Episode 50. The skirt wrapped around the legs
Noah lowered his gaze, finished processing the paperwork, and then opened his mouth.
“Vice President Pulder will be there to greet you when you arrive.”
Olivia, who was reading a book, suddenly looked up.
Noah met her eyes as he put the fountain pen in his pocket.
“There will probably be quite a few reporters there, too.”
Olivia's eyes lit up as if she were listening to every word he said.
It was only natural that she felt awkward around him, but from now on, they had to become the main characters in the love story that King Leonard would slowly tell.
"We have to pretend to be the same couple who've been exchanging love letters for the past two years. I'll answer their questions, so if anyone asks you a difficult question, just smile and don't answer."
"I understand. So, after meeting at the palace two years ago, we exchanged letters of love, and then our feelings grew, and we got married. Is that the story?"
Whenever her ears turn red, she asks with a straight face.
“...”
“It doesn’t look like that at all when you walk that far away like before.”
Only then does her once pale face begin to slightly harden.
As the carriage began to slow noticeably, Noah glanced outside. The international port appeared beneath the piercing sunlight.
“You know what I mean?”
Olivia nodded with a determined expression at the cold, dry question.
"Yes."
“Get ready to get off.”
As Noah put on the gloves he'd taken off, Olivia quickly put her book away and put her gloves on. As she ran her hand through her hair and checked her skirt for wrinkles, the carriage came to a halt.
As the door opened outside, clear light poured in.
As Noah stepped out first, Olivia followed suit. As they descended the stairs, holding his hand, Noah gently released his hand, folding his arms as he had done at Margot's mansion.
As she grabbed his strong arm, the distance between them became incomparably shorter than when they had held hands. Still, they managed to maintain a distance where their bodies wouldn't touch, but Noah pointed out that it was too far.
Olivia leaned a little closer to him.
Then her arms reached his, her skirt wrapped around his legs, and as they walked, their outer thighs seemed poised to brush against each other.
'Will this be enough?'
As Olivia looked up at him with that exact expression, Noah looked down at her and smiled softly, as if he were looking at someone he loved dearly, with a sweetness that made her melt.
Even though she knew that smile came from an icy, cold reason, her heart suddenly started beating fast.
She desperately pulled the corners of her lips together, feeling her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst.
Bang! Bang!
The camera light bursting through the intense sunlight captured the affectionate image of the two people.
"Wow, this is going to be quite lucrative. The Norfolk continent is going to be buzzing."
The muttering of one of the reporters filtered into the bright sunlight.
The greeting with the Vice President, which she had been secretly worried about, was more casual than she expected. The Vice President mostly spoke with Noah, and Olivia only had to exchange a brief greeting.
Since the reporters were only taking pictures, Olivia was able to board the cruise ship quickly.
And as she boarded the cruise with Noah, she realized the obvious and cruel truth.
Just because we live in the same world doesn't mean we all experience the same things.
The cruise ship had a strict division between VIP and general cabins, and the entrance was different from the start.
The VIP-only corridor leading to the ship's guest rooms was decorated with soft beige wallpaper and gold molding. The walls, reminiscent of a prominent mansion, were adorned with exquisite paintings at regular intervals.
Olivia followed the white-uniformed captain, glancing around from the corner of her eye. He looked softly, occasionally glancing back at the Prince and Olivia.
“Oh, by the way, this ship is equipped with Wilhelm’s ship-type Magic Dome.”
Noah already knew this, but he nodded in agreement.
“The Magic Dome seems to be next to the wheelhouse.”
“Yes, that’s right. You have a good eye.”
As the stairs finally appeared, the captain paused for a moment, then pointed politely toward them with a wave of his hand. Then, saying, "Please proceed," he ascended the stairs first.
The space was too narrow for two people to pass together, so Olivia quickly released her hold on Noah's arm and stepped back.
Noah glanced at her and then climbed the stairs first, while Olivia waited a moment and followed him a few steps ahead.
