Episode 25. Grandmother's Death
By the time her butt started to hurt from the rattling carriage, Olivia finally arrived at the Pulder Central Library.
Even though it was so cold that white vapors would break out with every breath, there were quite a few people gathered.
The people waiting glanced at Olivia as she quickly ran up the stairs of the magnificent library, which was shaped like an ancient temple.
The security guard greeted Olivia warmly as she quickly entered the employee-only entrance.
“Good morning, Miss Liberty!”
"Hello?"
The guard, watching the back of the person who was quickly disappearing, let out a small sigh and muttered.
"Ugh. What's a top Herrington College graduate doing here?"
She was working here as a librarian.
A year ago, after she declined Ansen's offer of a full-time position, Olivia cut off all ties with him. It was a decision she made after much deliberation.
After that, she visited several companies to try to find work, but was rejected for the same reasons Ansen had mentioned. Meanwhile, her grandmother's condition worsened, and Olivia had no choice but to find a job quickly.
It wasn't bad, though.
Huge bookshelves lined up on both sides, chandeliers hanging from the magnificent arched ceiling, and a large fireplace burning fiercely on one wall.
Olivia ran to her seat, her staff jacket on.
She can't do anything with what she studied all through college, but where can she get work done under her own name?
On her way back today, Olivia needs to buy a gift for Princess Lucy. And some strong hot chocolate powder, her favorite. She's not sure if she'll like it, though.
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the company, Pulder Wilhelm, Ansen's office.
Ansen stared intently at the report submitted by the chief researcher, then slapped it aside with a nervous wave of his hand.
The researcher who had been waiting, clenched his lips tightly, his shoulders trembling at his chill.
“So you don’t know what the cause is?”
"...Sorry."
"Look. It's been over half a year since we started this project, and the costs are considerable. The date we promised investors to release the upgraded version of the Magic Dome is approaching!!"
We need to go through everything from installation to test driving, so what are we going to do if we're still holding onto the blueprints?!
Ansen unbuttoned the button that was choking his neck and rose from his seat. The researcher, who had been observing his hardened brow, finally cautiously spoke the words he had always wanted to say.
“Sir, that... that guy named Oliver.”
Ansen's eyes darkened at the word Oliver.
“I told you, he’s dead.”
“...Yes. I’ll do my best.”
"Not the best, but the best. Prove it with results. Don't just talk about it."
The senior researcher had no choice but to bow his head deeply despite the insulting remark.
As he stepped outside, Ansen hurled the trashy report against the wall with all his might. His thick neck jerked violently up and down, and his eyes darkened and swayed.
"I will no longer live as Oliver. I will cease all my work as Oliver, so please do not come to see me again."
It's ridiculous.
It's amazing.
She is a fragile and insignificant woman who seems like she could be held in one's hand, but for some reason, it is harder to meet her than the First Lady.
It's funny.
What's wrong with something like that?
“Rousseau.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Olivia Liberty, is she still working at the Central Library?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
He didn't think she would do something that wouldn't even make use of her major because of her pride, but it seems she was in a hurry.
Ansen slowly brushed back his messy brown hair. His smooth brown eyes sparkled like glass beads.
"Contact the head of the central library privately. I'd like to meet with him sometime soon."
"All right."
While the secretary bowed her head and took notes in her notebook, Ansen turned and looked out the window.
Beyond a certain section, the roof of a magnificent library was visible.
Let's do more, Olivia.
If you had cried and begged me, I wouldn't have thrown all your job prospects into jeopardy and left you to live like a beggar.
What? Don't you ever look for Oliver again?
You dare to tell me?
Nowhere in the man's face reflected in the window did the face of Herrington College student Ansen remain.
Only Ansen, the head of Wilhelm Corporation, remains.
Since it was winter in Pulder, the days were much shorter than in summer.
As the slanted red sunlight filtered through the stained glass, colorful patterns were painted across Olivia's face.
After saying goodbye to her coworker and saying goodbye tomorrow, she got up from her seat, quickly changed her clothes, and left the library.
The snow had disappeared silently during the day, only accumulating lightly at the foot of the stairs and in the shade. Olivia, feeling a pang of regret, glanced around, then cautiously descended the frozen stairs.
First, she planned to go to a nearby shopping district and buy a gift for Princess Lucy. Since she mentioned she wanted to keep a secret diary, she thought she should buy a leather notebook with a lock.
