Episode 94. Noah and the Countess Timberline
And the next day.
After Noah left for work, Olivia asked Mrs. Betty for some cold coffee and sweet bread.
Up until now, she has been eating Noah's breakfast, but she couldn't get used to the combination of fishy eggs and bitter black tea, so she would often leave more than half of it behind.
Olivia felt as if every cell in her body was coming back to life with the sweet bread and cool coffee she had after a long time.
Mrs. Betty smiled as she watched Olivia devour the food with relish.
"From now on, I'll prepare whatever you want to eat. Steak doesn't really suit your taste, does it?"
Olivia smiled faintly, sipping her cold coffee.
“What kind of food do you like?”
“Fish dish. Fried or steamed, I like it.”
"Understood, Your Highness. I will tell you to prepare a fish dish for lunch today."
After eating the food she'd been craving for a long time, she felt a surge of energy. And as she recalled Noah's face, stroking her hair all night, she felt no fear at all.
“Yes, then let’s start with the details today.”
Mrs. Timberline had already rushed to Olivia as soon as she saw her today.
Mrs. Timberline's class, which began early in the morning, showed no sign of ending until well past lunchtime. Mrs. Timberline continued to make all sorts of comments about Olivia's gait and posture.
“Don’t shrug your shoulders.”
“Extend your toes a little more forcefully.”
Olivia, who had a hearty breakfast before heading to class, began to feel exhausted around lunchtime. Lunch, too, was a difficult meal, as she was constantly being criticized.
And then, immediately after, a lesson in etiquette began in the study. Even Mrs. Betty nodded.
“Yes, let’s try again.”
At Mrs. Timberline's words, Olivia elegantly turned and looked straight ahead. It was clear that Mrs. Timberline was nitpicking, to say the least, but she intended to endure it for at least a week.
One thing was certain: Mrs. Timberline's criticisms were becoming less frequent with each passing day. This was evidence that her demeanor was becoming more perfect.
As Olivia thought, her demeanor was comparable to that of Noah, the textbook of etiquette.
Mrs. Timberline clicked her tongue inwardly as she watched Olivia tenaciously hold on, even though her face was pale.
'Toxic, poisonous.'
The two were engaged in an invisible battle of wits under the guise of etiquette lessons. Lady Timberline had to defeat the Princess in this fight.
She raised her eyebrows sharply and glared.
“Your fingers are awkward, aren’t they? You need to take care of yourself from head to toe!"
You're a sudden riser, and you're trying to beat me, a nobleman to the core?!
It was around this time that Mrs. Timberline was looking Olivia up and down, trying to find fault again.
Bam!
Without even the slightest effort to muffle the sound, someone swung the door open.
The moment Mrs. Timberline turned around and looked at the door, wondering who was doing something like this, she froze in that position.
Because an unexpected person was standing there.
The sensitive Prince was very fickle.
“He's been in such a good mood the past few days. Why is he acting like this today?”
When Jonan, one of the bodyguards, asked Meson a question, Meson sighed deeply and muttered.
“I don’t know.”
“...”
“But you can avoid it. I can’t.”
Jonan gave Meson a look of pity and patted him on the shoulder.
Meson studied the Prince with a sharp gaze and thought. To survive, he must figure out who was manipulating the Prince's mood.
And fortunately, it was easy to guess who 'he' was.
“Did you fight with Her Highness?”
But he found it odd that Olivia didn't seem to deliberately provoke Noah. At what point did he become so angry?
Jonan glanced at the Prince's beautifully distorted brow and whispered to Meson.
“Just bear with it for a little longer. He’ll feel better in the afternoon.”
But contrary to his wishes, Noah's temper grew increasingly sensitive as time passed. He sighed while listening to reports, and lit a cigarette he'd thought he'd quit, bringing tears to the eyes of countless people who had come to report to him.
Noah didn't say a word, but the shattered silence was more frightening than making a loud noise.
Please, if you're going to make people anxious like this, then go, go!
But did he even hear Meson's silent scream?
Suddenly, Noah got up from his seat.
"Your High?"
“If anything urgent comes up, call me.”
And then he just draped his jacket over his shoulders and stormed out of the company!
