Episode 133. The Princess's Congratulatory Speech
The coolness of the podium felt at fingertips, countless eyes filled with various expectations, and the intermittent flashes of camera lights.
This was not an illusion, but reality.
She stood in a position where she could do something meaningful.
The worry that she might make a mistake out of nervousness had already been pushed deep into her subconscious and vanished. Even the anxiety about Noah and the pressure to do well had completely vanished at this moment.
Rather, a vivid and thrilling sensation washed over her as everything that made her up, from head to toe, came alive one by one.
Olivia felt 'alive'. It was an immense joy and ecstasy. The joy welling up from her heart seeped through her entire body.
Those watching her felt as though they were witnessing a blossoming bud slowly opening up.
Noah watched her, forgetting even to breathe.
Not only Beatrix, but even Leonard, who had already watched Olivia's demonstration several times, had no choice but to focus entirely on her.
Then, Olivia pulled up her lips and opened her mouth.
“Dear distinguished guests, good morning. I am Olivia Rosemond Astrid.”
A clear, resonant voice filled with intelligence overwhelmed everyone in the venue.
People swayed without even realizing it. It was because the passion and joy of Olivia, who had sincerely waited for this moment, were being fully conveyed.
Reporters and photographers listened to Olivia's speech, forgetting even that they had to take pictures.
Her voice had power and a dignity that captivated the audience.
“...This gathering today is for the intellect of the majority of Herod’s people...”
She expounded on the significance of the school for commoners ordered by the King to establish, emphasizing that it would contribute to Herod's ultimate development.
And so, a congratulatory speech of about five minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
Olivia looked around the audience with a gentle gaze, then looked at Leonard and spoke politely.
"I earnestly hope that this will serve as a stepping stone for Herod's great development, and finally, I offer my infinite trust and gratitude to the esteemed His Majesty the King."
The congratulatory speech concluded with her respectfully bowing to the King.
A deafening silence hung over the venue. This was because some were dumbfounded, while others were left speechless.
Leonard felt that this silence was like a tribute to Astrid. Joy welled up from deep within his heart. It seemed as though his years of labor in establishing the Royal School were finally bearing fruit.
It was when Leonard, filled with joy, jumped up from his seat and was about to clap vigorously.
"Duchess of Rosemond."
Suddenly, a very unlucky voice threw a stone at the King's joy.
Leonard muttered a curse under his breath and turned his head toward the direction of the sound.
As expected, Harold Beam was there.
In an era where money was power, Harold Beam, who had seized control of Herod's Guild Alliance, had become the only person capable of challenging the King's authority. At that time, he called himself a representative of the common people.
As Noah tried to get up, Usher, who was standing nearby, quickly grabbed him.
"I enjoyed listening to your excellent congratulatory remarks. My name is Harold Beam."
In the meantime, Harold Beam had already risen from his seat and bowed to Olivia. At that, the people who had been overwhelmed by Olivia's aura came to their senses one by one. The silence that had felt like a show of respect for Astrid evaporated like morning dew.
Olivia received his greeting with a gentle smile.
“Greetings, Sir Beam. I have heard much about your reputation. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
"I have taken the liberty of rising from my seat because there is something I would like to ask you. May I ask you something I am curious about?"
At his question, Olivia instinctively looked at the King. Leonard stared intently at Olivia with his deep blue eyes and nodded shallowly.
“Of course, Sir Beam. Ask your question.”
As Olivia responded calmly, the reporters quickly took out their notebooks and started writing.
"The Duchess of Rosemond graduated from a prestigious school in Pulder and even went on to graduate from Harrington College. I heard that you grew up in very difficult circumstances; that is truly remarkable."
Noah reacted to his words as if having a seizure and clenched his fist tightly.
Leonard, Beatrix, and even Usher glared at him with hardened faces. Leonard intended to stand up immediately and stop him if he tried to tarnish Olivia's honor any further.
Harold Beam continued speaking, even while feeling the murderous stares of Herod's messengers.
“I heard that since most of the schools you attended were for men only, the Duchess sometimes found herself in unexpected difficulties...”
Harold Beam drew out the end of his sentence and tightened his stomach.