As they reached the top of the stairs, the harbor sunlight, far brighter than the indoor light, shone sharply, casting a pure white light on the walls. Noah squinted and stepped out into the sunlight, and Olivia followed suit, leaving the indoor stairs.
The wind that had hit Noah's body blew into hers. As she stood beside him, more of the wind gently blew, ruffling the hem of her skirt.
They were standing in the outer corridor of the ship with a direct view of the sea.
“This is a space where entry is strictly prohibited to anyone other than the two of you.”
Olivia's gaze lingered on the white sofa and table pressed against the hallway wall.
At that moment, the Prince's bodyguards and secretary Meson, who had been waiting on one side, approached. And behind Meson, a middle-aged woman she never seen before appeared.
After finishing his instructions, the captain turned to Noah and Olivia and gave them a sharp greeting.
"Since the frequency of monster appearances has dropped significantly, allowing for direct routes, there's no need to worry too much. Nevertheless, our magicians will be on standby at all times to prepare for any potential attacks. We'll ensure your safety and comfort, and we hope you have a pleasant journey."
In response to his polite greeting, Noah extended his hand for a handshake.
“Thank you for your kind guidance. See you next time.”
Noah shook the captain's hand briefly, then looked at Olivia. Sensing his gaze as a signal, Olivia offered the captain a light handshake. The captain, with a hearty laugh on his lips, lightly took Olivia's hand and then released it.
“Thank you for your guidance.”
“Yes, I hope you have a comfortable trip.”
As the captain brushed past her, Olivia looked up at Noah. His shadowed face, backed against the light, was slightly hardened. His green eyes, somehow even more chilling, rested on her for a moment before turning to a middle-aged woman she was seeing for the first time.
The woman, who had caught his gaze, approached. She first bowed politely to Noah, then to Olivia, doing the same. As Olivia instinctively tilted her head, Noah gently grasped her shoulder.
As she stood there frozen and unsteady, the woman quickly introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Jane Winfred. I'm with you on your journey back to Herod. Please take good care of me."
Her soft brown eyes held a special power that brought comfort to others. Olivia met her gaze, the corners of her lips tugging into a smile.
"My name is Olivia Liberty. Please take good care of me, Mrs. Winfred."
Noah quickly examined Mrs. Winfred with a sharp gaze, then took a step aside.
"Liv, you should get some rest. Mrs. Winfred, if you need anything, just let Meson know."
“Yes, I will do that.”
As Mrs. Winfred offered a polite greeting, Noah glanced at Olivia and then turned. He walked leisurely, taking in the sparkling sea and the quaint hallway ceiling before disappearing through the heavy door that Meson opened for him.
“Miss, come this way.”
Olivia, who was pondering the reason why his expression had turned cold, mechanically turned around at Mrs. Winfred's guidance.
A heavy door, identical to the one in the room Noah entered, opened softly and without a sound.
Her first impression of the room she would be staying in for two weeks was the scent of the fresh flowers decorating the entrance. As Olivia passed through the doorway, inhaling the subtle fragrance, a comfortable beige-toned living room came into view.
She felt as if it wasn't hers, so she stood still and looked around. Then, Mrs. Winfred opened the door on the right and called her.
“Miss, come this way. I’ll show you the bedroom.”
Mrs. Winfred continued her explanation without pause, moving as fluidly as water.
"I've sorted out your luggage on my own. I apologize for not asking for your understanding in advance."
“Oh, no. Thank you.”
"How kind of you. I'll be using the room opposite, so if you need anything, please call me, even if it's late."
Olivia nodded with a bashful smile as Mrs. McPhee came to mind.
“It’s a little early for dinner. Would you like some tea?”
Mrs. Winfred sat Olivia down on the living room sofa and skillfully poured her tea. Olivia watched her carefully.
The woman's straight back never swayed for a moment, and neither did her straight shoulders.
