Chapter 23: Monster Subjugation (XVI).
The walk back to the middle of the camp was in a rather heavy mood.
Olivia is keeping herself together and acting like the heroine inside the tent was not desperately yearning for her attention like a clingy little puppy.
"Tomorrow we'll be spending our time more conveniently. What happened today... is just a minor setback." The villainess could only recount the plan that they had before, place gunpowder and toxic gas inside the cave- drive the goblins out of their nest and kill them all. "My plan might not be perfect, a few might escape but as long as their nesting grounds are gone they'll be a much less of a problem to deal with in the future."
As they went outside, Sebastian noticed that his lady looked down.
Even if the young lady dismisses her feelings, the butler understands perhaps a portion of what Olivia was feeling. He too had feelings of longing but his duties to the house of Alarie mattered more, he regrets it everyday.
The more Olivia talked the more he noticed that she's really turning out to be more like her father as the days go by.
"Lady Olivia," He ventured cautiously, his voice quiet but steady. "That young lady inside the tent... are you sure she's really not your friend?"
Olivia froze for a moment before glancing up at him, her expression hardening as though she were preparing for a fight. But then, something in her eyes shifted, a flicker of hesitation.
'No one in this world knows anything. I wouldn't expect Sebastian to understand, I should make an excuse and be done with this conversation.' She crosses her arms and scoffs, acting. "She's not, I would never be friends or anything else with someone like her. I am Alarie and we don't affiliate with people below our ranks."
"You say that but your mother was also once a daughter of a Baron." (Sebastian) reminded Olivia of her mother's roots.
She whispered under her breath, the word carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken regrets.
Sebastian noticed the subtle shift in her expression, the way her shoulders seemed to sag beneath the weight of a grief she had yet to fully process. He could almost feel her pulling away, trying to escape a truth she didn't want to face.
"Mother..."
The mother of the villainess... She was kind.
Duke Owyn loved her dearly, childhood sweethearts and have fought to keep their love together. An Alarie falling for someone is a rare occurrence, they're a family full of nothing but military strategies, bloodlust and the need for power. They will kill and use their body for any means necessary.
The original Olivia... it seems that when her mother died that was her turning point to change. With a depressed and neglecting father who didn't know how to mourn, she took on the path and responsibilities fitted for an Alarie.
Olivia overwhelmed, turned into bullying and humiliating the heroine for her past time.
'I understand the original villainess a little bit better after being inside her own body and remembering some of her memories but... it's not right for her to hurt Mariana like that.'
"Lady Borbon... I never expected her to be a delightful company to be with. She asked about you, you know." (Sebastian) pauses, remembering the southern girl to be a good listener and chatter who was very interested in the young lady. "Stories about your childhood."
"...Stories about me." Her hand flexed slightly at her side. Even if she retained the original owner's memory, would she call this life that she's living now her own? The horrible things she did weighed heavily but when it came to family things were peaceful and joyous.
Only... when her mother was still alive. "There is nothing interesting about my past. She shouldn't bother getting to know an Alarie, we're strangers and I detest people like her."
For the first time since the fight, the proud Lady Alarie looked unsure. In her old world she wasn't certainly like this, but she's keeping the hope to one day return for the sake of her old life- there was too much she needed to do and responsibilities to keep.
Would her parents be crying knowing she had left for another world?
'If there's even a one percent chance of me going back to my own world I'll keep figuring it out. This world shouldn't be possible, I've been here six months... but I refuse to call this place my new home.'
"I told her a few harmless stories," (Sebastian) said after a pause, breaking the silence. "One where you lost your teddy bear, and the whole household scrambled to find it just to make you stop crying."
"That's not... sigh... it is harmless but that was a private memory." The words hung in the air, and Olivia stood silently, feeling the weight of the decision that loomed over her. She had always prided herself on her strength, her independence, but for the first time, she wasn't sure what was stronger: her resolve to keep her distance, or her growing desire to let someone in.
Sebastian watched her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Why don't you give the young lady a chance, I could see that she really cares about you. It's not always you can meet people like that."
Olivia shook her head, her resolve returning in small, rigid pieces. "I don't want to deal with this right now. My head still feels like it's spinning from the hangover. I just... I can't."
