed with all her heart, but Claude would not give her a straight answer. At that, Opal grew sullen, mu, and forgot all about her embarrassment.
"Claude, tell me properly."
"It's not a big deal, so don't worry about it."
"I will worry about it. Now I'm even more curious."
"Then I'll tell you later."
"What? When is later? I can't wait that long."
"I'm the one who can't wait! Why on earth would you bring this up now, in here!"
"Because I didn't know when else to say it! Why are you getting angry!? So it is a problem!?"
"I told you, that's not it! You've done nothing wrong, Opal! It's just that I—"
"What's wrong? Arguing already?"
Both Opal and Claude were so absorbed in their conversation that they had not noticed the carriage had stopped. What was more, perhaps because they were not getting out, Opal's father had apparently opened the door himself. He might have called out to them, but Opal, in her frustration, just glared at him.
"Father, please don't just open the door like that."
"Opal, if you don't do something about that strong will of yours, you'll tire a man's patience."
"That's one of Opal's charms."
Opal grew even angrier at her father's words, but Claude came to her defense with a gentle smile. After that, Opal could not say anything more. The Count just shrugged his shoulders as if exasperated and walked away.
"Oh, no. We've kept everyone waiting."
Claude murmured apologetically, looking at the servants lined up in front of the estate. After receiving their congratulations, they would then have to greet the guests for the reception. Her father had probably returned ahead of the others because he intended to leave partway through. Perhaps what he had said just now had been his own way of giving her advice.
(That's beyond clumsy...)
Opal watched her father's retreating back as she accepted Claude's hand to step down from the carriage. Claude squeezed her hand tightly and gently drew her closer.
"I love everything about you, Opal."
"I... I find it difficult. The way you just... say whatever you're thinking."
"Sorry."
"...That's a lie."
"Hm?"
Claude had defended her from her father, yet she had been so embarrassed that she had said something negative without thinking. And instead of getting angry, he had apologized. Hating her own inability to be honest, Opal squeezed his hand back tightly and mustered the courage to confess her true feelings.
"It is difficult, but... the truth is, I love it even more. I love you so much, Claude."
"...Thank you, Opal. That makes me so happy. But to say that right now—"
"Congratulations on your marriage!"
Claude started to say something else, smiling a little bashfully, but was cut off by the butler's words of congratulations on behalf of the staff. After that, everything happened in a flash, and before they knew it, night had fallen without them having a chance to speak privately again.