Episode 51. Noah, Who Doesn't Even Show His Nose
As soon as Noah entered the room, he took off his jacket and gloves and sank into the comfortable sofa.
He didn't bother to look around. It was his first time on a ship from a shipping company, but the VIP rooms were all the same. Noah glanced at the welcome flowers, then blurted out a question to Meson, who had approached.
“What did Mrs. Winfred do?”
Meson's expression became subtle at his question.
Yes... You asked so early. I thought you already knew.
"She immigrated to Pulder five years ago. Her background is somewhat unusual. Her husband currently practices law in Pulder. He's the second son and wife of Viscount Winfred of the Mayer region, so he doesn't hold a title in Herod. I heard Mrs. Winfred was a renowned etiquette teacher in the Mayer region. So, she'd been teaching etiquette to children from prominent families in Pulder."
“Did you properly convey what to do while she was there?”
“Of course.”
Noah tried to pronounce the name 'Winfred' halfheartedly, then gave a light greeting to get the attention.
“What time is lunch with the Aquitaine representative?”
“I will take you to the restaurant on the third floor in an hour.”
“Give me the relevant documents. I’ll review them again.”
Meson quickly handed Noah a copy of the document and added:
“Shall I make a dinner reservation with Miss Olivia?”
At his words, Noah instinctively stiffened and looked at him. The quick-witted Meson quickly struck.
“Isn’t it better than Miss Liberty?”
“...”
Meson, who had skillfully covered Noah's mouth, secretly laughed, but Noah's expression was faintly annoyed. He pictured a gentleman proud of his upward-curving mustache.
“Having lunch with Libero Aquitaine always ends up being boring until night.”
He was a man who enjoyed drinking, card games, and even billiards, and he had no pride, so he would casually say things like, "Please, Your Highness, let's play one more round."
Noah, who had been thinking for a moment while rubbing his chin, turned his gaze to the documents and gave an order.
“Let’s make a reservation for around 7 o’clock for now.”
"All right."
Meson bowed his head politely and took a few steps back.
The Prince, dressed in a white shirt and black vest, was busy checking documents, presenting a picturesque appearance today as well.
An hour later, Noah had a hunch that dinner with Olivia would be difficult, just as lunch with Libero Aquitaine was about to begin.
“Your Highness, I heard that a billiards hall and card room were added to this cruise last month. Would you like to check them out?”
That's because that's what they said as soon as lunch started.
“Yes, but I already have plans for this evening, so I’ll have to ask for your understanding.”
“Oh, of course, Your Highness!”
It was a luncheon that started with that definite answer...
The luncheon didn't end even as the bright sunset enveloped the world, and continued into the darkness of night.
“Your Highness, let’s play just one more round. Just one more round!”
As the middle-aged gentleman raised his right index finger with a face flushed with alcohol, Noah's face, which had been desperately maintaining a blank expression until then, finally contorted.
At that moment, Meson, who had gone to Olivia, returned and whispered in his ear.
“She said it was okay, so please don’t mind.”
Noah's gaze grew colder, but the drunkard across from him simply drank his drink in excitement and clutched his cards.
"Yes! Your Highness! This time, I'll turn the cards first!"
Sounds like the final version.
If this drunkard had not been the go-between for countless wealthy Norfolk Continentalers, Noah would have already left.
Finally, Noah took out a cigarette for the first time in a long time.
“Oh! I thought you quit smoking since you don’t smoke.”
I smoke because of you.
Noah, with a mocking smile on his lips, held up the card in front of him, and his eyes sparkled coldly.
Meson, who had been watching the angry lion's expression from the side, hardened his lips and glanced at Libero Aquitaine.
Thinking, 'You're going to get completely robbed.'
Mrs. Winfred was a witty and humorous person and had a talent for teaching.
“Now, you may feel like a child again, but try to think of it as going back in time and learning.”
The woman said this before explaining how to walk and sit, and Olivia ended up bursting out laughing.
"There are probably many things you don't understand, but don't ask why. I don't understand or understand them either. For example, the law against crossing your legs. Of course, it's not a law, right?"