When she finally held the teacup out in front of Olivia, Olivia cautiously opened her mouth.
“Are you planning on teaching me some etiquette during the trip?”
Mrs. Winfred smiled, her eyes wide at Olivia's question.
Olivia Liberty.
She heard the name at least once while living in Pulder. Her daughter, like Olivia, was studying hard to get into Harrington College. Of course, she wasn't sure if it would work out.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Olivia readily accepted her sudden appearance. She blinked, watching the steam rising from her teacup, then cautiously opened her mouth.
“I asked to shake hands with the captain. What do you think?”
Then Mrs. Winfred gave advice, maintaining her expression as polite as possible.
"In the Pulder era, handshakes were a common greeting for both genders, but in Herod, it was traditionally a male greeting. This tendency was particularly pronounced in aristocratic societies that clung to the old ways."
“Then how would it have been wise for me to greet him?”
"In a situation like the one just now, a slight tilt of the head is sufficient. Oh, and this tilt is simply a slight lowering and raising of the chin without moving the shoulders. I'm not talking about the deep bow you tried to give me earlier. From now on, please consider that you won't bow your shoulders."
Olivia nodded, listening to her words.
Her clear, white face, with its dark eyes, bore not a trace of shame or hesitation. She looked like a student intent on learning.
At her appearance, Mrs. Winfred's expression became even more gentle.
Lady Winfred, who came from a humble family in the Herods, had once been an etiquette teacher to the country nobility in her homeland.
She often taught the young ladies of families more powerful than hers, and they often had a hard time accepting even the smallest criticism or polite advice.
She was worried that some people might not be able to properly receive the teachings because they trusted in the Prince's authority, but it seems her worries were unfounded.
"Please teach me from the very basics. I will study hard, ma'am."
As Olivia sat up with a determined expression, Mrs. Winfred's eyes also lit up with seriousness.
The lesson of the student, who was confident in her learning, and the former etiquette teacher, who was impressed by the student's attitude, began as soon as the ship set sail.
Noah lowered his gaze, finished processing the paperwork, and then opened his mouth.
“Vice President Pulder will be there to greet you when you arrive.”
Olivia, who was reading a book, suddenly looked up.
Noah met her eyes as he put the fountain pen in his pocket.
“There will probably be quite a few reporters there, too.”
Olivia's eyes lit up as if she were listening to every word he said.
It was only natural that she felt awkward around him, but from now on, they had to become the main characters in the love story that King Leonard would slowly tell.
"We have to pretend to be the same couple who've been exchanging love letters for the past two years. I'll answer their questions, so if anyone asks you a difficult question, just smile and don't answer."
"I understand. So, after meeting at the palace two years ago, we exchanged letters of love, and then our feelings grew, and we got married. Is that the story?"
Whenever her ears turn red, she asks with a straight face.
“That's right. But what's more important than knowing that is making sure people see you that way.”
“It doesn’t look like that at all when you walk that far away like before.”
Only then does her once pale face begin to slightly harden.
As the carriage began to slow noticeably, Noah glanced outside. The international port appeared beneath the piercing sunlight.
“You know what I mean?”
Olivia nodded with a determined expression at the cold, dry question.
"Yes."
“Get ready to get off.”
As Noah put on the gloves he'd taken off, Olivia quickly put her book away and put her gloves on. As she ran her hand through her hair and checked her skirt for wrinkles, the carriage came to a halt.
As the door opened outside, clear light poured in.
As Noah stepped out first, Olivia followed suit. As they descended the stairs, holding his hand, Noah gently released his hand, folding his arms as he had done at Margot's mansion.
As she grabbed his strong arm, the distance between them became incomparably shorter than when they had held hands. Still, they managed to maintain a distance where their bodies wouldn't touch, but Noah pointed out that it was too far.
Olivia leaned a little closer to him.
Then her arms reached his, her skirt wrapped around his legs, and as they walked, their outer thighs seemed poised to brush against each other.
