Chapter 85
Chapter 85. Circumstances
2023.12.24.
Olivia quietly replayed the situation from that time.
"It happened in an instant. I didn't see it."
Haa. Edgar let out a suppressed breath.
"Are you... alright otherwise?"
His face, filled with fatigue, was sharp. Olivia nodded slightly before changing the subject.
"Did you handle the urgent matter well?"
Edgar's expression darkened, the corners of his eyes twitching. It was a very brief moment, but Olivia saw it clearly.
Was it something bad?
Worried, she wanted to ask for details, but Edgar parted his lips first.
"It's nothing for Olivia to concern herself with. You should rest until we arrive."
He was the one who turned the conversation away first. Yet, while doing so, his gaze met hers affectionately without avoidance. It was Olivia who had looked away.
If he said it was nothing, then it must be so.
Olivia erased her curiosity.
The carriage, having completely left Dumblin Stadium behind, raced across fields where the sun had begun to set.
Olivia drew back the curtain and opened the window. The golden-hued sunlight, along with the now-deepened scent of summer, poured inside.
The summer that had felt so long was already passing its peak. As they emerged from the metasequoia-lined avenue, the cries of the cicadas faded away like an illusion.
Simultaneously, the days of swinging her racket and dashing across the grass under the hot sun felt like a distant, hazy dream.
The moment she hit the match point. The cheers roaring Olivia's name. The lights exploding brilliantly like fireworks. She was even afraid that by tomorrow, it might all disappear without a trace.
\\
「The Unfortunate Princess Bows Before the Birth of a New Empress」
As if they had been waiting, extra editions flooded the streets of Litten.
Even though the men's singles final remained the next day, it was as if the festival had ended; people were popping Champagne and raising toasts everywhere.
Once it was revealed that the waddling, duck-like steps, which the noblewomen had mocked, were due to an injury, Olivia's victory became the precious result of a dazzling display of fighting spirit despite injury.
'Find it.'
At Edgar's single command, fire lit under Gerald's feet.
He had to obtain every single photograph taken from the moment Olivia Blanchett stepped down from her carriage, working on it all day.
Edgar's gaze, looking down at the photos spread across the table, grew cold.
While they couldn't definitively identify who had stepped on her foot, they could at least single out the individuals who had approached her threateningly close. And among them...
He took a drag of his cigarette, held the smoke for a moment, then exhaled slowly as he pointed at someone.
As the bluish smoke dispersed into the air, the target indicated by his long finger gradually became clear.
Michael Dosett. The loyal reporter from the pro-Royalist newspaper company.
"To my eyes, it looks like this guy?"
Gerald's finger pointed to a man who looked rather bulky.
"It doesn't matter."
"Eh?"
In truth, the actual culprit wasn't that important. Whether the act of stepping on her foot was a mistake or intentional wasn't important either.
"It's simply that I don't like Michael Dosett. We'll deal with that fellow next."
Edgar smiled faintly. It was a good opportunity to deal with the scoundrel who had written the most malicious articles about Olivia.
Shutting down a cheap tabloid was one thing, but the royal specialist magazine 'The Sun' was a different case.
"Leak it to the press first."
"Understood."
After finishing his conversation with Gerald, Edgar stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and turned around.
His indifferent eyes turned toward the mirror. His hands moved leisurely to straighten his slightly askew bow tie.
Anneblin Grace Britt.
She had finally crossed the acceptable line.
He hadn't expected a seasonal amusement to deteriorate in this way and become a hindrance, dragging him down.
He had to end it decisively, so it wouldn't be a headache anymore.
His gaze, which had been fixed straight ahead, slid sideways.
A modest bouquet of flowers lay on the table. Cornflowers, resembling Olivia's eyes.
He withdrew his hand from his pocket, picked up the bouquet of cornflowers, and lifted it.
An unexpected knock sounded just as Edgar was about to leave the dressing room.
\\
"Aren't you pushing yourself too hard?"
Elaine asked with a worried expression. Just thinking about the reporters who had surged in like a mob still made her eyes tremble faintly.
"The doctor said there's a slight hairline fracture in the metatarsal bone, but it's nothing serious enough to require a cast, just some bruising. He said there's no problem at all for sitting quietly and having dinner."
According to the physician Edgar had sent, it seemed there was a very fine crack in the metatarsal bone.
As the condition wasn't severe, no plaster cast was needed, but he added the advice to refrain from strenuous activity for a while.
"It's such a relief it's only this much. I still feel dizzy just thinking about that time."
"I wonder if it truly was Her Highness the Princess's doing, as the rumors say. If so, it would be so disappointing."
In response to Elaine's words, Russell Junior brought up the conspiracy theories circulating among the public.
"I think we need to uncover the truth. This isn't something to just let pass. They deserve proper punishment. I've never seen such unruly reporters in all my life."
Everyone's gaze turned toward Madam Lauren. Madam Lauren extinguished the cigarette she had been smoking near the balcony and approached them.