“Can’t you cross your legs?”
“Surprisingly, that’s true.”
As Olivia tilted her head, remembering Noah crossing his legs, the woman added.
“Some people cross their legs above their knees, but even those who do so should try not to do so in formal settings.”
“Oh, I see. I understand.”
"For women, however, it's acceptable to twist the opposite ankle around the top of the foot. If sitting is uncomfortable, twist it that way."
Mrs. Winfred lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and showed how to twist it.
Their class was a lively one. Every moment spent with her was part of the lesson, yet Olivia never felt bored.
The will to learn properly also played a part.
Olivia knew that while she had suddenly been granted all this, she had to live up to royal expectations. This course was the first step toward that goal.
As the setting sun painted the world crimson, Meson came to visit, apologetic and expressing his regret that she would not be able to dine with the Prince. Olivia paid no attention. She simply thought that she could learn more about table manners by having dinner with Madame Winfred.
While Noah, who was very nervous, clutched the card, Olivia was having a tender moment with Mrs. Winfred in the VIP room where the faint scent of flowers lingered.
It was a full seven hours after lunch had started that Noah escaped the drunken Libero Aquitaine.
He kept shouting out the last board, and eventually disappeared as if dragged away by the hand of his secretary, and Noah stormed out of the card room, vowing never to see Libero Aquitaine again for the rest of the voyage.
He felt tipsy because he drank more than usual.
He took off his stuffy jacket and headed to his cabin. He crossed the long corridor and climbed the lantern-lit stairs, finally revealing the outer corridor of the ship, bathed in silvery moonlight.
As he felt the breeze blowing across the night sea, his cheeks, which had been heated by alcohol, cooled down, and he felt much better.
Noah stood with both hands on the railing and gazed at the calm surface of the sea.
The ship was cruising. It was a peaceful night, the only sound being the sound of the giant ship sailing across the sea.
At that moment, laughter was heard from somewhere.
His gaze, which had been focused on the moonlit ripples, blurred, and his entire senses focused on hearing.
“...Haha, so when you laugh, it’s like this?”
“Ahaha, that’s right. That’s right! You’re so smart, you learn so easily!”
Noah slowly turned around. Leaning halfway against the railing, he looked toward the door to Olivia's room. Then, distant laughter came again.
She must have been sincere when she told him not to worry, that it was fine. Perhaps she even considered it a blessing not to have to attend an uncomfortable meal alone with the Prince.
Noah listened to the intermittent laughter for a moment and then turned back towards the sea.
“It’s comfortable.”
His mutterings were faintly carried away by the night breeze.
The next morning.
Olivia woke up early, got dressed lightly with the help of Mrs. Winfred, and went out into the corridor outside the ship.
“Good morning, miss.”
The guards standing outside the door bowed politely. Olivia nodded slightly, recalling what she had learned yesterday.
“Thank you for your hard work this morning.”
The cynical Prince's dedicated bodyguards felt a rare boost in job satisfaction at Olivia's bright greeting.
She wore a white blouse reminiscent of the sea and a breezy blue skirt. A fine linen ribbon scarf in the same color as the skirt, draped beneath the shirt collar, added a touch of loveliness to Olivia's look.
Olivia scanned the vast ocean from right to left, unable to contain it all in one glance.
One of the bodyguards looked at the scene and said.
“His Highness the Prince is expected to eat a little later.”
Olivia, who was taking a deep breath of the refreshing morning air, looked back at him and nodded slightly.
“I see.”
“...”
Even though her husband-to-be hadn't been seen since around noon yesterday, her expression remained remarkably calm.
As the bodyguard, feeling uneasy for no reason, coughed softly, Mrs. Winfred pointed somewhere over the sea and called Olivia.
“Miss, look over there!”
As Olivia turned her head, Mrs. Winfred reached out a little more, trying to point out her location.
“Do you see that pod of dolphins over there?”
Olivia squinted her eyes, half-open to the golden morning sunlight, searching frantically for a pod of dolphins. Finally, she spotted a pod of dolphins swimming across the surface and let out a small gasp.
"Oh!"
