An Incomplete Divorce - Chapter 66

His ashen eyes were emotionless to the point of desolation.

They had thrust an unreasonable match upon him, who was ill-suited for marriage.

A messy illegitimate child spawned from adultery. To cover up the crown prince’s misconduct with his own child.

As if that wasn’t enough, Katrina pressured Johan again so soon after his divorce.

This time for Rondos. The partner was a princess from a vassal state who had been his son’s lover.

There was not a shred of guilt. If born into royalty, should one not fulfill the corresponding duties and responsibilities?

“I heard you were going to Litten.”

The queen, Katrina’s gaze deepened.

“It can’t be because of the princess.”

The queen’s voice lowered further.

“Don’t tell me. Was it because of that child?”

Johan raised an eyebrow at the sharp gaze that seemed to pierce his core.

He was well aware it was a clear threat.

Johan knew better than anyone the temperament of his aunt, the queen, who could act benevolent but turn cruel when necessary.

He did not want her taking an interest in Olivia.

“I will only act as regent until Mikhail returns. Well then.”

Johan rose from his seat and answered nonchalantly.

After paying his respects politely, Johan left the office.

The sunlight rising from the edge of the grand garden through the long arched window stung his eyes.

Johan habitually glanced down at his wristwatch.

8 AM. It was almost time for Olivia’s second match to begin.

“There is a warship launching ceremony in Wailo, Your Highness.”

The crown prince’s aide waiting outside the door reported on today’s schedule.

Johan took out a cigar from his breast pocket and put it in his mouth.

He tilted his head slightly to light it and began walking. The aide’s briefing continued at length behind him.

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The early atmosphere in the player’s waiting room resembled ladies’ teatime.

Soft chatter and laughter could be heard here and there.

But the bench where Olivia sat was quiet, like an isolated space.

“I wonder if she’s not ashamed of such an unsightly outfit. I’m embarrassed just looking at her.”

“If she knew shame, she wouldn’t have chosen Anne Julbert in the first place.”

Befitting the sport of nobles, players from prestigious families gathered in small groups, not taking their scornful gazes off Olivia.

Because of this, Evangeline and her maid found it extremely awkward to switch out the water bottle laced with drugs.

Olivia sat neatly, inspecting her racket strings.

Though blatant words of mockery flew about and reproachful glances landed on her, her face, lit by the morning sun, remained serene.

Beside her stood a maid with reddish light brown hair.

Evangeline’s anxious gaze turned to the clock on the waiting room wall. With only 30 minutes left until the match, there was no more time to delay.

Can you do it?

She winked at the maid, sending a secret signal.

Of course, my lady.

The maid nodded her head.

Evangeline stood up. As she was passing in front of Olivia with calm steps, she suddenly clutched her stomach and screamed.

All eyes in the waiting room instantly turned to Evangeline as people began to murmur, asking what was wrong.

“Ahh!”

Evangeline went so far as to collapse at Olivia’s feet and started rolling around.

“Are you alright?”

A woman bent down and asked, greatly flustered.

“It… it hurts so much!”

Evangeline squeezed out tears with all her might.

“Anne! Could you call for the medical staff?”

At the urgent cry, Olivia’s maid dashed out.

The situation seemed serious, as other players also began to gather around the two.

“It’ll be okay. It could be from nervousness. Don’t worry too much. By any chance, are you wearing a corset?”

“N-no…”

As Evangeline’s act reached its climax, with ragged breaths,

At that moment when all attention was focused on Evangeline, the maid quietly approached the bench where Olivia had been sitting and swiftly switched out the water bottle.

“Oh my, miss. What’s suddenly wrong with our miss?”

Only then did the maid cry out, her face pale.

When Evangeline slightly opened one tightly shut eye, the maid quickly blinked.

At the signal of mission success, Evangeline’s screams gradually subsided.

Her excessively labored breathing soon calmed as well.

“…I think I’m better now. Could you help me up?”

She stood up with the maid’s support.

“Are you really alright?”

Olivia asked worriedly.

“Yes. Thank you for your concern, Miss Blanchet.”

Evangeline said, smoothing her disheveled hair. The white water bottle was visible on the corner bench over the woman’s shoulder.

Now if she just drinks that water.

The golden logo of Lancaster shimmered with golden dust in the sunlight streaming through the window.

It’s over.

“Really. Thank you.”

Evangeline smiled brightly.

The preparations to climb one step higher into the upper class, to join the Royal Tennis Club, were complete.

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Edgar’s prediction proved correct.

The seats that had been empty except for Princess Anblyn’s matches were sold out day after day.

Among them, Olivia’s matches were especially popular, with even black market tickets being traded under the table.

Well, she did defeat Sarah Pavlova, who was a strong contender for the championship.

Her skills were now undeniably and clearly proven.

Henry smiled contentedly as he looked around the stands packed with nobles in splendid attire.