Noah practically ran out of the office and got into the carriage.
“Where shall I take you, Your Highness?”
“Let’s go home.”
Perhaps because of the Prince's spirit, the coachman quickly started the carriage.
As he was working, Mrs. Betty's voice kept coming to mind, and it was annoying.
They don't let her sit down even for a moment. And how tight must the corset be to cause bruises?
“Wherever my mother chose, she always chose someone like that.”
Noah roughly wiped his face, blaming the Queen.
While he understood the need for an etiquette teacher, he also wondered why such a thing was even necessary.
Olivia had no reason to bother with social events. Wives often took the initiative because of their husbands' business, but Noah Astrid didn't need Olivia's help.
There will be no problem if he accompanies her to the occasional event.
So why on earth does Olivia need that? Why on earth does she intend to 'hold out' for it?
Dry air drifted over his beautiful face, and as if by magic, her voice was heard.
“I... just want to be proud as your wife.”
In an instant, the fiercely contorted frown between his eyebrows relaxed. Feeling Olivia's gentle hand on the back of his neck, Noah rubbed it.
His prediction that there would be a lot to worry about when taking Olivia as his wife was absolutely correct.
Olivia missed Hamuel, who had nothing to count the days for.
Noah crossed his long legs and rubbed his eyes with his hands.
In his attempt to find peace, he ended up getting unexpected anxiety as a bonus.
Ultimately, Noah decided to become involved in Olivia's education in his own way. He couldn't continue to be anxious and timid.
As the carriage arrived at the mansion, Mrs. Betty rushed out. Noah covered his lips with his index finger and gave an abrupt order.
“Please guide me to the class.”
Realizing the purpose of the Prince's visit, Mrs. Betty quickly turned around and walked ahead with dignity.
Even without that, Olivia's barely-eaten lunch kept coming to mind, making her feel sick. Why did she have to nitpick so much with just one forkful? I brought her the steamed fish she'd been wanting to eat, but she left almost all of it, let alone half!
Mrs. Betty, who had climbed the stairs and entered the hallway, glanced up at the Prince's frosty face and whispered.
“She has been so critical of table manners that Her Highness has not had a single bite of lunch.”
Noah glanced at Mrs. Betty, who rarely spoke, at her words. She paused in front of the study, her expression calm as if nothing had happened.
Noah asked softly, standing at the door.
“Not even a little?”
“Yes, not at all.”
This is absolutely incredible.
At that moment, a sharp voice was heard from inside.
“Your fingers are awkward, aren’t they? You need to take care of yourself from head to toe!”
Noah's lips rose up in a crooked manner.
And the next day.
After Noah left for work, Olivia asked Mrs. Betty for some cold coffee and sweet bread.
Up until now, she has been eating Noah's breakfast, but she couldn't get used to the combination of fishy eggs and bitter black tea, so she would often leave more than half of it behind.
Olivia felt as if every cell in her body was coming back to life with the sweet bread and cool coffee she had after a long time.
Mrs. Betty smiled as she watched Olivia devour the food with relish.
"From now on, I'll prepare whatever you want to eat. Steak doesn't really suit your taste, does it?"
Olivia smiled faintly, sipping her cold coffee.
“What kind of food do you like?”
“Fish dish. Fried or steamed, I like it.”
"Understood, Your Highness. I will tell you to prepare a fish dish for lunch today."
After eating the food she'd been craving for a long time, she felt a surge of energy. And as she recalled Noah's face, stroking her hair all night, she felt no fear at all.
“Yes, then let’s start with the details today.”
Mrs. Timberline had already rushed to Olivia as soon as she saw her today.
Mrs. Timberline's class, which began early in the morning, showed no sign of ending until well past lunchtime. Mrs. Timberline continued to make all sorts of comments about Olivia's gait and posture.
“Don’t shrug your shoulders.”
“Extend your toes a little more forcefully.”
Olivia, who had a hearty breakfast before heading to class, began to feel exhausted around lunchtime. Lunch, too, was a difficult meal, as she was constantly being criticized.
And then, immediately after, a lesson in etiquette began in the study. Even Mrs. Betty nodded.
