Among the carriages going back to Opal’s territory, standing there was her, who briefly confirmed her plans with Trevor.

Have Omar monitored in her territory and engaged in labor until he completely repays his debt.

“Of course it’s not easy to escape from this, but nothing can’t be done about it, because we don’t intend to keep you roped all day so you lazily rest. Seriously, I’m taking you to my territory and I intend to receive a report everyday about your hard work. I’ll ask my husband to reduce your sins, so that it won’t be a shackle for your future of the future of your family or make your family suffer with you spending your whole life in jail. It’s better to make you work and come clean with your debts.”

When Opal told him that, Omar looked back suspiciously.

Instead of being scared by his gaze, Opal smiles.

“In the first place, you are penniless now. You asked Lebow to lend you money, but if you can’t give it back, proper moneylenders know how to deal with it. If you’re betting, ask a decent lender. Because most moneylenders… will make you pay the worst way, not being able to repay the debt.”

Omar seems to know what his end will be.

Still, if he borrows money again and bet, Opal will no longer be aware or care about it.

It would be fine if he goes to jail immediately, but that would expose Hubert’s lack of supervision.

That would make the public aware of Hubert’s debt and about the debt’s related marriage to Opal.

Opal is taking generous steps with that in mind.

Trevor says that this year should be a good harvest.

Therefore, Opal intended to invest in the Duke territory from her property and renew the agricultural equipment used by the people.

Then, after farming, the harvest would be completed and the income obtained, such would allow the construction of houses and roads for the folks.

Road planning is so large that this plan could take years, but Trevor told her that the duke’s territory was geologically strong and would be always fine unless a major catastrophe happens.

If she leaves next year, it will be fine if Hubert takes over.

Even if this plan fails, the only thing Opal will lose is some private property.

Opal returned to the Count’s territory, leaving the butler Alton to care about Omar’s circumstances, and two days later she left for the capital with Trevor again.

Informing this plan to Hubert may cause him to change his frustrated attitude towards her, perhaps from the debt burden.

With that in mind, Opal arrived at the Duke’s House in the Imperial City, but the only one awaiting her was the butler, Romit.

Nevertheless, Opal asked Romit for the Duke as she entered the mansion.

“Where is my husband?”

“… In the tea ceremony room in the south.”

“Yeah … then do you know my husband’s plan from tomorrow afternoon?”

“I haven’t heard anything …”

“Please tell my husband that I’d like to talk to him. After tomorrow’s lunch, there’s an important matter I have to tell him, so I’d like to see him in his study. At that time, some people I invited will be there too.”

“……Understood”

Opal headed to the room given to her, leaving the dissatisfied Romit.

So she asked the dissatisfied Beth to prepare a bath for her, and then entered the attic again.

Apparently it wasn’t cleaned during her absence.

On the way back to the guestroom, Opal hurriedly told the passing maid to clean the attic, and took a relaxing bath.

Later, Opal asked Beth to help her change clothes, ate dinner in the attic, and lays down on the hard bed.

He may have noticed that Opal is back, but Hubert did not come to see or call her at all.

Opal was truly disappointed at him.

(If I take time away and distance myself from him, I thought that my husband would calm down a little, but it seems like it was useless …)

Opal, sighing, fell asleep immediately.

(I guess I was tired from traveling…)

The next time she woke up, the sun was high in the sky.

When she rings the bell, Beth appears disgusted and helps her change clothes.

Then she had breakfast and lunch in the attic and waited for Trevor to visit.

Trevor left for Count’s House yesterday after Opal got off the carriage in the Duke’s House.

He said that her father could blame him if he suddenly disappeared, so he should inform him of his absence first.

But he probably knew everything and had married Hubert to Opal anyway.

Opal finally realized that she was angry about his father attitude, but she soon gave up.

Hoping that this would improve Hubert’s rude attitude, Opal reviewed Omar’s money borrowing letters, past loan books, and the Duke territory’s administrative back books.

When she heard the sound of the carriage in the front door, she looked into the window at the entrance and saw a simple carriage of Count Holloway.

“Finally!!”

Opal, who muttered alone, put her books in a large bag and went downstairs.

Opal waited for Trevor to enter, matching the pace with Romit that came out to serve the guests at the entrance.

“Hi, Trevor. Thank you for coming all the way here today.”

“No, don’t worry, it’s for the young lady.”

Listening to the conversation between Opal and Trevor, Romit expressed disgust.

As a butler, no matter what you think, you should not look up, but Opal didn’t miss his expression.

Opal smiled and questioned Romit, wondering at all if the mansion was not functioning as a Duke’s house.

(Everything from start to end is wrong about this house.)

“Is my husband in the study?”

“Yes”

“Then guide me, can you ask for tea?”

“–Understood”

As the Romit started walking towards the study, Trevor casually carried Opal’s bag and laughed softly.

“There’s more of this than you can imagine.”

“Well, I’ll be prepared for the future.”

“That’s not going to be easy.”

Opal advised while heading to the study, and Trevor replied with some joy.

Opal might not have been so bullish without Trevor.

Even if Hubert doesn’t hear what Opal has to say, he will still hear from Trevor, that is the Count’s custodian and accountant.

And there is clear evidence here.

With that in mind, Opal courageously knocked on the study door and immediately Hubert’s voice responded from within.

But Opal, who took Trevor into the study, saw Hubert’s face, who hadn’t seen for nearly a month, and realized that the conversation would not be easy.

Hubert looks like a grumpy mass.

Opal was almost frightened, but when she heard Trevor muttering in the background, she became nervous.

(I don’t want to show Trevor such a sad scene.)

“Husband, it’s been a long time. I’m back.”

She came back yesterday, but Hubert never said anything to Opal. Not even now.

He just asks Trevor indiscreetly.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Trevor Lytton, who manages the county’s territory, Count Holloway.”

“The manager of Count Holloway … Why is such a person here?”

Sure, Hubert is a duke and is in a position to carry such commanding attitude, but Opal was ashamed of his rudeness to an elder.

Moreover, after knowing Trevor’s status, he started looking down on him.

Hubert’s attitude towards his servants is very generous, and that’s why Opal thinks that he’s probably like this to Trevor because he’s someone from her family.

Still, it’s too childish.

Opal smiled, and started speaking about the main topic.

“Hello, are you sure you don’t want to sit down first? I’ll start the talk then.”

“……All right”

Hubert reluctantly acknowledged and sat down on the sofa.

Opal sat opposite him, but Trevor stood by without sitting down.

Translated by Djurasico (dot) home (dot) blog