It was as if she had gone back to being twenty years old again, and she was quickening her pace.
“Olivia!”
It was a screaming call.
At that moment, her heart started pounding rapidly.
Olivia turned her head towards the sound and saw Mrs. McPhee's daughter waving from the carriage.
“We have to go! Get on quickly!”
Her heart, which had been filled with excitement at the thought of buying a gift, disappeared silently like sea foam.
The noisy surroundings faded away, and the world seemed to darken as a gloomy darkness fell over her.
She wanted to run fast, but her legs were shaking, so she couldn't run.
Olivia walked desperately towards the carriage.
Something trickled down her face, but she didn't have time to recognize it. As she reached the carriage, Mrs. McPhee's daughter held out her hand.
“Why, what, what’s going on?”
When Olivia asked tremblingly from the carriage that had barely managed to get up, Mrs. McPhee's daughter nodded with a pitiful expression.
“The doctor is here right now, and he told me to call your nanny family.”
"Ah..."
She was fine until morning, so why all of a sudden?
Olivia curled up.
Her whole body is shaking, and she is cold.
She felt Mrs. McPhee's daughter hugging her back, but the cold didn't go away.
Grandma... Grandma, please...
Susanna Marks.
Born a commoner in Herod, she and her husband amassed considerable wealth. The Marks family, a commoner, was once so wealthy that it was rumored to have more wealth than even the most modest nobles.
At the height of her wealth, a precious granddaughter was born to her only son and beautiful daughter-in-law, and Susanna promised her young granddaughter that she would give her a life worthy of the nobles.
In fact, he raised Olivia like Herod's Princess.
Until one night, when the carriage carrying her husband, son, and his wife overturned.
The bodies of the three people were so gruesome that one would not even wonder if they were alive.
An even more tragic event occurred after their funeral.
Because Herod did not recognize women's property rights, all of her husband's property was transferred to a distant relative.
No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't protect it.
Where is this law? Where is this unjust law?!
Then what about my granddaughter!!
No matter how much she cried, there was no answer.
Susanna was left with nothing except an emergency fund that had not been registered as an asset.
The relative who took all her wealth threatened her not to come back. She later heard that he gambled away all his wealth and committed suicide.
Herod was a world where it was difficult for a woman to survive alone. Even Olivia's admission required her to ask a male relative to act as her guardian.
When even Olivia's admission was delayed, Susanna finally took her young granddaughter's hand and boldly left Herod.
At the same time, she abandoned her surname, Marks, and applied for immigration to Pulder under the name Liberty.
That was already 12 years ago.
The situation wasn't easy either. Still, at least Susanna was recognized as Olivia's guardian.
Olivia's academic achievements were the only light in her gloomy life.
Still, she raised this child to be the first female college student.
At one time, it was her pride.
"Mrs. Liberty, take care of Olivia. Don't you know she always cries a lot before she goes home?"
Until she heard that story from her neighbor, Mrs. McPhee.
"Our Olivia? Of course not. She's so cheerful and enjoys her school life."
When she said that in embarrassment, Mrs. McPhee sighed with a bitter face.
"Look, ma'am. Class still exists. Those of noble birth form their own groups, separating themselves from commoners. The university Olivia attends is mostly filled with noble children, and they're also quite old. Keep an eye on her. She cries every day these days."
The day when she was surprised and pushed Olivia.
The granddaughter smiled, her eyes red from crying.
“Ah... It’s okay. I’ve accepted it. It’s not like I can’t stand it. It’s about this much.”
Susanna recalled a moment in the past when Olivia had cried and confessed her struggles. At the same time, she realized something.
She was so overcome with her own sorrow that she always turned a blind eye to her granddaughter.
You, the little one, were trying so hard to erase my sadness.
"Grandma."
A wet, pitiful voice is heard.
Yes, my baby.
"Grandma."
Susanna opened her eyes, mustering the last of her strength.
Although she couldn't see her granddaughter due to her already blurred vision, she couldn't help but notice.
Olivia.
Olivia.
But no matter how hard she tried to speak, her mouth wouldn't open.
In the slowly closing darkness, the sound of a child's crying hits her ears loudly.
"Grandma!!!"
Olivia. If I could go back to that time... if only I could.
I should have hugged you a little more.
If only I could go back to that day when you cried and said it was hard.
I wouldn't have torn you apart with those cruel words, telling you to accept the unfairness of the world...
