Chapter 44 - Homecoming
"The season is about to start. How did you manage to rent this place?"
Stepping out of the carriage in front of a mansion in the center of the Sosylle Kingdom's Royal Capital, Opal posed the question to Claude. The mansion itself was not overly large, but it was quite old, and its good taste was evident even from the exterior. It was close to the Holloway estate, an impeccable location. Many members of high society who flocked to the Royal Capital when the season began did not own their own mansions. A residence like this would have been difficult to rent without booking it last year. Impressed that he had managed it for their sudden homecoming, Opal looked at Claude’s face and revised her opinion.
"You bought it, didn’t you? And quite some time ago."
"I purchased it as an investment. It was the right decision not to lease it out this year."
"Why didn’t you lease it this year?"
"…Anticipation, perhaps? Anyway, let’s go inside."
"Yes, let’s."
They knew each other well, but there were still many things they did not know. Deciding to look forward to discovering them, Opal placed her hand on the arm Claude offered and began to climb the stairs to the entrance.
"The interior is quite lovely as well."
"I’m glad to hear you say that."
Opal stepped inside the mansion as the doors were opened with perfect timing. After being introduced to the butler and other servants who came out to greet them, she quickly surveyed the entrance hall and offered her honest impression. Claude smiled in response and led her toward the living room. Seeing Nadia chatting happily with a maid, Opal decided she could trust her to supervise the unpacking and proceeded into the room, where she let out a sigh of admiration. The room was adorned with furniture and decorations that suited her tastes perfectly.
"It’s lovely…"
Opal sat down on the sofa and gently stroked the damask-upholstered seat. Claude watched her, looking pleased. There were many things she wanted to say, but what came out of her mouth was a simple and important sentiment.
"Claude, thank you for bringing me to such a wonderful home."
"You’re welcome. If you like it, then it was worth buying."
His smile, like that of a boy whose prank has succeeded, filled Opal with a nostalgic thrill. Of course, he had not been this gentle in the past.
(No. Claude was always kind. It was just a little hard to see…)
If anything, she had been the cheeky and selfish one. Remembering this, Opal felt a pang of embarrassment as she looked at Claude anew.
"Is something wrong?"
"I was just thinking how glad I am that you fell in love with me."
After answering Claude’s question, Opal realized her words could be misinterpreted in the flow of the conversation. She hurriedly added an amendment.
"It’s not because this house is lovely, you know."
"I know. But may I ask why?"
Finding her flustered state amusing, Claude laughed aloud before asking his question. She hesitated for a moment, wondering how to answer, but the perfect response for the Claude of today came to her quickly.
"Because you fight alongside me."
"Of course. For you, Opal, I would even lay down my life!"
Opal burst out laughing at Claude's dramatic gesture of clutching his chest. He feigned an offended expression, then broke into a grin.
"So, how are the preparations for this battle coming along?"
"For now, I’ve found where Beth is."
"Was she at the charity you established, the Sanctuary for Women?"
"No. It seems she never went to the facility. Apparently, Lady Northem gave her a rather large sum as a severance payment. That, at least, is a relief."
Immediately after Hubert’s visit, Opal had written a letter to her agent in Sosylle Kingdom, asking him to find out what had happened to Beth. The agent had been introduced to her by her uncle, Jonathan Kenjit, and was extremely capable and reliable. In fact, as soon as they had disembarked at the port in Sosylle Kingdom, a messenger from the agent had handed her an investigation report on Beth. It could only have been two or three days since he received her letter, which made Opal suspect he had likely been keeping an eye on the McLeod ducal household for some time.
"In that case, do you need the results of my investigation into the recent conduct of McLeod’s friends?"
"Thank you, Claude. That would be very helpful."
Claude had probably been investigating Beth on his own as well. Not because he did not trust Opal, but because he was always ready to help her in any way he could.
"I’ll visit Beth first thing tomorrow."
"Would it be better if I weren’t there?"
"I think so. It would be reassuring for me, but it might frighten Beth."
"Then I’ll arrange for a carriage. A plain one without a crest would be best, right? Also, I insist you take an escort."
"Yes. I understand. Thank you for everything, Claude."
Opal thanked him and concluded the topic of Beth, changing the subject to the current state of affairs in Sosylle Kingdom.
And so, the next day. Opal stepped out of the carriage on the outskirts of the Royal Capital and looked up at an old apartment building. It did not seem well-maintained, but there was no scattered trash or foul odors. She had confirmed that the area was not particularly unsafe. Nevertheless, both the coachman and the footman were carrying guns, and an escort was following them from a short distance.
"Well then, shall we go?"
"Yes, Madam."
Opal spoke to Nadia, who had been looking up at the building with her, then gave a slight nod to the coachman. He responded by touching the brim of his hat and starting the carriage. The carriage would wait a short distance away, while the footman and escort would keep a discreet watch nearby.
According to the report, the room was on the second floor, the corner unit on the west side. Opal and Nadia ascended the stairs with brisk steps and stood before the target door. There was no name on the decaying door. Feeling a slight twinge of anxiety, she knocked firmly. She had confirmed in advance that Beth was home, so there should be no mistake, but it took some time for a response. Just as Nadia, growing impatient, opened her mouth to say something, a sound came from the other side of the door, followed by the click of a lock being turned.
"Yes?"
The face peeking through the slight gap was indeed Beth’s, but she was considerably haggard since Opal had last seen her, and she looked older. Feeling a small shock at the transformation of the once-defiant Beth, Opal forced a smile and pushed the door wide open.
"Hello, Beth."
"Wh, what!?"
Startled, Beth stared blankly for a moment, then immediately tried to shut the door. The force pushed the door from Opal’s hand, but she quickly wedged her foot in the opening. Ignoring the dull pain in her toes, Opal pushed the door wide open again.
"Don’t be like that, Beth. It’s been a long time, let’s talk for a little while."
"…Did you come here to laugh at me?"
"Oh, I can’t laugh at something that isn’t amusing. But perhaps it’s something similar. I’m just a nosy parker, after all."
At Opal’s words, which offered neither comfort nor pretense, Beth burst into tears.