Translator: Nox

Chapter 84

Episode 84: The Princess Consort's First Battle

Olivia braced her core and straightened her back. Two years ago, running away was the best option, but she couldn't do that anymore.

Noah watched with amusement as those men rushed toward him. Sensing their gazes constantly shifting to Olivia, Noah stepped forward.

Iel Poem and Lawrence Atham stopped before Noah and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Noah nodded lightly at their courteous greeting, and the two men turned their gazes to Olivia. Noah watched them intently.

"Greetings, Your Highness Princess consort. My name is Iel Poem."

"Good day, Your Highness. I am Lawrence Atham."

Olivia suppressed her pounding heart and nodded lightly in response.

"Good day, Lord Poem, Lord Atham."

"You must be tired from your long journey. Though belated, congratulations on your marriage."

Noah stared at Lawrence's sly lips, feeling the displeasure that had briefly subsided begin to creep back. He knew that the man who had been spouting nonsense about Olivia for years could not have suddenly developed respect for her.

"Let's go, Liv. See you guys later. Let me know if there's a polo game."

As Noah offered a casual greeting, Lawrence hurriedly stopped him.

"Ah, that's right, we came to see Your Highness about polo!"

"There's a game in an hour, why don't you join us, Your Highness?"

Noah, who had been about to return home with Olivia, paused at those words. He had been wanting to play a game of polo anyway. The only reason he hadn't cut ties with these men was because of polo.

"It's been a while since you've played, hasn't it?"

Noah stood for a moment as if contemplating, then turned to look at Olivia beside him.

"Alright, then..."

Seeing this, Lawrence quickly spoke to Olivia.

"Join us, Your Highness!"

"You—"

Noah glared fiercely, but Lawrence, whose purpose for this visit was Olivia, ignored his gaze and quickly added.

"Have you ever watched a polo game? His Highness is incredibly good at it. Many young ladies come just to watch him play. Please join us."

Iel chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

"That's right. Many couples come to polo games together, don't they? Count Ludwig, who got married a few months ago, brings his wife every time there's a game. Let's have you two come together today!"

The two rakes had seen through the Prince's mind, knowing he desperately wanted to play polo but was reluctant to bring Olivia.

Noah would surely come to play polo since he hadn't played for months. So, all they needed was Olivia, and there was no need to cling to Noah.

Olivia calmly met the fervent gazes of the two men before turning to look at Noah.

He was glaring at the two men with a stiff expression. Then, sensing Olivia's gaze, he slowly turned his eyes to meet hers.

"...What do you want to do, Liv?"

Clearly, he didn't want her to come along. He wanted her to go quietly back to the mansion.

But Olivia vaguely sensed that this was the beginning. Hesitation only breeds fear. She couldn't avoid it any longer, and when she couldn't avoid it, it was better to face it head-on.

Olivia ignored Noah's gaze and smiled gently.

"I'd like to go too."

At her words, Noah's gaze turned cold, and Iel and Lawrence's faces lit up.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Isabel stood face to face with Jackson Coleman.

"The mansion my father is bequeathing to me has a very large pond. If there are any fish you like, tell me, Miss. I will buy and fill it with as many as you want."

His greasy face and dull eyes, seemingly lacking in intelligence, were filled with base intentions. The sight of him constantly waving his plump hands and flaunting his father's wealth was simply laughable.

He spoke as if Isabel was already his wife, and the sight of it made her nauseous.

Throughout her encounter with Jackson Coleman, Isabel thought of Noah Astrid. It was the only way she could endure it.

"I naturally prefer demure women. Just like you, Miss!"

"......"

"I also like that you don't talk much. I can't stand talkative women."

The time she desperately wished would end passed by so slowly. When Jackson Coleman finally rose from his seat at the appointed time, Isabel was overjoyed.

However, when he pressed his moist lips against the back of her hand as a greeting, goosebumps rose all over her body. If even a simple hand kiss could make her feel this way, could she really marry him?

