Chapter 35
Chapter 35: Olivia Collapses
The Vice President came out into the sunlight to greet him, offering a polite bow.
"A sincere welcome to Pulder, Your Highness. I am Rickman Actuar, serving as the Vice President of Pulder."
Noah stopped and returned the greeting to the middle-aged gentleman.
"Thank you for welcoming me so warmly despite my unannounced visit. I am Noah Astrid."
Vice President Rickman gave a sociable smile and led him inside.
While the staff prepared the entry documents for the prince and his party, the two engaged in light conversation around an elegant tea table.
The Vice President was very curious about the prince's purpose for visiting.
Noah, with a gentle smile, eased his wariness and led the conversation in a friendly tone.
"It is, in all honesty, a purely personal visit. I also wish to learn from the companies in Pulder, and I missed the beauty of Pulder at this time of year. So, please do not be too concerned about my visit."
"Hahaha, I see. The atmosphere of Herot is wonderful at this time of year as well. I, too, sometimes feel the urge to suddenly leave for Herot. The atmosphere of a foreign land has something different from the nostalgia of one's hometown."
"Come to Herot anytime. I will personally go out to meet you then."
"That would be an honor."
Just then, news arrived that the prince's entry screening was complete, and the Vice President quickly offered to the prince, who was about to rise from his seat.
"I will provide you with a residence during your stay. Allow me to escort you there."
However, Noah had no intention of spending his time in Pulder with a seasoned politician. He shook his head with a smile.
"I cannot use Pulder's taxes for my personal journey. Besides, doesn't my aunt live in Pulder? I appreciate the thought."
"Then, where do you plan to stay?"
"I plan to stay at the Ritz Hotel. I might stay at my aunt's mansion for a day or so, though."
"I see. Understood."
"Ah, and for your information, you don't need to worry about my personal security either."
Noah stared intently at the Vice President with his reddish-green eyes, adding, His intention was clear.
Do not follow me.
The Vice President smiled gently and tilted his head.
"I hope you have a pleasant trip."
"Thank you. Then, goodbye."
Noah gestured to Methone and the guards, rose from his seat first, and left the office as naturally as if it were his own country.
The Vice President, watching him disappear, stroked his beard as if it were a habit and muttered.
"Even if all the royal families of the Norfolk Continent disappear, the Astrids will survive... I can see why. Is the Crown Prince just as formidable as the prince?"
"Yes. He feels completely different, but he is just as formidable."
"Indeed. King Leonard is the same. If there is a problem in that family, it's only Walter Lightwing. But why isn't that prince married yet?"
Unlike Herot, where centuries-old buildings stood in jagged rows, everything on the sun-drenched streets of Pulder was wide and large.
The sparsely placed buildings each boasted their own unique shapes, giving a stronger sense of freedom compared to the refined atmosphere of Herot.
Even though it was not his first visit, Noah gazed intently out the window.
Methone, sitting across from him, habitually opened his notebook and began his work as a secretary.
"The hotel has already contacted us. It seems you can go straight to your room. I have also sent someone to Princess Marguerite, so I will let you know when she contacts us. The same goes for CEO Wilhelm."
"......"
"Then… what should we do about meeting Miss Liberty? I know her home address."
Coo… Our Prince is coming to Pulder to propose to that Olivia Liberty!!
To be able to witness that up close!!!
Where in the world could there be such good working conditions! The highest job satisfaction, the highest!
Methone desperately suppressed the twitching at the corners of his lips and glanced at Noah.
Please take me with you. Please.
He pleaded inwardly, but Noah slowly opened his mouth.
"I should go to the hotel and then go straight there."
"Straight… you mean today?"
"You're not coming."
"No! No, that's not it! I was just happy… no, that's not it. Can't I? I will accompany you, Your Highness!"
Noah said coldly to him, who was flailing his hands while talking nonsense.
"No, it's okay. You're not coming."
"Your Highness, please take me with you. Please? Your Highness!"
I came all the way here in three weeks! I want to see it!!!
Methone silently screamed and looked at Noah with pleading eyes. Of course, he completely ignored him.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Meanwhile, Olivia sat blankly in the empty lecture hall.
Her heart, which had been turbulent for a while, slowly sank like the current of the deep sea, becoming indifferent and then detached.