I'm sorry.
By the time her butt started to hurt from the rattling carriage, Olivia finally arrived at the Pulder Central Library.
Even though it was so cold that white vapors would break out with every breath, there were quite a few people gathered.
The people waiting glanced at Olivia as she quickly ran up the stairs of the magnificent library, which was shaped like an ancient temple.
The security guard greeted Olivia warmly as she quickly entered the employee-only entrance.
“Good morning, Miss Liberty!”
"Hello?"
The guard, watching the back of the person who was quickly disappearing, let out a small sigh and muttered.
"Ugh. What's a top Herrington College graduate doing here?"
She was working here as a librarian.
A year ago, after she declined Ansen's offer of a full-time position, Olivia cut off all ties with him. It was a decision she made after much deliberation.
After that, she visited several companies to try to find work, but was rejected for the same reasons Ansen had mentioned. Meanwhile, her grandmother's condition worsened, and Olivia had no choice but to find a job quickly.
It wasn't bad, though.
Huge bookshelves lined up on both sides, chandeliers hanging from the magnificent arched ceiling, and a large fireplace burning fiercely on one wall.
Olivia ran to her seat, her staff jacket on.
She can't do anything with what she studied all through college, but where can she get work done under her own name?
On her way back today, Olivia needs to buy a gift for Princess Lucy. And some strong hot chocolate powder, her favorite. She's not sure if she'll like it, though.
***
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the company, Pulder Wilhelm, Ansen's office.
Ansen stared intently at the report submitted by the chief researcher, then slapped it aside with a nervous wave of his hand.
The researcher who had been waiting, clenched his lips tightly, his shoulders trembling at his chill.
“So you don’t know what the cause is?”
"...Sorry."
"Look. It's been over half a year since we started this project, and the costs are considerable. The date we promised investors to release the upgraded version of the Magic Dome is approaching!!"
We need to go through everything from installation to test driving, so what are we going to do if we're still holding onto the blueprints?!
Ansen unbuttoned the button that was choking his neck and rose from his seat. The researcher, who had been observing his hardened brow, finally cautiously spoke the words he had always wanted to say.
“Sir, that... that guy named Oliver.”
Ansen's eyes darkened at the word Oliver.
“I told you, he’s dead.”
“...Yes. I’ll do my best.”
"Not the best, but the best. Prove it with results. Don't just talk about it."
The senior researcher had no choice but to bow his head deeply despite the insulting remark.
As he stepped outside, Ansen hurled the trashy report against the wall with all his might. His thick neck jerked violently up and down, and his eyes darkened and swayed.
"I will no longer live as Oliver. I will cease all my work as Oliver, so please do not come to see me again."
It's ridiculous.
It's amazing.
She is a fragile and insignificant woman who seems like she could be held in one's hand, but for some reason, it is harder to meet her than the First Lady.
It's funny.
What's wrong with something like that?
“Rousseau.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Olivia Liberty, is she still working at the Central Library?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
He didn't think she would do something that wouldn't even make use of her major because of her pride, but it seems she was in a hurry.
Ansen slowly brushed back his messy brown hair. His smooth brown eyes sparkled like glass beads.
"Contact the head of the central library privately. I'd like to meet with him sometime soon."
"All right."
While the secretary bowed her head and took notes in her notebook, Ansen turned and looked out the window.
Beyond a certain section, the roof of a magnificent library was visible.
Let's do more, Olivia.
If you had cried and begged me, I wouldn't have thrown all your job prospects into jeopardy and left you to live like a beggar.
What? Don't you ever look for Oliver again?
You dare to tell me?
Nowhere in the man's face reflected in the window did the face of Herrington College student Ansen remain.
Only Ansen, the head of Wilhelm Corporation, remains.
***
Since it was winter in Pulder, the days were much shorter than in summer.
As the slanted red sunlight filtered through the stained glass, colorful patterns were painted across Olivia's face.
After saying goodbye to her coworker and saying goodbye tomorrow, she got up from her seat, quickly changed her clothes, and left the library.
The snow had disappeared silently during the day, only accumulating lightly at the foot of the stairs and in the shade. Olivia, feeling a pang of regret, glanced around, then cautiously descended the frozen stairs.
First, she planned to go to a nearby shopping district and buy a gift for Princess Lucy. Since she mentioned she wanted to keep a secret diary, she thought she should buy a leather notebook with a lock.
