***Six days after Lucina left***
A knock came from the door, and Mary called, "It's me, my Lady."
"Come in," Olivia answered as she finished her morning stretches. The enchanted chandelier shined brightly as she had Lucina change it to automatically adjust its brightness depending on the time of day. Thanks to her new light 'clock', combined with her normal standing clock, Olivia was easily able to keep a daily routine despite never leaving the room. After giving a yawn, Olivia walked over and sat down in front of a mirror.
"Good morning, my Lady," Mary greeted when she entered the room and joined Olivia by the mirror. She grabbed a brush and gently started to fix Olivia's bed head, and told her, "Breakfast is almost ready, Tress will bring it up shortly." There were a few stubborn knots that Mary did her best to untangle without hurting Olivia. "Would you like your hair in a ponytail, this morning?"
"Yes, I plan to start training after breakfast." A wooden target dummy silently sat against the far wall that Olivia had asked Lucina to bring to her room so she could continue practicing her swordsmanship. Her metal longsword leaned against the dresser in its scabbard, awaiting its owner. It was a request Lucina was originally hesitant to fulfill, but after Olivia accepted her feelings she quickly granted it. "Oh, could you get a new whetstone from the knights for me? I need a coarser one." Sword maintenance was a crucial part of training and Olivia also found the act of sharpening her blade to be a relaxing pastime.
"Of course, my Lady," Mary agreed as she finished bringing Olivia's hair into a high ponytail and taking a step back to check over her work.
"Thanks." Olivia smiled to herself in the mirror before taking a deep breath to center herself. With Lucina gone and unable to visit her, the hole in Olivia's heart ached once again. But Olivia had to be strong since she knew this was a step in the right direction. Once Lucina came back victorious, she would be able to go outside not only the room but also the mansion. Her activities would be limited to Solfin but that was still better than a single room. "Hm~." Olivia happily hummed to herself as she imagined where Lucina would take her on their first outing.
***Thirteen days after Lucina left***
A knock came from the door, and Mary called, "It's me, my Lady."
"Come in," Olivia answered and set down the history book she was reading to pass the time. She stretched and checked the clock: it was time for dinner. When the doors opened, Mary and Tress wheeled in a cart of food with a pitcher of water.
"A hunter caught a stag in the southern forest and the chefs couldn't wait," Mary happily relayed as she set a large tray down in the center of the table and removed the lid to reveal a steaming tenderloin. A smaller tray was placed next to it that carried a loaf of white bread, another with roasted parsnips, and a final bowl that was filled with onion soup.
"It smells delicious," Olivia admired as she sat at the table while trying to control her watering mouth. Most of her days were spent doing physical exercises as it was the most helpful in distracting Olivia. As a consequence of her pushing her body, she was eating larger portions to keep up with all the calories she burned throughout the day. After enjoying a piece of tenderloin melting in her mouth, Olivia asked, "Is there enough for the servants?"
"…The stag was larger than a horse, so there is plenty of meat," Mary replied as a soft smile played across her face. "With your permission, I can tell the chefs to prepare more of the meat for the servant dinners."
"Please do." Since she decided to stay with Lucina, Olivia wanted to win some points with the servants wherever she could, despite her circumstances. Food was the quickest and easiest way to win someone's favor. Once Mary left to go spread the word, Olivia asked Tress, "The crab fishermen are supposed to dock tomorrow, right?"
"Correct," Tress said with a nod, "Would you like me to make sure we procure crab for tomorrow's dinner?"
"Yes." Olivia dipped a slice of bread in her soup as she added, "Do we still have some garlic butter leftover?" Butter was a common staple in Arlexian cuisine, but was often used plain to not 'take away' from the main dish's flavor or was just lightly salted for taste. Olivia was glad she remembered the simple garlic butter recipe Sato's mother taught her back in Japan.
"…Unfortunately, the last of it was used yesterday." Tress' obvious hesitance and embarrassed discomfort told Olivia all she needed to know and she couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'm glad everyone enjoys it," Olivia teased. "If we're out of anything, add it to the list for tomorrow."
