Chapter 26

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 26

Chapter Title: It'll All Be Fine

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‘Dumblin Tennis Tournament. That's the condition.’

In response to the utterly unexpected condition, Olivia's eyes widened as she asked again.

‘......Tennis tournament?’

‘It would be great if you participated. Even better if you win.’

Spring sunlight pooled warmly inside the carriage like a gentle spring day. The man, a smile playing on his lips, gazed at Olivia. Though he disliked appearing in front of people.

‘......All right.’

It was better than becoming a penniless wanderer with Anne.

“There, all set. Just sign here once.”

Olivia snapped out of her thoughts as a fountain pen intruded into her view. She took the pen from the clerk and wrote her name in the blank space.

It would work out somehow.

Olivia withdrew the cash she needed right away and obtained a new guarantee certificate for the remaining amount, which she placed in the vault. Suppressing her anxiety as best she could, she and Anne left the bank.

Just like always, everything would turn out fine.

“Let's go, Anne.”

“Yes, Miss.”

A spring breeze carrying the rich scent of blooming flowers brushed against Olivia's cheek. Somehow, that soft wind felt like the hope brought by the season of renewal.

Olivia and Anne headed toward Riverside Road. The upscale neighborhood where nobles' townhouses clustered was situated along the serene Bichen River, offering magnificent views.

“This is a truly historic mansion. It's over a hundred years old, but exceptionally well-maintained—look how pristine it is. And imagine living here with this scenery every day; even His Majesty the King would envy you. How splendid it is. While we're on the topic...”

The real estate agent Edgar had introduced was rather long-winded in his explanations.

Olivia and Anne were touring several townhouses available for a temporary three-month stay until the Dumblin Championship in July concluded.

With the ongoing scandal involving Edgar, staying at the Lancelot Hotel had become problematic.

Fortunately, just as their legs began to ache, they found a house that perfectly suited their tastes.

It was a red brick house half-covered in ivy, its dark navy roof glowing like a heated griddle in the setting sun, and even the white window frames tinged reddish.

After inspecting the interior, Olivia signed the contract on the spot. The house was so clean it seemed ready to move into immediately, with nothing needing attention.

Olivia paid three hundred francs for three months' rent in a lump sum.

They said Count Blanchett had been arrested by the police for forgery of private documents the moment he submitted the papers at the International Bank's head office.

So he wouldn't trouble her anymore, but ever since that day, carrying large sums of money made her uneasy.

By the time they parted from the agent and returned to the hotel, evening had fallen. Dragging their tired bodies across the lobby, they saw the elevator doors open straight ahead, revealing a familiar face stepping out.

It was Madam Lauren.

The hotel lobby buzzed with lounge and club patrons, but Olivia couldn't miss the woman striding confidently through the crowd. The sharp click of her slender stiletto heels on the marble floor stopped right in front of her.

“We meet again, Miss Blanchett.”

Ostrich feathers swayed gently atop the woman's head as she gave a slight bow.

“Yes. Long time no see, Madam.”

Olivia returned the greeting, her gaze briefly flicking to the elevator the woman had emerged from over her shoulder.

“You've... undergone quite a few changes.”

Madam Lauren, her eyes wide, nodded as she took in Olivia's markedly altered appearance, murmuring almost to herself.

Her neat bob, partially hidden by the hat, suited her perfectly. The simple attire more befitting a maid somehow accentuated her unique beauty.

It wasn't a bad outcome from the persistent rumors of secret meetings with Marquis Lancelot since the Rose Ball.

Olivia Blanchett...

Princess Annblin Grace Brita was Eve Lauren's muse, perfectly embodying the high-class designs Madam Lauren pursued.

In that case, Lancelot Lauren...

Madam Lauren scrutinized Olivia once more. At that moment—

“You must be close with Mr. Lancelot.”

Olivia's eyes darted briefly to the elevator before returning to Madam Lauren. The exclusive elevator for the Lancelot Hotel's owner. Sensing its significance, she smiled and replied.

“I'm considering building a business relationship.”

She was quite perceptive. There was a considerable gap between the woman Olivia had imagined from overseas rumors and the one before her. Doubt still lingered in Olivia's eyes. A friendly explanation seemed necessary.

“I overplayed my hand. It wasn't just you who got into trouble over the necklace incident.”

She had overlooked Princess Annblin's feelings for Marquis Lancelot. Who would have thought the princess still harbored lingering affections for the man she had discarded to marry a foreign prince?

