Olivia had spent the entire morning avoiding speaking to Sir Aaron. When he came to drop off the books she had wanted, she stood in the corner like a scolded child and waited for him to leave. When he did, she rushed over to grab them and slide them under her bed before Elena had come in with lunch. She didn't want to spend that afternoon in the garden, surprisingly. She wasn't up for facing anyone. Not after having such a dream about a man she barely knew! Who only kissed her once!
She liked the kiss, that much was obvious with the dream following it, but that didn't mean it made her feel any less dirtied. Sir Aaron was fun to be around, if only for his incessant teasing. He was also shockingly reliable, something she found herself desiring out of people. She even appreciated the timely arrival of her meals, never once facing something unexpected. Though, she hated that he doubted her abilities, even if her dream said she desired to be controlled. It was just a dream anyways, dreams didn't have to always mean everything they fronted.
Anyways, if Olivia wanted to prove her abilities to Sir Aaron, she needed to get over how she was feeling. He promised to teach her how to fight, and she was determined to begin learning. It'd become a long term goal to learn to fight like the Orcs do, so carefree and effortlessly. A part of her also wanted to learn the Nymph's dances, they were so absolutely beautiful. She had developed many goals, neither of which involved a budding romance. A small part of her, though, had begun to involve it.
Olivia released a heavy sigh, closing her window to block out the sounds of the Ladies' laughter. The Queen, as usual, seemed awfully quiet, though she would steal quick glances up at Olivia's bedroom window. Olivia retreated to her dining table, awaiting Elena to bring lunch. After she ate, she was to see the King about some sort of important news. She wasn't sure what it'd be. Olivia hadn't eaten that much breakfast, she was absolutely famished.
She hated herself for letting a dream get in the way of her food. It had looked absolutely delicious, and she felt bad for wasting the majority of it in sending it back to the kitchens. However, she could hardly be blamed for it. With the undesired heat she had experienced for the majority of that morning, it was only natural she'd avoid eating. Elena had found it strange, asking if she was still feeling ill. She had brushed Elena off, downing her medicine, and eating some of the porridge and a few slices of fruit. It'd been the worst morning Olivia had ever experienced, even surpassing the first she could remember.
Still, her mind kept drifting back to dream Aaron, his controlling and powerful voice filling her head. She pulled her lip between her teeth, and ran her fingers through her hair. The door behind her opened suddenly, and Elena came in with a tray full of food. The girl knew that Olivia was definitely hungry after her small breakfast. At this rate, Olivia was bound to become fat. Maybe if she'd stop acting like a teenage girl, and began her training with Aaron, she'd keep her form.
Elena laid the platter out in front of Olivia, and despite her previous thoughts, Olivia's mouth began to water. It was obvious Elena had requested a larger meal for Olivia, and she was eternally grateful. A plate of dried, salted cod laid atop a bed of lettuce and a few slices of tomato sat in front of her. In a bowl on the right were a few honey covered strawberries and apple slices. There was the usual lunch Olivia normally got of beef stew and bread on her left next to a cup of water. At one point, Elena had brought in ale, but Olivia couldn't develop a taste for it, asking her to change it out with water.
"I requested for a bigger portion of food, my lady." Elena explained, though Olivia had suspected it, "I hope that's okay?" Olivia's stomach growled, and she reached for a fork and knife to begin digging into the cod. Elena popped open Olivia's medicine, and dumped the last of it into her water, stirring it around.
"Yes, it's alright. I'm starving." Olivia said, taking a large bite of her fish, "I'm only glad I'm not eating in front of his Majesty! How unseemly I would appear." She was talking with her mouth full, practically engulfing the food. Elena laughed, and walked over to her chest of clothing to find something suitable for her.
"Pray tell what made you lose your appetite this morning?" She asked, pulling out a few modest cotton woven dresses. Olivia blew a raspberry, and stuffed her face with a mouthful of cod. She fought the blush down, looking over at Elena's choice in outfits. The maid was deciding between a blue, short sleeve, turtle-kneck gown, and another of the same fashion but green. She'd already decided on a silver, amethyst encrusted belt. Olivia finished the cod fairly quickly, and decided to eat the stew slowly so the food could digest properly.
"I like the blue dress, goes with the purple and silver nicely." Olivia said, attempting to avoid Elena's question. The handmaiden hummed, tossing the green dress back into the chest, and walking over to Olivia's jewelry box. It'd been given to her by the Queen a couple of days ago, a get well soon gift. Elena picked out two matching butterfly, amethyst encrusted hair pins, as well as a silver chain necklace. The necklace ended in a blossoming rose.
"My Lady? Are you going to answer my prior question?" Elena pushed further, and Olivia huffed. She gulped down a considerably large portion of stew, and then the entire slice of bread on her plate. She didn't want to talk about it, hell she wasn't even obliged to answer any of her handmaid's questions!
"Just…" Olivia sighed, "just a dream, Elena. Nothing I want to talk about, okay?" Olivia finished her stew, and downed her medicine filled water. She'd grown accustomed to the strange aftertaste. She began munching slowly on the honeyed fruit, finishing off the small bowl after a few minutes. Elena gathered up Olivia's dirtied dishes, and promised to return with Olivia's hot water for her bath. They needed to get ready for her visit with the king. Olivia nodded.
From this point forward, Olivia was determined to forget all about her dream starring Sir Aaron, and instead focus on the King's news. Whatever that news may be.