Chapter 73
- Present a Moment of Joy
2023.12.12.
The gist was simple.
Olivia Blanchett is not allowed.
Yohan closed his eyes. Even though he hadn't done anything yet, his maternal grandmother's voice, preemptively grabbing at his ankles, echoed in his ears.
A dull headache arose. Yohan, who rubbed his eyes nervously, muttered lowly.
"...I'm going crazy."
Yohan, feeling suffocated, was about to pull at his tie when the office door burst open. Maurice rushed in, panting.
"He, he's appeared. His Highness Mikhail."
Yohan, who had removed his hand, frowned slightly.
"Where?"
"Well..."
Maurice, who hesitated and stammered, blurted out the words.
"Doherty Club."
In an instant, Maurice froze.
"That damn bastard."
Yohan exploded.
During the spring and summer seasons, the outdoor café operated in the rose garden of the Lancelot Hotel was the most popular place for ladies.
On days like today, when there were no games, the café was packed all day with noblewomen who wanted to enjoy tea while admiring the fantastic landscaping under the warm sunlight.
Carol Hudson was one of them, but her purpose was different.
Carol looked at the watch on her wrist. It was about time she came.
The corners of Carol's lips curled up for a moment as she fanned herself and endured the languid summer afternoon.
It was a timely appearance, just as she was unbearably bored with the countess's endless boasting about her dress, which she had heard so many times.
"Oh, over there."
She deliberately shouted loudly from behind her fan. The noblewomen's gazes naturally turned in that direction.
That woman, Olivia Blanchett.
Olivia and Elaine were walking through the Double Delight Rose Garden, where the sun-touched parts were dyed red, wearing white tennis outfits.
'The Princess is having such a hard time. It breaks my heart.'
Princess Anne Boleyn's secretary, Cecil, and Carol were cousins. She didn't make any direct demands, but Cecil wanted one thing.
"Even in broad daylight, the ghost is roaming around."
Carol started with an excited voice. Laughter spread throughout the garden.
The thousands of roses that decorated the flower bed were luscious and fresh, but they were no match for the beauty of Olivia Blanchett, who was once called a brazen seductress and is now called the Ghost of the Leopold Hotel.
That fact was enough to make her a public enemy.
"Isn't it a really romantic ghost? To have such a perfect lover by her side and still visit her ex-husband every night."
Carol sneered, scrutinizing Olivia, who was approaching diagonally.
Her arms and legs, which had just finished exercising, were full of healthy beauty with firm muscles.
In addition, the loveliness unique to a woman who has just started dating was melted into her entire expression, making her shine especially brightly today.
No matter how you looked at her, she didn't look like a ghost. She felt a sense of inferiority.
"Could she really be that shameless?"
"There are witnesses. Witnesses."
Oh my goodness!
The noblewomen exclaimed and criticized the immoral woman in unison.
Suddenly, life began to return to the otherwise boring summer afternoon.
Even though it was a story they had already talked about, they were enthusiastic about gossiping about others, and they started making a fuss again as if it were the first time they had heard it.
"She was seen coming out of a room in her underwear in the early morning."
Carol said secretly. Captivated by jealousy and envy, they had no hesitation in making up stories that didn't exist.
"It's outrageous. As a woman, she's really evil."
"I heard that Princess Kranz broke off her engagement because of that? She's really a brazen seductress. And she's in that kind of relationship with Marquis Lancelot. I feel sorry for the Marquis. To be caught by a woman like that."
The whispers spread like waves from this table to that table. It didn't take long for it to reach the ears of Olivia and Elaine, who were passing through the café and heading towards the main building.
"I'm not going to let those things get away with it."
Elaine stopped abruptly, flaring up. Carol, who was once a friend, fluttered her feather fan and sent a blatant sneer.
"Don't worry about it."
Olivia said calmly, grabbing Elaine's arm. Elaine turned her head sharply. Olivia had a detached expression.
"Why are you putting up with those words?"
Elaine's voice grew louder because she was frustrated.
"I'm not putting up with it."
The interest in the illegitimate divorced woman who was succeeding with just one racket was so great that it was almost feverish.
The media's slander and praise articles were exaggerated to an excessive degree, and everything she wore became a trend among Litten ladies.
The places Edgar visited with her became famous as dating spots for lovers, and Grand Bleu in particular was enjoying unprecedented prosperity.
The ghost scandal broke out in the midst of all this sudden and chaotic situation.
It was one of the things that Olivia, who was unintentionally gaining fame, had to endure, but now, ahead of the finals, the intention was all too clear.
Anneblin Grace Britt's provocation.
So she must never waver.
"I'm just trying not to take it to heart."
Olivia smiled faintly.
"So let's go."
