“Olivia.” His voice cracked like a whip and Olivia flinched at its sternness.
So much for avoiding that confrontation, she thought as she swung around to face him. “Father, you look dashing today, is that a new shirt?”
“Inside,” he bit out tersely not at all impressed with her flippant attitude. He waited for her to sit before closing the door and went to sit behind his desk. Restless, he began pacing instead.
Herik, son of Haltoran, son of Aldorith was a mountain of a man and made for an imposing king. He was taller than most and had strong, broad shoulders. He had a hawk-like nose and stone gray eyes exactly like those of his daughter. Herick's thick brown hair was of medium length and he pushed a hand through it as he paced.
“You look busy, Father,” Olivia hedged waving a hand at his paper strew desk. “I can come back at another time. What is it you are working on perhaps I can be of assistance.”
“It’s nothing, just some reports about some mass incursion of troops in the north. They’ve been saying this for months but there is never any proof. It’s just their way of reminding me their are troops up there that need feeding.” Herik seemed concerned about something but passed it off as little importance. “Not that you would be concerned with that. You seem more concerned with running wildly about Serce a free as can be with no care in the world giving this family and this Realm a bad reputation.”
“Is that why you wanted to see me,” Olivia asked incredulously. She shouldn’t be disappointed he had only wanted to lecture her, after years of his constant disapproval she was used to it, but it still hurt. She fought back the sudden urge to cry hardening herself towards him. If that’s how he wanted to play it, she was game.
Herik stopped pacing and took the time to actually look at his daughter. She was becoming quite a beautiful woman, so like his wife Antonia it hurt. His resolve to be firm weakened but he pushed it away. She was to be named Queen, the time for leinancy was over.
“Look at yourself,” he began his voice holding no emotion. “The future Queen of Serce dressed as a man and filthy as a slave. Have you no self-respect? Do you even care what people say about you?”
“I’ve only ever cared what you thought of me,” Olivia said tensely. “But I never was good enough for you, was I? You haven’t looked at me ever since I killed Mother. You only speak to me to rebuke me for my shortcomings and even then you talk to me like I am a child. I just don’t understand what you want from me!”
“Your mother’s death was not your fault,” Herik said sternly. Seeing the truth of her statement he softened slightly. “She died of fever, it was not your fault, you can’t blame yourself for that.”
“Everyone else blames me for it, why shouldn’t I?” she questioned sarcastically. “Hell, that’s the first time you actually talked about her death. It wasn’t just you who lost someone they loved that day. Only you didn’t have to live with the guilt of it for the next eleven years. It never occurred to you, did it, that I might blame myself for it?” The answer was written all over his face.
Herik had been so broken over the loss of his beloved wife he hadn’t even thought of how his daughter would respond to it all. The relization of what she had been suffering through since then slowly sunk in. “This whole time I believed you were just rebelling against the rules I had set in place for you. You were always so distant and angry towards me because you thought I blamed you?” He ran a hand through his hand, he couldn’t begin to fathom how he had never taken the time to just talk to his daughter.
Olivia stared at him in silence. “You don’t blame me?” Her voice was whisper soft and innocent as a child.
“Blame you that’s preposterous!” Herik scoffed. “You are my daughter, I love you forever and always and you had absolutely nothing to do with your mother’s death. You didn’t know any better than to sneak out to play with friends. You were seven, Livia, you didn’t know what a quarantine was.”
“All the rules and forced sessions sitting in Court and the hours upon hours of learning languages, dances, combat, I thought you were punishing me. I was so angry with you for forcing me to do everything I so hated and for keeping me away from my friends.”
“I was trying to make you strong,” Herik smiled as he looked at his daughter. “But I was wasting my time, you are strong and sure without any of that, it’s just who you are. Like you mother, you were born that way. Lakri, how have I been so blind?”
He sank into a chair and in that moment Olivia saw him for who he truly was. No longer was he the proud, noble king always so strong and confident, he was a tired old man carrying the weight of the nation on his shoulders and it was slowly crushing him.
“I’m sorry for being such a horrid, willful daughter,” Olivia apologized softly. So many things made sense now, but there were years of hurt feelings and anger still to overcome.
“I accept only if you can forgive me for being such an overbearing ass of a father,” he replied in kind. A small smile worked at his mouth and Olivia couldn’t help but smile too. “What a pair we two make. Do you think you have it in you to give your old man a hug?”
“I would like nothing more,” she went to him and he cradled her in his arms as he had when she was small. Safe in his arms nothing else mattered. “I love you, Father,” she murmered into his chest.
Herik smoothed her curls away from her face tenderly, “and I love you, darling Livia.” He kissed her forhead ever so softly and hugged her again tightly. He had years of hurt to make up for, it was going to be a long road, but things were finally looking brighter.
The meeting was not going at all as Olivia had expected but it was better than anything she could have ever hoped for. “It’s been really good to talk to you, Father. Why don't we just skip the ball and spend more time catching up?”
