Chapter 80 - The Promise
"Welcome back, my lady."
"Spare me the sarcasm, Connally. I’m tired. Please prepare a bath."
"My, my, it seems my lady does not understand her position."
"How could I not? In this state?"
Opal, still bound by ropes, was greeted by Connally as she stepped out of the carriage. His greeting was like that of a butler welcoming the lady of the house, but it was clear he had come to see her in her pathetic state. She was taken by Julian not to a dungeon, she didn’t even know if one existed, but to her former room.
"Don’t think you can escape just because I untie you."
"Everyone seems to sympathize with me, though?"
"But they can imagine what will happen to them if they let you go."
"…What happened to Claude?"
"He’s fine without you. Unlike his owner, he’s obedient."
With that, Julian left the room. For now, Dog Claude seemed to be safe. Opal let out a sigh of relief, swinging her freed arms as she approached the window to look outside. There didn’t seem to be any guards posted, but escape would be impossible. Just as she let out a long breath, the door opened and maids entered with hot water.
"I can have a bath?"
"Yes, my lady. Julian-san asked us to prepare one for you."
"Oh, my."
Opal thought he might have a gentle side after all, but that thought quickly turned to anger. While she was bathing, he walked in without even knocking.
"Hey! What do you think you’re doing!?"
"You’re still in there? That’s a long bath."
"That’s not the point!"
"What’s the big deal if I see you naked? We’re eloping lovers, after all."
"Don’t be ridiculous!"
The maids, startled by Julian’s sudden intrusion, gasped at his words. The rumor of their elopement had apparently reached here as well. They probably had no way of knowing if it was true.
"I brought you a letter. Now, take your time."
"You’re the worst! Pervert! You idiot, Julian!"
Opal hurled her best insults at Julian's back as he left with a wave of his hand, but they had no effect at all. Perhaps they were too childish, because the maids started to giggle. The situation was so tense, yet Opal found it funny too and laughed along with them. It helped her relax more than the bath itself.
Later, after her bath, Opal picked up the letters that Julian had so pointedly left. There were three in total, and they had already been opened.
"Well, of course."
Two were from her father, Count Holloway, and Hubert. They were replies to the letter Opal had written at the Lead Mine. Her father stated clearly that he had no intention of interfering in the Taisey Kingdom’s political strife, nor would he provide any funds. It was so like him that Opal couldn't help but laugh. Hubert’s letter expressed concern for her well-being and wrote that he would help her anytime if she needed it, adding that she should leave everything in the Sosylle Kingdom to him.
Next, Opal reached for the third letter. It was from Omar, and Connally had likely assumed it was just another letter about agricultural matters. Indeed, the first two pages were about the current year’s crops in Duke McLeod’s fief, and the next page contained advice for Boccelli Duchy.
And the fourth page was an update on Omar and the others. Opal’s face softened as she read about the butler Lind, the housekeeper Debby, and everyone else. The last paragraph made her burst out laughing. It said there had been a big gamble in the town of Nobori, and LeBeau had won a fortune. It included a message from LeBeau, "It seems Duke McLeod has grown surprisingly in these eight years." And it even added, "It must be a rebound from being under his former wife’s thumb." Connally had undoubtedly read this letter, but if Julian had read it too, he would have laughed out loud.
"Honestly, LeBeau, you’re so cruel."
LeBeau was the only one who would say such a thing even if he thought it, but Omar, who actually wrote it down, was just as bad. Opal complained to herself as she carefully put the letter away.
These letters were addressed to the Boccelli ducal estate, so everyone had written them knowing they would be read by a third party. The things she really wanted to know were sent to the Marquis Rousel residence in the Royal Capital, which Claude had read and passed on to her a few days ago. That was why both Claude and Alessandro knew that the Sosylle Kingdom would not make a move. To be precise, Opal had pulled strings to ensure no one in the Sosylle Kingdom could make a move.
With this, she had repaid her debt from the Mantest development four years ago. Hubert had also done his part as Duke McLeod for that purpose. All that was left was to settle things here. Opal ate every bite of the dinner that was brought to her, then slowly drank her tea before preparing for bed.
"Well then, my lady… um, please try not to lose heart."
"Yes, I’ll be fine. Thank you. Good night."
"…Yes. Good night."
She smiled and thanked the encouraging maid, then bid her good night and let her leave. Feeling a little guilty for betraying the kind maid, Opal waited a while before opening the closet. From it, she took out a dress she could put on by herself and the trousers she had secretly taken off and hidden before her bath. After changing, Opal read a book for a while, glancing at the clock several times. On the fifth time she checked the clock, she walked to the window and gently opened it.
"Well, hello, princess. I’ve come to rescue you for real this time."
"I was getting tired of waiting, but you’re right on time."
Whispering this, Opal threw her arms around Claude as he entered the room. Claude, in turn, held her tightly.