Mrs. Timberlain, who conducted her lessons without pause, was one thing, but the Princess who followed her orders without complaint was truly remarkable.
At Mrs. Timberline's words, Olivia elegantly turned and looked straight ahead. It was clear that Mrs. Timberline was nitpicking, to say the least, but she intended to endure it for at least a week.
One thing was certain: Mrs. Timberline's criticisms were becoming less frequent with each passing day. This was evidence that her demeanor was becoming more perfect.
As Olivia thought, her demeanor was comparable to that of Noah, the textbook of etiquette.
Mrs. Timberline clicked her tongue inwardly as she watched Olivia tenaciously hold on, even though her face was pale.
'Toxic, poisonous.'
The two were engaged in an invisible battle of wits under the guise of etiquette lessons. Lady Timberline had to defeat the Princess in this fight.
She raised her eyebrows sharply and glared.
“Your fingers are awkward, aren’t they? You need to take care of yourself from head to toe!"
You're a sudden riser, and you're trying to beat me, a nobleman to the core?!
It was around this time that Mrs. Timberline was looking Olivia up and down, trying to find fault again.
Bam!
Without even the slightest effort to muffle the sound, someone swung the door open.
The moment Mrs. Timberline turned around and looked at the door, wondering who was doing something like this, she froze in that position.
Because an unexpected person was standing there.
***
The sensitive Prince was very fickle.
“He's been in such a good mood the past few days. Why is he acting like this today?”
When Jonan, one of the bodyguards, asked Meson a question, Meson sighed deeply and muttered.
“I don’t know.”
“...”
“But you can avoid it. I can’t.”
Jonan gave Meson a look of pity and patted him on the shoulder.
Meson studied the Prince with a sharp gaze and thought. To survive, he must figure out who was manipulating the Prince's mood.
And fortunately, it was easy to guess who 'he' was.
“Did you fight with Her Highness?”
But he found it odd that Olivia didn't seem to deliberately provoke Noah. At what point did he become so angry?
Jonan glanced at the Prince's beautifully distorted brow and whispered to Meson.
“Just bear with it for a little longer. He’ll feel better in the afternoon.”
But contrary to his wishes, Noah's temper grew increasingly sensitive as time passed. He sighed while listening to reports, and lit a cigarette he'd thought he'd quit, bringing tears to the eyes of countless people who had come to report to him.
Noah didn't say a word, but the shattered silence was more frightening than making a loud noise.
Please, if you're going to make people anxious like this, then go, go!
But did he even hear Meson's silent scream?
Suddenly, Noah got up from his seat.
"Your High?"
“If anything urgent comes up, call me.”
And then he just draped his jacket over his shoulders and stormed out of the company!
Noah practically ran out of the office and got into the carriage.
“Where shall I take you, Your Highness?”
“Let’s go home.”
Perhaps because of the Prince's spirit, the coachman quickly started the carriage.
As he was working, Mrs. Betty's voice kept coming to mind, and it was annoying.
They don't let her sit down even for a moment. And how tight must the corset be to cause bruises?
“Wherever my mother chose, she always chose someone like that.”
Noah roughly wiped his face, blaming the Queen.
While he understood the need for an etiquette teacher, he also wondered why such a thing was even necessary.
Olivia had no reason to bother with social events. Wives often took the initiative because of their husbands' business, but Noah Astrid didn't need Olivia's help.
There will be no problem if he accompanies her to the occasional event.
So why on earth does Olivia need that? Why on earth does she intend to 'hold out' for it?
Dry air drifted over his beautiful face, and as if by magic, her voice was heard.
“I... just want to be proud as your wife.”
In an instant, the fiercely contorted frown between his eyebrows relaxed. Feeling Olivia's gentle hand on the back of his neck, Noah rubbed it.
His prediction that there would be a lot to worry about when taking Olivia as his wife was absolutely correct.
Olivia missed Hamuel, who had nothing to count the days for.
Noah crossed his long legs and rubbed his eyes with his hands.
In his attempt to find peace, he ended up getting unexpected anxiety as a bonus.
Ultimately, Noah decided to become involved in Olivia's education in his own way. He couldn't continue to be anxious and timid.
As the carriage arrived at the mansion, Mrs. Betty rushed out. Noah covered his lips with his index finger and gave an abrupt order.
