182 - Chapter 182
Side Story Episode 4.
"I don't want to cause unnecessary worry. It seemed my expression was momentarily unpleasant, and if such a scene were to be published..." "He would come running immediately."
If it were Noah Astrid, he would undoubtedly come rushing over, grab poor Usher by the collar, and shake him. He would have snarled, 'I knew this would happen. If you're going to take my wife under the guise of some ridiculous diplomacy, the least you could do is prevent something like this!'
No, perhaps he was even waiting for such a pretext. That bastard was more than capable of that.
Usher shook his head as if disgusted and spoke.
"Let me try to smooth things over, if only for my own sake."
At that, Olivia smiled graciously.
"Thank you. Your Highness the Crown Prince is just as affectionate as Noah."
"......"
Wisely, Usher chose to remain silent and simply smile.
Affectionate like Noah Astrid. And a Princess Consort who believed that so steadfastly.
Usher chuckled softly and muttered to himself.
That two-faced bastard.
But he couldn't say he didn't understand that sentiment at all.
I'd carry her around on my back too.
And why wouldn't he? To Noah, who was gradually withering under that oppressive attention, Olivia was literally salvation.
Usher closed his eyes again, thinking of the flesh and blood who would be checking the newspapers daily and counting the dates.
And so, the next day.
The deafening and blinding street procession continued once more. But at the end of the nightmarish procession, Usher succeeded in concluding a treaty with the Dutch Royal Family under the terms he desired.
It was everyone's achievement. The achievement of Usher and his staff, who had prepared thoroughly, and the achievement of Olivia, the Magic Dome representative, who smiled amiably while subtly applying pressure to the Dutch Royal Family.
The day passed in an instant. Usher fell asleep without even knowing how and woke early in the morning. Habitually checking the clock, he lay in bed and recalled the day's schedule.
Today held the final schedule in Holland, and the final schedule of this royal tour.
But on this happy day...
"A hunt."
The King of Holland was a man obsessed with hunting.
The moment Crown Prince Herod's tour schedule included Holland, he had contacted the royal family proposing a joint hunt. Naturally, he had also invited Olivia, who was accompanying Usher, to hunt as well. Noah, who was extremely sensitive around that time, had laughed incredulously and muttered scathingly.
'That hunting-obsessed bastard just wants to show off his skills, but why should Olivia have to humor him?'
Usher heaved his heavy body up and ran both hands down his face.
In the end, Olivia decided not to attend today's hunt. One couldn't say Noah's influence didn't play a part, but more than that, it was Olivia's own will.
'I've noticed that distribution-related companies are growing in Holland recently. Noah is very interested. So, while I'm here, I plan to look around the department stores and meet with representatives to talk.'
From Usher's perspective, it would also be very troublesome if Olivia got so much as a scratch while accompanying the hunt, so he readily agreed with her opinion.
'It's the last schedule, so do as you please. The King of Holland just wants to show off his hunting skills, so I'll handle it and talk to him properly.'
At those words, Olivia narrowed her eyes slightly and chuckled.
'Seeing you like this, your way of speaking resembles Noah's too.'
'......'
'And you resemble His Majesty greatly as well.'
'...Princess Consort?'
'Is that a compliment?'
As Olivia's playful voice came to mind, Usher ended up chuckling. Thanks to Olivia, the long and arduous royal tour had been somewhat enjoyable.
For a while, many had gossiped that Noah and Olivia's marriage was a one-sided match.
But now, as they approach their third year of marriage.
People have wiped their mouths clean as if they never said such things and changed their tune.
Saying, 'The two of them were a match made in heaven.'
And those who knew Noah personally said this:
'Noah Astrid is a damn lucky bastard.'
Usher, and of course his staff, were among them. Naturally, no one dared to say that about the Prince in front of the Crown Prince. But does one need to say it out loud to know?
Knock knock*
At the familiar knock, Usher put on a robe over his pajamas and spoke.
