Chapter 51 - Arrest Warrant
Aside from someone letting out a small "Oh my," the large hall fell surprisingly quiet, filled with silence. A moment later, however, a jarringly loud laugh echoed through the space.
"That was quite an amusing bit of entertainment, Lord Rousel. Or... are you truly Marquis Rousel?"
Keimont's laughing words turned into a question, and the people around them also looked to Opal for an answer. When it came to something like an arrest warrant, it seemed no one could quite believe it. Opal was just as confused about the warrant, but she could answer this question clearly.
"Yes, of course. Lord Croisel, my lady, my apologies for the late introduction, but this is my husband, Marquis Rousel, Claude Fred."
Deciding she would properly apologize and make amends for causing a scene at the ball later, Opal introduced Claude to Lord and Lady Croisel. Claude then followed suit.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lord Croisel, Lady Croisel. I must apologize for not replying to your invitation and for arriving so suddenly. Please also allow me to apologize for the disturbance."
"Marquis Rousel, it is an honor to meet you—"
"You can say whatever you please! There is no one here who knows the real Marquis Rousel! What arrest warrant? Do not be ridiculous!"
Lord Croisel had been responding with a smile despite the situation, but an irritated Keimont cut him off. Not only was it rude to interrupt a greeting, but calling Opal a liar was also quite impolite. Yet the Countess, who was usually so fussy about etiquette, did not even scold her son.
"Y, yes! What is all this? Why is everyone letting those insolent people do as they please!? Lord Croisel, all of you, what is wrong with you! To be subjected to such an insult, I will never forgive any of you!"
At the shrill voice of the Countess, who seemed to have completely forgotten her manners, the people who had been watching in silence began to murmur. Even as everyone’s attention focused on what would happen next, Claude calmly stated his case.
"Several of the bandits who have been appearing near the Royal Capital recently were apprehended today. Their testimony has revealed that Lord Keimont was one of their accomplices. Thus, an arrest warrant was issued just a short while ago."
"A, a lie..."
"As the bandits are all young men of high birth, all the arrest warrants were issued by His Majesty's royal decree. Furthermore, police officers are waiting outside this hall to take Lord Keimont into custody. My role was to escort Lord Keimont out of here without disturbing everyone, but it seems I have failed."
Everyone stared at the shrugging Claude in disbelief. The hall was once again enveloped in silence, with only the sound of Keimont’s ragged breathing. The Countess had lost so much color that she looked as though she might have fainted while standing, and Keimont did not even utter a word of rebuttal.
"Now, Lord Keimont. If you would please come outside—"
Claude’s words were cut short. Keimont had started to run. He roughly shoved aside a woman who was in his way and bolted towards the exit.
A scream rang out, and Opal, who had been dumbfounded, snapped back to her senses and followed Keimont's escape with her eyes, only to see that Claude and several other men were already in pursuit. They apprehended him in front of the doors.
"Let me go, you insolent fools! I am Jeff Keimont of the Count Keimont family!"
The men surrounding the shouting, struggling Keimont were all of a station no less than his own. Even Lord Croisel had joined them. As everyone watched in astonishment, Keimont was led away, and Claude slowly returned.
"Claude?"
"I will explain everything later."
"Yes, please do."
When he spoke so apologetically, she could not possibly press him for answers in this place. Claude gave Opal a grateful smile, then turned to face the Countess. The Countess, who had been staring in a daze at the door through which her son, Keimont, had been taken, instantly wore a look of fury the moment she noticed Claude before her.
"That boy... that boy is innocent. Of course he is innocent! It was you, wasn't it? You framed him! My husband will sue you, both of you!"
"...I have done nothing. In fact, I was unable to do anything. However, you, my lady, could have done much more."
"What on earth are you talking about!?"
"A parent is responsible for a child's misdeeds, is that not so? However, what they were doing was not a misdeed, it was a crime. They were mimicking the bandits who ravaged the highways months ago, threatening travelers and stealing their valuables. How His Majesty must have lamented and raged upon learning that such criminals were men of high birth..."
"That cannot be..."
"From now on, I would hope you would think less of yourself and your son, and more of the unfortunate victims. Now, if you will excuse me."
In the face of the Countess’s furious cries, Claude remained calm until the very end. But Claude was very angry. Opal was aware of this but said nothing, continuing their trivial conversation until they had said their goodbyes to Lord and Lady Croisel and boarded the carriage. Once they were alone inside, Opal began.
"Alright, Nadia has been sent home in another carriage, and it is just the two of us now. I will listen to anything you have to say."
"I need to explain what happened tonight."
"That can wait. But if talking about it will help calm your anger even a little, I want you to tell me. And if there is anything I can do, I want you to tell me."
There were many things she wanted to know, but she was more concerned about the source of Claude's rare anger. So much had happened tonight that she could not begin to guess. In the dimly lit carriage, illuminated only by the interior lamp, as Opal earnestly put her feelings into words, Claude suddenly pulled her into a hug. His embrace was unusually strong.
"Claude?"
"I am sorry, Opal."
"What?"
"It pains me that they spoke ill of you. I am sorry that I interfered with your plan. I am furious that a scumbag like Keimont has been allowed to run free until now. It makes me sick to feel so powerless, even with the title of Marquis. I am truly sorry, Opal."
Claude's anger was for her and for the victims. He had always been the same, kind and warm. Opal hugged him back and let out a breath of relief.
"Thank you, Claude. But I am alright. I do not care what people who do not matter say. As for Lord Keimont, I achieved my goal. I wanted everyone to know how irresponsibly he made those women suffer, but he turned out to be an even worse... scumbag."
Unable to find the right word to describe Keimont, Opal borrowed Claude’s. It was an unladylike thing to say, but Claude chuckled.
"Besides, with what happened tonight, perhaps the prejudice against women in unfortunate circumstances will lessen a little? I hope the victims of the bandits will receive some form of relief..."
"Fortunately, it seems there were very few injuries among the victims. Their valuables were stolen, but Keimont and the others will have to make full restitution. Along with compensation, of course. They left the stolen goods in the mansion they were using as a hideout. That became the evidence... It seems their motive was not money, but the thrill of it, and the enjoyment of watching their victims cower in fear."
"They really are irredeemable scumbags."
This time she said it clearly, and Opal rested her head on Claude’s shoulder.
"Hey, Claude."
"Yes?"
"It is not true that you are powerless. I am fine on my own, but when you came to my rescue, I felt so, so happy and strong. And when you punched Lord Keimont, I felt so satisfied."
"I am relieved to hear that. I acted in anger, but I was secretly terrified that you would hate me for being a brute."
Wondering if he was serious, Opal lifted her face and looked at Claude. He always seemed so confident, but right now, he looked a little vulnerable.
"...It is not just me. There must be many people you have saved. Just having you around makes one stronger. But that does not mean you have to carry everything on your own. We promised, did we not? To live our lives together, joining our strengths. I will carry your burdens with you. So I want you to rely on me more."
Claude, who had not changed since long ago, still tried to carry everything by himself. He always came to her aid when she was in trouble, yet he never relied on others when he was in trouble himself. It would be impossible to change him right away, but she hoped she could help him, little by little.
"...Thank you, Opal."
As Opal rested her head on Claude's shoulder again, his low, gentle voice touched her ear. It tickled her terribly, and to hide her shyness, Opal suddenly lifted her face and gave him a mischievous smile.
"—Which is why, you are going to properly explain everything that happened tonight."
"Right now?"
"The night is still young."
"That sounds suggestive."
Claude replied with a deliberately mischievous smile of his own. From then on, the two of them continued their lighthearted banter, just like in the old days, until they arrived at the mansion.