Episode 176. King Leonard's Laughter
By the time the two had nearly descended the stairs, one reporter, mustering their courage, offered a polite greeting.
"Greetings, Your Highness, Her Highness. I am Ren Antosen, a reporter for the Pulder Central Newspaper. If you wouldn't mind..."
The reporter glanced briefly at the Prince, then quickly shifted their gaze to the Princess consort.
Noah was practically shouting with his entire being.
'It would mind.'
The reporter desperately averted his eyes from Noah's gaze and spoke earnestly to Olivia.
"May I ask Her Highness a question?"
Olivia glanced at Noah. It wasn't because she was looking to him for approval as she might have in the past, but because she wanted to be considerate of Noah, who disliked the press.
And the moment Olivia turned her head towards Noah, everyone saw it clearly.
How the Prince's eyes, devoid of any humanity, changed as if flipping a palm.
"If you want to, go ahead. That's all that matters."
Uh... you were glaring at us like you wanted to kill us.
"Thank you."
Olivia turned back to the reporter and nodded. The reporter, pretending not to notice the intense gaze pouring from behind her head, opened his mouth.
"D, did you win?"
Olivia took a breath.
Today, she had crossed another threshold. She had climbed over and finally crossed a colossal wall she had never dared to even contemplate crossing.
Olivia slowly faced the world beyond the door and replied.
"Yes, I did."
As lightly as a falling petal.
The moment she answered, the sound of nibs scratching paper erupted from all directions. Ren Antosen asked in an excited voice,
"Then, are you truly the joint patent holder of the Magic Dome?"
"Yes."
As Olivia replied with a gentle smile, cheers erupted from the bereaved family.
"Please reveal Ansen Wilhelm's wicked deeds, Her Highness!!"
Then, they finally burst into heart-wrenching sobs. As she looked at them with pity, another reporter cautiously posed a question.
"Her Highness, how can your Magic Dome be said to differ from Ansen Wilhelm's Magic Dome?"
Olivia glanced at the questioner, then slowly scanned the multitude of spectators watching her.
Finally, she opened her mouth.
"I will not lock the machine room door. Because the principle of the Magic Dome is safety. At the same time, my Magic Dome will..."
A confident smile spread across Olivia's lips.
"Evolve every moment."
With that, the Princess consort moved on.
The reporters, who had many questions, stirred for a moment, but under the Prince's piercing gaze, no one dared to ask.
And from afar, a man with a grizzled beard, watching the scene, opened his mouth as if having made a decision, as the Princess consort and Prince boarded the carriage.
"I will follow that person to Herot."
As he spoke, the other men surrounding him nodded one by one.
They were none other than the engineers and technicians who had asked Noah for time to think.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Everything is relative.
The day Olivia regained her rights was no different from a death sentence for Ansen.
As the crowd gathered in front of the courthouse cheered Olivia's name, Ansen felt as if the weight of the universe had fallen entirely upon his shoulders.
The first thing that greeted him when he finally managed to flee back to his mansion was a letter bearing the seal of Duchess Rosemond. Her lawyer had sent the letter to him as soon as they left the courthouse.
[Unpaid Royalty Invoice]
Ansen's hands trembled.
The amount stamped on the statement sent by Olivia's lawyer was astronomical. It was only natural.
Even if it were paid to Olivia, who held the same rights as him, it had only been pocket change given as living expenses.
To repay the vast sum covering 5 years and 8 months, closing a few factories wouldn't be enough!
"Ah..."
As Ansen bent over, gasping for breath, another part of his punishment arrived without warning.
"R-Representative! You must flee...!"
"If you run now, you'll be charged with evasion as well."
Behind the pale-faced secretary, uniformed officers stormed in.
"...What in the world?!"
Ansen protested in a dry voice, and the officer presented a warrant approved by the court.
"Ansen Wilhelm, you will come with us."
"Why do I have to go!!"
"All contract clauses you have entered into explicitly state that the safety of Magic Dome users must be prioritized. However, as testimony after testimony emerges regarding your dereliction of duty, you must undergo an investigation."
"I'm not going, I'm not going!!"
As if he had expected this, the officer gestured to those behind him, and two burly men moved to pressure him.
"If you don't want to be charged with obstruction of business, go quietly."
"Ansen, Ansen!!"
Mrs. Wilhelm, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, grabbed Ansen, and the area instantly descended into chaos.
"Let go of me, let go!!"
"If you do this, we will charge you as well, Madam. Please let go!!"
"Ansen!!"
Mother... Ansen, who was being pulled and jostled by the officers, looked up at the ceiling with vacant eyes.
Ah, is this hell itself?
How could he possibly endure the countless things that lay ahead?
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Meanwhile, Olivia, leaving the courthouse, headed to her parents' graves with Noah.
"Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma. I've finally been recognized."
Noah stood behind her as she knelt and spoke softly. Olivia slowly traced the tombstones, then turned around.
With the sunlight behind him, he looked as handsome and wonderful as he did yesterday.
Olivia gave him a bright smile, then turned her head back and said,
"I couldn't have done it without him."
Noah blinked with a bashful expression, then knelt beside Olivia and said,
"Well... I didn't do anything."
Seeing Noah's expression, Olivia chuckled and kissed his cheek.
"I'm really serious."
Her voice, whispering with a glint in her dark eyes, gently shook Noah. Noah softly pulled Olivia, who was moving away, by the nape of her neck and kissed her lips.