Since the Prince was sleeping, Olivia suppressed her voice as much as possible.
As the three bodyguards crept closer to the railing and peeked their heads out, Olivia extended her hand and pointed ahead for them.
“Over there, over there! Can you see it?”
“Oh, oh! I see it!”
“I’ve been coming and going on this route for quite some time, but this is the first time I’ve seen it.”
At that moment, Meson opened the door and came out.
“What’s going on?”
At his appearance, everyone watching the pod of dolphins turned around. Meson greeted Olivia, who was radiant with a brighter energy than the morning sun.
“Good morning, miss.”
“Good morning, Meson. There was a dolphin over there, so we were watching it together.”
“Hey, it’s a dolphin?”
As Meson approached, tilting his head, the bodyguards stepped aside to make room for him.
"Hey."
As Olivia reached out to him and pointed out his location, Meson's eyes widened, and he looked out at the distant sea.
“Oh, I see!”
Those surrounding Olivia watched for a long time as the dolphins swam alongside the boat, splashing water.
As the dolphins disappeared, Mrs. Winfred adjusted her shawl and led Olivia away.
“Well then, Miss. Shall we go and have breakfast?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As Mrs. Winfred had given her word in advance, a bodyguard followed behind, and Meson also greeted them with a smile.
“Have a nice trip.”
Olivia smiled softly at Meson and the others, then turned to follow Madame Winfred.
Meson watched the slender back of the woman moving away, and inwardly admired her.
It hadn't even been a day since she'd taken etiquette lessons, but Olivia's posture and demeanor seemed quite different from yesterday. Was it the teacher's exceptional qualities, or the student's ability to absorb the learning?
"It seems like it wasn't just about being smart. It seems like God gave you all of your talent."
Meson muttered softly, then turned and entered the room. The Prince, who had been thought to be asleep, was sprawled out on the sofa, his head resting on his hand.
“Are you up already?”
“What about Olivia?”
"The young lady went to the restaurant with Mrs. Winfred. I canceled last night's dinner and made a reservation for breakfast today."
“...You change partners at will.”
As soon as Noah entered the room, he took off his jacket and gloves and sank into the comfortable sofa.
He didn't bother to look around. It was his first time on a ship from a shipping company, but the VIP rooms were all the same. Noah glanced at the welcome flowers, then blurted out a question to Meson, who had approached.
“What did Mrs. Winfred do?”
Meson's expression became subtle at his question.
Yes... You asked so early. I thought you already knew.
"She immigrated to Pulder five years ago. Her background is somewhat unusual. Her husband currently practices law in Pulder. He's the second son and wife of Viscount Winfred of the Mayer region, so he doesn't hold a title in Herod. I heard Mrs. Winfred was a renowned etiquette teacher in the Mayer region. So, she'd been teaching etiquette to children from prominent families in Pulder."
“Did you properly convey what to do while she was there?”
“Of course.”
Noah tried to pronounce the name 'Winfred' halfheartedly, then gave a light greeting to get the attention.
“What time is lunch with the Aquitaine representative?”
“I will take you to the restaurant on the third floor in an hour.”
“Give me the relevant documents. I’ll review them again.”
Meson quickly handed Noah a copy of the document and added:
“Shall I make a dinner reservation with Miss Olivia?”
At his words, Noah instinctively stiffened and looked at him. The quick-witted Meson quickly struck.
“Isn’t it better than Miss Liberty?”
“...”
Meson, who had skillfully covered Noah's mouth, secretly laughed, but Noah's expression was faintly annoyed. He pictured a gentleman proud of his upward-curving mustache.
“Having lunch with Libero Aquitaine always ends up being boring until night.”
He was a man who enjoyed drinking, card games, and even billiards, and he had no pride, so he would casually say things like, "Please, Your Highness, let's play one more round."
Noah, who had been thinking for a moment while rubbing his chin, turned his gaze to the documents and gave an order.
“Let’s make a reservation for around 7 o’clock for now.”
"All right."
Meson bowed his head politely and took a few steps back.
