Zain got the direct answers that he needed to leave the study immediately. The look General Hayes wore on his face was something that spoke of the utmost seriousness.
He wouldn't want to get on his bad side, knowing how fierce the man was toward his enemy. Zain thought the matter was so severe that he had to leave.
Before he even got to the exit, General Hayes' voice stopped him. "Where do you think you're going? You're also involved in this conversation."
Zain turned around sheepishly. He raised a brow before pointing to himself. He blinked in disbelief seeing the man simply ignore his gestures.
Reginald gritted his teeth knowing where this conversation might be leading to. He was not the type of person that liked too much-complicated matters. His Father's expression gave out that they would likely spend a lot of time in the study.
==========
— Three days later...
Nothing special happened to her staying in the mansion. The only activity she did was to walk around the castle with no one willing to talk to her. Reginald came to her mind, but she simply waved the thought of him away.
He was just glad to have let her see his infidelity. So he might be spending time with his concubine. As much as she thought she was going to pull up with this, Olivia was starting to get pissed.
She thought loneliness was her companion right when she was little. But no, she was wrong. She had her father coming to visit her chambers and spend over thirty minutes before leaving to deal with matters of the kingdom.
Now here she was, with obviously no one to talk to. Antonia... she never set her eyes on the girl after that day. Olivia wondered if it was because of her threat the girl stayed away.
It didn't matter. Her handmaiden's presence in her life gave her false hope of overcoming her terrible loneliness. But she ran away after seeing something she wasn't supposed to see.
Olivia hoped Antonia wouldn't go back on her words and blab whatever she saw to anybody. That way, she wouldn't have to deal with shedding blood.
Olivia was standing by her window, her eyes downcast, staring at nothingness. Her hair was held in a half updo, making her face look more attractive. As usual, she didn't wear too much ornament.
The only thing that was on her was the silver hairpin her mother gifted her the moment she was born. It always followed her everywhere she went, even though she was not wearing it.
"I need to go outside. I can't live a life of being indoors when my hus– Reginald is out there living his life to the fullest. I need to loosen up." It was time for her to realize that being lonely doesn't only make her stronger.
It was okay for her to go out. She was going to have some fun. Reginald might probably be making out with Madeline anywhere. She wanted to be anywhere but here. And she wouldn't even give two damn if the people...
Right. They were another problem.
She was happy that she never had something unique that exposed her true identity except her eyes. She could wear a veil to conceal her face perfectly and no one would know she was the one.
What a smart idea she came up with. Being alone had its perks. She quirked a brow and a small smile appeared on her usual poker face.
Olivia moved from the window and hurried toward her wardrobe. She was going to change into simpler attire. That way she wouldn't stand out among the crowd.
If only Antonia was here to guide her through the capital city. She was never out of the castle in her life, and she was afraid of getting lost. But, heck it was totally worth the adventure she was going to have.
She gave herself a tour around the mansion, thinking she would get lost. How amazing that she got a memory that made her recall paths. She would cope.
Olivia assured herself and continued to look through her wardrobe for a dress to match the setting.
A knock interrupted her action and she was quick to head to the door. Olivia opened it and was surprised to see Antonia standing with her head bowed.
"Your highness, I apologize for coming too late. I had to take some days off to–"
"Forget the apologies, and help me out, Tonia!" Olivia grabbed her arm and yanked her into her chambers. Something unladylike of her to do.
She closed the door and it banged loudly, but the princess was way past caring how she did. She pulled Antonia along with her to check her wardrobe, an action that made her maidservant surprised.
"Help me choose a dress." She was firm in her orders. A small frown danced between her elegant brows as she stared at the wardrobe again.
Antonia scanned Olivia's appearance before tilting her head to the side. Why, the Princess was just good to go in her dress. Why was she looking for another one to put on?
Was something special happening? Antonia's eyes dilated as she dared to think of an unexpected event happening today. It was her fault the Princess was not ready for the so-called event.
"What are you looking at? Choose something so simple that one wouldn't be able to recognize me." She pointed at the wardrobe again and sent a look to Antonia.
Antonia nodded before her head drooped to her chest. She walked toward the silver wardrobe and started to check out the gowns. They were all simple without any extra layers to make them appear puffier and rounder.
Antonia took note of this as she calmly rummaged through the wardrobe. She also noticed Olivia loved to dress simply, but her beauty still made her stand out. And should a person talk about her charisma?
A sky-blue gown caught her eyes and she picked it. It was plain. There were no designs on it, not even an embroidery.
"Would this do, Princess?" She held out the dress from its wooden hanger and held its hem.
Olivia's eyes squinted as she studied it. The material was durable and it was quite an expensive one to find. Anyone who knew clothing could guess her background.
This wouldn't do it.
Her eyes fell on Antonia's frock, and they lingered on them for a long time. It made the girl glance at her gown before lifting her eyes to Olivia's contemplating ones.
Was there anything wrong with it?
"Do you have a spare of that?"