'Is it really the hangover making you this way or something else?' Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly, as if studying her, but he said nothing more, sensing that now was not the time. Still, the silence between them was thick with unspoken words, and for a long while, the only sound was the faint rustling of the wind outside the barracks.
"I understand," (Sebastian) said softly.
Silence stretched between them once more, the wind rustling softly through the camp. The young butler could see the young lady figuring her own life for a chance and decided to go along with it. Sometimes, you have to leave the young ones on their own.
No need to meddle.
"Perhaps next time I'll remind the young lady not to drink too excessively," (Sebastian) added, his tone teasing, though it held a kernel of truth.
Olivia gave him a brief, tired smile. "You have my gratitude, but I won't be seeing you often once I head to the academy. I won't have you guiding me along the way, I know I don't say it often but thank you for being here with me today- accompanying me to this quest to just prove father that I've changed my ways means a lot to me."
Sebastian observes the current Olivia who was impossible to believe that she would grow into this respectable character, a true noble.
"Both of your father and mother would be proud of what you've become, you saved people."
She paused, her voice quiet and almost solemn.
"I might have saved them- but I'm sure some of the men who lost their lives had families who cared about them. To see their lifeless bodies... I know I should get used to this. The blood, the violence... everything." Her eyes flickered with a mix of sorrow and weariness, but there was also something like resolve- something that refused to break. 'Even with the original villainess' memories she's always hated seeing blood.'
Sebastian remained silent, but the weight of his understanding was enough.
"The guilt never leaves. When you're someone with your bloodline, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so," he said quietly. "Your father will ensure you're placed in a position of power once you graduate. The Duke's line has many eyes on it."
Olivia's gaze darkened as she turned to look ahead, the future looming like a shadow over her thoughts.
"Currently, you're in line for the head of the family. Duke Vernon's daughter isn't of age yet."
Daughter of Duke Vernon Alarie.
Evelyn Alarie.
The two had connected at a family gathering, the bond formed almost effortlessly due to Olivia's more open, likable demeanor. It hadn't been easy to win over someone as sharp and perceptive as little Evelyn, but Olivia had done it- by simply being honest.
Olivia has won her over.
"Little Evelyn..." Olivia's voice faltered, a soft sadness lacing her words.
"I haven't seen her in a while... Does uncle and aunt still..." Her thoughts drifted back to the last time she'd heard of Evelyn's situation. The young girl had been cruelly confined to a cramped box under the basement, an unjust punishment made by Olivia's parents. A memory that weighed heavily on Olivia's conscience, 'How could someone do that to their own child?'
"Unfortunately, they still do," (Sebastian) replied, his voice tinged with regret.
Duke Vernon and his wife...
Are monsters thinking this is a normal thing to do to their own children?
'But what right... Do I have to help little Evelyn?'
But even if Olivia wanted to take Evelyn away, she couldn't. With her current position she has no power to do so... the least she can do is check up on her and send letters often.
Olivia's hand tightened into a fist at her side, her jaw clenching as the sense of helplessness crept in. "Before I go to the academy... remind me to visit little Evelyn. That kind of punishment for a child... it's unfit, cruel even... I'll just have to make sure that she's safe. Then when I am head of the family, she won't have to worry about anything else."
Sebastian nodded, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your family has come a long way. From a mere line of knights to a proud noble household. And I have witnessed two brothers fight for that legacy. But what makes you truly worthy of that name is not just the blood you carry, but the choices you make."
"I say they're both doing well... but your father needs time," (Sebastian) continued. "He recently lost your mother. He has yet to find peace in her absence. It was... it was the first time I've seen your father become so detached. He really loved her."
The words were heavy, and for the first time in a long while, Olivia allowed herself to truly feel them. Her father had been consumed by grief after her mother's passing, drowning in a kind of guilt and regret that made him retreat from the world. Olivia had seen the effects of that detachment- the coldness, the absence of the man he once was.
It was painful to acknowledge, "He blew almost all of our finances off for the things he couldn't buy her when she was alive. I assume it was as if some kind of atonement for him to fill in that guilt."
'And I understand. I may not know the villainess' father completely but with the memories they've left for the villainess it seems they were both good and loving parents.'