It was as if she had gone back to being twenty years old again, and she was quickening her pace.
“Olivia!”
It was a screaming call.
At that moment, her heart started pounding rapidly.
Olivia turned her head towards the sound and saw Mrs. McPhee's daughter waving from the carriage.
“We have to go! Get on quickly!”
Her heart, which had been filled with excitement at the thought of buying a gift, disappeared silently like sea foam.
The noisy surroundings faded away, and the world seemed to darken as a gloomy darkness fell over her.
She wanted to run fast, but her legs were shaking, so she couldn't run.
Olivia walked desperately towards the carriage.
Something trickled down her face, but she didn't have time to recognize it. As she reached the carriage, Mrs. McPhee's daughter held out her hand.
“Why, what, what’s going on?”
When Olivia asked tremblingly from the carriage that had barely managed to get up, Mrs. McPhee's daughter nodded with a pitiful expression.
“The doctor is here right now, and he told me to call your nanny family.”
"Ah..."
She was fine until morning, so why all of a sudden?
Olivia curled up.
Her whole body is shaking, and she is cold.
She felt Mrs. McPhee's daughter hugging her back, but the cold didn't go away.
Grandma... Grandma, please...
Susanna Marks.
Born a commoner in Herod, she and her husband amassed considerable wealth. The Marks family, a commoner, was once so wealthy that it was rumored to have more wealth than even the most modest nobles.
At the height of her wealth, a precious granddaughter was born to her only son and beautiful daughter-in-law, and Susanna promised her young granddaughter that she would give her a life worthy of the nobles.
In fact, he raised Olivia like Herod's Princess.
Until one night, when the carriage carrying her husband, son, and his wife overturned.
The bodies of the three people were so gruesome that one would not even wonder if they were alive.
An even more tragic event occurred after their funeral.
Because Herod did not recognize women's property rights, all of her husband's property was transferred to a distant relative.
No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't protect it.
Where is this law? Where is this unjust law?!
Then what about my granddaughter!!
No matter how much she cried, there was no answer.
Susanna was left with nothing except an emergency fund that had not been registered as an asset.
The relative who took all her wealth threatened her not to come back. She later heard that he gambled away all his wealth and committed suicide.
Herod was a world where it was difficult for a woman to survive alone. Even Olivia's admission required her to ask a male relative to act as her guardian.
When even Olivia's admission was delayed, Susanna finally took her young granddaughter's hand and boldly left Herod.
At the same time, she abandoned her surname, Marks, and applied for immigration to Pulder under the name Liberty.
That was already 12 years ago.
The situation wasn't easy either. Still, at least Susanna was recognized as Olivia's guardian.
Olivia's academic achievements were the only light in her gloomy life.
Still, she raised this child to be the first female college student.
At one time, it was her pride.
"Mrs. Liberty, take care of Olivia. Don't you know she always cries a lot before she goes home?"
Until she heard that story from her neighbor, Mrs. McPhee.
"Our Olivia? Of course not. She's so cheerful and enjoys her school life."
When she said that in embarrassment, Mrs. McPhee sighed with a bitter face.
"Look, ma'am. Class still exists. Those of noble birth form their own groups, separating themselves from commoners. The university Olivia attends is mostly filled with noble children, and they're also quite old. Keep an eye on her. She cries every day these days."
The day when she was surprised and pushed Olivia.
The granddaughter smiled, her eyes red from crying.
“Ah... It’s okay. I’ve accepted it. It’s not like I can’t stand it. It’s about this much.”
Susanna recalled a moment in the past when Olivia had cried and confessed her struggles. At the same time, she realized something.
She was so overcome with her own sorrow that she always turned a blind eye to her granddaughter.
You, the little one, were trying so hard to erase my sadness.
"Grandma."
A wet, pitiful voice is heard.
Yes, my baby.
"Grandma."
Susanna opened her eyes, mustering the last of her strength.
Although she couldn't see her granddaughter due to her already blurred vision, she couldn't help but notice.
Olivia.
Olivia.
But no matter how hard she tried to speak, her mouth wouldn't open.
In the slowly closing darkness, the sound of a child's crying hits her ears loudly.
"Grandma!!!"
Olivia. If I could go back to that time... if only I could.
I should have hugged you a little more.
If only I could go back to that day when you cried and said it was hard.
I wouldn't have torn you apart with those cruel words, telling you to accept the unfairness of the world...
I'm sorry.
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