STCE 09

Chapter : 9 The Edge of the Wind, A Handful of Fragrance

Olivia rode through the palace grounds in a carriage on her way to her accommodations. The room assigned to her was a guest suite with windows overlooking the main fountain of Herot Palace. She had been told that the Queen herself had personally selected it for her.

Looking utterly exhausted, Margo simply said, “See you tomorrow,” before following an attendant away. Olivia, meanwhile, followed a maid into the room prepared for her.

The moment the maid lit the lamps, Olivia regretted ever calling this place “lodging.”

Even in the soft light, everything in the room radiated the elegance of priceless masterpieces. Yet nothing felt excessive. Every piece harmonized perfectly with the others, creating an atmosphere that was both luxurious and comfortable.

The maid briefly explained everything Olivia might need.

“…If you require anything, simply pull this bell cord.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

While they spoke, servants finished setting the table with a meal centered around fried fish. Olivia happily took her seat.

“I’ll return shortly.”

After lighting the candles on the table, the maid quietly withdrew. The graceful way she turned and walked away was as smooth as flowing water, and Olivia found herself quietly watching her retreating figure.

There doesn’t seem to be a single person in Herot Palace who isn’t elegant.

The delicious aroma soon snapped Olivia out of her thoughts.

“Shall I eat?”

With eager anticipation, she cut into the fried fish and popped a bite into her mouth.

The crisp batter and the tender, savory flesh made her shiver with delight.

“It’s really delicious.”

She couldn’t stop murmuring how good it was, and before she realized it, she had polished off every last bite.

Now that her stomach was full, it was time for a warm bath.

When she emerged from the bathroom, freshly washed, the table had already been cleaned spotless.

Climbing into the soft bed that carried a faint scent of soap, Olivia rested her head against the fluffy pillow.

She slowly steadied her breathing before letting her eyes wander around the cozy, magnificent room once more.

“Wow… I’m really staying in Herot Palace.”

A breathy laugh escaped her lips.

To think she had come all the way to Herot Palace simply because she had longed for Herot.

Like carefully folding the page of a beloved, well-worn book so it could be reopened again and again, she knew she would treasure this very moment and revisit it countless times in her memories.

Olivia pushed herself upright, opened her bag, and took out a notebook, her fountain pen, and the magical flashlight she had designed herself before sitting at the table.

Instead of relying on the flickering candlelight, she hung the flashlight from the candlestick, letting its steady glow illuminate the pages as she began writing in her journal.

She carefully recorded everything from the moment her carriage entered the palace grounds.

Then her pen suddenly stopped.

The fountain pen hovered over the page as though trying to write something, only to hesitate and stop again.

After setting the pen down, Olivia unconsciously wrapped her right hand around her left shoulder.

The memory of the broad, firm embrace that had surrounded her back resurfaced.

Startled by the recollection, she quickly lowered her hand and blinked.

She had wanted nothing more than to escape yesterday’s banquet…

Yet somehow, she felt that she would remember it for a very long time.

Even the awkward moments when she had been surrounded by nobles.

Picking up her pen once more, Olivia finally wrote the words she had been hesitating over.

“Noah Astrid.”

She quietly rolled the beautifully written name off her tongue.

Then, smiling softly, she continued filling her notebook with the memories of the day.

The next morning, Leonard checked the newspaper the moment he woke up.

The instant he saw the front page, he burst into booming laughter that echoed through the palace.

[King Leonard II Invites Olivia Liberty, Herolington’s First Female Student, to the Autumn Banquet]

Seeing Walter Lightwing’s insufferable face disappear from the front page made him feel like he could fly.

Of all people, the boy just had to resemble Walter.

Every time Leonard looked at the newspaper these days, he felt as though he had been thrown into a muddy swamp.

Pointing at the photograph of the royal family standing beside Olivia, Leonard shouted,

“Do you see it? Walter’s face is finally gone from the front page! Hahahahaha!”