"…Thank you, Lady Olivia."
***Fourteen? days after Lucina left***
A knock came from the door, and Mary called, "It's me, my Lady."
"Come in," Olivia answered as she set down the whetstone she was using to sharpen her sword. She sheathed the sword and checked the clock: it was time for dinner. When the doors opened, Mary and Tress wheeled in a cart of food with a pitcher of water.
"Another hunter caught a stag in the southern forest," Mary happily relayed as she set a large tray down in the center of the table and she removed the lid to reveal a steaming steak topped with melting butter. A smaller tray was placed next to it that carried a loaf of white bread, another with roasted cabbage, and a final bowl that was filled with salted peas and carrots.
"…It can't be helped, it would be a waste to let the meat spoil," Olivia gave a resigned sigh as she took her seat. "I just hope the crabs can last until tomorrow."
"Crabs?" Mary asked as she looked at Tress, but Tress gave a shrug in response.
"The fishermen docked today and I asked Tress to make sure we got crab for dinner,"
Olivia idly responded as she cut into her steak.
"…My Lady," Mary couldn't hide the worry in her voice as she clarified, "The crab fishermen docked yesterday."
"…?" Olivia stopped chewing the steak in her mouth. The room's normal silence started to feel heavy.
Tress also spoke up, "And, as you asked, I made sure to get some." Her eyes watched Olivia's fork slowly lower onto the plate. "You enjoyed steamed crab legs with garlic butter yesterday. The butter on the steak is also from yesterday's batch." The walls leaned in accusingly.
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"…" Olivia stared at the steak. Streams of butter flowed over the steak's surface and wafts of garlic filled her nose. "Ah, you're right." Olivia tried to laugh it away. "I guess I still have that crab on my mind from how good it was," she lied. "Anyway, make sure the servants also get some of the meat for dinner tonight." Why couldn't she remember eating crab?
"…Of course, my Lady." Mary was hesitant to speak up. It was only relatively recently that Olivia had started genuinely smiling again so she didn't want to jump to any conclusions just yet. Perhaps it was just a lapse in memory. "I'll go let the chefs know." If only it were so.
***Seventeen? days? after Lucina left?***
A knock came from the door. "…" There was no call from the other side.
"Hm?" Olivia looked up from her novel and stared at the door. She put down her book and checked the clock: it was mid-afternoon. "Who is it?"
"Apologies for the interruption, Lady Olivia." It was a female voice Olivia didn't recognize. "I'm one of the laundry maids and was sent to inform you that Mary had an accident."
"An accident!?" Olivia shot up from her seat and started walking toward the door to better communicate with the maid. "What happened?"
"One of the maids was washing the stairs and Mary slipped and fell," the voice answered.
"Is she alright!?" Olivia reached the door.
"Daughter Elise managed to stabilize her." The sound of the door's key entering the lock clicked through the room. "I was sent to inform and keep you company while-!?!" Before the key could turn, a loud thud shook the door as if someone was tackled against it and a woman's voice screamed.
"H-Hey!?" Olivia heard fighting on the other side of the door. The unmistakable sound of blades clashing against each other shattered through her ears. "What's going on!?"
"!?!" A cry was silenced, and Olivia heard something heavy hit the floor. "…" Silence returned.
"…H-Hello?" Olivia backed away from the door and grabbed her sword with trembling hands. "Is…anyone out there?" The ceiling lowered to oppress Olivia's mind and the walls inched closer.
"…I apologize for the scare, Lady Olivia," Peter's voice answered from beyond the door.
"Peter?" Peter never came to her room unless summoned since he was usually busy with the knights. "What's going on?" She heard the key leave the door's lock.
"Some spies managed to infiltrate the staff," Peter responded. "Luckily, Tress noticed this person's strange behavior and that the key to your room was missing, and she informed me in time." Metal footsteps softly splashed in something wet.