'Will this be enough?'
As Olivia looked up at him with that exact expression, Noah looked down at her and smiled softly, as if he were looking at someone he loved dearly, with a sweetness that made her melt.
Even though she knew that smile came from an icy, cold reason, her heart suddenly started beating fast.
She desperately pulled the corners of her lips together, feeling her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst.
Bang! Bang!
The camera light bursting through the intense sunlight captured the affectionate image of the two people.
"Wow, this is going to be quite lucrative. The Norfolk continent is going to be buzzing."
The muttering of one of the reporters filtered into the bright sunlight.
The greeting with the Vice President, which she had been secretly worried about, was more casual than she expected. The Vice President mostly spoke with Noah, and Olivia only had to exchange a brief greeting.
Since the reporters were only taking pictures, Olivia was able to board the cruise ship quickly.
And as she boarded the cruise with Noah, she realized the obvious and cruel truth.
Just because we live in the same world doesn't mean we all experience the same things.
The cruise ship had a strict division between VIP and general cabins, and the entrance was different from the start.
The VIP-only corridor leading to the ship's guest rooms was decorated with soft beige wallpaper and gold molding. The walls, reminiscent of a prominent mansion, were adorned with exquisite paintings at regular intervals.
Olivia followed the white-uniformed captain, glancing around from the corner of her eye. He looked softly, occasionally glancing back at the Prince and Olivia.
“Oh, by the way, this ship is equipped with Wilhelm’s ship-type Magic Dome.”
Noah already knew this, but he nodded in agreement.
“The Magic Dome seems to be next to the wheelhouse.”
“Yes, that’s right. You have a good eye.”
As the stairs finally appeared, the captain paused for a moment, then pointed politely toward them with a wave of his hand. Then, saying, "Please proceed," he ascended the stairs first.
The space was too narrow for two people to pass together, so Olivia quickly released her hold on Noah's arm and stepped back.
Noah glanced at her and then climbed the stairs first, while Olivia waited a moment and followed him a few steps ahead.
As they reached the top of the stairs, the harbor sunlight, far brighter than the indoor light, shone sharply, casting a pure white light on the walls. Noah squinted and stepped out into the sunlight, and Olivia followed suit, leaving the indoor stairs.
The wind that had hit Noah's body blew into hers. As she stood beside him, more of the wind gently blew, ruffling the hem of her skirt.
They were standing in the outer corridor of the ship with a direct view of the sea.
“This is a space where entry is strictly prohibited to anyone other than the two of you.”
Olivia's gaze lingered on the white sofa and table pressed against the hallway wall.
At that moment, the Prince's bodyguards and secretary Meson, who had been waiting on one side, approached. And behind Meson, a middle-aged woman she never seen before appeared.
After finishing his instructions, the captain turned to Noah and Olivia and gave them a sharp greeting.
"Since the frequency of monster appearances has dropped significantly, allowing for direct routes, there's no need to worry too much. Nevertheless, our magicians will be on standby at all times to prepare for any potential attacks. We'll ensure your safety and comfort, and we hope you have a pleasant journey."
In response to his polite greeting, Noah extended his hand for a handshake.
“Thank you for your kind guidance. See you next time.”
Noah shook the captain's hand briefly, then looked at Olivia. Sensing his gaze as a signal, Olivia offered the captain a light handshake. The captain, with a hearty laugh on his lips, lightly took Olivia's hand and then released it.
“Thank you for your guidance.”
“Yes, I hope you have a comfortable trip.”
As the captain brushed past her, Olivia looked up at Noah. His shadowed face, backed against the light, was slightly hardened. His green eyes, somehow even more chilling, rested on her for a moment before turning to a middle-aged woman she was seeing for the first time.
The woman, who had caught his gaze, approached. She first bowed politely to Noah, then to Olivia, doing the same. As Olivia instinctively tilted her head, Noah gently grasped her shoulder.
