Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!

"She did not come for dinner either." A maid informed Oriana as she combed her hair. "I heard Paul speaking. She had gone to buy a canvas and a frame. She told him that he wanted to paint her parents, your grace." Oriana had a calm expression on her face as she stared at her own reflection in the mirror.

The maid looked worried at her place. 

"I have never seen My lady complaining. She had never gone against you. But now, she had not eaten a thing, she had not talked to any of us. She did not even go to see the kids. It had never happened before your grace. The lady is behaving strangely. What if she is planning a rebellion." the maid urged with a look of worry. 

Oriana laughed mockingly.

"So she would rebel. And then.. Where would she go?" her voice had a sense of confidence.

"What if she had found a lover?" The maid did not give up. "There is no way that a girl could rebel without a reason." Oriana paused. Finally her expressions changed and deep unease settled on her face.

"But where would she find a man?" Oriana shook her head. "Olivia had the liberty to go out but she had never met a man outside. Even today.."

"Then what if it is a servant who frequents the palace? Lady Olivia spent a good time in the garden too. The training ground of knights is nearby. Your grace, she had already crossed twenty, her youth must be carving for it." the maid nodded with a knowing look that made Oriana frown.

Oriana had Leo already when she was twenty. But it was different. It was not her desire but to secure her position as the duchess since she has a tough competition. But could it be possible that her foolish sister had found herself a boy! And she was rebelling under his influence.

"What shall I do then? Should I confine her in her room or shall I confront her?" Oriana held her dress tightly, "I have already promised her to the second prince. But he did not look very interested. If she did not charm him, her youth would be wasted on a commoner. She had better features than me. If she uses them well, she could secure a position in the royal family. The foolish girl did not understand my good intentions at all." her lips twisted with anger but the maid only sighed.

"She is in a rebellious period. You have pampered her way too much. From the start she had not suffered at all. With a sister like you, the lady had an easy life. But if you punish her, she would only resent you, your grace. You need to handle the situation with trepidation." Oriana sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"This is a headache! I do not know when she will mature. Forget it, since I am the elder here, I will guide her." She stood up and the maid let go of her hair. Orina ran a finger on various jewel boxes on the table. She paused at one and took it out. There were various pearls, amethyst and other gems inside it. She took out a peridot pendant in a gold chain.

"Here, this matches my sister's eyes. She would be happy to see it. But you know what you have to do to convince her right?" Olivia took out a few silver coins and passed it to the maid. the maid smiled with a fawning look in her eyes.

"Your grace is wise like always. I will make sure to convince the lady." she bowed and left. Oriana stared at the peridot and sighed.

"Oh dear sister, why do you not recognize my efforts? If not for me, you would have died long ago." 

—---

Olivia stared at the dark sky and sighed.

"I have missed dinner too." This was the third time. And though she had a habit of staying hungry. It felt like it had been ages since she last had something. 

Her dimmed eyes looked away from the dark sky and stared at the painting in her hands instead. The eyes seem to be staring back at her.

"It has been such a long time since I have drawn something. But I have improved." She placed the painting on the balcony so that the color could dry well. Then she took out another canvas and drew a woman holding two children. She had only made an outline when her door knocked.

A wry smile appeared on her lips as she stared at the door.

"Now you seem so predictable sister." Olivia stood up and opened the door. She feigned surprise when she noticed the maid standing there with a small coin bag in her hands.

"Lady Olivia, I have not disturbed your sleep. Right?" The maid did not wait for the invitation as she entered the room. She scanned the room and her eyes paused on the splayed canvas. Only the outline were drawn but a mother with two daughters could be clearly seen.

"Ah! You were painting. I never knew you could paint, my lady." The maid smiled lovingly. "But you have missed dinners for it? Perhaps, you have eaten in the market. Were the desserts tasty?" as if they were family, the maid was not formal at all as she sat on the chair.

Olivia ignored her, she sat on the ground and started her drawing again. The maid looked intently, her eyes seem to be making a hole on Olivia's back.

"You know my lady, the duchess had been very worried. She had asked about you more than ten times during her meal. It was until his grace seemed displeased that she stopped." The maid started after a long time when Olivia did not ask her the reason for her visit. "She urged me to go and look for you. But she refused to inform me about her worries. The duchess is so kind to you. She cares about you more than her kids."