‘The Dumblein Tennis Tournament. That’s the condition.’
Olivia’s eyes widened at the unexpected condition, and she asked again.
“…Tennis Tournament?”
“I’d like you to participate. Of course, it would be even better if you won.”
Warm sunlight, like a spring day, pooled inside the Carriage. The man with a smile on his face looked at Olivia. She hated appearing in front of people, but…
“…Okay.”
It was better than ending up destitute with Anne.
“Alright, that’s all done. Please sign here.”
Startled from her reverie by the fountain pen suddenly intruding into her vision, Olivia took the pen offered by the employee and wrote her name in the blank space.
Somehow, it will work out.
Olivia withdrew the cash she needed immediately and had a new certificate issued for the remaining amount, which she placed in the safe. Trying to suppress her anxious feelings, Olivia and Anne left the bank.
Everything will be alright, just like it always has been.
“Let’s go, Anne.”
“Yes, Miss.”
A spring breeze blew with the pervasive scent of flowers, caressing Olivia’s cheek. Somehow, the gentle breeze felt like the hope that the season of rebirth brings.
Olivia and Anne walked towards Riverside. Riverside, a residential area densely populated with noble townhouses, was located on the tranquil Bichen River, offering excellent views.
“This is a truly historic mansion. It’s a building that’s over a hundred years old, but it’s well-maintained, so look. Isn’t it clean? Moreover, if you live here and see this kind of scenery every day, you wouldn’t envy even the King. How wonderful is that? Speaking of which…”
The real estate agent, introduced by Edgar, was rather verbose.
Olivia and Anne were looking at several townhouses to stay in temporarily for about three months until the Dumblein Tennis Tournament in July ended.
Staying at the Lancelot Hotel was problematic, especially because of the ongoing scandal with Edgar.
Fortunately, just as their legs were starting to ache, they found a house that Olivia and Anne liked very much.
It was a red brick house half-covered with ivy, with a dark navy blue roof that looked like a heated griddle as the sun set, and the white window frames were also reddish.
After looking inside, Olivia signed the contract on the spot. The house was so clean that they could move in and start living right away, so there didn’t seem to be anything to fix.
Olivia paid three hundred francs for three months' rent all at once.
She heard that Count Blanchett had been arrested by the police for forging private documents the moment he submitted the documents to the International Bank headquarters.
So, he wouldn’t be able to bother her anymore, but she felt uneasy about having a lot of money ever since that day.
After parting ways with the real estate agent and returning to the hotel, it was already evening. As she led her tired body across the hotel lobby, an acquaintance walked out of the elevator right in front of her.
It was Madam Lauren.
Although the hotel lobby was crowded with lounge and club guests, it was impossible not to recognize the woman walking confidently through the crowd. The sound of her slender stiletto heels clicking on the marble floor stopped in front of Olivia.
“We meet again, Miss Blanchett.”
Ostrich feathers fluttered above the woman’s head as she slightly bowed.
“Yes, it’s been a while, Madam.”
Olivia greeted her, her gaze drawn to the elevator behind the woman.
“There have been… quite a few changes in the meantime.”
Madam Lauren, her eyes widened, nodded and muttered to herself as if talking to herself, looking at Olivia’s distinctly different attire.
Although it wasn’t very noticeable because it was hidden by the hat, the neat bob suited her very well. The simple attire that only maids would wear actually maximized her unique beauty.
The results of the alleged secret meetings with Marquis Lancelot, which had continued since the Rose Ball, were not bad.
Olivia Blanchett…
Princess Anne Boleyn was Eve Lauren’s muse. She was a model that perfectly matched the high-quality design that Madam Lauren pursued.
Then, Lancelot Lauren…
Madam Lauren scrutinized Olivia, who was standing in front of her again. It was then.
“You seem to be acquainted with Mr. Lancelot.”
Olivia’s gaze briefly went to the elevator before returning to Madam Lauren. The Lancelot Hotel’s representative’s private elevator. Understanding the meaning, she smiled and said.
“I’m thinking of forming a relationship. Business-wise.”
She was quite perceptive. There was a considerable gap between the woman she had imagined based on the rumors from across the sea. Olivia’s eyes still held suspicion. A kind explanation seemed necessary.
“I took a risk. Miss Blanchett isn’t the only one who was troubled by the necklace incident.”
She had overlooked Princess Anne Boleyn’s feelings for Marquis Lancelot. She never imagined that she would still have feelings for the man she had abandoned to marry a foreign prince.
“So, I need a new investor.”
She had to admit her mistake in not calculating this variable. If she had known in advance, she wouldn’t have insisted on Anne Gilbert.
“I see.”
