Episode 117: Tea Time with Noble Ladies
Meanwhile, not only Herot's envoys but also Ansen, who had touched the envoys, was in a very difficult situation.
"Pulder Bank said no too?!"
Ansen burst into anger, and the secretary quickly nodded.
"They clearly said it was possible when we checked before?!"
"Yes, they certainly did... I don't know what King Herot said... but it's impossible..."
Ansen finally swore and slammed the desk violently.
"Isn't it better to extend a hand of reconciliation to the Herot royal family now, before it's too late..."
"Shut up!!"
Ansen trembled and spewed abusive language at the secretary.
The Herot royal family, which had controlled the modern and contemporary history of the Norfolk Continent, had its fingers in everything. It had kinship with most of the leading royal families, and it was none other than the Herot royal family that maintained cooperative relationships with many families in Pulder.
Because of the network, which could be called a cartel, Ansen ultimately failed to find someone to cover the investment that Noah had canceled.
However, strictly speaking, it wasn't just because of the Herot royal family's interference.
"Ah... CEO, when did you promise the upgrade, and it's still not done?"
"Prince Noah of Herot claims there was a problem with the Magic Dome installed on the cruise, is that completely unfounded?"
The more painful truth was that Wilhelm Corporation's Magic Dome, without technological advancements, was not appealing to investors.
Noah's canceled investment was related to the Magic Dome upgrade project, which had already failed once.
Ansen stared blankly at the photo of Olivia, which was prominently displayed, and then crumpled it up.
"Olivia...!"
Ansen, breathing roughly, opened a drawer and took out several photos.
The photos clearly showed Olivia's old house and her appearance during her college days. All of them were taken by Adam McDowell, who had been stalking her.
Ansen arranged her photos in order and then took out the last photo.
She and Ansen were sitting face to face in a cafe, both smiling. Yes, there was definitely a time when they looked at each other and smiled.
"I don't know how the conservative people of Herot will accept this, Olivia."
What about Noah Astrid?
Even if Wilhelm Corporation is cornered, it can rise again if it can hold onto uniqueness and innovation. So Ansen absolutely needed the woman in the photo.
Isn't the reason he's doing this crazy thing against the Herot royal family because of Olivia!
"Prepare to secretly enter Herot. Enter by land, where the entry screening is relatively lax."
"Understood."
"Send these photos to Herot first."
Ansen neatly arranged her photos and ordered the secretary.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
"Your Highness, please allow me to meet you."
"Your Highness, me too!"
"Your Highness, I can even wait until tonight."
After Marchioness Rettium and Countess Timberline left, about a dozen noble ladies earnestly requested a meeting with Olivia. At this point, Olivia was really curious about how her husband had intimidated the noble ladies (and with actions).
Eventually, Olivia led them all to the drawing room, and a scene resembling a small tea party was set up.
Betty skillfully broke off branches with a few autumn leaves still attached and beautifully decorated the table in the blink of an eye.
Meanwhile, Olivia recalled Margo and the Queen Consort's behavior and unfolded the vast Biographical Dictionary of the capital's aristocracy that Countess Timberline had given her in her mind. Although about a dozen people had gathered, Olivia quickly figured out who was more influential.
"Countess Lilshian, please sit here. Countess Bulter, this way."
Whether it's a royal event or a small tea party, seating is the most important thing when many people gather.
Olivia quickly and appropriately arranged their seats, and the ladies who knew how difficult that was looked at her with wide eyes.
They had rushed over after hearing the news that Retium and Seymour had been devastated by Prince Noah's revenge. The cold look in Prince Noah's eyes came to mind, and they couldn't even sit still for a moment.
They had come hoping to apologize to the Princess consort and avoid the Prince's revenge, but when they came to their senses, they were attending a splendid and beautiful tea party?
"I didn't want to make anyone wait any longer, so I had a meeting all at once, and it turned out to be an unexpected party. Welcome to the mansion."
The Princess consort, sitting at the head of the table, smiled, raising her lips.
Clearly, just a few weeks ago, she was looked down upon as a commoner. Does position make a person, or are they intimidated? Olivia seemed dignified like a real Princess consort.
