Episode 5. King Leonard's Masterpiece
Noah Astrid showed up at the polo club after a long absence. Judging by the mocking smile on his face, he didn't look particularly happy.
Noah received a strong cocktail from the club waiter, leaned back on the sofa, and downed it in one gulp. The lump in his throat rose sharply, threatening to pierce the back of his neck.
As Noah lightly wiped his lips, wet with alcohol, with a handkerchief, and languidly lowered his reddish green eyes, someone nearby muttered a sigh.
“It’s a very unfair world.”
Then the person sitting across from him chimed in.
“Yes. I always think that way when I see Your Highness, the two Princes.”
A raucous laughter erupted, but Noah did not join in.
“Noah, would you like another drink?”
When Noah snapped his fingers instead of answering, the waiter who'd been summoned quickly placed another glass in his hand. He downed it in one gulp, then leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
The prodigal sons, who were glancing at Noah, quietly brought up the topic they had been discussing among themselves.
“Noah, is that true?”
Noah slowly opened his eyes and just rolled his pupils.
"What."
The voice was tightly hushed and cracked.
“That woman is coming! Olivia of Pulder!”
Noah's smirk deepened as he looked up with shining eyes.
“Pathetic little guys.”
“Your Highness, is it true that Olivia of Pulder is coming?”
When Noah didn't respond quickly, the impatient men gathered around him and began questioning him. Since there was no reason to keep it a secret, Noah nodded wearily.
“She is coming to clean up my uncle's poop for me.”
As soon as those words were out, cheers erupted from all directions.
"Those guys with nothing to do. That's all we've been talking about. I've been running around like crazy, my mouth smelling like snot."
As Noah shook his head and rose from his seat, his polo friends laughed and politely bowed.
“Thank you for your hard work, Your Highness.”
Noah chuckled at the sight and mercilessly poured cold water on the heads of those cheering.
“But everyone, don’t expect too much.”
The once bustling club suddenly became quiet. Matt, who was nearby, tilted his head.
"Why?"
Noah glanced at him with a cynical expression, then answered, putting his hands in his pockets.
“My aunt is coming with Miss Liberty because she is very worried about you guys.”
“...”
Marguerite Astrid. Her terrifying, cynical expression made Herod's prodigal sons' eyes turn cold.
Three weeks and two days.
This is the time it took Margot and Olivia to arrive at Pulder.
The sea voyage was full of unexpected variables, and Margot and Olivia arrived in Herod's capital, Haroldington, two days later than scheduled.
The problem was that the time of arrival was just before the autumn banquet.
The royal staff quickly brought dresses for Olivia and Margot to wear, but Margot sent Olivia's dress back as it was.
"This is a debutante dress! Do you think Olivia Liberty is here at Herod's to make her social debut?!"
As Noah had said, Margot was very worried about Herod's prodigal son, so she ended up dressing Olivia in the clothes she wanted.
Olivia, under Margot's direction, wore a neat and tidy white shirt, a dark green flared skirt that accentuated her waist and flared out, and polished black shoes.
Her hair was neatly braided and tied with a ribbon the same color as her skirt, and her bangs, which had a lot of hair left over, were neatly held back with a light green silk headband.
Even though her makeup was as light and simple as possible, Margot looked at Olivia with concern.
Whether or not she knew Margot's worries, Olivia couldn't take her eyes off the scenery of Herod unfolding outside the carriage.
A breeze blew through the slightly open window, carrying the scent of Herod, different from that of the Pulder. The slightly damp, cool, and distinctive Herod scent awakened Olivia's memories.
When she was young, the news of her parents' deaths struck like a bolt from the blue, turning Olivia's life upside down. Before the shock could even subside, Olivia left Herod and headed for Pulder.
For Olivia, Herod was a past life, a time when her parents were still alive. That's why she hadn't yet revoked her Herodian citizenship. Now that she was an adult, the moment to choose was imminent.
“Is it that good?”
At Margot's question, Olivia turned her head to face her.
"I've always wanted to come here. I remember just passing the Golden Lion. I remember eating ice cream in front of it with my parents."
“You said your hometown isn’t the capital?”
“Yes. I think I came here to play sometimes.”
Olivia turned her head again and looked out the window. Herod's flags were fluttering everywhere in the darkened streets.
Meanwhile, a carriage carrying two people quickly passed the main gate of the palace.
“Aren’t you scared?”
Olivia, who had been staring at the majestic golden bars with wide eyes, turned her head again to face Margot at the question.
There was silence for a moment.
Margot's harsh, stern blue gaze made even the King uncomfortable. But the tiny Olivia simply met her gaze with a calm expression and didn't back down.
Margot's expression turned mischievous.
“You shouldn’t stare at the eyes of other royals you meet in the palace like this.”
