“How could I forget that.”
Transparent sunlight settled over Olivia’s pale cheeks.
Feeling stifled in the carriage, she cracked the window open slightly.
The early summer breeze brought with it the strong scent of acacia flowers.
In Rondos, gifts brought by invited guests were neatly stacked in the center of the drawing room by the attendants.
Almost like a Christmas tree.
And after the banquet, amidst glasses of champagne and laughter in the spacious drawing room, the gifts were opened one by one.
Along with words of thanks from the birthday celebrant.
Of course, Johan never handled such bothersome things himself.
The butler or his secretary would unpack the gifts and read out the congratulatory cards in his stead.
The thought of their reactions when they saw the name Olivia written on a card made her head spin.
She didn’t want to look like a woman still hung up on her ex-husband.
She didn’t want to offend his fiancée.
And most of all, she didn’t want to be seen as an ill-mannered, shameless woman.
“Right now, it seems that’s the only option left. Though time is terribly tight.”
“Is there a way?”
A flicker of life returned to Olivia’s eyes. They sparkled—but only for a brief moment.
“By private courier… Though even that would require luck.”
She fell silent.
From Litton Port to LeMon Port in the Kingdom of Rondos, the speedboat ride would take ten hours.
From LeMon Station, a transfer to the express train would take another nine hours to reach Leiden Central Station.
And from there, a carriage ride to the main store of Patex would take about thirty minutes.
And Johan Leopold’s birthday banquet was at 6 p.m. the next day.
Which meant that everything—every connection, every schedule—had to align perfectly in order for the watch to be retrieved in time.
Olivia let out a long sigh, feeling crushed.
“Miss? Your hat.”
It wasn’t until Anne spoke that Olivia realized she was gripping the flower decoration on her lap-held hat.
“Oh!” Olivia gasped softly and quickly let go.
Meanwhile, Anne was silently blaming herself.
If only she had spoken up when she saw the note written in Olivia’s notebook that day…
She’d been too busy and distracted—an excuse that meant nothing now.
Recalling the fierce expression of Lady Margaret Wellington, Anne realized there was no time for hesitation.
“Miss?”
Olivia, now fidgeting with her clasped hands instead of the hat, looked up at Anne.
Her eyelids, weighed with worry, were half-lowered.
“I’ll go.”
“You will?”
Olivia asked in surprise—she hadn’t even considered Anne.
“Yes. Just stay with Madame Marie for two days. I’ll be back quickly.”
Anne’s determined expression and sparkling eyes sought Olivia’s permission. Olivia hesitated.
“It’s not like I’m going somewhere unfamiliar. Don’t worry.”
Anne would have to travel overnight, and they had never been apart since arriving here.
For many reasons, Olivia couldn’t give an immediate answer.
“Miss.”
Anne called again.
Outside the window, the tranquil riverside scenery of Riverside 3rd Avenue flowed slowly past.
Just as the carriage turned onto the riverside road, Olivia grasped Anne’s hands tightly and said,
“Thank you, Anne. Please do it.”
Anne nodded, meeting Olivia’s gaze.
The black sea glowed crimson, ablaze with fire. The harbor was lit as if it were midday.
A fire had suddenly broken out on the ship scheduled to depart at 7 p.m.
It started in the cargo hold and quickly engulfed the massive vessel. The strong wind spread the flames to a nearby passenger ship.
It was the ship Anne was supposed to board.
Chaos erupted at the dock. Dazed, Olivia and Anne were jostled about by the panicked crowd, stunned and helpless.
Olivia was the first to come to her senses.
“Let’s look for another ship, Anne.”
She grabbed Anne and rushed toward the ticketing building.
The terminal was packed with stranded passengers.
Everyone was demanding to know when they could board.
At last, overwhelmed by the barrage of questions, a clerk screamed.
“Please! Just check the updated departure board!”
Despite the clerk’s desperate cry, the angry voices only grew louder.
Curses and sighs mingled in the air, making their ears ring.
It was clear they couldn’t expect much help from the staff.
Pushed along with the crowd, Olivia and Anne eventually found the schedule.
The updated sailing board was posted on the peeling wall to the right, but even that was surrounded by people.
Taking a deep breath, the two girls braced themselves and pushed forward.
