Chapter 177. A Banquet for Olivia
The trial of the century, which had set the world ablaze, concluded, and the Crown Prince and Princess consort of Herot boarded the ship returning to Herot.
They returned on the same warship they had arrived on, and accompanying them were dozens of engineers and technicians, including Princess Marguerite.
As they departed, countless reporters swarmed the area, creating a commotion, and the news spread worldwide.
From Pulder's perspective, it was as if they had lost the Magic Dome, so it wasn't good news. However, as Ansen Wilhelm's wicked deeds were being revealed one after another, even the President personally came out to see them off.
The Herot warship sailed across the ocean, powerfully heading towards Herot.
"...Your Highness, I apologize, but you are to have dinner separately."
Having spoken, Jonan cautiously observed Noah's expression. He had seemed somewhat better recently, but now that Olivia was not by his side, his characteristic inhuman expression had returned.
"Ahem."
Several officers cleared their throats unnecessarily and then left as if they had urgent business, and Methone subtly moved away.
Jonan inwardly shed tears of blood and resented Olivia.
'You are too much, Her Highness. Sob.'
"So, you're saying you've been in that damned meeting all day."
His aura was so menacing that Jonan flinched and looked towards his only savior.
"If Olivia is needed, then she's needed. Why are you acting like a dog with diarrhea?"
Jonan sent a shower of unreserved admiration towards Margo with his eyes. Noah pursed his lips, and Margo, without looking up from her book, added indifferently,
"You'll get divorced if you keep this up."
"Oh, Aunt!! Please stop saying that!!"
Margo chuckled at Noah's impudent shout and looked up. Noah huffed, then sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Alright, tell him to eat properly. He'll get sick."
"Yes!"
As Jonan, who had been waiting, dashed off, Margo chuckled and gestured to her water glass.
"Duke, fetch me a glass of water. This old aunt is thirsty."
Noah sighed deeply, but still poured water for Margo.
The developers of the Magic Dome were so engrossed in discussions with the legendary 'Oliver' that they lost track of time. Olivia was no different.
"So, Your Highness, ultimately, the key is how quickly we can cool the heated engine?"
"Yes, that's right. But more importantly, it's about how efficiently we can distribute the condensed Magical Power of the mages. It's crucial to prevent the Magical Power from leaking as much as possible while it travels from the charging terminal through the engine to the magic port."
"What about changing the material of the pipes?"
"Oh, the material? Please explain."
Olivia sat among dozens of engineers and technicians, continuing the endless meeting.
"Wow... Your Highness, you're truly amazing."
Jonan, watching from a distance, murmured in admiration, and Methone, who had come looking for her, nodded blankly.
To be honest, it was a barrage of words that he couldn't understand at all. Moreover, the people surrounding Olivia were clearly seasoned veterans.
Yet, Olivia was leading the meeting. It was evident that she was leading not because of her status, but solely based on her skill.
"Methone, I don't think it's appropriate to mention it now."
"Confirm that they are preparing a meal."
"Understood."
How much longer did the meeting continue?
When she came to her senses, the sun was already setting. Olivia sprinted across the warship.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
As passing sailors quickly saluted, Olivia smiled and waved at them. Then, she ascended the stairs and walked down the corridor towards Noah's location.
Methone, recognizing her, grinned and stepped aside, respectfully gesturing towards the door.
Approaching it, Olivia carefully opened the door.
And the moment she opened it, Olivia felt him.
The sky, as it had been before, was painted in a dreamlike pink hue, floating lightly on the sea.
And he was there, in a scene like a masterpiece.
He, who had been standing gazing at the endless sea, slowly turned his head as if sensing her presence.
As always, Noah overwhelmed everything. The dreamlike pink sky, the shimmering reflections scattered on the sea, all receded before his green eyes bathed in twilight.
And as always, Noah slowly turned towards her and tilted his head.
"Liv."
At the call, like a spell, Olivia approached him as if drawn to a star. It wasn't the first time, yet her heart pounded at his presence, which seemed to command the sea.
As Olivia approached, Noah took her in with his reddish eyes.
"Did you eat dinner?"
"Of course. I'm sorry we can't eat together often."
"There's no need to apologize, just make sure you eat well."
Despite the menacing aura he exuded earlier, Noah wore a gentleman's mask in front of Olivia.
This was because Margo's 'Divorce!' echoed in his ears from time to time.
Noah embraced Olivia's shoulders and gazed at the sea.
"Being like this reminds me of that time," Olivia murmured, and Noah chuckled.
"Right, Oliver?"
Olivia burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, the sunset grew redder. Noah gazed at the texture of her long, delicate eyelashes.
Thoughts he had once had while watching Olivia's profile against the sunset flashed through his mind like a montage. If someone had told him then that 'Olivia could earn the name Oliver,' he would have called them crazy.
How could this small woman accomplish something that even I found daunting?
But in the end, Olivia succeeded.
"Hm? Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked lovingly, sensing his gaze.
"Because you're beautiful?"
Her cheeks flushed at his roguish reply. Noah wrapped his arm around Olivia's waist and kissed her lips.