Then Olivia quickly lowered her gaze.
"Sorry."
“This is your first time at the palace. Aren’t you nervous?”
Olivia glanced up at Margot's question. How terrifying had the professor been at first?
Olivia took a deep breath of Herod's air, exhaled, and answered calmly.
“I’m nervous. I’m also a little scared. But...”
"However?"
"Still, I'm excited to be in Herod. If it weren't for the royal invitation, I probably wouldn't have been able to come to Herod while my grandmother was still alive."
At Olivia's calm words, Margo raised her lips and smiled.
Although she had a small build and an extremely delicate impression, she not only survived among male students who were older and of higher status than her, but she also managed to earn a top diploma.
"Yes, if you're excited, that's fine. You're a royal guest today, so there's no reason to be intimidated by anyone. Straighten your back, hold your head up, and behave like you would in Pulder."
Olivia nodded, her eyes shining at her words.
“Yes, I understand, Professor.”
At that moment, the carriage's speed gradually slowed. At the same time, Olivia's eyes widened slightly as she heard the commotion of people's voices and music.
The carriage came to a complete stop, and someone opened the carriage door, letting in a faint light.
Margot got off first, and Olivia followed her.
As she stood on the soft grass and looked up, Herod's magnificent palace seemed to be looming over her.
Meanwhile, the beautifully adorned young ladies of each family entered the Crystal Hall, where the autumn banquet was in full swing.
Among the debutantes who entered with their mothers on their right and their chaperones on their left, the one who stood out the most was Isabel of the Seymour family.
Isabel, with her reddish brown hair elegantly tied up, appeared accompanied by Madame Jouverne, a legendary figure in the chaperone world.
Isabel, who was standing with her posture slightly more elegant, conscious of the pouring gazes, was drawn to someone like iron to a magnet.
It wasn't just Isabel.
Leonard II's masterpiece, Usher Astrid and Noah Astrid.
Two Princes, who were not twins but were the same age, were standing side by side and talking.
Their appearances were so strikingly similar, and even their heights and builds were similar, that it was difficult to tell who was the Prince and who was the Crown Prince just by looking at their backs.
But crucially, the eye color was different, and the atmosphere they gave off was different.
Both are blond, but Crown Prince Usher has blue eyes, and Noah has green eyes.
Noah's manners and manners were surprisingly more perfect than the Crown Prince's, but strangely enough, Noah had a secretly debauched and strangely decadent air about him.
In contrast, Crown Prince Usher had a gentle and upright air, so at some point, people stopped saying that the two looked alike.
“Isn’t it almost time for her to arrive?”
When Usher asked, Noah nodded.
"They said she arrived at the port an hour ago, so she should be here soon. My uncle said he'd attend the autumn banquet, but he's been absent since my aunt is coming."
Usher laughed at Noah's words. Then, glancing at Noah's tired expression, he spoke bitterly.
“You worked hard.”
Noah only slightly shook his head in response to his remarks.
At that moment, their mother, Queen Beatrix, was making light conversation with the people and approached the two.
As Usher casually escorted his mother, Noah moved to stand on the other side. The middle-aged ladies looked enviously at Queen Beatrix, escorted by her two grown sons.
Beatrix looked at Noah's face with concern.
"Your father sent you to too many events. How are you feeling?"
“Don’t worry, Mother. It would be nice if the King were concerned.”
Beatrix shook her head slightly and glanced at her husband, who was conversing with the nobles.
“I’ll have to ask Princess Marguerite to nag him when she comes.”
“I’m sure you’ll just dismiss it as nagging, but will it be effective?”
“Noah.”
Noah cocked his eyebrows when Usher, who was escorting his mother, called out to him in a scolding tone.
“Is Lucy still locked in my room?”
“She said she was annoyed that we were having a party without her.”
“Please send her to school. She's bored of being stuck in the palace all day.”
Usher agreed with Noah's words.
“St. Scott’s Girls’ School would be a good place.”
Beatrix sighed self-deprecatingly and glanced at the King again.
"If it were up to me, I would have done it long ago. I'll have to ask the Princess for that too. I hope she'll come soon. I'm also curious about that girl from the Pulder. Her name was Olivia, I think?"
"Isn't it wonderful to be selected as Herrington's top graduate?" the Queen muttered.
The commotion that started at the entrance of the banquet hall spread like waves and reached them.
As Beatrix turned, Noah and Usher followed suit. Leonard, who had been conversing with the nobles, muttered that it was time to come and approached the Queen.
As Usher stepped aside, making way for his father, the King and Queen clasped hands. Usher and Noah each stood a step behind the King and Queen.
In the still, crystal hall, the sound of brisk footsteps and relatively small footsteps echoed in unison.
