Episode 26. A Gorgeous Substitute
Bang! Bang!
Noah, who had endured the flashing camera lights, finally covered his eyes with his hand. Then, the reporters, who had been excitedly flashing their cameras, all looked up from their cameras and stared at Noah.
The reporter who was sitting next to him and conducting the interview glanced at him with an embarrassed smile.
“Your Highness... the Prince?”
Noah lowered his hand and slowly looked at the reporter. The reporter, unable to look at him due to the utter weariness in the Prince's eyes, slowly lowered his gaze.
Noah sighed and pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. Two hours had already passed since this tedious interview began.
“Let’s stop here.”
The royal flower has been acting strange lately.
He wasn't originally very cooperative in interviews, but in the past year, he's become, shall we say, more uncooperative.
The reporter who was interviewing him quickly asked a question, shaking his butt in a hurry.
"Just one more question. The fundamental reason you left the Navy was because of the management of the Norfolk Investment Company you were running, correct?"
Noah chuckled at that question.
What kind of hearing is this?
Noah stood up and stared down at him. The reporter, noticing his impressively built physique, swallowed involuntarily.
Noah was disillusioned with the reporter who asked him rude questions without hesitation, and he spat out each and every word.
"I've given several interviews saying I was discharged after completing my mandatory royal service. It was also in today's newspaper, so please check it out."
"Ha, but it's true that the kingdom's citizens are very worried because the discharge was so sudden. Shouldn't you consider their concerns? If His Highness, the Prince who commands the navy's greatest strength, were to step down..."
Noah, who was about to turn around the sofa and go outside, eventually stopped and turned back.
Now, you're not trying to interview me, you're trying to train me.
Noah didn't have the patience to let that happen.
“It seems Herod is very concerned about the national defense, but don’t worry, it won’t collapse just because of me.”
Then he turned around and walked away.
The reporter, who could not dare say anything more to the Prince, slumped his shoulders and made a tearful face.
Isabelle entered the polo club with her brother Matt.
Isabelle Seymour, who became a rising star in the social world with her debut last season, suddenly started frequenting polo clubs, rejecting all the love letters and meetings that came her way.
When Isabelle appeared at the Polo Club, a social gathering place for male aristocrats, everyone at first looked at her with suspicion, but soon after, the noble ladies who heard the rumors also began to visit the Polo Club one by one with their male families.
The polo club was not a secret place, and there was certainly no rule that women were not allowed in.
Men also seemed to welcome the women's presence, and polo club meetings became a trend over the past year.
When Isabelle entered, several young ladies were already gathered together and chatting.
“Young Lady Seymour!”
As one young lady approached her with a smile on her face, the other young ladies also surrounded Isabelle.
With her red hair flowing down to her waist and her pale blue eyes shining, Isabelle was a vibrant and charming lady. Not only the young women, but also the young men, were quick to glance at her, their eyes gleaming with excitement at her appearance.
"Long time no see."
“I’ve been waiting for you to come. Come here.”
But the person Isabelle was waiting for was nowhere to be seen.
A Young Lady, who was nearby, whispered.
“He hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Do you know who I’m waiting for?”
"Rumors are going around that the Prince is in love with Lady Seymour. I envy you."
At the young lady's words, Isabelle smiled shyly and covered her mouth with her hand.
Rumors about Prince Noah's love interest had been rife from the beginning. It was as if even a simple eye contact would spark a rumor.
But most of these rumors were just tricks to get involved with the Prince. But this time, things were a little different.
First of all, the person rumored to be the target was Isabelle Seymour.
“Oh, when are he coming?”
How many meaningless conversations must have been exchanged while caressing the dark blue dress she was wearing?
The heavy black door opened, and a different air washed over her. Even without looking, she sensed his presence.
Isabelle held her breath, memorizing the sound of his approaching footsteps. When she raised her head, paying close attention to every single eyebrow, he was passing her without a second thought.
A black frock coat that fit his slender body perfectly, a walk that seemed to be measured with a ruler without a single inch of error, his blonde hair slicked back, and his face sharp as a veil.
Noah Astrid is here.
