Flashback 4 (Olivia POV)

'Slash…' Duke Ashford killed his man once we reported that the assassin boy managed to run away. I trembled so hard in fear with my body full of cold sweat. My legs couldn't hold my body anymore and I slumped against the ground. "Yo-your grace…"

The duke smiled at me, who was still in a mess. "Don't worry, I will make sure this problem ends well. You have done a great job and you must be tired. So wash yourself, get changed and return back with your father. Make sure you have a good rest because tomorrow will be an important day."

I just nodded at him then did what he asked me. I wasn't sure why he still let me alive and didn't ask anything. Maybe because he thought I was just a mere twelve years old kid? Or because I was trembling hard?

...…..

On the next day, I went back to the forest along with the duke to check the condition. "Bring her highness' body to the palace and start the investigation!" The duke gave his command.

During the investigation, the officials asked me a lot of detailed questions about the incident. They were treating me well as a kid who was survive the assassination acident and calmed me down who was answering with shaky voice.

"Don't worry, you are safe. I know it's hard, but your testimony will help the investigation." That's what those officials rapidly said.

Yeah, they were right, I was safe. I wasn't scared at all because I knew this problem would be settled down. But, my body was still trembling due to another reason. That night was the first time I saw blood and even soaked in blood.

"Olivia." The duke approached me when he finished checking the surroundings. "For the time being, you will be guarded, to ensure your safety."

"Yes, your grace." That meant I couldn't go to my secret place as I had guards tailing me.

....

Days went on and those days were tiring for me. There was nothing special those days except for some people still asking me about that night. I was simply tired mentally after the accident. Even if I was the one who proposed the idea, it didn't mean I wouldn't be shaken mentally.

The accident had settled down and the cases closed. It was turned out that Baron Collin was the murder and sentenced to death. As expected from Duke Ashford, who had the power in military and security.

That was around five days after the accident when I visited the palace to accompany my father in his work. I had prepared myself to find a good opportunity to meet Francis, even though I hadn't met him before and I was still guarded by a knight.

"Olivia, wait for me here. This library is huge so you can find any books you want to read." My father left me alone with the knight to attend a meeting. So, my problem here was, how could I get rid of this knight?

I was thinking of a way as I walked between the bookshelves inside the library. This library was just like what father said. It was so huge that I could even play hide and seek with a lot of friends.

If I use the fact that this library was huge enough to play hide and seek, then I could escape from this knight for a few moments. But how could I manage to meet Francis? His palace was far away from this library.

"Uhh… can I find a history book?" I heard a boy's voice and I wondered who he really was.

There was no voice after that, but I could hear footsteps. "That prince won't give up easily. He just lost his mother and here he is searching for a book." A librarian talked to their friend.

"Just report the book he searched to the empress. He won't survive long either since he doesn't have any backup."

From how the librarian was gossiping, I could tell that boy was Francis. "Sir, can you help me find a geography book there?" I pointed out my finger to the left side of the library. "The book's cover is colored blue, but I forget it's title. I will try to find it there." The knight agreed and we parted our way.

The truth was, finding a geography book is my excuse to cut my 'tail' so I could move freely. I walked toward the direction where the boy was. When I was near, I wore my robe and covered my face, then continued walking. Once I passed him, I dropped a paper, hoping he would notice and read it.

'If you want to grow, then the palace is a bad place for you since you are being watched. If you want, try sneaking out from the palace and visit a bookstore on xx street. There, you can learn a lot without being watched. I will be there in a few months, let's meet there and I will help you.'

That's what I wrote on the paper.

I sighed when I finally gave Francis my letter. I took off my hood and fabric then searched for a geography book with a blue cover. I myself was even wondering if there was any geography book with a blue cover since I just made it up to cut my 'tail'.

Fifteen minutes wandering around the bookshelves I finally found a geography book with a blue cover. This would be enough for me to take and read it somewhere here.

I walked to a table and read the book I picked. But I couldn't focus on reading because I kept thinking about Francis. He may have read the paper, but would he do what I wrote there?

"My lady, I have found three geography books with blue cover, but I don't know which one you want. Here, I bring them all."

I smiled at him, "thank you."

I ended that day by reading geography books with an unfocused mind. When my father finished with his work, we returned back together.

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Hi, here I am with a new chapter....

I wish you like this one, and keep supporting me. I appreciate every input you give me so I can improve myself. Also thank you for all of your support.

See you all in the next chapter