The inventor of that damned camera—and every newspaper publisher in the kingdom—had become the targets of Leonard’s lifelong desire to strangle.

Ironically, however, no one paid more attention to newspapers than he did.

As the number of wealthy commoners continued to grow, the era had come when even the monarchy had to consider public opinion.

The existence of the Fulder Republic only accelerated that trend.

Couldn’t he simply bribe the newspaper owners?

Certainly, that was one possibility.

The problem was that newspaper publishers cared far more about circulation numbers than they did about pleasing the King.

Leonard sprang to his feet and ordered his attendant.

“Good! Today we’ll all head to Herolington Bay! We’ll take one photograph with the Magic Dome behind us! Then another in front of the Golden Lion Statue at the park where commoners gather! Hurry and notify the reporters!”

The attendant handed him a glass of cold water.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After draining the glass, Leonard wiped his mouth with a towel and added,

“If Margo says she’s tired, tell her she may rest. She doesn’t need to come.”

“And while you’re at it, go tell Walter that under no circumstances is he to come anywhere near Herolington Bay today.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Around ten that morning, Margo and Olivia climbed into a carriage headed for the royal family’s private villa overlooking Herolington Bay.

The villa stood atop a rocky hill that rose alone from the gently curving coastline.

From a distance, the rocky mountain resembled a castle.

The side facing the sea was a sheer cliff, while the landward slope was gentle enough for a carriage to climb.

Olivia leaned against the carriage window, gazing at the sparkling sea through rows of roadside trees.

When the carriage finally came to a stop, she followed Margo outside.

The breeze carried the cool moisture of the ocean.

Holding down her fluttering skirt, Olivia looked out across the sea, where fragments of autumn sunlight glittered over the waves.

And there…

Three Magic Domes stood tall like enormous white pillars.

She had designed them herself.

Yet this was the first time she had ever seen them in person.

“So those are the Magic Domes Oliver designed,” Margo remarked as she walked over.

Olivia let out a helpless laugh.

“That’s right. Oliver designed them.”

A cold gleam crossed Margo’s eyes.

“Society claims social status no longer matters, yet it refuses to recognize a patent simply because the inventor is a woman.”

“What an amusing excuse.”

Just then, the Royal Guard arrived on horseback, escorting the King’s carriage.

Turning toward it, Margo continued,

“Don’t ever throw away the proof that you’re Oliver.”

“I won’t. I’ve kept it safe.”

“Don’t submit to this, Olivia.”

“The day will absolutely come when you’ll need to reveal it.”

She glanced at Olivia’s small, delicate frame.

“And when that day comes…”

“…you’ll become the first.”

“You’ve always been the first at everything.”

“…I’m really not that remarkable, Professor.”

Margo let out a sharp laugh.

“Is that so? Then I suppose the prestigious Herolington University must be worth absolutely nothing.”

“Oh, Professor…”

Olivia finally laughed as she lightly protested, and Margo simply shrugged with a smile.

Just then, the King and Queen stepped down from an imposing black carriage drawn by six horses.

Spotting them, Olivia lowered herself into a respectful bow.

The Queen acknowledged her with a subtle look.

Leonard’s thick eyebrows twitched when he noticed Margo—who had insisted she wouldn’t come—but wisely chose not to comment.

A second carriage stopped behind them.

The Crown Prince and Prince Noah stepped out.

Even beneath the brilliant autumn sunlight, both princes looked striking.

The men of the Herot royal family almost always wore black formal suits, and Noah was no exception.

The sleek, tailored fabric only made his long legs appear even longer.

Just as everyone assumed the arrivals were finished, another passenger descended from the princes’ carriage.

She was an elegant middle-aged woman.

“Oh? It seems Lucy has come.”

The moment Margo spoke, the usher extended a hand toward the carriage.

Soon, a little girl holding the Crown Prince’s hand gracefully stepped down.

Her fair cheeks, tinged with pink, resembled a delicate blossom tucked into her half-up golden hair.

