Chapter 63
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16. Intermission
When Sofia returned with the carriage, Lilian was crouched in a corner of the cabin, her face streaked with tears, muttering to herself, "I was wrong."
She looked at Olivia with a face full of suspicion, but Olivia was not one to show anything on her face, and only shook her head, saying she didn't know anything.
At this point, it didn't matter what Lilian said or what shock she had suffered. There was nothing that could be done.
The attendant carried Lilian down from the landing. Sofia loaded Lilian into the carriage and set off for the imperial palace. Only then did the cruise ship begin moving back toward the dock.
Olivia had the music continue playing. She herself searched for Zion, wandering around the ship.
Zion stood at the stern. The wind ruffled his hair. His face looked somewhat lonely.
Olivia hesitated for a moment before standing beside him.
"Are you okay?"
"Do I look like I'm not okay?"
"I'm not sure. I've never taken revenge before."
Then Zion turned to her and said coolly.
"It's absolutely delicious. I recommend it."
It didn't seem entirely sincere. Olivia tilted her head, and he chuckled softly.
"All sorts of thoughts cross my mind. Like, did I really have to endure the feeling of my soul getting dirty for this?"
"......"
Olivia knew all too well what it felt like for one's soul to get dirty. She too had been consumed by that feeling at times.
Zion spoke.
"But when you clean, your body inevitably gets dirty too, right? You couldn't just refuse to do it because you disliked it."
"I suppose you're right about that."
"I think I can truly leave now."
He murmured in a small voice, almost to himself.
Olivia still didn't know what story he carried. She didn't feel like asking either. She couldn't tell where he was leaving from or where he was going.
"Going back to Ranier?"
"Aren't you going to stop me?"
He turned to Olivia and grinned.
"Without me, who are you going to have open the curtain?"
"The run is over. We haven't even planned when the second run will be. And there's no shortage of male actors eyeing your spot in our troupe."
"There's no one as handsome as me."
"It's true you're the best at charming women."
Zion chuckled.
"Though Lady Laila didn't budge an inch. "
"You weren't really trying to charm me anyway, were you?"
"What good would it do for actors to play romance on stage? It'd just be more theater."
"......"
Olivia fell silent for a moment. Zion was right. As his partner, Laila, wasn't her true self, so there was no heart to share in the first place.
She wasn't surprised he'd noticed. When he'd decided to bring down Lilian, Zion must have realized everything Laila did was fake.
"Now that my play is over, shall I try seducing you?"
"You'll never be the kind of person who shows their true feelings to others."
At those words, Zion laughed again, casting his gaze at the water flowing past the ship's wake.
"I plan to retire. I've made a fortune, so for now, I intend to enjoy some luxurious travel."
"Yes. That sounds good."
"When the money runs out, I'll be back. You'll have to put me back on stage."
"If there are still stages left for you to perform on by then."
Olivia smiled. Zion would never truly run out of money. Setting aside what he earned as an actor, the money he’d extracted from Lilian for the royal jewels alone was enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life.
The cruise ship glided smoothly toward the pier. Zion bowed elegantly to Olivia and strode purposefully toward his lounge.
He would likely leave the capital tonight. Olivia silently wished him no further misfortune on his journey.
***
That night, the capital was ablaze with activity.
Those disembarking scattered to discuss the Empress. Guests who had declined the late-night ball suddenly flooded in, and lights flickered on in parlors throughout the city.
It wasn't just the nobility. The incident had been relayed to journalists by the couriers and sailors aboard the ship, and every printing press lit its fires to produce special editions.
But the Wisteria Annex remained quiet. Having done everything they could, there was no longer any urgent news to share.
Theodore arrived at the Wisteria Annex close to midnight. Countess von Muhunsen herself opened the door for him.
Theodor greeted her, flustered.
"Good evening, Countess von Muhunsen? I didn't expect you to still be awake."
"I couldn't sleep for some reason. Count Lutgard must have come to see Via, I suppose?"
The elderly lady asked with a kind expression. Theodore wanted to hide his own expression and brushed his face with his palm once.
"Yes, I have something to report. Is she still awake?"
"I just sent warm milk to her room a little while ago. She probably hasn't fallen asleep yet."
Countess von Muhunsen stepped ahead, as if to lead the way. Theodore obediently followed behind her.
He had expected to be led to the study, but Countess went deeper into the house. Theodore felt a little flustered.
"Lady."
She knocked on a door. Olivia's voice answered from inside, "Yes."
"Count Lutgard has arrived."
As the Countess spoke, there was a moment of rustling from within. Olivia, wearing a robe, opened the door with a flustered expression.
"Theo...?"
Theodore was also flustered. He realized the bedroom and living room seemed to be connected, but he hadn't expected to be led into such a private space.
But Countess remained composed, smiling as she said,
"You two, have a talk."
She then gave Theodore a light nod and left.
Theodore stood rooted to the spot, embarrassed. Olivia was the first to recover from her surprise.
She stepped inside and opened the door wide.
"Come in."
"At this hour, a gentleman entering a lady's room..."
“We’re not exactly strangers, are we? Or shall we move to the study?”
Fearing that might seem overly self-conscious, Theodore shook his head. He strode decisively into the room.
The room was quite spacious, furnished with a bed, desk, tea table, and sofa. Olivia explained.
"When I have a lot of work, I use one of the guest rooms as a bedroom. I figured there's no need to strictly separate living and sleeping areas."
"I see."
Theodore replied, his gaze fixed on the milk cup sitting on the tea table. Olivia spoke up.
"Sit down. Is something wrong?"
"Ah, nothing major... Just wanted to let you know Zion Miller got safely out of the capital."
"Ah, thanks. No trouble getting past the city walls?"
"No martial law or anything like that, so no big deal. He'll be leaving on a Beltharion ship in two days. I'll pass on any further news."
He knew Olivia would be concerned, but honestly, it wasn't something that required coming all this way just to tell her.
It was merely an excuse. Theodore simply wanted to see Olivia's face tonight.
He thought she might be exhausted after finishing such a major task... No, that was an excuse too.
He simply felt tonight might be the last time. The last time he could call her just Olivia.
The Empress was finished. The head maid who served her, her knight escort, the steward she appointed, and countless other positions within the palace would all bear responsibility and step down.
Finally, the conditions were being set for Olivia to enter the palace with her own people. So the next step was to announce that she was the First Princess.
Tonight might be the last time he could look her straight in the face. For the time being, she would be busy beyond measure, and after that, he would have to serve her as Princess.
So he simply wanted to see her face before that happened.
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