Episode 98: A Rabbit Wearing a Cat Mask
A rabbit wearing a cat mask.
That was exactly how Olivia looked to Noah when he returned to the bedroom after working late and taking a bath.
"What is all this?"
Olivia was sitting with a flashlight, struggling with colored threads and a needle, while Betty was sitting across from her.
Betty glanced at the entering Prince and quickly rose from her seat.
"Your Highness, you've done enough for today. You can do more tomorrow."
"Thank you, Betty."
"You're welcome."
As Betty tried to tidy up the embroidery basket, Olivia stopped her and shook her head.
"I'll take care of it."
"Yes. Then please rest."
As Betty politely greeted and stepped back, the Prince, who had been standing stiffly to one side, subtly followed her out.
Noah closed the door and abruptly spoke.
"How was today? Did Olivia eat well?"
"There were no issues. She ate properly."
"What kind of lessons did she have?"
"I asked if she had read any liberal arts books… Countess Timberline said that Your Highness had read everything on the list she presented."
As soon as those words were spoken, a sneer appeared on Noah's lips.
Who are you talking about liberal arts books to right now?
"She doesn't seem to understand the meaning of being the first female college student at all."
At the scathing mockery, Betty pursed her lips and added.
"She suggested going to a salon at Duke Letium's residence together, and going to the city together before that."
"Exactly when?"
"The schedule was not discussed."
Noah's eyes shone sharply like a well-honed knife. Noah lowered his voice slightly and commanded.
"Let me know as soon as the schedule is set."
Betty nodded with a determined look.
"Understood, Your Highness."
"Thank you for your hard work. Go and rest."
As Betty bowed deeply and walked away, Noah entered the room.
Olivia was still struggling with the embroidery frame. She was consistently trying hard.
Noah approached her with leisurely steps.
"How long are you going to do that?"
Olivia, who was pulling out a long needle, sighed deeply and looked up.
"It's difficult."
At the quiet complaint, the corners of Noah's lips twitched. Olivia lowered her head again and clumsily embroidered. Noah leaned back leisurely opposite her and stared at her.
She hadn't been standing all day, so her complexion seemed better than yesterday.
But then it happened.
Olivia's shoulders flinched, and her brow furrowed. She quickly put down the embroidery frame and grabbed a handkerchief to wrap around her finger, and Noah jumped up from his seat.
"Did you get pricked?!"
"I can't see the needle well when I'm poking it from underneath. They say I won't get pricked if I keep doing it."
Noah snatched Olivia's hand and examined the pricked area. Judging from the heat felt at the fingertip, she must have been pricked several times.
"Why are you even doing this?! They're teaching you useless things!"
As he got angry, Olivia blankly stared at her husband's face. He looked displeased at the blood spreading from her fingertip and finally called a servant.
"Bring disinfectant and bandages."
The servant quickly disappeared at the Prince's quick command and returned with a large medicine kit. Olivia looked at the large medicine kit Noah was holding and then looked down at her finger.
"Noah, the wound isn't even visible."
"Haven't you heard the story of someone dying from being pricked by a needle?"
"...Isn't that a fairy tale? The spinning wheel needle."
"People really do die from being pricked by such small blades. They get paralyzed and eventually die. Don't say useless things and give me your hand."
Unlike his cold tone, he placed Olivia's hand on his lap and gently applied disinfectant. His touch was delicate and tender. After applying the disinfectant, he thinly cut a bandage and skillfully wrapped the fingertip, finishing neatly.
Olivia quietly watched his long fingers moving over her finger, then raised her eyes to look at her husband's shadowed face.
The sharply broken profile in the dim light was so handsome that her heart fluttered every time she saw it. Deep-set eyes, a straight and upright nose, and a jawline that seemed to cut.
But his lips were as red, plump, and soft as a woman's.
It resembled him, who was sometimes harsh and sharp, but also so soft in unexpected places. It resembled the contradictory him, who sometimes looked as dangerous as a devil, but on other days felt as gentle as an angel.
"Noah."
As she carefully called out, Noah looked at her. The leaf-like eyes that reached her kept tapping at Olivia's heart.
"Thank you."
At the shyly smiling gratitude, Noah chuckled.
Seeing his smile reminded her of the vast Cosmos Hill. He was her strong fence, her peace,
and at the same time, her greatest fear.
She vowed dozens of times that she would never become someone like a heavy responsibility hanging on his shoulders.
Olivia grabbed the embroidery frame and needle again and asked.
