Chapter 66 - A Stroll
The next day, after finishing her breakfast, Opal immediately had the housekeeper show her around the estate. The interior was well-managed, with no particular areas needing change. To signal that she was content with things as they were, she decided to leave the management of the manor's keys with Connally and the housekeeper. She did, however, have the keys to the master and mistress's rooms returned by Connally, and the keys to the study and library by the housekeeper. The housekeeper, perhaps relieved to know she would not lose her job, seemed to relax, but her distant manner remained unchanged.
It was only natural, as Opal had only been there for two days. Yet, she could feel a rejection from them that had nothing to do with time. It was a feeling she got not just from the housekeeper, but from all the servants working at the estate. She was used to such things, so it did not bother her, but the real problem was Duncan.
"The manor can wait. The farmlands, however, need urgent attention, but then there's Duncan…"
"Apparently, the previous land administrator was Duncan-san's father. I heard that Duncan-san's father was stubborn and inflexible, and wouldn't even allow the fief's people to rest when they were sick or injured. The previous Duke supposedly liked that about him. So Duncan-san was raised very strictly. But everyone says he still has a little compassion."
"I see."
As Opal grumbled, Nadia quickly shared the information she had just gathered. Unlike her time in the Duke McLeod household, she now had such a reliable ally. Opal continued her complaint, putting on a bit of an act.
"When I recommended convenient new farm tools to Duncan, he brushed me off, calling them 'devil's tools.' Are the people around here all very devout?"
"I heard that Duncan-san rejects anything that is beyond his comprehension, calling it the devil's work. Plagues, railways, and even young girls."
"Young girls too? It seems I've discovered Duncan's weakness."
Opal responded with a lighthearted joke, but she was once again amazed by Nadia's ability to gather information. To have collected so much in such a short time was impressive. Normally, Nadia herself would have been met with suspicion and ostracized.
"Thank you so much, Nadia, as always."
"It's nothing, Your Ladyship. If Duncan-san is a believer in the devil, then I am a believer in Opalism."
"Wait, don't start believing in strange religions. And Duncan doesn't worship the devil."
When Opal expressed her heartfelt gratitude, Nadia grinned and puffed out her chest. Opal couldn't help but laugh at the retort. After finishing her afternoon tea, she had the idea to look around the estate's surroundings and decided to take Dog Claude for a walk. With Nadia's help, she got ready and headed for the entrance with Claude. There, Connally slowly approached her.
"Your Ladyship, where might you be going?"
"I thought I'd take Claude for a walk."
"By yourself?"
"I won't go far. Just a little look around the immediate area."
"But…"
"Claude is with me. He's a clever boy, so I'll be fine."
Since they were still getting used to the land and the people, Claude was on a leash. Whether he found it restrictive or was just eager to get outside, Claude was restless. Seeing this, Connally's face clouded with doubt, but he said nothing. He simply opened the entrance door and bowed his head in acknowledgment.
"Thank you, Connally."
"Have a safe walk, Your Ladyship."
Claude was excited, but he did not pull on the leash as they descended the steps in front of the entrance. Opal adjusted the brim of her hat with one hand and considered which way to go. The estate grounds were vast, and it would likely take half a day just to walk around the front garden.
"Well now, where shall we go, Claude?"
Claude, not yet a year old, was mischievous but very intelligent, and had been doted on by everyone as their travel companion. And even now, he sat obediently beside Opal as she stood still, waiting.
"Alright. Let's start by looking around the manor itself."
It shouldn't take too long just to circle the building, Opal thought, and began to walk. Claude, who likely wanted to run, matched Opal's pace. As she walked, thinking she would ask the young footman who had taken such good care of Claude during the journey to run with him later, another young footman appeared a short distance ahead.
"Oh, Julian. To meet you in a place like this. Are you out for a stroll as well?"
"No. Connally-san instructed me to see how you were doing, Your Ladyship. The greenery is quite dense around here, and it's easy to get lost if one is not careful."
"I see. Well then, I suppose I should be grateful to Connally. For his concern."
When Opal answered frankly, Julian smiled. The smile was friendly yet held a hint of shadow, the kind of thing that surely tugged at a woman's heartstrings.
"Your Ladyship, I will take the leash."
"...Thank you."
Thinking it would be easier to concentrate on their conversation if he took it, Opal handed the leash to Julian. Claude glanced back once, but then immediately faced forward again, apparently unconcerned with who was holding his leash.
"You were at the northern port until yesterday, weren't you? Pasma Port?"
"Yes. I went to confirm that the stones, the material for this estate's walls, were being properly unloaded from the ships."
"Importing more stone… are you planning an expansion?"
"It's for repairs. A large tree fell during last month's storm and damaged a wall, and we used up all our spare stones at that time. So it seems they wanted to build up a new supply. Connally-san apparently wants to keep this estate in perfect condition at all times."
"I see."
As she replied, Opal looked up at the estate. The white-walled manor shone as if it were polished every day. It must take a great deal of money just to maintain a building of this scale.
Well, that's fine, but it would be wrong if it came at the expense of the fief's people, she thought.
Opal decided she would have to review the ledgers for that as well, and continued her stroll. Julian pointed out various things around the manor, and if they met a gardener or someone else, he would introduce them.
"How long have you been here, Julian?"
"Not very long. That is why everyone is so kind to a newcomer like me."
"I see. That's good for you."
Opal felt as though he had skillfully dodged her question, but she did not press him further. If she wanted to know, she could easily find out by asking someone else. So she changed the subject.
"From your point of view, Julian, what kind of person is Duncan?"
"Let's see… He is a strict man, but he is also honest, diligent, and trustworthy."
"That's quite a lot of praise. I won't tell anyone, so I'd like you to tell me the truth."
"...I make it a rule not to trust a woman when she says 'I won't tell anyone'."
"Oh, well I can't argue with that."
Opal laughed out loud at Julian's playful words. After that, Julian continued to say various things that made her laugh. To her surprise, Julian turned out to be a wonderful guide, and her first stroll ended up being quite enjoyable.