Chapter 18
Episode 18: The Maze Garden
"Just give up. Princess Marguerite seems determined to hunt down Herot's prodigals today."
"It's all your fault, Iel Poem. If you hadn't cornered Miss Liberty that day, Princess Marguerite wouldn't be so vigilant."
"Didn't you go?"
"......"
Noah, lounging on the sofa, gazing at the sky and smoking, scoffed at the prodigals' grumbling.
"You crazy bastards. Stop spouting nonsense here and get lost."
The prodigals were unfazed by the prince's cursing, which was nothing new, and instead moved closer.
"Your Highness."
Noah responded with a long sigh. A cloud of cigarette smoke spread into the cool autumn air.
"Tomorrow, your aunt will be leaving for a distant land again. Wouldn't it be the nephewly thing to do to take a walk with her in the garden?"
"Indeed. Enjoy a private autumn stroll with your aunt."
Noah, half-lying on the sofa, chuckled at those words. Then, in a voice laced with laughter, he replied.
"In my aunt's eyes, there's no difference between you lot and me, so if I suggested a private stroll, I'd be the first to be hunted down, wouldn't I?"
At that, those surrounding him burst into boisterous laughter. Noah watched their dissolute laughter with a cold gaze before stubbing out the half-smoked cigarette.
"And, Olivia Liberty is Astrid's guest, at least until this evening, so behave yourselves."
The prodigals' boisterous laughter abruptly subsided.
Everyone here knew that Noah didn't consider them friends. He simply needed lighthearted people to laugh with and enjoy himself with, so he tolerated them hanging around.
Iel Poem straightened his posture respectfully and replied in a voice devoid of laughter.
"Yes, I understand."
Noah tilted his head back again, gazing at the sky, and lazily commanded.
"Everyone, go away. I want to be alone."
It wasn't just the servants with whom Noah didn't engage in emotional exchange.
How could the Crown Prince and the Prince, born in the same royal family, be so different? The young nobles quickly turned and left the small garden between the mazes.
As the noisy group moved away, Noah smiled contentedly and stretched out more comfortably.
Beyond the crackling sound of the Brazier, the noise of the main garden could be heard. The dry, sweet scent of autumn roses lingered in the air.
Enjoying the isolated moment with his eyes closed, Noah's mind flashed to a small flower hairpin. And a sky-blue dress.
Noah, involuntarily recalling the white, straight collarbones and the gracefully continuing swelling line below, abruptly opened his eyes and shook his head.
What on earth was his mother thinking, putting her in that dress?
Well, was there any woman who didn't wear that kind of design these days? There was no need to deliberately wear a white blouse buttoned up to the neck, even at this banquet.
"What does it matter?"
Tomorrow, she would be returning. That meant that his hell would begin again tomorrow.
Noah took a deep breath and closed his eyes again.
To enjoy the last moment of peace.
Margo had watched Olivia's adolescence. The sight of a fifteen-year-old girl from Herot dragging a leather bag half her size through the campus was a rare spectacle that one couldn't help but see, even if one tried not to.
Five years had passed since then. Margo didn't know if the feeling she had for Olivia was like that of a parent, as she didn't have any children. But at least it was about the same as the affection she felt for her nephews.
Therefore, Margo kept a close eye on Olivia with a burning gaze.
However, Margo's position prevented her from staying by her side until the very end.
"Professor, please go and do what you need to do. I'll tell you immediately if anything happens."
Olivia quickly added as the King called for Margo. It seemed to be a meeting with members of the council.
"Why he's calling me when I'm leaving tomorrow, honestly. Alright, I'll be back in a bit. Go get something to eat over there."
Margo shook her head slightly, looking displeased, then turned and walked away. Of course, she didn't forget to give a nod to the Queen Consort's Head Maid, who was nearby.
The Queen Consort had already told her in advance that she had assigned the Head Maid to Olivia today.
As Margo walked away, Olivia turned with a smile. She thought it was excessive, but she was overwhelmingly grateful for her concern and kindness.
And it wasn't just her.
Olivia had already noticed the Queen Consort's gaze directed at her from time to time.
And, Noah Astrid was nowhere to be seen. He had entered the maze as soon as the banquet began and hadn't come out.
