Chapter 46
Episode 46: Ansen Visits Margo's House
Methone had to face another messenger as soon as he left the prince's room. The one striding across the hallway was none other than Princess Marguerite.
As Methone quickly approached, Margo, who had stopped walking, raised her eyebrows.
"I've come to see Prince Noah."
"Please wait a moment."
He couldn't possibly leave the princess standing in the hallway, but Noah was only wearing a dressing gown.
Methone quickly went into the room to inform him of the princess's visit.
"Show her to the drawing room. I'll get dressed and come out."
While Methone went outside, Noah quickly got up and began to dress. He quickly put on his clothes, neatly combed back his somewhat disheveled hair, and came out to find Margo addressing him.
"I've come without prior notice. Forgive me."
"Without notice? Not at all. Have you had your meal?"
As Noah sat on the sofa and asked, Margo shook her head slightly.
"I've already eaten."
At her refusal, Noah gestured for the servants to leave.
Once they were alone, Margo carefully composed herself and chose her words carefully.
All day, Noah and Olivia had been on her mind. In some ways, it seemed like they would live well, but in others, she worried that they might end up in a catastrophe.
However, she was only a third party. She had no right to interfere in the marriage of the legitimate prince.
Besides, she had never been a proper aunt to Noah, so any personal interference would only be meddling.
"First of all, congratulations."
Noah was silent, staring intently at Margo.
"It couldn't have been an easy decision for you either."
"......"
"You've given this marriage enough thought, haven't you?"
Noah leaned back deeply into the sofa, looking at his aunt with a languid gaze.
He didn't like his aunt coming to him suddenly and expressing her concern.
He didn't really like Margo. A person who enjoyed the privileges of a princess but neglected her duties. That was his assessment of her.
Even if she made excuses about being disgusted by Herot's sexism, she ultimately did not fulfill her duty. And yet, whenever she saw him, she would give him a look as if telling him to behave himself, so how could he like her?
"My dear, Noah."
"Yes, please speak."
Margo opened her mouth, fully aware of her nephew's insolent gaze.
"Olivia is a good child."
At that, Noah chuckled.
Yes, yes. Of course, she is.
"Wise and intelligent."
"Of course. And she's even pretty."
"...Don't speak so lightly."
"Surely you don't mean to say that you want me to call off the engagement now, Princess Marguerite?"
He asked, abandoning the respectful "Aunt" he usually used.
Normally, she would have been furious and scolded him for his bad manners, but this time, Margo herself was being presumptuous.
"Of course not. When have I ever acted like an aunt to you?"
"Exactly. I didn't think you came here out of concern for me. What is it that you want to say?"
"I hope you'll take good care of her."
Noah's eyes narrowed.
"Your marriage will be quite the spectacle. Perhaps stories like a novel are already making headlines as if they were true."
"......"
"A prince who loved a poor commoner woman. The royal family that recognized and supported their love. Olivia, who was pitiful for having a marriage beyond her station..."
"......"
"I heard that several newspapers in Pulder have already taken pictures of Olivia's house. It seems rumors have spread that Herot's prince appeared at the police station in the middle of the night and took a woman away. It's already proof that they're writing plausible novels."
And you wanted that.
"How shabby her house was, how difficult her life was, and how dramatically her life has changed."
Noah was starting to get bored.
"So?"
Noah cut her off.
"The media chattering? Being subjected to all sorts of speculation? I've already endured it countless times. As a prince of Herot. The King says it's my duty."
The duty that you abandoned and ran away from.
"Olivia Liberty, poor and pitiful, is having a marriage beyond her station? Is that wrong?"
"......"
"Isn't it also true that her marriage to me will elevate her status tremendously and change her life overnight?"
Olivia will gain safety and abundance by giving herself up.
Noah will give her safety and abundance, and he will gain peace.
In the process, no matter what the media says, no matter what stories they tell about Olivia's past, it's something they have to endure to some extent.
"As you said, Aunt, that woman is probably smart. She asked me several times if I needed her."
"And?"
"I said I did. She'll probably predict the attention that will be poured on her, if not perfectly, at least to some extent. She even chose her clothes to fit the occasion."
Margo put her hand to her forehead at the blunt words.
"You should have worried about me first."
It wasn't that he was disappointed that she didn't worry about him, but Margo wasn't qualified to do so.
Noah was truly dumbfounded. He wanted to ask, what has she done for Olivia, whom she cherishes so much?
And Noah hated being lectured by someone who wasn't qualified. He'd rather read a book or play a game of polo.
"I understand what you're worried about, but... Aunt."
"......"
"You don't know me. Just as I don't know you."
The expression slowly disappeared from Noah's face.
