Chapter 5 – Acknowledgement (Part 2)

That evening.

Her brother Evan and father returned home with faces as twisted as their mother’s. Although her father appeared as expressionless as usual, the three deep lines etched between his brows had deepened, indicating that something had happened outside.

It was undoubtedly related to Louis’s visit earlier that day.

‘Crazy bastard.’

It wasn’t as if he was digging his own grave and waiting for death.

She couldn’t understand why he stirred up trouble over something that would have quietly faded away if left alone, only to fuel her parents’ anger further.

‘Well, that’s just like the foolish Louis.’

“Welcome home.”

Olivie clicked her tongue lightly in exasperation as she greeted the two.

At her greeting, which was no different from usual, her father’s gaze lingered on her for a moment. It seemed as though he was checking her condition, scrutinizing her expression from her eyes, but the moment was brief.

“Yes.”

Then, as if nothing was amiss, her father nodded shortly and passed by her.

However, her brother Evan, following behind their father, stared intently at Olivie with a face full of things to say. As if he would spill out words if she just gave him a nudge, Olivie turned her head away from his gaze.

“Ah.”

With a short sigh, Evan replaced all his emotions and placed his hand on top of her head, rubbing it gently. Normally, she would have snapped about messing up her hair, but since he was already getting unnecessary scolding from the noble elders for breaking Louis’s leg, she let it slide.

“Did something happen?”

“No.”

“……”

Olivie squinted her eyes at Evan’s denial, which came without a moment’s hesitation, and stared at him intently.

“Liar.”

“Yes, it’s a lie.”

“……”

Evan laughed and firmly grasped the top of her head.

“But I can’t say anything.”

Evan hinted that he had been ordered to keep silent by their father, and he looked at her again.

“But let me ask you one thing.”

“What?”

“Do you love Louis Caylen?”

“What? Are you crazy, brother?”

“Okay, that’s enough.”

Perhaps her disgust was too obvious on her face.

Even before she finished speaking, Olivie shuddered, and Evan, satisfied, tapped her shoulder and passed by her. However, he hadn’t climbed more than a few steps up the stairs before he turned his head.

“Then what about Robin Tanner?”

“……”

“Do you like him?”

He asked casually. So Olivie was supposed to answer ‘No, of course’, and shudder just like she did with Louis, asking if he was crazy.

But Olivie missed that brief moment.

“Are you crazy?”

“I see.”

Evan stroked his chin as if he understood.

“I get it.”

“……!”

At his words, Olivie jumped up and shook her head.

“No, it’s not like that! What do you mean, ‘I see,’ ‘got it!’ Don’t get any weird ideas.”

“Alright, I understand. Sure.”

Despite Olivie’s resistance, Evan nodded without much impact and turned to climb a few more steps before turning his head again.

“Robin suits you better than Louis, anyway.”

“Brother!”

“Good night. Oh, stay home for a while. If you go out, you’ll just attract unwanted attention.”

Watching Evan’s back as he waved and went up to the second floor, Olivie bit her lip. Somehow, it felt like her face was heating up, as if she was blushing with embarrassment.

* * *

The next day, Baron Renouard and his wife, who had arrived early in the Imperial City, visited the mansion.

Baron Renouard, her mother’s younger brother, exchanged greetings and moved aside with the Earl, while the Baroness remained with the women.

Listening to the boring stories about her maternal family and the trivial events that occurred in the barony, Olivie tried to stifle a yawn as she looked down at her now cold teacup.

‘Time to escape.’

Feeling like she might twist her body at any moment, she was looking for the right time to sneak away and watching the surroundings when—

“Oh, right.”

As if she had just remembered, Baroness Renouard gulped down her tea and lifted her head.

“Did you hear the news that the royal family of Swedina has proposed a marriage alliance with the Tanner family?”

At the following words, Olivie, who had been about to rise, sat back down firmly on her chair and looked at the Baroness.

‘Swedina?’

Quickly searching her mind for information about Swedina, Olivie recalled the princess of Swedina, who was said to look like a fairy.