Olivia nodded slightly without any particular expression.
Madam Lauren smiled outwardly, relieved. At this point, it was difficult for Olivia to connect Edgar and herself. At least until the Lancelot Group signed the acquisition agreement.
“We may see each other often. Then.”
Madam Lauren, who said goodbye, passed by Olivia. The confident sound of her high heels echoed above the cheerful music coming from the lounge. Her red lips curled up greedily.
Listen, you naive girl. Be careful of beasts who act like cats.
Olivia Blanchett needed to be more suspicious of people.
***
In the Honors Club’s game room, Crown Prince Christian and his friends were already in the middle of a card game. When Yohan entered, the card players’ gazes quickly followed him.
Tabloids that provoked Yohan were scattered on every table. Reading the articles, one would conclude that there was no more foolish man in the world.
Ah! Poor guy.
In an article about the steel company acquisition that he had been tricked into, Yohan’s wife appeared as an industrial spy who stole company secrets for her beloved lover, Edgar Lancaster Lancelot.
In that way, his ex-wife, Olivia Blanchett, heated up the pages with a new look every day, making Yohan the most pitiful fool in the world.
“You’re here?”
Christian, who had a cigarette in his mouth and was looking at the cards in his hand, raised his eyes and greeted Yohan. Then he turned his gaze back.
Yohan indifferently passed them and headed to the balcony.
Christian received the last card. His face lit up with joy.
Five cards of the same suit.
“As expected, my Yohan! My lucky goddess!”
Christian shouted as he gathered the chips. The aristocratic sons giggled. It wasn’t the kind of thing you would say to the unluckiest man in Rondos these days.
Christian, who ordered the floor person to bring brandy and ice, got up from the table and followed Yohan to the balcony.
“Want to join the next game?”
Christian, who plopped down on a white iron chair, was already tipsy.
“Send a letter. Don’t tell me to come and go.”
Yohan stared at the brandy being poured into the glass with narrowly furrowed eyes.
Like the men of the Rondos royal family, his noble golden hair and confident atmosphere were extremely arrogant. Christian chuckled.
“You still remember that I’m the Crown Prince, right?”
Christian chuckled, putting the cigarette he had tapped the ashes off into his mouth and taking a long drag. Yohan raised his glass.
“Olivia’s been taking care of you a lot lately. Should I send a thank-you gift?”
Christian was constantly giggling, whether he was drunk or in a good mood.
The Crown Prince, who caused controversy with his promiscuous private life, was a regular protagonist on the front page of the newspaper. It was only recently that he had given the glorious spot to Olivia Blanchett.
“If there hadn’t been talk of a state marriage with Argent, I wouldn’t have handed her over to you. But why did it have to be Edgar? Was that Olivia’s type?”
Olivia. Olivia.
That damn name.
“So.”
Yohan said coldly, placing the glass he had emptied in one gulp on the table.
“What’s the matter?”
“Next Friday. I’ve notified the Grand Duchess that you’ll be going. Prepare well.”
Beyond the hazy smoke that Christian exhaled, the night view of the Rondos capital sparkled like stars in the night sky. It was an unnecessarily brightly lit city.
‘Please get a divorce.’
His wife’s voice, which suddenly invaded his mind, was no longer strange.
It was a marriage he had tried once without love anyway. There was no reason why he couldn’t do it twice. It was also time to erase the woman’s existence that followed his name like a tag.
“What do I get.”
Yohan’s murmur was low. When his indifferent gaze turned to Christian, he smiled and raised his glass.
The second deal had begun.
***
“Miss. It’s all done.”
Anne, who was tying the hat strings prettily under her chin, said.
“Thank you, Anne.”
Smiling, Olivia walked to the mirror and checked her appearance. Her small face was completely covered by the wide-brimmed hat, making it difficult to recognize her unless you looked closely.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“It was an honor to serve you.”
“Thank you for everything.”
The two left the suite at the Lancelot Hotel, where they had been staying, with Madam Marie seeing them off.
As they left the main entrance, reporters wearing black fedoras were smoking and talking. They checked the faces of people getting out of or getting into Carriages with persistent eyes.
Olivia, nervous, gripped the handle of the trunk and took a breath.
The two politely refused the Carriage that the doorman was holding and quickly passed by the reporters.
They walked quickly and turned the corner of the hotel, finally getting out of their sight. Only then did Olivia and Anne look at each other and laugh silently.
When she looked up, the sky was very clear.
In the perfect spring weather, the early spring flowers had fallen, and the lush leaves were a deep green.
The dazzling sunlight pouring down on them fell between the leaves and danced on the sidewalk, following the wind. Their steps towards the Carriage stop trembled with anticipation and excitement.
