Chapter 95

"Hey, Julian, let's play a card game."

"Card game? With you?"

"Yes."

Julian snorted at Opal's invitation.

He had never once beaten Julian before.

"Oh, are you afraid of losing?"

"Don't be ridiculous. There's no way I'd lose to you."

"Then you wouldn't mind a bet, right? If I win, you'll extend your stay by one more day."

"...If I win, you shut that noisy mouth of yours."

It seemed Julian decided to take Opal's challenge. Claude watched their exchange with a smile.

Opal and the others were currently on their first visit to the village since Lud's birth.

Three days ago, they returned directly to the Holloway estate without stopping in the capital.

When they received a warm welcome from Marcia and the others, both Opal and Claude were quite surprised to see Julian there.

Julian hadn't returned home in over ten years and apparently received a stern lecture from Trevor and Marcia.

As a result, Opal had a lot to say but held it back.

Since then, they had been spending busy but enjoyable time with Claude's parents and his brother's family.

However, during lunch, Julian suddenly announced that he would leave the next day.

The reason was undoubtedly that the Earl of Holloway was returning the day after tomorrow.

Opal was disappointed that the family, who had finally gathered after a long time, would be separated again.

So, while Lud was napping, she proposed a bet with a card game, but Julian seemed to understand her intentions and was not willing to respond.

"You're quite skilled at this."

"I've been playing cards a lot recently."

"Really?"

As Opal deftly shuffled and dealt the cards, Julian said with surprise.

She hadn't been good at it as a child, but she had improved a lot while playing with Omar.

She had even become quite good at reading her opponent's hand, so she thought she wouldn't lose to Julian anymore. But she was wrong.

"This is my fifth win. The bet is mine, Opal."

Julian's face was smug as he laid down his cards, and Opal pouted in frustration.

Claude, seeing this, smiled and asked to switch places with her.

"Julian, this time I'll play against you."

"What are we betting on?"

"If I win, Opal can say what she wants as usual. If I lose, I'll interfere with King Alessandro's plans for a while."

"...Alright."

King Alessandro was trying various methods to keep Julian in the country.

The match between Claude and Julian began and ended with Claude winning three to two.

"Thanks, Claude. Now I can say what I want to Julian again."

Opal thought that it was enough that Julian had returned to the estate, even if it wasn't a family gathering.

But it seemed Julian wanted to ruin her mood.

"Of course, cheating doesn't work on Claude."

"Of course it doesn't."

"Wait a minute. Julian, did you cheat when you played with me?"

"It's the cheater's fault for not noticing."

"Unbelievable! Why didn't you tell me, Claude?!"

"...You can't interfere in a serious match."

"It's not serious! It's cheating!"

From there, Opal's dissatisfaction with "male friendship" exploded.

In the end, the three childhood friends, who had gathered at the estate for the first time in twenty years, spent the last day arguing and bickering just like old times.

In the currently available 'The Duchess in the Attic 3' @Kadokawa Books, there are various stories involving the three family members and some unexpected events, so please look forward to the book version!