Then, with a soft peck, he pulled away and said cheekily,
"Was that pious enough? And you kissed me first."
Olivia felt like she was being manipulated, but she couldn't help but giggle. Seeing her radiant smile, Noah felt a heat surge within him.
Seeing the burning passion in his eyes, before Olivia could even stiffen her expression, Noah scooped her up by the waist and called out to those in heaven.
"We'll be back!"
"Noah!!"
Despite Olivia's protest, Noah, unconcerned, ran off with her. As soon as they boarded the carriage, he drew all the curtains and bit into her lips as if to devour them.
Soft and sweet, like tasting cream.
"Haa..."
With each brief separation of their lips, accompanied by faint breaths, Noah's body grew hard. The intelligent and proud dark eyes that had cornered the judge grew hazy and flushed under his touch.
Could this be heaven, salvation, and eternal peace?
Noah kissed the white mounds revealed through the unbuttoned front. As he rubbed and sucked the firm, erect red peaks, Olivia twisted and covered her mouth.
"Noah...!"
Even her suppressed voice calling his name was sensual. Noah slowly caressed her exposed white legs, then fondled a spot she could not possibly refuse.
"Ah..."
Muffling a groan that escaped her lips, Noah whispered,
"I can't hold back anymore, Liv. Can I?"
Olivia stared blankly at the man pressing down on her. His saliva-moistened lips, his eyes blurred with desire, held only her.
As if reading her wavering heart, Noah smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling. Then, he leaned in and slowly licked her lips, whispering as if pleading,
"I love you."
"...You weren't a lion... you were a fox."
Olivia murmured as she closed her eyes, and with a satisfied laugh, he poured himself out.
Ah... all the buttons are torn off, what should I do.
Olivia thought this as she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
About ten days later.
Leonard was glaring at Herald Beum as if he wanted to kill him. This insolent brat had apparently aided in the dissemination of Les Duing newspapers, instigated by Ansen Wilhelm.
"But, Your Majesty! I thought it was a matter of grave importance..."
"Regardless of its truthfulness?"
Leonard cut him off curtly, and Herald Beum gave a small cough, then cast a pleading look towards the guild leaders nearby.
At that sight, Leonard felt his insides churn.
This was a golden opportunity to cut Herald Beum loose, but Leonard couldn't easily ignore the influence of the guild leaders who formed the backbone of Herot Industries.
Finally, one of the guild leaders spoke cautiously.
"Your Majesty. Though it is difficult, please consider Beum's sincerity..."
Damn it. Do I have to let this slide again?!
As Leonard gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, there was a hurried knock, and a page entered. He then quickly approached Leonard and presented a letter sent by an informant.
Leonard hastily tore open the letter. The attention of everyone gathered in the office focused on him.
The King's beard, which showed not a trace of humanity, seemed to tremble slightly, and the corners of his mouth kept twitching upwards.
"What news is it that makes you so, Your Majesty?"
To Usher's question, Leonard burst into a loud laugh, unable to contain himself any longer.
"Hahahaha! As expected, as expected, she's my daughter-in-law!!!"
Herald Beum's eyes widened like saucers at the resounding voice.
"Is there news from Pulder?"
"Yes, Usher! Hahaha, Olivia has been recognized as the joint patent holder of the Magic Dome!! And she's going to claim the unpaid royalties for 5 years and 8 months from Wilhelm Corporation!!"
Leonard glared at Herald Beum with gleaming eyes and laughed sinisterly.
"Heh heh, you rat-like thief."
"Cough, cough..."
"This is ruin."
Herald Beum couldn't tell if the King was speaking to him or to Ansen Wilhelm.
"Then, will Duchess Rosemond... establish her own Magic Dome-related company in Herot?"
Leonard turned to the guild leader who had asked the question and puffed out his chest.
"Of course, she will. Herot no longer needs to entrust its security to someone like Ansen Wilhelm!"
"..."
"Because my daughter-in-law, Olivia Rosemond Astrid, has become the new owner of the Magic Dome!"
It felt as if the sound of the guild leaders' minds whirring could be heard.
Leonard's eyes rolled like a lion spotting prey as he looked at Herald Beum. Then, he asked very leisurely,
"What did you gentlemen say should be done about Herald Beum's treatment?"
The moment the King's question fell, the guild leader who had tried to shield Herald Beum shouted in a loud voice.
"How can we let go of someone who conspired with Ansen Wilhelm to slander the Duchess Rosemond, Your Majesty!"
"That's right, Your Majesty!!"
Ha, these bat-like creatures.
Leonard inwardly sneered but maintained a solemn demeanor outwardly and commanded,
"Yes. I fully understand your loyalty."
"..."
"Herald Beum, I cannot allow you to attend the council, which must be impartial, as you aided in spreading slander against my daughter-in-law without even verifying its truth."
"Y-Your Majesty!"
"Using my inherent authority, I permanently expel you from the Herot Council. I wish never to see your face again from this moment on."
"You... you can't do this, Your Majesty!!"
Leonard waved his hand as if he didn't want to hear any more, and the waiting Royal Guards dragged Herald Beum out of the office.
Not a single guild leader raised an objection.
Leonard felt as if a ten-year-old blockage had been cleared, his heart feeling refreshed.
He read the letter again and again with a moved expression, then immediately summoned the Queen. The moment Beatrix entered the office, he exclaimed,
"Queen! Prepare a banquet for Olivia. A grand one!!"
