Chapter 121 Olivia’s departure
Chapter 121 Olivia’s departure
Olivia's eyes ran through the ends of the room as she looked for the one thing that was capable of thwarting her plans for the day.
“Where are you?” She muttered, looking around the room. “I was so sure I kept you here.” She reached for the back of the door, her hands going deep.
“Aha!” Her eyes lit up as she brought it out. “Found you.” She glanced at the shoe lace that had made her scatter the room she had been provided for.
“Sorry,” she muttered to whoever would have to clean the room up. “Not my fault.” She looked like she was appeasing herself more, than the servant who would be unfortunate to have been assigned her room.
“I think I'm ready,” she muttered to herself as she picked up her strap bag. The rest of her things had already been arranged in her ride.
She whistled as she stepped out of the door, giving a glance to the room she'd come to associate with hers. “Thank you for having me.” She muttered, closing the door behind her as she moved to Lucien's study.
“There you are,” She whistled at Lucien who was coming out of the study. “Leaving already?”
Lucien narrowed his eyes at her choice of dressing. “Been working all night. The king has the liberty to take some rest, doesn't he?”
She gave him a sympathetic smile that told him she understood where he was going. “Then there's no need to keep you for too long. It was nice being here.”
Lucien's eyes widened, a frown settling on his face. “You're leaving already?”
“Don't tell me you forgot?”
“Oh no,” he groaned, facepalming himself. “The days have passed by so quickly that I seem to have forgotten.”
Olivia eyes him murderously. “How comforting.”
Lucien shook his head, his hands on the doorknob. “How about you stay one more day, Liv. You ought to be celebrated.”
Olivia glanced at the wall opposite them. “Having my name and face plastered on the wall is a gift great enough for me.”
“How humble.” Lucien snickered. “But I mean it, Liv. The people deserve to know who helped them.”
Olivia shook her head, waving his suggestion away. “One more day here, and there'll be another great battle. Only it would be better for the people of Blue Walls and the entire region.”
Lucien chuckled at Olivia's exaggeration. “You really think you're making the right decision?” He asked, already knowing what was coming.
“I know.” She answered quietly, her voice determined.
“Very well then, I can't stop you.” Lucien said regretfully as he closed the door behind him. “Anything I can do to make your journey easier?”
Olivia began to shake her head before stopping. “Actually, there's something I think you can do for me.”
“What?” Lucien asked cautiously, wary of his friend.
“Isabella. I need to speak to her before I leave.”
“Why?” His voice was firm, all traces of friendliness gone in an instant. Olivia was his friend and had been a constant presence by his side during the war but Isabella was his mate.
“Relax, protector.” Olivia joked. “It's just a harmless visit.”
Lucien sighed. Olivia could be persistent when she wanted something. “The Garden. Behind the West gate.”
“It wasn't that hard, was it?” She said, muttering her thanks as she strutted out.
Lucien curled his lips, shaking his head. “Olivia?” He stopped her.
Olivia looked behind her, wondering why he was calling her.
“Thank you.” His voice was genuine, his eyes solemn. “For everything.”
Olivia nodded in acknowledgement, and for a split second, something passed between them, but she broke it by flashing Lucien one of her prettiest smiles. “It was an honour to serve, Your Majesty.”
Without wasting more time, she stepped out of the hallway, leaving Lucien standing alone.
Lucien shut his eyes momentarily, confused. Seconds before her arrival, he had somewhere he wanted to be, but now he couldn't shake the eery feeling in his heart.
Both women had come to an understanding, but he knew it was more than that. He walked back to the study, choosing to go back to work.
“Been expecting you,” Isabella muttered quietly as the cool breeze landed on her face. She was tending to some flowers she'd planted weeks ago.
“How did you know I would come?” Olivia asked from behind her, clutching her bag. “Don't tell me Lucien had the guards run to tell you ahead of me.” She said narrowing her eyes.
Isabella chuckled at Olivia's innocence. “He wouldn't need to do that.” Her hands worked for a while in the soil before she stood up.
