Chapter 78
- Rioters
2023.12.17.
Olivia.
Maurice blinked blankly at Yohan's voice, which inquired about his wife's absence with utter calmness.
It had been that way since the mistress had entered Greathill. Yohan's bleak commute had changed.
Whenever he left or entered the mansion, the beautifully adorned Duchess was there like a painting in the entrance.
At nineteen, the Duchess, still as fragile as a girl, would run out at the sound of the Carriage in those days.
But it didn't take long for a shadow to fall over the Duchess's bright smile. The smile seemed to disappear, and from one day on, she stopped coming out to greet him.
Maurice thought it was probably from then on. The beginning of that question. So, asking about the Duchess in this situation, could it be...?
"D, Director???"
Maurice shouted in horror. Yohan frowned as much as he could.
The sound hit his head like hammering a nail, causing a headache.
"Do, do you know who I am?"
"Speak quietly."
Yohan said, furrowing his brow.
"This is Remong Municipal Hospital. You remember what happened last night, right? The Carriage accident. Don't you remember?"
Maurice stared at him intently with anxious eyes.
Yohan tried to get up but frowned. His body wouldn't listen. Damn it. A curse escaped his lips.
"Don't move suddenly. Your right arm is fractured."
Yohan's gaze slid down to his right arm. His arm, splinted, was wrapped in bandages.
"You hit your head harder than your arm. It's just a scratch to the naked eye, but there might be a problem, so should I bring your doctor from Leiden?"
He still seemed to suspect memory loss. What if that were the case?
Every sound flew like sharp awls and pierced his head. Despite the terrible headache, his mind was incredibly clear.
"Where is Olivia?"
Yohan narrowed his eyes and closed them, as if in pain again.
Maurice thought he should send a telegram to the doctor. It was clear that his memory was not intact.
"...Did I win?"
"...Ah!"
Maurice made a deflated sound.
A person who almost crossed the threshold of death was curious about the game results in the midst of all this. Maybe that's why he couldn't cross it.
"...Tomorrow. It's tomorrow."
Maurice, who had been hesitating, reluctantly answered. He wasn't a fool who would be fooled by hiding it.
Surely he wouldn't say he was going in this state.
At Maurice's words, Yohan tried to lift his left arm as a habit, but let out a groan.
"I told you not to move."
"The watch."
"Here."
He picked up the watch that had been left on the bedside table and showed it to Yohan.
The watch with the broken glass cover had stopped. Yohan slowly took the watch from Maurice's hand.
Following his movement, the golden hands of the watch touched the sunlight and sparkled.
1897.06.16. To my love, Yohan.
Yohan's eyes sank low.
"Doctor, bring Biden."
"I'll be right back."
Maurice hurriedly ran out of the hospital room. A keen gaze stared at the wall clock hanging in front.
The time, well past noon, pointed to 3 p.m.
The final match is tomorrow at 10 a.m.
There was still enough time to finish this journey to see the Dumblin Championship final, from Remong Port to Litten Port in ten hours.
Yohan's gaze, detached from the clock, was directed somewhere beyond the clear windowpane, across the blue sea.
The only thing that came to mind in the moment of death, when the storm struck in the pitch-black darkness, was Olivia Blanchett, his wife.
So that fact alone was reason enough to meet.
The Carriage had completely left the Litten city. As it got closer to the Dumblin Stadium, Olivia's heart began to beat faster.
Hoo, Olivia took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, staring at the scenery flowing outside the window.
"Look at how cold your hands are."
Elaine, sitting across from her, grabbed Olivia's stiff hands and rubbed them tightly.
"There's no need to be nervous. Just do what you've been doing. If you only consider skill, Olivia is the winner. No problem."
Russell Junior chimed in.
The reason he, who was supposed to ride in the Dickson family's Carriage, was able to join this Carriage was thanks to Edgar's absence.
Except for the one day he had to go on a business trip, Edgar's role was to escort Olivia.
But he didn't show up today.
He only sent word that he would finish his urgent business and go straight to the stadium.
"I don't know what could be more urgent than the final."
Elaine said sullenly, releasing Olivia's hands, which were warming up again.
"There are many things in the world more important than tennis, Elaine."
Olivia smiled somewhat awkwardly and turned her gaze away. The inside of the Carriage passing through the lush tree-lined road was as dark as a cloudy afternoon.
'I'll pick you up. Sleep well.'
It was a farewell greeting that was no different from usual.
She was also curious about what the sudden important matter was that had not been on the schedule until last night.