The musk scent he uses in winter reached her nose with a gentle breeze.
Isabelle followed him cautiously, and the people winked at Isabelle and slowly walked away.
Meanwhile, Noah took off his coat, hung it carelessly on the back of the sofa, and leaned back lazily. Then, as if it were a given, Isabelle brought him his usual cocktail and handed it to him.
Not caring about the pouring gaze.
Isabelle smiled prettily, her eyes wide.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”
Noah took the cocktail from her.
Late last year, she made a rather cheeky proposal.
"Your Highness, would you like to make a deal with me? It's nothing complicated. Just sit with me at the Polo Club."
Noah tilted his head and laughed, astonished at the suggestion.
“A deal? Why?”
"I don't want to be sold on the marriage market. Recently, someone proposed to me, and I just can't shake it off. If rumors spread that something is going on between Your Highness the Prince and me, he'll probably fall out too."
Even though there was no such person, Isabelle lied. This indifferent Prince wouldn't go to the trouble of confirming such a thing.
“What do I gain?”
"Your Highness, aren't you feeling pressured to marry? Still, if rumors of our relationship spread, you'll feel at ease for a while. I'll be your shield."
This was Madame Zuberne's plan, which accurately captured Noah's boredom.
"I would, but your honor could be ruined. I won't care about that."
Yeah. It's an expression that doesn't seem like it would care at all.
“Don’t worry about my honor. I’ll take care of that.”
Noah stared intently into Isabelle's eyes, seemingly trying to gauge her intentions, before remaining silent. He eventually accepted her offer. Well, they say similar flyers are circulated every day anyway.
“As long as you don’t ask me for your honor in any way... it wouldn’t be bad.”
If Mrs. Seymour had heard this, she would have grabbed Isabelle by the hair and said, "Not this kid!"
“But there is just one condition.”
“Speak.”
“I will definitely get married within two years, so please don’t get married before me.”
Because I will marry you within two years.
“You don’t want to be a woman who gets dumped?”
"Yes."
I'm thinking of spreading rumors about the Prince to raise my price, but if I end up being the one who gets dumped, my price will actually go down?
Noah nodded lazily, thinking that it was a really interesting calculation.
“Yes.”
Thus, the two occasionally shared the same table under a secret agreement. Rumors spread, reaching a point where even the Queen asked him about his relationship with Isabelle.
There were so many people who were interested in other people's lives.
She shared the same table, but she didn't bother him and didn't want anything more than that.
All she did was hand him the two cocktails he was drinking, or sometimes even take care of his mallet before a polo match. All Noah had to do was accept it.
So, from Noah's point of view, this contract was very convenient.
"Lady Seymour, remember this well. Prince Noah is a man who's fed up with life. He hates hassles. Give him the impression that you're comfortable with him. Forget about dating. He's not that kind of man. Approach him as if you were dating after marriage. Understood?"
Whether Isabelle was sitting across from him or not, whether dozens of pairs of eyes were on them or not, Noah just sat back lazily as he always did, drank just the amount of cocktail he needed, and then stood up neatly.
Then he nodded to Isabelle and left without looking back.
That kind of indifference made her sad for no reason, but it also gave her the confidence that she could get her hands on that man.
Yeah. Just get married and make them love you.
The important thing is that you have that man.
The carriage carrying Noah crossed the dark streets of Harrington.
Isabelle Seymour.
It wasn't a bad choice. Give what you want and take what you want. It's neat.
Certainly, after the rumor spread, the King's wedding pestering decreased.
'The Seymour family? ... Well, they may have a lot of money, but they're not exactly a great family. Well...'
He was neither the Crown Prince nor a Prince in high demand on the marriage market; he was merely a Prince of rumor. The King lost interest at that point.
Bang! Bang!
Noah, who had endured the flashing camera lights, finally covered his eyes with his hand. Then, the reporters, who had been excitedly flashing their cameras, all looked up from their cameras and stared at Noah.
The reporter who was sitting next to him and conducting the interview glanced at him with an embarrassed smile.
“Your Highness... the Prince?”