The Prince, dressed in a white shirt and black vest, was busy checking documents, presenting a picturesque appearance today as well.
An hour later, Noah had a hunch that dinner with Olivia would be difficult, just as lunch with Libero Aquitaine was about to begin.
“Your Highness, I heard that a billiards hall and card room were added to this cruise last month. Would you like to check them out?”
That's because that's what they said as soon as lunch started.
“Yes, but I already have plans for this evening, so I’ll have to ask for your understanding.”
“Oh, of course, Your Highness!”
It was a luncheon that started with that definite answer...
The luncheon didn't end even as the bright sunset enveloped the world, and continued into the darkness of night.
“Your Highness, let’s play just one more round. Just one more round!”
As the middle-aged gentleman raised his right index finger with a face flushed with alcohol, Noah's face, which had been desperately maintaining a blank expression until then, finally contorted.
At that moment, Meson, who had gone to Olivia, returned and whispered in his ear.
“She said it was okay, so please don’t mind.”
Noah's gaze grew colder, but the drunkard across from him simply drank his drink in excitement and clutched his cards.
"Yes! Your Highness! This time, I'll turn the cards first!"
Sounds like the final version.
If this drunkard had not been the go-between for countless wealthy Norfolk Continentalers, Noah would have already left.
Finally, Noah took out a cigarette for the first time in a long time.
“Oh! I thought you quit smoking since you don’t smoke.”
I smoke because of you.
Noah, with a mocking smile on his lips, held up the card in front of him, and his eyes sparkled coldly.
Meson, who had been watching the angry lion's expression from the side, hardened his lips and glanced at Libero Aquitaine.
Thinking, 'You're going to get completely robbed.'
***
Mrs. Winfred was a witty and humorous person and had a talent for teaching.
“Now, you may feel like a child again, but try to think of it as going back in time and learning.”
The woman said this before explaining how to walk and sit, and Olivia ended up bursting out laughing.
"There are probably many things you don't understand, but don't ask why. I don't understand or understand them either. For example, the law against crossing your legs. Of course, it's not a law, right?"
“Can’t you cross your legs?”
“Surprisingly, that’s true.”
As Olivia tilted her head, remembering Noah crossing his legs, the woman added.
“Some people cross their legs above their knees, but even those who do so should try not to do so in formal settings.”
“Oh, I see. I understand.”
"For women, however, it's acceptable to twist the opposite ankle around the top of the foot. If sitting is uncomfortable, twist it that way."
Mrs. Winfred lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and showed how to twist it.
Their class was a lively one. Every moment spent with her was part of the lesson, yet Olivia never felt bored.
The will to learn properly also played a part.
Olivia knew that while she had suddenly been granted all this, she had to live up to royal expectations. This course was the first step toward that goal.
As the setting sun painted the world crimson, Meson came to visit, apologetic and expressing his regret that she would not be able to dine with the Prince. Olivia paid no attention. She simply thought that she could learn more about table manners by having dinner with Madame Winfred.
While Noah, who was very nervous, clutched the card, Olivia was having a tender moment with Mrs. Winfred in the VIP room where the faint scent of flowers lingered.
It was a full seven hours after lunch had started that Noah escaped the drunken Libero Aquitaine.
He kept shouting out the last board, and eventually disappeared as if dragged away by the hand of his secretary, and Noah stormed out of the card room, vowing never to see Libero Aquitaine again for the rest of the voyage.
He felt tipsy because he drank more than usual.
He took off his stuffy jacket and headed to his cabin. He crossed the long corridor and climbed the lantern-lit stairs, finally revealing the outer corridor of the ship, bathed in silvery moonlight.
As he felt the breeze blowing across the night sea, his cheeks, which had been heated by alcohol, cooled down, and he felt much better.
Noah stood with both hands on the railing and gazed at the calm surface of the sea.
The ship was cruising. It was a peaceful night, the only sound being the sound of the giant ship sailing across the sea.
At that moment, laughter was heard from somewhere.
His gaze, which had been focused on the moonlit ripples, blurred, and his entire senses focused on hearing.
“...Haha, so when you laugh, it’s like this?”