She checked the time and realized that it was already 30 minutes past the end of the course registration period.
Herollington University's method was to register for courses on a first-come, first-served basis at a designated location, and then visit the lecture hall and register directly with the professor.
So, the fact that no one had come to her lecture hall meant that her life as a professor had ended today.
Olivia calmly rose from her seat and put the lecture materials she had prepared for a long time into her bag.
At the same time, she consciously kept thinking about what to do next.
First, I should visit Professor Marguerite and say goodbye, then go home. Go home and rest a bit, then… then…
But then, the classroom door opened with a thud.
Hoping that at least one person would take her class, she quickly raised her head, only to see the person she least wanted to see standing there.
Ansen looked around the empty lecture hall with a look of pity and slowly approached her.
"Olivia."
"......"
Her expression looked like it was about to crumble, but Olivia did not avoid his gaze. Ansen stared at her silently for a moment, then took out a document from his pocket and placed it in front of her.
"I have always needed you. I think you might need me now too."
"Stop it."
"You struggled, didn't you? You submitted job offers to dozens of companies, and you even worked as a librarian."
"I said stop it, Ansen."
But Ansen did not stop. It was the perfect time to corner her.
"You will keep doing that. If you insist on the name Olivia Liberty, you will experience the same frustration as today every day."
"I can't listen to this anymore."
Olivia left the document Ansen gave her as it was and passed him. Ansen threw a dagger-like word at the back of her head.
"I'm the only one who recognizes you."
"......"
"Live as Oliver by my side, Olivia. There is no other way for you to be recognized. Nowhere in this world, no one will see you properly. You've felt it by now, haven't you? That it's most comfortable by my side."
At that, Olivia's white fist trembled.
She, who had endured as much as she could, turned around abruptly and approached Ansen, baring her teeth.
"What? You're the only one who recognizes me? You must think I'm an idiot. How is that recognizing me? How is the demand that I live the rest of my life as a dead person behind the name Oliver recognizing me?!"
"......"
"Do you know what that's called? It's called using someone. You don't even pay the price. You're not paying Oliver a fair amount, are you? Why? Because he doesn't exist."
"......"
Olivia did not shed a single tear.
She took a deep, ragged breath and turned her body. Then, she stormed out of the lecture hall as if she had no regrets.
Ansen's eyes sank even darker.
What was it about that tiny woman that kept shaking him? If he wanted to, he could take everything she had and make her beg while crying.
If Princess Marguerite had not been protecting her, he might have already done so.
Ansen straightened his suit, tucking the documents into his arms.
"What a pity, Olivia. My patience is running out. You shouldn't push me this far."
His sinister voice disappeared as if it were seeping into the empty air of the lecture hall.
Olivia went straight out of the lecture building and headed for the large tree in the garden. Hiding in the darkness and calming her heaving breaths for a long time, she soon headed to the cafe.
After buying a cream crepe cake and coffee, she went to see Margo.
Margo seemed to know she was coming, as she kindly opened the door and greeted her.
She maintained her cynical expression as always. Olivia, relieved by her lack of concern, smiled brightly, holding up the cake.
"You really like that cake."
"It's so delicious."
Olivia sat across from Margo and stubbornly ate her share of the cake.
"Eat this too."
"Ah, I bought that for Professor."
"I'm fine."
Olivia giggled for no reason and stared at Margo.
"What."
"I'm sorry."
Margo frowned at that moment.
"That's your problem. Why do you keep apologizing when it's not your fault? And why do you keep smiling when it's not the time to smile?!"
"Then should I cry?"
"Just cry!"
At that, Olivia smiled again.
"Just cry!"
"Why would I cry over something like this."
"......"
While Margo was speechless, Olivia ended up eating the cake that Margo offered. Margo, watching her quietly, opened her mouth in a much softer voice.
"Where are you going now?"
"Home. Um… and then I have to find a job again. But before that, I was thinking of going on a trip."
"......"
Olivia finally ate another piece of cake, and Margo watched her silently.
It was visible that this small Olivia was slowly collapsing.
Even gentle streams of water can break rocks and turn them into sand, so why wouldn't Olivia be worn away?
Even so, I hope this child doesn't break.
"Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it."
At that moment, Olivia's movements stopped abruptly.
