Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Grandmother's Death
Just as my buttocks began to ache from the jolting carriage, we finally arrived at the Polder Central Library.
Despite the frigid weather, where white breaths shattered with each exhale, quite a few people had gathered.
As Olivia quickly ascended the grand library steps, designed to resemble an ancient temple, the people waiting glanced at her.
The guard greeted Olivia warmly as she entered through the employee entrance.
"Good morning, Miss Liberty!"
"Yes, hello?"
Watching her disappear in a hurry, the guard sighed softly and muttered.
"Sigh. What's a top graduate from Herollington University doing here?"
She was working as a librarian here.
A year ago, after Ansen refused her official employment, Olivia had cut off all contact with him. It was a decision she had made after much deliberation.
After that, she tried to get a job at several companies, but was rejected for the same reasons Ansen had given. In the meantime, her grandmother's condition worsened, and Olivia had no choice but to find a job where she could work quickly.
Still, it wasn't bad.
Giant bookshelves lined up on both sides, chandeliers lined up on the magnificent arched ceiling, and a large fireplace blazing fiercely on one wall.
Olivia put on her employee jacket and ran to her place.
I can't use any of what I studied in college, but at least I can work under my own name.
I should buy a gift for Princess Lucy on the way back today. And some rich hot chocolate powder that Grandma likes. I don't know if she'll drink it, though.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Meanwhile, at Ansen's office at the Polder Wilhelm Corporation headquarters.
Ansen stared intently at the report submitted by the chief researcher, then slammed it shut with a touch of irritation.
The researcher, who had been waiting, trembled at his sharpness and pressed his lips tightly together.
"So you don't know what's causing it?"
"...I'm sorry."
"Look. It's been over half a year since we started the project, and it's cost a lot of money. The date we promised investors we'd unveil the upgraded Magic Dome is fast approaching!"
We need to install it and test it, but what are we supposed to do if you're still stuck on the blueprints?!
Ansen loosened the button choking his neck and got up from his seat. The researcher, watching his hardened brow, carefully brought up the words he had always wanted to say.
"Sir, about that... Oliver person."
At the word "Oliver," Ansen's eyes darkened.
"I told you, he's dead."
"...I understand. I'll do my best."
"Not your best, your utmost. Prove it with results. Not just words."
The chief researcher had no choice but to bow deeply at the insulting remarks.
As he left, Ansen threw the trashy report against the wall with all his might. His thick Adam's apple bobbed roughly up and down, and his eyes flickered darkly.
"I will no longer live as Oliver. I will stop all work as Oliver, so don't ever come looking for Oliver again."
Laughable.
Unbelievable.
She was a fragile, insignificant woman who seemed within reach, but for some reason, she was harder to meet than the First Lady.
It's ridiculous.
Who does she think she is?
"Russo."
"Yes, sir."
"Olivia Liberty, is she still working at the Central Library?"
"Yes, she is."
I thought her pride wouldn't let her do a job that didn't use her major, but I guess she was desperate.
Ansen slowly swept back his disheveled brown hair. His smooth brown eyes gleamed like glass beads.
"Contact the head librarian of the Central Library discreetly. Tell them I'd like to see them sometime soon."
"Understood."
As the secretary bowed respectfully and took notes in his notebook, Ansen turned and looked out the window.
Beyond the regular divisions, the roof of the magnificent library could be seen.
Let's play some more, Olivia.
If you had begged me, crying and pleading, I wouldn't have poured water on all your job applications, and I wouldn't have let you live like a beggar.
What? Don't ever look for Oliver again?
How dare you, to me?
Nowhere on the man's face reflected in the window was there any trace of Ansen, the college student from Herollington.
Only Ansen, the head of Wilhelm Corporation, remained.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
As it was winter in Polder, the days were much shorter than in summer.
As the slanting red sunlight shone through the stained glass, colorful patterns were drawn on Olivia's face.
After saying goodbye to her co-worker, she got up from her seat, quickly changed her clothes, and left the library.
The snow had disappeared without a sound during the day, leaving only a little piled up at the edge of the stairs or in the shade. Feeling a little sad, Olivia looked around and carefully descended the frozen stairs.
First, she was going to go to the nearby downtown area to buy a gift for Princess Lucy. She had mentioned wanting to write a secret diary, so I should buy her a leather notebook with a lock.