===
The evening air was thick with the tension that followed Olivia's unspoken thoughts. She walked ahead with Sebastian by her side, the faint clinking of her armor echoing in the stillness of the camp. They arrived at the entrance, where the mood was noticeably tense, the presence of Commander Lenof unmistakable.
Those two got it off lightly, one tongue got cut and the other was spared.
When his eyes met Olivia's, he immediately knelt, his posture tense, as if expecting another reprimand.
"Lady Alarie-" He started, his voice hurried, "I must apologize once again for the actions of my men. Not only did they disrespect Lady Mariana, but also the Alarie family. Please, allow me to make amends for their behavior."
Olivia's gaze was cold, her posture still as regal as ever. Her words were measured, not without authority, but laced with a subtle edge that indicated she was not in the mood for prolonged explanations.
"Have the two been properly taken care of?" she asked, her voice unwavering.
"Yes, Lady Alarie." (Commander Lenof) swallowed hard, his voice a little strained from the tension. "They've been placed in a different medical tent. We heard you were also visiting there and dared not show your face before you. Once everything settles, they will be discharged immediately."
Olivia nodded, her eyes flicking toward the tent where the two soldiers had been taken. She didn't care to dwell on their fate; they had learned their lesson, and it had been enough. "Good. Soldiers of my family should learn how to hold their tongue if they have nothing good to say," she said, turning to leave.
Commander Lenof quickly rose to his feet, offering a bow. "Of course, Lady Alarie."
She walked past him, her head held high, the sharp click of her boots on the gravel a reminder to everyone in the camp of her presence. "Those who will guard the gate need to be reminded that the girl's father will arrive soon. Make sure to welcome them properly, if we don't return from our expedition."
Olivia didn't pause, her attention already elsewhere.
"If that will be all, I'll be conducting perimeter checks around the nest. Stay vigilant." She gave a swift motion to the five knights waiting nearby, already prepared for the expedition.
One of the soldiers hands her horse and she pats its mane gently.
"I will see you all when I get back. Hyah!" (Olivia) commanded, swinging herself onto Gold Stride, Sebastian, standing by her side, nodded to the knights as they mounted their own horses. The small troop began to move, their figures becoming silhouettes against the fading light.
===
Alarie Territory, Perimeter Check of the North Forest
===
The day had stretched on longer than any of the soldiers had anticipated. The sun had already begun its descent, casting long shadows over the North Forest, but still, Olivia insisted on staying out. Her knights, though loyal, were growing visibly weary.
The constant patrols through the dense, silent woods had taken their toll, and the fatigue was starting to show in their sluggish movements and weary expressions. Yet none of them dared to question her.
They were soldiers of the Alarie family, and they followed their orders, no matter how long the task took. "Nothing here, all clear."
That and the fact that two of their men were punished by one having their tongue cut would make anyone move their asses, say nothing and just do what they were told to.
"Still nothing...! No goblins or any monsters found!" One of the soldiers called out as he scanned the trees, his voice lacking the usual confidence.
"We've been out here all day. Isn't it about time we head back?" The second soldier muttered, glancing at the fading light. The exhaustion was evident in his voice, and his gaze drifted toward the distant camp.
Olivia didn't look at him.
"Not yet," she replied, her voice cool, almost detached. She didn't need to look at her men to know they were growing tired. She could sense the impatience in the air, the subtle tension that came from being out in the wilderness too long. But she didn't care.
The men exchanged uncomfortable glances. They had been at this for hours, making round after round, covering the perimeter of the North Forest with no sign of danger. The anticipation, however, remained. It was clear to the soldiers that this wasn't just a simple check. There was something more at play here, something Olivia wasn't sharing with them.
"You know, I don't get it," the first soldier said, shaking his head as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "Why does she want to stay out here? It's almost sunset, and we've checked everything."
"Yeah, we've been out here all day," the second soldier added, glancing at Olivia, who was leading Gold Stride through the woods with the same determined pace as before. "Why doesn't she want to go back? The camp is right there."
"I don't know," The third knight said, his voice laced with a mix of uncertainty and unease. "But I have a bad feeling about this. When you're with an Alarie, things are never... normal."
"By the Light, I've heard stories," the first soldier said with a shudder. "Horrendous things. I just hope it doesn't happen to us... I've already seen enough when she punished those two this morning."
