Chapter 176: King Leonard's Laughter
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 176: King Leonard's Laughter
As the two of them nearly reached the bottom of the stairs, a reporter plucked up his courage and offered a polite greeting.
“Good day, Your Highness, Your Grace. I am Ren Antonson, a reporter for the Polder Central Newspaper. If I may be so bold…”
The reporter stole a glance at the Prince before his gaze snapped back to the Princess Consort.
Noah’s entire being was practically screaming the answer.
You’re being bold.
Desperately ignoring the Prince’s icy glare, the reporter spoke earnestly to Olivia.
“May I ask Your Grace a question?”
Olivia glanced at Noah. It wasn't that she was seeking his permission as she once might have; she was simply being mindful of his distaste for the press.
The moment Olivia turned her head, everyone present saw it clearly.
They witnessed the Prince’s gaze, which usually lacked even a shred of warmth, soften in an instant.
“If you want to, then do it. That’s all that matters.”
Uh… but you were just looking at us like you wanted to kill us.
“Thank you.”
Olivia turned back to the reporter and nodded. Ignoring the intense stare boring into the back of his head, Ren Antonson spoke.
“D-did you win the case?”
Olivia took a breath.
Today, she had crossed another threshold. She had scaled a massive wall she once hadn’t even dared to look at, and finally, she had made it over.
Facing the world beyond that wall, Olivia answered.
“Yes, I did.”
Her voice was as light as a falling petal.
The moment she spoke, the sound of pen nibs scratching furiously against paper erupted from all sides. Ren Antonson asked in an agitated voice, “Then, are you truly the joint patent holder of the Magic Dome?”
“I am.”
When Olivia answered with a bright smile, cheers broke out from the victims' families gathered nearby.
“Please expose Ansen Wilhelm’s crimes, Your Grace!”
Eventually, their cries turned into heart-wrenching sobs. As Olivia looked at them with pity, another reporter cautiously threw out a question.
“Your Grace, in what way would you say your Magic Dome differs from Ansen Wilhelm’s?”
Olivia glanced at the questioner before slowly scanning the vast crowd watching her.
Finally, she spoke.
“I will not lock the doors to the engine rooms. The very foundation of the Magic Dome is safety. At the same time, my Magic Dome…”
A confident smile played on Olivia’s lips.
“…will be constantly evolving.”
With those final words, the Princess Consort began to walk away.
The reporters, who had many more questions, surged forward for a moment, but none dared to speak under the Prince’s piercing gaze.
Watching the scene from a distance, a man with a thick, graying beard spoke, his mind made up the moment the royal couple boarded their carriage.
“I will follow her to Herod.”
As he spoke, the other men surrounding him nodded one by one.
They were none other than the engineers and scientists who had asked Noah for time to consider his offer.
* * *
Everything is relative.
The day Olivia reclaimed her rights became a day no different from a death sentence for Ansen.
As the crowds in front of the court cheered Olivia’s name, Ansen felt the weight of the universe crashing down upon his shoulders.
Having barely managed to flee back to his mansion, he was greeted by a letter bearing the seal of the Duchess of Rosemond. Her lawyer had sent it the moment they stepped out of the courtroom.
[Unpaid Royalty Invoice]
Ansen’s hands trembled violently.
The amount listed on the statement was astronomical. It was only natural. After all, the only thing he had ever given Olivia—who held equal rights—was a pittance disguised as living expenses.
To pay back the vast sum accumulated over five years and eight months, closing a few factories wouldn't even scratch the surface.
“Ah… ugh…”
As Ansen doubled over, gasping for breath, the price for his other sins arrived without warning.
“S-Sir! You—you have to hide…!”
“If you run now, we’ll just add fleeing justice to your charges.”
Behind the pale-faced secretary, uniformed police officers burst in.
“…What is the meaning of this?!”
When Ansen protested in a dry, raspy voice, an officer held out a warrant authorized by the court.
“Ansen Wilhelm, you’re coming with us.”
“Why! Why should I go anywhere?!”
“Every contract you signed explicitly stated that the safety of those using the Magic Dome was the top priority. However, testimonies are pouring in that you neglected your duties. You must come in for questioning.”
“I’m not going! I won’t!”
As if expecting this, the officer signaled to the men behind him, and two burly officers closed in.
“If you don’t want an additional charge of obstructing justice, come quietly.”
“Ansen! Ansen!”
Mrs. Wilhelm, who had rushed over after hearing the commotion, grabbed onto Ansen, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.
“Let go of me! Let go!”
“If you continue, Madam, we will have to charge you as well. Let go!”
“Ansen!”
Mother… Caught in the officers’ grip and being hauled away, Ansen looked up at the ceiling with hollow eyes.
Ah, so this is hell.
How was he supposed to endure what was to come?
* * *
Meanwhile, after leaving the court, Olivia and Noah headed to her parents' graves.
“Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma. I’ve finally been recognized.”
Noah stood behind her as she knelt and spoke softly to the headstones. Olivia gently stroked the stone before looking back at him.
With the sunlight at his back, he looked just as magnificent and handsome as he always did.
Olivia gave him a wide smile and turned back to the graves.
“I couldn't have done it without this man.”
Noah blinked awkwardly, then knelt beside her.
“Um… I didn't really do anything.”
Olivia chuckled at his reaction and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
“I truly mean it,” she whispered.
Her voice, accompanied by the gentle curve of her dark eyes, stirred something deep within him. Noah softly cupped the back of her neck, pulling her toward him to capture her lips.