It was when she was hurrying along, feeling like she was back to being twenty years old after a long time.
"Olivia!"
It was a scream-like call.
Instantly, her heart pounded rapidly.
She quickly turned her head towards the sound, and Mrs. McPhee's daughter was waving from a carriage.
"We have to go! Get in quickly!"
The heart that had been swelling with excitement at the thought of buying a gift disappeared without a sound, like sea foam.
The surrounding noise faded away, and it felt as if the world was darkening as a heavy darkness covered her.
I want to run quickly, but my legs are shaking so I can't run.
Olivia desperately moved towards the carriage.
Something was streaming down her face, but she didn't have time to recognize what it was. When she reached the carriage, Mrs. McPhee's daughter reached out her hand.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
As Olivia asked, trembling, in the carriage she had barely managed to board, Mrs. McPhee's daughter nodded with a pitiful expression.
"The doctor is here now, and he told me to call the family, so I came."
"Ah..."
She was fine until this morning, so why suddenly.
Olivia huddled up.
Her whole body was shaking and cold.
She could feel Mrs. McPhee's daughter hugging her back, but the cold didn't go away.
Grandma... Grandma, please...
Susanna Max.
Born a commoner in Herot, she and her husband had accumulated quite a fortune. At one time, the commoner Max family was so wealthy that rumors circulated that they had more money than most lower-ranking nobles.
When their wealth was at its peak, a granddaughter was born between their only son and beautiful daughter-in-law, and Susanna looked at her young granddaughter and vowed to give her a life that was as good as that of a noble.
She actually raised Olivia like a princess of Herot.
Until one night, the carriage carrying her husband and son and his wife overturned in an accident.
The bodies of the three were so gruesome that there was no question whether they were alive.
An even more terrible thing happened after their funeral.
Because Herot did not recognize women's property rights, all of their assets were transferred to distant relatives.
No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't protect it.
How can there be such a law? How can there be such an unfair law?!
Then what about my granddaughter?!
Even if she cried out, there was no answer.
Except for the emergency funds that had not been registered, Susanna had nothing left in her hands.
The relative who took all of her assets threatened her not to come looking for him. Later, she heard that he had squandered all of the money on gambling and committed suicide.
Herot was a world where it was difficult for a woman to live alone. Even Olivia's admission to school had to be postponed, and she had to ask a male relative to act as her guardian.
When even Olivia's admission was delayed, Susanna eventually took her young granddaughter's hand and boldly left Herot.
At the same time, she abandoned the name Max and applied for immigration to Polder under the name Liberty.
That was already 12 years ago.
Polder was not easy either. But at least Susanna could be recognized as Olivia's guardian.
Olivia's academic achievements were the only light shining on her depressed life.
Still, I raised this child to be the first female college student.
At one time, that was her pride.
"Mrs. Liberty. Take care of Olivia. Don't you know that she always cries before going home?"
Until she heard that story from her neighbor, Mrs. McPhee.
"Our Olivia? That can't be. She's so cheerful and enjoys her school life so much."
When she said that in embarrassment, Mrs. McPhee sighed with a bitter face.
"Listen, ma'am. Her status still remains. Those from noble families form their own groups and distinguish themselves from those from commoner backgrounds. The university Olivia attends, most of them are from noble families and they are older. Take a good look. She cries every day these days."
The day she was surprised and pressed Olivia.
Her granddaughter smiled. With eyes reddened from crying.
"Ah... but it's okay. I've accepted it. It's not unbearable. Not this much."
Susanna remembered the moment in the past when Olivia had cried and complained that it was hard. At the same time, she realized.
I was so overwhelmed by my own sadness that I was always ignoring your sadness.
You, as a child, were trying so hard to erase my sadness.
"Grandma."
A tearful, pitiful voice is heard.
Yes, my puppy.
"Grandma."
Susanna mustered the last of her strength and opened her eyes.
Her granddaughter's face was not visible because of her already blurred vision, but she couldn't not know.
Olivia.
Olivia.
But no matter how hard she tried to make a sound, her mouth wouldn't even open.
In the darkness that was slowly closing in, the child's crying hit her ears hard.
"Grandma!!!"
Olivia. If I could go back to that time... If only I could.
I would have hugged you a little more.
If only I could go back to the day you cried and said it was so hard.
I wouldn't have torn apart your young self with those cruel words that the world is unfair, so accept it...
I'm sorry.
