Episode 106. Tiara, Who Couldn't Give Up
"... Yes?"
"I haven't been there yet myself, so I don't know exactly, but..."
The Queen stared into Lady Timberlin's gray eyes as if to pierce through them. Lady Timberlin felt as though she were being pushed into an abyss.
She wondered if this might be a terrible nightmare, but then she heard even more unbelievable words.
“While you were at another table yesterday, the Princess seemed to have been suffering from a fever the whole time. Did you happen to know?”
“Ah, uh, that is...”
"You know about corset disease, right?"
"... Yes?"
Countess Timberlin recalled the Princess’s corset that she had personally tightened for her, and a chill ran down her spine.
"Of course, we cannot hold you entirely responsible for that illness."
It was a remark that Noah would have openly scoffed at if he had heard it. However, it was difficult to prove the facts to hold Countess Timberlin responsible even for the illness.
Instead, Beatrix coolly pointed out the clear facts.
"However, you should have at least stayed by the Princess's side at that spot yesterday and checked on her condition."
“...I am truly sorry.”
“I feel truly ashamed before my daughter-in-law. I went out of my way to contact you, even though you are so far away, because I was worried that dealing with the noble ladies of the capital might be overwhelming and difficult for my daughter-in-law.”
“...”
"So this is how you ultimately return my trust. You have tarnished not only the title of Princess but also the honor of me, who personally nominated you."
“Your Majesty the Queen...!”
Mrs. Timberlin leaned toward the Queen, overcome with fear. Her buttocks slipped off the chair, and her knees buckled, but she had no time to even notice.
The Queen looked down at her with a cold expression and gave a stern command.
“You no longer need to teach the Princess. And return to the Count of Timberlin today. I would prefer not to see you in the capital’s social circles for the time being. While I cannot prevent you from visiting your family privately, please do not attend official events attended by the Royal Family.”
"Please..."
"I am wrapping things up here in recognition of your efforts in teaching my daughter-in-law, even if only for a short while. Please go back."
Beatrix always exuded a gentle aura, yet she was the wife of the inhuman King Leonard and the mother of Prince Noah. Lady Timberlin realized that she had absolutely no intention of changing her mind.
It was said 'for the time being,' but it is impossible to know whether that will be five years or ten years.
Furthermore, it was certain that the entire Count of Timberlin family would not be invited to the royal palace due to her crime. A family not invited to the royal palace naturally falls into obscurity.
Countess Timberlin wept endlessly.
However, the Queen coldly issued an order to expel her, and she had no choice but to return to the Count of Timberlin's mansion.
This was because not only had the Marquis Retium family turned their backs, but she didn't even dare to visit the Princess.
Hammington was a military city where Herod’s 3rd and 4th Fleets were stationed, located three hours away from the capital, Harrington, by carriage.
Noah sped along the road connecting Harrington and Hammington in a straight line. Meson and his bodyguards were running behind him, but the distance between them was not closing at all.
Noah, who rode his horse so fast that even the bodyguards, who were former members of the Navy Special Forces, were left speechless, arrived at the event venue an hour and a half after leaving the capital.
He straightened his disheveled hair and tidied his clothes after galloping over, then boarded the warship in a neat outfit. Thereupon, a middle-aged man with an impressive, splendid white beard greeted him with a hearty laugh.
“Oh, Your Highness! Welcome. Thank you for coming.”
Noah smiled brightly and took the hand he extended.
“It’s been a long time, Admiral David. How have you been?”
“Yes, of course. But, Her Highness the Princess, why can’t I see her?”
As the Admiral widened his eyes and glanced to the left of the Prince, Noah replied with a relaxed shrug.
"The Princess was unavoidably unable to attend due to a sudden illness. We ask for your understanding."
“Ah... I see. I sincerely hope her recover as soon as possible. Now, please come this way. Let me introduce the warship first.”
Noah toured every corner of the warship while engaging in light conversation with the Admiral. Ahead of the maritime party scheduled for that evening, the Prince toured the massive vessel thoroughly and conversed with the relevant officials. He enjoyed the formal dinner prepared by the Admiral's wife and offered his congratulations on behalf of the King.
The invited reporters were busy capturing his appearance, and the Prince, who was making an appearance before the press for the first time in a long while, was polite and relaxed throughout.
No one noticed that he hadn't slept a wink last night. Furthermore, no one realized that he had been enraged enough to send chills down his mother's spine and that his rage had not yet subsided.
“Ah... why couldn’t the Princess come?”
“I heard she visited Bianca Department Store yesterday... but suddenly she's sick?”
The invited reporters, taking photos of the Prince, muttered with regret.
The celebratory banquet was held on the deck of the newly built warship. Admiral David's wife had been extremely busy for a month in preparation for this banquet.