Finally able to see the numbers clearly, Olivia stood on tiptoe and scanned the board for departures to LeMon.
June 15, 8:00 PM – Perss. Queen Elizabeth (To LeMon) – Cancelled
June 16, 7:00 AM – Roykan. Victoria (To LeMon) – Delayed. Now scheduled for 6:00 PM departure
“…”
Unbelievable.
The next ship to LeMon was departing at the same time as Johan’s birthday banquet.
In disbelief, Olivia checked the board again.
But nothing had changed.
Really… this was…
“Unbelievable.”
She repeated the words like a chant.
“It’s over. It’s all over, Anne.”
She was going to completely ruin the Duke Johan Leopold’s birthday party. What now?
Olivia’s mind went blank.
Shoulders slumped, the two of them slowly made their way out of the station.
Outside, thick smoke continued to rise into the night sky.
The air burned as it entered their lungs. The breeze against their skin was hot.
Fire trucks and port workers scrambled to put out the flames.
Neither woman spoke as they walked toward the carriage stand.
Then Olivia suddenly remembered the birthday card she had written.
Words of sweet affection—ones Han Ji-an would never have dared to say aloud.
Please, don’t let his fiancée see it… The chances were slim, but she prayed to God anyway. Desperately.
“Olivia?”
It was then that she heard a familiar voice.
Olivia, who had just exited the chaotic dock, froze.
She turned slowly.
A black carriage was coming to a stop.
The door opened, and a very tall man stepped out.
It was Edgar.
He was on his way to Litton Port for a business trip to Rondos.
The carriage had slowed just two blocks from the port due to the long lines and passing fire wagons.
Because of the reduced speed, he had seen her clearly through the window.
Olivia Blanchett—who, by her usual routine, should have been sound asleep—was wandering aimlessly.
Why in the world was she here?
He had no choice but to stop the carriage.
“What brings you here?”
Her blue eyes widened in shock and wavered visibly.
“I could ask you the same. Are you waiting for someone?”
Why else would a woman be at the port at this hour?
Edgar’s gaze dropped to her empty hands.
That told him all he needed to know.
“No, it’s not that.”
She shook her head slightly.
“Then why?”
“It’s… complicated. What about you?”
“I have business in Rondos.”
Complicated.
As he replied, Edgar tried to guess what her “complicated” situation was.
Was she trying to run away? The tennis tournament was only three weeks away.
“You probably won’t be able to go today. All ships were canceled. The next ones are delayed until tomorrow.”
“Where to?”
Edgar’s eyes sharpened.
“Were you planning a trip?”
“Ah… not exactly.”
Not exactly—yet she seemed to know the schedule intimately. Her nervous expression deepened Edgar’s suspicions.
His gaze shifted to the maid beside her.
The small suitcase she carried looked far too small for a long trip.
“Let’s move.”
“Pardon?”
The chaotic dock was no place for a proper conversation.
The woman wasn’t going to give a straight answer easily, and the noise was getting on his nerves.
“Just get in.”
Olivia hesitated.
Her clear eyes gave away her inner turmoil.
To get in or not—her conflicted face looked painfully serious.
Just as she was about to speak—clearly about to decline—Edgar reached out and grabbed her hand.
Her wrist, caught in his large grip, was slim yet firm.
The carriage started moving again.
“So.”
His low voice echoed through the private Lancelot passenger lounge.
Edgar flicked the ash off his long cigar and continued.
“You want to… smuggle out a birthday present. Is that it?”
She didn’t like the word “smuggle,” but Olivia nodded.
A boat, he said.
She knew he owned a yacht—but a speedboat too? She looked at Edgar as if he were some omnipotent god.
“Then just come with me. Problem solved, right?”
“Thank you. Really.”
It felt too easy. Olivia was stunned but relieved.
Edgar stared quietly at the woman sitting across from him. Her beaming smile was delightful.
Behind her, through the large glass window, Pier No. 1 still burned fiercely.
It was unfortunate for the shipowner, but Edgar was thankful for the twist of fate that had brought them together like this.
He did regret that the maid wouldn’t be going alone.
But then again, if he really wanted to, he could bring her aboard his ship anytime.
The fun of being alone with her on the sea would come another time.
For now, her shining eyes looked at him like he was a savior.
And for now, that was enough.
