Translator: Nox

Chapter 133: The Princess Consort's Congratulatory Address

The coolness of the podium against her fingertips, the countless gazes filled with various expectations, the intermittent flashes of cameras.

This was not a fantasy, but reality.

She stood in a position where she could do something meaningful.

The worry that she might make a mistake due to nervousness had already been pushed deep into her subconscious and disappeared. Even the anxiety about Noah and the pressure to do well vanished at this moment.

Rather, a vivid and exhilarating feeling washed over her, as if everything that made her who she was was coming alive, one by one, from head to toe.

Olivia felt 'alive.' It was an immense joy and elation. The elation that welled up from her heart permeated her entire being.

Those who were watching her felt as if they were witnessing a bud slowly blossoming.

Noah watched her, forgetting even to breathe.

Not only Beatrix, but even Leonard, who had already watched Olivia's demonstrations several times, could not help but focus entirely on her.

Then, Olivia raised her lips and opened her mouth.

"Distinguished guests, esteemed guests, good afternoon. I am Olivia Rosemond Astrid."

A clear, intelligent, and resonant voice captivated everyone in the venue.

People swayed without even realizing they were swaying. This was because Olivia's passion and joy, for which she had sincerely waited for this moment, were being fully conveyed.

Reporters and photographers forgot even the fact that they had to take pictures and listened intently to Olivia's congratulatory address.

Her voice had power, and it had the dignity to focus the attention of the audience.

"...Today, this place is for the intellect of the majority of the people of Herot..."

She expounded on the meaning of the commoner school that the King had ordered to be established, emphasizing that it would contribute to the ultimate development of Herot.

In that way, the approximately five-minute congratulatory address passed in the blink of an eye.

Olivia looked around the audience with a gentle gaze, then looked at Leonard and said politely.

"I sincerely hope that this will be a stepping stone for the great development of Herot, and finally, I offer my infinite trust and gratitude to His Majesty the King."

The congratulatory address concluded as she respectfully paid her respects to the King.

A desolate silence lingered in the venue. Some were dumbfounded, and others were lost in thought.

Leonard felt that this silence was like a tribute to Astrid. Joy welled up from the depths of his heart. It was as if his efforts to establish the Royal School over several years were finally bearing fruit.

Just as Leonard, overwhelmed with joy, was about to jump up from his seat and applaud vigorously,

"Duchess Rosemond."

Suddenly, a very unpleasant voice threw a stone at the King's joy.

Leonard muttered a curse under his breath and turned his head in the direction of the sound.

There, as expected, was Herald Beum.

In an era where money had become power, Herald Beum, who had seized control of the Herot Guild Alliance, had become the only person who could challenge the King's power. He now called himself a representative of the commoners.

As Noah tried to get up, Usher quickly grabbed him.

"A wonderful congratulatory address, I listened well. I am Herald Beum."

In the meantime, Herald Beum had already risen from his seat and greeted Olivia. Then, the people who had been overwhelmed by Olivia's atmosphere regained their senses one by one. The silence that had felt like a tribute to Astrid evaporated like morning dew.

Olivia received his greeting with a gently smiling face.

"Hello, Lord Beum. I have heard much about your reputation. I am pleased to meet you."

"I apologize for rising from my seat to ask you something. May I ask you a question?"

At his question, Olivia reflexively looked at the King. Leonard stared intently at Olivia with a deep blue gaze and nodded slightly.

"Of course, Lord Beum. Ask your question."

As Olivia responded with composure, the reporters quickly took out their notebooks and scribbled with their pens.

"Duchess Rosemond, you graduated from a prestigious Pulder school and even from Herollington University. I heard that you grew up in very difficult circumstances, which is truly remarkable."

At his words, Noah reacted as if he was having a seizure and clenched his fist tightly.

Leonard, Beatrix, and even Usher glared at him with hardened faces. Leonard was thinking of getting up and stopping him immediately if he tried to further diminish Olivia's honor.

Herald Beum continued to speak, even as he felt the murderous gazes of Herod's Messengers.

"I heard that most of the schools you attended were for men only, so you faced unexpected difficulties..."

Herald Beum drew out the end of his words and braced himself.

