2 Chapter 2: Erase You

In the social circle, they said that her green eyes were reminiscent of a wandering bard, but Olivia liked her eyes. They were the only thing she had inherited from her mother.

But she was a little disappointed. If her eyes were purple like Esella's, would her family have treated her a little differently?

Envy briefly passed through Olivia's green eyes as she looked at Esella in the portrait.

But soon Olivia raised her head.

"Sister, are you up already? And what about father?"

She was so kind and lovely.

Seventeen-year-old, Esella came down the stairs with sleepy eyes.

Olivia deliberately spoke coldly. "…He's gone to work."

"I came right after I woke up. You're late again. But, sister."

Esella approached Olivia as if disappointed.

"I heard that a unique and beautiful flower decoration was unveiled at the princess's tea party. It was said to be the first design of its kind. When I heard it, I felt like I had seen it somewhere before."

Esella's voice became gentler.

The princess often asked Olivia for work. One of the tasks she was given this time was to create a new flower decoration. Olivia's flower decoration, which she had been thinking about for a few days, was as popular as always, under the name of the princess.

It seems that even Esella, who did not attend the tea party, had heard about it.

"That…I saw it in your room."

"I received some of them from the princess before the tea party. If you like them, I'll send some to your room."

Olivia spoke dryly. The answer was different from what Esella expected, and the disappointment on her face was evident, but Olivia pretended not to notice.

"Thank you. Oh, and, can you come with me to Veronica's tea party today? She's talking so much about her cousin sister, and I want to show off too."

Esella looked at Olivia with a sparkling face full of anticipation. Seeing her face, which was blushing and her eyes shining, Olivia couldn't bring herself to say the harsh words she was about to.

"Well, I…"

"Esella."

A soft voice rose above Olivia's voice. Esella looked up at the stairs. It was Conrad.

"Oh, Father!"

Esella naturally ran to Conrad and hugged him around the neck. Conrad hugged Esella lightly and looked at Olivia with a chilly gaze.

Olivia knew more than anyone else that those eyes were a warning not to be with Esella.

Conrad asked kindly, "What were you talking about?"

"Oh, I was asking Olivia to come with me to Veronica's tea party."

"I see. But, Olivia. It's Wednesday, and you haven't left yet?"

"Oh, right! Today is the day! The prince must be waiting!"

Conrad naturally changed the topic. Esella also nodded her head as there was no reason to press any further.

"Well, thank you. Father."

Conrad's face twisted slightly, but Olivia pretended not to notice.

Olivia liked the term "Father." They were like family. She liked the small connection.

"Then, sister. Let's go together next time. I'll ask you earlier next time!"

With a disappointed look, Esella looked at Olivia and spoke. Olivia avoided eye contact. No matter how early Esella asked, she couldn't go with her.

"Wow, you didn't even ask me to go with you, Esella?"

"Psh, what would be the point of going with you and Conrad? Everyone would just be looking at him."

"Hahaha!" Conrad laughed heartily as if he had just won.

Esella, who was climbing the stairs with a sense of vigor, suddenly turned to Olivia and said, "Oh, by the way! Don't forget about dinner tonight! Have a good time!"

With a wave of her hand, Esella energetically skipped up the stairs.

As Conrad walked behind her, he muttered, "…just do your job. Don't even think about getting close to Esella."

The sharp tone pierced Olivia. She watched him walk away, seemingly unaffected. Olivia slowly held her breath and exhaled.

From the age of six, when Olivia first entered Mandalay, this was her way of coping with her sadness.

Usually, it would all disappear. But today, even after going up to her room, the accumulated sadness didn't dissipate.

Olivia opened her drawer. She pulled out her diary, which was one of five volumes, and laughed dryly.

As she looked at the densely packed handwriting, Olivia murmured, "Oh, I've filled them all."

She had thought of buying another diary on her way home.

She noticed her first diary, which was covered in smudges. Olivia opened it up.

"Today, I called Esella out on her behavior. It's definitely not noble. I was told to fix it. I should never do that again. From now on, I'll make sure to be better."

The writing was smeared and the paper was damp. Despite this, this diary helped her improve. She would write down her flaws and strive not to repeat them.

Therefore, these smudges were nothing special. Olivia's hand stopped as she skimmed through her diary.

***

The Street of the Pauper and the Rich, Turning Bell

Olivia was born and raised there, with her beautiful mother. It was a daily routine of cramped quarters and just one loaf of bread, but Olivia was happy. Her mother's songs and dances had a magical power to make everything seem okay.

The happiness left the house when Olivia was six. Her mother collapsed while she was out working, and she refused any medication, slowly wasting away. One day, her mother looked at Olivia with a tight grip, but it wasn't her mother's grip. The grip was strong and firm, but it was as if it would break even Olivia's small hand. After enduring for many days, Olivia finally broke down and cried.

"Mama, me, cry. Why?"

The voice that tried to soothe me broke off with a sob. Her mother's beautiful singing voice was now nowhere to be found. Even at her young age, Olivia had an instinct that she wouldn't see her mother again.

Her mother had the same instinct.

"Listen to me, Olivia."

After a long time, her mother spoke with force, and Olivia quickly wiped her tears and sat next to her.

"Yes?"

"Your father will come soon."

"But…father is dead."

"I lied. I'm sorry."

"…"

"I'm sorry, Olivia."

"It's okay."

Olivia lowered her head. She didn't fully understand what her mother was saying with her small mind, but there was no need for her mother to apologize. Her mother was happy enough even when she was alone.

"Sweetie, there will be brothers and sisters there. They might seem unfamiliar to you, but you know that if you do your best, everything will work out, right?" her mother said slowly, catching her breath.

"…If I do my best," Olivia replied.

Her mother's eyes widened, as if Olivia had hit the mark perfectly.

That was her last smile. A few days later, her mother no longer moved.

After the simple funeral, a carriage that did not fit in with the street was waiting in front of their house.

The man standing next to the carriage looked down at Olivia. She shrank her shoulders at his cold gaze.

"Judging by your hair color, you must be the daughter."

The man licked his lips and held out his hand towards Olivia. In his hand was something that looked exactly like the string ankle bracelet her mother had left as an heirloom.

"I received a letter. Come with me."