The Duchess of the Attic

Returning from the inspection, Opal sighed deeply as he gave his hat to Naja.

My body isn't tired, but my head is a little confused.

The inspection went better than I thought, but on the contrary, doubts arose about Duncan.

At the beginning of the inspection, the farmers stopped their work hands and stood at the edge of the road, bowing their heads to hide their frightened faces and welcoming Opal.

Opal tongued himself heartily, forgetting to tell him that such a welcome was not necessary, while declaring that there was no need for a welcome, including for the immediate future, on the spot.

Then Duncan seemed suspicious about Opal, but he gave an acceptance order without saying anything, and then he obeyed honestly.

Also at first, I answered the question from Opal in a hassle, but gradually when the question stepped in, I changed my attitude, so that I could answer it sincerely.

It is surprising because, even though Opal was wary for some time when he spoke to the inhabitants, he did not particularly disturb them, but honored them as Lady Lords.

Besides, he also saw words and actions that would take place between him and the people who were frightened by Opal.

In short, there was nothing wrong with this inspection like inspecting Opal's own territory. - Except for the development of the territory.

I stole Duncan's eyes again and asked the residents if they needed new farming equipment, but surprisingly they didn't know the very existence of seeders, grain shedding machines, etc.

Some barely knew about the Great Sickle, but he had no absurd ideas, such as the Devil's Tool, and he had an admiration one way or the other.

(Besides, my faith didn't seem so serious...)

It's so unnatural that Duncan hates it so much that it's a devil's tool.

It is true that the area may be difficult to access information from the south, but it should have been possible for the information to come in as stone material had been transported from the port.

However, as Claude and the others had manipulated the information, it is not necessarily the case that no information manipulation has been carried out in this area either.

Instead, it should be considered that it had been done.

(But it's strange that Claude doesn't know about it...)

I don't think Claude has shut up about anything important so far.

It also makes me wonder if Alessandro didn't shut up about the reports from the deputies and didn't know about them.

(The deputy is suspicious...)

In the last four years there have been three deputies.

The first one dies of illness in a year.

The second threw a spoon in about six months, and the last two years or so seemed to see Opals' predecessors trying to improve the land.

(I wonder if I should be careful eating. Or maybe behind it?

Opal joked and thought as he looked again at the record of his predecessor given to him by Claude.

If there was a real danger to his life, Claude would never have allowed Opal to come to the land alone.

I guess the first deputy just had a hard time putting the land under Alessandro's control.

(If Duncan had been at that rate the whole time, it would have been tough)

It seems that Duncan has been the caretaker of this land for more than a decade.

The previous Duke of Botzelli gave special attention and education to Duncan, who was only a child.

(Education, right...)

Maybe Duncan was planted with biased knowledge.

Some investment is needed to incorporate new tools.

I wonder if the predecessor Duke of Botzelli thought it would make it easier for the inhabitants and spared no investment to do so.

It was also conceivable that he had taught Duncan that convenient tools were demonic tools that corrupted the inhabitants.

(You need to know more about the predecessor Duke of Botzelli.)

The land had become a funding ground for the anti-King's Brotherhood, but there had not been a direct battle.

With the depletion of the silver mine, which was the primary source of funding, and the death of the previous Duke in an accidental accident on the move, the anti-king brotherhood, which lost its back shield, lacked momentum at once.

Opal, who was still immersed in his thoughts even at dinner time, unconsciously changed into his dining seat.

That's where Connally, the family order, deliberately coughs up.

Opal, finally turning his consciousness to the present, noticed a young man standing next to Connally.

"Ma'am, this is my servant Julian. Yesterday we were unable to be there to pick you up because we were late in introducing you."

"My name is Julian, Duchess of Botzelli. Sorry for the delay in greeting you"

"... don't worry, I won't be angry with you about saying hello"

"Is that true? Oh, good. The Duchess is very generous this time, isn't she?"

"This, Julian!

"Oh, excuse me"

Julian's innocent smile seemed to attract people, and even Connally, scolding him, didn't seem serious.

Julian smiles with her gaze all the time at Opal, who sees that exchange with cold eyes.

"Then could you make it a meal?

"Yes, sir."

Opal, long out of sight, turned his attention to Connally and told him to start his meal, but with a slightly higher-flying tone.

At the corner of such Opal's sight, Julian bows deeply and leaves the room.

But before Julian lowered his head, Opal didn't miss the grin on his face like he had made a fool of himself.

(... unpleasant feeling)

I got irritated but decided not to react and concentrate on my diet.

The contents of the meal didn't look very different from last night, and the taste was poor.

The cook hasn't replaced him since he was Duke of Botzelli, so I guess the Duke wasn't so keen on food.

Of course Opal is not obsessed either.

Opal, who had eaten alone in silence, took a seat when he ate properly until dessert.

Moving to the living room for tea is also silly, going back to the room.

When I entered the room, Naja, who had anticipated Opal's behavior, had already prepared tea for me and waited for me.

"Ma'am, Mr. Connally, you met your favorite servant, didn't you? Was it cool?

"Come on? I don't think I'm cool, but I wonder. More than that, is he Connally's favorite?

"Yes, that's what I heard. So even though he's still young, he's doing something like Mr. Connally's assistant. of the port in the northern region at Mr. Connally's behest this time... well, it looks like he was there anyway"

"Port..."

I wondered what the hell Connally had to do with the harbor, but that's whoa. I'll find out.

Maybe I needed something from my standpoint as a family order.

Before that, Opal said something that bothered him.

"Hey, Naja. I don't know if I would say this... Sure, he 's-- a servant named Julian might look cool. But you mustn't go deeper into a type like him."

"Okay. Even so, when it comes to everyone - Julian says that many of them are jade shattered when attacked, so I can't do it either."

"Oh, there's no man Naja likes and dislikes. I can't recommend him, though."

"Thank you! I agree!

Naja answered honestly to Opal, who advised her that it was unnecessary.

And laugh like a prank.

"I'm ideal for a kind man who loves only me a lot. Julian says he's very bright and gentle, but he's very popular, so you don't think he's exhausted of worries, do you? I want peace of mind with love. Is it a luxury?

"No, not at all. I think it's natural."

If Opal affirmed calmly, Naja dyed her cheeks in the light.

I want Naja to be absolutely happy.

Opal smiled to encourage him, standing up to improve his sleep support.