“So now I need a new investor.”

She couldn't deny her own miscalculation in failing to account for such a variable. Had she known, she wouldn't have insisted on Anne Juber.

“I see.”

Olivia nodded slightly, her expression neutral.

Madam Lauren smiled outwardly in relief. At this point, it would be inconvenient if Olivia connected her with Edgar. At least until the Lancelot family signed the acquisition contract.

“We might be seeing more of each other. Until then.”

With a farewell, Madam Lauren brushed past Olivia. Over the lively music spilling from the lounge, the confident click of her high heels echoed. Her red lips curled greedily.

Listen, you naive young lady. Beware the beast playing cat.

Olivia Blanchett needed to learn to distrust people more thoroughly.

The game room at Annus Club was already lively with Crown Prince Christian and his friends deep into a card game. As Johann entered, the players' eyes quickly followed him.

Tabloids that had been taunting Johann littered every table. Reading the articles led to the inescapable conclusion that no man in the world was such an idiot.

Ah! Poor fool.

Somehow, an article about the botched steel company acquisition portrayed Johann's wife as an industrial spy who leaked company secrets for her lover, Edgar Langcaster Lancelot.

In this way, his ex-wife, Olivia Blanchett, dominated the headlines daily with new scandals, branding Johann the world's most pitiful fool.

“You're here?”

Christian, cigarette in mouth, glanced up from his hand to greet Johann before looking back down.

Johann indifferently passed them and headed to the balcony.

Christian received his final card. Delight spread across his face.

Five of a kind.

“As expected of my Johann! My lucky goddess!”

Christian shouted as he raked in the chips. The noble youths giggled. It wasn't the sort of thing to say to Rondo's most unlucky man these days.

Ordering brandy and ice from the floor person, Christian rose from the table and followed Johann to the balcony.

“Join the next round?”

Christian plopped into a white metal chair, already tipsy.

“Send a letter. Don't summon me.”

Johann stared with narrowed eyes at the brandy filling his glass.

His noble golden hair like the men of the Rondo royal family exuded an arrogant confidence. Christian chuckled.

“You still remember I'm the crown prince, right?”

Tapping ash from his cigarette, Christian took a long drag and smirked. Johann lifted his glass.

“You're relying on Olivia a lot lately. Should I send a thank-you gift?”

Whether from the alcohol or good mood, Christian kept grinning.

The crown prince, notorious for his scandalous private life, was a regular on newspaper front pages—until recently, when he had to cede the spotlight to Olivia Blanchett.

“If it weren't for the agent and marriage alliance talk, I wouldn't have handed her over to you. But why Edgar of all people? Is that Olivia's type?”

Olivia. Olivia.

That damned name.

“So.”

Johann set down his emptied glass with a clink and said coldly.

“What's this about.”

“Next Friday. I've notified the archduchess's side that you're coming. Prepare well.”

Beyond the haze of Christian's cigarette smoke, the nightscape of Rondo's capital twinkled like stars in the sky. The city was unnecessarily brightly lit.

‘Please divorce me.’

His wife's voice intruded suddenly, no longer feeling so strange.

A marriage tried once without love. No reason he couldn't do it twice. It was time to erase the woman trailing his name like a tag.

“What I gain from this.”

Johann murmured lowly. As his aloof gaze turned to Christian, the prince grinned and raised his glass.

The second deal had begun.

“Miss. All done.”

Anne said, having neatly tied the hat's ribbons under her chin.

“Thank you, Anne.”

Olivia smiled and walked to the mirror to check her appearance. Her small face was almost entirely hidden by the wide brim; it would be hard to recognize her without close inspection.

“Let's go.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“It was an honor to serve you.”

“Thank you for everything.”

The two departed the Lancelot Hotel suite they'd stayed in, seeing them off with Marie's farewell.

As they exited the main entrance, reporters in black fedoras stood smoking and chatting. They scrutinized the faces of everyone entering or leaving carriages with relentless gazes.

Tense, Olivia gripped the trunk handle and steadied her breath.

Politely declining the doorman's offered carriage, the two quickly slipped past the reporters.

They trotted around the hotel corner and finally escaped their sight. Only then did Olivia and Anne face each other and laugh silently.

Lifting her head, the sky was remarkably clear.

In the full bloom of spring, early flowers had fallen, leaving lush leaves in deep green.

Dazzling sunlight poured down, filtering through the leaves to dance on the sidewalk with the breeze. Their steps toward the carriage stand trembled with anticipation and excitement.