And look at that huge blue diamond sparkling around her neck! Wouldn't that necklace alone be worth a mansion in the capital?!
Countess Lilshian, who had the most influence, quickly responded.
"Thank you so much for welcoming us like this, Your Highness. The tableware and the colors of the food are really beautiful."
As she spoke, the surrounding noble ladies were busy praising her.
"Yes, and what about this drawing room? I should decorate my drawing room in the same deep blue and gold colors as Your Highness's drawing room."
"Right? Oh my goodness, the necklace is also very beautiful! You have excellent taste."
Even though they praised her so much, the Princess consort only wore a simple smile, neither greatly pleased nor humble.
She simply responded politely, "I'm just glad you see it that way." Then she asked Countess Lilshian, who was sitting at the head of the table.
"What is the reason you wanted to meet me?"
The simple yet firm question signaled the beginning of a relay of apologies and excuses following the praise relay.
"Your Highness, I didn't even know you were sick that day."
"Yes. And actually, I wanted to ask Your Highness for a conversation that day too... but Mrs. Seymour took the seat next to Your Highness first... I'm sorry."
"That's right. I was also hesitant because I wanted to have a conversation."
The excuses continued for a long time. Olivia, who had been listening to the excuses that started with Countess Lilshian, raised the corners of her mouth and smiled softly.
"How would you all, sitting far away, know if I was sick or not?"
"Your Highness..."
"So don't worry about me being sick. And if you're worried about any misunderstandings that arose in that place."
"..."
"I've decided not to think of that place as a Shine Party."
Jonan, who was standing next to her, glanced at the Princess consort and then looked at the noble ladies, a very different attitude from when she had cut off Mrs. Timberlin and Mrs. Letium's excuses and finally received their apologies.
The faces of the noble ladies, who had been full of tension, brightened like blooming flower petals at Olivia's words.
Some even sighed softly in relief, and some even bit their lips and teared up as if they were moved.
"I'm just grateful that you think that way..."
Olivia responded to Countess Lilshian's gratitude with a bright smile.
"I've prepared a small gift for Your Highness, would you like to take a look?"
"Small? If it's a gift prepared with me in mind, I'm grateful for anything."
Olivia, with the help of Betty, opened the gifts they had prepared one by one. And each time a gift was opened, she praised the gift with amazing eloquence.
"I can smell the aroma of the black tea even before it's brewed. His Highness the Prince likes black tea very much. He drinks a cup every morning, so I'll make sure to serve this tea tomorrow."
"Oh my, the teacup is like a work of art. I should pour the gifted black tea into this cup and offer it to His Highness."
"This scented candle has a fragrance that is not excessive but fresh, yet subtle, which will help with mental and physical stability. I'll put it in the bedroom and use it well."
How happy would the giver be when the receiver praises the gift?!
The noble ladies, who had rushed over to make excuses and apologize, were soon swayed by Olivia's eloquence and began to enjoy the occasion as if they were attending a real tea party. They didn't even have time to think about whether the woman in front of them was a commoner or not.
The topic, which had moved from excuses and apologies to gifts, began to flow in a completely different direction.
"Your Highness, the opera that recently premiered is very popular. I'm planning to hold an opera party next month, please attend."
"Oh! That's right, Your Highness! I saw it a few days ago, and it was very moving and passionate. Madam, please invite me too."
"Oh my~ Madam, what were you watching so intently? I went to see it with you, and you were clearly dozing off while watching?"
"Hey, we agreed to keep that a secret!"
A gust of laughter swept through Olivia's drawing room at the conversation between the two noble ladies.
But at that moment.
Knock knock.
A particularly slow knock cast a shadow over the noble ladies' laughter.
A moment of silence fell on the arrogant knock. Olivia, the only one who was relaxed, turned her head towards the door, and the arrogant knocker revealed himself as the door opened with a thud.
"Your Highness!"
As Olivia smiled and got up from her seat, the noble ladies also panicked and quickly got up from their seats and bent their knees.
Noah quickly scanned the table situation with his eyes and then approached Olivia. After meticulously examining her expression, he kissed her on the cheek as if to show off. Then he gently touched her forehead with his hand.
"How's your body?"
It's so sweet it's tooth-rotting.