This was because the angry royals were bound to stir at what was to come. However, since that was exactly what he was aiming for, he tossed out the words in a subtle tone.
"For example, I mean places like restrooms."
“That bastard...!”
Noah immediately sprang to his feet, muttering curses, and Herod's messengers, whose patience had reached its limit, also sprang to their feet, each contorting their faces fiercely.
“Harold Beam, how presumptuous!! Watch your words!!”
Enraged, Leonard let out a roar, and Noah lunged at him, spewing murderous intent and unrefined magic from his entire body as if to tear him apart.
That rude man was not only trying to tarnish the Princess’s honor with the secretive yet vulgar word ‘restroom,’ but was also trying to crush the significance of establishing the Royal School.
However, Harold Beam had to seize the Royal School issue by any means necessary, since Olivia Astrid was trying to usurp his position as the representative of the commoners.
Harold Beam bowed his head at the King's commanding presence, but nevertheless, he quietly raised his eyes to look at Olivia.
If the Princess would show even a tear at a moment like this, I could bring home the front page of tomorrow's newspaper...
'Hmm?'
However, far from crying, the Princess nodded in agreement with a bitter expression.
"That's right. It was very difficult."
The royals who had been glaring at Harold Beam paused and turned their heads away. The other nobles did the same.
Olivia shrugged her shoulders as all eyes turned to her. She couldn't sense the slightest bit of shame in her.
“Listen, everyone. I had a hard time getting to school, but there was nothing but the boys' restroom. I was only ten years old at the time.”
She looked around at the people as if making a complaint and continued speaking.
“But it was okay. The professors, who anticipated my situation, helped me. I learned the meaning of consideration through them at that time. Even now, thinking about that moment warms my heart.”
“...”
“Oh, but that wasn't the only hard part. The first school I attended, Roland School, separated grades based on entrance exam scores. At ten years old, I had to take classes with boys who were, on average, five years older than me, so when I sat in a chair, the soles of my feet wouldn't even touch the floor. That is when I had this thought.”
Olivia deliberately tilted her eyes and spoke in a sullen voice.
“‘If I’d known this would happen, I would have gotten a few questions wrong on the entrance exam. I got first place for nothing.’”
Laughter erupted from all around at her comical appearance.
The Princess very easily drew the atmosphere toward her.
As the tense atmosphere subsided with laughter, Leonard sat down as if to observe the situation for now. Seeing this, Usher also sat down and nudged Noah. Although Noah sat down reluctantly, a sharp aura was still emanating from him.
Harold Beam cleared his throat slightly and asked again.
“It must have been truly difficult. Nevertheless, since the schools the Duchess attended were prestigious in Pulder, the facilities must have been excellent. After all, the environment is the most important factor for a student to focus on their studies.”
"Yes, I agree."
“However... in that sense, I think that this school facility, with its excellent purpose, should be equipped a little more.”
Then, the King's personal guards from all around glared at him.
"Shall I block it?"
One of the aides sitting behind Leonard asked secretly.
Leonard's gaze was fixed on Olivia. From the beginning until now, she hadn't wavered for a single moment. She was calm and composed.
"Let's wait and see."
Therefore, it is worth trusting and entrusting.
'Good luck, Olivia.'
Then, Harold Beam gestured to the reporters and continued speaking.
"Of course, I express immense respect for His Majesty the King's will. However, unconditional praise is like poison, so I am speaking at the risk of danger."
After looking around the main hall, Olivia asked.
"Specifically, which facilities are you referring to?"
“Hmm... for instance, there are things like the number of restrooms, the quality of chairs and desks, the size of the library, the width of the sports field, and so on. You could call it visible discrimination.”
"Is the comparison target an aristocratic school?"
Harold Beam shrugged and laughed at that.
Olivia saw right through the fact that he, who claimed to be a representative of the common people, had actually never experienced the life of a commoner.
The gentle smile that had been on her face slowly faded. Olivia looked directly at Harold Beam and spoke in a low voice.
“Do you know what my top priority was when I was choosing a school in the past, Sir Beam?”
“...”
"It was precisely accessibility and the availability of scholarships. Between the two conditions, which was more important to me?"
Then Harold Beam blinked and quietly opened his mouth.
“...Isn’t it... a scholarship?”