The second knight nodded slowly. "We've been out here too long. I don't even care about the goblins anymore. I just want to go back."
The third soldier sighed. "Well, whatever she's doing, it's her call. More perimeter checks are better than letting another goblin raid happen." He gave the first two knights a tired look. "We can't second-guess her, not now."
"I suppose you're right." The first soldier sighed, a look of resignation settling over his face. "My apologies. I just... thought we'd head back sooner."
Olivia remained focused on the path ahead. She didn't engage in their small talk, her mind firmly set on something else entirely. She wasn't worried about goblins, or any of the usual dangers that came with the forest.
No, her mind was elsewhere- back at the camp.
There was a gnawing, unresolved feeling inside her, something that made her avoid the camp at all costs.
"...it's too awkward if I go back." She didn't want to face Mariana.
Not yet. She wanted time to gather her thoughts, to figure out what to do about the feelings that had been growing inside her ever since their interaction earlier in the day.
Olivia's eyes flickered toward the horizon where the camp waited, just a short ride away. But she didn't turn toward it. She had made up her mind. She would stay out here until the night had fully settled, until it was too late to return. She would not face Mariana now.
"Milady, shouldn't we head back?" (Sebastian) leads his trotting horse to Olivia's side, a touch of concern creeping into his voice as he slows his horse to match Olivia's pace.
"If we head back now, you might be able to say farewell before her father arrives to pick her up," He continued. That only made Mariana even more motivated to stay where she was. For some reason, meeting Mariana's father is making her feel weird.
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she refused to look at him, instead focusing on the path ahead.
"We'll do one more perimeter check before going back," she said, her voice calm, though her heart beat a little faster in her chest.
They fell into silence as they continued their patrol, but their exhaustion was palpable. The day had been long, and their patience was beginning to wear thin.
As the sun continued to dip behind the tree line, the shadows grew longer, and the coolness of evening set in. The forest, which had once felt alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, now seemed eerily still. The quiet weighed on the men, but Olivia, as always, seemed unfazed.
"The sun has gone down, Lady Alarie," One of the soldiers called out as they circled back to Olivia, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. "Can we go back to camp now?"
Olivia's gaze lingered on the horizon for a long moment, the camp just barely visible beyond the trees, the fading light of the day casting long shadows across the land. The weight of her thoughts pressed down on her, but she knew what had to be done. She couldn't keep putting it off.
With a deep breath, she turned to Sebastian, her voice quieter now, yet resolute. "Yes, we'll head back. We've done enough for today."
The soldiers exchanged glances, the relief in their faces evident. They had been out there all day, their bodies aching with fatigue, and the pull of the camp, where they could rest, felt like a distant beacon of safety.
Sebastian gave a small nod, his expression softening, though the concern in his eyes didn't fade entirely. "Understood, Milady."
The group began to turn their horses, the familiar sounds of hooves on the dirt trail filling the air once more. The long, arduous patrol was finally coming to an end. As they rode back toward camp, the shadows deepened further, and the first stars began to pierce the sky above.
Despite the fatigue weighing on her, Olivia's mind remained restless, and a tension still lingered in her chest. She could feel the pull of the camp growing stronger with every step, the anticipation of returning to where Mariana waited.
Her thoughts flickered to the young woman, to the conversation they had shared earlier, to the strange, unfamiliar emotions that had stirred within her.
She wasn't sure what she was feeling, but it was more than just the usual irritation.
As the camp came into view, Olivia's breath caught slightly. She had avoided this moment for hours, but now, there was no escaping it. Mariana would be there. And for some reason, that made Olivia feel... uneasy.
The camp was quiet, the bustle of the day having quieted with the approaching night. The gates were open, and the soldiers standing guard gave respectful nods as Olivia and her group rode through.
"They're here!"
But she didn't immediately look for Mariana. Instead, she gave quick, curt orders to the men, and they dismounted, preparing to handle the usual tasks of camp life.
"I'll get our horses to the stables." (Sebastian) leads Gold Stride as Olivia gets into business, she talked to the other knights who went perimeter checking with her and ordered a full report.
"Make a report about today's perimeter check, tell the Commander to come and meet me."
The knight salutes, "Yes, milady."
