Chapter 173: The Black Lion of Astrid (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 173: The Black Lion of Astrid (1)
Noah repeatedly hinted that he wanted to stay, but Olivia firmly sent him away. She needed to spend the night alone to organize her thoughts.
"Then I could just stay out of your room," Noah grumbled.
Olivia hid a smile, pretending not to hear him.
"Go on now," she said. "Once I’ve sorted things out, I’ll come to Princess Marguerite’s estate. There are already too many people staying in this small house because of me; it’s becoming an inconvenience for everyone."
"I just wanted to try staying here, too."
Meson and Jonan, standing nearby, gave Noah a skeptical look before shaking their heads in unison.
"Safe travels, Your Highness."
"Don't worry, we'll take good care of the Princess Consort!"
Noah shot Meson and Jonan an indescribable look as they bowed, then turned his gaze back to Olivia’s retreating figure. She was walking away without a single backward glance.
Truly cruel.
After Olivia disappeared inside, Mrs. Betty gave him a final, slight bow before closing the door.
"It's cold… so cold."
"…"
Noah stood with his hands in his pockets, kicking aimlessly at the ground for a moment before finally turning around. With heavy steps, he climbed into the carriage.
*
From a window, Olivia watched the carriage carrying Noah pull away.
In her hand was a letter.
"It is from Ansen Wilhelm, Your Highness."
Her gaze, as she looked down at the envelope, was as cold and sharp as frost. The moment Mrs. Betty, who had delivered it, left the room, Olivia tore the letter open.
As she scanned the contents, one corner of her mouth curled into a smirk.
"…How interesting."
With a cynical murmur, Olivia tossed the letter into the fireplace. Only after confirming that the flames had consumed every last corner of the paper did she summon Jonan.
"You called for me?"
"Go to Ansen Wilhelm. Tell him to meet me in the drawing room of the Levidian Hotel tomorrow at eleven in the morning."
"Understood."
"And I want this meeting photographed, so please have a camera prepared in advance."
Jonan recalled the article in Le Duang that Ansen Wilhelm himself had published. He bowed respectfully to the 'Black Lion,' who seemed to have finished all preparations for her revenge.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Olivia turned her gaze back to the documents detailing Ansen’s movements.
To some, a matter could be as light as air; to others, it was a weight so heavy it made them want to give up on life. Olivia looked at the sofa where her grandmother used to sit and spoke softly.
"Grandmother, you were right. The world is unfair."
"Lib. You must acknowledge the unfairness before you can move on to the next step."
"I always thought I was moving forward, but looking back, I realize I haven't moved a single step."
"Now, what is it that you can do? The thing that only you can do."
Olivia nodded calmly, her grandmother’s voice echoing in her memory.
"…Yes. I intend to do just that."
"I love you, Olivia."
Noah’s low, cool voice seemed to wrap around her like an embrace.
"I’ll try."
Then, she felt as if she could hear her grandmother’s hearty laughter echoing from somewhere far away.
*
Meanwhile, upon arriving at Marguerite’s mansion, Noah heard from Margo about the documents that had been delivered to Olivia.
"I sent them over today since she seemed to have recovered a bit. They said Rick Winfred handed them over right after leaving the court."
Noah thought of Olivia, who had been weeping uncontrollably. And why shouldn’t she?
Ansen Wilhelm. He truly could not forgive that man.
Even after returning to his room, Noah paced restlessly. He couldn't think of what he should do for her, or how he could possibly help.
The setting sun bled into the room, staining the world a deep crimson. The twilight descended like a watery mist, and soon, darkness fell.
Noah was watching the servants busily lighting the lamps when he suddenly remembered the medicine.
Olivia, who took medicine because she couldn't sleep. She had mentioned that she usually suffered from a headache the day after taking it.
The thought of her swallowing those pills alone in the dark while he was away made his heart feel as if it were being crushed.
Without a second thought, Noah stormed out of Margo’s mansion.
A carriage felt too slow, so he mounted a horse. Without a moment's hesitation, he spurred the animal on, vanishing into the night.
When the butler rushed to Margo in a panic, she was watching her nephew’s receding back from the window, a sly smile on her face.
"The Duke hasn't even had dinner yet…"
"Dinner isn't important to him right now. Don't worry about it."
If Beatrix had been there, Margo would have certainly made a bet with her.
Will Noah return tonight, or won't he?
*
Mrs. Betty, who was tidying up near the entrance before bed, was startled by Noah’s sudden return.
"Your Highness!"
Like a man being chased, Noah hurried down the hallway and threw open the door to Olivia’s room.
She was sitting on the bed, drinking a glass of water. Noah approached her, his face a mask of distress. His lips trembled slightly.
"Did you take the medicine?"
"Noah."
"I heard you received the documents about Ansen Wilhelm from my aunt today. …Are you okay?"
Anxiety and terror warred in the shadows of his face.
In that moment, a sense of déjà vu washed over her. Facing his raw fear, she recalled a man's voice calling out to her as if he were dying.
"Olivia!!!"
She had expected the face of the man crossing the sky toward her to be filled with pathetic disdain. But the last thing she had seen on his face was pure terror.