“Ahaha, that’s right. That’s right! You’re so smart, you learn so easily!”
Noah slowly turned around. Leaning halfway against the railing, he looked toward the door to Olivia's room. Then, distant laughter came again.
She must have been sincere when she told him not to worry, that it was fine. Perhaps she even considered it a blessing not to have to attend an uncomfortable meal alone with the Prince.
Noah listened to the intermittent laughter for a moment and then turned back towards the sea.
“It’s comfortable.”
His mutterings were faintly carried away by the night breeze.
The next morning.
Olivia woke up early, got dressed lightly with the help of Mrs. Winfred, and went out into the corridor outside the ship.
“Good morning, miss.”
The guards standing outside the door bowed politely. Olivia nodded slightly, recalling what she had learned yesterday.
“Thank you for your hard work this morning.”
The cynical Prince's dedicated bodyguards felt a rare boost in job satisfaction at Olivia's bright greeting.
She wore a white blouse reminiscent of the sea and a breezy blue skirt. A fine linen ribbon scarf in the same color as the skirt, draped beneath the shirt collar, added a touch of loveliness to Olivia's look.
Olivia scanned the vast ocean from right to left, unable to contain it all in one glance.
One of the bodyguards looked at the scene and said.
“His Highness the Prince is expected to eat a little later.”
Olivia, who was taking a deep breath of the refreshing morning air, looked back at him and nodded slightly.
“I see.”
“...”
Even though her husband-to-be hadn't been seen since around noon yesterday, her expression remained remarkably calm.
As the bodyguard, feeling uneasy for no reason, coughed softly, Mrs. Winfred pointed somewhere over the sea and called Olivia.
“Miss, look over there!”
As Olivia turned her head, Mrs. Winfred reached out a little more, trying to point out her location.
“Do you see that pod of dolphins over there?”
Olivia squinted her eyes, half-open to the golden morning sunlight, searching frantically for a pod of dolphins. Finally, she spotted a pod of dolphins swimming across the surface and let out a small gasp.
"Oh!"
Since the Prince was sleeping, Olivia suppressed her voice as much as possible.
As the three bodyguards crept closer to the railing and peeked their heads out, Olivia extended her hand and pointed ahead for them.
“Over there, over there! Can you see it?”
“Oh, oh! I see it!”
“I’ve been coming and going on this route for quite some time, but this is the first time I’ve seen it.”
At that moment, Meson opened the door and came out.
“What’s going on?”
At his appearance, everyone watching the pod of dolphins turned around. Meson greeted Olivia, who was radiant with a brighter energy than the morning sun.
“Good morning, miss.”
“Good morning, Meson. There was a dolphin over there, so we were watching it together.”
“Hey, it’s a dolphin?”
As Meson approached, tilting his head, the bodyguards stepped aside to make room for him.
"Hey."
As Olivia reached out to him and pointed out his location, Meson's eyes widened, and he looked out at the distant sea.
“Oh, I see!”
Those surrounding Olivia watched for a long time as the dolphins swam alongside the boat, splashing water.
As the dolphins disappeared, Mrs. Winfred adjusted her shawl and led Olivia away.
“Well then, Miss. Shall we go and have breakfast?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As Mrs. Winfred had given her word in advance, a bodyguard followed behind, and Meson also greeted them with a smile.
“Have a nice trip.”
Olivia smiled softly at Meson and the others, then turned to follow Madame Winfred.
Meson watched the slender back of the woman moving away, and inwardly admired her.
It hadn't even been a day since she'd taken etiquette lessons, but Olivia's posture and demeanor seemed quite different from yesterday. Was it the teacher's exceptional qualities, or the student's ability to absorb the learning?
"It seems like it wasn't just about being smart. It seems like God gave you all of your talent."
Meson muttered softly, then turned and entered the room. The Prince, who had been thought to be asleep, was sprawled out on the sofa, his head resting on his hand.
“Are you up already?”
“What about Olivia?”
"The young lady went to the restaurant with Mrs. Winfred. I canceled last night's dinner and made a reservation for breakfast today."
“...You change partners at will.”
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