"Is…everyone alright?" Olivia's teeth were clenched as she faced the looming door. "Is Mary okay?" The stench of iron leaked through the cracks.
"Mary and the rest of the staff are unharmed," Peter answered while sounding like he was lifting something heavy over his shoulder. "Once we've fully secured the premises, I'll send her up to you."
"P-Please do!" The walls leaned over her. Something moved out of the corner of her eyes. "Hurry!" There was nothing there.
"I will leave some knights outside the door, Lady Olivia. Should you need anything, just call for them." The sound of Peter's heavy footsteps grew distant, and Olivia heard the shifting of plate armor outside the door.
"…" Olivia rushed over to her bed, sword still in hand, and clutched the Lucina doll to her chest as she pressed her back against the wall. Her eyes kept scanning the room with the tip of her sword keeping pace with her gaze. The air was dry, making it hard for Olivia to swallow, and the only sound to accompany her was the ticking of the clock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
***Twenty? days? a?ter Lucina? le??***
A knock came from the door, and Mary called, "It's me, my Lady."
"…Come in," Olivia answered while sitting on her bed, trying her best to keep a calm tone of voice. Her eyes stared at the clock: it was early morning. Tick. Tock.
"Good morning, my Lady," Mary did her best to sound cheerful in an attempt to lift Olivia's mood which was clearly plastered on her face. She walked over to the mirror and gestured to the wardrobe. "Would you like help getting dressed first?"
"…" Olivia looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a white nightgown, her hair was messy from tossing and turning all night, there were bags under her eyes, and she clutched the Lucina doll to her stomach. "Just my hair, for now." Her voice was hollow as she took a seat in front of the mirror and idly started playing with the doll.
"…Of course, my Lady." Mary did her best to control her expressions as she got to work untangling Olivia's hair. Trying to make small talk, Mary asked, "Would you like to make some clothes for the doll?"
"…Clothes?" Olivia slightly perked up at Mary's suggestion. She happily waved the doll's arms as if it was accepting the idea, and Olivia decided, "Sure. Could you bring some suitable cloth to use?"
"Of course, my Lady!" Bringing up the doll was the right decision, and Mary quickly asked, "Was there a particular color or pattern you would like to try sewing?"
"…" Olivia stared at the doll in silence as she thought to herself. Her fingers tipped the doll's head to the side like a confused puppy's before she responded, "A bright yellow would be nice…maybe with a flower design?"
"I'll bring plenty of colored-threads to embroider with, once we finish your hair." Mary was pleased with the soft smile on Olivia's face and started thinking of different ways to spend time with Olivia. She needed social interactions the most, but the increased threats of the shadows were making it difficult. Once she finished straightening Olivia's hair, Mary said, "I'll be right back with the supplies."
"Okay," Olivia happily said as she used her fingers to have the doll wave goodbye to Mary as she left. However, after the oppressive door closed, Mary wouldn't return until dinner. The sounds of fighting bled through Olivia's door. The stench of iron choked Olivia's air. The ticking of the clock filled Olivia's head. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
***Th???y-t?? d?y?? a?t?r? L??ina? ?e??***
A knock came from the door, and Peter called, "It's Peter, Lady Olivia."
"…Again?" Olivia answered from her bed as she stared at the ceiling. She didn't know what time it was.
"Their attacks are getting bolder." Peter's voice wove between the clock's ticking as it worked its way through Olivia's brain. "We're still routing them out, so Mary and the staff are being protected in the kitchen, for now… I apologize." Tick. Tock.
"…It's fine." The ceiling was slowly spinning as Olivia tried to focus on it. The walls were also annoyingly close which was distracting her.
"…" Peter's heavy footsteps disappeared down the hall. Step. Step. Tick. Tock.
"…" Olivia couldn't bring herself to sit up despite her wanting to tell the walls off for being so close while she tried to relax. Her trembling hand reached up to try and stop the ceiling from spinning, but they were shaking too hard to be of any help.
"I'll have to have a talk with Peter, when I get back," an impossible voice broke the suffocating silence.