As she stood there frozen and unsteady, the woman quickly introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Jane Winfred. I'm with you on your journey back to Herod. Please take good care of me."
Her soft brown eyes held a special power that brought comfort to others. Olivia met her gaze, the corners of her lips tugging into a smile.
"My name is Olivia Liberty. Please take good care of me, Mrs. Winfred."
Noah quickly examined Mrs. Winfred with a sharp gaze, then took a step aside.
"Liv, you should get some rest. Mrs. Winfred, if you need anything, just let Meson know."
“Yes, I will do that.”
As Mrs. Winfred offered a polite greeting, Noah glanced at Olivia and then turned. He walked leisurely, taking in the sparkling sea and the quaint hallway ceiling before disappearing through the heavy door that Meson opened for him.
“Miss, come this way.”
Olivia, who was pondering the reason why his expression had turned cold, mechanically turned around at Mrs. Winfred's guidance.
A heavy door, identical to the one in the room Noah entered, opened softly and without a sound.
Her first impression of the room she would be staying in for two weeks was the scent of the fresh flowers decorating the entrance. As Olivia passed through the doorway, inhaling the subtle fragrance, a comfortable beige-toned living room came into view.
She felt as if it wasn't hers, so she stood still and looked around. Then, Mrs. Winfred opened the door on the right and called her.
“Miss, come this way. I’ll show you the bedroom.”
Mrs. Winfred continued her explanation without pause, moving as fluidly as water.
"I've sorted out your luggage on my own. I apologize for not asking for your understanding in advance."
“Oh, no. Thank you.”
"How kind of you. I'll be using the room opposite, so if you need anything, please call me, even if it's late."
Olivia nodded with a bashful smile as Mrs. McPhee came to mind.
“It’s a little early for dinner. Would you like some tea?”
Mrs. Winfred sat Olivia down on the living room sofa and skillfully poured her tea. Olivia watched her carefully.
The woman's straight back never swayed for a moment, and neither did her straight shoulders.
When she finally held the teacup out in front of Olivia, Olivia cautiously opened her mouth.
“Are you planning on teaching me some etiquette during the trip?”
Mrs. Winfred smiled, her eyes wide at Olivia's question.
Olivia Liberty.
She heard the name at least once while living in Pulder. Her daughter, like Olivia, was studying hard to get into Harrington College. Of course, she wasn't sure if it would work out.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Olivia readily accepted her sudden appearance. She blinked, watching the steam rising from her teacup, then cautiously opened her mouth.
“I asked to shake hands with the captain. What do you think?”
Then Mrs. Winfred gave advice, maintaining her expression as polite as possible.
"In the Pulder era, handshakes were a common greeting for both genders, but in Herod, it was traditionally a male greeting. This tendency was particularly pronounced in aristocratic societies that clung to the old ways."
“Then how would it have been wise for me to greet him?”
"In a situation like the one just now, a slight tilt of the head is sufficient. Oh, and this tilt is simply a slight lowering and raising of the chin without moving the shoulders. I'm not talking about the deep bow you tried to give me earlier. From now on, please consider that you won't bow your shoulders."
Olivia nodded, listening to her words.
Her clear, white face, with its dark eyes, bore not a trace of shame or hesitation. She looked like a student intent on learning.
At her appearance, Mrs. Winfred's expression became even more gentle.
Lady Winfred, who came from a humble family in the Herods, had once been an etiquette teacher to the country nobility in her homeland.
She often taught the young ladies of families more powerful than hers, and they often had a hard time accepting even the smallest criticism or polite advice.
She was worried that some people might not be able to properly receive the teachings because they trusted in the Prince's authority, but it seems her worries were unfounded.
"Please teach me from the very basics. I will study hard, ma'am."
As Olivia sat up with a determined expression, Mrs. Winfred's eyes also lit up with seriousness.
The lesson of the student, who was confident in her learning, and the former etiquette teacher, who was impressed by the student's attitude, began as soon as the ship set sail.
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