Noah was looking at her now with that exact same expression.
"Hmm? Still can't sleep?"
Olivia smiled, pained by the sight of his terror-stricken face. When she spoke, her throat felt tight, and her voice came out raspy.
"Noah, I only take it when I can't sleep. It’s like taking medicine for a cold."
"In Herod, you took it because of me."
Noah’s voice cracked and trembled. He was still drowning in guilt.
But how could it be entirely his fault?
She hadn't faced her own life, and he had interpreted her life as he pleased. They had both suffered for it.
Olivia slowly pulled Noah’s head into an embrace, resting her cheek against his hair. Gradually, the tension bled from his rigid shoulders.
"No. Don't think like that."
She felt him, once frozen, wrap his arms around her waist.
"Did you come all this way at this hour because you were afraid I’d take the medicine?"
"…"
Olivia looked down at the man in her arms with a faint smile. And vaguely, she realized she had been waiting for him.
"As it happens, I don't think I'll be able to sleep. Since you're here, would you mind staying until I do?"
At her soft whisper, Noah snapped his head up. Olivia looked away slightly and patted the spot beside her.
"The bed is a bit narrow for two people—"
"No, it's not narrow at all! How is this narrow?"
Noah, who had been staring blankly at her, cut her off impatiently and stood up. Then, as if afraid she might take back the offer, he quickly lay down on the bed.
"Now that you're lying down, there's no room for me."
"What are you talking about? There's plenty of space."
Noah insisted shamelessly. Finally, a laugh escaped Olivia's lips, and Noah watched her, breathless.
How long had it been since he had heard her laugh like that?
You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this sound.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Noah carefully pulled Olivia into his arms. He slowly stroked her hair.
The warmth and solidness of his body against her back, the delicate touch of his hand stroking her hair…
As she received his touch, sleep washed over her like a miracle.
"Noah…"
"Yes."
Olivia spoke as her heavy eyelids began to close.
"Tomorrow, I’m meeting Ansen Wilhelm."
The hand stroking her hair paused for a brief moment before resuming its gentle rhythm.
"Do you want to go alone?"
"Yes."
"Go and tear him apart. You'll tell me about it when you get back, right?"
Olivia laughed, her voice thick with sleep.
"Of course."
"I have work to do tomorrow, too. Can I come here when I'm finished?"
"Certainly."
Noah kissed the top of her head. He savored the feeling of her body nestled softly against him, the texture of her hair sliding between his fingers.
Soon, Noah, too, was pulled into sleep.
On the narrow, old bed, the two lovers fell asleep at the same time, in the same posture. And throughout the long night, they both enjoyed a deep, peaceful rest.
*
In stark contrast to the peace enjoyed by Olivia and Noah, Ansen spent a sleepless night.
The moment the news about 'Oliver' broke, Olivia had appeared at court. The special editions of the newspapers explicitly suggested a connection between Oliver and Olivia, and one after another, former engineers and researchers who had resigned from Wilhelm Company came forward with damning exposés.
[Former Chief Engineer of Wilhelm Company: 'Ansen Wilhelm Knew About the Defects in the Ship-Type Magic Domes.']
[Former Wilhelm Company Researcher: 'In Reality, No Upgrades Were Made to the Magic Domes. It Was All a Deception.']
Influential politicians, fearing they might be caught in the fallout, were ignoring his calls. The newspapers were demanding an explanation from him daily, and a wave of resignations from agitated employees had followed.
His legal counsel and his mother kept spouting hopeful nonsense about how the Polder Court might not recognize the constitutional appeal filed by the Princess Consort of Herod, but that was just wishful thinking.
There was no way Noah Astrid, who had accompanied her, was just sitting idle. He must have already met with everyone he needed to.
So, what was the only way to overcome this crisis?
Ansen was certain that the only person who could save him was Olivia.
Time flowed with agonizing slowness. He arrived at the hotel drawing room an hour early and paced for what felt like an eternity.
Finally, the heavy, closed doors swung open smoothly, and a woman walked in.
"…"
All of Ansen’s movements froze.
Instead of a lavish dress, she wore a suit as black and lustrous as a raven’s wing. The hotel staff bowed respectfully in time with her stride.
It was clearly Olivia.
But… was it really Olivia?
Ansen watched her blankly, as if possessed, only snapping back to his senses when she was right in front of him.
He quickly reached out to greet her, intending to show his respect by kissing the back of her hand. But Olivia didn't take it. She simply stared at him.
She blinked once, then lifted her gaze to meet his.
"…!"
The moment those pitch-black eyes, set in her sharp features, turned toward him, Ansen felt as if he were facing Noah.
How could those beautiful, pitiful black eyes have become like this in just half a year?
Ignoring his outstretched hand, Olivia sat down.
"Sit."
Ansen awkwardly withdrew his hand and sat across from her.
"Have you been well?"
At his question, Olivia stared at him for a long moment before letting out a short, sharp laugh.
"Anyone else in the world is allowed to ask me that. But you, of all people, should not be the one to ask, don't you think?"
"…"
"How dare you."