The white tablecloth covering the table was embroidered with a naval symbol that she had personally created. Colorful centerpieces and mermaid-shaped candlesticks were placed in the center of the table, and screens to block the sea breeze and dome braziers to ward off the cold were placed throughout.
The banquet held on the warship, which exuded the wildness of the sea, held an exotic romance.
The nobles, having climbed onto the deck in small groups, continuously marveled at the atmosphere of the maritime banquet set against the backdrop of the pink sunset.
And among them were Jackson Coleman and Isabelle Seymour.
“How about it, Isabelle? Do you like the sea?”
At that moment, goosebumps rose all over Isabelle's ears. As if he thought they had become somewhat close, Jackson Coleman dropped the formalities without permission and started rambling on about whatever came to mind.
He walked swaggering, puffing out his thick chest as if he were someone important. Isabelle, walking arm in arm, could not bear the feeling that her value was being relegated to the level of Jackson Coleman's wife.
“Huh? I asked if you liked it.”
"... Yes."
“I see. Then let’s go to the sea for our honeymoon. I have a villa in the south. The southern sea is cleaner than the eastern one, isn’t it? I’ll show you my private beach, too.”
It felt like her ears were rotting.
To think she would realize that even someone's breathing can be repulsive, of all people, through the man she decided to marry.
"I'd appreciate it if you could speak from a little distance, Young Master Coleman."
When Isabelle, unable to bear it any longer, spoke with disgust, Jackson frowned slightly and then wore a subtle expression as if he understood.
"Yeah. It can be embarrassing."
“...”
"Are you seriously crazy? I don't know how you manage to make everyone sick of you with everything you say."
As soon as she stepped onto the deck, Isabelle pulled her hand free from Jackson's grasp and desperately turned her head. Jackson kept whispering something, but to her, it was nothing but meaningless noise.
To Isabelle, who was wishing she could just get rid of the man standing next to her, he appeared as if by magic.
“...”
The flow of time surrounding Isabelle stopped.
To her, neither the magnificent, endlessly stretching seascape nor the enchanting sunset, which looked as if it had been painted with a brush laden with water, was meaningful.
Only one person.
Noah Astrid.
Dressed in a dazzlingly white navy uniform, he was laughing amidst the crowd. It was as if she could hear the sound of his laughter carried on the wind.
That distinctive laughter, cool yet full of ease.
The sharp gaze and words directed at her still lingered in her consciousness, tormenting her, but the intensity of her desire for him was greater.
Isabelle glanced around him with fear.
There should be the Princess...
However, the Princess she was looking for was nowhere to be found.
“I heard that the Princess could not come because she was ill; indeed, the Prince is alone.”
Jackson's voice, which had been meaningless until now, finally sounded meaningful.
"Are you saying the Princess couldn't come because she is sick?"
When Isabelle asked, Jackson nodded and pointed his finger at Noah.
“He's alone, aren’t he? I’ll say hello a little later.”
“...”
Isabelle stared blankly at Noah. She curled her lips into a smile, as if telling a funny story.
Then, suddenly, jer mother's voice came to mind.
“Isabelle, men are very visual beings. And they are obsessed with maintaining their positions. The moment they feel that their wife is a parasite eroding their status, far from benefiting from their family, love will shatter like grains of sand and vanish like dust. Though I don't know if love ever existed in the first place.”
“Go and see tomorrow. Ah... the Prince might not bring the Princess to tomorrow’s event. She looked very hurt today.”
Isabelle's chest swelled strangely. Her heart pounded violently, and her lips curled crookedly.
Could it be that the Princess, who frequented Bianca Department Store until yesterday, couldn't come because she was bedridden?
Even if she really is sick, how can a Prince who left his sick wife behind be so composed?
“I don’t know if there was love in the first place, though.”
Right. There is no way that man loves anyone.
Just as he did not love Isabelle Seymour, he does not love that woman either.
The sharp gaze directed at jer that day must have been solely for the sake of his own honor, and there must be some underlying reason for the marriage as well.
Isabelle lowered her head to hide her smile. Then, the hem of her dress came into view. The pearls dotted throughout the blue dress glowed pink in the setting sun.
Seeing that, the pearl tiara suddenly came to mind.
The tiara that sat atop the head of Liliana, the daughter of the Duke of Lightwing. Isabelle could have anything, but she could not have the tiara, which was permitted only to royalty.
Her grandfather, who was alive at the time, admonished her, saying, "Knowing when to give up is also wisdom."
However, Mother secretly bought Liliana a more glamorous tiara than the one she had worn, without her grandfather knowing.
“Things you don’t have tend to linger in your mind. But if you actually have them, you can forget them cleanly. Use them to your heart’s content.”
Isabelle raised her gaze and looked at Noah again.
Above her head, it seemed as though the pearl tiara she had secretly kept in the past was sparkling.