"What do you like? The ultimate goal is to embroider your handkerchief."
Noah, who had put away the medicine kit, looked displeased at Olivia, who stubbornly held the needle with her bandaged hand. He seemed sure that she would talk back if he told her to stop, so he silently snatched Olivia's waist.
"Ah, there's a needle. Be careful."
"Have me embroider what I like on a handkerchief? That would be difficult."
Noah whispered, resting his chin on Olivia's shoulder. As his hand wrapped around her stomach slowly moved upward, Olivia quickly put down the embroidery frame and grabbed his hand.
Meanwhile, Noah bit down on the pajama strap hanging off Olivia's shoulder and gently kissed her exposed white shoulder.
"Isn't that right, Mrs. Timberlin?"
As Noah mischievously asked, finally caressing the firm, pink peak, Olivia blushed and shouted.
"I won't embroider that!"
"You asked what I like, but some things are okay and some things aren't?"
"I shouldn't have asked!"
"And I think it's the time we agreed on now, what do you think?"
Olivia's movements stopped, and a low laugh was heard above her head. The low and cool laughter, reminiscent of a deep valley, made her heart flutter.
Eventually, Olivia relaxed her body and entrusted herself to his touch.
Listening to the pounding of her heart and leaning her back against his firm and hot chest, she felt as comfortable as if she were hiding under the strongest wall in the world.
Slowly turning her head to look up at him, she could almost see the passion swirling in his deep green eyes. When passion dwelled in his cold and ruthless eyes, Olivia's stomach seemed to melt hotly.
Olivia turned her body and sat on his lap, pulling Noah's cheek and kissing him. Noah's breath became rougher at her active gesture.
Through her languidly opened vision, she could see his blurred and turbid black eyes.
His wife, with hair and eyes as black as a crow, seemed to have two wings.
"You are a truly unknowable person."
"Huh? What do I do?"
As she whispered in the middle of a kiss, Olivia opened her eyes wide and asked back. Noah lay half-reclined on the sofa, slowly stroking Olivia's hair, and replied.
"But I don't know if I can't know you, or if I can't know myself."
"......"
"Don't try to think about it."
"You throw out unknowable words first......"
As Olivia grumbled softly, Noah pulled her in and hugged her to his chest, whispering in her ear.
"There's a Hemmington Battleship construction event. Let's go together, Liv."
Olivia, who had buried her face in his chest, suddenly raised her head.
"Really!?"
Her black eyes sparkled with so much vitality that Noah chuckled and kissed her eyes.
"Yes."
Swallowing his wife's muttering lips, Noah hugged Olivia's waist more deeply. A fragrant scent emanated from her black hair that poured down like a canopy, and everything that touched her was soft and tender.
When winter comes, I should lift Olivia up and take her to Hamuel.
Then I should leisurely kill time there until spring comes.
Would cosmos be in bloom then too? If there are flowers blooming out of season, I should go and see them.
Thinking ridiculous thoughts, Noah delved deeply into Olivia.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Sometimes, tough love seems to be the answer.
After Noah's surprise visit, the lessons with Mrs. Timberlin became much more comfortable.
The contempt and disdain mixed in her gray eyes were still there, but as long as she didn't show it outwardly, Olivia was willing to overlook it. At this rate, she seemed to be able to continue the lessons for about six months.
Thus, time flowed like water, and ten days had already passed.
Jane Ambrose secretly glared at Countess Timberline, who was making a grumpy face.
She had brought the dress that the Princess consort would wear to the battleship construction event. Countess Timberline, who had been giving instructions on everything since choosing the dress, was now making a sullen face even with the fitted dress, and she felt very bad.
"These days, Ambros Atelier's works are not very popular in society......"
As Countess Timberline's muttering pierced her ears, Jane Ambrose turned her back and let out a small, suppressed breath.
Mrs. Timberlin looked over the Princess consort's dress and suddenly asked.
"Do you like it?"
Then all the maids attending tilted their heads.
The deep purple dress, which felt seasonal, matched the Princess consort's black hair and white skin perfectly. She looked elegant and enchanting, and people would turn their heads to look at her even if they were just passing by, so to ask if she liked it......
Olivia glanced at Jane Ambrose's expression reflected in the mirror and turned to Mrs. Timberlin.
"Tastes are subjective, Mrs. Timberlin. I also respect your high standards. However, I also like this dress."
Olivia turned to Jane and added.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mrs. Ambrose."
"It is an honor, Your Highness."
