Chapter 77: A Strong Woman

Lady Olive Girali was excited.

Okay, maybe ’excited’ wasn’t the right word for what she was feeling right now. Maybe the right word was happy.

Olive was happy.

Why wouldn’t she be?

The entire ball had been exhausting, unentertaining. She’d done what her family had taught her to do for years, though.

The art of fake socialization. It was a really high-valuable art. And it was essential to blend into high society.

But, as essential as this ’art’ was, it was also really exhausting.

Plus, the gossips and the things she’d heard the other noble young ladies her age who lived in the capital whisper were... uncomfortable. Really, really uncomfortable.

Their gossips mostly involved her friend, Rita. And goodness, Olive knew Rita’s father was a really strict man who didn’t let his daughter socialize much, but...

Heck, the things Olive had heard him do...

As she sat on that wooden chair in the garden, listening to Margarita speak, Olive wondered, how was this silver-eyed woman still able to smile so brightly?

If Olive had suffered even half of what Rita had been through...

She shivered just thinking about it. If Olive’s father suddenly decided to lock her up, not even letting her practice the piano or do anything she loved...

Yeah. It was a really good thing the High-ball was ruined. At least now Olive could spend time catching up with Rita, which was the real reason she’d come here in the first place.

Hubolt bless, when was the last time she’d seen Margarita?

Even Maddy, Rita’s trusted sidekick.

This moment felt like a dream. But, she’d pinched herself earlier, so Olive was very, very sure that this wasn’t a dream.

’Its all real,’ Olive thought. ’I’m with Rita and Maddy right now, enjoying the sight of flowers, the evening breeze and the golden glow...’

"...Not to mention that it was the best meal I’d ever tasted," Maddy was saying, giggling.

Rita scoffed, shaking her head. A sweet smile on her lips.

"Every meal that fills your stomach is the best you’ve ever tasted, Maddy."

Olive couldn’t say anything. She just stared at Rita, eyes wet.

Hubolt bless, but this woman was strong.

How?

How was she able to smile so brightly?

And here Olive was, worried about being confined to Ludia even if she had all the freedom she wanted. She could travel. Hell, she’d even come to Rindell on her own. Well, without her father.

But Rita... Rita couldn’t do that.

Rita was saying something about the time when she and Olive would run around the isles of Olive’s late mother’s castle, stealing food from the kitchen, and Maddy was giggling. But, all of a sudden, Rita stopped, gazing at Olive.

"Are you okay, Olive?" She asked, voice low, tinged with worry. "Why are you–"

Olive blinked.

’Huh?’

She wiped her eyes.

She’d been shedding tears? All of a sudden?

A small, warm smile surfaced on her lips.

"Gosh, what’s wrong with me?"

She kept wiping her eyes, even as the tears fell.

"I’m sorry, Rita... it’s just... it’s just..."

Soft, slender arms cradled Olive into a warm hug.

"It’s okay," Rita said softly. "I know. I feel the same way."

Olive started. When had Rita left her wooden chair to come hug her?

Ah, but she felt so warm.

"I’m sorry I didn’t come to visit earlier," Olive said, crying, "I... couldn’t. But Hubolt knows I missed you so much, I–" the words choked her, chest heaving.

Rita’s hug tightened. So, so warm.

"Shhh. It’s okay. I missed you too, Olive."

Finally, after a while, Rita let go, holding Olive’s tear-smeared face, smiling that same warm, heart stirring smile. Brown hair framed a strikingly beautiful face, silver eyes piercing her blue.

Rita had really grown into a beautiful young woman.

Olive’s tears finally stopped, and Rita wiped them off with her fingers.

Feeling embarrassed and small, Olive blushed furiously. What just happened? She’d cried! In front of Rita, no less!

Maddy would forever make fun of her for this.

Speaking of Maddy, the silver-haired woman was already snickering at her own corner, hand covering her mouth.

Olive pointedly ignored the teasing woman, focusing on Rita.

She sniffed.

"I... I heard things, Rita. How? How are you so strong? How can you still smile? I... I can’t imagine being in your position, you must have been so lonely..."

Rita’s eyes widened, and she took her hands off Olive, clearing her throat as she straightened her posture.

She looked flustered.

Had Olive managed to make the composed Margarita flustered?

With a sugary grin, Rita said softly:

"So you’ve heard..."

Olive smiled, adjusting her own posture. Her makeup must’ve been ruined by those tears.

Why the hell did she... argh.

"Yes, High Society is..."

’Huh?’

Rita suddenly struck an agile, battle ready posture, eyes affixed to the skies, squinting.

Maddy stood up immediately, taking a position next to Rita.

"You felt it too?" Maddy asked.

Rita nodded.

Right. There was that incident on the balcony earlier. Olive had forgotten to ask about–

"Um... Rita? What’s wrong?"

Rita held a hand, beckoning on Olive.

"Come, Olive. Now. Hurry."

Olive stood up immediately, heart beating a bit too fast. Rita’s voice had sounded urgent, a bit shaken.

Just as Olive was about to take a step—

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr––—!!!

—The grounds of the garden began to tremble aggressively.

Olive screamed in fright. It felt like an Earthquake. All the three wooden chairs fell, the flowers in the garden shaking incessantly, her legs quivering. She couldn’t walk properly.

God of Light above, what exactly was happening? Earthquake in Levaria?

Olive, barely holding herself, was about to fall. There was little her 1st-circle Earth magic could do to protect her against an unnaturally natural occurrence.

Luckily for her, Rita held her firmly, encasing the three of them within... something green. Like a shield, or a bubble.

Rita could use magic?

This was... like the air itself. Air mage?

Oh, Hubolt above, this woman was not just strong. She was really strong.

But Olive didn’t have time to dwell on that, because—

Flash——!

—The skies changed color.

Slowly, hesitantly, the trio looked upward, gazing at the brilliance manifested in the skies.

And, simultaneously, their eyes widened. For they witnessed a sight more amazing than any they’d ever seen.

A convergence of four lights.