Tense Expressions

"No! I don't want to go out, I don't need a dress outside, buy it and bring it to me like you always do" Olympia groaned childishly, pulling the handle of the wardrobe while Dina was pulling her by her arm. The stubborn phoenix had the room scattered with all of her clothes just because she didn't want to go out to buy an attractive dress.

"You have to look exquisite for your future husband," Dina said, releasing Olympia's arm and crossing her arms on her chest. Olympia held the wardrobe handle as if she would enter it if Dina decided to make a move.

"I don't need to look exquisite for anybody." Olympia said dramatically. "And get this, you all don't like me going out and now because of the grand ball, you all want me to go out and choose a gown, how unexpected and cunning."

"Fine, Olympia, choose one of the dresses that you have never worn before," Dina eyes moved to the pile of dresses on Olympia's bed. "Like that" She pointed at the pure white ball gown.

"How did that get there?" Olympia asked, stunned. She finally released the handle and walked towards the bed then took the gown out of the pile. "It is beautiful" she smiled and hugged it. She remembered that it was her dress which was bought by her mum for a birthday which hadn't come yet.

"But it's my birthday dress," Olympia said and pouted her lips. Dina laughed and shook her head negatively then walked towards Olympia.

"It fits perfectly for the festival grand ball and I will even make a mask for you" Dina coaxed.

"You say that as if I am excited about the grand ball, the thing is that, I have no choice" Said Olympia twirling slowly.

"You better behave well, do not forget that he is the king Olympia" Dina advised calmly.

"What! I can't change myself for anyone, if he can't tolerate me, it's his loss and my win because he won't like me to marry me" Olympia said excitedly and giggled sinisterly.

Dina's face palmed herself and shook her head negatively.

"I still wonder how he knows me, father himself told me that he didn't see the king and no human has ever seen the king too" Olympia asked thoughtfully, then sat on the bed placing the ball gown on her lap.

Dina smiled at her.

"You aren't human my dear" Dina reminded.

"I know" Olympia groaned and laid her back on the pile of clothes. Her emerald eyes twinkled as she went in daze for a moment. A golden conceived by humans, even to Olympia it was absurd that was why she never questioned her parents over protectiveness and focused on escaping for leisure even though her act almost gave them heart attacks several times.

"Are you okay Olympia?" Dina asked worriedly. The girl didn't reply which was a sign that she didn't hear her due to her thoughts.

"It's still festival season, do you want some of my mooncakes?" Dina suddenly asked with a teasing smile. Her words knocked Olympia out her thoughts. Olympia sprang up and ran back to the wardrobe.

"No! I am okay!" She shouted as if she was fighting an assassin.

Dina laughed and shook her head.

"Of course." She smiled.

"The silk of the gown is nice and the white color is quite bright, it matches your milky pale skin," Dina admired. Olympia smiled and looked at the ball gown. It was indeed beautiful.

"Don't flatter me Dina" Olympia groaned childishly and threw the gown to Dina who caught it immediately and smiled.

"You are worth it dear, you are special" Dina flattered.

Olympia smiled, sighed deeply.

"Thank you" She blushed.

After a long day of chatting with Dina, Olympia was quite disappointed that the reason why Lola didn't come over to the mansion was because her mother was sick. Lola had been with Olympia for two years and Olympia was really attached to her but not more than Dina since Dina had been with her ever since she realized that she was existing. Dina was practically the same age as Luana while Lola was four years older than Olympia.

Olympia walked into the dining room, Luana, Patrick and Devon were already present there.

"I didn't know you would join us for dinner Devon," Olympia smiled and took her seat.

"We didn't know that he would join us either but thankfully, there are enough meals for us" Luana giggled.

Devon smiled faintly.

Olympia focused on her food so, she didn't notice Devon and Patrick exchanging tense glances which exposed that they were worried about something. Luana eventually noticed and suddenly laughed nervously which interrupted Devon's and Patrick's strange tensed glances. Luana's nervous laugh caught Olympia's attention who was already mouth filled.

"So, Olympia, why isn't Dina joining us?" Luana struck up a conversation.

"Hmm, she said she has some night shopping to do which I found strange but ignored" Olympia replied and ate another spoon of food.

"Night shopping?" Devon, Patrick and Luana asked in chorus, all wearing confused and stunned expressions.

"Yes" Olympia replied and swallowed her food. She wasn't paying attention to their faces, she was intensely focused on the food.

Luana looked at Devon and Patrick who still maintained their stunned expressions.

Olympia suddenly looked up at them and caught their expressions.

"What's wrong?" She was surprised by their stunned expressions.

Luana, Devon and Patrick moved their gazes to her and smiled to divert her attention.

"So, what do you plan to wear for the ball?" Luana suddenly asked. Olympia pouted and placed her hand on her cheek.

"The ball gown you bought for my birthday" She replied nonchalantly.

Luana's eyes lit up in excitement. "Yes! That will fit perfectly"

"Yes," Olympia sighed, stirring her food.

Devon, noticing Olympia's glum expression, spoke, "The castle isn't really safe, especially for humans, I am sure the king will make it safe since the ball will be filled with humans on that day. I am just glad that you aren't human so that you would be able to deal with everything"

"I am not human but I am still in danger, Golden Phoenix remember" Olympia reminded dramatically and sighed deeply.

The dinner became awfully quiet and it bothered Olympia because she knew she was the cause of it. Their dinners were never quiet, they must be either scolding, advising or telling each other about their days so she wasn't used to a quiet dinner.

Luana, Patrick and Devon exchanged tense glances once again.

"Mother, father have you two decided whether you would wear masks or not?" Olympia began and looked at her parents and Devon.

Luana smiled at ease though worried lines were deep on her forehead. "We have decided not to wear it, my dear," She replied.

Olympia smiled faintly. Something was off to her, about her parents and Devon's behavior, it was unlike them.

"Is something wrong? Did Dina lie to me and was actually going somewhere else?" She suddenly asked straightforwardly as usual.

Luana, Patrick's and Devon's eyes widened in shock at her sudden questions and it made Olympia worried and convinced even more.

"I am right, you are surely keeping something from me" Olympia gasped, stood up and slammed her hands on the table.

"No, no my dear" Luana denied, she even covered her stunned expression convincing Olympia.

"We are just worried about her, it is strange that she decided to do night shopping," Patrick added, also covering his stunned expression.

"You don't have to worry and why would we keep anything from you?" Devon asked, smiling to ease Olympia.

Olympia felt guilty for suddenly asking those questions. She calmed down and sat back on the chair then smiled apologetically. "I am sorry, I shouldn't have questioned you like that" She bowed her head to avoid their gazes.

They all looked worried and guilty but they covered it up in order to prevent Olympia from asking even more questions.

"Do not worry about anything Olympia" Luana consoled with a smile. Olympia lifted her head and smiled brightly then nodded.

"I'm really excited about the moon cakes..." Olympia paused with widened eyes then laughed nervously. "The grand ball, hehe"

Devon and Luana laughed and shook his heads negatively at the silly girl. Patrick frowned in disappointment and shook his head negatively.

"Remember that you are going there to know the king does not eat moon cakes. There is a high possibility that the king will not show his face to anyone except you because you are his soon to be wife" Patrick said sternly.

The smiles on everyone's faces disappeared immediately he said that except Olympia whose eyes widened in shock.

"How will he recognize me? Have you ever seen me?" She exclaimed in shock.

Patrick caressed his small beards thoughtfully. "You escape occasionally to the town, he must have likely seen you" He replied.

Olympia pouted in anger.

"He must have been stalking me then, how rude and pathetic."