Chapter 86 - The Traitor
When they entered the great hall, led by the chamberlain, a large crowd had already gathered. Everyone seemed as busy as ever with their gossip, but they noticed Opal's group and fell silent with a start. However, they soon began to whisper again, and a buzz filled the venue. From what she could overhear, people were not talking about the rumors of Opal's elopement, but about Eric, who had followed them in. To be precise, they were talking about Eric's family. Someone must have caught wind of the Baphot family's morning commotion and spread the news in a flash.
"They just love other people's scandals, don't they."
"It makes them feel like they're superior."
"Nadia was disappointed, but she was right not to come to a place like this. The toxic atmosphere would have made her sick."
"Opal, are you really alright?"
"I'm perfectly fine."
Opal sat in the chair she was guided to, one on the dais where the king's throne was placed, and spread her hands in a small gesture. The dramatic motion drew some attention, but Claude simply chuckled, unconcerned. Still, they both quickly returned to a serious expression out of concern for Nadia. Since Nadia had also been caught up in this affair, they had wanted to let her see it through to the end if she wished. But they could not force her, so they had promised to tell her everything in detail before leaving the manor.
Opal quickly scanned the assembled crowd. The spectators were all standing, as no chairs were provided regardless of social status. As expected, it was mostly nobles who had secured positions right next to the Royal Knights, who stood in a semi-circle protecting the dais. And despite arriving late, Eric stood in the very innermost circle. Yet no one attempted to speak to the once popular Eric.
So quickly they turn on you, she thought.
People who had been fawning over him and trying to stay on his good side only yesterday had easily turned their backs, casting scornful words and gazes his way. It was something Opal herself had experienced and witnessed many times. Eric, alongside his brother Thierry, had been considered one of the most eligible bachelors. Now he was treated like a criminal, with everyone showing their revulsion and keeping their distance, even though he was, for the moment, considered uninvolved.
"Shall I have him removed?"
"No. He will soon realize this is reality. I'm sure of it."
Eric glared at the people who whispered while keeping their distance, then glared at Opal again and again, as if to say it was all her fault. He likely did not yet want to accept how cruel the world could be. Just as Opal averted her gaze from Eric, a great stir spread through the hall.
Then appeared the alleged masterminds of the affair, Marquis Baphot and Viscount Amady, Thierry, followed by several other nobles. She could also see Connally and Cole. Their hands were bound in front of them, and their faces were etched with humiliation. Among them, only Marquis Baphot and Thierry held their heads high, looking forward. However, the moment Thierry saw Claude, he gasped and quickly looked away.
He must have known Claude had returned from the rumors…
Even knowing their friendship had been a lie, Opal felt a pang of sadness. Surely, in the beginning, Claude must have trusted Thierry. Given Claude's character, there was no way he hadn't struggled with this. As Opal's spirits began to sink at the thought, Claude placed his hand over hers.
"I'm alright. I acted according to my convictions. They must have had their own reasons."
Opal gave a small nod at Claude's whisper and turned her eyes back to the traitorous nobles. With the exception of Thierry, who had sided with Alessandro during the last civil war, Marquis Baphot and the other nobles had all been part of the neutral faction. This whole incident had been orchestrated by Alessandro and his allies to smoke out such men, the Anti-Royalist Faction.
So that's why His Majesty cooperated with the Mantest development four years ago. He must have been aware of the connection between Marquis Saymes of Sosylle Kingdom and the Anti-Royalist Faction.
Considering Alessandro had known about Omar, he likely intended to have Opal cooperate in this matter even if she had not divorced. Of course, she did not believe Claude had helped her solely for that reason. She preferred to think that his personal feelings had played a rather large part.
In short, the anti-Alessandro faction has been slowly cornered for over four years.
It seemed everyone had been dancing on Alessandro's chessboard. And not just the rebels. Opal, Claude, even Hubert, had all been twirling about just as Alessandro envisioned. The thought was irritating, but also reassuring. As their king, there was nothing more dependable. That must be why Claude had supported Alessandro for so many years.
Being used is vexing, but if it can make everyone even a little happier, then it's nothing to complain about. Besides, the fact that I managed to seize more evidence than His Majesty anticipated is something to be proud of. Thanks to that, I was able to land a good one on him.
Remembering Alessandro's surprised face, who had apparently expected a slap, Opal smirked to herself. As a child, she had often gotten into fistfights with her brother. The memory made her stomach churn with irritation again. She and her brother had never gotten along. How many times had Trevor and Marcia scolded her harshly, and how many times had she made her mother look sad, all because of him.
"Opal, are you alright?"
"I was just remembering something from when I was a child."
"Ah, I see."
Claude had looked worried, perhaps sensing the shift in her mood, but he seemed to understand when she mentioned her brother. He knew very well that the siblings did not get along. He had always tried to mediate between them, and always failed.
Just as Claude took a deep breath to suppress a laugh, a door near the dais opened. That was a door only royalty was permitted to use. True to custom, the person who entered was King Alessandro himself.