Chapter 27: A Perfect Family!
"Even I could not bear to choose you, but my son, I hope you understand my plight." Damon wanted to laugh. The way her lips trembled with pain as if she could not bear to see him hurt. The pressure on her shoulders was immense. But he could see the light spark in her eyes.
The woman had planned it. Those barbarians must be a cover up to attack him with more assassins and more force so that she could finally get rid of him. Did he think that he was a fool to not know she was sending the assassins or she wanted to show her kindness to the staff! So that they could stand as witnesses if they were ever accused.
And that girl Olivia! Why had she sent her sister to win his heart?
"Of course, I understand my responsibilities well." Oriana finally nodded with a look of relief.
"I knew that you could be trusted. But do not worry. I will send a dozen knights with you to protect you. All you need to do is command them at the time of danger. Agatha." she extended her hand. A maid came forward and passed a parchment to her.
"Here! This is the list of knights going on the expedition with you. Once you return son, I will organize a grand celebratory party for you." she patted his cheeks with a loving gaze. It was hard to hide her happiness.
Ridicule filled his eyes but she did not care. He bowed his head and left with the list. Olivia stared at his leaving figure with dimmed eyes.
If only, she had the power to stop the craziness of her sister. Olviia had only taken a step toward the door when a cold voice stopped her.
"Wait there Olivia." Oriana walked closer. "You should stay away from Damon. I do not want rumors between my sister and my son. It would be so controversial that it would harm my image and your future would be destroyed." Olviia's eyes widened as she turned to face her sister.
Oriana had a smirk on her face that confirmed that she was sure it was not possible.
"Not that I doubt you, Olivia. You just do not know how our staff could be." her hands reached to touch Olivia's cheeks. "You are my young sister. It is my duty to protect you."
Olivia wanted to push that hand away. If only her actions had protected them!
"I will take care of that in the future, sister." she wanted to leave at once. Perhaps, she could find a way to help Damon. She had left him a hint, but he did not understand it yet.
"No, you can not. And it is my mistake." Olivia paused at the door. The words rang a bell in her mind. Her eyes flickered when she noticed worry on Oriana's face.
"You are already twenty. I should have found a good family for you and helped you in settling. After all, I am your only family." her voice sweeter than honey, and her expressions full of the warmth of a mother.
Olivia did not doubt that Oriana wanted to see her settled. But she doubted if it was for her happiness or for Oriana's power.
"But how could I settle down for just any family? After all, you are the sister of the duchess. A family matching my power and status with a young and handsome man who will love you enough is hard to find." so much for the drama. Her sister was such a perfect dramatist! If only she had chosen to be in the theatre.
"But worry not, sister! I have found a perfect family for you. The second prince is organizing a competition for his wife. And I have secured a post for you. Tomorrow, Agatha will accompany you to the royal palace. Though the competition would only start next week. This coincidental meeting would give you an advantage.
Do you understand what I meant?" In the past, she had taken those words seriously. She had believed that it was an opportunity to pay Oriana's debts. But who would have thought she would only make a joke of herself. Even Oriana would regret sending her to the palace.
The second prince was badly disappointed in her and did not even want to see her face.
"Sister! I am not beautiful like you." she refused but Oriana just smiled.
"It is normal to be insecure. But do not worry. I will ask the maids to prepare you. With some makeup and fine dress, even a ugly duckling can be transformed into a swan." looking at the arrogant face of her sister, Olivia did not know what to do.
"But what if the prince rejected me?" she did not want to live the past nightmare.
"It is alright, there is no pressure, Olivia. It is just a chance. If he rejects you, I will look for a better groom for you." Would there be anyone better than the second prince?
"I understand, sister!" Perhaps, she couldn't change her fate so easily.
"Now go and rest. Tomorrow will be an important day for both of us." Olivia could only bow her head and left.
—-
As soon as Damon entered his room, a hollow laugh escaped his lips.
"Ha! Ha!" In the next second, he tore the parchment and threw it on the ground. "She is despicable." the parchment fell on a frame and he paused.
He stared at the portrait in the frame. It was him with his eyes widened and lips slightly parted. He looked shocked by something. He stared at it with his eyes getting darker and narrowing slightly.
"There was no way that I could have this kind of expression." he bent and picked up the frame. It was an exquisite design but he knew it was not expensive.
Yet it must have cost her whole savings. That woman was penniless! He shook his head. It had nothing to do with him. He should throw this frame away already.
Yet he placed it back on the corner again. Glaring at it, he flipped it so that only the blank canvas would look at him.
After that, he rubbed his temples. "what a strange Woman!"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone