Translator: Nox

Episode 171. The Blade Olivia Drew

Margo chuckled inwardly, watching her nephew standing in the modest courtyard.

Pretending not to see his aunt's expression, Noah cleared his throat unnecessarily.

Winifred looked at Noah, whom she hadn't seen in months, with surprise. The sharpness that felt like it could cut if touched had softened considerably.

"Hello, Your Highness. It's been a long time."

"It has been a long time, Winifred."

When her name came from his lips, whom she thought might not even remember her own name, Winifred paused before smiling.

Just then, the door opened.

Noah's gaze turned to the door as if he had been waiting. However, the person who emerged was not the one he had been waiting for.

Betty approached Noah with quick steps and said,

"Her Highness is asleep."

Margo glanced at the window of Olivia's room and muttered.

"I knew it. She overdid it."

"Is she not feeling well?"

Noah reacted as if he had a seizure at the word 'overdid'.

"She didn't look that sick. If I had left her, she would have stayed up all night. She would have been excited about it, too."

Margo chuckled and moved on, and Winifred and her husband followed her.

But Noah strode purposefully towards the house. Betty quickly took the lead.

Reaching an old wooden door after passing through a hallway filled with the scent of wood, Noah hesitated for a moment before carefully turning the doorknob.

His heart pounded fiercely, just as it had the first time he met her.

The scent of the person he had longed for all day wafted through the opening door. Noah stood blankly in the middle of the dimly lit room, staring dazedly at the messy space.

Dozens of papers were scattered across the desk, and thick books were piled high against one wall. Her day seemed tangible in his hands.

Noah took one step, then another, towards the bed.

His beautiful salvation had her eyes closed.

Noah placed his hand on her forehead to check for a fever. Fortunately, there was no fever.

"I'm sorry. For coming in without permission."

He felt a strange sensation, wanting to see her even while looking at her.

While his heart fluttered at the word 'love', her heart, which had to take medicine by his side, still weighed heavily on him.

Noah slowly took a breath and then slowly looked around the house where Olivia had grown up. Numerous books filled the walls. Noah approached the bookshelf as if entranced.

As Noah unconsciously reached out to pull out a book, his hand stopped in mid-air.

He put the book back on the shelf, then approached Olivia. He then tilted his head and kissed her forehead.

"Sleep well. I'll come again tomorrow."

He whispered, as if calling her name, brushing her lovely forehead with his fingertips, where her curly hair clung.

"I love you."

Once, Noah thought saying these words would be harder than dying. But once he uttered them, it was nothing.

It was merely a word that encapsulated the rough, hot emotion directed towards this person, an emotion for which he would gladly burn himself alive.

"I love you, Olivia. I love you... I love you."

Noah kissed Olivia's forehead again.

A deep musk scent poured over Olivia's head. The lingering scent faded as if a dream and then drifted away.

As the door closed, Olivia's tightly shut eyelids opened as if by magic. Blinking once, twice, she murmured as if entranced.

"...I love you."

Was the low, cool voice carrying that word a dream or reality?

However, with the sound of his footsteps echoing in her ears, Olivia realized this was not a dream but reality.

Her dark eyes curved into a long arc.

"I love you."

The words she thought she would never hear from him until the day she died were now densely etched into her heart.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The next day, Pulder was in an uproar due to the morning newspaper's front-page headline.

[Who is 'Oliver', the joint patent holder of the Magic Dome?!]

For Ansen, who hadn't slept a wink all night, the article was like a bolt from the blue. He stared out the window with a pale face, lacking the energy to even shout.

"Ansen, Ansen!"

With hurried footsteps, Mrs. Wilhelm entered the room.

"What... what is this article, hmm?"

When her son didn't answer, Mrs. Wilhelm began to cry and took his hand.

"Ansen, look at your mother. What is this? Say something."

Ansen, who had been denying reality, shut his eyes tightly and shook off his mother's hand. He then gestured to his secretary.

"Escort my mother out."

"Can't you at least say something to your mother? I'm so frustrated, so frustrated!"

Finally, Ansen shouted.

"Who do you think is the most frustrated person right now, Mother!!"

"......"

"Leave. You're not helping at all."

Mrs. Wilhelm finally left the room as if being chased out, burying her face in her handkerchief.

Ansen slammed his desk, expressing his rage.

"Olivia, you're going to do this until the end...!"

It would have been better if she hadn't woken up. It would have been better if she had just died in that sea.

Just then, the secretary spoke cautiously.

