Chapter 89 - Rights
"Father! Are you alright?!"
Eric, calling out to Marquis Baphot from a short distance away, glared fiercely at Opal. The spectators, as if remembering Eric's presence, once again widened the distance between them.
"What do you think you are doing to my father! Such violence cannot be permitted, even against a suspect! She should be removed from this hall at once!"
"My husband was insulted. Is it not a wife's right to protest?"
"What..."
"Marchioness Rousel, continue."
As Opal retorted to Eric, Alessandro prompted her to go on. In essence, the king had acknowledged Opal's claim. Opal curtsied lightly to show her thanks and acknowledgement, while Eric fell silent, looking frustrated.
"The examination of whether these letters are forgeries has already been completed, Marquis. Furthermore, Marquis Saymes has apparently admitted his connection with you. Here is the record from that time, which bears the names of Duke McLeod and Viscount Croisel as signatories."
"Duke McLeod is your former husband, is he not?"
"Yes, what of it?"
"That cannot be trusted. Did you not arrange it?"
"...For what reason?"
"I hear Duke McLeod has been wielding considerable power in the Royal Palace lately. Did Marquis Saymes get in his way? And the same for Rousel, correct? My son and I were surely an eyesore in his path to becoming His Majesty's foremost vassal. You must have concocted this conspiracy that spans both our nations. Do you not all agree?"
Marquis Baphot confidently posed the question to the spectators. At this, the nobles among them, particularly those considered moderates or neutrals, began to whisper among themselves. Claude and Lord Barba watched this display with exasperation, while Alessandro looked on in amusement.
"Marquis Baphot, your hypothesis is very amusing, but why would Duke McLeod need to go out of his way to frame Marquis Saymes, or Duke Boccelli need to frame you, the Marquis Baphot, and Viscount Amady? Both my husband and my former husband already possess more status and wealth than they could ever need. Oh, and I, too, hold a not insignificant fortune, you know? If your difficulty in paying tributes was the reason for this turmoil, I would have gladly offered you a loan at any time."
At Opal's sarcastic words, everyone seemed to finally remember that the woman before them possessed high status and immense wealth. Until now, they had been so preoccupied with the scandalous rumors that they had not understood just how terrifying an enemy she could be. Those who had been whispering fell silent and, perhaps unconsciously, straightened their posture.
"How despicable. You are merely boasting about having powerful men wrapped around your finger. Just as the rumors say, a shameless hussy...?!"
Thierry's scornful words, nothing more than sour grapes, were cut off by Claude's fist. This time, the Royal Knights noticed Claude's movement but did not stop him, nor did they seem to have any intention of reprimanding him.
"Claude! What are you doing to my brother?!"
"Is it not the natural right of a husband whose wife has been insulted?"
Claude replied to Eric's protest while lightly shaking his right hand. Opal rushed over to him. She grabbed Claude's right hand to check for any injury.
"It's turning red. Does it hurt?"
"It's nothing serious."
"But..."
"Rousel, I am growing a bit tired of that exchange."
As Opal worried and Claude smiled, saying he was fine, Alessandro spoke up with dissatisfaction. It was likely a sarcastic remark about their role reversal from the day before. The people around them, though surprised, seemed to think it was justified this time, and no disapproving comments could be heard in the ensuing conversation. Opal and Claude gave a slight bow to Alessandro, moved away from Thierry and Marquis Baphot, who were glaring daggers at them while holding their cheeks, and returned to their original positions.
"Then I shall continue. This secret ledger from the Lead Mine... the fact that the gold production amounts listed here and the smuggled quantities recorded in Marquis Saymes's ledger are a near perfect match has been confirmed by law officers from the Sosylle Kingdom. Here is the certificate with the signatures of several law officers, headed by Law Officer Kenjit..."
"Why?! How could law officers from the Sosylle Kingdom have confirmed that ledger?!"
"Because I informed them, of course."
"But why! How?! In the first place, that ledger should have been disposed of long ago!"
As Cole questioned her with a desperate look, Opal tilted her head, wondering why he did not understand when the answer was already obvious. Or perhaps Cole simply did not want to admit to his own incredible blunder.
"While I was staying at the ducal manor at the foot of the Lead Mine, Julian brought me this ledger to relieve my boredom."
"Julian! So it was him!"
Cole cried out, his voice a mixture of anger and lament. At the name Julian, not only Connally but also Marquis Baphot flinched, his expression changing for a moment. When Opal had been locked in the attic, what Julian had brought her was not a book, but Cole's secret ledger. Opal had copied the figures from the ledger and entrusted Julian with a letter to her uncle, a law officer in Sosylle Kingdom, asking him to investigate.
"You mean you didn't dispose of the ledger yourself, but left it to Julian?!"
"Connally-san, weren't you the one who said Julian was trustworthy?!"
"In the first place, Julian was introduced by Marquis Baphot..."
"Silence!"
It was Marquis Baphot who silenced Cole and Connally as they began to shift blame, his voice a sharp command. The entire hall fell quiet at his ferocity. The Marquis, his expression still furious, glared at Opal.
"I admit I had a passing acquaintance with Marquis Saymes, having exchanged a few letters. This so-called evidence was likely forged using that relationship. But I know how cautious a man Saymes is. He should have been able to learn of the law officers' movements beforehand. I find it strange that he was unable to take countermeasures."
"...Anyone would find wrongdoing intolerable. Perhaps there was someone who acted before the law officers did?"
Before the law officers or Hubert could make a move, Opal had asked LeBeau to obtain that evidence for her. Remembering how LeBeau, that upstanding moneylender, had agreed without a second thought, Opal almost smiled and hastily composed her expression.
"So you did make a move first."
"Marquis Baphot, your attitude toward my wife is rude. Apologize."
"Claude, it's alright. I have no need for a hollow apology. I am well aware of what both he and his son think of me."
As Claude stood and pulled her into a protective embrace, Opal patted his arm to reassure him. Seeing Opal and Claude maintain their usual dynamic even in such a situation, Eric seemed to have finally lost his patience. He tried to step forward, but was blocked by the Royal Knights, and pointed at Opal as he pleaded.
"Claude and Duke McLeod are being deceived! Your Majesty, please be careful! That woman is surely a demon who bewitches men! That man Julian was bewitched by her too!"
"Oh my..."
While Opal was thinking idly that it had been a while since she was last called a demon, Claude clenched his fists in anger. Noticing this, Opal gripped Claude's arm tightly to stop him.
"Opal..."
"It is not worth getting angry over, His Majesty is also..."
She was about to say that he was enjoying it when she noticed Alessandro's smile widen. Both Opal and Claude wondered what was happening, then gasped at the figure that had appeared. The figure walked past them, approached Eric, and struck him before the Royal Knights could intervene.
"Julian!"
"...Julian, you say?"
Amid the screams of women, not only Opal but also Cole and Connally called out the intruder's name. It was Thierry who was surprised by the name, while Eric, unable to speak, stared blankly up at Julian, who was now restrained by the Royal Knights.
"What are the guards doing?! Why is that man here?!"
"I was summoned as a witness. And the Royal Knights are doing their job just fine, are they not? But could you let me go? I have every right to punch this man."
Julian answered Marquis Baphot's furious question with a nonchalant air and told the Royal Knights to release him. When Lord Barba gestured for the knights to comply, they let go of Julian, albeit with some hesitation. Julian, now in formal attire befitting an appearance before the king, a far cry from his previous servant's guise, straightened his disheveled clothes.
"A right? What right could that woman's lover possibly have?!"
The Marquis's indignant plea informed the spectators that Julian must be Opal's elopement partner, and their excitement grew. As whispers spread throughout the buzzing hall, Julian gave an elegant bow to the Marquis and the spectators.
"It has been a while, Marquis Baphot. Connally-san, Cole-san, thank you for your assistance back then. And to all of you whom I am meeting for the first time, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Julian Holloway. I am the brother of my unworthy sister, Opal, who is standing over there in a daze."