After touring the hall, Oliver and Hermione stepped away from the large piano resting in the front of the hall.
She had seen the dining area beforehand, which was a large space with a long vintage table and chair set surrounding it.
She reasoned that it was absolutely too much space for just the two of them to dine.
They walked into the kitchen. As previously observed, she didn't see any servant except for herself and the butler.
She wondered who had prepared the breakfast. Could it be Oliver?
The kitchen was a large space as well with a U- design layout. The cupboards were filled to the brim with snacks and other whole foods. There was a large water pot with an intricate design, pumped with water and rendering it cool. The windows were filled with flower pots, which brightened up the entire space.
They climbed up the staircase and headed upstairs, where they glanced around the rooms. Although it had the same design and spacious area, it was empty.
Hermione wondered why the manor had so much space when it wasn't used. Oliver had informed her that, it was just Lloyd, She, Lulu, and himself that resided in the manor.
Where were the others? Lloyd had a brother, didn't he?
It wasn't as if she cared. She just wanted to understand why it was just Lloyd staying in this big mansion, wouldn't it feel lonely?
What if she and Lulu were never here?
Oliver observed the curiosity in Hermione's eyes. He began to explain the unanswered question written over her face.
"Each prince has their manor. It's just His Highness and his mother that were occupying this space" He informed her.
Were? Hermione noticed the use of past tense in the butler's words. Her eyebrows furrowed. She realized that she hadn't caught a glimpse of any other person apart from Lloyd and Oliver, where might his mother be?
Inwardly, she chastised herself for not knowing anything. Hermione hoped the woman wouldn't feel that she was being rude, by not acknowledging her presence.
Oliver's voice went low, "Before she died" He added to his words.
Hermione's eyes widened. Her hands flew to her mouth instinctively. She wasn't anticipating to learn about his mother's death.
Oliver continued to speak as he led her to the other parts of the mansion. He wasn't certain if the prince would be annoyed by the fact that he was conveying this information to a stranger, but the princess was entitled to know.
Oliver could quickly discern that the princess had a fondness for the prince, and it was comforting to have another person on their side.
"Lady Rayna recently died. Fifteen days ago. The prince had become distant ever since, and I know he's upset for not being able to protect the Lady" Oliver's head hung low.
Oliver felt guilty for not being there for the lady and inflicting pain on the prince.
If only he had resisted disappearing from the manor along with the other servants on the Lady's order. He could've died instead of the Lady. He was willing to sacrifice his life for the lady, but she made a mistake by sending all of them away.
Oliver wished he could go back in time and remain close to the castle, to catch the person who was planning to break into the manor and murder the lady. However, disobeying her was also a problem.
He didn't dare, or else he would be executed for disobedience towards the royal family.
Hermione felt despondent. She clutched the sides of her dress and was biting into her inner cheeks. An invisible gloomy cloud appeared over her head as she learned of the truth.
She was both disappointed by not being able to meet Lloyd's mother and saddened by her death; on the other hand, she felt foolish for judging Lloyd for his actions. He was feeling isolated and all she had been pondering was herself. She didn't know anything and had concluded that he was a cold person.
Why had she been so self-centered lately? It was unlike her!
What was she expecting? That he'd welcome her in his embrace after he had just suffered a big loss?
The fact that he got married to her just after his mother's death is something she should be grateful for.
Lloyd must probably be feeling down for betraying his mother's memory. To become better, he needed a lot of time to grieve. She instructed herself to give him some room while also being there for him, so he wouldn't have to carry the burden alone.
Oliver gazed at Hermione with a pleading look, "Your Highness, please bear with the prince. He's going through a tough time all alone, and lastly, he's not so cruel"
Compared to the other vicious princes, Lloyd was his favorite. Despite his fear of encountering Lloyd who was angry and annoyed, Lady Rayna was always there to keep him under control. Left to Lloyd, he would annihilate everyone who trespassed against him without giving them a chance to explain or accept an apology. He wasn't also lenient when it came to punishment.
Oliver knew as a matter-of-factly that Lady Rayna's death would give space for Lloyd's demon to be unleashed. Not just Oliver alone would suffer but everyone.
He could only hope that Hermione would succeed in containing him like Lady Rayna.
Hermione bobbed her head, "I--I understand O-liver" She sniffled, managing to hold back her tears.
As they walked past the corridors, Hermione observed that the manor had been fixed thoroughly. It was a huge difference from how they had stumbled upon it previously.
Oliver led her to the terrace. It was a large balcony, overlooking a lush garden filled with vibrant flowers and a serene lake. The sky remained dark as usual, but she could notice the drifting clouds and the stars twinkling in the sky above, each one like a tiny piece of light in the darkness. A gentle breeze blew through the air, bringing with it the scent of fresh flowers and dew-covered grass. Vines of ivy wound their way around the stone pillars, their leaves deep green and their petite white flowers glowing in the twilight.
It was a tranquil place to spend time.
This must be it, Hermione thought. They had reached the last destination in the manor.
She felt fulfilled that she learned a thing or two about Lloyd today, and her happiness knew no bounds. With the tour Oliver gave her, she would be able to navigate her way around the manor. That was beneficial on its own.
Hermione spent a short while on the balcony, enjoying the subtle breeze and flowery scents wafting in the air.
After she had felt enough, she turned towards Oliver with a face full of bright smiles, "I--I should head back. Thank you for today"
Hermione walked past him. Where the latter bowed at her with hands clasped in front of him.
Before Hermione could disappear completely from view. Oliver remembered that he hadn't shown her the garden in the courtyard, and he called her back.
"If Your Highness would like, there's one more place I want to show you," He said.
Hermione accepted. " Alright"
They both walked past a long corridor after descending the staircase by the right, It was a darker part of the castle, but the torches by the wall illuminated the path.
Hermione's hand grazed the wall as she walked past. it was cold against her fingers.
She walked past a large window and caught a glimpse of the three vases positioned next to each other. They were buttercup flowers, her favorite.
"W-whose flowers are these?" Hermione pointed at the bright-looking yellow flowers.
Oliver cleared his throat, "They belong to the Lady. It's hers" He mentioned. He swiveled on his heels, to continue with their journey towards the peach garden but noticed the princess wasn't following him anymore. Oliver turned to face her. He saw that she had lifted one of the vases and was looking at it closely.
He swallowed nervously. "Please be careful with it, Your Highness" He spoke with an outstretched arm.
Hermione gave him a reassuring look. She wanted to feel a connection to the woman, as she didn't have the opportunity to meet her when she was alive.
Hermione observed the flowers, they had been meticulously trimmed, as if recently and they shone brightly.
Having seen enough of the flowers, she approached the window to place it back, when she felt the vase in her hand shake vigorously.
Huh? Her eyebrows pulled together. She lowered her head to look under the vase. Why was it shaking so much, as if trying to unleash something?
Hermione just wanted to drop it by the window, and sprint from it.
But she wasn't careful enough. The vase slipped off her hand and clattered to the ground.
Break!
Oliver's face blanched.