Chapter 36 - The Telling

Tea room, as I dubbed it, was sparsely furnished - with only few armchairs and a table, but that didn’t mean that it was inferior to other rooms found in the underground hideout. Quite the opposite actually, it was lavishly decorated and the furniture seemed like one of the highest quality.

I sat on top of a pillow that was provided by Clothilde, it was placed on top of a cushioned armchair. My gaze traveled to Oliver, who was taking a seat on the opposite side of a table, meanwhile Live and Ollie went out to prepare the tea.

I swallowed, suddenly overwhelmed by my surroundings. My feet barely touched the ground because the furniture was clearly made with someone larger in mind. Even the pillow that allowed me to comfortably reach the tabletop only added to my discomfort. -’ What am I even doing here? ‘ I asked myself in vain try of understanding how my lukewarm efforts thus far had brought me to a such high tier setting. -’ Why they even take their time to have me? ‘

-” … “ I stopped myself from voicing a question, barely remembering etiquette lessons from earlier, settling for a small talk until tea arrived. -” I hope the location and facilities are to your liking, Lord Oliver? “ To match the surroundings I decided to use a title, settling for one mentioned earlier by maids.

-” Yes, they appear to be quite satisfactory, Princess. “ Oliver responded warmly, giving me an approving smile. -” I wouldn’t mind if you dropped the honorifics and called me Oliver from now on. “

-” Thank you, then I wouldn’t mind if you used my name too. “ I sank into a soft armchair with relief, the tension seemed to drain from me, banished by casual atmosphere.

-” I can’t oblige to such a request, Princess. “ He said with teasing smile. -” I wouldn’t dare to disrespect one bearing the fate of the city on her shoulders. “

-’ What’s with the double standards…’ I wanted to protest, but seeing a mocking twinkle in his eye I gave up on arguing and decided to ignore his teasing. I had a feeling that the more I would argue the more he would try to ridicule me.

As I wondered on how to strike a conversation I was saved by maids, who returned with the tea. I waited while a porcelain tea set was set up on the table. I curiously looked at a decorative teacup placed on a small saucer that were placed before me. The set was covered with images of flying birds and I couldn’t stop myself from being awestruck by the detail and beauty of the decorations.

Hesitantly, I reached for the cup and slowly raised it to my lips. I stopped as my nose was assaulted with an aroma, of apple and cinnamon that almost covered the earthy scent of the tea itself. I normally wasn’t too fond of the flavored teas sold in the shops, but that didn’t look like anything close to the artificial stuff I tried before. I took a cautious sip and narrowed my eyes in a bliss, enjoying the crispness of apples that intertwined with the thick taste of tea leaves coupled with maddeningly sweet aroma of cinnamon augmented by tiniest bit of honey. I knew myself to have a real sweet tooth when it comes to most things, but, to my surprise, I haven’t felt that anything was missing despite the fact that the tea wasn’t very sweet.

I let out a small sigh of satisfaction as I sank into the softness of the armchair and relaxedly sipped the hot drink, exploring the depth of fragrance that I haven’t faced before…

Finally, I let out a sorrowful sigh as I took a last sip and engrossed myself in the scent, mourning the emptiness of the cup. My eyes fluttered open, showing me Oliver’s amused gaze focused on me from across the table. I felt my cheeks growing hot as the realization that I unconsciously side sat, by pulling my legs to the side, and ignored my de facto guest.

-” S-sorry… “ I stuttered embarrassed.

-” Don’t worry, Princess. “ Oliver said good naturedly and waved his hand lightly. -” Let’s consider this an apology for earlier ordeal, though be on guard next time. “ He added while still looking at me…

-’ Almost as if he is enjoying himself… ‘ I thought in surprise, not understanding what his endgame was. Abruptly, I somehow noticed a twitch on Live’s lips. -’ Almost, as if she’s trying not to laugh… ‘ I thought in wonder.

Suddenly, feeling embarrassed without a reason I straightened myself up on the armchair, Oliver took this as a sign and reclined back into his seat, taking a more official pose. -” It seems that rumors about adventurers from other races having dulled senses are untrue. “ He stated casually, as if to help me recover.