Herik smiled ruefully at his daughter and Olivia caught a glimpse of the father she had once known, “nice try, Livia, but, no.” As much as he wanted to forgo the ball himself, some traditions a king couldn't even change. “The Court isn't all that bad, Liv, however, I will make a deal with you. You will go to the ball, but you only have to stay for an hour, then I will make an excuse for you and you can leave. Agreed?”
You don't know them like I do father, Olivia thought with dread. “Agreed,” she acquiesced with a sigh. It was better than nothing.
“Good,” Herik smiled blithely unaware of his daughter's trepidation. “I love you, pet, don’t ever forget that. Now I may be mistaken, but I do recall that these balls have a dress code and those pants are not going to cut it.”
“What? You don't like what I'm wearing?” She asked innocently. She wore pants and a worn tunic she had once borrowed from Aiden. Olivia had forgotten she wore them and was surprised he wasn't upset.
“Just like your mother, she always did have a rebellious streak. However, I daresay the Court will not be so understanding and you might want to change before Brigid sees you.” Herik laughed heartily at Olivia's expression as she left the room.
Olivia hurried down the hall ducking into the servant's halls to avoid Brigid. Facing her father had been one thing, but Brigid was an entirely different sort of person, someone no one wanted to cross.
Ж
Olivia had changed out of her borrowed clothes and walked quickly down the corridor her dress swishing around her ankles. There were only a few hours to the ball but she had to find Talith to see if she had received any post. She hadn't heard from her cousin and she was anxious to learn what she could about Mina’s return.
Mina, daughter of Fangir, was Olivia's cousin through her mother and her only female friend. The two girls had grown up hating each other but had somehow become close friends. Mina's father was a member of Court and, as such a high official, sent Mina to a private school in Lidona and she had been gone for nearly four years and Olivia missed her desperately.
Those who knew Mina either loved her or hated her. She had a strong personality and was not afraid to let those around her know exactly how she felt. Mina was considered a snob and a spoiled brat by most for she had a cold disdain for anyone below her social status. She was cruel and cut people to the quick and had no qualms about hurting people to get her way. The two girls made such a striking pair in their differences, yet they were close and, despite how Olivia enjoyed her other friends, Olivia still missed her cousin something fierce.
“Well look who we have here. The wayward Princess returns at last.” The mocking voice rang down the corridor and Olivia stopped.
“Nice to see you too, Will,” Olivia replied sarcastically turning to face him. “Don’t you have some innocent young girl to corrupt?”
William son of Mikhan, son of Toral, at only two years older than Olivia was the youngest Second Captain of the Citadel Guards. His thick brown hair hung down to his shoulders and his deep brown eyes gave him a roguish look. William was constantly flirting with one girl or another and he especially loved to torment his childhood playmate, Olivia.
“You were gone so long, everyone was sure you had been carried off by Hiynil,” Will taunted coming closer. “I don’t like that you spend so much time with him. People are beginning to talk you know, even the Guards.”
“The Guards can sod off for all I care,” Olivia replied hotly her temper rising. “Who are they to talk about me? For that matter, who do you think you are to judge me? You are not my father, you are supposed to be my friend not some stuck up, holier than thou rich noble prick!” From everyone else she was used to the snide remarks and whispered comments but from one of her oldest friends she couldn’t stand it.
William froze at her words. Her sudden anger startled him. He was used to her fierce temper but never this brutal scorn and rage. Their friendship was always one of playful banter and sarcasm but the anger behind her remark cut him deeply. He couldn’t believe she was choosing some slave over him.
Olivia sighed and raked a hand through her tangled hair. “I'm sorry, Will. It’s been a long day but that’s no excuse, I should never have said that. God knows I've been so uptight about everything. You know me and my temper; I've a bad habit of yelling at those I love. Forgive me?”
“Don’t worry about it, Liv.” William wasn't sure why she was so upset but he wasn’t about to ask so he quickly changed the subject. “There's no post today, if that’s what you were after.”
“Yes, I was hoping for a letter from Mina,” Olivia replied grateful for the change of subject. “Look, Will, I-”
“Olivia Faye, where have you been?” a shrill voice demanded. “We've only two hours until the ball and Lakri knows I am going to need every minute. Just look at that hair.”
Livia groaned inwardly, just like Brigid to show up and the most inconvenient times. “How is it your mother always knows where I am?” she whispered to Will fiercely.
“Don't you even try to run young lady, you know full well I see you and I know you can hear me. William leave her alone we've no time for your foolishness, we have a ball to prepare for.”
William bit back a laugh at her expression but couldn't stop the grin, “Of course Mother, I am on my way. Best of luck, Liv,” he winked and flashed a rakish smile before quickly heading in the other direction.
“Olivia Faye, we don’t have all night,” Brigid demanded again.
With a groan, Olivia silently followed her maid towards her chamber. This day just gets better and better.