“I knew you wouldn't go without wanting to see me.”
“The confidence.” Olivia scoffed, but she didn't refute Isabella. She knew the queen was right no matter how much she tried to deny it.
“Planted these immediately after the war. Needed a reminder of the things we've been through.” She rinsed her hands slowly before drying them on a towel.
“We?” Olivia asked to be sure she'd included her.
“We!” Isabella’s voice was firm. “You fought in the war, Olivia. Right beside Lucien, taking injuries and adding threats to your life.”
Olivia Swallowed, looking down. She wasn't shy, but having Isabella point out the activities gave her a certain level of awareness.
“You put your life on the line for us, despite our differences.” Isabella continued.
“It was either that or watch all of us wiped out by Damien Hale.”
“Not you, Liv.” She gave a small smile. “I understand that's what your friends call you.”
“Are you asking to be my friend?” Olivia asked with a raised brow.
Isabella shook her head. “That would merely be me being courteous. I think there's no need for that.”
Olivia couldn't help but smile at Isabella’s confidence. “I like you.”
This time around, it was Isabella’s turn to smile. “I get that a lot. I think you can't help but like me.”
Olivia chuckled, her hands unclenching unconsciously.
Isabella tapped the other end of the seat, motioning for Olivia to sit beside her. “You know before the battles ended, I used to think it was my fault.”
“I mean, I didn't ask to be born with a special kind of blood,” she shrugged.
Olivia kept mum, wondering where Isabella stood as going with the story.
“And then I met you, and you told me to my face that I didn't deserve Lucien.” Her smile was small, void of the pain that laced the conversation.
“You've proved me wrong,” Olivia muttered, not knowing what else to say.
“But I wouldn't have done that without your help. You challenged me.”
“I would still have fought though.” It was Olivia’s turn to continue the storytelling. “With or without the support from the Blue Walls.”
Isabella narrowed her eyes. “They are your family, ones you can't go against.”
“So is Lucien,” Olivia added quietly. “You may have claimed him as yours, but he was my friend first.”
“Do I sense a threat from you?” Isabella asked quietly.
“Nah, that won't be necessary. He's in safe hands.”
Isabella breathed in relief. “I'm glad you think so. It would be such a shame to engage in battle with you.”
Olivia groaned, mirroring Isabella’s expression. “I'm glad we won't have to fight.”
Both women fell into silence, caught up in their different thoughts. One thing remained constant though, they were bound by their allegiance to one man.
“What's next?” Isabella asked, breaking the silence. “I understand Blue Walls seems to be calling you.”
Olivia shrugged. “I guess it's time to take up being queen. Been putting it off for too long that the boys are beginning to get ideas.”
“Ahhh,” Isabella drawled, her smile understanding. “The men think that everything belongs to them.”
“Exactly!” Olivia's voice was pitched. “I guess being queen wouldn't be bad after all. There's one right here in the palace.”
Isabella blushed. “That's kind of you.” She muttered. The compliments hit harder when it was a powerful woman dishing them out.
Olivia stood up. “Yeah, sure.” The niceness had disappeared and been replaced by the warrior Olivia. “You take care of you.”
Isabella stood on her feet, her smile sad. “Wish I had known you earlier. You're a solid friend, Liv.” She pulled Olivia in for a hug.
Olivia stood rooted to the ground, unsure how to respond. Then slowly, she returned the gentle pat Isabella had given her on her back.
“Take care of him.” She whispered as she untangled herself from the hug.
“I will.” Isabella waved slowly as Olivia disappeared. “Take care of yourself.” She continues to wave until Olivia's silhouette can no longer be seen.
“You're gonna miss her, aren't you?” Lucien's voice sounded from behind Isabella.
Isabella rolled her eyes. “Eavesdropping on our conversation, your Majesty?” Her brows were raised in fake horror.
Lucien chuckled. “Didn't need to do that, even though I'm dying to know what you both spoke about.”
Isabella smirked. “That's pathetic. I guess you'll never know.” Her voice was filled with sarcasm.