Chapter 14: I Am Saving You!
Olivia stared at the peridot pendant in her hands with surprise. She did not get it in her past life. But the party, dance with the count and other things were the same as in the past.
"Isn't it beautiful? It matches your eyes completely." Oriana took the necklace from Olivia and placed it on her bare neck. She turned to her sister so that she could face the mirror.
Olivia stared at the necklace barely, her eyes were on Oriana. The smile she gave! It reminded her of their past when Oriana did not have greed in her mind.
"Yes, it is beautiful." Your innocent smile and sincere love was the most beautiful thing in this world.
"I know that you will like it. But it is not more beautiful than you, Olivia. You have grown up into such a fine lady. It is time for you to get married now." Olivia froze. Now that she remembered it, she had that conversation before with Oriana.
But it was after a month from Leo's birthday. It was when the second prince had invited them for an opera. Oriana had broken the news in the carriage.
"I am still young, sister."
"Rubbish! You are twenty. I had Leo already when I was twenty. Remember Olivia, the woman's greatest power is beauty and youth. Like a man wielding his sword in the battlefield, a woman could kill many with her beauty alone. And for her, every place is a battlefield." she touched Oliovia's fair face and rubbed the small scratch on her face.
"It is healing well. You will be able to meet the second prince in two days. I can help you with meeting him, Olivia but then you have to use your beauty, charms and innocence to win him. As long as you will be with him, you will hold so much wealth and power that you never have to worry about anything! You will get everything you desire." Oriana whispered softly, hypnotically with her eyes glowing to charm Olivia.
"Anything I desire?" Olivia asked softly in a similar tone. Oriana smirked, yes! She knew a random man could not win Olivia. She would bend her affections toward the second prince.
"Of course! The second prince holds more power and wealth even from the crown prince. Who knew if he chose you as his wife, you will be the richest and most powerful person in the empire. Would you believe that?" Oriana grinned with desire.
She could already imagine herself standing in the royal palace. All the nobles who had once laughed at her and mocked her were bowing their heads toward her. The royal family was smiling at her and treating her as family.
"But I do not need wealth and power. My desire is to have a loving family. Where I can play with my kids and a loving husband who cherishes me after coming home from work. I do not want a large palace, I want to have a small cottage I could manage myself. Where Leo and Abi visit and play with my kids. And.." she turned to face Oriana. "You come to meet me without caring what benefit you can get there. Solely to see me because you still love me." Olivia looked at Oriana's stunned and confused face.
She held Oriana's hand and begged.
"Sister… how important is this wealth and power? You are already a duchess! You hold so much power. Why do you need more? And if you want it for me, then I never desired it. I want to lead a simple life. So, please sister. Do not play these games. I do not want to be with the second prince." Her earnest voice made Oriana muddle for a long time.
When she returned to her senses, her face was red and flustered. So Agatha was right. She had found a servant or a knight as her lover. And now she was dreaming of spending her life with him.
"A small house to manage yourself! A husband returning from doing menial work" oriana laughed. Her whole body was quivering with rage. "You are rejecting the royal palace because of this? Have you lost your mind, Olivia." she pushed the girl away, furious. She had decided to act kindly today. But this girl! This foolish girl did not let her be sweet and kind.
"Sister!"
"Do not call me that if you are having rebellious thoughts." Oriana spa sicily. "Who is that man? Who have you given your heart to? Wait! Have you lost your virginity too?" The thought shocked Oriana to her core.
If she was not a virgin anymore, the second prince would not have her. Shocked and anxious, she walked closer to Olivia to check her body. She pulled her dress lightly, shocking Olivia.
"What are you doing?" Olivia was stunned. Where did the man come from? But Oriana only took her actions as guilt.
"I am saving you, you foolish girl. If you feel in love.. Just tell me, have you done it! You could be pregnant at this very moment." the impact of her foolish actions, horrified Oriana. She looked like she had seen a ghost.
Olivia blinked. Pregnant? How? She had not even touched a man. The flashes of last night crossed her face, and her face burnt red. She lowered her head.
The blush spreading on her face did not go unnoticed by Oriana. She quivers with rage. She had kept Olivia hidden like a rare treasure for a perfect noble but now.. She was ruining all her plans for a mere servant. She is such an…. Her eyes turned icy and she pushed Olivia away from her.
"So, you have done it. Olivia WItherland. You are grounded. You can not leave the palace until my next order and we are going to meet the physician of Mountlake tomorrow."