Chapter 39

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 39

Chapter Title: Live Up to Expectations

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Transparent sunlight pooled in the woman's blue eyes. Before this enthusiastic listener, Russell Junior strangely felt his throat go dry.

He took a sip of whiskey with ice floating in it, then opened his mouth, the atmosphere thoroughly hyped.

"Edgar was already on the ropes."

It was, of course, a lie.

As if. Edgar would've let that happen. But hey, when the tiger's away, the fox will play.

Russell Junior rolled up his sleeve, flexing his muscular forearm until the veins bulged, then stroked his chin and lowered his voice.

"I could see his breathing getting ragged. His eyes were glazing over. It was over right there."

"And then?"

"I had him backed into the corner, ready to finish him with one shot. But of all things."

"Of all things?"

Olivia's eyes widened round.

"My shoelace comes undone. Ahaha!"

"Oh my goodness."

"Life's full of God's little jokes. Edgar probably wanted to kiss my shoelace. Ahaha!"

Russell Junior laughed heartily. Olivia burst into laughter too.

That's when a snicker, almost a scoff, came from behind him.

Russell Junior's gaze lifted over Olivia's head, and the smile slowly drained from his face until it hardened stiffly.

"......"

What's gotten into him all of a sudden?

Puzzled, Olivia slowly turned her head.

A man in a navy blue top and white pants, with a boater hat on his head, was approaching. His shoe steps were crisp and lively as he strolled lazily toward them, one hand in his pocket.

"Edgar?"

Olivia called his name in surprise. At the same time, Russell Junior went pale as a ghost.

Pathetic fool.

That was the look in Edgar's eyes as he gazed down at Russell Junior.

Like a fox that had been strutting around in an empty den now tucking tail, Russell Junior hurriedly averted his gaze.

"Long time no see, Russell Junior."

"Uh, y-yeah."

Where had all that bravado gone? Forgetting he was in front of a lady, he stammered awkwardly, drawing a chuckle from Edgar.

He couldn't verify the truth of that day right now, but it was the perfect topic to charm the woman in front of him. Especially since she was so into tennis.

Edgar placed a hand on the back of the chair where Russell Junior sat. With his other hand on the table, he slowly leaned forward. Russell Junior flinched, hunching his big frame.

"Why the shoelace."

Edgar whispered in his ear.

"Keep going, Russell Junior."

His low voice soaked into the midday sunlight. The rowers' hearty shouts faded into the distance.

"Why'd you go quiet?"

Edgar smiled as he gripped Russell Junior's shoulder hard with the hand that had been on the chair back.

"Suddenly forgot?"

"N-no."

He tried to lift his hips to stand. Edgar tightened his grip. Russell Junior let out a groan.

"Then tell me. It doesn't match my memory."

Edgar tilted his head to glance at Olivia. Meeting her sharpened gaze, he released his shoulder. Russell Junior shot to his feet.

"My father's calling me. Slipped my mind."

Russell Junior hastily gathered his things. The flustered Olivia shot Edgar a quick glare before turning to Russell Junior.

"What about lunch? Coach."

Coach, huh.

Edgar's lips quirked up crookedly at her polite address.

She picks a moron with nothing but a decent build.

"Oh, sorry. Gotta head out first. See you next time, Edgar."

He jammed his hat under his arm, grabbed his racket bag, and hurried off the deck.

"That was too much."

Olivia chided him.

Edgar sat down, removed his boater, set it on the chair, and grinned.

"Why listen to that nonsense?"

"It was fun."

"I didn't send you here to date."

"It was stamina training."

"With whiskey?"

Laughter glinted in Edgar's eyes.

"Oh, that was the coach's."

The conversation paused as footsteps echoed on the deck. A server placed a large platter of food on the table.

Olivia cut a small piece of white-fleshed fish and chewed it slowly. Edgar, holding a glass of white wine in one hand, rested his chin loosely.

"So, how's practice with the coach going?"

"Great, of course. Better than against a wall."

Edgar's low chuckle scattered on the breeze. Her hair fluttered lightly as she smiled back.

Olivia tucked her swept-back hair behind her ear with a pale hand. The nape exposed below her earlobe looked exceptionally white.

The vein faintly visible through her translucent skin stood out. Edgar's gaze lingered on that fluttering blue vein, oddly stimulating his nerves.

Their eyes met just as his gaze began to move again, while she was slicing the pike perch.