-” Ah, yes… “ I started uncertainly, but paused to collect myself and continued normally. -” I mean, my senses suddenly grew sharp recently. Others are probably the same. “ I added, my curiosity suddenly piqued by the subject. -’ Maybe there’s some kind of acclimation period before the system starts to simulate the senses fully? ‘ I wondered and abruptly noticed something. -” I didn’t know that you can investigate such things? “

-” As long as we are discreet, Princess. “ He gave me a roguish smile, but his furrowed brows gave me a cue that I should change the subject.

I sighed and looked around the room before finally deciding to turn my uncertainty into question. -” Why me? I mean why did you decide to take me in? It does not seem that beneficial, considering that you could have used anyone else as a bait. “

-” It’s plenty beneficial, Princess. “ Oliver said simply and sighed upon seeing my dissatisfied expression. -” Hmmm, it’s quite hard to convey without a risk… “ He hesitated and paused, before suddenly continuing with a wicked smile on his face. -” Let’s consider this from a political perspective. “ I nodded hesitantly to his motivated gaze. -” The Church utilized quite a lot of blessings recently, which normally is not possible, as to say costly in a lot of ways. “ Oliver’s smile turned shrewd, and I was struck by the vividness of his expressions that seemed to give a whole new level of charisma to his otherwise plain face. -” Also, a lot of adventurer’s joined their ranks recently. One could say that Both happenings could be related to a God’s grace. “ He finished triumphantly and looked upward as if waiting for something, but nothing happened.

-” I see, thank you for explaining. “ I nodded my understanding before shaking my head in disbelief. -’ So I am a lucky charm to them, aren’t I? ‘ I sighed to myself. -” Are there others? “ I asked awkwardly.

-” No, I wouldn’t forsake my conceited Princess. “ Oliver caught my meaning and responded half jokingly. -” We decided this to be an experiment and other supplicants weren’t sufficiently...interesting. “ He finished and our gazes met for a second, suddenly he took on a serious and heavy tone. -” I just can’t understand you, and I am quite good at those things. “ He stated. -” At first you seem like a ditzy little girl, then you suddenly talk about politics like it's a simple thing and to top it off you somehow have that innocent air of yours, which doesn’t seem like an act, despite killing all those people in slums... “ He took a deep breath and admitted. -” It is maddening. “

It was a kind of declaration that one never expects and hearing such opinion about myself totally caught me off guard. I froze, at a loss on how to respond. Seeing my stupefied expression Oliver spoke again, in a more casual tone. -” Anyway, we deemed that we will have our hands full with just you. “ He gave me a vague half smile and reached for the tea.

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I followed suit and reached for my cup, dutifully filled by Ollie. I could feel my tension disappearing while a warm aroma again threatened to take my senses away, resisting it proved harder than expected. -’ Ahhh... ‘ I languished in bliss. -’ One could get addicted to this… ‘ I thought absentmindedly.

My unfocused gaze rested on Oliver’s surprisingly lax expression and I blinked instantly to focus, but my sudden observation hasn’t gone unnoticed and, before I knew, I was faced with his usual impassive gaze. -’ I must be imagining things. ‘ I thought to myself while lightly shaking my head.

Seeing Oliver’s impassive attitude, and to break the awkward silence, I decided to ask a question, which have been on my mind for the longest time, -” What relationship do you have with Master Oswald? It doesn’t feel like you are his subordinate. “

-” That’s a long and silly tale, Princess. “ Oliver smiled wryly in response.

-” Still, I am curious. “ I insisted.

-” I can’t say no, can I? “ Oliver’s lips twisted into a forced smile and he began in a self deprecating voice. -” Well, one can say that I am his right hand, though the truth is more complicated than that. “ I listened intently. -” Everything began few years back, before Oswald pieced this whole Assassin’s Guild business, however he was already working on it. I was quite prideful back then and took only the hardest and juiciest of contracts. A real stupid idea if you ask me now. Also, I grew quite a reputation as a Master of arts which brought more trouble than it was worth... “

Oliver paused to take a sip of tea, making me feel impatient. -” Oswald decided to scout me out, to push his idea of making an organization forward, and issued me an invitation, which I of course declined. We have gone over it several times, but I was too fond of my freedom and too prideful to accept his callings. Seeing that the casual approach isn’t working Oswald issued me a challenge, to decide who the best assassin is. A stupid thing really, but I was stupid enough to take him up on it. “ Oliver took another sip of tea and made a displeased expression.

