Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 206: Return With Blood!

Chapter 206: Return With Blood!

Olivia’s eyes widened with shock "I used to have nightmares when I was young?" Why did she not remember such a thing?

Oriana blinked, surprised by the question. But after a moment, she nodded slowly. "Yes... yes, you did. When you were small, maybe three or four years old. Then you stopped them when you were seven, I think. You would scream in your sleep. You’d thrash and cry about fire, pain, and people coming to take you away."

Her voice lowered, eyes unfocused like she was reaching far back into memory. "It frightened me. It frightened everyone."

A cold shiver slid down Olivia’s spine. "And then?"

"Then... Mother brought a physician," Oriana said, rubbing her arms. "Not a regular one. She came just once, I think. After that, the nightmares stopped."

"Which one? The one the lord had appointed?" Olivia leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Do you remember anything about her?"

Oriana squinted, visibly straining. "Not her name... no. But I remember her eyes. They were silver like mercury. And her hair, she had red hair like us. But brighter almost like a flame. She wasn’t from the capital, I know that much. I think she and Mother spoke in private before she saw you. I wasn’t allowed in the room."

Olivia’s mouth had gone dry. Her fingers tightened around the folds of her skirt. "Silver eyes..." she echoed, barely above a whisper.

Oriana looked at her curiously. "Why does it matter? Olivia, is something wrong?"

"I... I don’t know," Olivia whispered. Her mind raced but no matter how much she thought, nothing came. So she looked at Oriana again, "What do you remember about that night?" she asked. "The night after the physician came?"

Oriana frowned, clearly growing more unsettled. "You slept peacefully, for the first time in months. Mother said that you would never have dreams again. You never screamed after that. But... there was one thing."

Olivia looked up sharply. "What?"

Oriana hesitated. "The next morning, I found you in the hallway. Just... standing there. Staring at nothing. When I asked what you were doing, you said, ’The fire is gone. But it will come back with blood.’ Then you walked away like you hadn’t said anything at all."

Olivia’s blood ran cold. A long silence settled between them.

"I thought you were just a child with a wild imagination," Oriana added, "and you have always behaved after that. I am happy that you did not have nightmares anymore. You were hard to control with them."

She swallowed hard, her voice hoarse. "Oriana... what if it wasn’t just a dream?"

Oriana stiffened. "Don’t," she warned, fear creeping into her tone. "Don’t go down that path, Olivia. The servants used to whisper that you were possessed! If you are having nightmares again, I will call for the physician. I am sure.."

"But what if it’s not over?" Olivia whispered.

Oriana looked at her for a long moment, and in her eyes, for the first time that day, Olivia saw something she hadn’t expected—fear.

"We’ve already survived once," Oriana said softly. "Don’t dig up the kind of things that can burn us again. Olivia.. " she hesitated, "they used to call you a witch!"

"....." Olivia was enveloped by sudden realization why everyone looked at her strangely when she had returned to the old house that night.

They were not shocked to see her alive, they were worried if the witch had returned!

"And what if.."

"Stop it." Oriana hissed, holding Olivia’s hand in a grip that only brought pain. "Stop whatever you are planning or thinking. See, I have told you, Damon is not right for you. What is he even feeding you these days? Olivia, it could be his way to take revenge." Olivia stood up at once and bade farewell to Oriana.

"Olivia.." Oriana wanted to protect but Olivia did not wait for it as she left the room with heavy steps.

Olivia stepped into the corridor, without knowing where she wanted to go. her thoughts churned in confusion and dread.

And then she collided into someone.

A firm hand steadied her. "Careful—"

Olivia looked up and blinked. "Rhistel."

Normally, she would have offered a curt nod and stepped around him, eager to avoid the weight of his gaze. But today, she exhaled with relief. His presence, usually unsettling, now felt... necessary.

He looked just as startled. "Lady Olivia. I apologize for not being here to welcome you. I hope you liked the manor." only then did he notice, she was covered with cold sweat. "Are you alright, You seem—"

"I need to speak with you," she interrupted. "Do you have a moment?"

Rhistel blinked, then gave a cautious nod. "Yes... of course."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and led him down the corridor, away from the drawing rooms and toward a side gallery seldom used. Rhistel followed, his long strides quiet behind her. His usual wariness was replaced by something sharper.

They entered an empty study tucked behind a faded tapestry, one of the older wings of the manor. The door shut softly behind them.

When she turned to look at him he was smiling eerily.

"I am impressed that my future wife has already given you a tour of the manor." Olivia froze, and then it clicked her. It was not Rhistel who had led the way, it was hers. As if she knew this place.

She gulped, her eyes widening and her lips parting. He took a step closer, knowing well Oriana herself did not know about this place.

"It seems that you have really returned, my lady." she did not know what it meant.

"You..," she pointed one trembling finger at her. "You will tell me what is happening with me now or..."

"Or...?" he tilted his head, amused. "You don’t even remember, Olivia. How are you going to force me to do your bidding? The woman who should have been the strongest stood here like a frightened cat and still demands loyalty." he cocked a brow. "You did not earn it yet, my lady."

"No?" she smirked, surprising him. "But I have earned something else, well." and then... he was on his knees.