Noah lowered his hand and slowly looked at the reporter. The reporter, unable to look at him due to the utter weariness in the Prince's eyes, slowly lowered his gaze.
Noah sighed and pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. Two hours had already passed since this tedious interview began.
“Let’s stop here.”
The royal flower has been acting strange lately.
He wasn't originally very cooperative in interviews, but in the past year, he's become, shall we say, more uncooperative.
The reporter who was interviewing him quickly asked a question, shaking his butt in a hurry.
"Just one more question. The fundamental reason you left the Navy was because of the management of the Norfolk Investment Company you were running, correct?"
Noah chuckled at that question.
What kind of hearing is this?
Noah stood up and stared down at him. The reporter, noticing his impressively built physique, swallowed involuntarily.
Noah was disillusioned with the reporter who asked him rude questions without hesitation, and he spat out each and every word.
"I've given several interviews saying I was discharged after completing my mandatory royal service. It was also in today's newspaper, so please check it out."
"Ha, but it's true that the kingdom's citizens are very worried because the discharge was so sudden. Shouldn't you consider their concerns? If His Highness, the Prince who commands the navy's greatest strength, were to step down..."
Noah, who was about to turn around the sofa and go outside, eventually stopped and turned back.
Now, you're not trying to interview me, you're trying to train me.
Noah didn't have the patience to let that happen.
“It seems Herod is very concerned about the national defense, but don’t worry, it won’t collapse just because of me.”
Then he turned around and walked away.
The reporter, who could not dare say anything more to the Prince, slumped his shoulders and made a tearful face.
***
Isabelle entered the polo club with her brother Matt.
Isabelle Seymour, who became a rising star in the social world with her debut last season, suddenly started frequenting polo clubs, rejecting all the love letters and meetings that came her way.
When Isabelle appeared at the Polo Club, a social gathering place for male aristocrats, everyone at first looked at her with suspicion, but soon after, the noble ladies who heard the rumors also began to visit the Polo Club one by one with their male families.
The polo club was not a secret place, and there was certainly no rule that women were not allowed in.
Men also seemed to welcome the women's presence, and polo club meetings became a trend over the past year.
When Isabelle entered, several young ladies were already gathered together and chatting.
“Young Lady Seymour!”
As one young lady approached her with a smile on her face, the other young ladies also surrounded Isabelle.
With her red hair flowing down to her waist and her pale blue eyes shining, Isabelle was a vibrant and charming lady. Not only the young women, but also the young men, were quick to glance at her, their eyes gleaming with excitement at her appearance.
"Long time no see."
“I’ve been waiting for you to come. Come here.”
But the person Isabelle was waiting for was nowhere to be seen.
A Young Lady, who was nearby, whispered.
“He hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Do you know who I’m waiting for?”
"Rumors are going around that the Prince is in love with Lady Seymour. I envy you."
At the young lady's words, Isabelle smiled shyly and covered her mouth with her hand.
Rumors about Prince Noah's love interest had been rife from the beginning. It was as if even a simple eye contact would spark a rumor.
But most of these rumors were just tricks to get involved with the Prince. But this time, things were a little different.
First of all, the person rumored to be the target was Isabelle Seymour.
“Oh, when are he coming?”
How many meaningless conversations must have been exchanged while caressing the dark blue dress she was wearing?
The heavy black door opened, and a different air washed over her. Even without looking, she sensed his presence.
Isabelle held her breath, memorizing the sound of his approaching footsteps. When she raised her head, paying close attention to every single eyebrow, he was passing her without a second thought.
A black frock coat that fit his slender body perfectly, a walk that seemed to be measured with a ruler without a single inch of error, his blonde hair slicked back, and his face sharp as a veil.
Noah Astrid is here.
The musk scent he uses in winter reached her nose with a gentle breeze.
Isabelle followed him cautiously, and the people winked at Isabelle and slowly walked away.
Meanwhile, Noah took off his coat, hung it carelessly on the back of the sofa, and leaned back lazily. Then, as if it were a given, Isabelle brought him his usual cocktail and handed it to him.
Not caring about the pouring gaze.