“She’s quite the find. Your words, Lancaster. She’s truly gifted.”

Edgar, who had been staring at the entrance where Olivia would soon appear, belatedly replied.

“You flatter me.”

Russell Junior on the left, Henry McDowell on the right.

Edgar, who had wanted to quietly watch Olivia’s match, already felt fatigued.

“By the way, it’s hot since morning today. Olivia’s going to have a tough time.”

Under the clear sky without a single cloud, noble ladies here and there in the stands were constantly fanning themselves.

All the while, furtive glances stealing looks at Edgar were busy.

Accompanying Princess Anblyn to watch yesterday’s match was tantamount to publicly announcing that the two were officially courting.

At this, numerous ladies of Litten sighed, while the gentlemen whose rivals had disappeared rejoiced.

It was only natural that the gazes of women side-eyeing Edgar were hotter than the midsummer morning sun.

It was then that Olivia and Evangeline walked out side by side onto the well-manicured green grass court under the dazzling sunlight.

Camera flashes popped in the press box, and gunpowder smoke scattered on the breeze.

“Good luck to you.”

“Good luck to you too, Miss Seymour.”

Evangeline turned around with a lively smile. The pearls studded in her rolled-up hair strands shimmered softly.

Olivia watched her retreating back.

‘She’s not as strong a player as Miss Pavlova, but her endurance is tremendous. If it becomes a deuce situation like today, you might struggle quite a bit.’

Olivia entered the court, pondering Russell Junior’s advice.

In the distance, Edgar could be seen in the stands. True to being the hot topic of today’s newspaper, he wore a charming smile.

Olivia smiled back at him.

The stands stirred, but she decided not to mind.

Quick and decisive.

She decided to focus only on that fact.

After receiving court assignments from the umpire, the two headed to their respective benches.

Olivia set down her racket bag on the bench and placed the water bottle on the table.

“…”

If only she would take a sip before the match.

Evangeline, who had been watching Olivia’s actions, prayed fervently in her heart, but fortune did not come early.

Bang! With a crisp hitting sound that split the blue sky, Olivia Blanchet’s second round qualifying match began.

“Fifteen, thirty.”

Evangeline, who had the serve, made a mistake and wrinkled her nose bridge.

Evangeline was overwhelmed by her opponent’s momentum.

Olivia Blanchet was more agile than expected, and her movements were clean without any excess.

She repeatedly blocked Evangeline’s shots. Her fast and strong balls were like Sarah Pavlova’s.

Evangeline, who had been catching her breath with both hands on her knees, took her serve stance again. She tightened her grip on the racket she had been holding loosely.

The ball that had gone up briefly hit the racket and flew towards Olivia.

Olivia easily returned the ball, which Evangeline hit back again. A long rally ensued.

Under the blazing sun without shade, only the dull sound of rackets continued for a while.

In the stands, the fanning hands quickened, and Henry repeatedly wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

Edgar, motionless, still gazed at Olivia with calm eyes.

On the deep green grass, she burned hot like a candle consuming the peak of life.

Looking at such a woman made his heart pound, like that night when their lips met.

‘Edgar…’

Unconsciously, his folded arms loosened, and his long fingertips caressed his lips.

She soared again. The ball hit by the strongly descending racket struck the opponent’s service box.

After a fantastic drop shot, cheers erupted from the stands, but realizing it was Olivia Blanchet’s work, they closed their lips as if by agreement.

“Fifteen, forty!”

To lose the service game.

Evangeline bit her lip.

Acknowledging the difference in skill didn’t make defeat any more pleasant. Especially not to an inferior opponent scorned by the nobles.

Princess Anblyn wasn’t present, but members of the Royal Tennis Club seated in the front row of the VIP section were watching her.

Thinking about what words would be exchanged over her pathetic mistakes made her mood plummet even further. She grew impatient.

I must win, no matter what.

The court changed, and Olivia Blanchet was given the serve.

Evangeline, having regained her focus, glared at Olivia.

Olivia, who had been lightly bouncing the ball, caught it as it rebounded off the ground.

Her bright blue eyes that met Evangeline’s flashed like a predator’s for an instant. At that moment, the ball went up.

“Hah!”

With a short, intense shout, the ball flew relentlessly. There was a sound like a well-honed blade cutting through the air.

“!”

Evangeline’s wrist bent as she tried to return the ball. The ball, awkwardly hitting her racket, got caught in the middle of the net and dropped to the ground.

…Im-impossible.

“Fifteen, love!”

It was a monstrous speed. A fastball surpassing Sarah Pavlova.

Evangeline’s wrist throbbed.

Only now did she understand Sarah Pavlova’s defeat.

Lancaster Company must have been involved. She had vaguely assumed so, but that wasn’t the case.

It was skill.

Evangeline chewed on her lower lip. But soon she regained her relaxed smile.

The world was originally a place where tricks worked better than ability.