Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 205: A Walking Scandal

Chapter 205: A Walking Scandal

Oriana’s smile faded. Her brows drew together in a deep frown, and she pulled back slightly.

"Someone?" she echoed cautiously. "I did not remember you ever going out or meeting someone? Are you still pining on the second prince, Olivia?"

Olivia hesitated. She could have lied. Or dodged the question. But Oriana would hear about it eventually. if not from Rhistel, then from the elders whispering behind closed doors, or Damon himself. It was better she heard it from Olivia.

Taking a breath, Olivia met her sister’s eyes. "It’s... Damon."

The silence was immediate and Olivia felt guilty for a second. But then it was gone!

A sharp gasp escaped Oriana’s lips before she recoiled, her expression contorting in disbelief. "What?"

"I didn’t plan for it," Olivia said quickly, voice trembling. "It just... happened."

But the words barely registered with Oriana. Her face twisted in fury, in something close to betrayal.

A slap cracked through the air before Olivia could react.

She froze, the sting blooming across her cheek.

Oriana’s eyes were wide with something far more raw than anger! She looked disgusted.

"You love him?" she whispered, voice shaking. "My stepson and Your nephew?"

Olivia touched her cheek slowly, her own breath shallow. "Oriana, he’s not—he never saw you as a mother. You were barely older than him. You didn’t raise him. And you’re not his blood."

"That doesn’t matter!" Oriana hissed. She stood, backing away as if burned. "Even if I give up the title of duchess, even if I walk away from everything Aykroyd gave me, it doesn’t change what Damon was. He was my husband’s son. Our family, Olivia. Do not forget that he wanted to kill us too."

"I know," Olivia whispered. "I know how it sounds. But I need you to understand... he is not the man we once knew. He’s changed. He had protected us when you were not there. We both have already..." she looked away hesitating, "He’s been my shield, my sword, my—"

"Your lover! You have given yourself up to him!" Oriana shook with rage.

She raised her hand again, but it dropped uselessly at her side. "Don’t. Don’t say more. I don’t want to hear this."

Her chest heaved as she struggled to breathe. "Do you even realize what this will look like? What does it already look like? The nobles—Rhistel—everyone—"

"I don’t care what they think," Olivia said, more firmly now. "Not anymore. I’m tired of letting others decide what is acceptable. I’ve walked through fire to protect this family, and so has he. Whatever name the world gives us, I will not turn my back on him. Not again."

Oriana’s lips trembled. She looked away, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"I didn’t come here to fight," Olivia added, softer now.. "And I didn’t expect your blessing. But I came to be honest. If we’re rebuilding this family, it has to start with truth."

For a long time, Oriana said nothing.

Then, barely above a whisper, she asked, "Does he love you?"

Olivia’s eyes welled. She nodded. "Yes. He does."

Oriana turned her head, looking out the tall window at the snow falling over the courtyard.

She was quiet for so long that Olivia thought she might never speak again. But finally, Oriana said, "Then I hope he never makes you cry, Olivia. Return to the territory and hide your identity. Be someone who was never acquainted with me. As long as you do not return to the capital ever and they did not know Damian married you, you could hide this scandal."

"...." Olivia opened her mouth and closed it. She knew it was a scandal.

"Perhaps, many already know about it." Oriana gasped with horror.

"They must mock you." she gasped. Perhaps they did but Olivia had no idea and she did not want to know anymore.

"Do you remember your mother?" Oriaan frowned, thinking it was just a tactic to change the topic. But at the same time, she did not want to press more. She only needs to prove to Olivia with time that there were better men out there.

She fell for Damon because she had never met a decent man in her life. And since it was Oriana;s mistake, she would take it upon herself to correct it.

"Yes, I do remember her. Why? Are you missing her? Rhistel told me that he did not have a house in the capital and he is planning to buy our father’s estate. I am sure there will be many memories and my mother’s portrait." her voice infally softened again. Olivia held her dress tightly, hesitating.

They had the same blood. Why was Oriana not facing anything she faced?

"Then do you remember the herbs father made? I am making them again recently and they have..":

"Oh Olivia, No! I never liked that work. If not for my father looking at us with such joy in his eyes, I would have never stained my hands in making ointments. The whole process makes me nauseous. And I could not see the blood of others. I am glad that mother had asked us to not do it anymore.

Even you, you are getting married now. You should not stain your hands in dirt. It will already be a scandal. Why worsen it?" Olivia nodded, looking away.

"Have you ever had a strange dream then? Like seeing your mother or burning things?" Oriana frowned, not understanding what Olivia was trying.

"Olivia.. Are you having strange dreams?" she asked with a frown. Olivia hesitated before nodding.

"Oh dear, it must be your fears. I have left and you were alone. Being with Damon had only been more exhausting. Tomorrow we will go shopping. You will need a dress for my wedding anyways. Once you will be happy, those nightmares will leave like they have left you in the past." Oriana smiled, touching the swollen cheeks now and sighing.

Olivia frowned at the main point. She held Oriana’s hand and asked desperately.

"I used to have nightmares when I was young?"

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