Chapter 68
Episode 68: A Prince Faithful to His Duty
While Olivia was busy with her education, Noah was occupied with matters concerning the title and property he would inherit upon marriage.
The document he had signed with the members of the royal family was merely the opening act of a grand process. So much so that he agreed with Walter's words, "I was so sick of signing that damn document that I almost wanted to give up on the marriage."
Anyway, after that long and tedious process, Noah inherited the fertile plains of Western Rosemond, as well as the Hamuel mansion near the capital.
In between, he had many things to do, such as getting his wedding attire fitted.
While wearing the completed attire to check for any discomfort, Noah asked Methone, who was waiting.
"So, no word from Wilhelm Corporation?"
"No, not yet."
At Methone's answer, Noah was silent before casually unbuttoning his jacket.
"No discomfort. Let's proceed as is."
As the designer quickly took the jacket and bowed politely, Noah went behind the partition, changed his clothes, and came out.
After dismissing all the attendants, he sat on the sofa and chuckled.
"So, they refuse to acknowledge the defect."
Even in the midst of his busy schedule, Noah had prepared and sent documents regarding the defects in the Ship-based Magic Dome to Wilhelm Corporation. It was only natural, as he had to explain why he had no choice but to dismantle the Magic Dome itself.
"They won't admit it easily. The moment they do, they'll be flooded with repair requests."
At Methone's words, Noah sighed, sounding annoyed.
"Alright, I understand. Let me know immediately if any news comes."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At that moment, the Queen Consort came to find Noah.
After exchanging warm greetings with Methone, whom she hadn't seen in a while, Beatrix asked her son,
"Noah, do you have a moment?"
At his mother's gentle voice, Noah bowed politely.
"Of course, Mother."
Beatrix strolled through the autumn-tinted maze garden with her son.
The autumn banquet had been held this year in Noah's absence, and a few roses that hadn't fully bloomed then were now shyly showing their red faces.
"You couldn't attend the banquet this year."
"There are times like that."
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes."
At the concise and neat answer, Beatrix looked up at her son. Noah also met her gaze.
After looking at her son for a long time, Beatrix quietly opened her mouth.
"Tomorrow, you'll be getting married."
At her words, Noah burst into a chuckle.
In fact, even he couldn't quite believe it. He had been so busy for the past week that he hadn't had time to think about it.
But what was remarkable was that there hadn't been a single interview in the past week.
That was why, even in the midst of his busyness, he didn't feel suffocated.
Beatrix slowly looked around the maze garden and said,
"You used to run around this maze garden with Usher every day."
"I did."
"I can still picture you running around until your face was as red as a sweet potato, but from some point on, your face was filled with only cynical smiles, and it weighed heavily on my heart."
Noah silently watched his mother's profile.
Beatrix was silent for a long time before turning her head to look at her son. Her reddish-green eyes were extremely cold, even at this moment.
He was a son she felt sorry for because she hadn't done enough for him as a mother, and therefore, he was a difficult son.
Perhaps because she hadn't raised him herself, it was difficult to know what was on his mind.
So, even when visiting her son before his wedding, she hesitated, not knowing what to say. Then, Beatrix finally managed to open her mouth.
"I hope your days will no longer be tedious, and that you'll have days where you laugh at the smallest things."
"……."
"I've always felt sorry for leaving you alone."
Even at his mother's apology, Noah simply stared at her, without saying a word.
How long had they been like that?
Noah calmly opened his mouth.
"Regardless of whether I wanted to or not, it was my duty. There's no reason for you to feel guilty, Mother."
Beatrix was taken aback by her son's answer, but Noah was sincere.
It wasn't her concern. So, there was no reason for her to apologize or feel guilty. Not even his father had anything to apologize to him for.
In many ways, Noah resembled his father more than his mother. He thought and judged everything clearly, and if he decided that something was his duty, he would do it even if it killed him.
"Rather, I heard that Mrs. Lehman is in charge of Olivia's education. Will that be the case even after the wedding?"
He couldn't possibly not know what that meant, and Beatrix quickly added,
"After the wedding, I'll find a suitable person no matter what. I'm looking into it now."
"I would appreciate it."
If it was something Noah could be involved in, he would have, but matters of high society were not his concern.
At Noah's polite request, Beatrix nodded and patted his shoulder.
"It's getting chilly. You'll catch a cold. Let's go back."
As Noah turned and offered her his hand, Beatrix took his hand and turned with him.
As they were leaving the maze garden, Beatrix suddenly spoke.
"Noah, there's something I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
"Two years ago, at the maze garden party, when Olivia got lost, didn't you bring her out?"
Noah simply continued walking, looking ahead.
