The Whiskey Journals

Chapter 5: Lythikos

Several hours she found herself facing the majestic landscapes in a part of the alps. Beside her, Maxwell, Drake, and Hana stood taking it all in.
"Welcome to Lythikos!" Maxwell beamed, "The land of Ice, Snow and Mountains."
"Wow, This is where Olivia lives? Color me impressed."
"Some of the time yeah" Maxwell said, "She primarily lives at Lythikos Hall, which is much further south, but she'll host us here for the social season so we can take advantage of the winter festivities."
"Leaving her to take advantage of Liam."
"She does have the edge here but that's no reason to admit defeat!"
"What happened to your brother, Maxwell? I notice he's not around lecturing McKinnon. I thought he hated to miss out on the chance to eat fancy food and rub elbows with the royals.." Drake said, hoping to change the topic of Liam and Victoria..to well, anything...
"Bertrand was called away for some business having to do with our estate."
"He won't be here?" Victoria said, "I'd love to see what he looks like relaxed...He isn't all bad..."
"Yeah" Maxwell grinned, "He's got a nice side underneath that stern brow of his..."
"Comeon" Drake said, "We are here in the Alps to enjoy all this...not talk about your brother, Maxwell."
Hana smiled, "I think Drake's right. We could enjoy the outdoors more. It's beautiful here...even if it is very cold."
"Didn't you pack anything warmer?"
"Not exactly. I didn't realize it'd be snowing quite this much...but I'll survive. Why don't we go check out rooms in the chateau?"
After barely putting her stuff away, she turned to find Maxwell balancing on his heels. "Come on, Victoria. Throw something warm on and let's get out there!"
"What's the rush?"
"We've got an entire day in the snow planned! Plus, I already see Olivia and Liam out there on the ice."
She had just finished putting her ice skates on when Maxwell came up next to her. "You do know how to ice skate right?"
"You do remember I am from New York, right? Of course I do...plus-"
"Anyways, remember" he was saying, "Keep your eyes on the prize. Now get out there and grab some time with Liam while I distract Olivia." he turned to Olivia, "Olivia, you gotta see me do a spin and moonwalk move..Don't move!" he turned back to you and hipchecking Victoria, sending her sailing across the frozen pond...Goooo!"
She realized she was headed right to Liam, but righted herself and finish with a small twirl by his side.
"Lady Victoria" he smiled, "A pleasure to see you, as always. You're a vision of grace on those skates."
"Thank you."
"I take it you've come to skate with me today?"
"That was my hope."
He held out his hand, "Then please, accompany me." He glanced at her, "You look very lovely today..and warm."
"Thank you, so very glad I put this in my luggage." she winked, "So this is Lythikos. Do you come here often?"
"Not often, no. However, when we do Olivia's always been generous by having us at her estate. But actually I used to come out here frequently when I was younger. Olivia and I would play in the snow together."
"Olivia played?" she shrugged, "I see her not making friends easily."
"She can be a rather difficult person to get along with."
"Oh, believe me..I have found out first hand."
"What did she do?" he asked almost resigned to the fact that Olivia had pulled something.
"Nothing that is of that much importance, Liam. But she is the opposite of you."
"She had a tough childhood. Her parents were killed in a political assassination when she was five. She was alone with out family for a better part of a year before my parents and I officially visited. She was suppose to be in the care of her great aunt, but that woman had left to summer on the Riviera, abandoning her.." He paused, "She didn't have anyone. She was so alone."
"That is very...sad." Victoria said, squeezing his hand, "It must have been a lot for a five year old little girl to go through. So there was no one here with her? What about staff?"
"The servants were doing their best, but they were traditionalists, Nevrakis family trained for decades. There weren't prepared to give her what she needed most...love."
"Ah, that is heartbreaking. But," Victoria said, giving him a side eye, "She has found love in you. Surely that has changed her."
He looked at her a moment, his eyes wide..."She..I..I see her more like a little sister than someone I could connect with." he glanced at Victoria, "As she is the host here, I would be neglect and rude not to spend time with her but I-"
"Liam, it's not like we are a couple. You do not have to explain to me who or why you spend your time." she caught Drake standing to the stand and her chest tightened. Why, oh why did it hurt to look at him? To feel like she was betraying him? Why couldn't she just...move on from it...she came back to the man beside her who was explaining more of his history with Olivia when she came sliding up. "That Maxwell is a persistent one."
Liam grinned, "He can be high energy."
"Yes, I can tell." Olivia turned to Victoria ignoring the fact that Liam was holding her hand. "So, Victoria, I bet you've never seen a countryside this spectacular. Aren't you impressed?"
Victoria nodded, "Your home is truly love. The lake, the trees, mountains..its breathtaking, Olivia."
"Oh, well..yes it is. I am glad someone like you can appreciate the elegance and splendor of nature. She moved her arm around Liam's. "now, Prince Liam, I believe you owe me a round across the lake."
Liam said his goodbyes as Olivia was already leading him away. Victoria sighed as she sat on a bench, her eyes going over to Drake again. They locked eyes for a moment before he looked away. She noticed Hana coming off the ice. "Where did you learn to skate like that? You looked like a pro out there."
"Ice skating is one of the things my parents sent me to lessons for. You looked like you had some training as well."
"Nothing as fancy as you learned though. Hana, do you enjoy anything they taught you? So far, it seems like your heart isn't quite in this. Ice skating I mean."
"When my parents were selecting my activities, whether or not I enjoyed them wasn't something they factored in consideration." before she could continue Olivia and Liam came in everyone's line of sight.
"All right everyone.It's time to hit the slopes!" announced Olivia.