Isabelle smiled prettily, her eyes wide.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”
Noah took the cocktail from her.
Late last year, she made a rather cheeky proposal.
"Your Highness, would you like to make a deal with me? It's nothing complicated. Just sit with me at the Polo Club."
Noah tilted his head and laughed, astonished at the suggestion.
“A deal? Why?”
"I don't want to be sold on the marriage market. Recently, someone proposed to me, and I just can't shake it off. If rumors spread that something is going on between Your Highness the Prince and me, he'll probably fall out too."
Even though there was no such person, Isabelle lied. This indifferent Prince wouldn't go to the trouble of confirming such a thing.
“What do I gain?”
"Your Highness, aren't you feeling pressured to marry? Still, if rumors of our relationship spread, you'll feel at ease for a while. I'll be your shield."
This was Madame Zuberne's plan, which accurately captured Noah's boredom.
"I would, but your honor could be ruined. I won't care about that."
Yeah. It's an expression that doesn't seem like it would care at all.
“Don’t worry about my honor. I’ll take care of that.”
Noah stared intently into Isabelle's eyes, seemingly trying to gauge her intentions, before remaining silent. He eventually accepted her offer. Well, they say similar flyers are circulated every day anyway.
“As long as you don’t ask me for your honor in any way... it wouldn’t be bad.”
If Mrs. Seymour had heard this, she would have grabbed Isabelle by the hair and said, "Not this kid!"
“But there is just one condition.”
“Speak.”
“I will definitely get married within two years, so please don’t get married before me.”
Because I will marry you within two years.
“You don’t want to be a woman who gets dumped?”
"Yes."
I'm thinking of spreading rumors about the Prince to raise my price, but if I end up being the one who gets dumped, my price will actually go down?
Noah nodded lazily, thinking that it was a really interesting calculation.
“Yes.”
Thus, the two occasionally shared the same table under a secret agreement. Rumors spread, reaching a point where even the Queen asked him about his relationship with Isabelle.
There were so many people who were interested in other people's lives.
She shared the same table, but she didn't bother him and didn't want anything more than that.
All she did was hand him the two cocktails he was drinking, or sometimes even take care of his mallet before a polo match. All Noah had to do was accept it.
So, from Noah's point of view, this contract was very convenient.
"Lady Seymour, remember this well. Prince Noah is a man who's fed up with life. He hates hassles. Give him the impression that you're comfortable with him. Forget about dating. He's not that kind of man. Approach him as if you were dating after marriage. Understood?"
Whether Isabelle was sitting across from him or not, whether dozens of pairs of eyes were on them or not, Noah just sat back lazily as he always did, drank just the amount of cocktail he needed, and then stood up neatly.
Then he nodded to Isabelle and left without looking back.
That kind of indifference made her sad for no reason, but it also gave her the confidence that she could get her hands on that man.
Yeah. Just get married and make them love you.
The important thing is that you have that man.
***
The carriage carrying Noah crossed the dark streets of Harrington.
Isabelle Seymour.
It wasn't a bad choice. Give what you want and take what you want. It's neat.
Certainly, after the rumor spread, the King's wedding pestering decreased.
'The Seymour family? ... Well, they may have a lot of money, but they're not exactly a great family. Well...'
He was neither the Crown Prince nor a Prince in high demand on the marriage market; he was merely a Prince of rumor. The King lost interest at that point.
“Whatever, I’ll get married within two years. I won’t say anything more.”
But who will she marry in two years? He thought he might end up marrying Isabelle Seymour.
“Isabelle Seymour...”
You won't be tired. I'm not a bother.
As it happened, the carriage was passing near Central Park, and the dazzling golden lion statue, as Noah put it, came into view a few blocks away.
Noah suddenly took out the flashlight from his jacket pocket.
He thought he had forgotten the name after a year, but perhaps it was because it was so common, or perhaps it was because of this item, but he didn't forget it. Or maybe it was because of Lucy.
“Olivia Liberty...”
Liberty... freedom...
Noah chuckled as he put the flashlight back in his road jacket.
Yes, Olivia brought him freedom.
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