“Let’s go, Ann.”

Olivia took the lead and started walking briskly.

Initially, she intended to stay inconspicuous as advised by the staff on the first day, quietly return home, but not anymore. It was already the fourth day. This was just too much.

Since the members hadn’t unanimously decided on her access, she silently endured the discomfort, thinking she should endure their venting. However, not anymore. She had set a deadline, and it was precisely up to here.

“Miss? The carriage is this way.”

Thinking she might be confused about the path, Ann spoke.

“We’re not going there, Ann.”

“Yes?”

Ann, who had been relieved thinking they were going back home, asked in surprise. Ann had been angry all along, wondering why the lady had to suffer such treatment here.

“We’re looking for a place to practice.”

Surely there wouldn’t be a court here on this vast property.

Olivia briskly walked to Court 11. Then to 10, 9… Her diligent steps came to a sudden stop in front of the last court. The sea-colored eyes gazed faintly furrowed at the grass court.

No empty court.

Whether it was due to the Britons’ special love for tennis or a clear warning about Olivia, she suspected it was the latter. There was no place for her here.

Olivia turned back with Ann. Their steps on the promenade outside the court resounded. The shadows of the sprawling evergreen leaves danced restlessly on the white shoes.

Lost in thought, Olivia walked along the straight path.

Following the chirping of birds and the sound of water flowing from somewhere, a beautiful fountain appeared at the intersection of the walking paths.

Upon seeing the spouting water, that man suddenly came to mind. Edgar Lancaster Rainslotte.

The grand fountain at the Rainslotte Hotel and the tennis court. That day when she competed against him.

Should I ask for help?

Olivia cautiously entertained that thought but quickly shook her head.

No. No way.

She was already entangled in a complicated situation with that man and Princess Annblin. To create an even more awkward situation here would be impossible.

Lovers with that man.

Unbelievable.

While thinking it was absurd, her throat became dry. In Olivia’s eyes, reddened by brushing away the dryness, a small building with an abundance of landscaping appeared in the background.

The width of the wall was similar to the length of the tennis court.

Like a shimmering surface in the sunlight, the azure eyes began to shine.

Approaching, she noticed a padlock filled the entrance gate, and the golden panel in the center of the door read “Equipment Storage.”

Tiptoeing and peering inside the window, fortunately, it didn’t seem like anyone lived there.

Olivia took a racket from her white leather bag and stood at an appropriate distance.

“Oh, miss?”

“That’s right. We’re going to practice here, Ann.”

Olivia smiled brightly and lightly stretched her body.
Olivia, bouncing the ball lightly on the floor after taking it out of the box, exhaled deeply and quickly inhaled before tossing the ball into the air.

“Miss!”

Bang! The sound of the racket hitting the ball echoed through the air.

Anne, who had buried her face in her palms due to anxiety about the window possibly shattering, subtly lifted her head.

Anne’s worries were unfounded. Olivia’s ball landed precisely as if measured.

Olivia hit the ball that bounced off the wall quickly without pausing to catch her breath. Her breathing became gradually more intense.

Hitting the ball while avoiding the glass was more challenging than expected, and her calf quickly cramped.

Her fair cheek was dyed with the brightness of a spring day, and transparent droplets of sweat formed on her forehead.

The sound of the ball striking the wall resonated through the previously silent club.

What in the world…

People passing by, raising their eyebrows in surprise, one by one, two by two, began to stop in their tracks.

The woman, who seemed to have quietly returned home thinking she was unnoticed, was struggling against the wall, creating quite a peculiar scene.

“One intact window might get smashed.”

The men chuckled.

“Shall we bet on how many she’ll break?”

They sneered mockingly. By now, it could be distracting. The woman threw the ball without hesitation.

Standing awkwardly with clenched fists, the spectators who had been watching with interest were suddenly engrossed in the woman, who was now hitting the ball with a posture resembling a tennis textbook.

The focused shots that stuck precisely received admiration. Suppressed sighs of amazement echoed here and there each time the accurate shots avoided the window.

Occasionally, when the ball seemed like it would fly as if to break the glass, they swallowed their breath. When it narrowly hit the window frame, relieved cheers burst out without restraint.

“She’s insane. Absolutely insane.”

The audience wagged their tongues.

Olivia wiped the sweat on her forehead nonchalantly with her forearm and checked the time. Ten minutes to twelve. It was time to finish practice.

Taking a brief breath, Olivia served the last ball.