"I wonder if there's nothing wrong happening there." Her distant gray eyes watched the dark castle from the terrace. Olivia's hair fluttered in the wind as she peered at the distant tower which was formerly her home.
Shrugging her shoulders, she turned away from the terrace. At the same time, she paused because Reginald was standing behind her. He was staring at the castle too, this time with a dazed look in his eyes.
But he tore his eyes away from it and focused on her. Noticing she was staring at him, he raised a brow and cocked his head to the side.
"I'm sure you'd want to return from the look of things." He tore his eyes from her looking at the castle again.
A subtle smile appeared on her face as she stared at him. Olivia couldn't believe what she was hearing. She saw this more as an excuse for him to make do with Madeline, who she couldn't deny... was related to her.
"You are right. I'm willing to return home." Her lips curled into a stiff smile before she removed her eyes from him.
She was about to take a step away from him but felt herself pulled back. Olivia thought her world moved so fast and then she saw herself so close to him.
She exhaled in shock while her eyes stretched at his audacity. "What is this?" Her eyes were compassionless as she peered at him through her lashes.
Reginald chuckled as he stared at her. He did not know why each of her words seemed to pierce his soul in the most painful way ever. Even though she seemed so peaceful and gentle, her tongue was her weapon.
She could give a perfect example of a white rose sitting gently in a snowy garden. But once it gets touched, its thorns prickle the finger of those who dared to mess with it.
Besides, he never had the intention to make her snap at him in that manner. He was starting to think letting her find out she was wrong was the hardest decision he ever made.
Reginald didn't say a word even though he wishes to explain to her she was wrong. His grip on her eased and he walked away from her.
Olivia's lashes fluttered as she felt his presence depart from her, leaving behind an icy air. She did not know why it felt like she was left alone all of a sudden, but she shrugged.
'He suggested it. He's into that woman. I don't have a problem with that... I only have a problem with him having to put off the marriage knowing I had no options!'
She debated in her thoughts as she turned back to stare at the castle. Whatever it was that made the castle's bell ring urgently, she hoped it was not concerning her father's health.
=======
Antonia skipped into the hallways with a woman behind her. The woman was dressed in an exquisite gown, and she had her hair styled into an elegant bun on the crown of her head.
Two curly ringlets served as a sidebang on her elegant square face. The woman's baby-blue eyes twinkled in delight and expectancy as she followed the maid.
She couldn't keep her anxiety and excitement to herself any longer, so she decided to ask Antonia some questions.
"I haven't met the Princess before, but I make her dresses. So I decided to ask just to be on the safer side. What's she like?"
Her question was polite but it was glaring that she believed in the opinion of the others concerning the Princess.
"The most peaceful soul you will ever meet." Antonia kept her words brief and concise. The woman's gossipy and straightforward attitude was something she never liked.
"Eh? Peaceful? From what I've heard, she's the most unruly and vilest to have ever existed. Why do you say she's peaceful?" Her eyes twinkled in curiosity as she tried to maintain eye contact with Tonia.
Sigh... How do I deal with this? She face-palmed herself on the face. Antonia was trying her hardest not to snap at the ignorant woman. She did not want to get reported by the other maids who were watching her discreetly.
Besides, she had seen this woman with the head maid before. They looked close. She didn't want more trouble and leave her sister to worry about her all the time.
"Well... If you get to meet her yourself and spend some time you'll understand her better. Besides, I serve the Princess every day." Antonia commended herself inwardly for her way of response.
She could imagine how nerve-wracking it was to deal with these kinds of people. Her respect for Olivia skyrocketed because she listened to terrible words about her whenever she stepped out.
"Oh..." The woman lifted her brows in realization. She studied Antonia's expression and noticed the maid seemed happy speaking about Olivia.
'She couldn't be lying because she was bribed right...?'
"Why can't I believe you completely? Are you sure you weren't paid to say good things about her...?" She raised another brow at Antonia in doubt.
Meanwhile, she was not aware they had stopped before Olivia who stepped out of the terrace and was strolling down the hallways in boredom.
"My Lady..." Antonia started to feel uncomfortable with the question the woman asked. She thought she was through with dealing with her.
Who knew she would return with this kind of question?
She raised her hands to press her temples in boiling frustration. Even though she was always the meek one, it never meant she couldn't get angry at the questions this woman asked.
She could only commend Olivia for her patience. But that action of hers she performed only led to more questions.
The woman gasped as she noticed some fresh bruises on Antonia's wrists and a little revealed part of her arm.
They were still oblivious to Olivia's presence. The Princess maintained a low profile to see where this was leading to. She comported herself from speaking up when she noticed Antonia's expression and discomfort.
She wanted to see where this might lead to.
The seamstress pointed at Antonia's bruises while her other hand went to her mouth.
"She-she was the one who caused you those?!"
Her words made Antonia's eyes widen in shock. At the same time, her eyes coincidentally met with Olivia's intense ones.
She didn't look happy.