She was trying to steady herself, to keep her focus. Despite the weight of the day and the emotions that clung to her, she didn't allow herself to falter. Not yet. Not in front of anyone.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Commander Lenof walked over to her, his tall frame cutting through the air with quiet authority. His expression was respectful, but there was a hint of relief in his voice as he greeted her.
"Lady Alarie," he said, bowing slightly, his tone sincere. "I am glad you have returned safely."
Olivia nodded in acknowledgment, but her eyes were sharp as she assessed him.
"Likewise. Anything happened while I was away?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with a subtle urgency. "Did anyone... visit?"
Commander Lenof hesitated briefly, his eyes flicking toward the horizon before he spoke again. "The father of the young noblewoman you saved arrived just moments earlier. They have left just now, but..." He trailed off, his tone turning cautious.
"But what?" (Olivia) pressed, her brow furrowing slightly.
Her curiosity piqued, she could sense that something was off.
Commander Lenof's gaze shifted, his voice lowered as if ensuring no one else overheard. "Just to be sure, I had a few soldiers escort them until they're in the safe zone. I wanted to make sure they weren't in any danger. I thought Lady Alarie would make the same choice."
The commander, after observing the young lady of the Alarie and saw how much she cared for the girl, thought it would be a good idea to send some extra protection. He doesn't want to get to her bad side any longer.
Olivia's lips tightened, and she nodded once.
"Good," (Olivia) replied, her voice flat, betraying none of the emotions that roiled beneath the surface.
Commander Lenof seemed to sense her quiet tension but said nothing, his thoughts on the other hand were praying and cheering that for once something good happened today.
"You've done well, Commander Lenof," She continued, giving him a slight but sincere nod of approval. "Your precautions were necessary, and your vigilance is appreciated."
Commander Lenof inclined his head, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Thank you, Lady Alarie. It is my duty."
Olivia gave a brief, dismissive gesture, signaling that the conversation was over. Her mind was already elsewhere. "I want to rest in my tent for now, and call every soldier to gather early in the morning. There will be no delay of our mission tomorrow. The goblin nest will be destroyed."
"A-Ah wait!" The commander stops her and holds out something in his hand. Olivia paused mid-step, her mind momentarily snapping back to the present as Commander Lenof's voice reached her. "The young lady left this for you."
Olivia's brow furrowed as she took in the sight of the small parchment in Lenof's hand. She had already half-turned to leave, but something about his hesitation made her curious.
"A letter?" (Olivia) asked, her voice cool but with an underlying tension. She didn't need to ask who it was from. The only young lady who would leave a letter for her would be Mariana.
Commander Lenof gave a short nod, his expression unreadable as he extended the letter to her. "Yes, Lady Alarie. She said it was important. Before leaving with her father she insisted on waiting until sunset, she was really hoping you'd come back sooner."
A heavy weight settled in Olivia's chest as she reached out and took the letter. The faint, familiar scent of Mariana lingered on the paper, a detail that both unsettled and comforted her. For a moment, Olivia just held it in her hand, unsure of what to do.
"Thank you, Commander," She murmured, though her focus was already elsewhere. She gave a quick, almost dismissive nod, signaling that she was done with the conversation, but she didn't move just yet.
Commander Lenof hesitated, as if he wanted to say something else, but instead he nodded, stepping back. "Of course, Lady Alarie. If there's anything else-"
Olivia raised a hand, cutting him off gently but firmly. "No. I'll handle it from here. Get the soldiers ready for tomorrow."
With that, she turned and made her way toward her tent, the letter clutched tightly in her hand. Every step felt heavier, as though the words on that piece of parchment would shift everything- everything she had been trying to avoid.
As she reached her tent, the cool evening air seemed to close in around her.
"A letter... from the heroine... God... please..." She needed a moment.
She needed space.
"Don't let it have anything vulgar inside." Inside the dimly lit tent, Olivia carefully sat down and unfolded the letter, her fingers trembling just slightly as she did. She felt the weight of it in her chest, the anticipation mixed with a quiet, growing fear of what Mariana might have written.
Because last time she received a letter from the heroine she had a nude drawing of Mariana.
It's sitting at her desk at home.
Any man would be jumping for joy but for her she was shaking with fear.
"Whew... please don't have anything weird or sexy or... anything inappropriate!"
Her breath caught in her throat as she began to read.