"If not him, you will have to go to the countryside."

Her mother's words pierced her heart like a dagger.

After Jackson Coleman left, Isabel slumped back into her chair and longed for Noah.

If you had reached out to me, this tragedy wouldn't have happened. I would still be a proud daughter, and I would have been your devoted and loving wife.

As she floundered in despair with no hope, news arrived.

Prince Noah had returned to the capital. As far as she knew, there was a polo match scheduled for today.

He hadn't played polo in quite some time, so if it was Noah she knew, he would surely come to play.

She shouldn't go, she shouldn't meet him.

But...

Was he truly in love with the Princess consort? Was their honeymoon happy? What kind of face would he have when he returned from his honeymoon?

To Isabel, Noah Astrid was an irresistible force. Her feelings for him had only grown, like accumulating snow. It was soft and warm.

But snow that misses its chance to melt loses its initial warmth and becomes as hard as a stone.

In the end, Isabel stormed out of the mansion.

"Where shall I take you, Miss?"

"Take me to the polo club."

This is so uncomfortable.

Methone, huddled in the corner of the carriage, glanced at Noah and Olivia. Noah, sitting beside him, had his long legs crossed elegantly and his gaze fixed outside the window.

Olivia, sitting opposite Noah, sat demurely, only blinking her eyes.

It was a seemingly peaceful scene, but it was incredibly uncomfortable.

The reason? Need you ask? It was because of Noah.

Olivia quietly stared at the cold Noah and finally couldn't help but speak.

"If my coming along makes you uncomfortable, I can go back to the mansion now."

Noah, who had been looking out the window, turned his eyes to look at her.

Methone turned his head as much as possible to face the wall and closed his eyes. Should he get off now?

Noah's gaze lingered on his wife's clear face.

Was Olivia, with her quick wit, following him because she didn't understand his feelings? He knew that wasn't the case. Was she following him because she was curious about the polo game? More likely, it was because of her determination to learn cards if she had to.

The vulgar words that Iel Poem and Lawrence Atham had spoken about Olivia rang in his ears again. And the club they were going to now was filled with rakes as vile as those two bastards.

He vaguely understood why his father kept Lucy in that playroom. It was a sanctuary made up only of harmless things.

Noah sighed briefly and spoke.

"You will meet nobles and form relationships in the future, but you don't need to form relationships with everyone. The place we're going now is full of people you don't need to associate with."

"......"

"It was hasty of you to say you would come along."

At Noah's clear rebuke, Olivia bit her lip and apologized.

"I'm sorry."

Noah remained silent at her apology.

A good solution would be for him to skip the polo match. That would solve the problem.

However, on the other hand, Olivia's thinking wasn't wrong either. He said there was no reason to form relationships, but they were people she would encounter sooner or later. They were all among the highest-ranking nobles.

Furthermore, there was a high probability that they would try to find her even if Olivia stayed still. In that case, it was better to have her face them in front of him.

"We can't turn back now, so listen carefully. Think of everyone there as trash."

"...Pardon?"

"There's no need to force yourself to join their group and try to have a conversation. Methone, stay by Olivia's side."

Methone, who had been looking down, quickly replied.

"Yes, I understand."

"If you see anyone talking nonsense, retort. I'll take responsibility for the aftermath."

"I even dismantled the Magic Dome machine room, so don't worry about that much."

Methone deliberately made a joke, but the air inside the carriage remained heavy.

And a short while later, the carriage carrying the two arrived at the polo club, and Olivia took Noah's hand and stepped out of the carriage.

Olivia slowly took a breath and looked up at the triangular roof with angel statues carved on it and the magnificent main gate.

"Your Highness!"

Her whole body stiffened as a group of men approached from afar. But Olivia did not step back.

"Miss, listen carefully. If you leave everything to His Highness, your existence will disappear. His Highness is your spouse, but a spouse is only a companion. Your battles are your own. Remember that."

Recalling Winifred's advice, Olivia straightened her posture and put on a social smile, just as she had practiced.