“Please guide me to the class.”
Realizing the purpose of the Prince's visit, Mrs. Betty quickly turned around and walked ahead with dignity.
Even without that, Olivia's barely-eaten lunch kept coming to mind, making her feel sick. Why did she have to nitpick so much with just one forkful? I brought her the steamed fish she'd been wanting to eat, but she left almost all of it, let alone half!
Mrs. Betty, who had climbed the stairs and entered the hallway, glanced up at the Prince's frosty face and whispered.
“She has been so critical of table manners that Her Highness has not had a single bite of lunch.”
Noah glanced at Mrs. Betty, who rarely spoke, at her words. She paused in front of the study, her expression calm as if nothing had happened.
Noah asked softly, standing at the door.
“Not even a little?”
“Yes, not at all.”
This is absolutely incredible.
At that moment, a sharp voice was heard from inside.
“Your fingers are awkward, aren’t they? You need to take care of yourself from head to toe!”
Noah's lips rose up in a crooked manner.
He made a finger-like sound and fell sideways.
Where is the dog barking?
Noah chewed on the basic courtesy of knocking and then opened the door.
Noah Astrid possessed a breathtakingly beautiful appearance, but his expression was so cold that he seemed inhuman.
In particular, the green eyes filled with red flags were so merciless that they seemed to show no mercy to any living being other than themselves.
Mrs. Timberline lowered her gaze, hastily greeting him as his presence filled the room.
“Your Highness, the Prince.”
“...”
Although it was customary to greet visitors first, Noah ignored her and approached Olivia directly. Looking into her dark eyes, filled with question and surprise, he lightly kissed her cheek.
"Your Highness."
When Noah saw Olivia's pale cheeks, he wanted to drag Mrs. Timberline away right away.
He would have done just that, but Olivia's voice, which said she wanted to be proud as his wife, held him back.
Noah slowly turned around and greeted the belated visitor.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Countess Timberline.”
Mrs. Timberline swallowed dryly at the languid, arrogant voice. She glanced up and saw a Prince, a replica of King Leonard, standing guard at Olivia's side.
It was an unfamiliar shock.
The shock of finding out that Olivia, whom she had thought was just a pretty face, was the real Princess hit Mrs. Timberline's head again.
“You’ve worked hard since early morning.”
“Oh, no, Your Highness. It is my honor.”
At her words, the Prince chuckled and smiled softly at Olivia.
“I’d like to see you take a class, how about that?”
He was asking, but his eyes held a determination to do so. Olivia blinked for a moment, then nodded.
“Yes, I like it.”
Then Noah sat down on the sofa and said to Mrs. Timberline.
“I’ll just watch for a moment, so don’t worry about me, Countess Timberline.”
“Ah... Yes, I understand, Your Highness.”
“Keep going. I heard from outside the door that class was in full swing.”
“...”
Mrs. Timberline was speechless for a moment, then straightened her back and looked at Olivia.
She felt as if she were the only living being in the bitter cold Noah had created. Feeling the Prince's blatant gaze, Mrs. Timberline took a trembling breath and opened her mouth.
“Now, let’s try walking again, Your Highness.”
Olivia was overcome with a subtle, inexplicable emotion as she glanced at Mrs. Timberline, whose expression had changed, and at Noah, who was staring at her.
Olivia walked to the end of the study, stood, looked ahead, and slowly walked forward. Her movements were as light as walking on clouds, reminiscent of the weightless dance of a person. Her expression and gaze were neither arrogant nor overly humble, her hand movements elegant, and her steps graceful.
Even Noah, who had only seen and learned the essence of etiquette, was impressed by her movements. After three days of torment, her movements became even more perfect.
Mrs. Timberline, who had been constantly nitpicking, remained silent in front of the Prince, unable to find fault with him.
As Olivia finally stopped walking and turned around, silence fell over the study.
Noah stared at Mrs. Timberline and then opened his mouth.
“Countess Timberline.”
“Huh? Oh... yes.”
The Prince stretched his lips into a long, heart-pounding smile, but to Mrs. Timberline, it seemed merely eerie, like a demonic spectacle.