"... Yes?"
"I haven't been there yet myself, so I don't know exactly, but..."
The Queen stared into Lady Timberlin's gray eyes as if to pierce through them. Lady Timberlin felt as though she were being pushed into an abyss.
She wondered if this might be a terrible nightmare, but then she heard even more unbelievable words.
“While you were at another table yesterday, the Princess seemed to have been suffering from a fever the whole time. Did you happen to know?”
“Ah, uh, that is...”
"You know about corset disease, right?"
"... Yes?"
Countess Timberlin recalled the Princess’s corset that she had personally tightened for her, and a chill ran down her spine.
"Of course, we cannot hold you entirely responsible for that illness."
It was a remark that Noah would have openly scoffed at if he had heard it. However, it was difficult to prove the facts to hold Countess Timberlin responsible even for the illness.
Instead, Beatrix coolly pointed out the clear facts.
"However, you should have at least stayed by the Princess's side at that spot yesterday and checked on her condition."
“...I am truly sorry.”
“I feel truly ashamed before my daughter-in-law. I went out of my way to contact you, even though you are so far away, because I was worried that dealing with the noble ladies of the capital might be overwhelming and difficult for my daughter-in-law.”
“...”
"So this is how you ultimately return my trust. You have tarnished not only the title of Princess but also the honor of me, who personally nominated you."
“Your Majesty the Queen...!”
Mrs. Timberlin leaned toward the Queen, overcome with fear. Her buttocks slipped off the chair, and her knees buckled, but she had no time to even notice.
The Queen looked down at her with a cold expression and gave a stern command.
“You no longer need to teach the Princess. And return to the Count of Timberlin today. I would prefer not to see you in the capital’s social circles for the time being. While I cannot prevent you from visiting your family privately, please do not attend official events attended by the Royal Family.”
"Please..."
"I am wrapping things up here in recognition of your efforts in teaching my daughter-in-law, even if only for a short while. Please go back."
Beatrix always exuded a gentle aura, yet she was the wife of the inhuman King Leonard and the mother of Prince Noah. Lady Timberlin realized that she had absolutely no intention of changing her mind.
It was said 'for the time being,' but it is impossible to know whether that will be five years or ten years.
Furthermore, it was certain that the entire Count of Timberlin family would not be invited to the royal palace due to her crime. A family not invited to the royal palace naturally falls into obscurity.
Countess Timberlin wept endlessly.
However, the Queen coldly issued an order to expel her, and she had no choice but to return to the Count of Timberlin's mansion.
This was because not only had the Marquis Retium family turned their backs, but she didn't even dare to visit the Princess.
***
Hammington was a military city where Herod’s 3rd and 4th Fleets were stationed, located three hours away from the capital, Harrington, by carriage.
Noah sped along the road connecting Harrington and Hammington in a straight line. Meson and his bodyguards were running behind him, but the distance between them was not closing at all.
Noah, who rode his horse so fast that even the bodyguards, who were former members of the Navy Special Forces, were left speechless, arrived at the event venue an hour and a half after leaving the capital.
He straightened his disheveled hair and tidied his clothes after galloping over, then boarded the warship in a neat outfit. Thereupon, a middle-aged man with an impressive, splendid white beard greeted him with a hearty laugh.
“Oh, Your Highness! Welcome. Thank you for coming.”
Noah smiled brightly and took the hand he extended.
“It’s been a long time, Admiral David. How have you been?”
“Yes, of course. But, Her Highness the Princess, why can’t I see her?”
As the Admiral widened his eyes and glanced to the left of the Prince, Noah replied with a relaxed shrug.
"The Princess was unavoidably unable to attend due to a sudden illness. We ask for your understanding."
“Ah... I see. I sincerely hope her recover as soon as possible. Now, please come this way. Let me introduce the warship first.”
Noah toured every corner of the warship while engaging in light conversation with the Admiral. Ahead of the maritime party scheduled for that evening, the Prince toured the massive vessel thoroughly and conversed with the relevant officials. He enjoyed the formal dinner prepared by the Admiral's wife and offered his congratulations on behalf of the King.
The invited reporters were busy capturing his appearance, and the Prince, who was making an appearance before the press for the first time in a long while, was polite and relaxed throughout.
No one noticed that he hadn't slept a wink last night. Furthermore, no one realized that he had been enraged enough to send chills down his mother's spine and that his rage had not yet subsided.
“Ah... why couldn’t the Princess come?”
“I heard she visited Bianca Department Store yesterday... but suddenly she's sick?”
The invited reporters, taking photos of the Prince, muttered with regret.
The celebratory banquet was held on the deck of the newly built warship. Admiral David's wife had been extremely busy for a month in preparation for this banquet.