"Was it a chance encounter, or did you go looking for her?"
"……."
Noah didn't answer, and Beatrix slyly looked up at her son.
Noah pretended not to notice his mother's gaze, but this time, Beatrix stared at her son persistently.
Finally, as they reached the entrance to the Queen Consort's palace, Noah narrowed his eyes as if to ask why she was doing this and answered.
"Both."
"So, it's true that you went looking for her?"
Noah finally looked at his mother and burst into a hollow laugh.
"Was I supposed to leave her there?"
"I thought you would have left her there."
"What kind of image do you have of me?"
"You would have ordered the knights or servants to take care of it and then forgotten about it. Because it's a hassle."
At his mother's blunt expression, Noah was speechless before hardening his face and saying,
"...She was a royal guest. The nobles were playing a trick on her. I was simply being faithful to my duty then, as I always have been, Mother."
At her son's answer, Beatrix twitched her lips and smiled.
"You must be working hard to always be faithful to your duty."
"Mother."
Beatrix took a large step up one of the high stairs before turning to face her son. Even so, her son was taller than her.
Beatrix stroked her son's cheek after a long time. It felt like only yesterday that she was looking down at his chubby face and caressing his cheeks, but the cheek under her fingertips was sharp and firm.
"Noah Astrid, who tries his best to be faithful to his duty."
"……."
Beatrix smiled, her eyes crinkling. Then, she whispered gently with sincerity.
"Living harmoniously with your wife is also your duty and obligation, so please live well. Do you understand?"
At her words, Noah chuckled and lowered his gaze. Noah felt his mother's fingers touching his hair and nodded lightly.
"Of course, Your Majesty the Queen Consort."
Noah escorted his mother to the palace and stopped as he was leaving.
Standing still, he slowly looked around the palace and realized that it was very chaotic, unlike usual.
His father had casually asked, "Is everything ready?" and Usher had sent wedding gifts to the mansion that would become their new home, congratulating him.
The prodigals had asked him several times to have a bachelor party, but he had refused them all. He wanted to play a game of polo, but he couldn't do that as he was about to get married. It would be a disaster if he broke a leg or an arm.
While everyone was chaotic and busy with his wedding, Noah was like an island floating alone in the middle of a river. An isolated island standing alone, whether the river flowed or not, whether the current was fast or not.
That was how his life had always been, and that was why even the wedding preparations felt that way.
Noah slowly blinked his eyes.
Because of his mother's sudden question, that night came to his mind.
The chilly autumn wind was piercing his chest as it had been then. And as that night came to mind, Noah suddenly wondered about her.
After cramming all the flimsy books Mrs. Lehman had given her into her head, Head Maid Paulsmann appeared, in charge of the wedding ceremony the next day.
She clearly explained how the wedding would proceed and what Olivia should keep in mind.
As the Head Maid finished her explanation and left, Olivia, left alone, sat blankly staring at the ornate booklet.
If Noah was an island standing alone in the middle of a river, Olivia was a tree that had suddenly taken root in the riverbed.
A tree swaying back and forth in the face of the rushing current, barely keeping its eye level with the island.
What she had confirmed while learning the wedding etiquette was that she was preparing for a truly absurd marriage.
Even setting aside the title and position she would suddenly receive, the royal family was bearing all the expenses that the bride's side would usually prepare.
Olivia, who had always lived her life feeling the immutable truth of equivalent exchange with her whole body, had been unable to sleep for the past week due to fear and anxiety.
She wished that someone, anyone, would clearly point out, "This is what you have to do from now on!"
Just as Olivia was swaying back and forth in the face of the ever-increasing anxiety, Mrs. Winifred came to find her.
"Madam!"
As Olivia smiled and rose from her seat, Mrs. Winifred wore a gentle expression and bowed politely. Mrs. Winifred looked at Olivia's face, which seemed somehow thinner, and said,
"I came to say goodbye. I don't think I'll have another chance to say goodbye otherwise."
"Thank you, Madam. For taking care of me on the ship."
"It was a pleasure for me as well."
Mrs. Winifred stared at Olivia for a moment before cautiously opening her mouth.
"I have taught many young ladies. It is not right to praise by comparing with others, but you were more outstanding than anyone I have ever taught."
"……."
"I hope you will be happy."
Olivia bit her lip and cautiously put her arms around her shoulders. Mrs. Winifred widened her eyes before smiling and hugging her shoulders in return.
"If you come to Pulder, please contact me."
"Yes. I will, Madam."
"Congratulations on your wedding."
"Thank you."
Mrs. Winifred warmly met Olivia's black eyes before stepping back.
And perhaps because it was the day before the wedding, another guest came as if by appointment.
