Basilisk (Dark Ominis Gaunt x OC gothic romance)

Chapter 100: Olivia

~~Ariadne~~

It was difficult to be on her guard at all times, but with Ominis focusing on the detection spells, it was up to her to look out for traps. Ominis was more quiet than usual when she wasn't directly speaking with him, his expression solemn as he kept track of the three servants as they traveled from charm to charm.

There was Olivia, the youngest maid who seemed intent on trailing after Damien despite thinking he didn't speak English. She was enthusiastic about her job, but not very experienced yet.

Then there was Laura, who was quiet and more reserved. She was older than Olivia, but still watched everyone with a keen eye when she was around them.

Last, was Kent. He didn't seem the brightest sometimes, but he was a good butler for the most part... when people were around. He tended to be lazy when he didn't have someone to nag at him to do his job.

"Kent is staying in the kitchen for longer than usual." Ominis murmured as they sat together in the library, with him leaning back against her while she read.

"He could just be eating again." She rolled her eyes, because Kent tended to sneak meals here and there. She didn't care enough to make a fuss about it when she and Ominis were alone like this. It's not like they were hurting for money. Though she did get annoyed when he ate Sebastian's leftover cooking from the ice box. Mostly because then she couldn't have as much.

"Laura is sleeping to wait for the evening work." Ominis murmured. "Olivia is scrubbing the tiles in the entryway."

"Laura's cooking tonight, right?" Ariadne asked softly, glancing back to Ominis.

He nodded gently, frowning at something. "Now Olivia is in the kitchen too."

Ari sat up a bit in concern, because that was unusual. "Is Kent still there as well?"

Ominis concentrated for a moment, his thumb running gently along her hip as he thought. "He just left...so they weren't in there together for long."

Ariadne hummed thoughtfully, glancing back to Ominis. "How would you like it if I made us some tea, love?" She smiled softly.

"As long as you're cautious." Ominis said quietly. "And I'm coming with you." He set his palm against her hip protectively, squeezing gently.

Ariadne hummed happily at the feeling of that, giving her hips a little shimmy that made him smile warmly. "I thought you'd want to come with me." She said softly, leaning down to kiss his cheek gently.

He stood up and waited for her with his hand out so he could be sure she was close, a motion they'd been doing a lot the last day they'd been alone here. She knew it reassured him, and she still got little butterflies in her belly when his large hand wrapped around hers. She definitely wasn't going to complain about it.

As they made their way to the kitchen they passed by Kent, who eyes them as they passed, looking pointed at their joined hands but said nothing. He didn't look happy about something, though.

She found that a bit strange, because usually Kent didn't look at them at all. Maybe something was happening between the servants? Perhaps Olivia had finally lost interest in Damien and was vying for Kent? That would certainly please Marie if that was the case. She knew Olivia trailing after Damien irked Marie to no end.

As they rounded the corner into the kitchen they found Olivia tapping a finger against the counter as she waited for the kettle to boil, looking rather irked. She looked up as they came in and had wide eyes for a moment, tensing. "Ah, hello my lord, my lady. I thought you were still reading in the library?" She said anxiously.