Translator: Nox

132. I'll Do Well

People exclaimed in admiration, but Olivia's attention was fixed on Noah, who was leaning against the wall. Dressed in a sleek black suit, he was as overwhelming and captivating as a god of darkness, war, and lust.

Recently, his mood had been consistently low. He seemed to be suppressing something.

It felt so clear that it was because of her, but there was no turning back now. No, all the more reason to do well.

'I need you, Olivia.'

Your need.

'Gain recognition from those behind you.'

A bridge between the royal family and the commoners.

'I am not a heavy burden hanging on your shoulders. Nor am I a blemish that tarnishes your honor.'

She wanted to show him. More than anyone else, she wanted to show him.

Anxious, she approached him, tilting her head and smiling. Whenever she did that, he always crumbled towards her. He would rush in fiercely, as if he would devour every part of her without leaving anything behind.

Even amidst the chaotic shaking, she felt a sense of relief.

But after everything was over, he would frown and turn away coldly. He didn't caress her hair warmly as before, nor did he hold her waist and fall asleep.

Olivia looked down at her body and cautiously approached him.

She felt an intense gaze binding her whole body. Feeling as if something was stuck in her solar plexus, Olivia once again raised her lips towards him.

"How is it?"

The days when he looked at her and smiled softly felt like a mirage.

Noah stared down at her silently, then pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against. He put on the gloves he was holding and walked past her.

She felt a chilling sensation as the blood drained from her face. Tears welled up, and she bit her lip tightly, but then a warm coat was draped over her shoulders. Instinctively, she turned her head and saw Noah there.

"Arm."

Still with a cold look in his eyes, he helped her into the coat, then turned her around as if it were natural and put gloves on her hands.

Olivia's heart fluttered wildly like thin paper at his actions, which seemed to have one foot in the equator and the other in the Arctic.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

Olivia reflexively smiled and took his hand.

The tears that had been about to burst out had disappeared somewhere.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

For generations, knowledge had been the exclusive domain of the ruling elite. Rulers appeared to pass on manors and status to their descendants, but in reality, the most precious thing they passed on was invisible knowledge.

Knowledge is like a tower; the more you build, the higher you climb, and the farther you can see.

While the uneducated were fixated on the reality before their eyes, the educated looked beyond the visible, and that difference distinguished rulers from the ruled.

In that sense, the Royal School that King Herod ordered to be established was of great significance.

As the royal family's splendid carriage passed through the school's main gate, built of reddish-brown bricks, the guards standing by saluted in unison.

"They've arrived!"

While the reporters waiting in the main building explained detailed photo compositions to the photographers who had come with them, the King's carriage stopped at the designated spot.

One of the reporters, who was meeting the King for the first time today, swallowed hard, and the Ruble Party, led by Herald Beum, braced themselves for the silent war that would soon be waged.

Soon, the King, the Queen Consort, and the Crown Prince got out of the carriage in turn, and camera flashes burst everywhere.

As the nobles who had been waiting for the King bowed respectfully to him, Prince Noah and the Princess Consort got out of the following carriage.

Instantly, the quiet atmosphere became subtly chaotic. This was because the invited reporters were all busy turning their cameras towards Prince Noah and the Princess Consort, especially the Princess Consort.

Unlike the Prince, who had a stiff expression on his face, the Princess Consort, wearing a dark green coat, smiled softly at the reporters.

"Exclude His Highness the Prince's face, and only capture Her Highness the Princess Consort's face."

The reporters secretly instructed the photographers, and the photographers frantically flashed their lights, fearing that the Princess Consort might move. This was because it was difficult to move the camera, and if the subject moved, they would not be able to take the desired picture.

As a result, one photographer, becoming impatient, made the mistake of calling out to the Princess Consort as she passed by.

"Ah, Your Highness the Princess Consort, just a moment!!"

The surroundings turned cold in an instant.

More frightening than the stern gazes of the guards was the fierce look in Prince Noah's eyes, which flew straight at him. The photographer felt as if his neck was being pressed by a lion's paw. A reporter next to him turned pale and nudged the photographer, urging him to quickly bow to the Prince.

As attention focused on them, Usher, who was nearby, tried to defuse Noah's fierce atmosphere.

But just then, a gentle voice cut through the cold air before he could.