Olivia chuckled and shook her head.
The coolness of the podium felt at fingertips, countless eyes filled with various expectations, and the intermittent flashes of camera lights.
This was not an illusion, but reality.
She stood in a position where she could do something meaningful.
The worry that she might make a mistake out of nervousness had already been pushed deep into her subconscious and vanished. Even the anxiety about Noah and the pressure to do well had completely vanished at this moment.
Rather, a vivid and thrilling sensation washed over her as everything that made her up, from head to toe, came alive one by one.
Olivia felt 'alive'. It was an immense joy and ecstasy. The joy welling up from her heart seeped through her entire body.
Those watching her felt as though they were witnessing a blossoming bud slowly opening up.
Noah watched her, forgetting even to breathe.
Not only Beatrix, but even Leonard, who had already watched Olivia's demonstration several times, had no choice but to focus entirely on her.
Then, Olivia pulled up her lips and opened her mouth.
“Dear distinguished guests, good morning. I am Olivia Rosemond Astrid.”
A clear, resonant voice filled with intelligence overwhelmed everyone in the venue.
People swayed without even realizing it. It was because the passion and joy of Olivia, who had sincerely waited for this moment, were being fully conveyed.
Reporters and photographers listened to Olivia's speech, forgetting even that they had to take pictures.
Her voice had power and a dignity that captivated the audience.
“...This gathering today is for the intellect of the majority of Herod’s people...”
She expounded on the significance of the school for commoners ordered by the King to establish, emphasizing that it would contribute to Herod's ultimate development.
And so, a congratulatory speech of about five minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
Olivia looked around the audience with a gentle gaze, then looked at Leonard and spoke politely.
"I earnestly hope that this will serve as a stepping stone for Herod's great development, and finally, I offer my infinite trust and gratitude to the esteemed His Majesty the King."
The congratulatory speech concluded with her respectfully bowing to the King.
A deafening silence hung over the venue. This was because some were dumbfounded, while others were left speechless.
Leonard felt that this silence was like a tribute to Astrid. Joy welled up from deep within his heart. It seemed as though his years of labor in establishing the Royal School were finally bearing fruit.
It was when Leonard, filled with joy, jumped up from his seat and was about to clap vigorously.
"Duchess of Rosemond."
Suddenly, a very unlucky voice threw a stone at the King's joy.
Leonard muttered a curse under his breath and turned his head toward the direction of the sound.
As expected, Harold Beam was there.
In an era where money was power, Harold Beam, who had seized control of Herod's Guild Alliance, had become the only person capable of challenging the King's authority. At that time, he called himself a representative of the common people.
As Noah tried to get up, Usher, who was standing nearby, quickly grabbed him.
"I enjoyed listening to your excellent congratulatory remarks. My name is Harold Beam."
In the meantime, Harold Beam had already risen from his seat and bowed to Olivia. At that, the people who had been overwhelmed by Olivia's aura came to their senses one by one. The silence that had felt like a show of respect for Astrid evaporated like morning dew.
Olivia received his greeting with a gentle smile.
“Greetings, Sir Beam. I have heard much about your reputation. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
"I have taken the liberty of rising from my seat because there is something I would like to ask you. May I ask you something I am curious about?"
At his question, Olivia instinctively looked at the King. Leonard stared intently at Olivia with his deep blue eyes and nodded shallowly.
“Of course, Sir Beam. Ask your question.”
As Olivia responded calmly, the reporters quickly took out their notebooks and started writing.
"The Duchess of Rosemond graduated from a prestigious school in Pulder and even went on to graduate from Harrington College. I heard that you grew up in very difficult circumstances; that is truly remarkable."
Noah reacted to his words as if having a seizure and clenched his fist tightly.
Leonard, Beatrix, and even Usher glared at him with hardened faces. Leonard intended to stand up immediately and stop him if he tried to tarnish Olivia's honor any further.
Harold Beam continued speaking, even while feeling the murderous stares of Herod's messengers.
“I heard that since most of the schools you attended were for men only, the Duchess sometimes found herself in unexpected difficulties...”
Harold Beam drew out the end of his sentence and tightened his stomach.
This was because the angry royals were bound to stir at what was to come. However, since that was exactly what he was aiming for, he tossed out the words in a subtle tone.