"…It's fine." Olivia turned her head to the side to stare at the Lucina doll that was sitting across her bed.
"It's not," the doll countered with Lucina's voice despite not having a mouth to speak with. The doll stood up, walked over to Olivia, and reasoned, "He can't even handle a few vermin trying to break in? I guess I've been too soft on the Hellhound's training since you arrived." A soft arm tapped its chest as it declared, "I'll work them harder than I did during the war to make it up to you!"
"…Pfft," Olivia chuckled at the doll's declaration and turned onto her side to face it. "Just promise me you won't kill them, they're doing their best."
"I'll make death a preferred alternative." The doll walked over and placed one of its soft arms on Olivia's forehead. "…Seeing you this stressed makes me sad, after all." Strands of brown yarn fluttered in front of Olivia's eyes as the doll's hair brushed against her face.
"…Mmm." Olivia enjoyed the doll fussing over her. The doll's arm moved in sync with the clock. Stroke. Stroke. Tick. Tock.
"You should work out," the doll suggested as it tilted its head to the side. "You skipped your morning exercises and even ate breakfast in bed. You're getting lazy."
"…I don't want to leave the bed," Olivia moaned. The days were blurring as time went on to the point even Mary and the other maids visiting her didn't help Olivia keep track. Since the chandelier was still bright, it must be day. Since the clock still sounds, time must be moving on. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
"There are…other~ ways to work out," the doll cooed and it brushed some hair off Olivia's face.
"…Other?" Olivia's eyes locked with the doll's. Green button eyes blankly stared into Olivia as the doll loomed over her.
"I can't do it for you since I'm not there, but…" The doll's voice trailed off into a whisper, and Olivia's hand moved down to her waist which was becoming ticklish. "If you say my name, it will be like I'm actually there~."
"Actually…here~…" Olivia pulled up her nightgown and her fingers slid into her underwear. "You're…he-…here~…Lucina~."
"When I come back, we can go see all sorts of places~," the doll promised as it stood over Olivia, its blank, expressionless face not even an inch away from Olivia's. Its unsettling stare pierced through Olivia's heart that craved relief. "Right, Olivia~?"
"Ah…Ah~…" Olivia's addled mind hovered at the edge of consciousness as her fingers worked themselves against her clit in a rhythmic beat. Rub. Rub.
"Any day, I'll be back for you~." The doll wasn't moving, nor was it speaking, yet the words still filled Olivia's head. "O~li~vi~a~!"
"Lu~…ci~…n-Agh~!" Rub. Rub.
"Olivia~." Tick. Tock.
***F????y? ??y?? ?????? L???n?? ?????***
A knock came from the door. "…" There was no call from the other side.
"…" Olivia didn't say anything. Her eyes blankly stared at the Lucina doll next to her.
"…!" The knocking grew louder. Bang. Bang. Tick. Tock.
"…" Slowly, Olivia got out of bed and walked over to the table with all the things Mary used to make her pretty: nail files, brushes, hair bands, makeup, jewelry. She stood in her nightgown staring at her reflection. The reflection turned its head and stared at the door. In a raspy voice, Olivia called out, "Who is it?" Her eyes never left the mirror.
"…" The knocking stopped once Olivia answered. A clicking sound echoed with the clock's ticking as something entered the lock of her door, but it wasn't the key. Click. Click. Tick. Tock.
"…?" Olivia finally turned to look at the door and noticed the handle occasionally jostle as if someone was testing it. The clicking noise got faster.
"They're here." Someone was picking the lock to her door.
"…!" Olivia's eyes widened as, with a final loud click, the door handle fully turned. The oppressive door that confined her opened and daylight spilled in from the windows in the hall to silhouette two cloaked men. One was rising from his knees and was the closest to the door while the other was further back keeping a lookout. Their cloaks reeked of blood. Their drawn shortswords held a miasma of death. Their footfalls broke the prison that kept Olivia safe. Thump. Thump. Tick. Tock.