The small and delicate fairy princess of Swedina, Bianca.

From the Swedina Royal Family, the only one eligible for marriage discussions was her, who turned twenty this year, and the only man in the Tanner family who suited her was…

‘Robin.’

There was no one else.

Thinking about it again, there was a rumor that swept through the social circles about three or four years ago that the Swedina princess liked Robin. He had once visited the academy to conduct a semester’s course, and during that time, it was rumored that the princess, who was attending the academy, fell for him.

Emily was so upset by that rumor.

‘I oppose my brother marrying the princess! Why should my brother, who will inherit the Tanner family, do that!’

It was thwarted by the strong opposition of the Tanner family at that time, so the possibility was high that it would end as just another incident this time as well. Robin had no reason to go to Swedina.

However,

“It seems that even though she’s a royal, she doesn’t insist on Swedina. It seems she’s willing to stay in Plen if the Tanner family wants.”

“Really?”

“That’s what they say.”

When their mother, who usually just nodded appropriately, responded, the excited Baroness nodded her head with a flushed face.

“It seems the Swedina princess is quite fond of the young Earl of the Tanner family. The rumor has been around for quite a while.”

“Have they? I’m not well-versed in such matters.”

As her mother took a step back in the conversation, the Baroness looked at Olivie as if frustrated.

“Lie, you’ve heard about it, right? These are the kinds of topics you young ladies can talk about all day long.”

At her aunt’s question that involved Olivie, she glanced at her mother. She hoped her mother would intervene appropriately. However, her mother, fully aware of Olivie’s intention, did not step in. Instead, she just looked at her intently, as if she was also very curious, without saying much.

‘Seriously.’

With a slight frown, Olivie cast a playful glance at her mother and awkwardly smiled as she looked back at the Baroness.

“Yes, they say she saw him by chance during the academy days and fell for him at first sight.”

“So, how many years has it been?”

“Exactly.”

“The Princess seems to be quite the romantic. Lord Tanner must be pleased.”

As her mother subtly chimed in while holding her teacup, the Baroness agreed.

“Indeed. Men are often weak to such things. And who knows? Lord Tanner might have also harbored feelings for the Princess for a long time.”

“Who knows.”

Her mother’s gaze briefly brushed past Olivie’s profile before turning to the Baroness. Olivie was the only one who found it unbearable, knowing that the reason her mother, who didn’t enjoy discussing others’ affairs, especially social gossip, was engaging in the conversation was for one reason.

‘You’ll lose him if you keep being absent-minded.’

To let Olivie know.

But there was something her mother didn’t know.

That the relationship between the two of them would end after next week’s Imperial banquet.

For Olivie, with such rumors spreading in the current situation, it seemed like fate. As if telling her to end it without dragging it out. Robin was such an extraordinary person that the Princess would choose him, even if it meant giving up everything she had.

Olivie and the Princess of Swedina.

‘It’s not even a comparison.’

A small, hollow laugh escaped her.

She felt almost guilty for placing the Princess on the same level as her.

But at the same time, it was true that her heart ached.

Was it really because of this marriage proposal that he set the end of our relationship at the Imperial Banquet?

‘Of course, it must be.’

Answering her own question, Olivie bit her lip.

Robin Tanner, of all people.

Wasn’t he someone I shouldn’t dare covet? 

The more time she spent with him, the more she felt that way.

He was kinder, more handsome, more beautiful, and the s*x was…

‘Incredible.’

Not comparable to Louis, who was like a rabbit, or any of her other partners.

But such a man? With me?

Olivie laughed hollowly and shook her head. But even then, emotions about him would surge unexpectedly, leaving her feeling uneasy.

If only she hadn’t known these feelings.

She wished she could go back to a month ago when he was just her friend’s brother.

‘If that were the case.’

She wouldn’t feel so hollow hearing this news.

As she nibbled her lip and fiddled with the teacup, her mother, noticing Olivie’s demeanor, naturally steered the conversation in another direction. However, Olivie was still lost in thoughts of her first night with Robin and the impending end a few days later, leaving no room for other thoughts.