Noah Astrid showed up at the polo club after a long absence. Judging by the mocking smile on his face, he didn't look particularly happy.
Noah received a strong cocktail from the club waiter, leaned back on the sofa, and downed it in one gulp. The lump in his throat rose sharply, threatening to pierce the back of his neck.
As Noah lightly wiped his lips, wet with alcohol, with a handkerchief, and languidly lowered his reddish green eyes, someone nearby muttered a sigh.
“It’s a very unfair world.”
Then the person sitting across from him chimed in.
“Yes. I always think that way when I see Your Highness, the two Princes.”
A raucous laughter erupted, but Noah did not join in.
“Noah, would you like another drink?”
When Noah snapped his fingers instead of answering, the waiter who'd been summoned quickly placed another glass in his hand. He downed it in one gulp, then leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
The prodigal sons, who were glancing at Noah, quietly brought up the topic they had been discussing among themselves.
“Noah, is that true?”
Noah slowly opened his eyes and just rolled his pupils.
"What."
The voice was tightly hushed and cracked.
“That woman is coming! Olivia of Pulder!”
Noah's smirk deepened as he looked up with shining eyes.
“Pathetic little guys.”
“Your Highness, is it true that Olivia of Pulder is coming?”
When Noah didn't respond quickly, the impatient men gathered around him and began questioning him. Since there was no reason to keep it a secret, Noah nodded wearily.
“She is coming to clean up my uncle's poop for me.”
As soon as those words were out, cheers erupted from all directions.
"Those guys with nothing to do. That's all we've been talking about. I've been running around like crazy, my mouth smelling like snot."
As Noah shook his head and rose from his seat, his polo friends laughed and politely bowed.
“Thank you for your hard work, Your Highness.”
Noah chuckled at the sight and mercilessly poured cold water on the heads of those cheering.
“But everyone, don’t expect too much.”
The once bustling club suddenly became quiet. Matt, who was nearby, tilted his head.
"Why?"
Noah glanced at him with a cynical expression, then answered, putting his hands in his pockets.
“My aunt is coming with Miss Liberty because she is very worried about you guys.”
“...”
Marguerite Astrid. Her terrifying, cynical expression made Herod's prodigal sons' eyes turn cold.
***
Three weeks and two days.
This is the time it took Margot and Olivia to arrive at Pulder.
The sea voyage was full of unexpected variables, and Margot and Olivia arrived in Herod's capital, Haroldington, two days later than scheduled.
The problem was that the time of arrival was just before the autumn banquet.
The royal staff quickly brought dresses for Olivia and Margot to wear, but Margot sent Olivia's dress back as it was.
"This is a debutante dress! Do you think Olivia Liberty is here at Herod's to make her social debut?!"
As Noah had said, Margot was very worried about Herod's prodigal son, so she ended up dressing Olivia in the clothes she wanted.
Olivia, under Margot's direction, wore a neat and tidy white shirt, a dark green flared skirt that accentuated her waist and flared out, and polished black shoes.
Her hair was neatly braided and tied with a ribbon the same color as her skirt, and her bangs, which had a lot of hair left over, were neatly held back with a light green silk headband.
Even though her makeup was as light and simple as possible, Margot looked at Olivia with concern.
Whether or not she knew Margot's worries, Olivia couldn't take her eyes off the scenery of Herod unfolding outside the carriage.
A breeze blew through the slightly open window, carrying the scent of Herod, different from that of the Pulder. The slightly damp, cool, and distinctive Herod scent awakened Olivia's memories.
When she was young, the news of her parents' deaths struck like a bolt from the blue, turning Olivia's life upside down. Before the shock could even subside, Olivia left Herod and headed for Pulder.
For Olivia, Herod was a past life, a time when her parents were still alive. That's why she hadn't yet revoked her Herodian citizenship. Now that she was an adult, the moment to choose was imminent.
“Is it that good?”
At Margot's question, Olivia turned her head to face her.
"I've always wanted to come here. I remember just passing the Golden Lion. I remember eating ice cream in front of it with my parents."
“You said your hometown isn’t the capital?”
“Yes. I think I came here to play sometimes.”
Olivia turned her head again and looked out the window. Herod's flags were fluttering everywhere in the darkened streets.
Meanwhile, a carriage carrying two people quickly passed the main gate of the palace.
“Aren’t you scared?”
Olivia, who had been staring at the majestic golden bars with wide eyes, turned her head again to face Margot at the question.
There was silence for a moment.
Margot's harsh, stern blue gaze made even the King uncomfortable. But the tiny Olivia simply met her gaze with a calm expression and didn't back down.
Margot's expression turned mischievous.
“You shouldn’t stare at the eyes of other royals you meet in the palace like this.”