The pale blue dress suited her perfectly.

A smile naturally spread across Olivia’s face.

The girl looked no older than eight or nine.

After releasing the Crown Prince’s hand, she stood with remarkable poise.

She’s so adorable!

Olivia couldn’t help crying out inwardly.

At that moment, Margo called her name.

“Lucy Therese!”

Displaying a warm smile she showed to no one else in the royal family, Margo opened both arms.

By all common sense, Lucy should have run into her embrace.

Instead, Princess Lucy kept her posture perfectly straight and walked toward her aunt with slow, graceful steps.

Even so, her sparkling eyes remained fixed on Margo, making her impossibly cute.

Apparently Margo felt the same.

Keeping her arms open, she hurried forward and wrapped Lucy in a warm hug.

“Have you been well, Aunt?”

Lucy embraced her in return before kissing her cheek.

“Of course I have.”

“And have you been well too, my Lucy?”

Watching Margo’s affectionate expression, Noah suddenly remembered the completely opposite look she had given him yesterday.

…Now I feel unfairly treated.

With a crooked smile, he turned his head.

And his gaze landed on Olivia.

She was once again wearing a white blouse and a full flared skirt.

The vivid blue skirt paired beautifully with the white blouse, reminding him of the clear autumn sky meeting the sea.

Unlike yesterday, her black hair was tied halfway back and flowed gently in the breeze along with her skirt.

A natural smile rested on her face as she watched Lucy.

Noah’s eyes lingered on the scene as though it were a painting.

Meanwhile, after exchanging greetings with Lucy, Margo straightened and stepped aside.

She gave Olivia a subtle glance.

Understanding immediately, Olivia carefully approached the little princess.

The instant Lucy saw Olivia emerge from behind her aunt…

She froze.

She had never seen anyone like this before.

Black hair dancing in the wind.

A face glowing beneath the sunlight.

Clothes unlike anything she had ever seen.

To an eight-year-old princess who had spent her entire life inside the palace…

Everything about Olivia seemed unreal.

Is she an angel?

The princess’s tiny mouth slowly fell open.

Her eyes grew as round as saucers.

Then the beautiful stranger greeted her.

“Hello, Your Highness.”

“My name is Olivia Liberty.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

Wow…

The usher shot Lucy a stern glance for failing to answer immediately.

But upon seeing the child’s utterly entranced expression, he couldn’t help chuckling.

“Lucy.”

The gentle voice brought her back to reality.

Her face instantly turned bright red.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“My name is Lucy Therese Astrid.”

Watching the exchange, Leonard decided that was enough.

“All right, everyone, come over here!”

“Stand in front of the Magic Dome.”

Then he affectionately called to his beloved daughter.

“Lucy, come here!”

Taking Lucy’s hand, Leonard stood beside the Queen.

Among royalty, even the order in which people walked was dictated by etiquette.

The only person occasionally exempt from such rigid rules was Lucy Therese.

Just as she had done yesterday, Olivia quietly moved to stand beside Noah.

The attendant who had been about to guide her to her place merely smiled and nodded.

After offering Noah a brief bow, she carefully closed the distance while making sure not to stand too close.

Noah glanced sideways at her.

“Ready!”

the photographer shouted from beneath the large black cloth covering the camera.

Everyone—including Noah, Olivia, and the rest of the royal family—looked toward the lens.

Then…

The wind blew.

Olivia’s long hair swept across Noah’s cheek, tickling his skin.

He didn’t move.

If he brushed it away, they would have to take another photograph.

So he simply remained still.

The sea breeze carried a gentle fragrance.

Flash!

Light burst from the camera.

The photographer nodded in satisfaction.

Only then did the strands of scented hair drift away.

Watching Olivia hurry back to Margo’s side, Noah brushed his tingling cheek with the back of his hand.

Then, wearing a faint smile that somehow felt almost cynical, he quietly looked away from her.