But she didn't bring it up separately. She was past the age of complaining that she was upset.
Olivia recalled Edgar's smiling face as she parted ways last night, then stopped.
If only negative worries came to mind when she kept thinking about it, it was better not to.
Focus on the game.
As she repeated her determination in her heart and held her hands together, which were getting cold again, the speed of the Carriage slowed down significantly.
Olivia shifted her gaze beyond the window.
"Ah..."
Olivia let out an exclamation close to a moan.
The scenery unfolding before her eyes was utterly unrealistic.
The vast lawn, moving from the center court to the number one court, was teeming with people without a place to set foot.
They were people who couldn't get tickets but wanted to enjoy the end of the Dumblin Championship, which boasted tradition and history.
"This kind of interest in the women's singles final is probably the first since the tournament was held."
Russell Junior was also surprised, his mouth open.
They spread out the food they had prepared in picnic boxes and had their own simple picnic.
People with beer or wine in their hands in the sunny weather were betting, predicting today's winner.
It was hard to tell the difference between Olivia and Anne Boleyn's names, which were heard on the breeze.
Olivia, looking out the window, pressed her trembling heart with her hand. She felt like she would be overwhelmed by the lively excitement of the people.
"I think it's better to close the curtains around here. It would be difficult if people flocked to us."
Olivia, who had been staring at the scene outside the Carriage as if possessed, nodded belatedly.
People pointed at the Carriage Olivia was riding in and approached. As soon as her identity was revealed, the Carriage began to speed up, and the sunlight and the figures of the people disappeared behind the curtains.
Thump, thump. Only the sound of her heart beating was loud. Now, she really couldn't think of anything.
...I'll win.
Only that thought.
Soon, the Carriage decorated with the golden emblem of Lancelot Company arrived at the entrance of the Dumblin Stadium. The noise outside the Carriage was heard through the walls.
Hoo. Olivia took a deep breath.
"Okay! Tennis is a battle of concentration."
"Yes. Coach."
Russell Junior looked at Olivia with serious eyes.
"But. Let's forget about winning or losing and go have fun."
Olivia, who had been very nervous, laughed along with his expression, which instantly turned playful.
"It was an honor to be your coach."
Russell Junior's voice was filled with pride. The memory of their unpleasant first meeting had long been bleached white.
"Me too. It was an honor."
Her blue eyes hardened and began to shine.
"Shall we go?"
"Okay."
Olivia smiled brightly at Russell Junior and looked at Elaine and Anne in turn.
After exchanging glances of encouragement, Olivia hardened her expression and looked at Russell Junior.
Russell Junior nodded, took a deep breath, and opened the door of the Carriage. Silver flashes began to burst.
Reporters who had been camped around the stadium since early morning rushed in all at once.
It was even terrifying as they rushed in like a riverbank bursting from the increased water flow.
"Over here! Please look here just once. Player Blanchett!"
"Player Blanchett, this way too!"
Olivia was dazed by the reporters' shouts and the girls' screams.
The bodyguards who had arrived earlier and were waiting surrounded Olivia. Only then did she briefly pose for the reporters.
"Let's go in."
Russell Junior said, extending his arm. Olivia placed her hand on his arm and was about to take a step.
"Please say something about the Leopold Hotel Ghost! Player Blanchett!"
"Is it true that you were with Duke Leopold at the opening party?"
Olivia paused.
"That's a rude question that's not even worth answering. Ignore them, Olivia."
Russell Junior muttered, glaring at the reporter. It was not a question to ask a player before an important game. Moreover, they had given prior notice that they would not accept personal questions.
Olivia took another step.
"Where were you that day? Please answer!"
"Do you have anything to say to Princess Krantz?"
The bodyguards quickly blocked them.
They were pushed back helplessly by the bodyguards because they were running wildly like violent rioters.
The formation was disrupted in an instant.
"Miss!"
"Olivia!"
She lost hold of Russell Junior's hand. Reporters, swept up in madness, pushed in.
"Keep order. Order! You damn people!"
Russell Junior shouted with a flushed face.
"Please stop! What if someone gets hurt?"
Elaine shouted like a scream, caught in the midst of the reporters.
Flashes flashed loudly to capture the chaotic scene. Olivia's vision went white from the sharp streaks of light.
Her body, unable to control itself as if swept away by high waves, was helplessly pushed back and forth. In a fleeting moment, a heavy weight slammed down on Olivia's instep.
Ah! With a short groan, Olivia staggered.
"Olivia!!!"