A momentary silence fell.

As if they were the only two people in this world of deep green foliage, Olivia felt breathless.

His sun-tanned skin looked strong. Below his slim, firm jawline. Over the white shirt with a subtle blue sheen.

Between the one or two unbuttoned collar points, his prominent Adam's apple twitched. His pale gray eyes with a mix of blue on either side of his sharp nose were enigmatic.

"Struck by me all over again?"

Edgar grinned shamelessly.

"Who looked first?"

Olivia said primly, hiding behind the fish flesh.

The afternoon sun shone even more brightly on cheeks that were surely flushed.

Embarrassed, Olivia just mangled the innocent fish.

Her reaction delighted Edgar.

This pawn to use and discard in the tournament was more than satisfactory.

"Brought this for you."

Once her face regained its color, Edgar pulled an envelope from his inner jacket pocket. Olivia stared at it.

"Open it."

She set down her cutlery and picked it up. Frowning as she unfolded the documents inside.

"Something like this."

There were three or four more unconfirmed sheets attached, but she folded them neatly back into the envelope and said.

"I don't think I need it."

"They're players who would've won if Annblin Grace Brita wasn't the princess. Knowing their playstyles will help."

Edgar continued as he tilted the wine bottle into her empty glass.

"I want my player to win."

"That's cheating."

"Cheating......"

It was a word Edgar couldn't quite grasp.

"Their styles are already out there from past tournaments. Everyone knows everyone else's game. Except for you, Olivia."

Meaning, no need to make a fuss over mere intel.

"They don't know my style either."

Edgar chuckled. It was stubbornness he couldn't fathom, but he decided to back off here.

He liked those steadfastly shining blue eyes.

Maybe because they contrasted so sharply with Annblin, who picked apart weaknesses like an analyst.

"Fine. Do as you like."

As long as she lived up to expectations. Edgar nodded readily.

Only then did she smile. Sunlight gathered at the prettily upturned corners of her lips. His eyes were serene as he watched that dazzling sparkle.

Lunch ended once Olivia had cleared her plate.

Edgar pulled out his checkbook and signed for the server who brought the bill. Thick veins bulged on his tennis-toned wrist.

Each scratch of the fountain pen sent light reflecting off its gold trim gliding over his watch.

It was a classic, luxurious timepiece. Somehow familiar.

Olivia's gaze settled on the round octagonal frame enclosing the blue dial.

"Patek."

She read the brand name absentmindedly. Where had she heard it before?

She gazed at the yacht masts swaying in the distant breeze, lost in thought.

It felt frustratingly on the tip of her tongue, but wouldn't come.

"Alright, let's go."

She realized what it was only after turning and meeting those pale gray eyes. Eyes that reminded her of Johann.

"Ah!"

Olivia stood dazed, a short sigh escaping her in dismay.

"Olivia."

Nothing reached her dazed ears.

Patek New Watch. The gift Olivia Blanchett had chosen to celebrate Johann Leopold's twenty-eighth birthday.

And soon, the 'Patek New Watch' was set to be delivered right on Johann Leopold's birthday.

Johann Leopold and Irene de Krantz's engagement was formally announced at Princess Catherine's birthday ball.

The picturesque waltz they danced made them look the perfect loving couple.

The princess was elegance itself, and the duke couldn't have been more dashing.

"Why didn't you give us a heads-up sooner?"

The Margaret sisters, his great-aunts, swarmed Johann the moment the music ended.

"What's it matter, sister? He gave us good news, that's what counts. Right, Johann?"

"Still, you should've hinted. We nearly offended Miss Josephine. She said she'd attend, didn't she? But she doesn't seem to be here, sister?"

Their nagging blended with the lively music. Johann didn't know who Miss Josephine was, but he desperately hoped the topic would end soon.

"This time, live up to our expectations, Johann."

Marchioness Dowager Margaret implored him sternly. Johann nodded vaguely and slowly extricated himself from the group.

Passing the bustling waltz-filled dance hall toward the terrace, he glanced at Princess Krantz conversing with Christian and Catherine from the opposite side. He turned away indifferently and stepped outside.

Johann flicked his wrist lightly to check the time. Frowning faintly, he took out a cigarette, placed it loosely between his lips, and reached into his inner pocket for matches.

"Here."

Mikhail, who had followed him, held out a lit match. Johann leaned in.

The cigarette tip glowed brightly between his slender fingers before dimming as he straightened up.