He was certain that the enraged royals would stir at the words that would follow. However, that was exactly what he was aiming for, so he threw the words out in a subtle tone.

"For example, places like restrooms."

"That son of a bitch!"

Noah immediately cursed and jumped up from his seat, and the Herod's Messengers, whose patience had reached its limit, also rose from their seats with fierce expressions on their faces.

"Herald Beum, you are being disrespectful! Watch your words!"

Leonard, enraged, rebuked him, and Noah exuded murderous intent and unrefined Magical Power from his entire body, as if he would rush in and tear him apart.

That rude man was trying to tarnish the Princess Consort's honor with the secretive and vulgar word 'restroom,' as well as crush the meaning of the establishment of the Royal School.

However, Herald Beum had to tear down the Royal School matter at all costs. Olivia Astrid was trying to take away his position as the representative of the commoners.

Herald Beum bowed his head at the King's force, but he still slyly raised his eyes and looked at Olivia.

If the Princess Consort were to shed tears at this moment, he would be able to get the front page of tomorrow's newspaper...?

'Hmm?'

But far from crying, the Princess Consort nodded with a bitter face and agreed.

"That's right. It was very difficult."

The royals who had been glaring at Herald Beum paused and turned their heads. The other nobles did the same.

When Olivia's attention was focused on her, she shrugged her shoulders. She did not feel the slightest shame.

"Listen, everyone. I came to school with difficulty, but there were only men's restrooms. I was only ten years old at the time."

She looked around at the people as if she was complaining and continued to speak.

"But it was okay. The professors, who had anticipated my situation in advance, helped me. I learned about consideration through them at that time. Even now, when I think about that time, I feel a warmth in my heart."

"..."

"Oh, but that wasn't the only difficult thing. The first school I attended, Rolland School, divided the grades based on entrance exam scores. As a ten-year-old, I had to take classes with boys who were on average five years older than me, so when I sat in a chair, my feet didn't touch the floor. At that time, I thought to myself,"

Olivia deliberately tilted her eyes and spoke in a sullen voice.

"'If I had known this would happen, I should have gotten a few questions wrong on the entrance exam. Why did I get first place?'"

Laughter erupted from various places at her playful appearance.

The Princess Consort easily drew the atmosphere to her side.

As the sharp energy was pushed away by laughter, Leonard sat down as if to watch the situation for now. Usher, who saw him, also sat down and nudged Noah. Noah reluctantly sat down as well, but the sharp energy was still emanating from him.

Herald Beum cleared his throat slightly and asked again.

"It must have been very difficult. Nevertheless, the schools that the Duchess attended were prestigious Pulder schools, so the facilities must have been good. The most important factor for a student to concentrate on their studies is the environment."

"Yes, I agree."

"And... in that sense, I think that the facilities of this well-intentioned school should be better equipped."

Then, the King's bodyguards glared at him from various places.

"Shall we stop him?"

One of the aides sitting behind Leonard asked secretly.

Leonard's gaze was fixed on Olivia. She had not wavered even for a moment from the beginning until now. She was calm and composed.

"Let's wait and see for now."

So he could trust her and leave it to her.

'Do well, Olivia.'

At that time, Herald Beum winked at the reporters and continued to speak.

"Of course, I express my utmost respect for His Majesty the King's will. However, unconditional praise is like poison, so I am taking a risk and speaking up."

Olivia looked around the main hall and asked.

"What specific facilities are you talking about?"

"Hmm... for example, the number of restrooms, the quality of the chairs and desks, the size of the library, the width of the playground, and so on. A visible discrimination, you might say."

"Is the comparison target a noble school?"

At that, Herald Beum shrugged and smiled.

Olivia saw through the fact that he, who claimed to be a representative of the commoners, had not actually experienced the life of a commoner.

The gentle smile that had been on her face slowly disappeared. Olivia looked directly at Herald Beum and said in a low voice.

"Do you know what was the top priority I considered when I chose a school in the past, Lord Beum?"

"..."

"It was accessibility and the availability of scholarships. Which of the two conditions was more important to me?"

Then, Herald Beum blinked and slyly opened his mouth.

"...Scholarships... isn't it?"

Olivia chuckled and shook her head.