"You're right. To win even after going through that. It's truly amazing. Olivia, you're so incredible."
Elaine said, hugging Olivia.
"How do you feel, Queen of the Tennis Court?"
"Don't tease me."
At Russell Junior's playful tone, Olivia smiled slightly and glanced toward the suite door. Edgar still hadn't arrived.
Even while conversing with others, she found herself concerned, her gaze naturally drifting toward the doorway.
"By the way, aren't you disappointed? You're the star of the day."
Due to the Princess's fainting spell, everyone's attention was focused on Anneblin, who was being carried out on a stretcher.
Naturally, the scheduled award ceremony and press conference were canceled. There was no nuisance quite like it. The timing was so perfect, it seemed almost intentional.
"I wouldn't have been able to manage it in this state anyway."
"But still, it's the most glorious moment for an athlete."
Russell Junior added a word with a regretful expression. Leaning crookedly against the window frame, he had put considerable effort into his appearance today.
Lately, thanks to Olivia's reflected glory, his value had skyrocketed, and he was living busy days.
And today, with her victory, he had established himself from a has-been player to the top coach in the Kingdom of Brit.
"A once-in-a-lifetime chance."
"That might be the case for you, Coach. Olivia has next year."
Elaine delivered a clear conclusion. She was already the biggest star in the Kingdom of Brit.
From famous boutiques and jewelers to perfume, rouge, soap, wristwatches, tennis equipment companies, and even bicycle companies. The contents of the letters piled high on the table were all the same.
Please be the model for our product.
"Wouldn't even ten bodies be insufficient?"
Along with brief contract terms, the requests to meet in person for in-depth discussions were earnest.
Now, all that remained for Olivia was to sit on a cushion of money. Unless a newly emerging player next year usurped her throne, this momentum was expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
"Even Laurent Perfume. I'm so jealous."
Instead of the composed Olivia, Elaine couldn't hide her excitement.
"You have a mountain of work to do. Do you perhaps need a manager? I'd like to do that."
"I'm not thinking of signing contracts, but I appreciate the sentiment."
"No. Why refuse such an opportunity? Popularity is fleeting, youth is fleeting. You have to earn when you can."
"Money, as they say, must be put to work."
"A most judicious remark."
The dining room grew noisy. It was because an untimely investment fever had begun to blow.
Once money became the topic, the atmosphere heated up instantly.
Like the candle flames atop the candelabra decorating the banquet table, everyone's eyes blazed fiercely.
Only Olivia remained calm-faced, listening attentively to the conversation, occasionally alternating her glances between the clock on the wall and the suite door.
Edgar entered around the time Madam Lauren brought up the modeling offer from the new brand.
"Ed."
Those who had been chattering about enticing investment information all fell silent at once and stared toward the open door.
Olivia instinctively started to rise, but felt a pang of pain and furrowed her brow.
Edgar, dressed in a pure white suit, approached with broad strides.
Merely his arrival made the lighting seem to brighten, and the room suddenly became radiant.
At that bewildering vision, Olivia couldn't help but laugh.
The romantic night, when colorful fireworks adorned the night sky, unfolded before her like a painting.
The night under the hazy, haloed glow of the streetlights, when the rich scent of roses enveloped the tip of her nose.
That night too, he had come to her, impeccably dressed in a white dress coat, ascending the marble steps.
Although the fireworks had vanished, leaving behind a faint echo, that night, filled with soft spring breezes and romantic waltzes, still remained vividly in Olivia's memory.
Was that night the same for you?
"You're here?"
As Olivia greeted him, Edgar bowed his head and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
He then held out a bouquet of flowers wrapped in white paper and tied with a periwinkle blue ribbon.
"Thank you."
Olivia, who had been blinking slowly while looking at the flowers, raised her head.
Her gaze met his greyish-blue eyes, like the sky at the break of a very early dawn.
"Sit down."
Olivia, her cheeks slightly flushed, smiled brightly and offered the seat beside her.
But Edgar did not readily sit down. Puzzled, Olivia tilted her head slightly.
"I'm sorry."
"……"
"Something came up."
"Ah……"
At a loss for words, Olivia lowered her gaze and stared blankly at her neatly clasped hands.
"Sorry... for breaking my promise."
Is it important?
If he said so, then it must be important. But she wanted to hold him back, just this once.
How important is it?
What could be so important that you cannot be with me on a special day like today.
"Olivia."
At the familiar call, Olivia slowly opened her eyes, which she had closed, and raised her head.
Her gaze, which seemed to want him to stay, was composed. So, the predetermined answer was inevitable.
"……It's alright."
He must have his circumstances.
She was curious about those circumstances, but decided to endure it for now. She also didn't want to ruin the atmosphere in front of the people who had gathered to celebrate her.
"Go ahead."
Finally, he smiled. Olivia tried hard to erase her disappointed expression and instead smiled.