It was funny that she was concerned about him.
However, apart from him, Olivia was curious about the maze beyond the main garden. The maze garden of Herot Palace was famous enough to be featured in children's fairy tales.
If not now, when would she ever get to see it?
Olivia stared for a long time at the arch where luscious grapes hung like wisteria flowers.
What could be in that mysterious maze, filled with the fragrant scent of roses?
But the reason she couldn't bring herself to step inside was because she knew what Margo was worried about.
"That woman, she seems to want to go in there."
As Helena of the Lierre family, who had debuted this year, whispered quietly, the young ladies gathered around her snorted and nodded.
Their gazes were not friendly, to say the least.
It was truly unsightly to see a woman of the same status as their maids, dressed in a dress and holding her head high as if she were something special.
And that wasn't all.
Yes, they could understand why Princess Margo and the Queen Consort were so concerned, as she was Astrid's guest.
But they couldn't bear the fact that she was stealing the attention of the young nobles of society.
Why was debut necessary?
Wasn't it to secure a good marriage prospect?
In Herot's social circles, where one had to find a marriage prospect within two years of debut to marry into a decent family, this year was so important! Next year, other debutantes would appear and steal the spotlight!
The young ladies couldn't help but feel that they were losing a year to a woman like her, so their gazes couldn't be kind.
At that moment, Isabel Seymour, who had been watching the young nobles cautiously approaching Olivia as Princess Marguerite disappeared, casually threw out a suggestion.
"She seems curious, so why don't you take her in? I think she'd like it. You can just take her out after a while."
At those words, Helena turned her head sharply to look at Isabel. As Isabel shrugged and winked, Helena and the young ladies looked at each other and nodded.
"Indeed. She would be very disappointed if she didn't see Herot's maze garden."
Helena smiled sweetly and approached Olivia, swaying gently.
As Olivia, who had been looking at the arch of the maze with a wistful expression, turned her head at the approaching footsteps, Helena smiled even more brightly.
"Hello? Miss Liberty?"
She was a small, cute, rabbit-like woman. Her softly curved eyes always seemed to hold a smile, and her voice was as light and refreshing as a spring breeze.
It was foolish to judge people by their appearance, but Olivia couldn't help but smile in response to the peace emanating from her first impression.
"Hello."
Helena glanced at the arch and asked softly.
"You're curious, aren't you?"
Olivia didn't answer readily and smiled ambiguously. Helena gently took Olivia's arm.
As Helena pulled Olivia forward slightly, Olivia, who was looking at her with wide eyes, was surrounded by the young ladies who had already approached, and they gently pushed her along.
"We're going in now too. Do you know how colorfully the small clearings in the middle of the maze are decorated? Come on. Come with us."
But Olivia stood her ground and didn't move easily.
"Thank you for the offer, but I'll go with Princess Marguerite. Please go ahead."
Surprised by the unexpected refusal, the young lady on the right pressured Olivia in a slightly louder voice.
"It's the royal family's maze, meant to be entered. Are you worried there might be something dangerous? In the Astrid royal family's garden?"
"Oh my. Do you think so? This is the royal family's garden, you know?"
Olivia, embarrassed, quickly shook her head and denied it.
"No, that's not it."
"Then what's the reason you can't go in with us? What are you worried about?"
It's easy to corner someone when there are at least two people.
Moreover, the moment they mentioned the royal family, not only Olivia but also most noblewomen wouldn't be able to escape easily.
As Olivia was at a loss for words, the young ladies smiled sociably, linked arms with her, and headed towards the maze together.
"Let's go, Miss Liberty."
"We'll protect you if anything happens."
"Astrid's garden is safe."
Meanwhile, a maid who had been watching the scene quickly ran to the Head Maid. The Head Maid paused for a moment, looking at Olivia standing with the young ladies from prestigious families. If it had been young nobles, she would have gone and brought her out immediately, but since it was young ladies...
"Oh, it looks like the young nobles are also going into the maze over there?"
At that moment, the Head Maid saw the young nobles entering the entrance right next to the maze Olivia had entered. This was a different story! She quickly pushed the maid's back.
"Follow them quickly. Don't lose sight of Miss Liberty!"