-” During that time I took a lot of stupid requests and ended up in all kinds of trouble, it’s a wonder that I didn’t die. After three months, when I was recovering from a really bad wound I smartened up a little and decided that this bet can’t go on, or I will really die. Though I was still prideful and stupid enough to continue the whole affair. Anyway, I sent Oswald a note that we should decide this out by the ultimate test - to see who will be able to take out whom. “

Oliver let out a small laugh. -” I still don’t know why Oswald accepted my proposal, but he said that I am to become his right hand if he wins. Well, that was the silliest period of my life. Imagine this, two grown men stalking each other in the shadows for six whole months; all for the sake of foolish pride, I could have just left the city. Really I should have tattooed a word *idiot* on my forehead back then. “ Oliver sighed and sent me an inquiring look.

I was so engrossed in the story that I barely stopped myself from ordering him to continue.

-” It’s almost scary how your eyes shine when you hear a fool’s story, Princess. “ Oliver observed dryly and laughed softly. -” In the end I managed to find him and make an ambush, though I think that he let himself be found. I jumped him and we kept fighting, with me pushing him further and further back until he was cornered… “ Oliver suddenly made a slight pause. -” I wonder if I should leave it at that… “

I blinked, for a second stunned by the declaration. My hands clasped the teacup strongly as I forced myself to sit still. -’ He is teasing me… damn, if I show any reaction he will… but if I won’t he might… ‘ I awkwardly fought with my thoughts, looking for an answer.

-” Haha. “ Oliver leaned back and let out a wholehearted laughter, evidently satisfied with his scheme. -” Stop glaring daggers at me, Princess, I will continue. “ He raised his arms, as if in defeat, and smirked. -” But you will need to smile for me. “ He stated teasingly.

-” W-what?! “ I stuttered taken aback by his declaration.

-” A nice, good natured smile and you will hear the rest of the story. “ Oliver stated with surprising seriousness. -” Believe me when I say that one smile can open a thousand doors, so stop with the scowling and show me something for a change of pace. “  

After getting tricked, mocked and made a fool off I really didn’t feel like smiling, but I wanted to listen to the rest of the story, so I tentatively bent my lips slightly and tried to smile.

-” A stiff and shy one, but cute enough. “ Oliver commented matter of factly, surprising me.

-” Why did you… “ I started, but he continued his story so I hesitated, not wanting to interrupt him.

-” So I forced him against the wall and tried to press a dagger to his throat. This is my win, I said, but he responded that it’s a draw. Imagine my surprise, when I had the bastard at knife's edge and he casually informs me that I had a few hours left to live due to some poison. “

Oliver shook his head and laughed dryly. -” So I tried to negotiate, that he will give me an antidote and I will let him off, but Oswald wouldn’t budge. He kept telling me that there’s only one way out for me, and it’s as his right hand man. Well, I threatened him, hit him, even stabbed him some, but he wouldn’t budge, he kept saying that our lives are bound now and there’s no way out. “

Oliver took a deep breath. -” It was a tough time for me, I had my honor and resolution, that I would sooner die than admit defeat. Though declarations like that are easy when you don’t have to think too much, but when you have to calmly think it out and choose, whether you want to live or just to die… the answer is surprisingly easy to find. “ He finished softly.

I was a bit shaken, but before silence could settle between us Oliver spoke again. -” Well, I still managed to argue quite a few crucial points before accepting. “ Oliver smiled slyly. -” Though, since then I was a changed man. “ He reflected.

-” Thank you for sharing this with me. “ I said softly, my eyes felt wet for some reason and I had to blink out some unshed tears.

-” Anyway, in the end it didn’t end half bad... and there was no poison in the first place. “ Oliver rose suddenly. -” This should be enough talk for today, good luck at the academy, Princess. “ He approached and extended a hand to roughly ruffle my hair. -” And smile more, it's something to look forward to. “

His unexpected words and being treated like a child caught me off guard. Before I could collect my thoughts Oliver turned away and left the room, leaving me perplexed and astonished.

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Hey~, Author's here~

sorry for the late release, but I haven't felt like writing for a time and when I did stuff happened and I couldn't write. Anyway, the chapter's out, I hope you enjoyed it. Next one on 14th.

Cheers,

Mea

NEXT CHAPTER: Blair's Story Arc