"Lord McDowell has sent word that he is extremely busy given the circumstances and wishes to meet at another time."

"Then the Vice President?"

"The Vice President also..."

"These bastards, taking my money when they should be...!"

Ansen, pale and raving, clutched his head.

He was about to order someone to go to Olivia's house and retrieve all the documents she possessed.

But at the same time, he remembered Noah Astrid, who had appeared before him like a demon.

He heard that his hunting dog, Meson Loktar, was guarding Olivia's house.

In the end, Ansen couldn't even send anyone to Olivia's house.

"To think I've become this powerless."

There was nothing he could do. He could see the tsunami approaching from the distant sea, yet he couldn't even run away.

"Ansen Wilhelm, you murderer!!"

As the loud shouts from beyond the wall began again, Ansen finally covered his ears.

But, unfortunately, his misfortune did not end there.

Around noon, with the sound of ominous galloping, the door burst open again. Just as Ansen was about to curse, annoyed by the sound of the door opening.

"The Princess consort of Herod is filing a constitutional petition at the court right now!"

Ansen clenched his fist tightly.

It was the moment Olivia's drawn blade touched the tip of Ansen's throat.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Once, she had wondered what it would feel like if such a day arrived.

She had thought it might feel like the world was being created anew, but now that it had arrived, it was just like any other day.

Just as the sun rose and set on the day her parents died, and on the day she married Noah, it did the same today. That consistency calmed Olivia's heart.

Olivia wore a neat shirt and a black skirt. She then put on a coat the same color as her skirt and picked up an old leather bag.

Today, she decided not to wear a hat.

It was customary for royal women of Herod to wear hats when going out, but today she was going to court as 'Olivia Liberty'.

"Are you ready?"

In response to Winifred's question, Olivia turned towards the door.

"Let's go."

It wasn't just Noah who had changed. As Winifred watched Olivia's back as she walked down the hallway, she felt that Olivia had been fighting silently for her freedom.

Click, click.

To the sound of her heels, Betty opened the front door and bowed her head.

The bright sunlight was dazzlingly brilliant, and the wind blowing into the old house was warm and gentle, heralding a new season.

Olivia took a step towards the world, illuminated by the light.

And as she extended her whole body beyond the door, he was standing there.

Noah stared blankly at Olivia, dressed in a perfectly tailored black coat.

Her sharpened facial features from weight loss, her inscrutable dark eyes, her closed lips, her upright posture.

She looked as calm and cool as the deep, dark abyss.

The woman who seemed to be crossing the storm alone, the woman cornered by the games of nobles, the pitiful and cherished Olivia.

But at this very moment, Noah recognized her anew.

Olivia was shouting with her entire being.

I am not weak. Please see the pride I have in forging my own path.

Olivia, who had been looking at him with a calm gaze, approached him after descending the stone steps. She then offered a light greeting to the frozen man.

"It's a beautiful day, Noah."

For some reason, Noah was greatly flustered, his lips parting slightly before he managed to reply.

"Uh... yes. It's a beautiful day, Liv."

"I was on my way to court."

"I know. That's why I came. If, perhaps, I accompanied you..."

Olivia lightly shook her head at his suggestion.

"Today, I am not going as Olivia Rosemond Astrid, but as Olivia Liberty. Don't worry. Just in case, I'm going with Lord Jonan..."

"I trust you."

Olivia trailed off, gazing at Noah.

Noah spoke again with emphasis, as if to confirm she had heard correctly.

"I trust you."

"......"

"Have a good trip. I'll be waiting."

"I don't know when I'll be back."

"I'm fine... Do you dislike me waiting?"

Olivia recalled the man who had stood in front of this old house just half a year ago. The man who had unceremoniously offered a handkerchief, telling her to at least wipe her tears.

Olivia finally smiled faintly and shook her head.

"No."

And at her small smile, Noah's heart swelled, and he unconsciously smiled along, tilting his head.

"Then, um... can I wait inside the house?"

Olivia couldn't help but nod to the man who, with his broad back bent, was only looking at her face.

"Can I read the books on the shelf?"

"Please do. I'll be back soon."

Noah very carefully reached out his hand towards her. His hand, which had hovered near her ear as if about to touch, slowly reached her nape, and when she allowed it, he slowly tilted his head.

His trembling lips touched her forehead.

"I love you."

Olivia closed her eyes, recalling that dreamlike voice, and Noah was deeply grateful for this moment.

As the couple finally faced each other properly, the brilliant sunlight enveloped them warmly.