After they parted with a soft sound, he said playfully, “That was solemn enough, right? Besides, you started it.”
Though she suspected he was teasing her, Olivia couldn't help but giggle. Seeing her radiant laughter, Noah felt a surge of heat rise in his gut.
The moment Olivia’s expression stiffened, seeing the raw passion in his eyes, Noah scooped her up by the waist and announced to the heavens:
“We’ll be back!”
“Noah!”
Despite Olivia’s protests, Noah ran toward the carriage with her in his arms. As soon as they were inside, he drew all the curtains and bit down on her lips as if to swallow her whole.
She was as soft and sweet as cream.
“Ha…”
Every time their lips parted, a thin, breathy gasp escaped her, making Noah’s body harden. Her proud, intelligent eyes—the same ones that had cornered the judge—grew hazy and flushed under his touch.
Was this what heaven, salvation, and eternal rest felt like?
Noah kissed the pale skin of her chest revealed between her undone buttons. As he laved and suckled the firm, red peaks, Olivia writhed and covered her mouth.
“Noah…!”
Even the stifled way she called his name was sensual. Noah’s hand slowly caressed her exposed thigh before his fingers found their way to the one place she could never refuse.
“Ah…”
Muffling her moan with his lips, Noah whispered, “I can’t hold back anymore, Lib. Please?”
Olivia stared blankly at the face of the man pressing down on her. His eyes were clouded with longing, his lips were parted, and in their depths, she saw only herself.
As if reading her wavering heart, Noah’s eyes curved into a slow, lingering smile. He leaned in, gently licking her lips, and whispered like a plea:
“I love you.”
“…You weren't a lion… you were a fox.”
As Olivia closed her eyes and murmured, he let out a satisfied laugh and lowered himself onto her.
Ah… all the buttons are torn off. What am I going to do?
With that final thought, Olivia wrapped her arms around his neck.
* * *
About ten days later.
King Leonard was glaring at Harold Beom as if he wanted to kill him. The insolent brat had dared to take a bribe from Ansen Wilhelm and assist in distributing the Le Duang newspaper.
“But, Your Majesty! I only did so because I believed it was a matter of great importance…”
“Without even verifying the truth?”
When Leonard cut him off sharply, Harold Beom gave a small cough and sent a pleading look toward the guild leaders standing nearby.
Seeing that, Leonard felt his stomach sink.
This was the perfect opportunity to cut ties with Harold Beom, but even he could not easily ignore the influence of the guild leaders who formed the backbone of Herod’s industry.
Finally, one of the guild leaders spoke up cautiously.
“Your Majesty. It may be difficult, but considering Sir Beom’s sincerity…”
Dammit. Am I going to have to let this slide again?!
Leonard was grinding his teeth, his fists clenched tightly.
Just then, there was an urgent knock, and an attendant entered. He hurried to Leonard and presented a letter sent by an informant.
Leonard quickly tore it open. The eyes of everyone in the office were fixed on him.
The King’s lips, usually hidden by his stern beard, began to tremble slightly, the corners twitching upward.
“What news is it, Your Majesty?”
At Usher’s question, Leonard burst into a thunderous laugh, unable to contain himself.
“Bwahahahaha! As expected! She is truly my daughter-in-law!”
At the booming voice, Harold Beom’s eyes grew as wide as saucers.
“Is there news from Polder?”
“Yes, Usher! Hahahaha! Olivia has been recognized as the joint patent holder of the Magic Dome! She’s also going to collect five years and eight months' worth of unpaid royalties from the Wilhelm Company!”
Leonard glared at Harold Beom with shimmering eyes and laughed ominously.
“Heh heh heh, you rat.”
“Ahem, cough…”
“This is a catastrophe.”
Harold Beom couldn't tell if the King was speaking to him or to Ansen Wilhelm.
“Then… will the Duchess of Rosemond be establishing an independent Magic Dome company in Herod?”
Leonard turned to the guild leader who asked the question and puffed out his chest.
“Of course! There is no longer any need for Herod to entrust its security to the likes of Ansen Wilhelm!”
“……”
“Because my daughter-in-law, Olivia Rosemond Astrid, has become the new master of the Magic Dome!”
One could almost hear the gears turning in the guild leaders' heads.
Leonard’s gaze swept over them like a lion eyeing its prey before settling on Harold Beom. Then, he asked very leisurely:
“What was that you were saying about how I should handle Harold Beom?”
The moment the King’s question fell, the guild leader who had just tried to protect Harold Beom shouted at the top of his lungs.
“How can we leave someone who conspired with Ansen Wilhelm to slander the Duchess of Rosemond unpunished, Your Majesty?!”
“He is right, Your Majesty!”
Hah, these fickle bats.
Leonard sneered inwardly but maintained his regal dignity as he commanded.
“Indeed. I have clearly seen your loyalty.”
“……”
“Harold Beom. I cannot allow someone who assisted in spreading rumors about my daughter-in-law without verifying the truth to remain on the Council, which must be fair.”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“Using my sovereign authority, I hereby permanently expel you from the Herod Council. I hope to never see your face again.”
“You… you cannot do this, Your Majesty!”
As Leonard waved his hand, dismissing him, the waiting Royal Guards dragged Harold Beom out of the office.
None of the guild leaders raised an objection.
Leonard felt as if a weight he’d carried for ten years had finally been lifted.
With a moved expression, he read the letter over and over again, then immediately summoned the Queen. As soon as Beatrix entered the office, he shouted:
“Queen! Prepare a banquet for Olivia. Make it the grandest affair this kingdom has ever seen!”