The man stood so quickly his chair scraped harshly against the stones. "I’ll inform His Majesty," he said curtly, bowing stiffly, not to Olivia or Shaya, but to Damon alone.
He strode off with barely concealed irritation.
Olivia watched him go, unable to stop the slow curl of a smile tugging at her lips. It was petty, perhaps, to enjoy the way his composure had cracked, but after last night, she had to stand tall against the royal family or they might be her new enemies. Talking about enemies... she looked at Damon.
"You are enjoying this," Shaya said quietly pausing Olivia
"Of course, after all you have accepted the trade. I was worried you would return empty handed." Shaya’s eyes flickered and she looked at Damon.
"There is no way I would return empty handed after eting you." Before Olivia could ask, her head lowered And when her eyes dipped to Olivia’s collarbone, where the edge of her shawl had slipped to reveal just a hint of purpling skin, Olivia stilled.
"You didn’t hide them well," Shaya murmured.
A flush crept up Olivia’s neck as she adjusted the shawl, tugging it tighter. "It wasn’t intentional."
"I didn’t say it was." Shaya sipped her tea again, that sa calm expression returning. "Must have been a rough night. Should I already congratulate both of you?"
Olivia didn’t answer but her face was so red that blood could drip any second. Damon was so close, his leg brushing hers, his hand resting lightly on the armrest between them. He was so close, but not quite touching. And yet, it felt like he was everywhere.
"I’ll prepare the dicines," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "But I want the terms in writing. I want a personal seal. And I want the nas of every plague afflicted village under your care. Or perhaps I should visit them myself and see their symptoms." In the past, the treatnt was found by the royal palace when the plaque had started spreading in their country too through the Aykroyd duchy which shared borders with the eastern country.
She had seen those dicines. She was sure that she could make them. But she didn’t know if it was the sa plague. What if she makes a mistake that costs lives.
"I would be honored if you visit us. Or else, you can talk to my husband. He is a physician himself. He can assist you and learn from you." Damon paused and stared at Shaya with narrowed eyes.
"That was not part of the deal.." he growled, making Olivia blinked.
"We have only discussed the deal now. Nothing is fixed yet." She placed her hand on his wrist to calm him down. "And I do not mind an assistant." his jaw clenched as he realized he was played and shay’s smirk confird it.
Damon exhaled, holding his anger at bay but his cold eyes did not leave shaya. Olivia wanted to end the deal before Damon ruined it.
"I will surely need an assistant." She looked away first.
"Then it’s settled," Shaya said, rising gracefully. "We will leave in a week. I hope you have your first batch ready by then."
Shaya’s eyes flicked to Damon briefly, then back to Olivia. "But before that, you should rest Lady Olivia. You’ll need your strength." She stepped around the table and, with a final glance between the two of them, departed toward the manor.
They sat in silence for a beat, long enough for the birds to fill the quiet.
"You didn’t have to agree," Damon said eventually, voice low. "You could have said no."
Olivia glanced at him, brows raised. "Why are you so against her husband assisting ? Do you think he could play any tricks?
He tilted his head and stared at the sky. If only, he could tell her. "I suppose not."
She sighed, shifting in her seat to face him more fully. "We both want the sa thing. an agreent that doesn’t end in war. If I have to make a few salves and tinctures to save lives and secure peace, I will do it and I do not mind any extra help in it. You know, if you are free, you can help too."
The shawl slowly slipped and she adjusted again with a frown. His eyes imdiately changed. He did not realize he would leave so manry marks on her skin.
Damon’s posture changed and guilt started to rise in his chest for completely different reasons. "Do you regret it?"
She hesitated. And that was enough for an answer. His hands balled into a fist. Olivia noticed it and sighed.
"No," she whispered. "I just don’t know what it ans."
"It ans I am yours," he said simply. "If you will have . Olivia.." he leaned to hold her hand. Olivia noticed a maid subtly staring at them. She wanted to pull away. But paused, they must have heard him last night. She was too loud. Blood started to drip from her fade again. "We can marry after your sister gets married to the northern duke. No one could stop us.."
Her eyes snapped back to his, startled. The truth of it was there, in the way he looked at her—unmasked, unguarded. And terrifyingly sincere. She could not look into those eyes anymore.
"I will think about it," she breathed, before she could stop herself. "I want to talk to Oriana first." He nodded, Oriana was the last in his worries. His mother might be enjoying all the luxury of the north and leave willingly. "As long as she would be happy..."
"No Damon, I want to confirm your claim about Leo.." her gaze hardened. "your words can ruin his life." Damon shook his head. Could she not think about her once?
Damon rubbed for her hand then, fingers brushing over hers, slow and careful. "you never trust . Let earn your trust. Not as a duke. Not as a warrior. Just as ."
Olivia didn’t speak. But she didn’t pull her hand away either.And for now, that was enough for him.
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