The green eyes trapped in the sharp eyes looked like the green of an old tree, and they also looked like the wildness of a beast barely feigning calmness before a hunt.
As he said, Margo didn't know Noah.
Noah leaned forward and opened his mouth in a low voice.
"I will take care of her in my own way. Just as you have taken care of her in your own way."
At the warning to stop giving presumptuous advice, Margo nodded and stood up.
"Forgive my rudeness, Noah. This will not happen again."
"I'm planning to leave in about five days. Why don't you come with me?"
"No. I have plans this week. I'll follow you as soon as my schedule is clear."
"I understand."
"I've taken up too much of your time. I'll be going now."
Margo turned and walked away, and Noah walked beside her, personally opening the door for her.
Margo stopped just as she was about to go out the door. She hesitated for a moment before adding one last word.
"Don't just take care of her, be with her. Olivia is a child who can be with you."
"......"
"Don't just take care of her. Let her do what she can do."
With those words, Margo walked away.
Noah leaned against the doorframe and stared at Margo's retreating figure for a long time before closing the door.
Don't just take care of her, be with her.
It was as vague and abstract as saying, 'Live well.'
Noah pushed the presumptuous advice out of his head and casually undid the buttons on his collar.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Ansen frowned, unable to understand the report flowing through his ears. Even as he did so, the secretary's report continued.
"...Two months ago, Olivia Liberty put her house up for sale, but this afternoon, she informed us that she no longer intends to sell. And the representative of Royal Boutique personally visited Princess Marguerite's mansion, bringing with her a full range of women's clothing and various jewels."
"What about the incident at the hotel today?"
"It has been confirmed that Olivia Liberty visited Prince Noah. We were unable to confirm the reason for their meeting."
"...Is there any sign that Olivia is trying to find a job?"
"No, there isn't."
Ansen felt his heart beating fast. A sense of crisis crept in, chilling the back of his neck.
He gestured for the secretary to leave and stiffened, reviewing the situation.
Noah Astrid appeared at the police station and took Olivia away. Olivia came to the hotel to meet him.
Olivia suddenly said she wouldn't sell the house where the unfortunate incident had occurred. A full range of women's clothing from Royal Boutique, which is famous for being expensive.
The possibilities narrowed down to one, but he couldn't understand it or believe it.
Why?
Why, Noah Astrid? He wouldn't do that unless there was a benefit...
"...There is."
There is a benefit.
It may not be a benefit for Noah Astrid personally, but it is definitely a benefit for the royal family.
Ansen jumped up from his seat. He grabbed his jacket and burst out of the door, and the secretary, who had been waiting in a chair, hurriedly stood up.
"Olivia is at Princess Marguerite's mansion, you said?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Have the carriage ready. I'll go there right away."
Ansen headed straight for Princess Marguerite's mansion.
Marguerite Astrid openly disliked Ansen Wilhelm. True to the arrogant and overbearing stereotype of royalty, she unreservedly revealed her likes and dislikes.
Ansen didn't need to deliberately provoke her, so he didn't even go near her house.
But in fact, the current Ansen Wilhelm had reached a position that even a mere princess who had given up her right to succession could not dare to treat lightly.
So, there was no reason for him to hesitate to visit her house.
Of course, that didn't mean he could treat her carelessly.
"What brings you here?"
Marguerite stood with her back to the mansion, staring intently at him. The silhouette was shining gold in the sunlight pouring behind her, and her blue eyes were fierce.
"I don't recall scheduling a meeting with the representative of Wilhelm Corporation."
Ansen bowed politely and raised his head, speaking respectfully.
"Please forgive my rudeness, Princess. I came to find Olivia, who is here. I would like to meet her for a moment."
Margo happened to be on her way back from meeting Noah.
Her mood was extremely foul, as if she had been thrown into a swamp. In that situation, this thick-skinned thief came to her with a ridiculous request, and she felt like bursting out laughing.
"Butler."
"Yes, Princess."
"Inform Olivia of this situation and find out her wishes."
"Understood."
Margo left Ansen standing in the road, not moving herself. She simply stared at Ansen's brown eyes with her blue eyes.
Fortunately, the butler brought Margo the answer she wanted in just a few minutes.
"She says that she has never promised to meet him, nor does she have any reason to meet him, so she is sorry but asks that he leave."
Margo softly raised the corners of her mouth, also satisfied that Olivia had not come out herself.
"I believe that answers your question. Furthermore, I do not wish to receive guests today, so let us find a convenient time to have a meal together next time. Take care on your way."
As Margo turned gracefully at the end of her words, Ansen said urgently.
"Are you going to Herot?"
"......"
"Is she going to the Herot royal family?"
No sooner had the words fallen than Margo turned around and bared her teeth, glaring at him.
"How dare you."
