Chapter 93
Episode 93: Corset Marks
Mrs. Timberline clearly witnessed Olivia's expression crack. She smiled gently and added,
"If my teachings are too much for you, please bear with me. You need to learn as quickly as possible to participate in social activities. After the etiquette lesson, let's go out to the city center. The etiquette lesson is the hardest part; the rest is nothing, so hang in there."
Thirty minutes later, Mrs. Timberline left.
Even after she left, Olivia remained in her seat for a long time.
Mrs. Timberline's voice clung to her ears and wouldn't leave. She knew exactly what Olivia's weak spot was and touched it.
Olivia's inner self constantly sounded alarms.
'Escape.'
Olivia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She wanted to escape. Based on her experience, people like her never turned favorably towards her.
However...
"Queen Consort went through a lot of trouble to appoint me as Her Highness's etiquette teacher."
She couldn't ignore those words.
The Queen Consort had said that her lessons would last from six months to a year at most. Moreover, even if another etiquette teacher came, there was no guarantee that they would be friendly to her.
Olivia drank the cold tea like water and glared.
It seemed like it was her turn to brace herself and endure.
Olivia barely managed to take a bath before falling asleep as if she had fainted.
Betty came to check on Olivia, who had fallen asleep without eating dinner, several times, and eventually made a small sandwich and placed it on the table next to the bed before retreating.
And well past midnight, Noah returned.
Noah looked up at the balcony attached to the master bedroom. Seeing that the lights were off, Olivia seemed to be asleep.
After spending hours in a den-like atmosphere filled with smoke, his whole body reeked of cigarettes. It was a truly disgusting meeting, but it was productive. With this, he was ready to recover the funds invested in Wilhelm Corporation at any time.
"You're back, Your Highness."
"Where is the Princess consort?"
"She's asleep. I've prepared water in the bathroom."
Noah nodded lightly and leisurely walked to the bathroom. After washing away the cigarette smell that permeated his body, he returned to the bedroom and stared silently at his wife, who was lying still asleep.
The blanket was neatly arranged, as if she hadn't tossed and turned at all.
Noah's gaze, which had been fixed on her, turned to the silver dish dome placed beside her. Why would Betty, who never brought food to the bedroom, put it here?
Noah carefully opened the dish dome.
Inside was a sandwich, cut into easy-to-eat pieces. Noah stared at the sandwich for a moment before pulling the bell cord.
When Betty appeared, summoned by the bell, the King was waiting for her, leaning against the wall of the hallway.
"Is something the matter?"
"Did the Princess consort skip dinner?"
At the sudden question, Betty answered honestly.
"She fell asleep in the early evening. I didn't want to wake her, so I just left a sandwich by her side. Shall I prepare dinner now?"
"..."
After a moment of silence, the King lowered his voice slightly and asked,
"What is the Princess consort's teacher like?"
The handsome face, half-revealed in the pale, bluish moonlight, was chilling, like that of a demon. His deeply shadowed eyes were terrifying.
As Betty quickly averted her gaze, Noah slowly added,
"I'm just curious, so answer honestly."
"Well..."
"Yes."
Betty chose her words carefully before cautiously opening her mouth.
"Even though it's etiquette training... it seems like she doesn't even allow Her Highness to sit down for a moment."
"..."
The King was silent at her words. Betty cautiously raised her eyes to look at his expression, but it was shadowed and not clearly visible.
After a moment, he left, saying that she had done a good job, and disappeared into the room without another word.
Entering the room, Noah quietly climbed onto the bed and looked at her sleeping form. She was pale and wan.
As he quietly lay down beside her, his stomach churned. It felt as if ashes and black smoke were filling his chest, making it feel suffocating.
Should he assign someone to stay with her? He could make it seem like it was for security purposes and have them stand by her side throughout the training.
In his eyes, Olivia's etiquette was already perfect, so what more could she possibly be taught?
At that moment, a slender hand brushed Noah's cheek.
"Noah, are you back?"