At the quiet whisper, Elaine released the strength in her clenched fist.
Elaine, who had tried to calm down her desire to pour out a barrage of words, glared at Carol and turned around.
It was then that giggling laughter and ridicule flew in on the violin melody.
"His interest is only temporary. Do you really think he would marry such an insignificant woman? Maybe as a mistress. Isn't that the perfect place for a divorced illegitimate child?"
The noblewomen sitting around the table cackled.
"This is really!"
"Elaine!"
Elaine, who had shaken off Olivia's hand, strode across the tables.
"The Marquis is one thing, but do you think Duke Lancelot will just stand by and watch? No way. As if there are no women, so he would take an illegitimate child who crawls into her ex-husband's bed-. Kyaak!"
Carol screamed shrilly.
Red liquid dripped from the top of her head onto her shoulders.
Blood-colored stains were disfiguring her neatly made-up face and her beautifully dressed light lemon-colored dress.
Carol, who was dumbfounded by the sudden misfortune, could only blink her eyebrows as tomato juice dripped down.
The shocked noblewomen also gaped. Even passersby stopped and stared at the scene.
"You, what are you doing!"
Carol, whose face turned as red as a tomato, shouted. Elaine, who calmly placed the empty glass on the table with a thud, turned around.
"You're hanging out with low-class women. Elaine, you've really become terrible. What kind of rudeness is this? Apologize immediately."
"Don't talk recklessly just because you have a mouth. You look ugly like you're jealous."
Carol's eyes, meeting the sharp gaze, were distorted with anger and shame.
"And."
Elaine leaned over and delivered the finishing blow to Carol's ear.
"Take good care of your bedroom bed."
The corners of Carol's mouth, filled with liquid and tightly closed, trembled.
Seeing that, she felt relieved.
Although Olivia would be angry, and she would be gossiped about again... As soon as she thought about that, she was filled with regret for not being able to control her anger.
"I will compensate you for the cost of the dress."
Olivia, who had already approached, said calmly while staring at Carol.
"Let's go, Elaine."
When they escaped the stinging glares and reached the entrance of the main building, Elaine parted her lips.
"I'm sorry. Olivia."
"Not at all. Actually, it was kind of refreshing."
Olivia and Elaine's eyes met. Soon, laughter burst out.
As they passed through the archway covered with rose vines, the scent of flowers wafted faintly.
She knew it was an immature act. But today, Olivia thought it was okay to be a bad girl for a while.
Olivia liked Elaine. After her grandmother and senior, she was someone who took her side.
She made a friend.
The comfort that fact gave her permeated Olivia's heart warmly like the summer sun.
"You're setting a bad example. This is"
"Then should I bury him?"
Edgar's refreshing smile made it difficult to tell whether his words were a joke or serious.
Gerald could guarantee that the five thousand francs he had given to the reporter, who was no different from a robber, would not be the end.
Of course, he would demand an even larger sum next time. So this was an issue that should not be easily overlooked.
But Edgar seemed unconcerned and kept his eyes on the scenery flowing outside the window.
'It would be difficult if Blanchett found out. Are you sure you're okay with this?'
The face of the reporter, grinning slyly, came to mind.
Edgar was usually the one who caught people's weaknesses. For him to be caught by the neck by a third-rate gossip magazine reporter like this.
Gerald clicked his tongue inwardly.
There was no doubt that this was all because of that woman.
Olivia Blanchett.
The occasional impulsive behavior she had shown recently, and the fact that he was being threatened with such absurd things now.
Gerald, who was presuming the cause, was slowly becoming worried.
'As you have done so far, it is not a matter of concern.'
Gerald's answer was cautious to Duke Lancelot's question about the relationship between his son and a woman with many scandalous rumors.
Of course, even when he submitted such a report, Olivia Blanchett was a thorough chess piece.
Could it be love?
He had ruled out that possibility from the beginning.
He was a man who had treated even a noble princess lightly, so it wouldn't be much different this time. Yes, that's what he would do.
But that was just Gerald's wish.
"Wait."
Edgar suddenly stopped the carriage. Gerald looked around outside the window.
"Wh, why here..."
He even stuttered in embarrassment.
"Who knows."
Edgar smiled nonchalantly.
Gerald became uneasy. The fact that the carriage had stopped in front of the main branch of 'Bichelin', the most luxurious jewelry store in the Kingdom of Brit, was suspicious.
The door of the carriage opened and Edgar got out.
Passersby who recognized him stopped walking and glanced at Edgar, who was entering Bichelin, with curious eyes.
Edgar, who lightly pulled up the corners of his lips, headed towards his destination with a relaxed gait.
'Present a moment of joy!'
To Bichelin, the romance of all brides in the Kingdom of Brit.
