Chapter 21 - Chapter 19

Morning arrived, and thankfully, nothing unusual had happened during the night. I sighed in relief, stood up, and made my way to the bathroom to take a bath and change.

As I exited the bathroom, a knock echoed at the door. I opened it to find a maid, who informed me that breakfast was ready. Nodding, I followed her to the dining room.

Upon entering, I saw Olivia sitting alone at the table. She looked up at me, her face brightening with a smile. "Come, Hayden, eat with me," she said, patting the seat beside her. I hesitated, thinking it might be rude to join her, but since it was her request, I had little choice.

I nodded and took a seat next to her. She looked genuinely happy, and I couldn't help but feel warmth at her invitation. "My father's been busy lately," she confessed, "so it kinda feels lonely to eat alone..."

I nodded in understanding. I could imagine that her father was feeling the weight of stress and guilt for putting her in danger by agreeing to the King's arrangement.

We ate in comfortable silence, and once the meal was finished, we headed back to the training grounds. I had to admit, Olivia was a quick learner; she had already begun applying what I taught her the previous day.

After training, Olivia was drenched in sweat, and I handed her a towel and a bottle of water. "Thank you," she said, gratefully wiping her forehead.

As we walked down the hallway back to her room, I noticed she wore a troubled expression, deep in thought. Although I didn't want to pry, her troubled face compelled me to ask, "Is there anything troubling you, Lady Olivia?" My tone remained neutral, my expression as cold and indifferent as ever.

She looked at me, lips pursed, as if debating whether to share her thoughts. I sensed her hesitation and was about to assure her that she didn't have to force herself to speak. "Well, I heard that there's a traveling performance near the market," she said hesitantly. "I've wanted to see it for so long... but I know it's dangerous for me to go out, so I understand if I shouldn't be selfish."

As she spoke, her sadness was palpable, even though she forced a smile that looked too strained to be genuine.

I sighed and stopped walking, causing Olivia to turn and blink at me in confusion. Unable to resist, I stepped closer and gently patted her head. She looked down, her ears and cheeks turning a bright shade of red. Was she angry? I quickly pulled my hand away, maintaining my usual calm and cold demeanor.

"You're not selfish at all, Lady Olivia. I myself would like to see the performance," I said, trying to ease her worry.

Her blush remained, though it seemed to soften. I knelt before her, holding her hands gently. "Lady Olivia, it may be insolent of me to ask, but would you like to watch the performance with me? I promise I will do everything in my power to protect you."

As I looked up at her from my kneeling position, her face flushed instantly with embarrassment. She nodded slowly, then pulled her hands away and dashed toward her room. I couldn't help but chuckle softly at her reaction.

Standing up, I made my way to Sir Theodor's office to seek his permission for our outing. He was hesitant at first, but with some persuasion, he ultimately agreed.

By 3 PM, I was waiting outside Olivia's room, eager for our excursion. We had decided to wear ordinary clothes to avoid drawing attention. After a short wait, the door creaked open, revealing Olivia in a simple, unassuming dress. Though her attire was plain, her beauty remained unchanged; she still exuded a certain charm, and her aura seemed to shift in the ordinary clothing.

Momentarily taken aback, I quickly regained my composure. "Shall we go now, Lady Olivia?" I asked.

She nodded enthusiastically, her smile bright. "Let's go!" she exclaimed, giggling softly.