"I don't think there's anything more to correct for posture. What do you think?"
The teacher's authority, which he had been trying to wield without restraint, was shattered by a single word.
Mrs. Timberline pursed her lips, but under the Prince's piercing gaze, she had no choice but to give in.
Because she no longer could hold onto her fingers, her toes, or her back.
She finally lowered her gaze and answered calmly.
“Yes, as you said, I don’t think there’s anything more I can correct.”
But the Prince, as if that wasn't the end of it, smiled gently and added something to her surprise.
“You’ve worked hard, so why not have a cup of tea?”
Noah chewed on the basic courtesy of knocking and then opened the door.
Noah Astrid possessed a breathtakingly beautiful appearance, but his expression was so cold that he seemed inhuman.
In particular, the green eyes filled with red flags were so merciless that they seemed to show no mercy to any living being other than themselves.
Mrs. Timberline lowered her gaze, hastily greeting him as his presence filled the room.
“Your Highness, the Prince.”
“...”
Although it was customary to greet visitors first, Noah ignored her and approached Olivia directly. Looking into her dark eyes, filled with question and surprise, he lightly kissed her cheek.
"Your Highness."
When Noah saw Olivia's pale cheeks, he wanted to drag Mrs. Timberline away right away.
He would have done just that, but Olivia's voice, which said she wanted to be proud as his wife, held him back.
Noah slowly turned around and greeted the belated visitor.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Countess Timberline.”
Mrs. Timberline swallowed dryly at the languid, arrogant voice. She glanced up and saw a Prince, a replica of King Leonard, standing guard at Olivia's side.
It was an unfamiliar shock.
The shock of finding out that Olivia, whom she had thought was just a pretty face, was the real Princess hit Mrs. Timberline's head again.
“You’ve worked hard since early morning.”
“Oh, no, Your Highness. It is my honor.”
At her words, the Prince chuckled and smiled softly at Olivia.
“I’d like to see you take a class, how about that?”
He was asking, but his eyes held a determination to do so. Olivia blinked for a moment, then nodded.
“Yes, I like it.”
Then Noah sat down on the sofa and said to Mrs. Timberline.
“I’ll just watch for a moment, so don’t worry about me, Countess Timberline.”
“Ah... Yes, I understand, Your Highness.”
“Keep going. I heard from outside the door that class was in full swing.”
“...”
Mrs. Timberline was speechless for a moment, then straightened her back and looked at Olivia.
She felt as if she were the only living being in the bitter cold Noah had created. Feeling the Prince's blatant gaze, Mrs. Timberline took a trembling breath and opened her mouth.
“Now, let’s try walking again, Your Highness.”
Olivia was overcome with a subtle, inexplicable emotion as she glanced at Mrs. Timberline, whose expression had changed, and at Noah, who was staring at her.
Olivia walked to the end of the study, stood, looked ahead, and slowly walked forward. Her movements were as light as walking on clouds, reminiscent of the weightless dance of a person. Her expression and gaze were neither arrogant nor overly humble, her hand movements elegant, and her steps graceful.
Even Noah, who had only seen and learned the essence of etiquette, was impressed by her movements. After three days of torment, her movements became even more perfect.
Mrs. Timberline, who had been constantly nitpicking, remained silent in front of the Prince, unable to find fault with him.
As Olivia finally stopped walking and turned around, silence fell over the study.
Noah stared at Mrs. Timberline and then opened his mouth.
“Countess Timberline.”
“Huh? Oh... yes.”
The Prince stretched his lips into a long, heart-pounding smile, but to Mrs. Timberline, it seemed merely eerie, like a demonic spectacle.
"I don't think there's anything more to correct for posture. What do you think?"
The teacher's authority, which he had been trying to wield without restraint, was shattered by a single word.
Mrs. Timberline pursed her lips, but under the Prince's piercing gaze, she had no choice but to give in.
Because she no longer could hold onto her fingers, her toes, or her back.
She finally lowered her gaze and answered calmly.
“Yes, as you said, I don’t think there’s anything more I can correct.”
But the Prince, as if that wasn't the end of it, smiled gently and added something to her surprise.
“You’ve worked hard, so why not have a cup of tea?”
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