Chapter 745: The Good News and The Bad - Part 6

"Oh? You've realized?" Oliver said, turning to look down at him. "You're right. I'm not like my father. And nor would he want me to be like him. I'm Oliver Patrick – it's time you saw that name for what it was."

Oliver found his own way to the meeting room, with Lancelot staggering behind him, his feet as lost beneath him as his mind was. He didn't seem to know how to act now that his plan had failed.

Arriving at the door, Oliver saw it was as he expected.

Princess Asabel sat, alone, in the centre of her usual sofa, gazing out of the window, her forlorn expression obvious even from behind.

She turned her head, hearing his approach, and she smiled for him. A terribly sad smile, that brought her eyes closed as it rose to her cheeks. The fire that Oliver had arrived here with died out. She was such a thoroughly beautiful woman, it was hard to do anything but stare.

"Princess…" Oliver said, more quietly than he'd intended, bowing to her.