The white tablecloth covering the table was embroidered with a naval symbol that she had personally created. Colorful centerpieces and mermaid-shaped candlesticks were placed in the center of the table, and screens to block the sea breeze and dome braziers to ward off the cold were placed throughout.
The banquet held on the warship, which exuded the wildness of the sea, held an exotic romance.
The nobles, having climbed onto the deck in small groups, continuously marveled at the atmosphere of the maritime banquet set against the backdrop of the pink sunset.
And among them were Jackson Coleman and Isabelle Seymour.
“How about it, Isabelle? Do you like the sea?”
At that moment, goosebumps rose all over Isabelle's ears. As if he thought they had become somewhat close, Jackson Coleman dropped the formalities without permission and started rambling on about whatever came to mind.
He walked swaggering, puffing out his thick chest as if he were someone important. Isabelle, walking arm in arm, could not bear the feeling that her value was being relegated to the level of Jackson Coleman's wife.
“Huh? I asked if you liked it.”
"... Yes."
“I see. Then let’s go to the sea for our honeymoon. I have a villa in the south. The southern sea is cleaner than the eastern one, isn’t it? I’ll show you my private beach, too.”
It felt like her ears were rotting.
To think she would realize that even someone's breathing can be repulsive, of all people, through the man she decided to marry.
"I'd appreciate it if you could speak from a little distance, Young Master Coleman."
When Isabelle, unable to bear it any longer, spoke with disgust, Jackson frowned slightly and then wore a subtle expression as if he understood.
"Yeah. It can be embarrassing."
“...”
"Are you seriously crazy? I don't know how you manage to make everyone sick of you with everything you say."
As soon as she stepped onto the deck, Isabelle pulled her hand free from Jackson's grasp and desperately turned her head. Jackson kept whispering something, but to her, it was nothing but meaningless noise.
To Isabelle, who was wishing she could just get rid of the man standing next to her, he appeared as if by magic.
“...”
The flow of time surrounding Isabelle stopped.
To her, neither the magnificent, endlessly stretching seascape nor the enchanting sunset, which looked as if it had been painted with a brush laden with water, was meaningful.
Only one person.
Noah Astrid.
Dressed in a dazzlingly white navy uniform, he was laughing amidst the crowd. It was as if she could hear the sound of his laughter carried on the wind.
That distinctive laughter, cool yet full of ease.
The sharp gaze and words directed at her still lingered in her consciousness, tormenting her, but the intensity of her desire for him was greater.
Isabelle glanced around him with fear.
There should be the Princess...
However, the Princess she was looking for was nowhere to be found.
“I heard that the Princess could not come because she was ill; indeed, the Prince is alone.”
Jackson's voice, which had been meaningless until now, finally sounded meaningful.
"Are you saying the Princess couldn't come because she is sick?"
When Isabelle asked, Jackson nodded and pointed his finger at Noah.
“He's alone, aren’t he? I’ll say hello a little later.”
“...”
Isabelle stared blankly at Noah. She curled her lips into a smile, as if telling a funny story.
Then, suddenly, jer mother's voice came to mind.
“Isabelle, men are very visual beings. And they are obsessed with maintaining their positions. The moment they feel that their wife is a parasite eroding their status, far from benefiting from their family, love will shatter like grains of sand and vanish like dust. Though I don't know if love ever existed in the first place.”
“Go and see tomorrow. Ah... the Prince might not bring the Princess to tomorrow’s event. She looked very hurt today.”
Isabelle's chest swelled strangely. Her heart pounded violently, and her lips curled crookedly.
Could it be that the Princess, who frequented Bianca Department Store until yesterday, couldn't come because she was bedridden?
Even if she really is sick, how can a Prince who left his sick wife behind be so composed?
“I don’t know if there was love in the first place, though.”
Right. There is no way that man loves anyone.
Just as he did not love Isabelle Seymour, he does not love that woman either.
The sharp gaze directed at jer that day must have been solely for the sake of his own honor, and there must be some underlying reason for the marriage as well.
Isabelle lowered her head to hide her smile. Then, the hem of her dress came into view. The pearls dotted throughout the blue dress glowed pink in the setting sun.
Seeing that, the pearl tiara suddenly came to mind.
The tiara that sat atop the head of Liliana, the daughter of the Duke of Lightwing. Isabelle could have anything, but she could not have the tiara, which was permitted only to royalty.
Her grandfather, who was alive at the time, admonished her, saying, "Knowing when to give up is also wisdom."
However, Mother secretly bought Liliana a more glamorous tiara than the one she had worn, without her grandfather knowing.
“Things you don’t have tend to linger in your mind. But if you actually have them, you can forget them cleanly. Use them to your heart’s content.”
Her mother was right. After using it to his heart’s content, he grew tired of it, and the girl was soon forgotten.
Above her head, it seemed as though the pearl tiara she had secretly kept in the past was sparkling.
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