"Come in."
The person who opened the door and entered was the head of the security team, a man of sturdy build.
"Did you rest well, Your Highness?"
"Good morning, Sir Howard."
"I will have breakfast served."
As Usher sat at the table set up on the balcony side, Sir Howard brought him the newspaper. Meanwhile, the hotel's head chef personally wheeled in a serving cart and set breakfast before Usher.
Usher picked up the coffee, steam rising from it in wisps, and unfolded the newspaper. As expected, today's front page was also about The Princess of Herod. This newspaper, that newspaper, it was all Olivia. Of course, Usher's own figure was also captured, but to anyone looking, the focus was clearly on the Princess Consort.
Usher laughed as if amazed and then asked.
"Has the Princess Consort awakened?"
"Yes. I'm told she has already risen and is reading."
Usher nodded lightly, then gestured with his eyes towards the approval board in Sir Howard's hand.
"It seems you've divided the security personnel? Let me see it."
Sir Howard placed the approval board before Usher with a respectful attitude, and Usher set down the coffee cup he was holding and picked up the board.
On this royal tour, the Crown Prince's security team was solely responsible for the Princess Consort's security as well. When the two were together, it wasn't a problem, but when their schedules were separate, the security team had to be split. The most efficient method would have been to have entirely separate security teams for the Crown Prince and the Princess Consort, but for some reason, the ever-efficient Sir Howard kept reorganizing the team and seeking approval each time.
Usher knew the reason but pretended not to and turned a blind eye. Because he couldn't deny that much leeway to those accompanying him on this tedious royal tour.
But...
As Usher scanned the list of names for the Princess Consort's security team today, his gaze drifted towards Sir Howard, who stood as still as a statue.
"......"
"......"
"Sir Howard?"
"...My apologies. I will change it, Your Highness."
Sir Howard, as the head of the Crown Prince's security team, was a man who had stayed by Usher's side even during the times when everyone else took turns guarding the Princess Consort. Yet, his name was inexplicably included in Olivia's security team.
Usher shook his head from side to side and handed the approval board back to him.
"Then again. Even I would rather follow the Princess Consort around than wander the hunting grounds."
"Th-that is not it, Your Highness!"
"You bring me an approval board like this, and it lacks credibility."
"My apologies!"
Usher looked at the head of security with the same expression his own flesh and blood would have, and he arrived at the same thought.
How astonishing, simply astonishing.
A few hours later.
The faces of the Crown Prince's security team members assigned to guard the Princess Consort were flushed with pleasure. Although they received a look of utter pity from the Crown Prince, who was departing for the hunting grounds, it was a task worth that much.
The place Olivia headed to was a large department store located on the most bustling street in the Dutch capital.
"Welcome, Your Highness. We have been waiting only for your arrival."
The owner of the department store offered a Herod-style greeting and smiled smoothly. Then, the numerous employees standing behind the owner also offered Herod-style greetings to Olivia in unison.
"Welcome, Your Highness."
Olivia, who had alighted from the carriage, glanced over the panorama of the department store unfolding behind them and then made an apologetic expression.
"Oh my. Are you closing for the day because of me?"
The owner responded with a businessman's characteristic smile.
"How could we speak of closing when such an esteemed personage has graced us."
Then, he respectfully gestured towards the department store entrance as if to invite her inside. The employees, standing in orderly rows, naturally stepped aside to create a path, and Olivia nodded slightly and began to walk.
The department store owner, who sought investment from the Norfolk investment company through Olivia, was welcoming her with his life on the line.
"You have a fountain inside the department store?"
"We have a cafeteria around the fountain, utilizing it as a space for light refreshments."
Olivia expressed admiration upon seeing the enchanting mermaid fountain, and the owner's expression brightened immensely. Behind the fountain was a magnificent central staircase. As they ascended the stairs carpeted in red, the owner introduced various parts of the department store and passionately expounded on his business plans.
