Olivia allowed Herin lead her to the large dance floor where all curious eyes laid on them. Somehow, for some reason she felt small under their intense scrutiny. Herin's hold on her waist was without a proper grasp, like he had no intention to touch her body, Olivia could gladly relate with that as the grim history between them always left a bitter taste in her mouth, soon the orchestra begin the music; slow, sweet and seductive, each play of the instruments echoed merrily in the cool atmosphere of the ballroom. Olivia's gaze however, refused to meet with Herin's, her thoughts drift to why he wanted a dance with her.
"Happy birthday again Olivia."
Olivia nods grimly, still refusing to meet his face. Herin notices her distaste in being with him, but however continues.
"You could at least look at my face."
This causes Olivia to chuckle darkly, she lifts her face, a much more colder look on her face, Herin smirks at that.
"Your face?..." Her tone darker "... what's there to see on your face?"
Herin chuckles again, much to her distaste.
"Oh Olivia, honestly I will really miss you."
Olivia's frown suddenly disperse, her tone much lighter, there was a sudden sadness that appeared in her eyes, one which she refused to show.
" Of course, how could I forget, you want me gone."
"Olivia, no matter how deep the feud is between us, I will miss you. Believe it or... not."
Olivia narrows her eyes at him, her gaze judging and cruel.
"And why would you miss me?"
"Because..." Herin swirls her causing a gasp to escape her lips, she'd forgotten that they were dancing, at the throne room, her glance caught Eleanor and Cassia's glare on her, fully ignoring the soon to be trouble at hand, she faced Herin, still in want for an answer.
"Because what?"
"Because I like you." He stated, simply.
Olivia scoffed at his words. "You like me?"
"Whether you believe it or not." He completed, this time with a warm smile. She shakes her head in disbelief, a sarcastic smirk on her face. She arched a bow at him, trying to force out a deeper meaning of his sly words, but his smile only grows warmer. Olivia should have thought to be delusional but...maybe she was not.
"And why do you like me? I thought I'm the first name on your death warrant?"
"Of course you are and will forever remain in that spot, it's really dear to me."
"Your language is confusing."
"And so is your back and forth character, I guess that's why I like you more."
He swirls her again, as the music slowly becomes faster, sending thrills of tension through their path. Herin's grip suddenly tightens on her waist forcing Olivia to frown.
"Why are you dancing with me?"
"Because I want our last moment to be special enough." His tone...his voice...just like her father's, only less sinister than normal or maybe it was not sinister but all her thoughts, all the memories deeply registered within her that she had of him were nothing less than sinister.
"Mocking me again Herin?" For a moment she had totally forgotten that he was King and Herin dug no grudge for her offense. She continues despite knowing her wrong saying. "You're not my father to feel anything for me."
"I don't have to be someone to you just to have empathy."
Olivia chuckles quite lively, their dance invading her mind. "Empathy? From you? Wow the world must be coming to an end!"
Herin gives her a shake of his head, her words displeasing much to his annoyance.
"Olivia I know that you do not like me and I do not blame you for that..."
"Hate is the word!"
"Fine, hate is the word and I as well do hate you so much with passion! But now, don't you think it would be better if we put that aside and focus on this moment, a moment we can just put all this past us and focus on something better."
"What better? There is no better."
"Olivia,we do not know tommorow..."
"Tommorow I shall live, tommorow I shall stay, tommorow I shall be here, alive and well!" Her voice rising at each syllable. Herin just gazes at her for a moment, his eyes she could see was swirling with uncertainty for the first time.
"Don't be too sure my darling, tommorow they say is what no one knows."
"Well, I must fail your there your Majesty, my tommorow is certainly because I'm the Blood heiress."
"Olivia..." His tone softens again just like the music which was gradually coming to an end, he held her gaze tight on his, sending a sense of dread through her.
"No one knew that I would be King and yet...here we are. Don't always convince yourself all the time that all would be well. It never works that way. Your father is an example of that."
'Bastard!' she wanted to tell at his face but only clamped her teeth shut, while her glare continued to linger on her face. He chuckles, the sinister side back again.
"Olivia, I did not mention him to offend you, no. I only mentioned him because like I said he was an example."
"You know nothing about my father!" she spat.
"Oh Olivia, I know him more than you do to some extent, that even you yourself do not know."
This talk sends Olivia in a state of unease, her sight weakens as a pain develop on her forehead.
'Not again!' she thought. Her face finds Herin's own, trying to stare deep into her eyes.
"Why are you so certain that my tommorow won't be as planned? Have you sold me?"
Herin just gives her a smile."Because I know a lot even if I haven't sold you, still though do not fear tommorow's night but also be aware that the stakes of any of you being taken away are very high. Even you."
Olivia's lips quiver at his words. The music stops making Herin loosen his grips on her.
"Now I have your full attention at last, I must say that now, we both share a common thought, of uncertainty and unawareness."
His gaze meets that of Eleanor's which held an aggrieved question, his view shifts back to Olivia, a warmer expression on his face. "
"Either way, I hope you have a good night." He gives her a low bow and leaves her standing before the applauding crowd. Olivia watches Eleanor and Herin as they discussed, seems to be about her she guessed as Eleanor hard glare wash Olivia her like rain fall, she moves her gaze away glancing around the ground particularly in search for nothing, or perhaps the truth behind his words. Either way, for the first time in history, she couldn't deny that his words left a deep, gaping hole within her.