Chapter 14

A sudden, dull ringing filled Olivia’s head, followed by dizziness. At the same time, a sharp noise and tinnitus overwhelmed her ears. Olivia clutched her head and let out a groan.  

Squinting her eyes, she staggered.  

A loud noise, one she had never heard before, echoed in her mind. She wondered if it was a memory from right after the accident and tried to recall it. However, there was no snow falling, no car in sight.  

Instead, she found herself crying and shouting in her very familiar room.  

Through the window, there was no snow swirling in the air. Instead, a spring breeze carried warmth, brushing past her.  

Though her vision was blurred with tears, she could still recognize the brown hair and brown eyes of the person in front of her.  

Breathing heavily, Olivia gripped the desk. The headache and tinnitus faded, but the scene she had just recalled lingered vividly in her mind.  

One thing was certain—it wasn’t ‘Liv’s’ memory. It was unmistakably Olivia’s own memory from her previous world.  

She had a reason to be so sure.  

May 26, 1818.  

It was the date marked on the calendar in the scene that had unfolded before her eyes.  

She remembered that day vividly.  

It was the day, in her previous world, when she had planned to return to Frenchia after her trip to Silvest. It was also the day she had woken up in this world.  

However, there were too many strange things about it.  

Olivia clutched her throbbing head and squinted her eyes. At the same time, a gasp escaped her lips.  

“Ah.”  

If what she had just seen wasn’t a delusion but an actual memory…  

Then the fact that she had no memory between March, when she had the accident heading to Silvest, and May, when she crossed over to this world, meant…  

Realizing the gap in her memory, Olivia covered her mouth with her hand.  

It seemed she hadn’t died in a car accident after all.  

***

Simon entered the office. Freddy, though aware of his presence, remained still, staring blankly at the flowers in his hand.  

Watching Freddy’s behavior, Simon briefly wondered if he had worked too hard and finally gone mad.  

Ignoring Simon’s puzzled expression, Freddy placed the flowers on one side of the desk.  

Simon, caught off guard by the unusual sight, opened his mouth hesitantly.  

“Madame…”  

“She has returned.” 

Freddy replied curtly.  

At his answer, Simon nodded. Watching him, Simon asked something that had been nagging at him.  

“…Did Her Grace give you a gift?”  

Simon’s question carried multiple implications. Freddy finally tore his gaze away from the flowers.  

“If you have something to say, say it properly.”  

“Ahem, no, it’s nothing. I must have gone mad for a moment after seeing something so unfamiliar.”  

Dismissing Simon’s nonsense, Freddy waved his hand. Simon hesitated in front of him, then opened his mouth to speak.  

“Do you have something to say?”  

“I think I may have explained Silvest’s internal affairs too bluntly to Her Grace. She seemed shocked. I apologize.”  

Freddy listened to Simon’s explanation with an unchanging expression. Even as he carefully arranged the flowers and placed them in a vase, he remained silent.  

Looking at the gift she had given him, Freddy fell into thought.  

It was clear once again that Olivia and he could not have a positive relationship.  

After even a small positive interaction, unexpected situations like this always followed.  

As Freddy remained silent, Simon bowed deeply in apology.  

“I will be more cautious in the future.”  

“It’s something she would have naturally learned about eventually, so there’s no need to worry too much.”  

Hearing Freddy’s response, Simon couldn’t help but notice his expression. Though Freddy’s face always appeared the same, today it seemed somewhat subdued.  

“Um, what about the room? It seems like you need some rest, so I’ll quickly have the butler prepare one—”  

Simon spoke brightly, trying to lighten the mood.  

Just as Freddy was about to reply with a dismissive “Do as you wish,” Olivia’s last words came to mind.  

Freddy paused for a moment before giving Simon an order.  

“Simon, don’t prepare a separate room.”  

“…Pardon? Then how will you rest?”  

“…There’s already a room I share with my wife, so there’s no need to prepare another.”  

He needed to understand what Olivia had thought upon hearing about Silvest’s internal affairs from Simon. 

And he had to prevent any scenario where she might relay the situation to Frenchia.  

