Bab 13: Her Child
"Is that so?" the maid frowned at her lackluster reply. She seems to be lost in the painting.
"Of course, you are like her child after all. You were only ten when the duchess had started working in this palace. I still remember she used to work as the assistant of.. Anyways, she used to work hard and whenever asked, she would only talk about you.
She used to say it was so that you could have a better life. Look now, you are living as the lady of the dukedom because of her. If she had not been there, have you ever thought? " Olivia closed her eyes. These words never let her rebel against her sister.
She had given the golden time of her youth to make sure Olivia was fed well and living well. The debt could never be paid.
"Not only that, she had sent this for you." the maid took out the coins from the bags, "when i informed her grace that you went to market, she was afraid that you would not have enough money. She lamented not knowing earlier and sent the money for you so that you can buy anything you wanted." The maid's voice was full of emotions as if she had been touched by the generosity.
Olivia stared at the thirty silver coins in her hands. She had spent less than that. Silver coins.. An image where a young Oriana was giving a silver coin to young Olivia when Olivia was crying.
"Here, this is my monthly salary. You can spend it all on the desserts if you want. Show them that we are not poor and no one can bully you." Oriana hugged the crying child in her arms and rubbed her back.
"Olivia! One day we would be rich enough that we can buy anything. Then no one would have the power or courage to mock us as pores. Then you can buy anything for your birthday and have a lavish life. I promise that this sister of yours will work hard for your better life." It felt only like yesterday when Oriana used to return to the house with an exhausted face.
Most of the time, she was so tired that she could not even walk. Many times she had gone sick too. Olivia used to cook and do all the chores despite her young age to make sure that her sister is not worried. They were poor but they have rare love and happiness but now.. More than a decade had passed.
Oriana had married the duke a year after working here and now.. She closed her eyes!
"Olivia.." the title was gone just like that. Yes, she was not a lady from the start. It was the title given to her like these clothes, these shoes, food and a place to live. It was all done by Oriana. And now, she wanted to go against her.
Guilt and unease clawed her heart. Even after watching wrong, she could not raise her head because a heavyweight of all these favors was lying on her head.
"I know it is hard to handle everything sometimes. But you must remember that blood is thicker than water. Anyone can betray you, but only your sister would stay with you till the end. She is angry because she cares for you. She is worried, so I apologize to her. You would notice how happy she was when you returned to her." she felt the hands of the maid on her shoulders. She was patting her shoulders like an elder encouraging the young child. But they were not warm like Damon's!
Her eyes widened when the thought crossed her mind.
"I will go. I was not angry. I was just missing my mother. Oriana had been busy so she had forgotten, it is her death anniversary in a week." Olivia's voice was teary with emotions. The maid's eyes flickered with joy.
She hid the victorious expressions on her face.
"Ah, my poor child. You still miss her." the elder woman wrapped her arms around Olivia. "Do you want to visit her grave? I will accompany you if you want. But I am sure her grace had not been forgotten. Perhaps it is just a misunderstanding, go talk to her." Olivia nodded as she wrapped her arms in return and sobbed. The woman patted Olivia;s head.
She looked at Olivia as if she was looking at a gullible child. She failed to notice the cold look in Olivia's lowered face. After whispering a few more words in favor of Oriana, the maid left silently.
Olivia shared on the canvas, her heart feeling heavy.
"I apologize to you as an excuse, mom. But I had no choice." she wiped the tears off her face. Staring at her face and looking at the mark, she felt satisfied.
She knocked on Oriana's door twice but she did not hear any voice. Yet she heard footsteps, her sister was standing behind the door. Straining her ears so that she could hear better. Olivia looked at the door bemused. In the past, she had taken it as her insecurities. But now..
She did not knock again. She sniffled and then walked away. But before she could take three steps, the door opened.
Oriana did not wait for the maids to open the door.
"Ah, Olivia." oriana faked surprise. "I thought it was your grace. What are you doing here?" she leaned on the door and stared at the empty corridors with a longing look.
"I.. I just wanted to make sure that you are alright, sister. We did not part on good terms yesterday. How are you feeling?" A look of guilt and regret filled Olivia. Oriana's eyes sparkled looking at her but her face only looked heartbroken.
"Come in." She closed the door when Olivia walked in, "Olivia, I know that I have not been taking good care of you recently, and yesterday I was too harsh. But Olivia, do you know how much pressure I am facing! Look, I have even brought a gift for you. But I have forgotten to pass it to you."
Hadiah
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