Chapter 91 - Favorite Food
"Oh, my…"
Opal murmured as she read a letter from the Sosylle Kingdom. Claude, who had been reading the newspaper, looked up. The two had been leading busy lives since returning to Boccelli Duchy, but recently they had been able to spend a little more time relaxing after breakfast.
"Is something wrong?"
"It seems Roana-san rejected a marriage proposal from Duke McLeod."
"Rejected?"
"Yes. She said she felt it wouldn’t work out since neither of them had any romantic feelings for the other."
Opal had met Roana, the daughter of Viscount Croisel, at the ball where they had denounced Keimont. Since then, they had been cultivating a friendship through correspondence. She hadn't been able to write letters during her previous stay in Boccelli Duchy, but now that the turmoil in both kingdoms had settled down, they had resumed writing to each other.
"It’s very much like Viscount Croisel to leave the decision to Lady Roana."
"Yes. Roana-san writes about that as well. She says, ‘I can only be grateful to my parents for telling me it’s fine if I remain single. I want to show my filial piety in other ways.’"
Opal looked down at the thick letter from Roana and read the line aloud. She did not raise her head, because it had reminded her of her first marriage. She understood now that the forced engagement had been her father’s way of thinking of his daughter. Even so, she was sometimes struck by a feeling of emptiness.
"Opal."
"Hm? Oh, I’m sorry. I was just lost in the letter."
Startled by Claude’s voice, Opal hastily looked up. She was sure he knew what she had been thinking, but she pretended to have been absorbed in her reading. Claude took the letter from her, placed it on the table, and then took her hand and brought it to his lips.
"I love you, Opal. I always have, I do now, and I will love you forever."
"Claude…"
Claude always gave her the words she wanted to hear. He helped her when she was in trouble, comforted her, and let her be dependent on him without a word. Yet Opal couldn't find the right words to reply, and could only place her other hand over his and gaze at them.
"Could you two stop being so lovey-dovey in the morning? It’s enough to make me sick."
"And showing up unannounced in the morning. How ill-mannered of you, as always."
The person who had suddenly interrupted them was Julian, and Opal turned to face him with a flash of irritation. Julian strode into the breakfast room and sat down in a chair without being invited, as if he owned the place.
"Don’t worry, I expect no hospitality from you."
"As if I’d worry. You’re not welcome here."
Claude smiled wryly at the unchanging sibling squabble and gestured to the flustered butler. The newly hired butler was competent, but he seemed unsure of how to handle Julian's sudden appearance. The butler left with a look of relief, leaving the three of them alone in the room.
"So, what happened?"
"Does something have to have happened?"
"Of course. You are an uninvited guest, after all. Weren’t you enjoying yourself in the Royal Capital?"
"I’m under no obligation to report to you, am I? Besides, you’ve already gathered the information, even without me deliberately telling you."
Opal knew, of course, that Julian had remained in the Royal Capital to handle the aftermath in high society on their behalf, since they had to press forward with reforms in the duchy. But Opal didn't offer a simple word of thanks, and Julian replied mockingly as he picked up a muffin from the table. The look on Opal’s face at that moment made Claude burst out laughing.
"Julian! That’s my muffin!"
"You’ve already had breakfast, haven’t you? Are you still going to eat?"
"Be quiet! You knew it was my favorite, you did that on purpose!"
"That’s what I’m telling you. If there’s something you like, you should get your hands on it quickly."
Julian knew that Opal always saved her favorite things for last, and he enjoyed teasing her about it. Claude no longer intervened in their bickering, but he heard the stifled giggle of Nadia, who had come in with a fresh pot of tea.
"Ah, please excuse me."
"It’s alright, Nadia. You’ve done nothing wrong at all."
"Hello, Nadia. It’s been a while. Sorry for deceiving you back then."
"G, good to see you again! It is I who said and did so many rude things…"
"You really don’t need to worry about it, Nadia. I was wrong for keeping quiet, too."
"But…"
"More importantly, my throat is parched. Could I trouble you for some tea?"
"Y, yes!"
Meeting Julian as a viscount for the first time, not as a footman, Nadia was mortified by her past impolite behavior. It was impossible for her not to be concerned, but Julian ended the conversation by asking for tea.
"So, what are you planning to do now?"
"Well, I haven’t decided yet… I might go home for a bit. I’ve found myself craving Marcia’s muffins after all this time."
"I see…"
Claude nodded in relief at Julian’s casual reply. Julian had never returned to the count’s estate, always acting recklessly without regard for his own life. For eight years—no, nine years ago, he had worked tirelessly saving lives in Taisey Kingdom when the plague was rampant, and after that, he had acted as a spy for Alessandro. Claude, who had ties to the kingdom, could understand, but he had never been able to fathom why Julian would go to such lengths. He had never once asked him about it. He glanced at Opal and saw that she looked even more relieved than he was.
"Before you get any muffins, you can listen to a long lecture from Marcia. And Trevor will surely give you a stern talking-to as well."
With those words, Opal made to stand up without waiting for Julian’s reply. Claude swiftly stood first and offered her a hand. Julian also stood up out of courtesy, but he only watched them. Opal ignored Julian and smiled at Claude.
"Thank you, Claude. Well then, I’m going to speak with Duncan. You’re heading to Pasma Port, aren’t you?"
"Yes, but I’ll be back by evening."
"Come see me again before you leave."
"I will."
Claude watched with a wry smile as Opal turned and left the room. Julian promptly sat back down and drank his tea. Thinking how stubborn they both were, Claude sat down as well.