"Is this the way to look?"

The Princess Consort, who was holding the Prince's hand, tilted her head slightly and smiled brightly, and the reporter quickly replied on behalf of the photographer, who was frozen with fear.

"T, thank you, Your Highness!"

Then, adjusting the angle to avoid showing the Prince's face as much as possible, he quickly pressed the shutter.

Flash!

The atmosphere softened in an instant, and the other photographers, who had been watching, began to press their shutters slyly.

Flash flash flash!

And the more they did, the colder Noah's expression became.

It was impossible not to know that all their attention was directed at Olivia.

To Noah's eyes, the reporters were no different from a pack of hungry hyenas. All they were interested in was sensational news that could make money.

There was nothing good for Olivia in being a good subject by smiling brightly.

Noah tightened his grip on Olivia's hand a little more. Then she turned her head and looked up at him.

Noah pulled Olivia's hand and climbed the steps of the main building's entrance.

"You don't have to go that far, Olivia."

"Yes?"

"There are rarely cases where being kind to reporters leads to good results."

"……."

Olivia was silent, not knowing what to say to his quiet whisper.

The event was scheduled to take place in the main hall of the main building. Since the building focused on practicality rather than splendor, the venue was decorated neatly and tidily.

When the King and Queen Consort sat in the seats of honor, Crown Prince Usher sat next to the Queen Consort. And next to them, Noah and Olivia sat side by side.

Usher glanced at his brother's tense face and whispered softly as he sat down.

"Calm down, Noah."

"What am I doing."

"There are many eyes watching."

He had always been sensitive to matters related to the press, but it had never been to this extent. He reacted sharply to even the smallest actions around him, like a beast protecting its newborn cub.

Even the nobles who had wanted to talk to the Princess Consort could not dare to approach her because of his force.

Beside him, Olivia took a trembling breath.

The countless gazes pouring down on her were lighter than a handful of Noah's cold gaze. People's fervent interest was also lighter than Noah's cold words.

Olivia clenched her fists so tightly that her fingertips turned white. Her gaze turned to the podium set up on the central staircase. In the center of the podium, lined with emblems bearing the golden lion, the symbol of the Herot royal family, was the lectern where she had to stand.

She would do well, no matter what.

This was the price she had to pay for the crown she wore on her head.

And thus, she would overcome the weight of the crown, be confident in front of the name Astrid, and bring the responsibility on his shoulders onto her own knees.

And thus... she wanted to stand side by side with him.

Olivia's black eyes deepened like the deep sea and hardened like a mountain of piled-up earth.

The event proceeded on schedule, but Olivia was detached from the flow of all that time. While the King gave a congratulatory speech and introduced the faculty members in turn, Olivia clapped and smiled, but her time was standing still.

And her time began to flow again the moment she made eye contact with King Herod. Leonard looked around the audience gently and said in a dignified voice.

"The Duke Rosemond was truly pleased with the establishment of the Royal School. Therefore, I am also very pleased that she has personally prepared a congratulatory speech."

Leonard smiled softly at Olivia, then pointed to the podium and stepped down.

Olivia slowly rose from her seat, defying the gazes that poured down on her like a tidal wave. She straightened her back, squared her shoulders, and took a calm breath.

Turning to the side, she saw Noah looking at her.

Olivia looked into his beautiful eyes and spoke to him in her heart.

I'll do well.

Watch me.

The Princess Consort took off the hat and thick coat that had been covering half of her face.

Then, the dress imbued with Jane Ambrose's soul was revealed.

"I want people to feel from the dress that I am a Princess Consort from a commoner background."

Olivia commissioned Jane Ambrose to make the dress and ordered only that one thing.

In a space filled with dark colors, her refreshing green silk dress felt as fresh as a budding flower.

Her dress was natural yet elegant. It was not uncomfortably constricting, and it ended just below her knees, like the skirts she often wore, giving a light impression.

She was active yet elegant, familiar yet somehow unconventional.

People's eyes followed Olivia's steps. Gazes have weight, so they tend to be overwhelming, but Olivia's steps were only light and refreshing.

She climbed the stairs with an unwavering attitude and stood naturally at the lectern. Only then could people face her head-on.

Standing alone in a place higher than the King, Olivia faced the people with her black eyes, which were like a distant deep sea.