"For example, I mean places like restrooms."
“That bastard...!”
Noah immediately sprang to his feet, muttering curses, and Herod's messengers, whose patience had reached its limit, also sprang to their feet, each contorting their faces fiercely.
“Harold Beam, how presumptuous!! Watch your words!!”
Enraged, Leonard let out a roar, and Noah lunged at him, spewing murderous intent and unrefined magic from his entire body as if to tear him apart.
That rude man was not only trying to tarnish the Princess’s honor with the secretive yet vulgar word ‘restroom,’ but was also trying to crush the significance of establishing the Royal School.
However, Harold Beam had to seize the Royal School issue by any means necessary, since Olivia Astrid was trying to usurp his position as the representative of the commoners.
Harold Beam bowed his head at the King's commanding presence, but nevertheless, he quietly raised his eyes to look at Olivia.
If the Princess would show even a tear at a moment like this, I could bring home the front page of tomorrow's newspaper...
'Hmm?'
However, far from crying, the Princess nodded in agreement with a bitter expression.
"That's right. It was very difficult."
The royals who had been glaring at Harold Beam paused and turned their heads away. The other nobles did the same.
Olivia shrugged her shoulders as all eyes turned to her. She couldn't sense the slightest bit of shame in her.
“Listen, everyone. I had a hard time getting to school, but there was nothing but the boys' restroom. I was only ten years old at the time.”
She looked around at the people as if making a complaint and continued speaking.
“But it was okay. The professors, who anticipated my situation, helped me. I learned the meaning of consideration through them at that time. Even now, thinking about that moment warms my heart.”
“...”
“Oh, but that wasn't the only hard part. The first school I attended, Roland School, separated grades based on entrance exam scores. At ten years old, I had to take classes with boys who were, on average, five years older than me, so when I sat in a chair, the soles of my feet wouldn't even touch the floor. That is when I had this thought.”
Olivia deliberately tilted her eyes and spoke in a sullen voice.
“‘If I’d known this would happen, I would have gotten a few questions wrong on the entrance exam. I got first place for nothing.’”
Laughter erupted from all around at her comical appearance.
The Princess very easily drew the atmosphere toward her.
As the tense atmosphere subsided with laughter, Leonard sat down as if to observe the situation for now. Seeing this, Usher also sat down and nudged Noah. Although Noah sat down reluctantly, a sharp aura was still emanating from him.
Harold Beam cleared his throat slightly and asked again.
“It must have been truly difficult. Nevertheless, since the schools the Duchess attended were prestigious in Pulder, the facilities must have been excellent. After all, the environment is the most important factor for a student to focus on their studies.”
"Yes, I agree."
“However... in that sense, I think that this school facility, with its excellent purpose, should be equipped a little more.”
Then, the King's personal guards from all around glared at him.
"Shall I block it?"
One of the aides sitting behind Leonard asked secretly.
Leonard's gaze was fixed on Olivia. From the beginning until now, she hadn't wavered for a single moment. She was calm and composed.
"Let's wait and see."
Therefore, it is worth trusting and entrusting.
'Good luck, Olivia.'
Then, Harold Beam gestured to the reporters and continued speaking.
"Of course, I express immense respect for His Majesty the King's will. However, unconditional praise is like poison, so I am speaking at the risk of danger."
After looking around the main hall, Olivia asked.
"Specifically, which facilities are you referring to?"
“Hmm... for instance, there are things like the number of restrooms, the quality of chairs and desks, the size of the library, the width of the sports field, and so on. You could call it visible discrimination.”
"Is the comparison target an aristocratic school?"
Harold Beam shrugged and laughed at that.
Olivia saw right through the fact that he, who claimed to be a representative of the common people, had actually never experienced the life of a commoner.
The gentle smile that had been on her face slowly faded. Olivia looked directly at Harold Beam and spoke in a low voice.
“Do you know what my top priority was when I was choosing a school in the past, Sir Beam?”
“...”
"It was precisely accessibility and the availability of scholarships. Between the two conditions, which was more important to me?"
Then Harold Beam blinked and quietly opened his mouth.
“...Isn’t it... a scholarship?”
Olivia chuckled and shook her head.
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