Then Olivia quickly lowered her gaze.
"Sorry."
“This is your first time at the palace. Aren’t you nervous?”
Olivia glanced up at Margot's question. How terrifying had the professor been at first?
Olivia took a deep breath of Herod's air, exhaled, and answered calmly.
“I’m nervous. I’m also a little scared. But...”
"However?"
"Still, I'm excited to be in Herod. If it weren't for the royal invitation, I probably wouldn't have been able to come to Herod while my grandmother was still alive."
At Olivia's calm words, Margo raised her lips and smiled.
Although she had a small build and an extremely delicate impression, she not only survived among male students who were older and of higher status than her, but she also managed to earn a top diploma.
"Yes, if you're excited, that's fine. You're a royal guest today, so there's no reason to be intimidated by anyone. Straighten your back, hold your head up, and behave like you would in Pulder."
Olivia nodded, her eyes shining at her words.
“Yes, I understand, Professor.”
At that moment, the carriage's speed gradually slowed. At the same time, Olivia's eyes widened slightly as she heard the commotion of people's voices and music.
The carriage came to a complete stop, and someone opened the carriage door, letting in a faint light.
Margot got off first, and Olivia followed her.
As she stood on the soft grass and looked up, Herod's magnificent palace seemed to be looming over her.
Meanwhile, the beautifully adorned young ladies of each family entered the Crystal Hall, where the autumn banquet was in full swing.
Among the debutantes who entered with their mothers on their right and their chaperones on their left, the one who stood out the most was Isabel of the Seymour family.
Isabel, with her reddish brown hair elegantly tied up, appeared accompanied by Madame Jouverne, a legendary figure in the chaperone world.
Isabel, who was standing with her posture slightly more elegant, conscious of the pouring gazes, was drawn to someone like iron to a magnet.
It wasn't just Isabel.
Leonard II's masterpiece, Usher Astrid and Noah Astrid.
Two Princes, who were not twins but were the same age, were standing side by side and talking.
Their appearances were so strikingly similar, and even their heights and builds were similar, that it was difficult to tell who was the Prince and who was the Crown Prince just by looking at their backs.
But crucially, the eye color was different, and the atmosphere they gave off was different.
Both are blond, but Crown Prince Usher has blue eyes, and Noah has green eyes.
Noah's manners and manners were surprisingly more perfect than the Crown Prince's, but strangely enough, Noah had a secretly debauched and strangely decadent air about him.
In contrast, Crown Prince Usher had a gentle and upright air, so at some point, people stopped saying that the two looked alike.
“Isn’t it almost time for her to arrive?”
When Usher asked, Noah nodded.
"They said she arrived at the port an hour ago, so she should be here soon. My uncle said he'd attend the autumn banquet, but he's been absent since my aunt is coming."
Usher laughed at Noah's words. Then, glancing at Noah's tired expression, he spoke bitterly.
“You worked hard.”
Noah only slightly shook his head in response to his remarks.
At that moment, their mother, Queen Beatrix, was making light conversation with the people and approached the two.
As Usher casually escorted his mother, Noah moved to stand on the other side. The middle-aged ladies looked enviously at Queen Beatrix, escorted by her two grown sons.
Beatrix looked at Noah's face with concern.
"Your father sent you to too many events. How are you feeling?"
“Don’t worry, Mother. It would be nice if the King were concerned.”
Beatrix shook her head slightly and glanced at her husband, who was conversing with the nobles.
“I’ll have to ask Princess Marguerite to nag him when she comes.”
“I’m sure you’ll just dismiss it as nagging, but will it be effective?”
“Noah.”
Noah cocked his eyebrows when Usher, who was escorting his mother, called out to him in a scolding tone.
“Is Lucy still locked in my room?”
“She said she was annoyed that we were having a party without her.”
“Please send her to school. She's bored of being stuck in the palace all day.”
Usher agreed with Noah's words.
“St. Scott’s Girls’ School would be a good place.”
Beatrix sighed self-deprecatingly and glanced at the King again.
"If it were up to me, I would have done it long ago. I'll have to ask the Princess for that too. I hope she'll come soon. I'm also curious about that girl from the Pulder. Her name was Olivia, I think?"
"Isn't it wonderful to be selected as Herrington's top graduate?" the Queen muttered.
The commotion that started at the entrance of the banquet hall spread like waves and reached them.
As Beatrix turned, Noah and Usher followed suit. Leonard, who had been conversing with the nobles, muttered that it was time to come and approached the Queen.
As Usher stepped aside, making way for his father, the King and Queen clasped hands. Usher and Noah each stood a step behind the King and Queen.
In the still, crystal hall, the sound of brisk footsteps and relatively small footsteps echoed in unison.
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