Chapter 53 - Newspaper
The incident at the Croisel family’s ball had already spread throughout the country by the next morning. To Opal’s surprise, it had been featured prominently in a popular newspaper.
"Is it not far too soon for this to be an article? I wonder who leaked it..."
Opal murmured as she placed the newspaper on the table. The article’s content was written in a highly sensational manner, revealing that the true identity of the bandits who had been troubling the public recently were the sons of aristocrats. While it was undoubtedly a major incident, what bothered Opal was the considerable detail in the article. Not only did it accurately describe what happened at the ball, down to the exact words Claude had said, but it also included information Opal did not know, such as the internal affairs of the Ministry of Justice.
"Literacy rates have been rising recently, and newspapers are becoming a form of entertainment for the citizens. The Ministry of Justice probably thought that if everyone was going to find out anyway, they might as well provide accurate information. The news that the bandits, the enemies of the public, were the idiot sons of nobles... well, of the upper class, is going to stir up considerable resentment. Citizen dissatisfaction with the aristocracy is already growing, and it would be problematic if this became the spark that set off a larger fire. So, they want to frame it as a picture of the Ministry of Justice and upright nobles defeating the evil nobles."
"I think it is a wonderful thing for all citizens to obtain equal rights. But I fear that rushing things may create distortions somewhere. And lately, things have been moving so rapidly that it sometimes frightens me."
"That is true. This country, Taisey Kingdom, and other nations are all changing at a dizzying pace right now. If you do not pay attention, you will be unable to keep up with the changing times and be left behind in an instant."
As Claude spoke, he picked up the newspaper from the table. He opened it and pointed to a particular article.
"More than that, this article makes me angry. Who wrote this? Alan Maron? Is he kidding?"
It was rare for Claude to be so irritated. Opal had been so focused on the article about Keimont and the others, but she wondered if something else important had been written. She lowered her gaze and was surprised. She quickly took the newspaper and read the article.
"What is this..."
Opal’s face contorted as she traced the words with her finger. The article detailed not only last night’s arrest but also her denunciation of Keimont. The headline read, ‘A Champion for Defenseless Women! Opal Holloway, Former Duchess McLeod!’
"How rude to get my name wrong!"
"Ah, you are right, it is wrong."
"I am Opal Fred, Marchioness Rousel. I must protest and have them print a correction immediately!"
As Opal angrily searched for the newspaper company’s contact information, Claude burst out laughing. Hearing his laughter, Opal looked up.
"Why are you laughing? Were you not angry as well?"
"I was angry about the article’s content. This reporter is praising Opal. That is fine. It is the truth. But at the end, it says, ‘I would very much like to become acquainted with her.’"
"I think it is just a lighthearted closing remark, but if it bothers you, I will protest. I will tell them I am not interested in anyone but you."
"No, that is not it."
"Then what is it? This reporter probably does not know that I have remarried. As a journalist, their research is insufficient."
Opal found the newspaper company’s address and furrowed her brow. It was not too far from here, but she had a visit to the Croisel residence to make soon, so she was short on time.
"I wonder if I will have time in the afternoon..."
"Are you really planning to go and protest? It will surely cause a huge commotion."
"It is already a commotion. More importantly, I was thinking of making a donation along with the protest. If they report on it in a big way, it will be good publicity for the newspaper as well as the organization, would it not? Moreover, it could lead to an increase in donations from other companies and individuals. There is no reason not to do it."
As Opal spoke with enthusiasm, Claude burst out laughing again. He thought that being with Opal was truly never boring. The headline and conclusion aside, the article’s content was as follows.
'Opal Holloway took measures to have Jeff Keimont transfer his assets as child support in order to save the women he had deceived and irresponsibly impregnated, along with their children. She then boldly denounced his misdeeds at the Croisel family’s ball and cornered him. She was granted an immense fortune upon her divorce from Duke McLeod and has been using it to increase her assets and give back to the less fortunate. She has established a protective organization with a focus on the welfare and empowerment of women, and has apparently begun activities to extend a helping hand not only in the Royal Capital but also to provincial areas.'
The mention of provincial areas was likely a guess based on Opal’s trip to the town of Nobori. In reality, Opal was focusing her efforts on establishing charitable organizations in provincial cities. Claude felt a pang of guilt, wondering if it had been right to whisk her away to Taisey Kingdom when she was still in the middle of her work.
"Claude, is something wrong? Was I being unladylike?"
"No, not at all. That is not it."
Noticing that Claude, who had been laughing just a moment ago, had suddenly become serious, Opal asked him. She had many things she wanted to do, but her first priority was to cherish Claude. That feeling had not changed since she accepted his proposal. She worried that she might have been rushing things a bit too much during their time in this country, but Claude’s answer was unexpected.
"Opal, you are working so hard to help the people in need in this country, and I was just thinking if it was right for me to take you to Taisey Kingdom for my own convenience. You seem so full of life right now."
"Of course I am. One of my recent worries has been partially resolved. It is only natural to be happy."
"A worry?"
"Yes. I have been wondering for a long time how I could let more people, especially those in need, know about the sanctuaries and charitable organizations. It is fine in the Royal Capital, but they are still largely unknown in the provinces. I found out that even in a town as large as Nobori, there is almost no awareness. But with this newspaper article, I think things might start to change, even if just a little. If the number of supporters increases, that would be perfect."
"Indeed..."
"And you know, it is not just the people of this country that I want to help. The people of Taisey Kingdom are the same. That country was much more developed than this one, but it seems the mindset of high society has not changed much, and there are still many people in the provinces who have not recovered from the epidemic and the civil war, are there not? This is the country where I was born and raised, I understand the situation, and while my collaborators are still few, they do exist, so it will be fine even if I am not here. I am a meddler, so now I intend to help the people of Taisey Kingdom."
As Opal declared this with her chest puffed out, Claude seemed to let out a breath of relief. Then, a broad smile spread across his face. Instantly, Opal’s heart gave a thud, and from there it began to beat like a drum, doki doki.
"Thank you, Opal."
"Y, you are welcome? Oh, um, I have to get ready to go out!"
"You are right. If we are too late, we will be late getting to the newspaper office."
"Exactly! Well then, I will see you later!"
In the end, Opal beat a hasty retreat and fled from the room. Even though they had been married for nearly a month, she still found her heart pounding at Claude’s slightest gestures and words. Entering her room, Opal took a deep breath and somehow managed to calm her feelings by reciting her tasks for the day out loud.