Turning his head, he saw Olivia lying on her side, looking at him. It seemed that the area under her large eyes had become sunken in just one day.
Noah jumped up from the bed and abruptly pulled up the hem of Olivia's nightgown.
"What are you doing?!"
Olivia sat up at the sudden action, but Noah's movements were relentless. He finally pulled up the hem of her clothes and felt around her ribs with his fingertips.
It wasn't as sunken as yesterday, but there was definitely a faint indentation. The indentation would disappear over time.
Noah immediately got up from the bed and lit the lamp. Then, after removing Olivia's hand, which was trying to pull down her clothes, he finally checked the area where the Corset had pressed.
"..."
Noah's eyes sank coldly. Even in the dim lamplight, the bruise was clear.
"Noah!"
Olivia called out to him, but Noah remained silent and this time lifted her foot. As expected, her big toe was red and swollen, and there was a blister on her heel.
Noah held her small foot in one hand, his eyes burning like silent fire. He murmured softly.
"I'll make sure that woman can't come here tomorrow, so be aware."
Olivia, who was holding his arm while her foot was held, grabbed his arm.
"Calm down."
"Do I look agitated?"
His breathing was calm, and his eyes were frighteningly composed.
Olivia took a breath and said quickly.
"She was chosen by Queen Consort. We can't treat her carelessly."
"It seems like that woman treated you carelessly first. Were you standing all day today?"
"It's only been two days. If I run away after just two days, I'll have to run away forever."
"Run away from what? You're not Olivia Liberty anymore. You're my wife, Olivia Rosemond Astrid."
Olivia approached Noah. Her sharp eyes were calm but ominous. She looked into his eyes and whispered,
"Please trust me and wait. I can do it."
"If you're bruised from wearing a Corset, you should have said you wouldn't wear it! Why did you foolishly endure it?!"
"I'm trying. This is my first time. When you first pick up a pen and write, your middle finger turns red. Then calluses form. If you're afraid of that and put down the pen, you'll never be able to pick it up again. Conversely, if you persevere, you'll develop a knack for it."
"..."
"You know, you told me that I don't need to fulfill any duties as a Princess consort. But I... I just want to be confident as your wife."
"Who said you weren't confident?"
"I did, Noah."
Olivia, who had been meeting his frighteningly calm gaze, got up from her seat. Then, she carefully hugged Noah, who was kneeling at her feet.
Because even though he was very calm, it felt like he was about to break.
Noah felt Olivia gently hugging him and let out a short breath. Olivia stroked Noah's hair and ran her hands down his neck and back.
She didn't know why she was comforting him.
Even so, the wildly beating heart gradually relaxed at her touch. The flames in his fiercely shaking eyes slowly died down.
When Olivia felt that Noah's breathing had calmed down, she carefully pulled away and asked,
"Have you had dinner?"
Then Noah frowned deeply and suddenly lifted her up. Then, after seating her on the sofa, he ordered a servant to take away the sandwich and bring warm milk instead.
"Drink it all."
Noah ordered, holding the cup to Olivia's lips. Then, he watched her drink the milk.
"Drink more. Drink it all."
When Olivia finally finished the milk, Noah took the cup from her and wiped her mouth with a towel.
"I can do it."
Olivia shook her head at the familiar yet awkward feeling, but Noah didn't care. After finally rinsing her mouth with water, he lifted her up and laid her on the bed.
Olivia, who had been carried here and there, looked up at Noah, who was covering her with the blanket up to her neck, and finally burst into laughter.
He seemed kind, but she felt like she was dealing with a troublesome child.
"Noah, why are you picking me up and putting me down?"
"Don't ask and just sleep now. And even if the lessons are necessary, you don't need a Corset, shoes, or anything like that."
"Okay."
"Don't give that woman the upper hand."
"Yes."
Olivia's heart warmed, whether it was because of the milk or something else. She slowly closed her eyes, feeling the gentle touch that ruffled her hair.
"Good night, Noah."
There was no answer, but the languid touch continued until she fell asleep.