For that reason, it was better to share a room with her for the time being.  

Without offering further explanation, Freddy returned to his seat and began reviewing documents.  

“Are you going to keep working?”  

“Since the Madame is likely in a bad mood, it’s better to give her some time before going to her.”  

Simon grumbled about how Freddy wasn’t taking a break, but Freddy ignored him and focused on his work.  

***

In the past two days, there had been no dramatic change in Olivia and Freddy’s relationship.  

Freddy simply acted according to her requests, and their relationship neither grew closer nor more distant.  

They maintained exactly that level of interaction.  

Of course, if Olivia had devoted all her attention to Freddy, they might have grown much closer. However, she had come to terms with the fact that her memories were incomplete and was often distracted by them, unable to fully focus on Freddy.  

It took her two days to realize that this was something she couldn’t solve on her own. Olivia felt those two days had been a waste.  

And along with that, she began to feel dissatisfied with Freddy.  

She had noticed that he didn’t take any initiative in areas she hadn’t explicitly requested.  

Still, for now, she decided to be content with this much.  

Today was the day Olivia and Freddy were scheduled to visit the royal palace.  

Having finished preparing, Olivia stood at the top of the staircase, looking down.  

Freddy stood by the front door on the first floor.  

When they met in private, he usually dressed more casually, but today he had clearly put effort into his appearance.  

His black hair was slicked back, and he was dressed impeccably in a sharp suit.  

Olivia stood by the railing, staring blankly at Freddy.  

Checking the watch on his wrist, Freddy’s gaze rose. He seemed slightly surprised, as if he hadn’t realized she was watching him.  

“Why aren’t you coming down?”  

His voice was still as soft and gentle as spring.  

Seeing her blinking silently without answering, he tilted his head in confusion and began climbing the stairs with long strides.  

The distance between them closed in an instant.  

Standing a few steps below her, Freddy’s gaze met Olivia’s.  

“Is your outfit uncomfortable? If it’s difficult to move in, then—”  

“Then what?”  

“You can go change.”  

“We’re going to meet His Majesty the King, and you say that?”  

“Even so. You’ll be outside for a long time, and above all, it might be uncomfortable.”  

Olivia laughed lightly and replied, 

“It’s not uncomfortable.”  

Then what’s the issue? 

Freddy tilted his head, his curiosity plainly visible on his face.  

Finding his expression slightly annoying, Olivia teased him playfully.  

“You’re too handsome, Freddy. I got distracted staring at you.”  

At her words, he nodded a couple of times and extended his hand.  

“I see. That makes sense.”  

Olivia firmly grasped Freddy’s hand.  

“Yes, that’s what happened.”  

Escorting her, Freddy slowly descended the stairs.  

As they passed through a line of servants bowing in greeting and stood at the front door, Freddy came to a halt.  

Olivia tilted her head, meeting his gaze.  

The door opened, and sunlight poured in. The bright rays were almost blinding.  

And through the sunlight, Freddy asked her,  

“What did you just say?”  

Perhaps it was because they were bathed in the same intense sunlight, but Freddy’s face seemed slightly red.  

She could feel his hand stiffen.  

The servants, noticing Freddy’s rigid demeanor, flinched nervously.  

Simon, who had been preparing the carriage for the Grand Duke and Duchess, froze upon seeing Freddy’s expression.  

“…You’re not planning to argue with His Majesty, are you?”  

At Simon’s question, Freddy frowned and replied,  

“Simon, why would you assume something so absurd?”  

“As long as that’s not the case…”  

Listening to Freddy and Simon’s conversation, Olivia bit her lip.  

It seemed that her words had been too much for Freddy, given that they hadn’t interacted much recently.  

Olivia didn’t want Freddy to feel burdened.  

Resolving to rebuild their relationship step by step, she decided to be more cautious about saying anything that might overwhelm him.  

“Freddy.”  

Olivia called him softly.  

Freddy, who had been looking at Simon, turned his gaze to her.  

“Yes.”  

“I’m sorry.”  

Seeing Freddy’s subtle expression, Olivia was certain her assumption had been correct.