Then, he looked behind her, in the direction the ship was heading.
Olivia followed his gaze and turned her head, murmuring,
"I'm looking forward to what kind of days will unfold."
At her voice, filled with excitement, Noah's spine inexplicably chilled.
Overwhelmed by a sense of impending dread, Noah tightened his grip on Olivia. Gazing at the distant sea where the night's curtain, embracing the stars, was pushing back the sunset, he earnestly wished this feeling was just a premonition.
And about a week later.
"Wooooooow!!!"
"Your Highnessaaa!!"
His premonition had become reality.
The port was filled with thunderous cheers. The sound seemed capable of shattering even the thick warship.
The verdict from Pulder had already spread throughout Herot, and the citizens had been eagerly awaiting Olivia's return.
Noah did his best to smooth his expression, which was threatening to crumple, and held Olivia's hand tightly, formulating a meticulous plan in his mind.
'Go to the Royal Palace, pay our respects quickly, have a perfunctory meal, and then head straight home. And we'll have some time alone for the first time in a while.'
Yes, perfect.
"Hahahaha, Olivia!!"
"...??"
But Noah's ambitious plan began to go awry at the sound of the King's voice from somewhere.
"Olivia!"
"Your Highnessaaa!!"
And the subsequent voices of his mother and sister amplified his anxiety.
What, the entire royal family is here!!
They didn't even come out when he returned from quelling the rebellion, nor did they greet visiting dignitaries at the palace!
"Noah, everyone is here!"
"Ah... uh... yes."
Noah replied with a grimace.
He saw Lucy running towards Olivia. Though she had grown considerably since he last saw her, she carefully embraced Olivia, mindful of any potential injuries, at the end.
"Your Highness!"
The King, Queen Consort, and Usher also approached one after another.
"You've done so well! I knew you could do it!"
"Olivia, how are you feeling?"
"You've worked hard, Princess consort."
Noah scowled at the overwhelming cheers. Just then, he felt a presence beside him and heard Margo's voice.
"Don't just frown, look."
"..."
"Olivia is smiling."
At Margo's words, Noah looked at Olivia.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. All of this is thanks to you. Queen Consort, I am fine. Crown Prince, thank you for your congratulations. Princess, yes. Please show me when we get to the Royal Palace. I'm curious."
Olivia seemed busy responding to everyone, but her expression was brighter than ever.
Beautiful as the moon, intense as the sun, and serene as a peach blossom.
Facing that sight, even the overwhelming cheers faded into the distance.
At that moment, his salvation looked at him and beckoned.
"Noah!"
"Oh, Noah! Well, I... no, Margo!"
"That's fine. We can just go and greet them."
While Margo exchanged greetings with Beatrix, Leonard slyly approached Noah.
"Welcome back?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize. My crime..."
"What crime?"
"...?"
"You returned safely on my orders, so what crime are you talking about?"
"..."
Noah blinked wordlessly, and Leonard, looking embarrassed, cleared his throat and patted his shoulder.
Then, his expression changed drastically, and he shouted towards Olivia,
"Let's go, Olivia! A grand banquet has been prepared, so enjoy it all night. Hahaha!"
Noah's face contorted again, but everyone else burst into laughter.
One person's sigh and hundreds of cheers echoed in the port.
And that one person, Noah's expression grew darker by the moment.
"Mother."
"...I don't know."
"If the mother who prepared the banquet doesn't know, who would?"
"Did I ever... think they would do that even to the Princess consort?"
Noah slowly exhaled his suppressed breath and clenched his fist tightly. Margo, who was sipping wine beside him, chuckled lazily and patted her nephew's back.
"Duke, the Princess consort seems to be enjoying herself, so what are you so worried about?"
Strangely, Margo seemed to treat Noah more familiarly since he had gotten angry. As if she didn't care whether he was fed up or disgusted.
Noah roughly brushed off Margo's hand, which kept patting his back, and glared fiercely at the person who was now presenting wine to Olivia.
"Your Highness, congratulations. This wine was personally brewed by our family and aged for a full 12 years in Limar oak barrels..."
The man, seemingly oblivious to Noah's sharp, almost blue gaze, continued.
A servant placed a new wine glass before Olivia, and the man poured the wine.
"It is an old custom to present wine when there is a truly celebratory occasion. Of course, as a royal lady, no one has ever received such a custom until now."
Beatrix said this with a smile. Then she looked at the nobles lined up. Each of them held a bottle of wine and a glass.
"This shows how highly they regard what Olivia has achieved."
Why wouldn't they?
Everyone had already seen how Wilhelm Corporation had manipulated Herot. And no one was unaware of whose hands that immense wealth and power would soon fall into.
Beatrix turned her gaze to Olivia.
Her cheeks were flushed with a lovely hue, and a tipsy smile graced her face. She was beautiful, as if a bud had bloomed.
"Hmm..."
As Beatrix glanced at the expression of the noble who had just poured Olivia a drink, she accurately grasped where Noah's anger stemmed from.
Beatrix suppressed a laugh, and a peculiar gaze flew from beside her. Turning her head, she saw Margo, wearing a smile that was strikingly similar to her own.
